The American Empire
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Topic: The American Empire
Posted By: cannon
Subject: The American Empire
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2011 at 10:41am
| The U.S.A. has a huge debt/deficit, high unemployement, fighting three wars, many companies out sourcing jobs and moving abroad for cheaper labour, factories and industries closing down due to not being competative, mass illegal immigration especially from Mexico, the ever increasing gap between rich and the rest, the ineffectiveness of the federal government(congress), the lobby of special interest groups, profits over people(greed, Wall St., etc.) and other factors. Most of these factors have contributed to the fall of many empires through history. Do you think the American empire is crumbling? |
Replies:
Posted By: UMUR
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2011 at 10:44am
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They are facing serious problems that�s for sure. ------------- http://www.lyngby-boldklub.dk/" rel="nofollow - Forever TRUE - Forever BLUE! https://rateyourmusic.com/~UMUR" rel="nofollow - UMUR on RYM |
Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2011 at 10:49am
We feel the aftershock of it all in Canada, as does a great chunk of the world. I wouldn't dare vote "Don't care" because of that fact.  ------------- https://armchairmaestro.com/" rel="nofollow - My Music Blog |
Posted By: cannon
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2011 at 1:56pm
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I agree guys. I'm a politcal junkie and watch too much CNN and MSNBC. I'd say about 7 or 8 years ago that we are starting to see the American empire in decline. I've already seen one empire collapse. The U.S.S.R.
No doubt Dan. We are so interconnected. What usually happens in the states, especially on the finicial side of things we soon follow. It does scare the hell out of me.
Jonas what do think about the EU? Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain in very bad finicial shape with most of the western European countries supporting them, especially Germany and the loans to the Greece. The Euro has fallen quite dramatically. I wouldn't be surprised in the very near future that there will be heated debates on which countries should/'shouldn't be included in the union. I think it's going to get worse before gets better.
If the US doesn't raise thier debt ceiling and default on thier loan then we are really in big trouble.
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Posted By: The T 666
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2011 at 2:16pm
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It's good for all Americans that the empire is crumbling. Nobody needs one. We need our money and resources and people invested here, not wasted in other countries. ------------- 
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2011 at 8:51pm
You libertarian!  ------------- Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
The T 666 wrote:Posted By: Wilytank
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2011 at 9:05pm
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um, sorry for being politically correct, but...empire?
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2011 at 9:09pm
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^ I was going to mention that too... America never was (and hopefully never will be) an empire. But, assuming it was used metaphorically, that's a fairly simple answer IMO. ------------- Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: The Angry Scotsman
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2011 at 11:35pm
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Yes, the political science major in me is cringing. It is no empire... The "America" that most of the world gripes about, (100% justified IMO, I'd feel the same way) is really just capitalism. Not even in a bad way, just a fact. Is it the country of America that's invaded the world or McDonlands, Starbucks and Coca Cola? Anyone that's talked about it with me knows how I feel about a lot of things involving America at home and abroad...but there's also a lot of unfair/misguided flak we take and after so many years I just get a bit fed up BUT, yes. You have hit on many issues of major concern to the country. The US has been running trade deficits since the 70s, no one cared as long as countries were willing to buy the debt but of course the constant threat here is "when will they stop?" Outsourcing is a major problem, first it was manufacturing jobs that have largely been wiped out, now its hitting white collar America. The grunt work, being shipped out, secretaries, being shipped out, even management now is being shipped out. It cost my dad his job after 33 years of loyal employment... I get infuriated how no one here seems to get it or dismiss the problem. The recession is/was ending but unemployment was still near 10%. A job loss recovery, our second in a row. Obviously a frightening pattern. Sure jobs are always made, but nowhere near as much as they are being shipped out. Immigration is not as bad in a "taking jobs" way, but they obviously do not contribute taxes yet benefit from the system and it can be a major drain for sure... While a lot don't really care about the top/bottom gap I do, and it is indeed continuing to increase. Having so much being held by increasingly little is sad IMO but also dangerous. The middle class is sliding down and being choked...no matter what my family we does we barely stay afloat. Sometimes it feels like the American dream is dead. The government and congress is a mess beyond words, and greed exists everywhere...but its another problem. Really, greed led to our current economic crisis. Sorry for that,  its well known I'm a political junkie and enthusiastic critic of American government and business!------------- Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer and Testament. The real Big Four of thrash metal! Listen to doom metal, worship Satan |
Posted By: The Angry Scotsman
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2011 at 11:43pm
