Macron wins

So, Macron wins...
Globally significant?
Yes, I think.
Patriots are different from nationalists.

 

Well, it's France so yeah, it matters. I guess. The European Union will continue to lurch from crisis to crisis without really solving anything. Or accomplishing anything for that matter.

For now.

 

Dunno about that. If you're talking about the invasion and slaughter their doorstep, just what do you do? Some Euro countries are about 200 years ahead of America in clean energy, social responsibility, conservation, forestry - and other important areas - e.g. University is largely tuition-free in Germany and elsewhere - Finland and Sweden I believe. Maybe others And of course, they ALL have health systems without the monetary vicissitudes of the American "system" -- such as it is. When WE'VE got nailed down what THEY'VE got nailed down, maybe then we can criticize.

On the other hand, of course, there's always Viktor Orban. What a loathsome individual.

 

I meant to say "200 years ahead of NORTH America." Sorry.

 

Gee, I kinda admire Western Europe's willingness to cooperate and not go to war every two decades. I'd like to think Canada and the US had a good hand in all of that, even though they're not in the EU (but are in NATO). Lots of robust social democracies over there, many of whom are very high on the happiness scale.

 

Other things including public transportation and it generally NOT being illegal to grow your own food if you choose to do so. Everyone complains about public transportation, no matter where they are, but I have yet to encounter a system that is worse than the US. Pandemic aside, it's easier (and cheaper) for the average European to randomly travel to another country than it is for Americans to randomly visit another state. Local public transport in Europe has its own issues, but at least it's mostly functional. I've lived in places in the US where you'd be lucky to have a single bus route within walking distance, and sometimes it wasn't within walking distance... but you walked anyway because you didn't have any choice in the matter.

 

I'm laughing at this one.Every county that is not the United States is a shit hole.

 

You wish.

 

THANK YOU! It was my wish to be provocative but, I don't wish shitholishness on every other country. It's not my fault. It's just a sad fact

 

You just want them to be terrible places so you don't have to think too hard about the US. After all, if the US is, by default, better then it doesn't actually have to improve any. It's already the best.

On the other hand, if you admit that places like Norway, Finland, Germany, etc. are pretty awesome places to live, you might actually have to consider doing something about making the US better. Can't have that, can we?

 

Not my point at all. The original point was whether Macron's unsurprising win was globally significant. I admit that it is. The European Union will continue. For now.

 

No. No. No. Ido not wish for anywhere to be horrible. By being the only country that is not a shit hole, I do not argue the U.S. has no room for improvement. I follow a way to perfect myself (not become perfect, just improve myself), in order that I am able to make a greater contribution to my community, my nation, and ultimately the world.

Sure, I admit some shit hole countries are better places than others. Yet, the fact remains: there is the United States, and then there are the shit hole countries.

 

I feel sorry that your worldview is so narrow as for you to feel this way. How sad for you.

 

You assume much. My commentary here is based upon experience.

Should you truly feel sorry for me, please say a little prayer for my enlightenment. (May not be necessary, as Satori fell upon me in 1985.)

I am praying for you not to be so publicly judgemental.

 

My statements are, also, based on experience. I have literally lived in multiple countries. The worst one, by far, was the US. And I grew up there. I'm not even saying it's a so-called "shithole" (speaking of being publically judgemental...), but it's pretty dang bad in almost every category. I don't think I've ever seen a list that ranks the US as #1 in any important category (public health, education, general welfare/happiness, personal freedoms, etc.). It often doesn't even make the top ten.

But, assuming you're not being a troll, I ask: what do you think makes the US so great and the other countries so terrible?

 

As an assessment, one cannot argue since it is merely your opinion. However, by most measures, this is demonstrably not true. Here's just two. First, happiness. The World Happiness Report once again places countries like Denmark (1st) and Finland (3rd) far above the U.S. (14th). Second, health. The World Health Organization ranks the U.S. 37th, just behind Costa Rica, and just ahead of Slovenia.

There are plenty of other examples depending on what criteria you wish to measure.

Again, I'm not interesting in trying to change someone's opinion--draw whatever conclusions you'd like. But I'm guessing you cannot support your assessment in any meaningful way.

 

And now we move from assessment to assertion by claiming it's a "fact."

How so? In what way is it a "fact"? Employing that term means that there is observable data that can be objectively reviewed and common meaning derived from it. I would look forward to reading these "facts."

 

Then you might try Canada, Rachel. Around here (a very populous part) it's practically nonexistent between many towns. But I'll stay anyway. It's generally OK here and the south of France is pretty pricey these days...

 

1. THANK YOU! for engaging in civil conversation. We can disagree on everything but there is no need for you and I to be unpleasant towards each other.

2. The United States stands apart because it is the fulfillment of Western Civilization and Culture. The American Dream is real and alive. It just doesn't matter whether one was born here, brought here, came here legally, or not. Anyone can have and realize their very own American Dream.
Really, considering the countries you mentioned. Does anyone even talk about a 'Finnish Dream,'a 'Norwegian Dream,' or a 'German Dream?' One of the reasons for the lack of public transportation in the U.S. is because the Car Culture is such a feature of the American Dream. I have no interest in any sort of opinion ranking lists. I have also lived outside of the United States for years, and I have actually travelled the globe. I would not live in another country. Even if President Trump wanted to appoint me ambassador to one of my favorites during his next term, I'm staying right here in southern Virginia.

 

The "American Dream" is a lie to placate the poor and downtrodden. It's pure propaganda. It doesn't exist, and probably hasn't ever fully existed. What kind of American Dream can exist when people can't afford a place to live and/or a minor illness can send one spiraling into bankruptcy? I was a homeowner in the US, too, so it's not "sour grapes" talking.

Also, the so-called American dream of owning a car is more propaganda. It's not only arguably made the US a worse place to live for anyone who can't afford a car, it's also killing the planet.