Talk Elections

(Feel free to start one about Australia)

Here's a thread for things I come across that are clearly stains on the US. There are many wonderful things about America, of course, but some of the stuff that comes out of your country is sad, disappointing, and occasionally enraging.

To start us off, the story of Gina Ray, thanks to the NYT:


Continued at http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/03/us/probation-fees-multiply-as-companies-profit.html?_r=3&pagewanted=all

The biggest problem with the US is that its just too perfect.

Glad you enjoy it.

lololol

I'll give you one thing, I assumed at first this Ray woman was Black, and turns out she isn't, but the article does feature a black guy as well. If it's Alabama, and they're targeting poors, then I would assume there is a racial element in it. Even if it means fining a couple of poor whites.

This is a thread about what is f-cked up about America, not your autobiographical confessions.

But to go on-topic for a moment I have never forgotten being in a hotel in State College, PA flicking between television channels and ending up landing on a business channel who were having a discussion on how best to profit from the hurricane season.

Please elucidate.  Are you a masochist?

As for myself, the list of things I dislike about the Bad Place is (as you might expect on the part of one who calls it 'The Bad Place') too long to get into here, but I'll just tell you about three images that dominate my dim remembrance of visits home:

1) The Drug Sniffing Dogs which greet you, held straining on leashes by black-uniformed storm troopers as LAX.  Welcome to the 'Land of the Free'!  (in Thailand there is no customs - you just walk in!)

2) Every time I come home, I'm pulled over at least once.  The place is absolutely teeming with pi.. police.  And the lights that they flash behind you nowadays are totally blinding - really dangerous.  Again, welcome to the Land of the Free. (in Thailand you hardly ever see any police, and there is almost no crime, and even the few police there are go home at six PM... I have never actually seen anyone pulled over here, ever!)

3) The Gastrointestinal and Privy aspect.  I shall not go into detail, but let me say that the food in the USA does NOT agree with me, and as for the toilets, a photoset will suffice:

In The Bad Place:

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In The Good Place:

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State College, PA, is the most f'ed up in America and deserves its on entry in this thread. The Paterno cultists are beyond creepy.

Good old debtor's prisons!

Sometimes I can get a kick out of how effed up this country is. I mean I like to bask in it, and embrace it an a very twisted way.

The enormous power of business in the US.

The Obesity Epidemic which is both a burden on healthcare costs and aesthetic looks.

This sums up a good deal of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEyUWKJFER8

Yup.  Sounds about right.  The system has no interest in solving problems.  There is no reason a speeding ticket should ever get to $3000+ in fines and multiple stays in jail.  It should be a $150 fine or two days in jail.  You pick.  Instead of raising taxes on the 1% to pay for county and state budgets they want to do this garbage.

I think you ignored the point of my post there. But please, do go on...

Listing all the problems of the US, is the equivalent of trying to list the names of all the people in China, it'll just go on forever and leave the writer with no sense of accomplishment.

The TSA. They stole my worthless Metro PCS cell phone from my bag when I flew to Latrobe from Fort Lauderdale eleven days ago. I planned to write a thread about it but gave up.

Fucking long-ass commercials interrupting a program every few minutes.

The KFC Double Down.

The tipping culture in the US is f'd up.

As are the laws that surround it: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=149709.0

Two nights ago, a bartender screwed up my order and then nearly gave my credit card to a complete stranger.  I wasn't going to tip him, but then forgot and did so anyway purely because it has become such a reflex.

Same thing in Canada. Only time I saw people I was with not tipping was in a breakfast restaurant. It was empty and took one hour to get food, which was cold, because the waitress was talking to another one instead of doing her job.

That's not a uniquely American thing, sadly.

Everyone wants a tip in the US. Seems that way at least...

Well in France there have a 15% gratuity charge (or something) that they add to the bill no?

Guys we already have a thread for this topic: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=143929.0

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Mississippi and Alabama.

