traveling open your eyes to how terrible the US is in many ways?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I visited Ecuador just before the pandemic and it looked like the US under Kamala Harris according to the few policy positions she mentioned on the campaign trail.

Is that supposed to be a good thing or a bad thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really hate when people go to another country for 1-2 weeks on vacation and think that everything is idyllic there because they had a good experience during that short period of time.

I’m by no means a jingoist or believe that America is superior in everything. I lived in two separate Asian countries, one as a teen and one as an adult, for two years each.

Yes, some countries do other things better than we do. Most have gun control much better handled.

But education, taxes, politics, economics and societal norms are complex, and you can’t tell just from a cheap hospital visit or train ride how good things are.

Taiwan is not even recognized as its own country by China and many other foreign powers. They could be invaded by China at any time. China still claims Taiwan as its own.

Thailand is a kingdom, and it isn’t exactly pro-democracy sometimes.

It’s too complicated to go into in a DCUM but, your one glimpse into foreign life doesn’t mean everything is better everywhere else.

I don't think OP is being as glib as you portray here. Yes, Taiwan is in a precarious state - no pun intended - yet they largely harness their tax dollars for the benefit of their society rather than misdirecting their public monies due to the threat of an invasion at any moment.

Public transit in metro areas across the country is largely insufficient and crazily expensive. Take WMATA, which was built as a M-F, 8-5 commuter system for fed workers - it's hours are embarrassing for a city with international aspirations. And forget NYC, where there is NO train that runs directly to JFK and LGA terminals.

And the land entrances into the US - Niagara Falls is an eyesore.

OP isn't saying that all other countries are better than the US, but that our various levels of government are slow, if not indifferent, to improving daily living and life outcomes for residents. Or that one party thwarts such improvements if they can't get credit for it.

If you're going to throw shade at a party, you might want to be a little more "discriminating" in your examples. NYC, Western NY and the WMATA service area are essentially single party jurisdictions.

LOL. Are you aware of Virginia's political history? It was not a D state when WMATA was first established. Nor was western NY or the state for that matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:US is an undeveloped S hole of backwater rednecks with very low education.

Tens of thousands of their people die per year from guns and go bankrupt for epipens. What a laughably bad society.

What country do you live in?

50,000 people die a year in the US from guns and medical bills are still a factor in most US bankruptcies.

Yet Democrats let Hunter off the hook for breaking our gun laws. You obviously aren’t serious about reducing gun violence. Actions speak louder than words. Suck it up, Democrats. You have spoken with your actions, you hypocrites.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really hate when people go to another country for 1-2 weeks on vacation and think that everything is idyllic there because they had a good experience during that short period of time.

I’m by no means a jingoist or believe that America is superior in everything. I lived in two separate Asian countries, one as a teen and one as an adult, for two years each.

Yes, some countries do other things better than we do. Most have gun control much better handled.

But education, taxes, politics, economics and societal norms are complex, and you can’t tell just from a cheap hospital visit or train ride how good things are.

Taiwan is not even recognized as its own country by China and many other foreign powers. They could be invaded by China at any time. China still claims Taiwan as its own.

Thailand is a kingdom, and it isn’t exactly pro-democracy sometimes.

It’s too complicated to go into in a DCUM but, your one glimpse into foreign life doesn’t mean everything is better everywhere else.

I don't think OP is being as glib as you portray here. Yes, Taiwan is in a precarious state - no pun intended - yet they largely harness their tax dollars for the benefit of their society rather than misdirecting their public monies due to the threat of an invasion at any moment.

Public transit in metro areas across the country is largely insufficient and crazily expensive. Take WMATA, which was built as a M-F, 8-5 commuter system for fed workers - it's hours are embarrassing for a city with international aspirations. And forget NYC, where there is NO train that runs directly to JFK and LGA terminals.

And the land entrances into the US - Niagara Falls is an eyesore.

