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gonethesun
Frequent Guest
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 41
Location: Exeter, NH
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 Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:07 pm Post subject: What has happened to Americans? |
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You know, when I was young Americans used to do things because they were fun. We rode bicycles without helmets, my parents put 4 kids in the back seat without seatbelts, when visiting my cousins, half-a-dozen of us might pile into the back of my Uncle's pickup truck for a ride to the store or maybe even the drive-in.
Now it seems if you do any of these things, you are guilty of negligent homicide. God forbid that a 5-year old goes to the beach without a life jacket or those inflatable arm-things. Don't buy a cup of coffee without a warning label to remind you that .. umm ... it's HOT! Coffee? What am I saying, there is no coffee anymore. It is all caramel mochachino latte with low-fat whipped cream.
And it is getting worse. American children are undeniably spoiled. I don't condone physically abusing a child, but I have to say there are times when a child requires more punishment than a "time-out" and "no more Coca-Cola for you, young man." Boundaries are supposed to be good for children, people!
I think the people in these forums march to the beat of a different drummer. I've noticed that Russia has all the recklessness that I enjoyed in my youth, without the safety laws and parental rules that exist. Actually, I would say it is even more reckless and free-wheeling. Driving laws? Russians scoff as such things ... "we don't need no stinkin' driving laws, moi drug"
So I am wondering what Russians and the other users of this forum think of this culture of safety in the US. Is it leading us to a soft and fat demise? Is it to our benefit to be so litigious? Are our products (automobiles, medicines, pickled cucumbers) really safer because of it? And does it contribute to this absurd image of all Americans as bacon-double-cheeseburger-with-a-diet-coke Eaters who drive 2 blocks to the grocery store for a loaf of bread and are on cholesterol medicine at 40 and heart-bypass surgery at 50?
God help me, maybe I am the only one who sees this ... 
Last edited by gonethesun on Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:58 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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castilho
Frequent Guest
Joined: 20 Mar 2004
Posts: 71
Location: Sao Paulo - Brazil
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| Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:25 pm Post subject: safety |
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Well, Gonethesun, if you come to Brazil you'll have what you want. But I'm not sure if you gonna like it. We are champions of road accidents and a lot of people dies everyday on the streets of big cities and roads along the country. Guns toys are forbidden in Brazil. But the children, in the favelas, play with real guns. You have to take care to eat sea food, for example, because some diseases. Raw oysters can be dangerous. On the beachs, you don't have to dress your children with safety jacket. But you can be stolen...
So... I think the world is gonna worst. With or without safety. Maybe in Russia is different. Not now but in Tchecov's years.
I wish you a good and peacefull winter in NH. |
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mediashark
Moderator
Joined: 04 Nov 2004
Posts: 1599
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| Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:36 pm Post subject: |
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I don't think only Americans are into this paranoid lifestyle.
Nothing wrong with taking safety precautions, but what is the point of making life safer when you are left with little or no purpose in life, or when all your life is spent making life supposedly safer?
On the other hand, I do not encourage reckless behaviour. Fine if you endanger your own life, but think about the lives of others'--they may not have the same bright ideas about risk-taking.
Oh yeah, I whacked a cab driver with my bag at the airport the other day just for the heck of it. If felt good :p But I took note of all safety precautions and emergency exits on my flight. Felt a little reassuring to know what to do, when the weather sucked and the landing approach was a little harrowing.
Everything in moderation, folks. Even safety precautions have their place, as risk-taking does. But if you don't risk anything, then you are risking everything... |
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vitalsigns
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
Posts: 2784
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| Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:00 pm Post subject: |
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gonethesun
As an outsider residing in these beautiful United States I can assure you that the things you have described as the future downfall of the US come from a liberal-type thinking. Please, do not tune my out just because I said this. And do not tune me out because I DO listen to Rush Limbaugh.
The liberal thinking is a socialist thinking, it's not a big secret and the socialst mind-set wants to impose the things they believe in on, if not all, then the largest possible number of people. So if some liberal wackos come up with an idea: "We ALWAYS need to use seatbealts" he or she will go to any extent to make it into law and thus impose it on all people. Same with "no spanking". Same with "do not teach intelligent design". Same with "do not use the word Christmas - it's offensive".
I am so sick and tired of these soothing-speaking flip-floppers. I cannot stand watching/ listening to the liberal media, because they contradict themselves in almost every sentence and it's just a complete tyranny!
THERE'S NO HOLIDAY TREE, THERE'S ONLY A CHRISTMAS TREE! |
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UsualSuspect
WayToRussified
Joined: 08 May 2003
Posts: 324
Location: The Land of Oz
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 4:58 am Post subject: Down the gurgler... |
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I believe the politically correct phrase is "The Nanny Society".
