What is wrong with the USA? | GTAMotorcycle.com

What is wrong with the USA?

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Duster929

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I don't mean this to be a USA-bashing thread, although with that title, I imagine it will be. I just want to know what the hell is going on with that country. I've been reading a bunch of stuff lately about the potential for their economic recovery, and it's terrifying. It's obvious to me that there is a massive transfer of wealth going on, from poor to rich, and development of a massive underclass. I just don't see how it's going to be sustained.

Here's what I see is wrong with the USA:
- Terrible education system at the high school and college level. Massive numbers of uneducated people in all parts of the country.

- Partisan politics. A political system dominated by crazies with extreme points of view, making it very difficult to solve any problems.

- Increased religiosity. Fundamental Christianity promotes ignorance and lack of proper
education.

- Massive government debt. Currently, the most aggressive plan to eliminate the deficit figures it might be possible by 2040. Each year until then, the government debt will grow larger. Military and health care spending are growing, and cannot be stopped.

- Massive consumer debt. Besides the housing crisis, credit card and auto debt is choking people.

- Unemployment. I don't see where they're going to create the jobs to get to a state of recovery.

- The war on drugs/crime. The country has the highest rate of incarceration of any country in the world.

- Race relations. They're still talking about slavery, 200 years after it ended.

- Corporate greed. The bonusses awarded to bankers. The massive transfer of wealth to oil companies through gas/oil prices. The top 400 taxpayers in the USA pay an effective tax rate of 17%. The top 1% of taxpayers pays 23%. The tax rate is the lowest it's ever been. And the rules are made by politicians lobbied and influenced by the organizations with the most money.

I've always been a big fan of America as a bright light on the world stage. But I'm having a hard time seeing the bright spots at the moment.

Is this the end of America as a superpower? How is it going to turn itself around? What the hell is wrong with that country?
 
I have all of the same questions, I agree with everything you've said except that I don't see ANY WAY for the US to wipe out its government debt at ANY time in the future if current trends continue, and I don't have any of the answers.

Put it this way; in my investment account I own 0 government debt and 0 shares in US-based companies and 0 anything denominated in US dollars. There are quite a number of US companies that are doing well and would be worth investing in, if it weren't for the elephant in the room ... what happens when QE2 stops and China loses interest in buying US government bonds. Bye-bye, US dollar; it was nice knowing you ...
 
America, so far behind they think they're first.

But it's such a complicated problem/issue and it's unlikely it will be solved any time soon.

Anyone can come up with a plan, but talking about a plan and implementing a plan are two different things.
 
everything mentioned comes down to one thing wrong. greed. everyone wants something for nothing. fix that and you'll fix the problems. good luck.
 
Duster929 said:
I don't mean this to be a USA-bashing thread, although with that title, I imagine it will be. I just want to know what the hell is going on with that country. I've been reading a bunch of stuff lately about the potential for their economic recovery, and it's terrifying. It's obvious to me that there is a massive transfer of wealth going on, from poor to rich, and development of a massive underclass. I just don't see how it's going to be sustained.

Here's what I see is wrong with the USA:
- Terrible education system at the high school and college level. Massive numbers of uneducated people in all parts of the country.

- Partisan politics. A political system dominated by crazies with extreme points of view, making it very difficult to solve any problems.

- Increased religiosity. Fundamental Christianity promotes ignorance and lack of proper
education.

- Massive government debt. Currently, the most aggressive plan to eliminate the deficit figures it might be possible by 2040. Each year until then, the government debt will grow larger. Military and health care spending are growing, and cannot be stopped.

- Massive consumer debt. Besides the housing crisis, credit card and auto debt is choking people.

- Unemployment. I don't see where they're going to create the jobs to get to a state of recovery.

- The war on drugs/crime. The country has the highest rate of incarceration of any country in the world.

- Race relations. They're still talking about slavery, 200 years after it ended.

- Corporate greed. The bonusses awarded to bankers. The massive transfer of wealth to oil companies through gas/oil prices. The top 400 taxpayers in the USA pay an effective tax rate of 17%. The top 1% of taxpayers pays 23%. The tax rate is the lowest it's ever been. And the rules are made by politicians lobbied and influenced by the organizations with the most money.

