American Politics

[Cavechu]

Well, I will add my 2 cents to this discussion. I live in the Phillipines for many reasons, most have a lot to with how I love I the country.

easy access to limitless supply of reasonable price asian *****s helps?? did you renounced your US citizenship??

[LoveAsianWhores]

Well, I will add my 2 cents to this discussion. I live in the Phillipines for many reasons, most have a lot to with how I love I the country. However, there is a separate reason for why I don't live in America. I lived in the US for all of my adult life, and it is a place I truly despise. It used to be great place, maybe as recently at 15 years ago. But times have changed. It is a borderline police state today. The country has the highest per capita incaration rate in the world, by far. Cops everywhere. The government can monitor you communications at will. The smallest thing, from driving after having a few to many, to not having your kid in car seat, can get you in serious trouble. Argument with your wife, maybe you go to jail. Your kid gets sunburned, maybe you are charged with child abuse. Music to loud, disturbing the peace. Say something untruthful to a cop, you go to jail for a long time. Your 5 year old son touches a girl inappropriately, he gets in whole lot of trouble. This list goes on and on.

But the biggest reason that I could not live in the US, is that I am against the US in their war in Iraq. The US destroyed the country and is now occupying it. They claim they are liberating it, but over 80% of the population, in every poll taken in the past 6 months, want the US out NOW. Now I don't want to enter a debate about Iraq. It is just that in good conscience, I cannot live in a country I do not support. Out here, while not everyone supports my views, they at least consider them rational and don't get upset with me for having them. When I express joy at every strike the resistance makes against the US, I don't have to worry about going on some terrorist watch list merely because I have an opinion that is counter to US interests. In war, there are two sides. Who is right and and who is wrong largely depends on where you live. It is very difficult to live in a country at war when you support the other side, even if your support is merely the opinion that the other side is right.

[Beavis]

Patriotism, Nationalism, and protectionism are for hillbillies. They need something to decorate the back windows of their truck's with.

I'm an advocate of incrementally eliminating national borders...things tend to equalize over time.

I work with a lot of Mexicans (all fine individuals) at my little shit restaurant job.....even though they are willing to do a hell of a lot more work for less pay, I am not the least bit concerned about them taking my job, because they (as simple unsophisticated, villagers from a coastal town in southern Mexico) can't perform my function nearly as well as I can.

Call me crazy, but I don't think one world government is such an evil idea......so long as it isn't just a corrupt tool for advancing corporate interests as is our current administration.

b9k

If they were all coming to do shit jobs for less money it would be fine. How about when they all need welfare, free housing, free health care and food stamps? Who the fuck do you think is going to pay for that? The tax payer is. So when we already have record debt please explain to me how 50 million unskilled, uneducated workers that earn less than 12k per year is going to help the country.

[Three I]

Patriotism, Nationalism, and protectionism are for hillbillies. They need something to decorate the back windows of their truck's with.

I'm an advocate of incrementally eliminating national borders...things tend to equalize over time.

I work with a lot of Mexicans (all fine individuals) at my little shit restaurant job.....even though they are willing to do a hell of a lot more work for less pay, I am not the least bit concerned about them taking my job, because they (as simple unsophisticated, villagers from a coastal town in southern Mexico) can't perform my function nearly as well as I can.

Call me crazy, but I don't think one world government is such an evil idea......so long as it isn't just a corrupt tool for advancing corporate interests as is our current administration.

b9k

What do you think the One World Nation is about!

One Nation under Lucifer not God!

Mr. Rothchild doesn't need our money he has Trillions of dollars!

He wants our minds!

He wants to turn all of us into slaves, but I guess he already has a few slaves in his pockets already.

I know this is a sex site but Some of you guys really need to pick up a Bible are read it. Even more importantly try to understand it.

Bart9000

You really think only Rednecks are Patriotism, Nationalism, and protectionism are for hillbillies. Man America is doomed!

