Do you think America is doomed, or that it hit a bump in it's progression as a nation? - General

[QUOTE=ice445;34969170]You and him both failed at understanding, so let me help you. With regards to public transport, [B]the United States has a far more spread out population over a much wider area[/B], thus making the cost of effective public transportation far higher than in Europe. [/QUOTE] I wasn't aware we didn't have cities. I can't even address the rest of this post because it's awful. Do you know how public transportation works? No country tries to set up a rail service to every single farm and mountain town.

It's because we're 'MERICA and we do things our way, and if you dont like it you can just GEEET Out and go to the socialist shithole that is Europe. [/joke] I don't really see anything wrong with america at the moment in my current scope of living.

The economy is good and unemployment is decreasing. I don't see the problem.

[QUOTE=Atlascore;34975510]I didn't say it was going to be a cheap fix, you're the one with comprehension problems. Also, no, it is not going to cost several trillion dollars, it was obvious the second you said that you have no idea what you're talking about. The materials used to construct railways and roads is incredibly cheap and widely available, the people that would be building these things wouldn't be paid 100,000 a year salary's, and the only even remotely costly thing would be how long it would take, it wouldn't even come up to five hundred billion dollars.[/QUOTE] Keep rambling, you have no idea what you're going on about. As I said, do some research. Also, infrastructure as a whole includes far more than just roads and railways. Actually, let me help you. [url]http://www.businessinsider.com/infrastructure-urban-land-institute-2011-10[/url]. Keep in mind that estimate is on the low side simply due to the staggering amount of infrastructure that needs to be replaced. Our entire highway system was only designed to last 50 years, as were most bridges. [editline]3rd March 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Xenocidebot;34975307]I wasn't aware we didn't have cities. I can't even address the rest of this post because it's awful. Do you know how public transportation works? No country tries to set up a rail service to every single farm and mountain town.[/QUOTE] You're amusing. Let's look at an average American city for a moment. You have the central core, where most of the businesses lie, and then you have the outer skirts which almost always includes several suburbs. The distances that an effective public transportation network would have to cover are immense. Couple that with the cheap price of fuel and there simply has never been a reason to heavily invest in public transport. You're an idiot if you really think I was talking about linking every town in existence with public transportation.

[QUOTE=Marbalo;34976448]Totally, because CNN reported that the economy is up by 2% and everything is A-OK![/QUOTE] My post was rash and badly worded. The economy isn't "good" but it's not "bad" and America is far from being "doomed as a nation."

Public transportation is down because the conservative republicans would rather cut taxes on wealthy bankers and destroy meager social programs. Most of them blame the low gas prices on the president for christ-sake.

[QUOTE=King Tiger;34975962]The economy is good and unemployment is decreasing. I don't see the problem.[/QUOTE] The economy is improving very slightly, I don't think that's "good" [editline]3rd March 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=King Tiger;34979225]My post was rash and badly worded. The economy isn't "good" but it's not "bad" and America is far from being "doomed as a nation."[/QUOTE] The economy may be doing better, but America's deteriorating culture is running itself into the ground.

[QUOTE=Atlascore;34980122]Welp, I was wrong, I apologize.[/QUOTE] And I apologize for calling you ignorant in my first post. I just dislike seeing subjectivity with regards to topics like this. Keep in mind there is no doubt at all that we can and should improve our infrastructure and public transport to at least better mirror the more efficient systems in europe, but I don't think it can ever really be the same just because of the differences in population and how the cities were laid out.

[QUOTE=Governor Goblin;34980311] The economy may be doing better, but America's deteriorating culture is running itself into the ground.[/QUOTE] Are you even American?

[QUOTE=Governor Goblin;34980311]The economy is improving very slightly, I don't think that's "good" [editline]3rd March 2012[/editline] The economy may be doing better, but America's deteriorating culture is running itself into the ground.[/QUOTE] Deteriorating culture? People's mindsets are improving, that much is clear. It's just that we're going a lot slower than everyone else. [editline]4th March 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Marbalo;34976448]Totally, because CNN reported that the economy is up by 2% and everything is A-OK![/QUOTE] It's improving. According to our past economic trend, it doesn't really have anywhere else to go but up at this point.

[QUOTE=Meller Yeller;34981442]Deteriorating culture? People's mindsets are improving, that much is clear. It's just that we're going a lot slower than everyone else.[/quote] For every step forward, America seems to take many back. [editline]4th March 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Pantz76;34981368]Are you even American?[/QUOTE] I live in America at the second, but I'm not a native.