I've always been a big fan of America as a bright light on the world stage. But I'm having a hard time seeing the bright spots at the moment.

Is this the end of America as a superpower? How is it going to turn itself around? What the hell is wrong with that country?
Click to expand...

It's capitalism at it's highest. They believe in a free market and this is what happens. Greed rules the country.
 
Funny how everyone living outside of the USA can see they're problems. Anyone living inside will not admit to any problems.
They system is entirely run by bankers. Everything from schools to the army. They're bascially at the stage Soviet Union before they're collapse.
 
Hate to say it we are on the same road as the US minus a few issues.
1) Partisan Politics (anyone see last election). Compition of who is leaste worst not who is the best. Was brutal
2) Government Debt: We aren't scheduled to have a balanced budget until 2015. Despite this 9 billion to planes. The actual cost is estimated to b closer to 18billion, but who is counting. Our government has froozen health care spending to pay for planes?
3) Corporate Greed: Oil prices are 40 dollars a barrel cheaper than last summer, but gas prices are higher???
4) Decreased corporate taxes. Race to the bottom. No proof that lower corporate taxes increase job figures. Despite this we consistantly lower taxes on corporations. Ireland is has some of the lowest corporate taxes in developed world and are filing for bankruptcy. We also fund the oil sands to a figure of 1.4billion a year. If we cut that off do we really think they would go else where...

Just some thoughts. I am obviously not a conservative, but I still think there is some room for improvement.

Cheers,
 
I heard a couple of interesting comments recently.

A promenent American minister on an American talk show commented on how much Americans were disliked. No one was surprised at the comment or disagreed.

Obama was criticized for not being American enough. The speaker implied that Americans were superior beings.

Canada isn't too much different but we have a more resource rich country. Therefore we don't have any deficit or debt..........................do we?
 
niagara_ridder said:
Hate to say it we are on the same road as the US minus a few issues.
1) Partisan Politics (anyone see last election). Compition of who is leaste worst not who is the best. Was brutal
2) Government Debt: We aren't scheduled to have a balanced budget until 2015. Despite this 9 billion to planes. The actual cost is estimated to b closer to 18billion, but who is counting. Our government has froozen health care spending to pay for planes?
3) Corporate Greed: Oil prices are 40 dollars a barrel cheaper than last summer, but gas prices are higher???
4) Decreased corporate taxes. Race to the bottom. No proof that lower corporate taxes increase job figures. Despite this we consistantly lower taxes on corporations. Ireland is has some of the lowest corporate taxes in developed world and are filing for bankruptcy. We also fund the oil sands to a figure of 1.4billion a year. If we cut that off do we really think they would go else where...

Just some thoughts. I am obviously not a conservative, but I still think there is some room for improvement.

Cheers,
Click to expand...


1) Welcome to politics in general. Anyone who thinks our political system isn't partisan is fooling themselves

2) The reason we MIGHT have a balanced budget by 2015 is because of a fiscally responsible Conservative government. Our healthcare system is well funded, there's just PLENTY of waste/bonuses/fat. Criticizing military spending is fine until after the fact when everyone is crying that we didn't spend enough. Investing in new military planes is a wise investment in an uncertain future.

3) Capitalism and PERSONAL GREED. How many of us drive vehicles unnecessarily? How many of us drive big SUVs or Vans when a small compact would suffice? How many of us work many kilometers from home? How many of us buy products that need to be shipped in?

4) There might be no proof that lower corporate taxes means an increase in jobs but one thing is for certain. If you raise corporate taxes like iggy and happy ending jack wanted to do, you'll see plenty of companies packing up and moving to a more tax friendly place. Corporations are global now, if you try to screw them they'll just screw you back. Ireland has low corporate taxes, it was also a warzone just a few years ago.
 
Duster929 said:
I don't mean this to be a USA-bashing thread, although with that title, I imagine it will be. I just want to know what the hell is going on with that country. I've been reading a bunch of stuff lately about the potential for their economic recovery, and it's terrifying. It's obvious to me that there is a massive transfer of wealth going on, from poor to rich, and development of a massive underclass. I just don't see how it's going to be sustained.

