Do you approve of the United Kingdom?

[Edgy Opinions]

No. A nation is a people, a country is the sum of State institutions and the land and people it has jurisdiction over.

But nation rings of bad stuff like "nationalism", "national socialism" and generally has some somewhat aggressive undertones, while "country" sounds like home, sweet home and is all in all a warmer and cozier word.

While you're probably joking, I'm going to address your points.

Exactly because people want a given biased national identity to fit within the policies of a given institution that is not the spiritual bound of a people or whatever bullshit those believe, but just another arbitrary body of hierarchy and corrupt rules. And such an ideology easily turns to shit, particularly when combined with the already dangerous political right and other reactionary forces.

[The Romulan Republic]

In what sense? I don't approve of everything its done, but I don't think it should be dissolved (I opposed Scottish Independence). Too much hassle when the country could just be reformed within its existing boundaries.

[Meryuma]

As a nation we have created the greatest net good for mankind and we can be eternally proud of that. Doesn't hurt that we're still maintaining our standards.

What are you talking about? The British Empire is the reason you have dance songs in Jamaica with lyrics about murdering gay people. The British Empire is the reason there are no living full-blooded indigenous Tasmanians.

[Bandwagon]

I disapprove of the UK for it's treatment of it's poor and it's actions in Northern Ireland (ie. Bloody Sunday) and it's invasion of Iraq. All they did was slaughter innocent men, women and children.
I think David Cameron's a good liar, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband are both useless and Nigel Farage is a great apologist.

[Risottia]

Not sure about the UK politically, but I absolutely love a lot of things that have come out of Britain.
Monty Python
Blackadder
Iron Maiden
Doctor Who
Lipton Tea
Etc.

Lipton, indeed? Ew.

[Risottia]

there is no time machine.

Southern Hampshire, now confirmed as a disinformation specialist from Torchwood.

[The Greater Ohio Valley]

Not sure about the UK politically, but I absolutely love a lot of things that have come out of Britain.
Monty Python
Blackadder
Black Sabbath
Doctor Who
Lipton Tea
Etc.

Fixed for greater importance

[Normandy and Picardy]

I like the UK but there is one major problem; the south is pulling too far ahead of the north. In the south, you can't get enough jobs but where I'm from (Yorkshire) there are very rarely any jobs, and not normally good ones. Another problem is UKIP, who are for some odd reason garnering support in Yorkshire, especially in traditional Labour and Conservative seats, which in my view would not be good for the UK; one of the only reasons we still have any power is because of the EU. If we left, a lot of our money would probably go as well and we would become just another small, European country. I'm sure people would be happy to see us of the UN Security Council anyways, as that would be what would happen. And I am a bit sceptical about us always following the USA; we should have a bit of independence in Foreign Policy. Yes, we're in NATO but so are a lot of other countries and you don't see them rushing into the Middle East. But, although we are not the nation of our past, we are still the United Kingdom; the question is for how much longer.

[The Archregimancy]

As a nation we have created the greatest net good for mankind and we can be eternally proud of that. Doesn't hurt that we're still maintaining our standards.

What are you talking about? The British Empire is the reason you have dance songs in Jamaica with lyrics about murdering gay people. The British Empire is the reason there are no living full-blooded indigenous Tasmanians.

I'll accept the second one. I'm not sure we can be held uniquely responsible for Caribbean homophobia, though.

And while Frazers might have been slightly over the top in proclaiming Britain's greatness, nor have we been in any way uniquely evil.

Britain - and the British Empire - has done some good things and done some bad things; like all states with broad international influence. History will eventually be a better judge of the balance between the two than a bunch of (largely) teenagers and twenty-somethings on an internet forum.

[Risottia]

As a nation we have created the greatest net good for mankind and we can be eternally proud of that.

I hardly think that a nation without vineyards can create the greatest net good for mankind.
Marmite is lovely, though.

[Southern Hampshire]

I disapprove of the UK for it's treatment of it's poor

oh get out

Britain is one of the most welfare-heavy nations on the planet. One of the biggest welfare bills and in the top 10 of poor-friendly countries.

This attitude is the type that makes us right-wing people in the UK cut down our welfare significantly. Zero recognition and still 'not enough' as if poor people are god-sent and we must comfort them with a mercedes, free holidays, pizza hut dinner each saturday and pay for all their 15 kids

[The Joseon Dynasty]

Yeah, we're a fine country.

