Is USA the Greatest nation in the World???

[Lichester]

It's not as "great" as you think it is. This is just my opinion, and no offense intended.

[Capitalist America]

Yeah, I know America ain't the greatest. I recognize that. But it doesn't change the fact that I love my country. I'm proud that I'm American. I'd die for my country. The Founding Fathers are like heroes to me.


Yet, I still know America is not the greatest. In fact, I don't believe that there is a "greatest nation". Every country has good and bad. I'm sure that if you looked close enough, you could find a bad thing in Norway, and a good thing in North Korea.


But, if someone were to say I'm foolish for being patriotic or that their nation is better than mine, you better believe I'm going to get fucking pissed. However, I'd expect someone else to get pissed too if I said that they are foolish for being proud of their nation and that my nation is better.

No, America is not the greatest, yet it is my home, and I sure as fucking hell love being an American.

I can support this. Fair statement, like the patriotism

I call it "Patriotism without being a dick about it".

[The Anglo-Saxon Empire]

Your parents fucking up doesn't mean that you have to be a fuck-up too. If you were born poor you can still go to college, just don't be a retard that graduates with a 2.4 GPA so you can get government assistance, better yet, try to find an employer that will help pay for college.

And if you can't? If you try your darnedest but simply cannot because - due to your parents fucking up - you simply do not have access to the opportunities needed to make something great out of yourself? If you were meant to be the next Beethoven but could never afford a piano growing up?

The government offers assistance. How about you graduate high school with a 3.5 GPA taking AP classes and score high on your ACT/SAT? You should have no trouble getting scholarships. How about you take some initiative in your life? Instead of complaining about being poor or disenfranchised you actually do something about it? Trust me, people have done more out of worse situations than you are currently in.

[Zaras]

Or, you know, their parents did.
Or they did everything right but still got fucked because people are jackasses.

Life is cruel; we don't have to be.

Your parents fucking up doesn't mean that you have to be a fuck-up too. If you were born poor you can still go to college, just don't be a retard that graduates with a 2.4 GPA so you can get government assistance, better yet, try to find an employer that will help pay for college.

You're so fucking helpful.

[Ethel mermania]

We are the fattest nation in the world, and we will sit on anyone who dares say otherwise.

[Zaras]

How about you take some initiative in your life?

How about you not sound like an overbearing parent and stop judging people for their situations?

[Astrolinium]

The government offers assistance.

Does this not contradict the very point you are attempting to make?

Trust me, people have done more out of worse situations than you are currently in.

Oh, if you think I'm bitching about my own situation you are sorely mistaken. I'm doing quite well for myself compared to some people. But the fact remains that there are people far worse off than me who have situations which prevent them from taking care of themselves properly.

[Arumdaum]

Or, you know, their parents did.
Or they did everything right but still got fucked because people are jackasses.

Life is cruel; we don't have to be.

Your parents fucking up doesn't mean that you have to be a fuck-up too. If you were born poor you can still go to college, just don't be a retard that graduates with a 2.4 GPA so you can get government assistance, better yet, try to find an employer that will help pay for college.

Except that if you're born into a poor family-

You likely won't have the tutors that richer families can have.

Or the same quality schools.

Or be able to afford to go to after-school academies or Saturday schools.

Your parents, if able, would only be able to afford low-quality education material.

Your friends are likely in the same situation, as you live in a poverty-stricken neighborhood, your parents unable to afford someplace better.

Aspiring musician? Sorry, can't afford instruments.

One of your parents gets a really shitty disease due to only being able to afford really shitty food? Too bad, there goes your college savings.

There's much, much more.

[Death Metal]

Or, you know, their parents did.
Or they did everything right but still got fucked because people are jackasses.

Life is cruel; we don't have to be.

Your parents fucking up doesn't mean that you have to be a fuck-up too.

And who the fuck are you to assume that they have to be fuck-ups?

[Zaras]

Your parents fucking up doesn't mean that you have to be a fuck-up too. If you were born poor you can still go to college, just don't be a retard that graduates with a 2.4 GPA so you can get government assistance, better yet, try to find an employer that will help pay for college.

Except that if you're born into a poor family-

You likely won't have the tutors that richer families can have.

Or the same quality schools.

Or be able to afford to go to after-school academies or Saturday schools.

Your parents, if able, would only be able to afford low-quality education material.