[QUOTE=Governor Goblin;34981648]For every step forward, America seems to take many back. [editline]4th March 2012[/editline] I live in America at the second, but I'm not a native.[/QUOTE] Then you're just not paying attention. The difference now from what people thought decades ago is pretty phenomenal.

[QUOTE=Governor Goblin;34981648]For every step forward, America seems to take many back. [/QUOTE] *Citation Needed*

[QUOTE=Pantz76;34982056]*Citation Needed*[/QUOTE] Yeah, American culture is fucking perfect, right?

[QUOTE=Megafan;33979131]Okay, for one that video cannot seem to get any more pretentious. For two, I find the fact that it associates foreign bases as a whole with the problems in Iraq or Afghanistan. Those affairs have caused nothing but horrific problems, but military bases as a 'thing' aren't causing death and destruction. What about the US bases in Germany or Japan? Are they killing civilians the same way they are in Afghanistan? But they are military bases, surely they must be operating above the law and torturing the local Germans and Japanese? Bad policy is bad policy, it doesn't hinge on the fact that there are military bases elsewhere. If you wish to come it from a 'cut the defense budget, it's ridiculously bloated' standpoint for these peaceful deployments, that's fine, but don't make the claim that all military bases bring death and destruction.[/QUOTE] Military bases themselves may not be the specific problem, I think relaying the problem to that is missing the point (although Japanese have complained over US military activity near one base as causing too much noise and also a helicopter crash that happened on a Japanese school nearby). Attributing the problem solely as a military base issue may not be the issue, but the jist of the issue lies upon the fact that enforcing a presence upon a mortal enemy's homeland will cause more problems than fix them. It could be argued that it was our mortal enemy that struck first (9/11), but as Ron Paul points out: our presence and influence in foreign countries have not done us favors in the past. While as immature and pre-emptive the terrorists were to attack us, their anger and frustrations have a root in our foreign influence (aiding dictators for economic gain in the name of world democracy). I'm also sure there are many of us that already foster hate and fear from China's incline.

Calm down cowboy... [QUOTE=Governor Goblin;34981648]For every step forward, America seems to take many back.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Governor Goblin;34983004]Yeah, American culture is fucking perfect, right?[/QUOTE] Notice, there is a difference between disagreeing with your first statement and saying American culture is perfect. Lets take a deep breath and take it easy now...

Are you going to actually make a valid point, or assume because I said fucking, I'm some now fuming with incomprehensible rage (Which is a pretty stupid conclusion mind you.) Here, let me use your tactics to determine you. hmm, okay, I see you ended your sentence with an ellipse, well, that means you're a rapist [editline]4th March 2012[/editline] Yeah doesn't make any sense, now does it? You should try that whole 'thinking' thing, it really works well.

[QUOTE=Governor Goblin;34986685]Are you going to actually make a valid point, or assume because I said fucking, I'm some now fuming with incomprehensible rage (Which is a pretty stupid conclusion mind you.) Here, let me use your tactics to determine you. hmm, okay, I see you ended your sentence with an ellipse, well, that means you're a rapist [editline]4th March 2012[/editline] Yeah doesn't make any sense, now does it? You should try that whole 'thinking' thing, it really works well.[/QUOTE] His point is that you were trying to strawman. Just because someone disagreed with that statement doesn't in any way give any clues to their actual opinion (or anything for that matter).

[QUOTE=Governor Goblin;34986685]Are you going to actually make a valid point, or assume because I said fucking, I'm some now fuming with incomprehensible rage (Which is a pretty stupid conclusion mind you.) Here, let me use your tactics to determine you. hmm, okay, I see you ended your sentence with an ellipse, well, that means you're a rapist [editline]4th March 2012[/editline] Yeah doesn't make any sense, now does it? You should try that whole 'thinking' thing, it really works well.[/QUOTE] Now you're just being hostile. We're just having a discussion ok? Why are you being condescending? Why can't you be nice to me?

Because you're making dumb assertions instead of making valid arguments?

[QUOTE=Governor Goblin;34983004]Yeah, American culture is fucking perfect, right?[/QUOTE] yeah good job instead of arguing your initial claim attack the other extreme talk about making a valid point huh

[QUOTE=Governor Goblin;34988321]Because you're making dumb assertions instead of making valid arguments?[/QUOTE] That doesn't mean you have to get angry. We are simply having a discussion. We are all learning here, you don't have to be condescending even if I am being "dumb".