[Glasgia]

I disapprove of the UK for it's treatment of it's poor

oh get out

Britain is one of the most welfare-heavy nations on the planet. One of the biggest welfare bills and in the top 10 of poor-friendly countries.

This attitude is the type that makes us right-wing people in the UK cut down our welfare significantly. Zero recognition and still 'not enough' as if poor people are god-sent and we must comfort them with a mercedes, free holidays, pizza hut dinner each saturday and pay for all their 15 kids

Lemme guess, PGS? Bedales? Yeah, I unfortunately have to live with twats holding those opinions down in southern Hampshire. Let's just ignore the fact that benefit cuts have left people literally starving. "poor people" aren't a collective. There's some that need benefits, there's some that don't. There's some that are unemployed, there's some that aren't. Amongst said unemployed there's some that need a kick up the backside to get into work, there's some that are desperately trying to get a job. Fortunately, the former of those two are a minority - Benefits are enough for some people, but very few prefer such a pitiful income to any kind of regular wage. This persistent belief amongst posh, uninformed, southerners that those on benefits are simply lazy is not only idiotic - It's actually lethal. You want benefits to get cut? Let's just keep in mind that what you're doing is cutting off people's lifelines, vital income for those who have been made redundant or thrown off the deck by an abusive economic system. "recognition" isn't what we should be seeking here. We should be seeking a fair wage to aid people back onto their feet, to drag the battered workers back into a workplace which needs to be made better for them.

[Costa Fierro]

It was the country that has given birth to the most influential powers around the world. I.E Australia, Canada, United States, New Zealand.

We're influential now. Awesome. Bow before the might of our sheep and mythological creatures!

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

But nation rings of bad stuff like "nationalism", "national socialism" and generally has some somewhat aggressive undertones, while "country" sounds like home, sweet home and is all in all a warmer and cozier word.

While you're probably joking, I'm going to address your points.

Exactly because people want a given biased national identity to fit within the policies of a given institution that is not the spiritual bound of a people or whatever bullshit those believe, but just another arbitrary body of hierarchy and corrupt rules. And such an ideology easily turns to shit, particularly when combined with the already dangerous political right and other reactionary forces.

I don't know what you're even rambling on about there.

Saying nationalism is evil or bad is saying that all forms of pride are evil or bad, or being a fucking hypocrite.

Before people understand this and start bringing legitimate arguments against pride and stop treating nationalism as the special little snowflake that they just don't like, they're not even worth debating with.

[Costa Fierro]

inb4 Manisdog

Manisdog was strapped to a cannon and blown to smithereens by the British moderation authorities for promoting sedition within the Raj.

[Southern Hampshire]

oh get out

Britain is one of the most welfare-heavy nations on the planet. One of the biggest welfare bills and in the top 10 of poor-friendly countries.

This attitude is the type that makes us right-wing people in the UK cut down our welfare significantly. Zero recognition and still 'not enough' as if poor people are god-sent and we must comfort them with a mercedes, free holidays, pizza hut dinner each saturday and pay for all their 15 kids

Lemme guess, PGS? Bedales? Yeah, I unfortunately have to live with twats holding those opinions down in southern Hampshire. Let's just ignore the fact that benefit cuts have left people literally starving. "poor people" aren't a collective. There's some that need benefits, there's some that don't. There's some that are unemployed, there's some that aren't. Amongst said unemployed there's some that need a kick up the backside to get into work, there's some that are desperately trying to get a job. Fortunately, the former of those two are a minority - Benefits are enough for some people, but very few prefer such a pitiful income to any kind of regular wage. This persistent belief amongst posh, uninformed, southerners that those on benefits are simply lazy is not only idiotic - It's actually lethal. You want benefits to get cut? Let's just keep in mind that what you're doing is cutting off people's lifelines, vital income for those who have been made redundant or thrown off the deck by an abusive economic system. "recognition" isn't what we should be seeking here. We should be seeking a fair wage to aid people back onto their feet, to drag the battered workers back into a workplace which needs to be made better for them.

No, neither. Comprehensive state school(s).

