Real Estate Investor · OH · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
I've been wondering lately if the American people would rise up and fight for ANYTHING? My personal opinion is that the American people would give up every single right they have (including their property) and become virtual slaves to a socialist/communist/fascist government without any fight whatsoever (or has that ship already sailed).
Is there ANYTHING that YOU would fight for? Anything at all?
For full disclosure, I did not read the entire thread..... Politics gets boring. Too many viewpoints, not much in the way of facts
here are some facts
As a young man I served in the USMC. I was an infantryman in Desert Storm. We were ordered to go out and do terriable things to young men just like ourselves, it was our duty. We all took the oath. We all wanted to be there.
In the name of my wife and children, I would do much worse to any involved, with a smile on my face......
I know a Vietnam jarhead, he was with 1/9, the walking dead. Those guys know what a bad day really is.
We spoke about Mrs Neopalatiano and her singleing out of Vet's as a threat.
His comment was. " that is the only person in DC that understands what a threat is", LOL
We are blessd as a country. Go to the Westbank and ask this question.
many people only pay attention to politics at election time. they listen to politicians speeches at face value then vote. this leaves them vulnerable to believing everything they hear including lies. this is how people get voted in on promises they do not keep. telling people what they want to hear at that time. telling different people different things. that is why I refer to people as uneducated because they are oblivious to all the issues particularly the ones not right in front of them in the media.
I said experience AND facts, not experienced facts. regardless when people share their viewpoints and experiences I take that in the context of that one person not the entire country. if you don't like this then frankly I don't like how you go on about methods instead of stating facts.
sorry back to the topic. we have been poking a lot of fun at each other.
the reason USA politics matter to me is because they affect my decisions as a foreigner looking to invest in USA real estate.
Hey Shana, let me play devil's advocate here for a minute, humor me, OK?. Let's say I'm interested in Canada for various reasons (I have many friends there, I want to send my kids to study there, I might want to purchase a vacation cabin for myself and my friends to spend time together, etc). Truth is, all the above reasons are valid, and others may apply as well.
Along those lines here are a few things I don't like (humor me) about Canada that should be changed in order for me to stay interested, and I'll write directly to the authorities in Ottawa to take immediate measures:
1. political system - replace that messiah PM immediately, along with the ruling party. I just don't like them. Queen? what is she good for? Out she goes!
2. health system - why keep universal health care like the rest of the western world, change that immediately to US system. You're in the Americas, not Europe
3. immigration policy, should be changed immediately and allowed in only individuals that can prove thru DNA and psychological testing that they'll only contribute to the society and not become a liability, along with their descendents, down to the 3rd generation
4. taxes. what's the nonsense with 2 separate taxes on each purchase (in Toronto at least). Cut that off immediately completely or back to one tax, 2 separate taxes is confusing
5. Change that maple leaf to a star, it just looks better. What are you, tree-huggers??
6. Make up your mind if you're going to use metric system or US system. Keeping them both is very confusing.
7. Melt some of that ice away so we can see the world better when we look around from Alaska.We almost can't see Russia because of you.
8 and finally, whichever Canadians do not agree with my 1-7 points must be less intelligent, uneducated compared to the average Canadian. Reason? well, they disagreed with me and I'm intelligent.
he seems so adamant to protect people living in the USA on fine points even if they are potential terrorists
Yes, I am. Even if they are "potential terrorists."
Since you're not from U.S., I say this not to be obnoxious, but as educational...
The U.S. was founded upon the belief that all people have unalienable rights, as well as on the belief of due process of law. When you put these concepts together, what you'll realize is that to our founding fathers, someone who is *accused* of a crime should be no more apt to lose his/her rights as someone who is not accused of a crime.
Therefore, a "potential terrorist" should be afforded THE EXACT SAME Constitutional rights as anyone else in this country.
I'm okay with you not understanding the Constitution and its significance, but understand that many in the U.S. are very proud of this document, and agree that it should be upheld.
As for "the finer points," that's what this country is about. A rule of law based on the interpretation of a living document called the Constitution. It's the finer points of our law that make the difference.
Nobody argues that murder and rape are bad...it's the finer points that people argue about.
if he thinks that potential terrorists on American soil should have a list of rights...
Again, a VERY SPECIFIC list of rights, called Constitutional Rights.
Perhaps you don't believe that "potential terrorists" deserve their Constitutional rights, but that's one of the core foundations of this country, that everyone has their rights unless/until those rights are taken away by due process.
only about 3% of Americans have ever been outside the USA.
Okay, please support this statement with some proof. Until you do, I just can't continue this discussion, as I believe you're just making up facts.
there are a few reasons I would possibly lose interest in investing in USA.
1. sharp increase in national debt
2. communist policies
3. anything that may cause unsustainability in any area that I consider important for survival, prosperity and happiness, such as compromising national security, prosperity, health, agriculture, economic growth, etc.
I don't care to be liable for large debts that may be invested in an unsustainable economy or in assets that may be taken from me. real estate for me is long term, not like trading stocks or buying and selling businesses. being Canadian I am subjecting myself to a crash course in American politics and financial policies and political policies that may affect my investments. the recent developments in USA have not inspired confidence in many foreign investors and neither has your current leadership in Washington. regardless I still consider USA to be one of the best countries in the world for business.
you have to admit the recent effects on the stock market have certainly gotten the world's attention and caused us to ask questions and perhaps be a bit more cautious in our approach to business with USA, no?
there are a few reasons I would possibly lose interest in investing in USA.
