US to acquire third world status if trends continue.

[Heracles 417]

Then again you are a guy who cannot even accept that Chicago is not ranked highly in the international community. Better yet, actually have the nerve to suggest it's a lot like Vancouver. Which is ranked #1 by the economist and 4th by Mercer.

I lived in Canada for over 20 years. I know Ottawa and Toronto intimately, having lived in both. I have also been to Vancouver numerous times, for personal visits (my uncle lives there) and for business (e.g. I presented a paper at the OOPSLA'98 conference held there). I have also been to Edmonton, Calgary, Quebec City, Halifax and much of Canada. For that matter, I've been to Sydney and Melbourne Australia too. I currently live in Chicago. I wouldn't say Chicago is better than Vancouver. Both cities have their charm. Both have their drawbacks. I do know one thing - a city, like most things in life, is not one dimensional. There is not one cookie-cutter scale to measure its qualities. There is no one right answer. The mere idea that a person would try to rank a city as "better" than another in such a simplistic manner says much more about the person, than about whatever point he's trying to make.

I have no issue with you saying I like Chicago and that is my opinion. Hence the notion of personal choice. What I have an issue with is you downplaying or flat out ignoring the findings of various international organizations that specialize in ranking cities around the world. As if you know more than them.

Way to make a contribution there, BY. You are such a god amongst men. Surely we should all just surrender our views and adopt yours. Whether a VJ poster is left or right, pro or anti health care reform, immigration reform, or any other issue you judge yourself to be an expert on, there's no sense anyone having an opinion different than yours. You win all arguments because we are wankers and 'girlfriends' and just can't see your glorious insightful wisdom about how much better Vancouver is than Chicago. Your "debating strategy" is all bluster and big talk, trying to intimidate others who disagree with you. Frankly I'm sick of it.

I like hanging with people who have something to contribute to a conversation other than arrogance.

No offense but I have said it before. You are the Male version of another member here. A legacy member who simply could not accept those with differing opinions. That is the qualm, the 'beef', I have with you. I have made many contributions here. Unless I am exchanging stupid insults between you or spook or A.J, my posts are generally detailed in nature. Don't you dare turn the 'gf' comment on me considering your pastime is to attack people like myself in Expats. Not to mention attack VJ and state the information is useless, as is the forum. You have some sort of a game going on with Spook and that is why you guys come here and stir the pot. I am assuming to test the mods and then insult them on EP, where you get a kick out of it.

I am here to have a discussion or debate with anyone who wants to do so. Yes even someone saying they hate Australia. What I will not do is continue to play along with your Ericish game you are playing. Hence the anti-American comments you accused me of first, which spook then copied. Spook is actually not a bad guy but he is being influenced by the real "#######"

Edited October 20, 2009 by Booyah!

[meowmeowmeow 1]

what goes up must come down, it's inevitable, every major empire in history has gone through this cycle. there will be another superpower that is for sure, the question is who? china? india? russia? eu? neither?

Hey at least all of the other empires had a few hundred years of success. The United States had 50. As a friend once said to me, the US will not be conquered but will collapse within and by its own weight.

I am one of very few foreigners who actually gives a ####### and is trying to suggest ideas, yet am branded as being anti-American. Half the forum has given me ####### and insulted me for doing so. Yes, for suggesting ways to improve America. That is when you know there is no hope and need to take the closest emergency raft. Every superpower that fell did so due to their arrogance and pride that they are untouchable and the best. Best example, hello independence from Great Britain. Brits were a superpower and thought they would have the pilgrims rounded up in a week.

Like Russia once was, the US has been the center of attention for the last 50 years. Nowadays the US has become just another country. People either accept this and embrace the reality, or they deny it and go down as did Russia, the UK, Ottomans, Rome, Greece and the Egyptians.

only 50? you think so? and sorry to hear about people ganging up on you in the forums, there are a lot of douches here so im not surprised, but just ignore them, theyre just haters on the internet. wuteva...

[Heracles 417]

only 50? you think so? and sorry to hear about people ganging up on you in the forums, there are a lot of douches here so im not surprised, but just ignore them, theyre just haters on the internet. wuteva...

I would say from the 1955 to 2005. Nowadays there are a number of countries that are rapidly catching up, with many already surpassing the United States in numerous areas. Particularly quality of life. Contrary to popular belief, owning a 10,000 sq ft home, starting the next facebook or mutual fund and driving an expensive car is not perceived as quality of life by most international rankings and studies. The US is rapidly becoming a stereotypical South American country, where the rich are mega rich, while the poor are dirt poor.

What many of my critics here fail to realize is that outside this forum, as in to people overseas, I have not once criticized the US; hence, why I am trying to wake people up to the reality. Instead all I face is denial and road blocks. Much in the same way we cannot get health care to pass because there is someone in the way saying, 'nope there is no problem. Our system is the best in the world'; solely based on their opinion of course.