OP isn't saying that all other countries are better than the US, but that our various levels of government are slow, if not indifferent, to improving daily living and life outcomes for residents. Or that one party thwarts such improvements if they can't get credit for it.

If you're going to throw shade at a party, you might want to be a little more "discriminating" in your examples. NYC, Western NY and the WMATA service area are essentially single party jurisdictions.

LOL. Are you aware of Virginia's political history? It was not a D state when WMATA was first established. Nor was western NY or the state for that matter.

Funny enough, WMATA seemed to be a lot better run back then as well. Shouldn't WMATA be a lot better run of an organization now that it rarely has to deal with a meddling Republican?

[Anonymous]

Nothing is better with democrat's 10,000 layers of bureaucracy and incompetent affirmative action leadership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I lived three years in Japan, regularly visit, speak the language, and have in-laws there. Some things are way better, but I don’t want to work there. That aspect of the culture is toxic. Professional women also find it impossible. Lots of cultures have a good outside face, but there are deep, complicated, difficult issues underneath.

This post is not about how every country is awesome except for the US. It's not suggesting that there's nothing good about America or American culture.

It's about how other countries that many Americans deem unworthy, undeveloped, crass, 3rd world league, not as "good" as US, are "bad" places to live - are really superior on a number of fronts comparatively. Specifically, OP mentioned 2 countries and how good their public transportation is. In fact, I would actually suggest the US SUCKS for all things related to quality public transportation including airlines. I choose every/any other airlines but the US based ones when I fly. Our infrastructure, train options, roads, etc. - all suck compared to many nations that are our peers. It's true. Healthcare, ditto. Whatever you might say about any shortcomings, and no, nothing is perfect, the US healthcare is a certified mess of a system for our citizens. No ifs, ands, buts about that.

So it's not that Americans suck in all ways but there are absolutely 100000% things we lag in and it makes a lot of people (incl myself) desire to live in other countries. No place is perfect for sure but if you take 10 things everyone needs to live a reasonably healthy and happy daily existence - I'm going to suggest that the US has really gone downhill in at least 1/2 of those if not more things.

The American Dream is what keeps others from wanting to come to US but once they arrive and live here awhile, they realize that dream is not happening like it used to. And really - I'm not exactly seeing French, English, Dutch, Scandinavians wanting to come over. Consider that before talking about how US is number 1 in the world.

[Anonymous]

The only reason right now we’re not going to London, Paris or Stockholm is the horrific crime. It’s probably the same reason they’re apprehensive about visiting any of our big cities.

Hopefully, law and order will return under our next administration.

[Anonymous]

It's amazing how things function when everyone obeys the law and it is clean everywhere. Never worried about crimes and guns anywhere. Public transport? Amazing.

Yes, I’ve experienced this traveling, and living in other countries. Tried to mention it when I was younger, but it’s only more recently (Americans traveling much more) that more people understand that we could improve here in many ways…. Whether it’s feasible is another question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Recently went to Taiwan, where they rank higher on the freedom index than even the US. It's amazing how things function when everyone obeys the law and it is clean everywhere. Never worried about crimes and guns anywhere. Public transport? Amazing. Regional railways that took over one hour long cost a grand total of about $2.80 FOR TWO TICKETS. Amazing when infrastructure is not built around cars and catering to car culture. Food, much higher quality. Next stop was in Thailand, where one in our party got sick. Went to the hospital and was seen immediately. Got checked out by the attending physician, took a stool sample to determine if there was an infection, and had the results in less than one hour. All of this without using insurance cost a grand whopping total of $83. Imagine how terrible it'd be in the US. Probably at least over $2000 for the same treatment and it'd take triple the amount of time. Even Thailand is so much safer with respect to gun violence and crime. Traveling really opens your eyes to how terrible the US has gotten. I honestly think we are borderline 2nd world. We aren't really that free, healthcare is unaffordable, zero guaranteed vacations, high cost of living, toxic food, terrible infrastructure, severely obese population, and out of control crime and gun problems.

