[ Outline ] · Standard · Linear+ What's Going On With America?, The news here makes it look like chaos.

[Lynette]

Obviously, we don't receive the same news feeds as you all do here. We don't have NBC, ABC, CBC, FOX, etc. sanitizing the "news" (if that's what you care to call their version of it). Lately, the impression the rest of the world is getting of America (through non-American TV) is that the entire country is in a state of chaos with everything from violence in the streets, to a state of ultimate government corruption, to an impending war between the races. It really breaks my heart to see the rest of the world watching my other country apparently, and slowly being turned into another version of the old Soviet State. I haven't been out of the country all that long to actually believe things there are as bad as they appear on the world news (or at least I hope not), but i'm affraid that the image of America being projected worldwide will only make it harder on all Americans. So, how DO you all evaluate the state of the country?

[somfan]

Hi Lynette,
The day-to-day is not really so bad. I am quite happy. But there are a lot of problems and I have my own version of what the problems are --- as well as some solutions. However, the US is currently very fragmented - more fragmented than any time since the American Civil War. And it is kind of scary. And in this regard, I am partisan and lay much of the blame squarely on the retrogressive Republican Party and Tea party factions. However, US foreign policy in regard to the Middle East is a major drag on progress, and that is a shared responsibility. Another major problem is a failure to fully invest in education. Without adequate investment in education, the US is destined to continue to develop into a low-wage economy and crime-ridden society.

I have lived in Sweden, Denmark, and Finland,besides the US, and admire those societies with their roots in strong labor movements and social solidarity.

But, hey, badgirlpinky, don't hesitate to visit the US. And don't ignore Canada. Vancouver is one of the more interesting destinations in North America.

- Somfan