Not just in the US either! It seems to me that people/society are opting out of responsibility for their decisions/actions or seek to blame something/someone else, and have essentially paved the way for this useless mollycoddling which seems to have permeated every strata of government thinking and is a real social epidemic IMHO.
What allows this is the apathy of people who object to this phenomena to raise their voice. And pretty much, you'll be a voice in a hurricane.
I too enjoy Russia for the lack of being in a nanny society, however, I believe the pendulum is a little too far swung the wrong way, like the OP above whose in Brazil has mentioned various cases.
The balance just isn't their...
And don't get me started on how this generation (sub 25 yr olds) are the most legislated against generation in history.....and by who? Literally your parents and grandparents....
Rant off Wayne.....
Usualsuspect |
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snoof777
Frequent Guest
Joined: 22 Sep 2005
Posts: 58
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| Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2005 11:21 pm Post subject: the biggest problem with americans |
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| is that they have become fat, and used to such a good life. they have for the most part, lost all touch with the earth, and common living. most of the more well off americans can travel, or are involved with international business, and therefore by nature more international. these are the people that the world refers too when they speak of americans. then they are shocked when we elect a republican president who seems to be a cowboy and "too" american. the problem is there are more common people that dont travel, dont care about europe or the rest of the world, and are in general good, decent, honest, hardworking americans. they are the real america, the backbone. and they havent lost sight of what america is or how lucky they are to be born american. the more liberal agenda states that we should all be more leftist - the state should take care of us, and knows best for us. inherantly, we are all racist, sexist sob's and dont know it. i have yet to meet a farmer that thinks the state knows whats best for his crops and whats best for his children. why? |
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vitalsigns
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
Posts: 2784
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| Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 8:31 am Post subject: Re: the biggest problem with americans |
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The farmers, fortunately know better what is best for their crop. I will yet have to meet a farmer who says: "I wish we would have a bigger government and higher taxes". And is it not what our leftist friends are trying to achieve?
I always wonder why in the world americans should understand Europe. What is in it that can be attractive to americans? Better tasting cheese? Economical cars?
What? I wish somebody would tell me "this is what makes Europe great..." But what is it exactly? Anyone? |
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njetski
Just Starting
Joined: 15 Jul 2005
Posts: 9
Location: Sweden
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| Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:09 am Post subject: Re: What has happened to Americans? |
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| gonethesun wrote: | | We rode bicycles without helmets, my parents put 4 kids in the back seat without seatbelts (...) Now it seems if you do any of these things, you are guilty of negligent homicide. |
This is the case in Western Europe as well. In some of the most 'liberal' countries in Europe, many politicians are into obligatory helmets for bicycling adults. When it comes to children, yes, helmets are good. But when there are regulations to signal to people that they cannot make their own judgements, yes, it has gone too far. What's the next step? Helmet for pedestrians? Doesn't sound too unlikely here, unfortunately.
| gonethesun wrote: | | Don't buy a cup of coffee without a warning label to remind you that .. umm ... it's HOT! Coffee? What am I saying, there is no coffee anymore. It is all caramel mochachino latte with low-fat whipped cream. |
Well, this is probably the fault of the American society itself. If it is possible for someone to receive millions by McDonald's because the coffee was too hot, no wonder they put warning labels. And American coffee? Is it drinkable at all..? 
| gonethesun wrote: | | American children are undeniably spoiled. I don't condone physically abusing a child, but I have to say there are times when a child requires more punishment than a "time-out" and "no more Coca-Cola for you, young man." Boundaries are supposed to be good for children, people! |
I live myself in a very 'liberal' country (Sweden) where it is (since 30 years) illegal to physically punish a child. We must be aware that children of today are more of the thinking generation, they dare to question things, coming up with their own suggestions, even not always good. This demands a more intellectual combat rather than a punishing strategy with arguments such as "Because I said so!".
