I am confused: what exactly are American ideals?

[SpellAndShield]

Honestly, which nation isn't full of themselves one way or another, and for all the bad that can be said about the american stereotype, one Iof the good thing I've always thought was the existance of the opportunity to make something out of nothing from scratch.

Suppose that exists everywhere with a higher or lower degree of difficulty

 

I have always relegated this to the realm of mythology.

[Mercbird]

I have always relegated this to the realm of mythology.

 

Yah, not one of that kind myself - where ever I may be

[SpellAndShield]

I have always relegated this to the realm of mythology.

 

Yah, not one of that kind myself - where ever I may be

 

In what ways are South Africans full of themselves? in your opinion?

[Mercbird]

I have always relegated this to the realm of mythology.

 

Yah, not one of that kind myself - where ever I may be

 

In what ways are South Africans full of themselves? in your opinion?

 

The "we have the most progressive constitution ever, with equal rights for all, and poverty will be eradicated" when bent over grannies take care of their six granchildren, whose parents died, working two three or more menial jobs at an age where they should be taken care of.

 

Or when households headed by twelve year olds, who left school to work for pretty much the same reason, and cannot be legally employed, ending up doing anything illlegal for the next meal. And anyone of the cars driven by the throng of politicians claiming equality, can by one family a solid house.

 

All just because some politician could not admit that HIV causes Aids.

So most politicians are full of it, anywhere. But the discrepancy between the have's and have not's here, and the callousness with which it is flaunted, the public justification, is indescribable. And yet the sad pictures are hauled out whenever a handout is wanted.

 

Perhaps I don't see the big picture, and am just caught up in the day to day misery and fustration of the so many lives that touch mine, I cannot think of a more humourous thing to lighten that paragraph with. For all these contradictions, I would still not want to live anywhere else, and just hope that out of great pain comes great beauty.

[LHammonds]

Well, I'm an American (redneck sub-species) and the only ideal I have is "you can take my gunz from my cold, dead fingers!"

 

hehehe.

 

But really, if anything can be generalized as a nation, it is the constitution which binds the states together like glue. Without that, we are truly different countries....and if the federal government wants to break that down, well, you can expect many states to declare their independence...Texas being one of the 1st. ;)

 

LHammonds

[Balagor]

I have always relegated this to the realm of mythology.

 

Yah, not one of that kind myself - where ever I may be

 

In what ways are South Africans full of themselves? in your opinion?

 

The "we have the most progressive constitution ever, with equal rights for all, and poverty will be eradicated" when bent over grannies take care of their six granchildren, whose parents died, working two three or more menial jobs at an age where they should be taken care of.

 

Or when households headed by twelve year olds, who left school to work for pretty much the same reason, and cannot be legally employed, ending up doing anything illlegal for the next meal. And anyone of the cars driven by the throng of politicians claiming equality, can by one family a solid house.

 

All just because some politician could not admit that HIV causes Aids.

So most politicians are full of it, anywhere. But the discrepancy between the have's and have not's here, and the callousness with which it is flaunted, the public justification, is indescribable. And yet the sad pictures are hauled out whenever a handout is wanted.

 

Perhaps I don't see the big picture, and am just caught up in the day to day misery and fustration of the so many lives that touch mine, I cannot think of a more humourous thing to lighten that paragraph with. For all these contradictions, I would still not want to live anywhere else, and just hope that out of great pain comes great beauty.

 

Don`t forget wich old constitution got them there in the first place.

[Coous]

Well, I'm an American (redneck sub-species) and the only ideal I have is "you can take my gunz from my cold, dead fingers!"

 

hehehe.

 

But really, if anything can be generalized as a nation, it is the constitution which binds the states together like glue. Without that, we are truly different countries....and if the federal government wants to break that down, well, you can expect many states to declare their independence...Texas being one of the 1st. ;)

 

LHammonds

 

Remember how and stupid idea that we became a confederation first than a union? That was very not well though out as it makes no sense to have no central power,and according to history sir my money is on South Carolina.

