Is our culture superior?

[Dos Equis]

I think so.  I made this statement during a discussion this weekend and my ultra-liberal friend was breathing fire before I went down the list of atrocities against women condoned by many other cultures.  I told her to try being a woman in Iran, India, or any number of Asian countries and see how much she likes it.  

It's a little arrogant to have this opinion, but my view is based on the system, not the people.  Our system of government, our laws, our branches of government are superior to any other culture in the world.  It's the people who get in and screw things up.  

If you step back and look at what we offer, it's unmatched:  freedom of speech, the press, religion, expression, due process, free lawyers, the right to a jury, the appellate system, the legislative process, checks and balances, anti-discrimination laws, the welfare system, anti-patient dumping laws (meaning if you show up at the ER with an emergency medical condition they have to treat you), protection of incapacitated people, property ownership, the free market, the educational opportunities, professional opportunities, leisure activities, sports, strong defense, solid infrastructure, fire and law enforcement, charitable entities, foreign aid for countries that suffer disasters, and the list goes on.  

All of this isn't necessarily "culture," but it's all related IMO.  

[Straw Man]

I think so.  I made this statement during a discussion this weekend and my ultra-liberal friend was breathing fire before I went down the list of atrocities against women condoned by many other cultures.  I told her to try being a woman in Iran, India, or any number of Asian countries and see how much she likes it.  

It's a little arrogant to have this opinion, but my view is based on the system, not the people.  Our system of government, our laws, our branches of government are superior to any other culture in the world.  It's the people who get in and screw things up.  

If you step back and look at what we offer, it's unmatched:  freedom of speech, the press, religion, expression, due process, free lawyers, the right to a jury, the appellate system, the legislative process, checks and balances, anti-discrimination laws, the welfare system, anti-patient dumping laws (meaning if you show up at the ER with an emergency medical condition they have to treat you), protection of incapacitated people, property ownership, the free market, the educational opportunities, professional opportunities, leisure activities, sports, strong defense, solid infrastructure, fire and law enforcement, charitable entities, foreign aid for countries that suffer disasters, and the list goes on.  

All of this isn't necessarily "culture," but it's all related IMO.  

 

[24KT]

I think so.  I made this statement during a discussion this weekend and my ultra-liberal friend was breathing fire before I went down the list of atrocities against women condoned by many other cultures.  I told her to try being a woman in Iran, India, or any number of Asian countries and see how much she likes it.  

It's a little arrogant to have this opinion, but my view is based on the system, not the people.  Our system of government, our laws, our branches of government are superior to any other culture in the world.  It's the people who get in and screw things up.  

If you step back and look at what we offer, it's unmatched:  freedom of speech, the press, religion, expression, due process, free lawyers, the right to a jury, the appellate system, the legislative process, checks and balances, anti-discrimination laws, the welfare system, anti-patient dumping laws (meaning if you show up at the ER with an emergency medical condition they have to treat you), protection of incapacitated people, property ownership, the free market, the educational opportunities, professional opportunities, leisure activities, sports, strong defense, solid infrastructure, fire and law enforcement, charitable entities, foreign aid for countries that suffer disasters, and the list goes on.  

All of this isn't necessarily "culture," but it's all related IMO.  

Yours is a reasonable statement & assessment... from your POV, ...but understand "culture" is much more than bureaucracy in action. It is more than a 'system'. It must also be sustainable. All evidence appears to be that our 'system' is in many ways an illusion and is definitely not a sustainable one.  

[Dos Equis]

Yours is a reasonable statement & assessment... from your POV, ...but understand "culture" is much more than bureaucracy in action. It is more than a 'system'. It must also be sustainable. All evidence appears to be that our 'system' is in many ways an illusion and is definitely not a sustainable one.  

Sure it is.  But that's a different issue.  We've been reckless and irresponsible with the people's money.  Both Republicans and Democrats.  Our system could very well collapse because people have screwed things up.  That's a problem with some people, not what we believe.  Our system/culture of right and wrong, etc. on paper is a wonderful thing. 

[Straw Man]

Sure it is.  But that's a different issue.  We've been reckless and irresponsible with the people's money.  Both Republicans and Democrats.  Our system could very well collapse because people have screwed things up.  That's a problem with some people, not what we believe.  Our system/culture of right and wrong, etc. on paper is a wonderful thing.  

perhaps so but hardly superior

many other cultures offer all the same items you've listed and more (like better access to health care, better access to education,etc..)

what is it with some people in this country needing to feel comfort in some sort of imagined superiority?

[Arnold jr]

perhaps so but hardly superior

many other cultures offer all the same items you've listed and more (like better access to health care, better access to education,etc..)

what is it with some people in this country needing to feel comfort in some sort of imagined superiority?

Ha ha, you're right, I guess that's why for the last 200+ yrs people from all over the world have flocked in here as if their life depended on it. I guess that's why millions upon millions have risked their lives just to try to come to America. Funny, I've never heard of China, Germany, Spain, England, Russia, Brazil, Iraq, Iran or any other country in the world having the desire and appeal of the United States.