---Support for Israel.
---The entertainment industry.
---The death penalty.
---Hipsters
---Hollywood
---Scientology
---PETA
---Right-wingers and moderate heroes.

Those chips look pretty good tbh. The doughnut burger a bit less so.

No to all but HollyWood and Scientology. What does moderate heroes mean?

While the donut burger is pretty ridiculous, the picture does remind me us of the greatest single thing the United States has given the world: the cheeseburger with fries and a coke. No food even begins to compare to this ultimate culinary creation.

Unfortunately, most everything else we have exported has been bad.

It's up on the list of delicious things...but Döner is even better ;)

It a kind of centrist, which isn't based on any centrist ideology, but on the purpose of being in the middle about every issue (usually for political reasons and to try to seduce swing voters).

Yes, right-wingers are responsible for all our nation's ills. Makes complete sense.


There's a decent article on it at uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI)

Ahhhhhh

Obesity
Lack of public transit
Sprawl
Corporations basically running things
Lower taxes for the rich
Warmongering
Health care epic fail
Intolerant Christians

I have never been to the US and there are certainly a lot of positive things to say about the country but from what I have read and seen on television the infrastructure (e.g. bridges, roads, electric power supply) seems to be in bad shape in many states. It would pay off if more money was invested in this area.

Also very true. Power outages after relatively small thunderstorms are not seldom. Power lines even in most towns are above ground.

Of course there is one major party that would view infrastructure improvements as socialism...

A lot of this is just a matter of low population density. And the quality of infrastructure varies substantially depending on where you are because so much of it is managed locally. As to the original question, the level of economic inequality is completely out of control here. Half the country is owned by 1% of the people. A lot of urban neighborhoods are literally in ruins.

And managing (and especially funding) it locally only increases inequalities. It's even worse with funding schools through local property taxation. Actually, that should be on the list: The terrible terrible way secondary education is handled.

Our corrupted government that frequently puts the interests of a few ahead of the many, even when those interests come at the expense of the public at large. Just look at healthcare...

The public apathy towards fixing said corruption.

Both parties desire for eternal war and world policing.
Both parties hatred of privacy rights.
The overall culture of degeneracy, immorality, greed, and intolerance (yeah, I put them all in one line you everything is left/right people).
Corporatism running the country.
Not enough resources put into public transportation, alternative energy, ecological concerns in general.

Or, if you're poor and can't afford a speeding ticket, DON'T SPEED!  There's an easy solution right there.

It's amazing how, with one exception, those are all things I applaud phrased in a negative fashion (you can get rid of the words 'eternal' and 'intolerance' too, actually).

Well of course a lot of people support flawed policy. That's why it exists.

Bloodthirsty mentality.

As the article says, it's got nothing to do with her guilt or innocence. Read it, I'm sure most Republicans would agree that the current situation regarding mushrooming private fines that are enforceable by prison stays (for which you get charged[/i]) is f'd up.

Here are some of the big faults of the United States:

1. People who complain about obesity. Good lord, can we stop talking about how fat people are? I can tell you one thing obesity is a problem that Uganda would love to have.

2. Philanthropic groups that receive government funding. The National Civil Rights Council has never and will never do anything useful for society. It's only purpose, like almost all Better Future Societies, is to attack people, write unreadable books and give The Ed Show viewership.

3. Behaviorism is schools, especially special education. America has produced an entire crop of "educators" who think that throwing non-fat snack crackers at students will somehow make America #1 in literacy, math and science. You know what will make America #1 in those field? TRACKING! Just like all of the rivals of the USA who track their students who excel at reading, math and science and tell the 95% of the other kids to go screw themselves. Only in America is educational egalitarianism a reality and that is to the credit of the USA. However, behaviorism will not cure educational and social issues so stop spoon feeding it to the next generation of educators.

