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Many young Americans lack experience outside the country, meaning they have a warped, likely from the internet, sense of what's right and wrong when compared to other parts of the world.
I'm proud to be an American, in the sense that I'd rather be here than many other parts of the world, even though I recognize there are issues requiring more attention and/or progress. Perhaps it helps that I view things under my own objective lens, gaining first hand experience in many cases, rather than sitting behind a screen and amping up my ignorance.
It's OK to disagree with me of course. Everyone has their reasons, whether pro or anti, but I'd personally question how much experience people younger than myself have in other parts of the world. Many Americans take things for granted with little understanding of how good they have it. Obviously not always the case, but traveling the world is eye opening and no amount of internet research can substitute those experiences.
On the flip-side of this, I had a close friend who traveled the world extensively for 10+ years. Last time I saw him he had visited 65 different countries, often living for months or even years in some of them. He hated coming back to the USA. He said our ideas of freedom and liberty are complete fabrications compared to a great many EU and Asian countries. He always had to add hours to his flight times when traveling through or within the US because he refused to go through the naked scanner, because he felt that they violate our individual rights and privacy. He said he didn't need to deal with those anywhere else. That's just one small example out of a list of dozens that he gave me.
Yeah, privacy wise much of the West sucks. It's not just the US. Germany spies on it's people just like the 5 Eyes (English countries). France literally just passed a law allowing cops to activate phone cameras and mics. The war against terror really took a bite out of everyones privacy.
At least we live in countries that, theoretically, we should be able to vote in reps to undo these things. Sadly we haven't seen that yet.
It was never a war on terror. It was always a war on freedom and privacy. The so called Patriot Act over here is the most unpatriotic, least constitutional piece of legislation I've ever even heard of. But yes, at least we have the freedom still to talk about it, and theoretically vote in people who could change it. Our most "liberal" president in the last 15 years chose to leave the Patriot Act in-tact, as did his conservative successor, as did our latest "liberal" president. It's almost like they don't actually represent the principles they claim to represent.
Liberal in quotes since even our liberals are pro-corporatist conservatives.
I just get stuck on the pride part of it. I didn't make any of this. I had nothing to do with it. I'm moderately content to be here for the most part. I know I'm privileged compared to many but proud? Nah. It feels off to be proud of where I was born and/or exist. People that came over here and worked hard to get citizenship? Yeah, go ahead I'd be proud too that's a huge life change and not an easy process. That took work and dedication. Otherwise nah. I'm not proud to be an American because being an American isn't any kind of accomplishment for anyone that was born here.
I get what you mean but perhaps you're looking at it with the wrong interpretation? You shouldn't be yeehaw nationalist, blind to the issues proud. Or Freedom Fries proud to whittle it down.
It's worth being proud of the fact we live somewhere that we can have an impact on. Federally? I'm to pessimistic to believe, but state and locally? Absolutely. Don't like the state you live? You just get up and move. We have a lot of freedom and rights to enjoy and be proud of. It's the reason so many flock to live here when there are arguably better places to try first. Especially when we lack some necessary social nets like healthcare.
I met a guy who runs a laundromat explain it like this. In his home country, you need licenses for this and that, certifications, certified employees and inspectors just to run a cleaners. Here? He can just open shop with minimal hassle, and his abilities make or break the business. He's been here for 20 years and the only guy I want touching my suits.
I get why there might be regulations such as that, but it sounds ridiculous to me. As long as you're not doing anything dangerous, best of luck and take your shot. I'm just glad there is some sliver of the dream still alive, where people like him can do what they want business wise.
It's not perfect, but I don't think there's a reason to not be proud that we can, hopefully, keep pushing for a better America every year. As long as we don't let it get nationalistic like in 2003.
I get that America is better to live in than many places but it is also a lot worse than many places. And given the incredible natural advantages with which it started compared to most places, that's kind of impressive.
I live in Canada and we find America incredibly frustrating because people always use it as a "well at least we're not that bad" which is a cudgel to keep us from making things better (education, healthcare etc.)