Your friends are likely in the same situation, as you live in a poverty-stricken neighborhood, your parents unable to afford someplace better.

Aspiring musician? Sorry, can't afford instruments.

Your mom has cancer? Too bad, there goes your college savings.

There's much, much more.

Like minimum wage slavery soul-crushing jobs!

[Tubbsalot]

How about you take some initiative in your life?

yeah why don't you be sassy and confident and great like all us rich people man we're so cool why don't you just be cool too? it's that easy just be great and bam greatness that easy

don't come to me crying your stupid proverbs, 'easier said than done' whatever all i know is i got what i deserve and it has nothing whatever to do with my stable and affluent upbringing which cultured those desirable traits in the first place (also my sociopathy i guess but whatever that's a good thing cus if you're poor you deserve it)

etc etc

[Arumdaum]

And if you can't? If you try your darnedest but simply cannot because - due to your parents fucking up - you simply do not have access to the opportunities needed to make something great out of yourself? If you were meant to be the next Beethoven but could never afford a piano growing up?

The government offers assistance. How about you graduate high school with a 3.5 GPA taking AP classes and score high on your ACT/SAT? You should have no trouble getting scholarships. How about you take some initiative in your life? Instead of complaining about being poor or disenfranchised you actually do something about it? Trust me, people have done more out of worse situations than you are currently in.

You realize that they're outliers, right?

[Death Metal]

Also, on the healthcare affordability thing...

tell me, what did this guy do to deserve what happened to him, apart from being in a country with a third-world healthcare system like the US has?

[The Anglo-Saxon Empire]

You likely won't have the tutors that richer families can have.

You don't need tutors, you have teachers, textbooks, public libraries, and your own willpower. Study on your own time, make sure you understand the materials.

Or the same quality schools.

Which is a bit of a bummer, but since this whole point is on potential programs, school vouchers offers potential and increased diversity. Besides that there is still the good old SAT and ACT to help you get into college even if you go to the shittiest public school in America.

Or be able to afford to go to after-school academies or Saturday schools.

I don't think I know a single kid that has gone to after-school academies or Saturday school.

Your parents, if able, would only be able to afford low-quality education material.

What are you talking about, you mean notebooke paper and binders? They aren't that expensive, and even then all you really need is one binder, some pencils, and some notebook paper, hell I only use one binder in college.

Your friends are likely in the same situation, as you live in a poverty-stricken neighborhood.

Don't see how that relates to the situation, but cool beans since it also means your enemies are likely poverty stricken, which means you can mock them mercilessly if you become rich.

Aspiring musician? Sorry, can't afford instruments.

I assume there is some option available, but if there isn't, find another career path, sucks, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Your mom has cancer? Too bad, there goes your college savings.

You can apply for student loans and scholarships to supplement any remaining college savings or even completely deal with a lack of college savings. Hell both of my roommates had to pay for college with no help from their parents, one was in the ROTC program so most of his college expenses were supplemented by the state, the other relied heavily on student loans.

[Death Metal]

Aspiring musician? Sorry, can't afford instruments.

I assume there is some option available, but if there isn't, find another career path, sucks, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

"If you can't immediately find success, just give up"- The American Dream of the Right Wing.

[The Anglo-Saxon Empire]

I assume there is some option available, but if there isn't, find another career path, sucks, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

"If you can't immediately find success, just give up"- The American Dream of the Right Wing.

Or you know "You can't always get what you want" - Reality
Sometimes life sucks, having socialized health care won't help provide instruments to students in any way.

[The Anglo-Saxon Empire]

The government offers assistance. How about you graduate high school with a 3.5 GPA taking AP classes and score high on your ACT/SAT? You should have no trouble getting scholarships. How about you take some initiative in your life? Instead of complaining about being poor or disenfranchised you actually do something about it? Trust me, people have done more out of worse situations than you are currently in.

You realize that they're outliers, right?

Your point being? If others can make it so should you. I never stated it should be easy for someone to make it, or common for someone to succeed despite a difficult situation, I stated it should be and is possible.

[The Anglo-Saxon Empire]

Except that if you're born into a poor family-

You likely won't have the tutors that richer families can have.

Or the same quality schools.

Or be able to afford to go to after-school academies or Saturday schools.

Your parents, if able, would only be able to afford low-quality education material.

Your friends are likely in the same situation, as you live in a poverty-stricken neighborhood, your parents unable to afford someplace better.