4. Collectivism in thought from the right and the left. Why is it that intellectual thought on the right and left has to be one, mammoth idea that none can stray from? Ron Paul supporters, who should be anti-collectivist, perfectly fit into the mold of collectivist thinkers who know several talking points (Operation Ajax, blowback, the Creature from Jekyll Island, the Depression of 1921, "Keep Cool with Coolidge") and spout them at all times. This is NOT a good thing. When everyone is thinking the same thing it does not matter how many times you can quote the spark notes version of Atlas Shrugged. It means that no one is thinking.

5. The 2008 Election. America really misbehaved in that election. Good lord, people were crying when a politician was elected president. The ultimate goal of every politician is to promise longer erections, more hair and free carnival rides for votes. It does not matter who the politician is they all have one goal: to promise things to get votes to get a title and to get power. The man elected in 2008, however, was viewed as some form a messiah to millions of Americans. This made me blush red in the face the entire year. I saw college girls wet themselves when the senator from Illinois walked past them as if he was Bono or Tom Skerritt. Do not even start on the mindless cheering of empty, collectivist slogans by intelligent who should have known better. You see, in the end the 2008 election embarrassed me as an American because so many intelligent people allowed themselves to be taken in by a messiah complex. I never disliked my relatives who supported John Kerry in 2004 because they realized that Kerry was a politician who wanted votes and would make changes from the disastrous 2001-2004 time frame. In 2008 I could not be around my Democratic relatives because the senator from Illinois was their Jesus and they made sure to call him that. That bit of misbehavior should never be forgiven.

6. The sheer number of dogs. Good God, does every idiot have to own a dog? I go running around Mason City in preparation for marathons. I used to be able to run and never see a dog. Now I have to go running with pepper spray because every time I run by a house a huge, steroid induced mongrel is trying to kill me. Why can I not be left alone while running and exercising? I am not bothering anyone. Which brings me to

7. Idiot dog owners. Why is every dog owner a total idiot? Please, keep your animal on a leash. If you have to own a dog for social reasons I am fine with that. Dogs are good companions and loyal to the point of lunacy. However, please keep it on a leash or at least train it not to kill me as a I run past your house.

8. "Family Values." I think America leads the world in pornographic websites, alcohol consumption and domestic abuse. The divorce rates are dizzying. Why do people have to put their noses into the affairs of others when their own houses are a mess? I live next door to a lesbian couple in a duplex. They are nice people and always remember to take out their garbage on Tuesday. They are quiet, respectful, work professional jobs and, in my opinion, have greatly benefited from the ability to legally marry. My other neighbors are, shall we say, low. They are an unhappily shacked up couple with four AD/HD (if that actually existed) kids. They are loud, argue all the time, do not take out their garbage weekly, drink, cavort and terrorize the neighborhood with five huge pit-bulls. On July 4th this year I threw a nice little party for the neighborhood on my side of the yard. Both of my neighbors showed up. The bad neighbors saw the lesbian couple and began yell about how they should not have showed up to the party because our neighborhood has "family values." This, of course, coming from the shacking-up couple of four illegitimate children who both live off of disabilities, smell the place up and terrorize everyone with their dogs. That is why I do not like the term "family values."   

9. The cult of democracy. Every presidential election I am forced to read my BD students some silly, inaccurate drivel about the importance of one vote. America does not have a national language and so it was not ONE VOTE that decided English against German. Everyone is told that every vote is the same and that we have the ultimate say over how our country works. What a load of sh**t. The only votes that matter are on the Supreme Court. It really says a lot that unelected judges (thanks to Martin v. Hunter's Lessee) get to override every single law passed from the school board to the Congress. The cult of democracy is sickening because it deludes people into thinking that they actually have power over decisions being made in the capital. The sad fact is that millions fall for it every single election.   

10. Vietnam War Veterans. I have met a few Vietnam War Veterans that I admire and respect. They all became businessmen. I do not like 99% of Vietnam War Veterans. Most of them are not nice people and they represent the 1960s generation to a tee. They are entitled, abusive to their spouses, angry at the world and demanding that the younger generation do more and more for them. They perfectly encapsulate what is really the underlining problem with the United States of America and that is the fallacy that we are OWED something for the jobs that we do.