[Bill Buxton]

I understand perfectly what my sober eyes and ears saw and heard.Can't chew the leather anymore and maybe I was in a place that reeked of Scams and insolence from foreigners.Could be but I saw and heard much that was to my disgust will try another area nextime I go, lets see.Failed to understand "what". The part of cheep beer,girls,Lack of good medical care what did I miss??The fact that you sometimes go to a doctor 2-3 times before getting the right diagnosis??Come on you can justify just about anything when you talk from your wallet.A friend from the states had red eye went to 3 doctors before getting the right drops to clear the shit up.And the second one gave him something that would make him blind if he had continued use.Sure that could happen anywhere,not likely at home.Thats the difference,why do all or most of the guys living there know and say if they get sick they are going home to get medical care?????I am sure you got an answer for that a 700 dollar ticket home for FREE care on the taxpayers.I know the mentality over their cheep charlie they call it maybe most did not plan well enough ahead and that why they are there.20 THOUSAND DOLLARS makes you a millionare in the PI,Well thats the difference any half a mope can get to that plato in life working at mickeyD's or burgerking.War Lord in fantasy land that's the mentality when you stay there to long.And I am sure you feel everything you also report here is right.I am sure there are lots that can't tell me when they drew there last sober breath but many could tell me about the new bar or great looking addition "FEMALE" that works at it.Or who is giving away free food at happyhour.Sorry guys I lived there surrounded bu drunks and braggarts what can I say millionaires galore from everywhere,but they all come running back here for something they think the are entitled to.Sit in the vfw and make out entitlement papers because they deserve it.The last stage in life, loss of reason and intravenous alcohol use don't add up to much.Expatriats I wave my flagg every week so I can pay for your medical care when you fly back home with a medical crisis next time.A new location still the same what can my country do for me attitude.

Come on IT ain't great enough for me to sell out and live there and the newness wares off after a while...

B.B...

[GoodEnough]

Bill, you might have seen, but you obviously failed to understand much or perhaps most of what you saw. First, I have met SH several times, and your perception of his motivations, his attitudes and his behavior are not only egregiously wrong, but offensive. Second, your generalizations about the lifestyles of expatriates would be equally offensive if they were not so absurd.

In fifteen years of living overseas, I've found that peoples' motivations vary enormously: sometimes the rationale is economic, sometimes political, and sometimes social, but it's rarely sexual. That is, most men who make the decision to live oversea don't do so primarily so they can screw younger women. This may be a fringe benefit, but it's hardly a motivation for changing one's entire life. Maybe before your next trip you should read a couple of books and arrange to meet a more representative sample of expats. You might also want to brush up your syntax prior to making your next lengthy post.

J Boy, your point is well-taken though I'm not sure I would include defense expenditures post World War II as foreign assistance. I think it's more on the order of self-interest and perhaps a determination on the part of politicians to ensure the survival of the defense industry and the number of jobs associated with it. I doubt, for example, that the Japanese or the Germans view the presence of US troops on their soil as essential any longer.

Maybe it's not possible to generalize accurately about either of these issues, and maybe the reasons that those of us who live overseas do so are as idiosyncratic as the individuals who make the choices. I do think though, that once someone has lived overseas for long enough, though he or she may adapt to other cultures, the individual never "fits in" again. For example, as an American living in Asia, I'm always going to be perceived as an outsider, and will be perceived somewhat in that vein by Americans when I do go home.

Obviously, this is just my point of view and just my two centavos worth of opinion.



GE

[Bill Buxton]

SH, I agree with MOST of what you said BUT,What about the guys working today giving more than you in terms of paying into the ss system.The guy that works every day and hears about how there is likely not gonna be anything for him.And you telling how you live like a war loard.Are you bragging or complaining?Sounds like the money you paid in and got back was yours what about the statement about not wanting to work?"lazy"? not fitting in back home.Why? you don't make an attempt at keeping in touch?your family and friends not liking your choice of countries?or the gal you chose?I saw all the same in my short trip,many guys that we misunderstood by there friends and family.