From losing interest in investing to calling anyone who disagress with your (outsider) political views "less intelligent" is a LOOONGGG WAY. I tried to echo that in my post, but perhaps I should make it more obvious. Humor is just a waste in some situations...
that's why I am asking questions. I don't think I called anyone less intelligent. I may have said I am looking for more intelligent answers than the ones I have been given. which you guys can provide. I am listening.
J Scott I did not say I don't agree with the USA constitution.
Shana,
Your comment that said, "he seems so adamant to protect people living in the USA on fine points even if they are potential terrorists" says to me that you don't fully understand the Constitution and what it stands for.
...only about 3% of Americans have ever been outside the USA...
Additionally, I'm still waiting for you to support the statement above...
I need to know that you're not just making up statistics.
I've been nothing but a smart-*** in this thread, and while I relish that role, I realize I should have answered the original question.
Yes, there is a lot worth fighting for.
I would gladly fight for mine, my family's, and my friends' safety, security, and liberties. Myself and my loved ones come before all else. Screw the "one world," the "part of something bigger than yourself" propaganda that has been used by both Communists and Neo-conservatives. I do love the USA because compared to most of the world, the government is far less intrusive, despite everything Bush Jr and Obama have supposedly done (but didn't really) to take away our rights. By no means perfect but having seen several other countries, and having close relatives living in 3rd world holes, I'll gladly live here over anywhere else. I also think that the majority of Americans would in fact fight if their rights were really under attack.
J Scott. I appreciate you explaining your viewpoints.
apologies 3% is not the most recent statistic, particularly with the international wars, international business, and greater ease of travel, I expect it is higher now. but you have to admit that until recently Americans have not mixed in with the rest of the world the way the Canadians and Europeans have. this is because America was such an independent country for so long, and kudos for that.
it is a really big question to ask where we would draw the lines to fight for our beliefs at home or in other parts of the world because as we speak we have military on foreign soil trying to hold back terrorism, we have underground criminal agendas in our countries and in countries that affect ours, we have other agendas coming from many directions based on greed for power some of which are harmless and some of which are not, we have extremists, and we have an overwhelming majority of people who just want to live peacefully and who may or may not agree on the methods to achieve that. we also have a lot of people who talk and others who are putting their lives on the line right now to stand for their beliefs and the ones they love. many people have sacrificed a lot to keep our countries free. frankly I wish they could be afforded the same rights as terrorists on American soil but they willingly took up arms and have risked their lives to protect the rest of us including the terrorists here at home, and many of them were injured and many have died doing just that. frankly I have more respect for them than those who should have to give up their rights (following due process) by things they have done to innocent people. in general I don't think people really care about our military enough. they don't support them, listen to them, understand them or even know what they are doing. I think a lot less talk would go on if people really understood what people do every day to protect our rights. we would just get down to business and do our work.
I will fight for our children's and our country's future. I write letters to my congressmen, support conservative lobbyist groups and try to educate people with the truth, since our current administration can't tell the truth. In support of the second amendment, I asked for a handgun for my birthday. My husband wouldn't get me one because he was afraid I'd shoot a liberal.
I don't think people really care about our military enough. they don't support them, listen to them, understand them or even know what they are doing.
I think it's time to get off your high horse and start giving other people (besides yourself) some credit.
You really have no idea what 300 million people in this country and 6 billion people around the world care about and understand...
Since you've accused me of "not understanding" in various posts, I'll mention that I started my professional career working for the Department of Defense, and spent a year living and working with special forces personnel between their deployments. While I certainly don't know what those guys experienced in battle, I think it's safe to say I cared and understood.
And I think it's safe to say that most Americans care about the military that is out there fighting everyday, even if some of us are not too fond of the government that sent them or the rationale for why they're there.
And I think it's safe to say that most Americans care about the military that is out there fighting everyday, even if some of us are not too fond of the government that sent them or the rationale for why they're there.
I could not agree more with J.
My hat off, support and admiration to the troops that enlisted for a noble cause and I hope the crooks that sent them in harm's way for false pretenses (political and personal gain) get what they deserve, preferably somewhere in Geneva.
Amnesty international released a video where they waterboarded a guy and blamed the USA for treating people harshly. they did not explain any of the context. apparently 3 people were waterboarded and they were the masterminds behind 9/11. this was not explained to the public. it made it look like the USA is the problem and overlooked what terrorists have done worldwide in USA, UK, Europe, etc. (Canada has caught ours before anything got blown up) and not to mention in the middle east. this video was pushed by one of my favourite international British DJs. also being in the entertainment industry I am always being subjected to very screwed up views by people who use way too many drugs. so you know. I will leave it at that for now. I don't like it when people push terrorist rights but don't balance it with any context in light of world events. it makes me question if they have any concept of the full reality of the situation. go to the fire stations in New York City and read the long lists of names of people who died in 9/11. I personally am grateful that there are people trying to protect our freedoms and those of others. and I am very sorry that the USA was the first and had to take the greatest hit and perhaps didn't have the best exit strategy planned and didn't take the best approach. but considering I respect the overall willingness to deal with an international problem.