Uh, I'm not angry? I really don't see how the hell you got that.

[QUOTE=Governor Goblin;34994288]Uh, I'm not angry? I really don't see how the hell you got that.[/QUOTE] Ur a dum faggot prick [highlight](User was banned for this post ("This is NOT how to post in Mass Debate" - Megafan))[/highlight]

[QUOTE=King Tiger;34996925]Ur a dum faggot prick[/QUOTE] Great thing I didn't say any of that. [editline]5th March 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Jaehead;34991070]yeah good job instead of arguing your initial claim attack the other extreme talk about making a valid point huh[/QUOTE] If the culture is obviously deteriorating, and honestly, I really don't see how anyone can defend that it's not, turn on your television for half a second. It's not just the contents, but how Americans on average treat things. Americans are increasingly becoming alarmingly bipolar and neurotic. Giving a shit about things that absolutely just don't matter. This celebrity worship, this mud slinging social politics - This isn't getting better.

And I can say that you only need to look at the comments section of the Wall Street Journal for a couple of minutes to tell that the majority of them are rather well thought out There always have been people as you have described above, but I wouldn't say that those people represent the majority. To make a statement about an entire population whilst only taking into account one group of individuals is a pretty bold claim to make

This is implying I pointed out a really small group. I didn't, even then, how does a fucking WSJ comment section disprove what I said? And wall street journal? Yeah, the paper that propagates one of the worse systems mankind has ever come up with, that'll prove the US is doing A-OK. [editline]5th March 2012[/editline] If you HONESTLY think Americans are typically in tune with the world around them, and focus on real issues, then you're out of your absolute fucking mind.

[QUOTE=Governor Goblin;35001881]This is implying I pointed out a really small group. I didn't, even then, how does a fucking WSJ comment section disprove what I said? And wall street journal? Yeah, the paper that propagates one of the worse systems mankind has ever come up with, that'll prove the US is doing A-OK.[/QUOTE] No, I simply said that I don't think the majority of the population is obsessed with celebrity worship, and it disproves it because contrary to what you say, there are people who are concerned with matters outside of celebrities Yeah and if you really think wsj advocates the financial sector you're just plain wrong

The media is absolutely saturated with 'reality TV' and celebrity worship. The problem here comes from the top; there is a massive corporate influence in every part of American life. And they saturate the fuck out of everything with pointless media and attempt to capitalise on even the worse tragedies. You know what everyone seems to be more concerned about lately on news sites and fucking magazines I see everywhere? Snooki's baby that's coming. Oh lets forget about important shit, like the fucking massacres in Syria for example. But the fucking worse part is, people are okay with this. Go to your average American on the street. Ask them about some sappy reality TV show, then ask them for opinions on how to handle Syria or the economy, or whatever. Seriously try it, see how well it goes. And I'm not entirely blaming Americans, and I'm not saying all Americans are like that. they only take in what they can. American media is some of the worse in history. People are not informed anymore, and they are bombarded with useless shit that matters to know one. THAT is why American culture is a colossal mess. All in all, it comes down to the media, and their failure to inform viewers. And WSJ owned by Dow Jones, that right there is your first indicator.

[QUOTE=Governor Goblin;35003268]The media is absolutely saturated with 'reality TV' and celebrity worship. The problem here comes from the top; there is a massive corporate influence in every part of American life. And they saturate the fuck out of everything with pointless media and attempt to capitalise on even the worse tragedies. You know what everyone seems to be more concerned about lately on news sites and fucking magazines I see everywhere? Snooki's baby that's coming. Oh lets forget about important shit, like the fucking massacres in Syria for example. But the fucking worse part is, people are okay with this. Go to your average American on the street. Ask them about some sappy reality TV show, then ask them for opinions on how to handle Syria or the economy, or whatever. Seriously try it, see how well it goes. And I'm not entirely blaming Americans, and I'm not saying all Americans are like that. they only take in what they can. American media is some of the worse in history. People are not informed anymore, and they are bombarded with useless shit that matters to know one. THAT is why American culture is a colossal mess. All in all, it comes down to the media, and their failure to inform viewers. And WSJ owned by Dow Jones, that right there is your first indicator.[/QUOTE] What you're describing is a failure of human nature, not anything to do with American media. The media reports on world events just fine. The problem stems from the fact that things happening outside of someone's daily life are put on a very low bar of importance and consideration.