the new president

[FM]

Which is exactly what he'll be trying to do. Right some wrongs.

[MR. Lurtzy]

See, there is where I don't agree. I don't see the progression of Liberalism as helping my country.

[Gil-Estel]

All my fault, I get that a lot....

[FM]

See, there is where I don't agree. I don't see the progression of Liberalism as helping my country.

Well, thank God you're not the president, then... You see, getting in good terms with THE REST OF THE WORLD, for instance, might be "slightly" helpful to your country in the long run (not even THAT long of a run, mind you), and this is surely a good start. Also, making the US a great place (instead of a great place for WASPs) seems like a pretty solid way to run things, even if you don't like it. The problem I have with discussing ANYTHING with north-americans is exactly that: the "my country" part. You put yourselves above the world as a whole, and that's a pretty selfish way to live in the era of globalization, if you ask me (or anyone with a good mind for politics, which I admit to not having, for instance).

[MR. Lurtzy]

I believe that the United States of America is the greatest country in the world. That is not being selfish, that is being patriotic, something that Obama is not familiar with. Liberalism (aka socialism) will destroy this country. It hasn't worked and it never will. Also, FM you should probably get your facts straight- the USA is the most diverse country in the world, and saying that we are only trying to get White Anglo-Saxon Protestant to have a great living is just proof of your ignorance. IF you want to see what the Obama agenda is regarding the furthering of American citizens, look no farther than Michelle Obama's college years and what she developed as her beliefs there.

[Gil-Estel]

If you have any, any awareness of history and the development of political movements, you would never, never say that liberalism and socialism are the same. They are the exact opposite 2 things you can find. Karl Marx is probably coming to haunt you if he was able for saying that!

[MR. Lurtzy]

Current American Liberialism is socialist... though it may be different in Europe.

[Elrohir]

D.  Others are just confused.

Next year, we get a new president in my country, too.
I have read, in the USA, there are nuclear power stations. Maybe it is offtopic, but what is the new presidents opinion about NPS? Will he do anything against it?

[Thranduil]

... and that's a pretty selfish way to live in the era of globalization, if you ask me (or anyone with a good mind for politics, which I admit to not having, for instance).

Well that's the point isn't it: "globalisation" is essentially "Americanisation" in the world today. There's hardly a country in the world without McDonald's or Coca Cola.

Presumably, Lurtzy, you believe in other people's rights to believe that their country is the "best" country in the world? Ie. everyone has the right to be patriotic about wherever it is they happen to live?

Thranduil

[MR. Lurtzy]

Yes.

[Thranduil]

Yes.

Fair enough then, that's very reasonable 19th century nationalism. I think patriotism is a very dangerous thing (though I'm British and the British people are some of the most un-patriotic in the world!) but I respect you for believing in your country.

[Gil-Estel]

Ah Coca Cola! The best american product I've come across in my life, exept maybe for the Nike Air Jordans, which are great. Oh and Jordan himself (british people, I'm not talking about your Jordan, which isn't exactly my taste) but you can't refer to him as a product, but man, he is great!

But yeah, here in the Netherland, which isn't the greatest country in the world, nor is it the worst (I think Zimbabwe must be terrible right now) liberalism is about a minimum of government involvement and socialism is about a strong government that takes care of the less fortunate people in the society. Socialism is a movement grown in the period in which liberalism led to exploiting labor and in which the poor people had no rights at all. So yeah, the history is that they are the greatest opposites possible. Nowadays the differences are smaller.

[Gil-Estel]

Yes.

Fair enough then, that's very reasonable 19th century nationalism. I think patriotism is a very dangerous thing (though I'm British and the British people are some of the most un-patriotic in the world!) but I respect you for believing in your country.

I think the Dutch will beat you there

[MR. Lurtzy]

@Gil-Estel your Liberalism is America's Conservatism.

[daisukeman]

D.  Others are just confused.

Check.
Anyway, I'm Colombian ----meaning we had good relations with Bush (putting aside judgement on him)--- and I was rooting for McCain to continue with that image of US as the world's police.
Mainly because it's truly needed that some country help control all the greed and invasion there always be going on between neighboors- ie Israel's conflict zone.
But now I'm rooting for Obama and trusting his chance to demonstrate that he (and as a democrat) can handle economy and 2009 crisis, or at least fix it a little. I believe he can and will 
make needed important changes.

Also, and about the last posts:
1) I don't think Obama, nor anybody will bring socialism to the US (which is a good thing to me).
2) It IS good to have good relationships with all the other countries (that's what politics and diplomacy is about). Regardless if someone thinks it's the most miserable country in the world, a good relationship brings benefits for both parts. That extra extra patriotism is not good: like any excess it goes against having an open mind for analysis and makes you more liable to do heavy things without using your head.