# Why wont the US resolve issues? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 12, 2012, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267 "2012-08-12T14:06:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Stoneburg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2012, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/121 "2012-08-13T21:01:57Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot this thread was only about insulting America. I’ll get back on topic. It’s not about insulting any nation, although I am often amazed at how some take critisism of ones nation as a personal insult. ---
**Author:** ![Stoneburg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/122 "2012-08-13T21:04:31Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > How come the Europeans can’t resolve the currency issue? We (the US) have had a single currency for 150 years (i.e. since the ACW) without any problems and nobody has had serious discussions of (re-)introducing their own currency. Many nations in the EU want to keep their currency because they believe there is an advantage to being able to regulate it. It’s one of those issues that aren’t resolved… But really, just trying to stack up percieved flaws in the EU/US is neither interesting nor intellectually stimulating. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/123 "2012-08-13T21:39:06Z")
> [@Stoneburg](#): > > Many nations in the EU want to keep their currency because they believe there is an advantage to being able to regulate it. It’s one of those issues that aren’t resolved… > > But really, just trying to stack up percieved flaws in the EU/US is neither interesting nor intellectually stimulating. I don’t see it as a perceived flaw (maybe you do?). It’s an example of an EU-wide “issue” that hasn’t been resolved because there are competing interests and opinions. This dichotomy is also evident in the US issues you’ve brought up. In the end the EU and the US both have their unresolved issues and the US is no worse (or better) than the EU. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/124 "2012-08-13T21:39:13Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot this thread was only about insulting America. I’ll get back on topic. So you are not going to respond to my comments and instead just post a bit of snark in Great Debates. Great. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/125 "2012-08-14T03:02:09Z")
> [@Stoneburg](#): > > It’s not about insulting any nation, although I am often amazed at how some take critisism of ones nation as a personal insult. I certainly don’t have a problem with criticism of America, but every discussion board I go to, Europeans don’t like it when it gets turned around on them. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/126 "2012-08-14T04:08:29Z")
> [@fumster](#): > > But less sovereignty than countries in Europe. So why have all the countries in Europe, more diverse and numerous than the states, outlawed the death penalty? I guess by “Europe” you actually mean “Western Europe” or maybe “The EU”. Belarus still allows capital punishment. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/127 "2012-08-14T05:05:15Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > Every EU country (well, apart from some of the very new ones) has a completely open border policy to other EU countries, both in terms of visiting and working. . Every US State has a completely open border policy to other US States, both in terms of visiting and working. So? How many Africans & South Americans do you allow to immigrate? ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/128 "2012-08-14T05:56:51Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > I guess by “Europe” you actually mean “Western Europe” or maybe “The EU”. Belarus still allows capital punishment. Do you find it comforting that we share a capital punishment policy with the only dictatorship in Europe? I can just see the bumper sticker “United States: Fairly Progressive When Compared to Belarus”. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/129 "2012-08-14T06:10:33Z")
> [@fumster](#): > > I can just see the bumper sticker “United States: Fairly Progressive When Compared to Belarus” (except for Texas). ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/130 "2012-08-14T07:12:31Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I certainly don’t have a problem with criticism of America, but every discussion board I go to, Europeans don’t like it when it gets turned around on them. I am, however, still waiting for these ideas that Europeans don’t like “just because they are American”. I Just walked into this thread, hadn’t even posted and found out I was arrogant, which was nice. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/131 "2012-08-14T07:14:57Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Every US State has a completely open border policy to other US States, both in terms of visiting and working. So? > > How many Africans & South Americans do you allow to immigrate? US States are not equivalent to EU countries, no matter how much you want them to be to help your argument. ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/132 "2012-08-14T07:35:29Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > I am, however, still waiting for these ideas that Europeans don’t like “just because they are American”. I Just walked into this thread, hadn’t even posted and found out I was arrogant, which was nice. If you Google “amerikanske tilstande” you’ll find a bunch. It’s a Danish stock phrase meaning “American conditions” used to invalidate an opinion or idea solely because it supposedly would lead to becoming more like the USA. Well it has been overused so much that these days it is more like a parody phrase. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/133 "2012-08-14T09:10:13Z")
> [@Rune](#): > > If you Google “amerikanske tilstande” you’ll find a bunch. It’s a Danish stock phrase meaning “American conditions” used to invalidate an opinion or idea solely because it supposedly would lead to becoming more like the USA. Well it has been overused so much that these days it is more like a parody phrase. So we are damning a continent due to a country of five million people? ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/134 "2012-08-14T09:21:58Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > So we are damning a continent due to a country of five million people? You asked for examples. I gave you examples. What more do you want? ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/135 "2012-08-14T09:35:24Z")
> [@Rune](#): > > You asked for examples. I gave you examples. What more do you want? I was hoping for something a bit more widespread, not just a single country that provides a massive 1% of the EU’s population. And that’s just the EU, it gets even smaller once we use “Europe” to mean the actual whole continent. ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/136 "2012-08-14T10:42:01Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > I was hoping for something a bit more widespread, not just a single country that provides a massive 1% of the EU’s population. And that’s just the EU, it gets even smaller once we use “Europe” to mean the actual whole continent. Ok. Another time perhaps it would be easier if you just told where you want the goalposts, that way you won’t have to move them at a later time. As to the topic, here’s an article on popular support for capital punishment: [Europeans Support Capital Punishment Too](http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/europeans-support-capital-punishment-too.php) Especially relevant for the OP may be: > [@](#): > > When a 1997 poll showed that 49 percent of Swedes wanted the death penalty reinstated, the country’s justice minister told a reporter: “They don’t really want the death penalty; they are objecting to the increasing violence. I see this as a call to politicians and the justice system to do more.” ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/137 "2012-08-14T12:57:28Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > US States are not equivalent to EU countries, no matter how much you want them to be to help your argument. In many ways they are. But let us get back to the main question: \*\*How many Africans & South Americans do you allow to immigrate? \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Stoneburg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/138 "2012-08-14T13:25:55Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > I don’t see it as a perceived flaw (maybe you do?). It’s an example of an EU-wide “issue” that hasn’t been resolved because there are competing interests and opinions. This dichotomy is also evident in the US issues you’ve brought up. In the end the EU and the US both have their unresolved issues and the US is no worse (or better) than the EU. Yes, but since this is self evident and not in question I don’t see much point in discussing it. ---
**Author:** ![Stoneburg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/139 "2012-08-14T13:29:19Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I certainly don’t have a problem with criticism of America, but every discussion board I go to, Europeans don’t like it when it gets turned around on them. I don’t know what boards you frequent or which Europeans you refer to. I would estimate that more than 95% of my critisisms are against Sweden, 4% against other European nations and the remaining 1% is split among the US and other non-European countries. On this board I find it pointless to discuss the details of Swedish policies too much since the board is made up mainly of people who don’t know or care about the policies of a weird little nation in the northern part of another continent. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267/140 "2012-08-14T14:18:12Z")
> [@Stoneburg](#): > > I don’t know what boards you frequent or which Europeans you refer to. I would estimate that more than 95% of my critisisms are against Sweden, 4% against other European nations and the remaining 1% is split among the US and other non-European countries. **On this board I find it pointless to discuss the details of Swedish policies too much since the board is made up mainly of people who don’t know** or care about the policies of a weird little nation in the northern part of another continent. This is your chance to fight ignorance, one poster at a time. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-the-us-resolve-issues/631267.md?page=8)