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OK, *breathes* as it's been said the deficits are a massive problem. I hate our foreign policy, so it would be a win win for the US to remove all its troops from the middle east, as well as most of our troops and bases. An overall massive scale back in defense spending. We also need to start living inside our means and being responsible. I really am worried, what does the future hold? Wal mart has replaced a lot of the jobs, in so many towns that IS the employer. Is that our future?? 10+% unemployment and Wal Mart being the major employer for the country? I honestly don't really like free trade and globalization...people assume you'll be a paranoid American and I'm sure people around these sites know I'm quite the internationalist! But it's bringing down our middle class. I know less about the EU, but I do know Greece is in a similar boat of living outside their means/irresponsibly and we all know the crisis it's caused and threatens the Eurozone. To wrap up, as Dan said...I sure hope no one thinks of this as an American problem because we are in a globalized world. Like it or not, trouble in the US will trickle through the world. Just as it happened in 1929. By sheer miracle, it seems, a massive disaster was held off but feels as if it is trickling in... ------------- Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer and Testament. The real Big Four of thrash metal! Listen to doom metal, worship Satan |
Posted By: The Angry Scotsman
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2011 at 11:55pm
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Oh, and yes I'm glad America was never really an empire. Empires are wrong. We were, of course, the hub of the global system though. Honestly, free trade is a great idea in theory but I just don't see it as very realistic today. In the age of multi national corporations all that something like NAFTA, for example, has done is shift everything around for the benefit of the owners...but costs jobs and money for the countries themselves. Apply this to the whole world, add on the fact free trade makes it negative to step up work conditions, environmental protection, etc. It's causing a race to the bottom for the benefit of the top. OK, I'm done and I swear I'm not a Marxist, I think ------------- Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer and Testament. The real Big Four of thrash metal! Listen to doom metal, worship Satan |
Posted By: Any Colour You Like
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2011 at 3:32am
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Good lord Brian, way to thesis it up. And by the way, America can be considered an empire. It just depends on your definition.  |
Posted By: The Angry Scotsman
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2011 at 6:47am
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I feel bad for some on MMA since they just don't know, but those who do shoulda seen this coming from miles! Yeah, I see that but nah...there were a few examples but the US never really "owned" any other colonies. Ya know? Like havn't exerted physical force over other people like the traditional ones of England, France, Germany, Japan, Russia etc and the few the US did were given back pretty much issue free. The US really is capitalism we've chosen to run an economic empire. But really that was my point, especially since the fall of the USSR, peoples gripe with America are a bit misplaced for "dominating" the world. Gripes about being the worlds police force are very valid though. Either way, yeah the country looks to be in a bad way. I've lucked out, managed to land a job where maybe I can still live the American dream but hope looks dim for most others. Seriously, 2 other jobs failed otherwise I probably would be in a big office ATM, working on a salary with no incentive and would be outsourced in 5 years. ------------- Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer and Testament. The real Big Four of thrash metal! Listen to doom metal, worship Satan |
Posted By: cannon
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2011 at 8:02am
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Maybe empire was the wrong word to use. Maybe imperialism would of been better.
Here's something interesting on how unemployement #s are figured:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/learn-how-to-invest/The-real-unemployment-rate.aspx" rel="nofollow - http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/learn-how-to-invest/The-real-unemployment-rate.aspx
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Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2011 at 9:03am
They taught us all about the "unemployment" rate in the economics classes I took in university. I do not work now. However, since I am actively seeking employment, and haven't retired or given up hope entirely, I am counted as part of the work force. The unemployment figures omit many different scenarios (students that are full-time students without jobs being another). I used to just think it meant anybody over 18 who didn't have a job and wasn't retired, and I'm sure a large chunk of people think the same. ------------- https://armchairmaestro.com/" rel="nofollow - My Music Blog |
Posted By: The T 666
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2011 at 11:28am
Hey Brian let's start this all over right here! We can summon Shields and the rest of the crew and can ignite the fire of discussion once more in another place! -------------
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Posted By: cannon
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2011 at 12:36pm
I'm also part of the number Dan. However I'm not actively looking for work right now. Keep the faith as I'm sure something will come up for ya.
Being Canadian and a neighbour, and yes I can see the US off my back deck as I have a view of the Olympic Peninsula and can see the lights from Port Angeles, Washington at night, I don't have an agenda with this poll and my intentions were not to incite the flames of a politcal arguement.
I will say that I'm somewhat concerned as like someone mentioned earlier that when the US goes into recession it effects basically the whole world and probably Canada more than other country as we are the biggest trading nations in the world, for now anyways as I'm sure China will surpass that.