| gonethesun wrote: | | What? I wish somebody would tell me "this is what makes Europe great..." But what is it exactly? Anyone? |
Better social security system, less crimes, no death penalties, educational opportunities equal for all. Besides, we are much better soccer players. |
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Fire_Goddess
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 12:07 pm Post subject: |
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Personally as a liberal, i support the death penalty! Its actually a very good thing to have, and i have strong views about who should be put to death as well. Western european law enforcement is a joke! Nobody takes the cops in those countries seriously its always a game of cat and mouse. Also in the USA we dont let in a bunch of ungratefull asylum seekers! Oh and in the USA your allowed to shoot an intruder who breaks into your home!  |
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vitalsigns
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
Posts: 2784
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| Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 3:11 pm Post subject: Re: What has happened to Americans? |
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| njetski wrote: |
Better social security system, less crimes, no death penalties, educational opportunities equal for all. Besides, we are much better soccer players. |
What is soccer ? (Ha!) |
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vitalsigns
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
Posts: 2784
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| Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: What has happened to Americans? |
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| njetski wrote: |
I live myself in a very 'liberal' country (Sweden) where it is (since 30 years) illegal to physically punish a child. We must be aware that children of today are more of the thinking generation, they dare to question things, coming up with their own suggestions, even not always good. This demands a more intellectual combat rather than a punishing strategy with arguments such as "Because I said so!".
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Oh, and do not be surprised when you have raised a generation of aimless, unpredictable people. People in the past were just as sophisticated as the people of today, so your argument that the kids of today are more of a thinking generation is irrelevant. (The best literature was written in the past centuries. Scientific discoveries were made in every century, etc).
Your way of thinking comes from the tendency that has been prevelent in the world in the last 25-30 years only - the evil tendency of illiminating the family as we know it. Your feminist movement wants to illiminate the notion of fatherhood. Some of your kids are spoilt brats that need a lot of disciplining (for some of them it is too late already).
When your kids throw themselves into self-destructive attitudes (use of drugs and alcohol, depression and suicidal tendencies, apathy toward life, agression, etc), do not be shocked, they will be doing so because they will have no understanding of right or wrong. They will have no will-power to change anything. They will have no appreciation of other human beings and life in general. |
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init6
WayToRussified
Joined: 01 Jun 2005
Posts: 363
Location: Москва, Россия
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| Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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Wow...the unadulterated idiocy flying back and forth in some of these posts is mind-blowing. The first post wasn't all that bad, but it looks like a cut and paste of something the center-right likes to forward back and forth to each other to their work email accounts and harrumph and agree with each other about "the problem with America." All the while they don't want to admit any of the REAL problems, like a twice-appointed, never-elected President who's embroiled the US in an unwinnable war against an idea (terrorism is not a group or a country - it is intangible).
European law enforcement might be a "joke" but maybe that's because their crime rates are so much lower? The death penalty is NOT a deterrent, it's that simple. And I'm not a bleeding-heart liberal. I am a leftist, but I'm no pacifist and I am in full favor of private firearms ownership.
Speaking of guns and crime, people don't commit crimes because they have access to weapons or are just "bad," they commit crimes because of their terrible socioeconomic situation. Which, again, if you want to speak of a "nanny society," how about the US' complete and utter lack of real social welfare programs?
40+ million Americans with no health care coverage whatsoever, our schools are abysmal, unions are a complete farce here now, and unemployment benefits are...small...at best. So please don't tell me how angry you are that some idiots can't control their kids and drink stupid-ass coffee derivatives while benefits shrink and people go literally untreated for illnesses because they can't afford it. Yeah, what a bunch of spoiled pussies!  |
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vitalsigns
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
Posts: 2784
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| Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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What good do you personally do for this great country to benifit it, El Casey, to say all the unfounded criticism you also like to pour out on it so much?
If it was up to some of you, you would have sat in Paris' cafes drinking coffee and writing novels.... man, that's the "real" life. I am pretty sure, El Casey, if you built bridges in this great land or constructed high-risers, you would have had a whole lot more appreciation for it.
I can't imagine waking up every morning being an unhappy liberal. What good do you bring to anyone? All you know is complaining, complaining and more complaining. Put some of you in the Oval Office you won't move a finger to change anything! |
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DennisF
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 05 Nov 2004
Posts: 97
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 10:59 pm Post subject: Problems? Yes! |
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 The problem with America today is that we have lost much of our drive to excell. Many Americans are content to sit on their butts and do nothing. The United States was founded on some fine principles that lately have been given lip service only.
The other major problem is that we have way too many lawyers in the US. Many Americans seem to feel that if something goes wrong, it must be someone's fault and therefore somebody's got to pay. Someday we'll realize that when you trust your societal ethics and morality to attorneys and politicians, you'll soon have no ethics or morality at all.
The cost of medical equipment in the US is doubled by the added liability insurance. That drives up the cost of medical services, increasing the cost of insurance, increasing the number of uninsured people, increasing the cost of medical services to the remaining insured people, ...
Is there a solution? I hope so because as screwed up as the US is, it is still better than 99% of the countries on this planet. At least that is the perspective from here in deep East Texas: DennisF  |
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vitalsigns
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
Posts: 2784
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| Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:12 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome back DennisF, have not seen you for a long time!  |
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