repulsewarrior wrote:supporttheunderdog wrote:Have you actually spent time in Russia?
I have family there.
I don't btw give Russia a Free pass, nor do the three Russian ladies I live with, as we utterly condemn what Putin is doing to Ukraine.
The Misses reckons Putin is a corrupt nutter. Thought so even before this madness, and but for the current regime and the madness it is in I could live in Moscow.
On the other hand I'd be rather more warry of living in 'Murika, where its not the (current) leader who is crazy but too many of the general population: any country that could elect a person like Trump has to be viewed with caution.
...indeed, the Problem is not limited to Cyprus (or in Ukraine): the People torn in two usurped of their identity as Individuals, defined as Persons first.
And without an understanding of it (read: with an Ignorance toward it), it spreads. Yes, 'we', the Human race are living in dangerous times; "'Murika" is another example that is demonstrating these symptoms.
Me too, i'm rooting for the Russian People, (those of them not "Russian"); win or loose, with/after this "special operation" of Putin's, they will need our help and 'we' (those of us not "them") must be prepared to give it to them.
Murika is doing just fine. It's almost fullemployment here, and slightly higher inflation which the Federal Reserve are reigning in with interest rate rises, which will sadly increase the cost of living but its the only way to reduce spending and get the inflation down to 2% or lower.
Other than that, Merika is quite good. I mean, there is no universal health care, but the tax regime is very low as well and one of the lowest in the world and there is health insurance people can buy. It is expensive yes, but the worker isn't over taxed neither. And it's one of the most free and stable countries in the world, with the most liberal of values with the aim of being fair to all and also just. And health providers and hospital care here is among the finest in the world. If you need heart surgery or have a cancer, you will probably get the best treatments in Merika with the best doctors in the world if you are insured.
It isn't always meeting its objectives as no country meets them but the intent is clearly their from the USG and its institutions and Merika is clearly doing far better than Australia when it comes to rights and protections which are clearly delivering good results for Black Americans and also Americans from all other walks of life, sexualities and genders. This is a country that respects the individual.
There are guns here, in uncontrolled numbers, and Amerika will never work that one out because US Constitution. It's almost impossible. The only thing the Americans can do is vert and licence gun owners and security vet them so that every gun is registered with law enforcement. And also create some laws to just quietly make it a little harder and onerous without falling foul of the US Consitution otherwise the NRA will just file law suits in the Federal Courts.
Merika can't be compared to Ruzzia. Sorry but that is offensive.
Merika is always the same but it is also a very broad country with different people and different sets of values and beliefs. New York, Washington, Chicago, LA, San Francisco for instance are very different to New Orleans or Alabama. There are parts of Amerika which are extremely religious and conservative. And there you can find all kinds of nutters and even people who think Ruzzia is good. An being a free country, Merika gives these people a voice too, even when it is probably in their interest to hand in their computers because they simply don't possess a high enough IQ. Free speech bitches, in a free country. In Ruzzia, that doesn't exist.
The big cities like New York, Chicago, LA, San Francisco and others can be just like Melbourne in Australia, or any of the Scandinavian or Western European cities. Just very liberal, free, respectful, and also cultural and a bit of a cafe latte cosmopolitan set with a lot of vanity and self indulgance.