[SpellAndShield]

I have always relegated this to the realm of mythology.

 

Yah, not one of that kind myself - where ever I may be

 

In what ways are South Africans full of themselves? in your opinion?

 

The "we have the most progressive constitution ever, with equal rights for all, and poverty will be eradicated" when bent over grannies take care of their six granchildren, whose parents died, working two three or more menial jobs at an age where they should be taken care of.

 

Or when households headed by twelve year olds, who left school to work for pretty much the same reason, and cannot be legally employed, ending up doing anything illlegal for the next meal. And anyone of the cars driven by the throng of politicians claiming equality, can by one family a solid house.

 

All just because some politician could not admit that HIV causes Aids.

So most politicians are full of it, anywhere. But the discrepancy between the have's and have not's here, and the callousness with which it is flaunted, the public justification, is indescribable. And yet the sad pictures are hauled out whenever a handout is wanted.

 

Perhaps I don't see the big picture, and am just caught up in the day to day misery and fustration of the so many lives that touch mine, I cannot think of a more humourous thing to lighten that paragraph with. For all these contradictions, I would still not want to live anywhere else, and just hope that out of great pain comes great beauty.

 

I think that South Africans who stay in South Africa are very brave. I have known many in my travels; they were all expats...

[Trandoshan]

and if the federal government wants to break that down, well, you can expect many states to declare their independence

 

LHammonds, I think I might like you a bit with that statement, but I believe that State government in this day and age have no real influence nor say in whether they are a part of this Union or not. I believe that resistance to constitutional degradation will come as a peasant revolt, not an organized state uprising.

 

Oh... and if you ever lose your guns to the government, I will supply you with a nice hunting crossbow. It works similar to a repeating rifle, and kills all the same. A bit expensive though, so is are the bolts. The recent movie "The Road" taught me that flare guns can also be a good defense tool....

 

Haha.... The government won't take our guns, they aren't that stupid.

 

------

 

On topic to the thread, I hear a good deal of the 'pursuit of happiness, liberty, and freedom'. I think that this is nonsense at this day and era, to which I mean no offense to my fellow countrymen. That was turned into school-fed nonsense in the post war era (Though you still see success stories, and plenty of counter-argument to that point. By all means disagree with this post).

 

The American Ideals as of today, in my good opinion, is more on the basis of corporate support. That is to say, the mobilization of government, military, and civilian workforce to support our deeply entrenched corporate economy. That's what is happening in Afghanistan, as a little birdy told me that Tajikstan has a wonderful supply of natural gas. Need to slowly get that pipeline to the coast... I wonder who's next after Afghanistan... I won't draw any conclusions! Iran.....

 

Conspiracy is fun in small doses.

 

The point is, the ideals out country grew on have changed to an extent. The changes are written in the history books in broad daylight. American Ideals have changed since the 1700's, but to keep public morale in the green we have outlined that old worn statement in the constitution that reads life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. No poor man will ever become a fortune 500 company CEO, and even the middle class will have little opportunity to pursue this happiness that I hear so much about. That includes me for sure. I guess you could win the lottery...

 

Thanks for listening!

[Coous]

So just because pursuit of happiness isn't easy dose not mean it's unachievable. Still till this day you can pursue a dream and end up doing something you love for a living. Even today if you're actually serious and willing to stick out through all the hard times and have great determination you can make something of yourself. There is nothing stopping a young person from going to college financially,because if he sticks to it and does good and don't reliant there's many scholarships to be have you just need to put effort and determination into it. It's not all about being a CEO or being rich it's about finding something you love and doing it.

 

Thanks to Aurielius for putting up that quote from Franklin.

"The U.S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself." -- Benjamin Franklin

 

You won't gain what you want easily you have to work,and work hard to do it.

 

Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits." -- Thomas Jefferson