Here's what I see is wrong with the USA:
- Terrible education system at the high school and college level. Massive numbers of uneducated people in all parts of the country.

- Partisan politics. A political system dominated by crazies with extreme points of view, making it very difficult to solve any problems.

- Increased religiosity. Fundamental Christianity promotes ignorance and lack of proper
education.

- Massive government debt. Currently, the most aggressive plan to eliminate the deficit figures it might be possible by 2040. Each year until then, the government debt will grow larger. Military and health care spending are growing, and cannot be stopped.

- Massive consumer debt. Besides the housing crisis, credit card and auto debt is choking people.

- Unemployment. I don't see where they're going to create the jobs to get to a state of recovery.

- The war on drugs/crime. The country has the highest rate of incarceration of any country in the world.

- Race relations. They're still talking about slavery, 200 years after it ended.

- Corporate greed. The bonusses awarded to bankers. The massive transfer of wealth to oil companies through gas/oil prices. The top 400 taxpayers in the USA pay an effective tax rate of 17%. The top 1% of taxpayers pays 23%. The tax rate is the lowest it's ever been. And the rules are made by politicians lobbied and influenced by the organizations with the most money.

I've always been a big fan of America as a bright light on the world stage. But I'm having a hard time seeing the bright spots at the moment.

Is this the end of America as a superpower? How is it going to turn itself around? What the hell is wrong with that country?
Click to expand...

Canada is in a slightly better situation because of Natural resources and don't spend nearly as much on the military (depend on Big brother USA).

The debt of several countries is much worse than the USA per capita......like the UK, Spain etc. They should collapse first.

I don't understand your religious comment, the USA was by far the best country several decades ago......and they were much more Christain than they are now when you compare the 1960's as an example.

I have never understood how the USA and Canada have allowed countries to sell as much product as they want in our country and then those countries don't allow us to sell product there.....recipe for debt?
 
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Everything in the US caters to the super-elites.. Hell, in some states you can't collect rain water because "it belongs to the corporations that own the rivers." This is not even a new problem. During the dustbowl crisis, they were overproducing food in California, but they made sure to poison it and dump it while thousands of "Okies" were literally starving to death. Those that dove into the rivers to fish out a few potatoes were shot at. They had a relatively good period for the regular Joe because of World War 2, and also because they needed to demonstrate that they are better than the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Now, the Soviet Union doesn't exist, so they can push the masses into poverty and repress them all they want. They don't need to prove that they are better than anyone. Sending most industrial production to the Chinese kinda sealed the deal for them (and us).
From a Christian standpoint, I don't see much good coming out of a country ruled by a mortal sin (greed). The super-elites will milk the country for all they can, while they all have an exit strategy for when things go to ****. The unwashed masses will be left to clean up the mess (if even possible). I know one thing.. If I have kids, before they even learn our native tongues, they'll be taking Mandarin lessons :cool:

P.S. Terrorists are idiots for trying to attack the U.S.... All they gotta do is sit back, relax, smile and let the Americans do all the hard work :D
P.P.S. I'm scared for Canada because we are ruled by a party that is trying to replicate all of the failed social and economic policies that the Yanks currently have.
 
mat2312 said:
Corporations are global now, if you try to screw them they'll just screw you back. Ireland has low corporate taxes, it was also a warzone just a few years ago.
Click to expand...

If you want to pick a country in good economic shape to look up to, you might consider picking up a newspaper before suggesting Ireland.
 
Meh...It won't collapse because it can't collapse. So much money is tied into their economy it's scary.

Let's not forget those heads of corporations located in the US also own significant business abroad. It falls apart at home...it falls apart everywhere.

US is in trouble...there's no doubt...but the world won't let it fall apart. If they declare bankruptcy....it's pretty much over for everyone. At least financially.

Back to the left wing propoganda...:)
 
dpmachine said:
If you want to pick a country in good economic shape to look up to, you might consider picking up a newspaper before suggesting Ireland.
Click to expand...


I never suggested Ireland was in great shape, I actually suggested that corporations avoid Ireland like the plague regardless of their tax rate because it was/is a warzone.
 
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