11. Finally, the idea that certain life choices entitle special rights. As a teacher I am always told that I deserve special rights and privileges. I do not. When I was 17 years old I decided to become a teacher because it was the job I thought fit me best. I have taught for seven years in three different school districts and I can tell you that I do not think I am entitled to any special treatment because I teach BD students. In fact, I owe a hell of a lot to others and no one owes me anything. I grow upset with the idea that certain life choices entitle someone to special rights. If a person decides to become a solider this is the same as if a person decided to become a McDonald's employee. Both are jobs, both are life choices and both do some good for the world. Why then do soldiers receive special privileges and rights that McDonald's employees. This irks me to no ends. I also must comment that I grow angry at motorcycle riders who scream about their "right" to not wear a helmet or smokers who scream about their "right" to smoke in a bar. I do not care if they do these things because men and women are allowed to harm in bodies and souls in anyway they deem fit, however simply making a choice does not entitle you to special rights. One chooses to be a soldier, teacher, smoker or motorcyclist and these choices are not forced on anyone. Why in America do these independent choices free will entitle certain individual to special rights?

I guess that is all for now. America is a heck of a success, to be honest. The main reason I do enjoy living in America is that it has that unique ability to correct mistakes and build on success. That is why it is a pretty cool place to live.           

Rooney's posts

Fair enough. I will not argue that in some ways I do represent some messed up parts of American culture.

#2 and #4-8 are pretty bad, yeah.

You mean you are an unabashed crank. ;)

On that I agree.  But to say that Alabama is targeting poor blacks just based on that is a bit extreme.

Inks, are you suggesting it is only ok for rich people to speed?

I certainly would suggest that. But it's ok for everyone, rich and poor, in North America with the 100 km/h / 65 mph bulls**t. :)

I'd argue it isn't ok for anyone to speed.  Even if you're rich, if you keep speeding, you're gonna lose your licesne.

Political rant:
The lack of a public healthcare system
The lack of a high-speed rail system
The power corporations have to pollute the environment and frack and steal resources without anyone doing anything about it. 
The horrible lack of labor standards and the fact that our minimum wage is merely $7.25 an hour. 
Corporate personhood
The simplistic mentality of "caring for poor people and saying the banks and corporations have too much power=socialism=bad"
The Westboro Baptist Church itself, and the fact that they have the right to protest at funerals. 
The fact that people with the intelligence of Todd Akin can be on the House's Science Comittee
The two-party system and the electoral college (not to mention the FPTP)
The lack of limits on corporate campaign funding
The literalist degrees to which the second amendment is interpreted
The rigid social conservatism of so much of the population
The lack of a real welfare system
The defense hawk militarist mentality
The levels of summer drought we get
The levels of Racism
The levels of Homophobia
The power of the banks
The fact that everything sold and used here (INCLUDING OUR FRICKEN' OLYMPIC UNIFORMS) are made in China
The lack of government arts funding
Rick Perry

Non-political:
Obesity and fast food
Daniel Tosh
Country and rap music
Donald Trump (okay, semi-political)
The way (wannabe) gangsters think it's cool if your trousers are descending in the back. 
The fact that we haven't adopted the metric system (semi-political)

That's called freedom of speech, you realize.

Nonsense; freedom of speech doesn't apply when I disagree with the speech or the person speaking, you know.

My favorite part is that 85% of the things people are mentioning are not even close to being unique to the US.  Haters gonna hate.

Yeah, people all over the world basically suck.

Indeed, we ain't special, we're just bigger and louder than average.  I suppose those are two things that are F'ed up about the US.

Yeah, but a lot of those things that are now worldwide originated in America.

Since she presumably had the ticket, she could use that to prove that the date was wrong, and the penalties from that should be removed.  So, we're back to the original $179.00.

So, why did she just let it slide?