Taiwan is highly at risk of being taken over by China. Then their freedom index will be "0" like China. They better hope that these countries like the US that you don't like support them in a military takeover.

[Anonymous]

Sadly Europe is on the decline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Recently went to Taiwan, where they rank higher on the freedom index than even the US. It's amazing how things function when everyone obeys the law and it is clean everywhere. Never worried about crimes and guns anywhere. Public transport? Amazing. Regional railways that took over one hour long cost a grand total of about $2.80 FOR TWO TICKETS. Amazing when infrastructure is not built around cars and catering to car culture. Food, much higher quality. Next stop was in Thailand, where one in our party got sick. Went to the hospital and was seen immediately. Got checked out by the attending physician, took a stool sample to determine if there was an infection, and had the results in less than one hour. All of this without using insurance cost a grand whopping total of $83. Imagine how terrible it'd be in the US. Probably at least over $2000 for the same treatment and it'd take triple the amount of time. Even Thailand is so much safer with respect to gun violence and crime. Traveling really opens your eyes to how terrible the US has gotten. I honestly think we are borderline 2nd world. We aren't really that free, healthcare is unaffordable, zero guaranteed vacations, high cost of living, toxic food, terrible infrastructure, severely obese population, and out of control crime and gun problems.

Taiwan is highly at risk of being taken over by China. Then their freedom index will be "0" like China. They better hope that these countries like the US that you don't like support them in a military takeover.

So Taiwan is not highly at risk of being taken over. I have family in both Taiwan and China. The propaganda by the US is amazing - China has a lot of bigger issues and a long list of priorities they are going to work on. Beyond that, fighting and winning a war v. Taiwan is not the same, even if Trump is in office. The other thing is that in large cities like Beijing and Shanghai - it's not zero freedom. In fact, I would suggest it's a lot easier to live there between having no homeless/crime rampant and healthcare provided for citizens not to mention great infrastructure in public transportation. Rural villages not so great but the whole notion that all of China is somehow locked up and nobody can life happily is a myth. I just spent 60 days with family in China and can tell you there are a lot of happy people living in the major cities. I'm pretty sure if you go to depressed rural Mississippi you will see some miserable folks there that aren't any happier being "free" here.

[Anonymous]

There’s a joke in the Crazy rich Asians movie about the Singapore Changi airport being so nice it makes New York’s JFK airport seem like Benghazi in comparison…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

It's amazing how things function when everyone obeys the law and it is clean everywhere. Never worried about crimes and guns anywhere. Public transport? Amazing.

Yes, I’ve experienced this traveling, and living in other countries. Tried to mention it when I was younger, but it’s only more recently (Americans traveling much more) that more people understand that we could improve here in many ways…. Whether it’s feasible is another question.

It is feasible in a homogeneous high trust society.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is scary is traveling to places that are seen as far worse than US and beginning to realize that our comparative standard of living is also going down.

I have been traveling to the same second world country to visit family for 20 years and while it has stayed largely the same, the US has gotten dirtier, meaner, and more expensive. When I go to the other country I feel other people are more easygoing and less on edge despite the many issues in the country. Our lack of social cohesion and shared values is beginning to have a very hard impact.

I feel this. Also visiting family in for 20+ years (“first world country”, but similar sentiments), and I especially agree on your last sentence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sadly Europe is on the decline.

But Europe has been on the decline in the past. It's Europe - the old country.

The US is shiny and new in comparison. That's what folks here don't get - Americans have not really been tried. There was a fight for independence to start off this country and a civil war to figure out how to run it. That's kinda it. The WWs were in support of allies - it wasn't about us. We have never been tested since 1860. It's been awhile. Not sure we'll make it but Europe - in 1940s, they were in it. We never had a bomb dropped on DC.

We aren't the old country. We're declining and not sure if we will make it like they have.