Non-Americans: Could you live in the United States?

[Solocon]

And so the borrowing continues.

There is only so much borrowing that can be done before investors lose faith in a government.

And then big war. Boom, pow! The US keeps its defense, and so either it loses and burns down, or it wins and uses the spoils to rebuild itself.

[Solocon]

Especially considering that most tornadoes in the midwest utterly destroy and pulverize miles of farmland where no one is living.

The worst damage you'll see is the ground scouring that suggests of an EF-5 tornado.

Whichonlyhappenaboutonceayearbut oh god, look at the terrible damage done to the wheat plants! Farmer Brown will not be happy!

[The Serbian Empire]

There is only so much borrowing that can be done before investors lose faith in a government.

And then big war. Boom, pow! The US keeps its defense, and so either it loses and burns down, or it wins and uses the spoils to rebuild itself.

To win spoils, one would need to physically invade the opponent. The US by that point has been weakened significantly. If the US is to fall, it's going to be the product of lack of investor confidence and some force invading after the default trying to get something of value.

[Solocon]

And then big war. Boom, pow! The US keeps its defense, and so either it loses and burns down, or it wins and uses the spoils to rebuild itself.

To win spoils, one would need to physically invade the opponent. The US by that point has been weakened significantly. If the US is to fall, it's going to be the product of lack of investor confidence and some force invading after the default trying to get something of value.

And we'll hope that never happens. Besides, even if nations do invade, they'd lose the debt that they own.

[The Serbian Empire]

The worst damage you'll see is the ground scouring that suggests of an EF-5 tornado.

Whichonlyhappenaboutonceayearbut oh god, look at the terrible damage done to the wheat plants! Farmer Brown will not be happy!

If that tornado hits anything at that strength, it's gonna level anything except for steel reinforced concrete structures. The odds are it won't hit much out there and if it does, the population densities are low enough that death tolls are likely to be low to non-existent.

[Montesardo-East Adanzi]

Wait, so this only applies to those who haven't lived in North or South America, right? Titles can be misleading...

If that's not the case, then no. I used to live in the US years ago, but I'm quite more comfortable in Mexico. I don't have to worry as much of things and much less getting shot randomly out of nowhere. Plus, I can buy what I need at my nearest Abarrotes store! No need for supermarkets...

[The Serbian Empire]

To win spoils, one would need to physically invade the opponent. The US by that point has been weakened significantly. If the US is to fall, it's going to be the product of lack of investor confidence and some force invading after the default trying to get something of value.

And we'll hope that never happens. Besides, even if nations do invade, they'd lose the debt that they own.

A country that has defaulted means the debt holder has already lost their money. The debt holder might try to invade as a lien on the hapless debtor.

[The Orson Empire]

I don't think we can pay it off.

Even still, no other nation has the ability to force the United States to pay off its debt.

Perhaps China. But I do agree, there's no way we're paying the trillions of dollars we owe.

No, China does not have the ability to challenge the U.S.

[The Re-Frisivisiaing]

And we'll hope that never happens. Besides, even if nations do invade, they'd lose the debt that they own.

A country that has defaulted means the debt holder has already lost their money. The debt holder might try to invade as a lien on the hapless debtor.

This will not happen because US citizens hold the vast majority of our debt and we have unlimited money and will thus never default.

[Parhe]

As a Singaporean citizen who has lived here for all my life, I don't think I would ever be able to assimilate into American culture. There are a lot of things in Singapore that we take for granted, and as I'm exposed to US political culture I've begun to notice stark differences in the way Singaporeans and Americans view politics:

1) Guns - This one will probably be mentioned again and again by foreigners, but one thing I'll never understand about American culture is the gun nuts. The US Congress rallied against the Manchin-Toomey Amendment with such ferocity, despite it only supporting background checks on firearms purchases, and the NRA sent death threats to smart gun manufacturers, when in Singapore illegal trafficking and illegal possession of firearms lands you the mandatory death penalty, and people here don't bat an eyelid. So that's something that will definitely take getting used to.
2) Freedom of speech - Another thing Singaporeans take for granted. When I talk to Singaporeans about hate speech laws, for instance, all of them can't understand why countries don't have hate speech laws, or don't have laws against sedition and political extremism. To Singaporeans, it seems obvious that inciting hate and violence against a minority ought to land you some time in prison, but in the US free speech is treated almost like a sacred entitlement.
3) Freedom of conscience - Again, a very stark difference in the views of citizens in Singapore and US citizens. We don't have the 1st Amendment in Singapore, and to everyday citizens it seems fair that the state should have some degree of influence over religious institutions, and in Singapore certain religious cults and sects have been banned. Also, in Singapore hate crime laws are treated as standard legality, but in the US there was so much controversy over the Matthew Shepard Hate Crime Prevention Act because of concerns of thoughtcrime laws
4) Political polarisation - This is probably something that most Singaporeans can't understand about the US, and this probably applies to most of the world's citizens. Singaporeans would never be able to put up with the politicisation of everyday civil society, on MSNBC or FoxNews or any organization. In Singapore we've had one-party dominate the elections every year, so much so that brinkmanship like the US government shutdown and the Tea Party manufactured debt ceiling crisis are completely unheard of, it's definitely not something I would want to be part of in American society.
5) Racism and xenophobia - There will probably be a lot of Americans who will disagree with me on this, but the main reason I would never move to America is because of the racism there. As an Asian, I've met a lot of Asian-Americans who talk about how in everyday life many Americans seem to make it their goal to make them feel like they are foreigners who don't belong there, whether through racial slurs, stereotyping, especially in the media and in political banter. It's hard to feel part of a national culture if a sizeable majority/minority acts like you are an outside unworthy of equal treatment.

1) Uh, I agree I suppose. I am okay with the right to bear arms, just with better regulation and tighter checks, but it is just a difference.
2) Agree and disagree. In theory I feel all speech, as long as it doesn't imply imminent danger, should be protected, but the more selfish part of me sees what was done in Japan, where hate speeches are also allowed to a greater extent than in America, and feels there should be some limits.
4) Politics usually don't really impact the daily lives of most people in America. The level of hate between the main two parties are sickening, Most people in developed nations may disagree with the one party thing in Singapore though.
5) Speaking as an Asian American racism and xenophobia seems rare, and that's from spending most my live in what people consider backwards, racist Texas. I won't comment on Singapore itself, but racism in America exists but it is no where near the levels it is in Korea and Japan, even for other east Asians in Japan.

[The Orson Empire]

That really depends where in the US. Maine's crime rate is comparable to one of those European countries everyone cites as an example of how to run a proper criminal justice system.

He apparently lives in the South, but even there, I am not sure why he needs mace.

The closest I could find was this, though I am not sure how good of a source it is.

That source was from 2002.

[Riftend]

What I know of the country makes me think one thing...that it has an extremely backwards way of thought. In saying that I would hate it there.

It seriously seems that the only people who like yanks...are yanks

[Parhe]

Wait, so this only applies to those who haven't lived in North or South America, right? Titles can be misleading...

If that's not the case, then no. I used to live in the US years ago, but I'm quite more comfortable in Mexico. I don't have to worry as much of things and much less getting shot randomly out of nowhere. Plus, I can buy what I need at my nearest Abarrotes store! No need for supermarkets...

I am not sure I am getting this correct but Mexico has a gun homicide rate three times higher than America's. Also I don't know Spanish but Google said Abarrotes translates to grocery/general store.

[The Re-Frisivisiaing]

What I know of the country makes me think one thing...that it has an extremely backwards way of thought. In saying that I would hate it there.

It seriously seems that the only people who like yanks...are yanks

Hating America is cool!

[Exxosia]

As an American, I can't live here. But in all my travels and all my research, I have yet to find any country that would fit me.

[New haven america]

Wait, so this only applies to those who haven't lived in North or South America, right? Titles can be misleading...

If that's not the case, then no. I used to live in the US years ago, but I'm quite more comfortable in Mexico. I don't have to worry as much of things and much less getting shot randomly out of nowhere. Plus, I can buy what I need at my nearest Abarrotes store! No need for supermarkets...

Mexico=safer than US....

Uhhh... What?

[The Serbian Empire]

A country that has defaulted means the debt holder has already lost their money. The debt holder might try to invade as a lien on the hapless debtor.

This will not happen because US citizens hold the vast majority of our debt and we have unlimited money and will thus never default.

The problem is it's not just the government who hold the debt as much as bankers and private citizens. All you need is bankers demanding the Chinese to invade as the default hurts the bank's profit margin. Those corporate CEOs will likely be willing to commit high treason if it meant they get 50 to 100 million in stock options for beating Wall Street expectations.