[Arnold jr]

Yours is a reasonable statement & assessment... from your POV, ...but understand "culture" is much more than bureaucracy in action. It is more than a 'system'. It must also be sustainable. All evidence appears to be that our 'system' is in many ways an illusion and is definitely not a sustainable one.  

Can you elaborate?

[Dos Equis]

Ha ha, you're right, I guess that's why for the last 200+ yrs people from all over the world have flocked in here as if their life depended on it. I guess that's why millions upon millions have risked their lives just to try to come to America. Funny, I've never heard of China, Germany, Spain, England, Russia, Brazil, Iraq, Iran or any other country in the world having the desire and appeal of the United States.

Great point.  We have literally millions of people from around the globe who want to move to the land of opportunity. 

[Hugo Chavez]

Ha ha, you're right, I guess that's why for the last 200+ yrs people from all over the world have flocked in here as if their life depended on it. I guess that's why millions upon millions have risked their lives just to try to come to America. Funny, I've never heard of China, Germany, Spain, England, Russia, Brazil, Iraq, Iran or any other country in the world having the desire and appeal of the United States.

There are plenty of countries around Europe that are considered desirable places to live.

[Cy Tolliver]

im not being sarcastic i believe our culture is definitely superior IF you ignore our meddling in affairs of other countries and wars that cause the death of innocent people and destruction of countries around the world.  that is a primative aspect of our society but i guess it supports our lifestyles and we need to learn to live with it 

[24KT]

perhaps so but hardly superior

many other cultures offer all the same items you've listed and more (like better access to health care, better access to education,etc..)

what is it with some people in this country needing to feel comfort in some sort of imagined superiority?

I tried to be diplomatic and polite to him by the inclusion of the qualifier "from your POV".
How did I do? Did it come across as politely side-stepping the jingoism, or did it come off as anti-America bashing?

 

Speaking of better access to health care and better education... a friend of mine just got to interview Bill Gates who is in town for the TIFF premiere of "Waiting For Superman". He said Bill Gates was actually a really wonderful down to earth guy who was very forthcoming. Hmmm go figure. I really wish I had asked him to ask about talk of his ideas vis-a-vis eugenics, but I didn't want to put him in between a rock & a hard place.

[24KT]

Ha ha, you're right, I guess that's why for the last 200+ yrs people from all over the world have flocked in here as if their life depended on it. I guess that's why millions upon millions have risked their lives just to try to come to America. Funny, I've never heard of China, Germany, Spain, England, Russia, Brazil, Iraq, Iran or any other country in the world having the desire and appeal of the United States.

Ever heard of Canada? It's that large vast land mass north of the USA, where civil rights are given more than mere lip service, and whose citizens for the most part (present company excepted) quietly go about their lives politely smiling and humoring those with a false sense of superiority.

Then there is Switzerland. Ever heard of Switzerland?

ps: Perhaps you've never heard of it because you are a product of US education. 

Great documentary you might want to see: "Waiting For Superman"

[24KT]

Can you elaborate?

I mean there are far too many smoke & mirrors. The party line is one thing,
...but the reality is quite another, and we often willfully turn a blind eye to it.

BB alluded to the people in the system being flawed and as such have acted irresponsibly with the people's money.
The fact is, ...the people's money is GOLD. GOLD & SILVER. These metals have been the people's money since the dawn of time. What has occurred is people have acted irresponsibly with the federal reserve fiat currency, and since the dawn of time no fiat currency has survived. This economic crash was destined to occur. It was only a matter of WHEN and not IF. but again, these are simply monetary policies and do not represent "culture" per sé.

To me culture is all encompassing, and has a lot to do with how one treats and or interacts with their neighbours. IMO, the greatest culture on the planet, is also the longest most enduring and most sustainable culture in existence. It doesn't get a whole lot of publicity or accolades due imo to the embarrassing fact that one would have to admit the barbaric and rather uncivilized way we dealt with them... but I believe the greatest culture on the planet is that of the Native North American... a culture Canada has tried to emulate without acknowledging. For years the debate in Canada was "What is our culture? We're not British, we're certainly not American... we don't have a culture." this is a lie. It is a lie told to many Canadians, and believed by many Canadians, but the truth is, Canada's "Culture" was modeled after Native North American culture. An occasionally embarassing, and frequently inconvenient truth. Culture is not that to which we aspire, ...it is what we live from day to day!

[Arnold jr]

There are plenty of countries around Europe that are considered desirable places to live.

Sure, that's true, I don't disagree with that but America is still the country most around turn to.

I don't care for using Wiki as but on this topic I don't see the harm. Besides, this can easily be looked up and double checked if people doubt it.

"As of 2006, the United States accepts more legal immigrants as permanent residents than all other countries in the world combined"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_the_United_States

[Arnold jr]

I mean there are far too many smoke & mirrors. The party line is one thing,
...but the reality is quite another, and we often willfully turn a blind eye to it.