Aspiring musician? Sorry, can't afford instruments.

Your mom has cancer? Too bad, there goes your college savings.

There's much, much more.

Like minimum wage slavery soul-crushing jobs!

Minimum wage is almost only paid to teenagers or employees in a 'trial period' most people working even the most menial jobs are raking in well over minimum wage. Average hourly wage in the country is like $23.58 or something.

[Zaras]

"If you can't immediately find success, just give up"- The American Dream of the Right Wing.

Or you know "You can't always get what you want" - Reality
Sometimes life sucks, having socialized health care won't help provide instruments to students in any way.

It's called universal health care. Best thing since lutefisk.

[Zaras]

You realize that they're outliers, right?

Your point being? If others can make it so should you.

Do you have even a casual relationship with reality?

[Death Metal]

"If you can't immediately find success, just give up"- The American Dream of the Right Wing.

Or you know "You can't always get what you want" - Reality
Sometimes life sucks, having socialized health care won't help provide instruments to students in any way.

Well, not by itself. But it will lower the cost of living enough to make starter-level instruments more affordable. Hell, I got a Stratocaster that cost less than the time I was taken to the ER for what was believed to be a fractured ankle (and that was an hour-long visit).

[The Anglo-Saxon Empire]

Or you know "You can't always get what you want" - Reality
Sometimes life sucks, having socialized health care won't help provide instruments to students in any way.

It's called universal health care. Best thing since lutefisk.

Universal healthcare is shit for the people who can afford better and lutefisk is shit for people who like eating actual food.

[Zaras]

It's called universal health care. Best thing since lutefisk.

Universal healthcare is shit for the people who can afford better.

You don't know shit about healthcare. Makes sense, since you're likely a Yank who never ever tried living in another country.

[Arumdaum]

You likely won't have the tutors that richer families can have.

You don't need tutors, you have teachers, textbooks, public libraries, and your own willpower. Study on your own time, make sure you understand the materials.

There's much more to it than simply that. Teachers aren't always available, and libraries aren't always accessible. Tutors are an additional asset, and can help people study. The poor lack that asset. And that reminds me; the rich can afford to buy books; the poor can only borrow them temporarily. Many schools, being poorly funded, don't allow students to take home their textbooks, or use online textbooks. Not to forget how painful it would be to bring textbooks back home every single day.

Or the same quality schools.

Which is a bit of a bummer, but since this whole point is on potential programs, school vouchers offers potential and increased diversity. Besides that there is still the good old SAT and ACT to help you get into college even if you go to the shittiest public school in America.

You do realize that the quality of schools is generally an important factor in how people score, right?...

Or be able to afford to go to after-school academies or Saturday schools.

I don't think I know a single kid that has gone to after-school academies or Saturday school.

Clearly, you have never met the the Asian-American community. ;_;

Your parents, if able, would only be able to afford low-quality education material.

What are you talking about, you mean notebooke paper and binders? They aren't that expensive, and even then all you really need is one binder, some pencils, and some notebook paper, hell I only use one binder in college.

No. I'm talking about things such as SAT help books, books which help you on AP subjects, etc.

Your friends are likely in the same situation, as you live in a poverty-stricken neighborhood.

Don't see how that relates to the situation, but cool beans since it also means your enemies are likely poverty stricken, which means you can mock them mercilessly if you become rich.

Very relevant. Friends can either help or hinder your education, and can help you with homework, studying, etc.

Aspiring musician? Sorry, can't afford instruments.

I assume there is some option available, but if there isn't, find another career path, sucks, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

What is it that you gotta do? Nothing? Just be all "Wa wa wa, my parents are poor so I'm doomed to failure"?

Your mom has cancer? Too bad, there goes your college savings.

You can apply for student loans and scholarships to supplement any remaining college savings or even completely deal with a lack of college savings. Hell both of my roommates had to pay for college with no help from their parents, one was in the ROTC program so most of his college expenses were supplemented by the state, the other relied heavily on student loans.

Except that many students cannot pay back student loans, especially poor people.

[Demirysis]

We are the fattest nation in the world, and we will sit on anyone who dares say otherwise.

I'm not going to get involved in this God-forsaken hellhole of a topic, but I will say that this is wrong. The United States is not the 'fattest' nation in the world - nations exist with more than double its obesity rate.