RE: Op/ed the "freedom" dodge
December 20, 2012 at 12:53 pm
(This post was last modified: December 20, 2012 at 1:02 pm by Brian37.)
(December 20, 2012 at 12:34 pm)The_Germans_are_coming Wrote:(December 20, 2012 at 12:15 pm)Brian37 Wrote: Why does the United States have more social problems than other westernized nations?
Alcoholism in eastern Europe is the worst in the world.
Schoolshootings and other atrocities also happen here.
Racism in Europe is about a 1000 times worse than in the US.
Dude it`s not all sunshine outside of the US.
So? I never said other places were perfect either. Japan now has a big swath of land that is no longer livable because of corporate goons who cared more about money than good building design. Japan's economy isn't a bed of roses either. But they still don't have the pay gap or even a fraction of the crime rate we do here.
Don't use this argument as an excuse to do nothing. You got problems too, yea and life can suck sometimes, got it. SO WHAT still doesn't mean society shouldn't try to reduce a problem on a given issue.
America has a poverty problem, a health care problem, and a violence problem. I think it is way past time the bottom 99% stop taking what the top 1% is forcing on the rest of us.
Saying that a problem exists is in no way advocating a fascist state. Wanting to address social problems is not a call for a fascist state. You got problems too, so work on them instead of saying "life sucks so do nothing".
(December 20, 2012 at 12:17 pm)Great Ape Wrote: Who are you talking to?
Brian, you should calm down. You're hearts going to explode! You're a redskins fan, you must live close to me. Come over and smoke a bowl.
LOL, please. Actually I don't live in the DC area anymore but was raised there. And as far as smoking a bowl, no. Never did anything for me except make my head spin and my heart race. That and it is still not completely legal in any case.
But as far as me "calming down". I think outrage and anger can be positive motivators and don't make someone a foaming lunatic.
But if I ever get up there again, especially during the NFL season, I would love to meet you and watch a game. Now, you want to see a foaming lunitic, watch me yell at the TV when the Skins fuck up. But I am not one of those fans who gets depressed over a loss or willing to fight a rival fan.
I'm merely passionate and have been touched so much over the years by our economic decline, not just me, but everyone around me. I see so much good in our species squandered on selfishness and me me me stuff.