I've seen what has happened in the US with the mortage crisis, loss of quality jobs, etc. and I have compassion and sympathy for those people. I am angry at Wall St. and our big banks as most of the blame IMO can be put on them for this last economic collapse. What I can't believe is there has been no new regulations installed to have some control over these "people". IMO some of these people are criminals and should be in jail. Nothing has happened. I'm baffled.
Here in Canada our banks and finicial institutions have a lot more regulations thus we, Canada came through this economic crisis probably better than any other country in the western world.
To me it's very simple. There needs to be oversight, regulations, consequences and someone to answer to. Wall St. is running the show.
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Posted By: The Angry Scotsman
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2011 at 3:30pm
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Oh don't worry Cannon, you don't know me...so I'll say those giant wall posts were not in anger or flame war, that's me anyone can attest. In fact, I am just looking to voice my opinions as well and the last thing I want is a debate. PA has enough of that shit and FB can't seem to escape it either, if anyone starts debating me here I am leaving the thread So to end any potential debate about what an empire is, should capitalism be blamed etc I do agree with OP The US is in a bad way, anyone who says otherwise is in denial or just foolish. I also agree about wall street. They are indeed largely to blame and greed was part of it. It's funny, the company I've started at was saying they made it through the crisis fine by "having their hand in one cookie jar" and "doing their job" while others got their hands in EVERY cookie jar and tried to cut corners to make every cent. Extreme short run profit, good for those at top, but it ran some of these companies into the ground.... Again, Im not getting into any debate here but I will say I agree again, realistic regulation.....is needed. It does kind of grind my gears when people say "what good is it!? look at this crisis" I say "Yes, following a long period of deregulation" then I hear "WHA!? NO regulation is the problem though!" : S OK, so after a period of loosening up, a crisis ensues and too much regulation is to blame????? This crisis was simply due to extreme greed, no one bothering to act, and frankly a very dumb consumer base. Many American consumers are to blame as well, buying crazy houses you can never afford but being told "dont worry bout it" or having some shady steps taken... No one said "what, no I'm supporting that" or even "Well, that's nice you got my back but shouldnt I be somewhat concerned buying this $450,000 house with a minimal income?" Nope, no one cared. If I was told "oh dont worry we have this (crazy plan follows) and even though you have 0 down payment and no credit you can buy this amazing house!" I'd be a little skeptical.... ------------- Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer and Testament. The real Big Four of thrash metal! Listen to doom metal, worship Satan |
Posted By: cannon
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2011 at 7:02pm
| ^^^I didn't say it was you nor do I see your posts as inflamming an arguement. I do see your frustration and don't blame you in the least. If it was my country I would be also. I actually agree with you for the most part. Sometimes one's turning thier head is just as bad as the crime itself. |
Posted By: The Angry Scotsman
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2011 at 8:36pm
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Oh I'm sure, just making sure the air is clear I can totally see people thinking I am crazy and angry, Im really just a history and political nerd who is a bit crazy and angry... And hey, the OP and following comments have all been correct. As for the head turning, I can only vouch for here of course. I would like to know what it's like in other countries. Of course everyone likes to spend and generally be dumb and any company is out to make profit, but is the problem to the same extent? Saw this video in an econ class and it pretty much explains the mess pretty well. So I wonder, in other countries does stuff like this happen? Are the consumers this materialistic and uncaring, and are the fat cats this irresponsible? Leave the sound off for this Also this is a bit biased, it does imply every one was like "gee can I haz house?" when it was the Congress who encouraged banks to try and sell houses, even if it wasn't really affordable. ------------- Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer and Testament. The real Big Four of thrash metal! Listen to doom metal, worship Satan |
Posted By: cannon
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2011 at 9:10am
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Sorry Brian. I should of been more clear in regards to my statement, "Sometimes one's turning thier head is just as bad as the crime itself." I was implying the congress and the U.S. Financial Regulatory Commission. IMO Wall St. has lobbied members of congress so heavily that there has been very little bills put to vote to become law so the Commission can implement action. Basically nothing has happened since these financial institutions have thrown the world into a economic crisis and I don't think nothing will happen in the immediate future. Many of these people should be charged with fraud IMO.
Our real estate market is booming. The average price of Canadian home resale prices are up 8.7% and the number of homes resold are up 10.8% from a year ago. The average price of a home in Canada is $372, 700. The average price of a home here in Victoria is $569, 900 and is higher in Vancouver and Toronto. Craziness! I've heard the real estate industry claim here in Victoria there is very little land available here for new home construction. BS. I see land everywhere. Not much different than oil speculators. Self-inflated to some degree IMO and no question, for the most part the market does dictate the price.
