Australia or the USA?

Post by **StepChld** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 6:37 pm

You know fellow Max fans...I can honestly say that I prefer good ol' Texas to any other spot in the world,with Maui coming in a solid second. My state goes from the low lyeing Gulf Coast thru wide open prairies to the mountains of far west Texas and across a few canyons on the way. The vistas we have in just my one state encompasses EVERY single geographic region that is known to mankind.I have everything from wetlands to dry deserts all within a three days drive and never have to leave the state. Not everyone can brag of such.Yes,Australia would be a wonderful place to visit but I would never wish to live there.BUT,I do have a great respect for those that do.I would like to visit there for several months as a few weeks would be just to short a time to fully search out the real Australia.This holds true with any country that I've ever visited,and that has been more than a few. But for simply a place to raise my two kids and keep my wife happy,the U.S. is the place for me and my family.

I have guns (4 revolvers,2 rifles and 2 shotguns...if anyone cares to know) and I have had a slew of "hotrodded" vehicles.My country allows these things to be in my possesion without Government interference or registration (excepting the registration of my cars ...for taxable reasons only) and that is only a few of the many freedoms I have. My tax rate is not over 20% of my income and I may choose any doctor to cure me of any ills that I might have,the Government doesn't decide which doctors are on my health care plan. I support a limited welfare system because I understand that everyone every now and then runs into a streak of bad luck and again my country helps out with that...sometimes to much I think,but not to much (92% welfare recipients never go on welfare again after 2-3 months).

I do not feel that the Government has the responsibilty to pay for your college education but they do have the responsibilty to pay for my first 12 years of public education.After that it is my choice to continue or not...it is not "owed" to me by the Government.

As to the military strength of the U.S.,let's be realist here.Yes,the U.S. has the strongest military system in the world...because we (the tax-payers) pay for it. No other country can come close to the volume in BOTH manpower and technology. Granted we do not have the largest armed services but our technology makes up the difference.And if you say we are "sabre-rattling",well yes we are...but we've got the cajones(balls) to back it up.I personally do not agree with Bush's plan in the Middle East,but I wasn't consulted and I voice my opinion at voting time by voting EVERY time for EVERY election.And if you wish to say we weren't concerned with terrorism until 9/11...that would be a grave misunderstanding of U.S. policy. The reason that so many countries seem to take an interest in what the U.S. is doing is simply that if terrorist are willing to attack the U.S.,then they will attack anyone.And if you think the U.S. has a bad reputation in interfering with other countries domestic policies,then you need to study French history (as well as current!)...you know that whole little Vietnam problem began with the French...but I digress!

And as to our people not being aware of other countries and their governments,yes maybe so...but then again,why do you suppose that our history and current events play such an important role in your society...perhaps because we are such an influence to your society (for good or bad).Not saying it's right...it just "is".

Well anyway,all I would like to say is that I sure do love my country,as well as a great many others.The problems ya'll have listed here are for the most part overblown and I might dare say un-informed.Are Americans fat and lazy...some are..and some aren't (my father when he turned 70,ran 100km to celebrate...does that sound fat and lazy to you?).I teach school and the vast majority of my kids are neither fat nor lazy (except when it comes to homework...but name a kid that doesn't procrastinate!). I myself ,while not in the best shape I've ever been in,still ride horseback for 20 miles at a stretch and don't complain (to much!). You know the Germans in WW2 said the British were fat and lazy...I guess they were wrong,huh?

I enjoy the group here...interesting little social structure we have here.It saddens me to see this kind of pointless and ignorant (NOT to be confused with stupid!) bickering.My guess would be that all those with differing opinions ,if given the same oppurtunities would sing a different song...kinda like "walking a mile in the other guy's shoes".

Cheers,

Step

Post by **madmaxxx** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 7:30 pm

Step,

I drove across texas with my yellow interceptor , real good eye candy if i might say so!

" When the gangs take over the highway ...................remember he's on your side "

Post by **townshend88** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 7:30 pm

Quote: Originally posted by Big Bopper Bart on 02 December Cmoon

Camchain,I've never been nor has any other American been forced to pledge allegiance to any flag,its our choice to but if your a foreigner whos just come from some 3rd world sh*thole i.e italy LOL"Hi Unky" it wouldn't hurt to give repsect to your new homeland.

not forced? where did you go to elementary and high school?

besides, i wonder how many times youve been to italy, unless you really know a lot about it or have been there a lot i dont think you should go spouting off at how much of a "sh*thole" it is. of course, youre probably just trying to get rise out of uncle.

on another note, its total bullsh*t when people somehow equate the freedom offered in america with the fact that we are rich as hell. people come here mostly becuase we are wealthy beyond imagine. sure, some people, especially from countries with bad human rights records, come here because they want to be able to vote and criticize their government, but nobody is coming here from the UK or Australia for more freedom! theyre coming here to get rich, and thats a result of CAPITALISM and our resources, among other things, not freedom directly.

and those soccer mom patriots piss me off too, camchain

Post by **StepChld** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 8:00 pm

Townshend...I've taught school for a lot of years and no where has anyone ever been forced to say the Pledge (1st Amendment and all that).I have Jehovah's Witness in my class and at my school we say the Pledge daily but they are never "forced" to say anything.And to most teachers,why force kids to do anything? There are better ways to teach than thru "force".