Britain has a heavy welfare system. One of the most generous in the world. People don't starve in Britain (not saying they should.) - on the contrary - we are one of the most obese nations on the planet, and statistically the poorest on welfare are those who are the most obese. We're even one of the only (5?) nations who consider obesity a disability..

Pitiful income? Hardly. What are you expecting from a STATE welfare system? You want me to pay for your cinema tickets? holidays? credit rates for a new car?

Posh? Hardly. I guess anyone who lives in the South is 'posh' for you. Uninformed? Not at all. As someone who was on the system myself for a bit in my childhood, my parents didn't find it hard to live at all, even my first plasma was bought during that time. Fortunately they both found work after short-time unemployment.

There is already a fair wage for unemployed people in the UK. It is impossible to not survive on it. Whether you can live on it is another argument, but you're not supposed to live a life of luxury or middle class whilst on a welfare income.

With our demographics and economic structure, it is impossible to continue this generous trend.

[L Ron Cupboard]

As a nation we have created the greatest net good for mankind and we can be eternally proud of that.

I hardly think that a nation without vineyards can create the greatest net good for mankind.
Marmite is lovely, though.

We have vineyards. Only any good for champagne-style sparkling whites, but we have them.

[The Neo-Hellenic Republic]

Most of your "points" aren't.

The FBI were well aware of the threat posed by the 9/11 bombers, yet failed to prevent that atrocity. Are American law enforcement afraid of inciting muslims to the point of inaction? No, and the same is true in the UK.

We don't silence radical clerics on account of their viewpoint unless they directly incite. Because of freedom of speech.

Freedom of speech doesn't exist in the UK.

Advocating Nazism, denying the holocaust and inciting hate of the Queen are all banned in the UK.

That is not freedom of speech.

Don't throw around words where they cannot be used.

Bolded = no.
The BNP still exists, they're a nazi party. Plenty of people seriously deny the holocaust, and during the pro-independence rallies many people spoke against the queen.

[Southern Hampshire]

Freedom of speech doesn't exist in the UK.

Advocating Nazism, denying the holocaust and inciting hate of the Queen are all banned in the UK.

That is not freedom of speech.

Don't throw around words where they cannot be used.

Bolded = no.
The BNP still exists, they're a nazi party. Plenty of people seriously deny the holocaust, and during the pro-independence rallies many people spoke against the queen.

BNP is not nazist
Denying the holocaust is a crime
Then the pro-independence ralliers were risking arrest

[The Neo-Hellenic Republic]

Bolded = no.
The BNP still exists, they're a nazi party. Plenty of people seriously deny the holocaust, and during the pro-independence rallies many people spoke against the queen.

BNP is not nazist
Denying the holocaust is a crime
Then the pro-independence ralliers were risking arrest

http://gyazo.com/59cb8e60ca04e041db75bb33ed38a83e

Never said denying it wasn't a crime, and no they weren't risking arrest. The queen has no political power anymore, so there no reason why I cant speak out against her.

[Cannabis Islands]

Sure, most people that I know from the UK are the nicest people around. I also like that the fact the do have truly socialized medicine.

[Southern Hampshire]

BNP is not nazist
Denying the holocaust is a crime
Then the pro-independence ralliers were risking arrest

http://gyazo.com/59cb8e60ca04e041db75bb33ed38a83e

Never said denying it wasn't a crime, and no they weren't risking arrest. The queen has no political power anymore, so there no reason why I cant speak out against her.

It doesn't matter if she has no political power.

Lèse-majesté. Offending the Head of State is a statutory offense.

[Edgy Opinions]

I don't know what you're even rambling on about there.

Saying nationalism is evil or bad is saying that all forms of pride are evil or bad, or being a fucking hypocrite.

Before people understand this and start bringing legitimate arguments against pride and stop treating nationalism as the special little snowflake that they just don't like, they're not even worth debating with.

Nationalism - in the sense I meant, that of an actual political ideology - isn't just pride, it's believing that an arbitrary institution as the State should follow said ridiculous idea of "pride" as a guideline for its actions.

[Frazers]

As a nation we have created the greatest net good for mankind and we can be eternally proud of that.

I hardly think that a nation without vineyards can create the greatest net good for mankind.
Marmite is lovely, though.

We have vineyards though and we brought the world whiskey.