Many of the reasons were because of THERE CHOICES not there families.It's not about being the big time charlie or is it?Sounds like you got that kind of ego you need to fuel.Cant cut the mustard at home you mean YOUNG GALS?It's a fucking joke with you OLD GUYS yes I said old running around like you are still somebody,well the joke is on you!It takes work and guts to stay at home and pay and face the music and vote for whoever you think will do the best job for the people.You are probably like others that BIT** every day about bush but were never here to try and change anything, or cast and vote for what you think should be changed.I met what I would call shitheads from here on my trip wanting to be or act young again.Talking very loud about the riches all there incoharent hours.I responded to them every chance I got,if your so rich why ain't you home???I never got an answer from most, and some were coherent enough to speak.

I dont find the fascination with the younger guys in your place like I do with the old.Mabey it's because they still get there stinger wet every night at home.And the answer is if you had the corner on the place to live everyone would be there.

Lazy,drunk,bigshot,whatever fuels your egos lap it up but the bottom line is you want the riches from the pot "think American now, BECAUSE YOU ARE INTITLED TO THEM "SS" YOU PAID YOUR SHARE AND WANT IT BACK"I am sure you take that check away and the warlord would surely cry like a regular baby.And please tell us what bank in Asia you have the money entered into?most guys have a us bank and for what reason???Come on you know please tell us all mr. warloard.What about the 10% interest you can get there on all your ritches you have it's sure better than what you get here!! Bit,what about safe? Please tell us how safe your green is there.I heard the local braintrust there worrying about there peso accounts because of the rates at the first of the year.Worrying about the 1 point up or down sounded like they all had billions in the bank.Sure thats why they would ***** when the beer price went to .05 pesos per beer higher.The rich big shots with the money to burn,most could not pour [CodeWord140] out of a rubber boot with the instructions scribbled on the heel.

The facts are the facts and the truth is the truth,You are gonna die and leave the embassy to pay for the funeral after the guys back home pay for it.Not to mention after that Young cooze and the RELATHIVES loot and get the warlords belonings,every last drop...

I SAW IT AND LIVED IT EVERY DAY FOR 6 MONTHS, so blow smoke up someone else's ass...

B.B...

[J Boy]

I do want to point out though, in terms of our giving away the "free stuff" that the amount of money the US gives away as foreign aid is less, on a per capita percentage of GDP than any other developed country in the world. We are not nearly as generous for example, as Norway (the highest percentage of GDP as foreign aid), or Canada.

But when you factor in our defense budget and the way we protected Europe and most of the world from the Soviet Union for 40 years, we might look a little more generous. Then factor in the Americans who died in defense of others in both world wars, the cold war and so many undeclared wars. I think we have done more than anyone can expect. If Europe had to depend upon the likes of Norway they would all be speaking Russian.

[J Boy]

As always, SH, you make perfect sense, and you raise a point that I forgot to mention. Once you've lived overseas for a certain period of time, be it in Asia, Europe or wherever, you just do not fit in "at home" any more. I guess it's because in the US, as with everywhere else, the culture is dynamic, things are changing all the time, and you (the expat) have not been there to accommodate or internalize the changes. I find exactly the same thing on my rare visits to the US: I will often be jarred by the culture shock and think to myself, "Where the hell am I?"

In my case, I've lived outside the US for so long that I don't even know anyone, aside from the kids, very well any more and when I do get together with old friends, we find we have very little to say to each other. They cannot possibly identify with or be cognizant of my lifestyle, and I can no longer identify with theirs. I don't think this has anything at all to do with one's feelings toward the US or wherever your country of birth happens to be. It's just the inevitable process of cultural alienation.

Prior to living in Asia, I lived in Paris for several years, and I recall thinking, on a trip back to the states, how loud Americans are. Of course, the noise level probably hadn't changed since I had lived in America, but I simply was not used to it any more.