Our unemployment rate is at 7.4% and over the last year has grown 1.4%. Not huge but still growing and has reached its lowest point in two years.
Our banking system is considered one of the most efficient and safest in the world. We have three different schedules of chartered banks and "the big five" pull in enormous profits every year.
We pay more personal income tax than you guys, 2-10% more depending on what bracket one falls into. However, nothing compared to the most of western Europe.
Our parliament is off for the summer that's why I've been watching closely the debt ceiling debate and the GOP presidential nominee race. What do you think of the candidates from the GOP? As of right now I don't see anyone who will give Obama a run in 2012.
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Posted By: The Angry Scotsman
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2011 at 5:15pm
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Oh I see, still a valid point though. I was just saying the consumer did turn a massive blind eye to it all, or was woefully ignorant. But yes: Congress, Wall Street, Banks, regulators all deserve blame and I agree. No one learns a lesson if they get off without punishment? Well, I would love to see some people punished. Nothing made me angrier than seeing the CEO's that almost ran the US economy into the ground, get bailed out and use a lot of that money on giving themselves bonuses.... Should've been forced to step down and these "golden parachutes" that reward those who fuck everyone over and ruin the company is ridiculous. There was an interesting docudrama about the whole crisis, get this: The major banks only accepted the capital injections (handing money over them so they would lend it) by having the government promise they wouldn't tell em how to spend it. Surprise....they didn't lend much out and kept it for themselves.  Better thank the gods I wasn't in charge. They would've either spent it as I said, or I'd nationalize them. Temporarily of course, but I would've in a heart beat and if they think I would've felt bad about it/over the public backlash. Nope As for the tax issue..not necessarily. Federal income tax the max is 35% but remember we are decentralized. There are also state income taxes, if they choose to do so. New Jersey has a max of 10.75% So in this state you could pay a max 45.75% in incomes taxes. Some cities also have their own, so when that is added on in New York City a top bracket person owes like 48 or 49% I think that is pretty much in the European ball park right? Sweden is 60% not too far away! Oh, also there are property taxes and the sales tax, all this takes out of your income. Added up, us in the middle classes here in the states pay a lot of tax. Ugh, the GOP is just the most disgraceful thing on Earth. I mean I don't like the Democrats at all but god those Republicans..... I'm not sure, at this moment the only one that I think has a legit good shot of beating Obama is Ron Paul. All the other candidates...they all have a chance but I only see Paul being the largest threat. Of course if the party is to divide at all it would help Obama. It's all about the economy. If it picks up, Obama is pretty much good, if it doesn't or not enough to the public's satisfaction...he is toast. What's sad is the GOP has not done a single thing since Jan 2009. Not one. They've made it painfully obvious. I think they don't want to help the country, they want everything to stay stagnant...so they can win. Others must feel the same way, they have been making it very clear these are their intentions. It's disgusting. ------------- Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer and Testament. The real Big Four of thrash metal! Listen to doom metal, worship Satan |
Posted By: FusionKing
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2011 at 12:38pm
Yes, It's quite obvious that the U.S. is screwed... but hey, lets face it, the rest of the world is going down the pan too. Well, the U.K. is anyway. It used to be great in my town. Now all it's all just empty buildings, charity shops and pawns.
As a matter of fact, it has got so bad that even some of the charity shops and pawns had to close down. The pubs and clubs are desolate half the time when you go out. And in order to give a 'contemporary feel' to the place amidst all of this, all of the trees and benches were uprooted in the centre of town. Now all that you get is a better view of how grey and dead the place is. Not a pretty sight at all. 