BB alluded to the people in the system being flawed and as such have acted irresponsibly with the people's money.
The fact is, ...the people's money is GOLD. GOLD & SILVER. These metals have been the people's money since the dawn of time. What has occurred is people have acted irresponsibly with the federal reserve fiat currency, and since the dawn of time no fiat currency has survived. This economic crash was destined to occur. It was only a matter of WHEN and not IF. but again, these are simply monetary policies and do not represent "culture" per sé.

To me culture is all encompassing, and has a lot to do with how one treats and or interacts with their neighbours. IMO, the greatest culture on the planet, is also the longest most enduring and most sustainable culture in existence. It doesn't get a whole lot of publicity or accolades due imo to the embarrassing fact that one would have to admit the barbaric and rather uncivilized way we dealt with them... but I believe the greatest culture on the planet is that of the Native North American... a culture Canada has tried to emulate without acknowledging. For years the debate in Canada was "What is our culture? We're not British, we're certainly not American... we don't have a culture." this is a lie. It is a lie told to many Canadians, and believed by many Canadians, but the truth is, Canada's "Culture" was modeled after Native North American culture. An occasionally embarassing, and frequently inconvenient truth. Culture is not that to which we aspire, ...it is what we live from day to day!

I agree, culture has a lot more to do with other things beyond simply economics or economic power. Things such as the nature of the people, that counts at the top of the list. If that's at the top of the list, lets ask this question, which country citizens give more to charity and provide more foreign aid from their citizens than all other countries combined? This can also be easily looked up...I'll let the answer surprise you

[Hugo Chavez]

Sure, that's true, I don't disagree with that but America is still the country most around turn to.

I don't care for using Wiki as but on this topic I don't see the harm. Besides, this can easily be looked up and double checked if people doubt it.

"As of 2006, the United States accepts more legal immigrants as permanent residents than all other countries in the world combined"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_the_United_States

superior just sounds arrogant to me.  superior comes off a little nazish.  As an American I don't have to brand us superior over all others to be proud of what we've done, represent and who we are.

[Arnold jr]

superior just sounds arrogant to me.  superior comes off a little nazish.  As an American I don't have to brand us superior over all others to be proud of what we've done, represent and who we are.

I understand what you're saying but I don't think there's anything wrong with national pride.

[loco]

No.  People flock to the US because they don't want to get bombed or shot by the US military.  The US is the eye of the storm, a storm created by the US. 

I kid I kid!

[Hugo Chavez]

I understand what you're saying but I don't think there's anything wrong with national pride.

arrogance isn't pride.  I'm proud of America and I don't need to publically declare superiority over "all others" to have that be so.  There are nations other than us that I doing just fine and we should be glad of that instead of pounding our chest and letting them know we're better than them. What's the point of that?  I thought that's what we wanted for the world?  But at the same time it's important to maintain some sort of sense of superiority over them?  Also stupidity is not a condition of pride imo; the people that feel it's unpatriotic to be critical of America are idiots, it's our duty as citizens to be critical--failure to do so is the quickest way for the people to change things for the worse.

Hey Norway, glad you guys are doing ok and all but just wanted to let you know, we're better than you!!!  na na nuh na na!!!!  Lame....



(Jag, Canada doesn't count, you guys do suck!!!  JK )

[Hugo Chavez]

I also think it's way past time we slow the immigration down.  I don't think that's a bragging right Arnold, I think it's a failure of our government.  If the nations of Europe on average have a stricter immigration policy, then they're smarter than us in that regard.

I personally don't believe it's advantageous to the positive progress of 3rd world countries when the west's policy is to allow all of the best people to leave those places.  Who the hell's going to want the shitholes of the world changed when everyone that can leave them does, when everyone that hates what's happening in their country leaves instead of staying, well...  Everytime someone bails from a shithole, that tilts it one more for the scumbags there.

[240 is Back]

We all shit in the morning, wipe our ass with paper, and spend the rest of the day trying to make money, have sex, and avoiding embarassing farts.  Then we all go to bed.  Then, we all die 70 years later.

Until one culture manages to discover eternal life or stop embarassing farts, i'ld say we're all disgusting mortals in the same boat, spending our time gloating about "superior cultures" as a way of hiding any acceptance of the reality of it all.

To which a predictable mortal fartsniffer will respond, " "

[Dos Equis]

Sure, that's true, I don't disagree with that but America is still the country most around turn to.

I don't care for using Wiki as but on this topic I don't see the harm. Besides, this can easily be looked up and double checked if people doubt it.

"As of 2006, the United States accepts more legal immigrants as permanent residents than all other countries in the world combined"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_the_United_States

And that's because we rock.  

Just to add more context to my initial post, a group of us were having a discussion about the problems with spreading democracy around the world and how some places like the Middle East don't want what we have.  It was in response to someone who said our culture is no better than theirs that I made my comments.  I raised the issues of the treatment of women, the rape of children (through "marriage"), and the execution of homosexuals as starting points.  

[Hugo Chavez]

  I think we have a clear front runner...

To which a predictable mortal fartsniffer will respond, " "

[Hugo Chavez]

[Hugo Chavez]

Muslims dont wipe their ass at all.Thats why they stink like monkeys.

the topic was us vs. everyone else... lol that you think the rest of the world is muslim...