And why this problem with "soccer moms"? Is their wealth really that big a problem to you...are they not allowed to voice their opinions just as much as anyone? What makes you think that your opinion is so much more valuable than theirs or that their opinion holds no value at all? People ,on the whole,are not really sheep and just follow anyone without any thought or reason,therefore they can choose who or what they listen to and make their own "informed" choice."Soccer moms" ,while I might not agree completely with, have every right as a U.S. citizen to express their views,often and as loudly as they want.What do they want but the simple things in life ...security,family, and spirituality in a form that they choose...all things that every person regards highly if not exactly in that order.

And yes people are coming here from other countries for "freedom"...keep in mind that other countries do "censor"...including the UK and other European countries.And Australia won't even let their law abiding citizens keep firearms or non-factory "enhanced" vehicles.

Townshend...I support your right to say whatever you will,but it doesn't mean I agree with you on this.But I still enjoy your thoughts and discussions!

Cheers,

Step

Post by **madmaxxx** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 8:23 pm

town

Thought you were moving ? My friend still has that room you requested ,its in the middle east.

"when the gangs take over the highway .................. remembrer he's on your side "

Post by **Interdictor** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 9:15 pm

Yes, rather than arguing, walk a mile in the other guys shoes. ........ 'cause then you're a mile away, and you have his shoes!

Just thought this thread needed a little levity.

Post by **StepChld** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 9:30 pm

HeeHee Interdictor! That was funny!

Cheers,

Step

Post by **StepChld** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 9:30 pm

ROFLMAO Interdictor! That was funny!

Cheers,

Step

Post by **Big Bopper Bart** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 9:45 pm

Quote: Originally posted by townshend88 on 02 December 2003

Quote: Originally posted by Big Bopper Bart on 02 December Cmoon

Camchain,I've never been nor has any other American been forced to pledge allegiance to any flag,its our choice to but if your a foreigner whos just come from some 3rd world sh*thole i.e italy LOL"Hi Unky" it wouldn't hurt to give repsect to your new homeland.

not forced? where did you go to elementary and high school?

I"f i didn't wanna stand up i sat my lil ass down"and after my teachers were done calling me a communist heathen i got sent to the principals office,oh well "

besides, i wonder how many times youve been to italy, unless you really know a lot about it or have been there a lot i dont think you should go spouting off at how much of a "sh*thole" it is. of course, youre probably just trying to get rise out of uncle.

"Yup i never been to Italy and i'm sorry if i offended anyone other than Unky,its true i enjoy f**kin with ole Unky thats all "

on another note, its total bullsh*t when people somehow equate the freedom offered in america with the fact that we are rich as hell. people come here mostly becuase we are wealthy beyond imagine. sure, some people, especially from countries with bad human rights records, come here because they want to be able to vote and criticize their government, but nobody is coming here from the UK or Australia for more freedom! theyre coming here to get rich, and thats a result of CAPITALISM and our resources, among other things, not freedom directly."

"and the problem is??"

and those soccer mom patriots piss me off too, camchain

"Me three"

Post by **townshend88** » Tue Dec 02, 2003 1:20 am

Quote: Originally posted by Big Bopper Bart on 02 December 2003on another note, its total bullsh*t when people somehow equate the freedom offered in america with the fact that we are rich as hell. people come here mostly becuase we are wealthy beyond imagine. sure, some people, especially from countries with bad human rights records, come here because they want to be able to vote and criticize their government, but nobody is coming here from the UK or Australia for more freedom! theyre coming here to get rich, and thats a result of CAPITALISM and our resources, among other things, not freedom directly."

"and the problem is??"

im simply pointing out that we should be honest about why people come here. i dont agree at all with what stepchild said:

( And yes people are coming here from other countries for "freedom"...keep in mind that other countries do "censor"...including the UK and other European countries.And Australia won't even let their law abiding citizens keep firearms or non-factory "enhanced" vehicles.)

first of all, i did say that i thought the freedom offered here was a draw for people who lived in countries that were basically dictatorships. but how many people (outside of this board) honestly emmigrate from the uk or oz because theyre unable to have interceptors or use guns? not very many i would suspect. as for censorship, yes places like germany and france place unfair restrictions on speech, especally "hate speech", but we have our own restrictions here as well, especially pertaining to violent action against the government. now, i dont think all those laws are wrong, but there are certainly times weve gone overboard, such as much of the 20th century when communism was not only frowned upon by the government but sometimes illegal (especially when speech was deemed threatening, "a clear and present danger.")

the point is all countries, including the US, place restrictions on peoples "freedom" so i get irritated when america proclaims herself the land of the free as if she was the last bastion of pure liberty in the world.

as for soccer moms, im not saying anything about their right to free speech stepchild, i simply used them as an example of the type of people that piss me off in this country. most of them seem to have a fair wheather attidute towards their country, putting flag magnets on their cars to show their "patriotism" and then becoming irate when taxes increase or some neccesary but unsightly power plant is put up near them. patriotism has become the latest fad for them, and i find it repulsive.

as for moving to another country maxxx, i do hope to someday (and no, not the middle east, where would you get that idea? someplace like new zealand seems good though) but it will probably be several years. generally countries are not thrilled at having untrained people enter their boarders, and i need to finsish college first. ive never said america is all bad although i might see how some got the impression, but a lot of things irritate me about it, generally more things than dont irritate me.