Not exactly, but close. New Mexico is mostly bilingual, and there is a large Hispanic population everywhere near the Mexican border, but most non-Latino Americans speak only English or are bilingual in a language other than Spanish. That said, we get exposed to Spanish a lot more than any other language (aside from English, of course), so we’re more likely to know a few simple Spanish phrases than, say, your average Norwegian.
For sure. You do pick up quite a few words just from the signage and other advertising you see around here (L.A.). Knowledge of another Romance language, and the way these languages are structured generally, also helps. But I wouldn’t call myself bilingual with respect to Spanish.
I can see the population being more inclined to Europe but I can’t see the political class going anywhere - not while they’re funded by corproations and influenced by equally well funded lobby groups.
So Pinochet overthrew the democratically elected government, installed himself as a dictator, abolished civil rights, killed thousands of people - and then turned around and enacted a liberal economic program anyway, which turned out to work fine.
Just to give a bit of background on Allende’s ‘Neo-liberal’ programs and initiatives. It’s surprising to hear the seizure of property and nationalization of industry called ‘neo-liberal’ but maybe I haven’t been keeping up.
The USA will remain distinctly different - and increasingly moreso - from Europe (and Canada, Australia, NZ, etc.) if only for one reason: the prominent role that religion, specifically Evangelical Christianity, plays in American public life.
I’ve lived over here (Ireland) for over 5 years now, and I have to say that you don’t really notice how out of step the US appears in regards to its fellow wealthy, industrialized nations in this aspect until you’re not living there anymore.
It depends on which party prevails. If the Democrats gain effective power, the US gets a bit more European. If the Republicans are in power, the US becomes India.
True dat. Three years in a row I forgot to buy booze before Good Friday.:smack:
I followed the election campaign here earlier this year (first time I ever voted in a non-US election), and I don’t recall any politicians grandstanding on the Bible. Very un-American of them.
The USA has all the feel of the teenager who thinks he knows it all, whereas Europe is the mature parent. Just like any teenager, the energy is their, but the attitudes are basically selfish, naive and bigoted. The parent still makes mistakes but understands the value of helping each other, social awareness, that being self-centered only leads others to dislike you (no matter how much you like yourself).
The arrogance of the USA is best summed up in sport: Green Bay Packers - ‘World’ Champions, San Francisco Giants - ‘World’ Champions, Dallas Mavericks - ‘World’ Champions. OK - they’re all champions, even North American champions, but ‘World’? No way - hardly anyone else in the world cares about these parochial sports. Wake up and grow up, USA! Join the rest of the world, don’t try to control it, rule over it, crow over it - the rest of the world is heartily sick of your arrogance (and there is no jealousy involved - why would Norwegians, Swedes, Germans, etc be jealous of a nation with lower quality of life, lower living standards, more poverty, etc?). Soon, China, India and , possibly, even Brazil, will be economically more important.
Even though much of the Christianity is easy-believism and prosperity gospel. Nevertheless, it is good to live in a country where no-one sneers at you because you are a believer unlike, say, the UK - unless, of course, you are a muslim, when hardly anybody trusts you if you live in the USA.