Edited October 20, 2009 by Booyah!

[George&Hazel 1]

A good portion of the people on these forums have been to developing nations for extended time. For the life of me do not quite grasp how can come away from that experience without realizing what makes a developed nation developed is the ability of the government to provide structure and benefits to its people. When hear some of the politicians pander to special interests with no interest of the middle class its sickening. It would be a real shame if this country devolved into a top 15% country.

A little interesting article about Warren Buffet and his 17% tax rate. If he sees there is an issue then there probably is..... http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...7062700097.html

[Joseph & Ana 0]

Its a little bigger than Detroit - Australia is a huge land mass.

Really you think??? Good grief , like I said my point was that american is huge and theres more to america than Detroit.

They'll twist anything in an attempt to make conservatives look uneducated. Even sarcasm. The only thing is that anyone with common sense can see the stupidity in it.

So consensus is that Oregon is pretty.

Anyone who has been anywhere beside Detroit in MIchigan knows that its one of the most beautiful states in the Union. Michigan's west coast, go north of detroit, norther lower peninsula is to die for, and the U.P. is paradise - lots of waterfalls, rivers, beautiful pines.. Just perfect.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

Area:

Australia: 2,969,907 sq mi

US: 3,794,066 sq mi

~4/5 of the entire US

Population Density:

Australia: 7.4 people per sq mi (aka not living as rats)

US: 80 people per sq mi

Resources:

Australia: Almost infinite ($$$$$)

US: A good portion already mined

"a good portion already mined" care to back that up with data?

Packed in like rats? Did you know that the entire world population can fit into Jackson County Florida ? There is a lot of open space in the US. and 6 billion people can stand VERY tight in one county in the US.

Joseph would make a good Australian.

True - I can even fake the accent. Only thing is that I wouldn't bash other people's countries and say how great mine is.

Joseph would make a good Austalian.

Joseph Austalin?

It was a spelling error and I corrected it.

Joseph Austalian / Joseph Stalin? Freudian slip?

Stalin was a lib. Its definitely not me.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

i think we are definitely in a downward spiral. It's not Obama's fault... it's been happening for a while. Businesses & jobs shipped overseas. Our public schools are in the tank. Cost of living rising faster than wages. Healthcare costs skyrocketing... The great divide between rich & poor just getting greater...

The only thing good is that if we do hit rock bottom, maybe we will be able to ride on the bumpers of busses to get to where we need to go. i've found that to be fun.

Its George Bush's fault.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

edit: I'll take half of that back. I like Hugo Boss suits.

I can offend you just as much as you think you can offend me. The difference is that I can use material that is actually bellow the belt and true. Whereas you use ####### like 'if you hate America go home or (insert teenage insult).

Did you see how the police helicopter was shot down in Rio, Brazil, while battling drug dealers. What an awesome choice for the Olympics. Probably why many are 'dieing' to get out and will marry anyone for a PR. Particularly old men with small businesses that cannot get any local talent. Hence, need to skew the odds in their favor by showing off their cash to poor people in third world countries that are desperate to get out.

The same thing would have happened in Chicago

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Its a little bigger than Detroit - Australia is a huge land mass.

Really you think??? Good grief , like I said my point was that american is huge and theres more to america than Detroit.

They'll twist anything in an attempt to make conservatives look uneducated. Even sarcasm. The only thing is that anyone with common sense can see the stupidity in it.

Attacking you is not the same as attacking "conservatives". But of course you have difficulty computing that equation.

No surprise there.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

Its a little bigger than Detroit - Australia is a huge land mass.

Really you think??? Good grief , like I said my point was that american is huge and theres more to america than Detroit.

They'll twist anything in an attempt to make conservatives look uneducated. Even sarcasm. The only thing is that anyone with common sense can see the stupidity in it.

Attacking you is not the same as attacking "conservatives". But of course you have difficulty computing that equation.

No surprise there.

No one said anything about "attacking conservatives". We're talking about your predisposition of twisting anything a conservative says. Unless of course you're admitting to twisting anything that EVERYone says.. Which I know isn't true because you can't twist what a liberal says. Its already twisted to a point beyond recognition when it comes out of their mounts (or keyboards).

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

What's with the victim mentality?

[Joseph & Ana 0]

What's with the victim mentality?

Oh its not victim mentality. It doesn't bother me one bit. I take joy in pointing it out.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Yes Joe taking personal slights as an insult against all conservatives is anything but whining victimhood?

You ought to get yourself a dunce hat, and change your first name to "doof".

[Joseph & Ana 0]

Yes Joe taking personal slights as an insult against all conservatives is anything but whining victimhood?

You ought to get yourself a dunce hat, and change your first name to "doof".

Whatever makes you feel better about yourself.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I am rubber, you are glue?

Oh dear...