This is probably the last comment I'll make on this subject, but it is somewhat reassuring to note that others experience some of the same feelings that I do.

GE

This doesn't make any sense to me. You are a person who has many times gone to new places and made friends with people of a different cultures but you can't get past some changes at home? Maybe you aren't really trying.

[GoodEnough]

As always, SH, you make perfect sense, and you raise a point that I forgot to mention. Once you've lived overseas for a certain period of time, be it in Asia, Europe or wherever, you just do not fit in "at home" any more. I guess it's because in the US, as with everywhere else, the culture is dynamic, things are changing all the time, and you (the expat) have not been there to accommodate or internalize the changes. I find exactly the same thing on my rare visits to the US: I will often be jarred by the culture shock and think to myself, "Where the hell am I?"

In my case, I've lived outside the US for so long that I don't even know anyone, aside from the kids, very well any more and when I do get together with old friends, we find we have very little to say to each other. They cannot possibly identify with or be cognizant of my lifestyle, and I can no longer identify with theirs. I don't think this has anything at all to do with one's feelings toward the US or wherever your country of birth happens to be. It's just the inevitable process of cultural alienation.

Prior to living in Asia, I lived in Paris for several years, and I recall thinking, on a trip back to the states, how loud Americans are. Of course, the noise level probably hadn't changed since I had lived in America, but I simply was not used to it any more.

This is probably the last comment I'll make on this subject, but it is somewhat reassuring to note that others experience some of the same feelings that I do.

GE

[Spam Hog]

I hate to see things degenerate into a ***** session, borrrrriiiinnnnngggg, so please understand I am not bitching and I am not taking aim at anyone. I, like many other expats LOVE my country, the good old USA, I served it in many ways for almost 30 years. I do not view my substantial pension as "supported by taxpayers" as I had to pay into it, that's right... came out of my salary every week I worked, Im proud of that too.

However, as much as I love my country, i choose not to live there as I simply cannot afford to unless I want to work. Probably in a private business as I had before. Why the hell should I work, pay taxes, maintain a business ,license and put up with all the crap of having employee's, labour management hassels and the inevitible law suits and other crap? Unfortunately, that is what American has become. Freedom ???
The legal profession has made everyday life a mine field of political correctness where there are so many laws, rules regularions and mandates that it is nearly impossible not to violate something or other then the special agenda groups take over and nail your ass to the wall coz U are a white male republican. That isn't freedom my friends.

Being an expat in Asia, living and working and of course playing here for more than seven years has made me realize many things, one is that how lucky I am to have been born in the USA and be a success at my chosen field and enjoy a generous retirement stipend every month that allows me to live like a fuedal warlord. But believe me I earned every penny. This is the other thing I learned:

TRUE FREEDOM IS FINANCIAL FREEDOM. If you have enough money and a dependable income you can go anywhere at any time and do anything you want...now thats freedom and that is what I have here.

The other issue is, once you get over in Asia and live there, you dont want to go back...so many reason for this. I came to this realization on a brief trip back to the USA recently to see my grandkids...I dont fit in anymore.


Spend more than a few months here and you wont either.

Regards


The Spam hog

[Bill Buxton]

You are right you did earn it but what about the working class or any class for that matter that pays taxes on wages and then again on savings.If the people could vote on paying ss and giving it to those who move from there country to live elsewhere they might want the cash to stay here.Fuel the economy at home not in another country.

I have argued about this at home with many just a thread not just my personal feelings.I have seen both sides of the coin and each should decide his fate here or there.

B.B...

[GoodEnough]

I don't want to get into a debate on patriotism or the political morality of the US versus anywhere else. I do think that the gist of Bill's argument is correct, and that the US does, in fact, act as a beacon to the rest of the world in many respects, though certainly (at least with the current administration) not all. I do want to point out though, in terms of our giving away the "free stuff" that the amount of money the US gives away as foreign aid is less, on a per capita percentage of GDP than any other developed country in the world. We are not nearly as generous for example, as Norway (the highest percentage of GDP as foreign aid), or Canada.