[Costa Fierro]

Wait, so this only applies to those who haven't lived in North or South America, right? Titles can be misleading...

If that's not the case, then no. I used to live in the US years ago, but I'm quite more comfortable in Mexico. I don't have to worry as much of things and much less getting shot randomly out of nowhere. Plus, I can buy what I need at my nearest Abarrotes store! No need for supermarkets...

Mexico. Not worrying about gun crime. On what planet does one live in Mexico and not worry about gun crime?

Anyway, I don't think I'd hack it living in the US to be honest. I mean, I could live on the West Coast/Pacific Northwest as I already live in an area prone to having the land beneath my feet randomly moving about of its own accord, but I'd live in perpetual fear of guns, bears, cougars, black widows, snakes and Bigfoot. And I don't want to be bankrupted if I get shot/eaten/mauled/stung/bitten/stolen as an item of curiosity and then rescued by a burly man with a beard.

I would really love to visit, but the US is pretty much a downgrade from where I live at the moment. And I'm sorry, but I love my socialized medicine.

[-The West Coast-]

What I know of the country makes me think one thing...that it has an extremely backwards way of thought. In saying that I would hate it there.

It seriously seems that the only people who like yanks...are yanks

Obviously you have very little knowledge of my country and it seems like before you pass sweeping judgement on the United States (Which I've fought and bled for numerous times) you should actually do your duty and develop an understanding on one of the world's few world powers.

[Montesardo-East Adanzi]

Wait, so this only applies to those who haven't lived in North or South America, right? Titles can be misleading...

If that's not the case, then no. I used to live in the US years ago, but I'm quite more comfortable in Mexico. I don't have to worry as much of things and much less getting shot randomly out of nowhere. Plus, I can buy what I need at my nearest Abarrotes store! No need for supermarkets...

I am not sure I am getting this correct but Mexico has a gun homicide rate three times higher than America's. Also I don't know Spanish but Google said Abarrotes translates to grocery/general store.

Gun crimes are more common in Ciudad Juarez and Michoacan. There's a reason I said randomly, though. You only get shot here if you're in the wrong type of business or you personally insulted someone. Not like the states where simply going to school you run the risk of getting shot. And yes, an abarrotes store is a grocery store.

Plus, I live in the calmest state in Mexico, all I have to worry about is getting ran over by douchebag taxi drivers and pissed off bus drivers.

[New haven america]

What I know of the country makes me think one thing...that it has an extremely backwards way of thought. In saying that I would hate it there.

It seriously seems that the only people who like yanks...are yanks

Hating America's a fad, wait 20 years.

[Parhe]

The closest I could find was this, though I am not sure how good of a source it is.

That source was from 2002.

Yes but I don't have any reason to believe crime rates of America drastically increased or that of others decreased.

[The Re-Frisivisiaing]

This will not happen because US citizens hold the vast majority of our debt and we have unlimited money and will thus never default.

The problem is it's not just the government who hold the debt as much as bankers and private citizens. All you need is bankers demanding the Chinese to invade as the default hurts the bank's profit margin. Those corporate CEOs will likely be willing to commit high treason if it meant they get 50 to 100 million in stock options for beating Wall Street expectations.

I don't really know if you heard, but we will never default because we have unlimited money to spend.

Also, CEOs are rarely cool with committing high treason to start a war because high treason tends to be bad for one's person and a war tends to be bad for one's finances. Funny how that works out.

[The Re-Frisivisiaing]

What I know of the country makes me think one thing...that it has an extremely backwards way of thought. In saying that I would hate it there.

It seriously seems that the only people who like yanks...are yanks

Obviously you have very little knowledge of my country and it seems like before you pass sweeping judgement on the United States (Which I've fought and bled for numerous times) you should actually do your duty and develop an understanding on one of the world's few world powers.

Pssst, this is kinda why they hate us...

[-The West Coast-]

Obviously you have very little knowledge of my country and it seems like before you pass sweeping judgement on the United States (Which I've fought and bled for numerous times) you should actually do your duty and develop an understanding on one of the world's few world powers.

Pssst, this is kinda why they hate us...

For advocating knowledge? They hate us for advocating knowledge and for combating bias?