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Posted By: Tupan
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2011 at 7:47pm
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From some brazilians comedians: |
Posted By: SolarLuna96
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2011 at 6:56pm
| It is, however we have enough allies to keep us going for at least 50 more years |
Posted By: SKwid
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2011 at 12:56pm
and then .........  -------------  
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Posted By: Balthamel
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2011 at 1:20pm
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but what if one of the larg cictys like NY decides that maybe we want to be on our own, like a city state, we are like seperate from the rest of the country why should we care about people from Ontario ar getting their paychecks. i think someday the trouble will come from the inside a state who is tired of being in the U(S) of A but would rather be a self govourning state, that could spark new civil uproars and wars.... ------------- 
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Posted By: ProgMetaller2112
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2014 at 1:40am
You do know that this has dramatically decreased, right?  ------------- "Before you see the light you must die!!!!!!!!!!" - Slayer "Today is born the seventh one, born of woman, the seventh son" - Steve Harris |
Posted By: UMUR
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2014 at 9:41am
Cannon has been seen here since 2011 or 2012, so I´m not sure you´ll get an answer out of him  ------------- http://www.lyngby-boldklub.dk/" rel="nofollow - Forever TRUE - Forever BLUE! https://rateyourmusic.com/~UMUR" rel="nofollow - UMUR on RYM |
Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2014 at 10:50am
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What we are seeing is the failure and endgame for capitalism that has run out of fuel. It thrives like a virus needing new resourses and new cheap labor to constantly and exponentially expand. It's like a star that has run out of fuel and becomes a super nova. We are now experiencing the point where everything is hyper exaggerated and bubbles appear in every economic nook and cranny. I truly believe (and hope) the capitalist countries adopt some of the social democratic principles of Scandinavia and Singapore, the frugality of Bhutan and the innovation in renewable energy like in Germany. Unfortunately we still have a worldwide situation where the banks and petrol industries have a stranglehold on world economies but that is slowly unraveling. The trick is to survive after the crash. One of the reasons i go to the Burning Man event is because it teaches radical self survival in a gift economy mentality. ------------- 
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Posted By: ProgMetaller2112
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2014 at 11:46am
I probably won't get an answer from him but really anyone can reply to this
 ------------- "Before you see the light you must die!!!!!!!!!!" - Slayer "Today is born the seventh one, born of woman, the seventh son" - Steve Harris |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2014 at 11:48am
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old thread America is still right fucked, and they are taking Canada with them (we currently have an evangelical wanna-be-dictator tea partier in power, who does literally anything the US, China or Israel wants him to) |
Posted By: ProgMetaller2112
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2014 at 11:49am
Really? ------------- "Before you see the light you must die!!!!!!!!!!" - Slayer "Today is born the seventh one, born of woman, the seventh son" - Steve Harris |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2014 at 11:54am
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Yep. http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Stephen_Harper" rel="nofollow - this is a good read if you're interested. Although I see it hasn't been updated since he signed a backdoor deal with China that will let their corporations sue us if our environmental regulations (what few there are left) get in the way of their profit margins. Without taking it to parliament. Which is effective for 31 years and no opportunity to back out of it. Good ol' Canada. |
Posted By: ProgMetaller2112
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2014 at 12:18pm
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Oh yes I'm interested since I am a student of Political Science too ------------- "Before you see the light you must die!!!!!!!!!!" - Slayer "Today is born the seventh one, born of woman, the seventh son" - Steve Harris |
Posted By: bartosso
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2014 at 12:31pm
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I'm so tired of politics man, that's just screwed here in Europe so much. You guys are in a deep shit of its own but at least there's just three of you. There's 46 countries in Europe - each and every one of them with their own language, traditions, pride, and fair share of idiots. Dependent not only from China, but also Russian "Empire" and USA. Add global crisis, Ukrainian crisis, war in Syria (Asad's backed by Putin), crumbling Euro zone and so on, I'm done. Why can't you guys be an example for Europe, why? Oh I know, Christianity Our common tragedy.------------- http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2014 at 12:47pm
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I would say blind ideologies in general, not just christianity |
Posted By: ProgMetaller2112
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2014 at 2:55pm
Europe has the best music festivals so take solace in that  ------------- "Before you see the light you must die!!!!!!!!!!" - Slayer "Today is born the seventh one, born of woman, the seventh son" - Steve Harris |
Posted By: bartosso
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2014 at 7:40pm
Okay, you have a point. But you know that by Christianity I mean mostly Roman Catholicism. Protestant rites have actually contributed to development of modern secular and highly civilized societies like the one in Sweden or Netherlands. It's mostly because they were Catholicism"updated" to (then) modern standards. So, I think blind ideologies are those that hamper the evolution of thought on a social level. And Catholicism, along with Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Judaism and state religions like the one in North Korea and Russia are obsolete and harmful, as they're less and less compatible with contemporary ethics. I'm sorry, I know nobody's asked me to elaborate. What a damn windbag I am. Besides. it's a thread about the US, not religion. But seriously how can someone think of USA without taking religion into account? Okay, I shut up already.
You're right, there's no point in being bitter. ------------- http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2014 at 8:01pm
No, it's ok, and I agree with you  |
Posted By: ProgMetaller2112
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2014 at 6:34pm
 ------------- "Before you see the light you must die!!!!!!!!!!" - Slayer "Today is born the seventh one, born of woman, the seventh son" - Steve Harris |