Historically, the US Congress has traditionally viewed foreign aid with a great deal of suspicion, and it continues to do so.

As to the payment of social security to US expats, why shouldn't we receive it? We pay it after all, in the same proportion as those living in the US, and we therefore "earn" the right to it the same as any other US citizen.

As with most complex arguments, this is not a simple, "either or" situation. For me, and I think for most of the expats I know, there are certain elements of living overseas that are preferable (to us) to living in the US. At the same time, there are certain qualities--both material and otherwise--that are lacking and that all of us miss. Most of the expatriates I know fall into one of two categories:

1. They live overseas because that's where their jobs took them, and they adapted well to the life. My experience is that, after not very many years, people in this category (including myself) get classified by employers as those who have maximum value to their companies by living overseas. It's difficult therefore, to come back to the US and find equivalent jobs.

2. They moved overseas when they were older and about to retire, for the simple reason that their pensions and savings are insufficient to support them well in their home countries. Since US (or European) money stretches much further in the developing world, they chose to move overseas to attain a higher quality of life, in the material sense.

Expatriotism is not for everyone, and probably not for most people. Adaptation is often difficult, and even for those of us who have lived abroad for years, the occassional pangs of displacement and homesickness never go away completely.



GE

[Bill Buxton]

Why don't we close up the boarders,the free stuff to other countries and help just the ones here??Stop the social security to overseas foreigners living abrod,and all ex-military pensions to those living in other countries.Lets give our our country full control of setting things straight here.

The facts are we do what we do right or wrong,most of us would like to see a change here,but we still help out everyone else in the world.Remember that when you buy American living in the PI,all that shit you eat and drink and have on your back is not from everywhere else in the world.

How many old Hz bens from the states would cry if the goodies were stopped???You say I earned it well thats ok you did, and so am I every week helping you guys grow old in a different place.Jelous?no, just saying don't ***** about the farmer with your mouth full.We all live from the freedom America provides and we all take full advantage of it every day 24/7.America will serve anyone anytime night or day without question in a hospital or soup kitchen.Not ask for payment first before services are rendered.Is that the same in the PI I don't think so.I know you all living there think life is great and I also when I was there.Remember you are DIFFERENT.As was I we have income,we can support ourselves.How many of us go there and live like the locals do??? Not many That I saw,just the pompous foreigners strutting around bitching about the shit they have to deal with overseas.Sounds like they could not deal with the shit from where ever they were from so that's why they are there now.Lets put the cards on the table,call a spade a spade.We are different from each and every place,oz,france,the uk everywhere.We do have more than the locals and we ***** about what we don't have before what we do have.I am sure I left there 2 months ago thinking about the girl the cost of living feeling differently, but the general thought in my mind was I WAS LUCKY TO BE GOING HOME.I can assure you that my trip made me feel different and I think different now than before.I wake up feeling lucky to have a job and business here,and be able to go ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD I WANT without delay.

I do not look at material things like I did before,AND YES I HAD AND DO HAVE THEM ALL.The important thing in life is what I learned from the local culture,not some guy from another country.Be happy rich or poor,be happy with your family.Who would ever think that I had to go 9000 miles away at the age of 41 and learn a life's lesson like that.



B.B...

B.B...

[Columpuss]

The good US of F'in A

Attended my nephew's 8th grade graduation ceremony 2 days ago. The school is in a residential area. Most parents couldn't find proper parking space so some of us parked on the side walk on school's property but not completely blocking the side walk. The sign says "no parking before 5PM" reserved for school buses. The ceremony starts at 7pm. When it ends at 9, we came out and saw a line of cars, must be around 10 cars that was ticketed for parking on the side walk. now, it is not down town. Parking cops don't go around residential areas after 5 to give out tickets.

My conclusion: some patriotic American must have performed his or her civic duty to punish law breakers.
Those who don't live in this country, this is a crime free country. The only law breakers are parents who park illegaly