It seems to me like the USA is becoming not much different than third-world country?
Originally posted by BuddyBear
I understand there are a lot of good things in the USA but it's very difficult to overlook many of the things that are happening right now which are characteristic of how 3rd world countries operate.
For example,
1) Endless cycles of war...the U.S. is mired in two wars that are never going to end. Third world countries are always mired in wars and conflict.
2) Voter fraud. This always happens in third world countries. Last two elections were basically rigged. Elections now bought and paid for by special interests and powerful lobby groups that have no allegiance to our country.
3) Growing income disparity between the rich and poor. Take a look at whose earnings are going up and whose are going down and you see a big disparity. In addition, labor movements are suppressed, sometimes violently while corporate power is increased and protected by corrupt government officials.
4) Corporate controlled mass media. Third world countries have media institutions which are routinely censored by government officials. Here, the media is engaging in high levels of self-censorship. Iraq War would never have happened had the corporate media done their job.
5) Unbelievably high levels of religiosity among residents in the U.S. For a country as industrialized and educated as the U.S., the religious zeal in this country is shocking. Third world countries are obsessed with religion and often times religion and government are intertwined. Increasingly that is the case here as it is becoming difficult to disentangle the role religion plays in politics.
6) Acceptance of inhumane and illegal treatment of people. Most notable is the willingness to use torture, but most of those people haven't even been charged and they aren't even allowed to have access to legal coucil. Almost all of them are innocent too. It's not uncommon to hear about torture in countries like Syria, Saudia Arabia, Israel, Indonesia, etc... where that is the norm, but the U.S. practicing those methods is a new low.
7) Disregard for international laws and treaties. Geneva Conventions don't apply anymore, U.N. resolutions no longer are seen as relevant b/c now we live in a "post 9/11 world," international initiatives for the environment are neglected, etc....
8) Total disregard for public opinion. In democratic countries, members of legislative branches must heed the will of the public. The majority of people in this country want an immediate withdrawal from Iraq--what does the Congress do? It continues to fund it. The majority of people in this country want universal health care--what does the Congress do? Ignores it and says it is akin to socialism. The majority of people want to see Bush/Cheney impeached.....the Democratic controlled Congress says now is not the time b/c it would send a bad message during a time of war.
9) Illegal spying on citizens. This is the hallmark of third world countries. U.S. openly admits to illegally spying on citizens to try to collect info to help them on the "war on terror." The scary and sad thing is that approximately 50% of Americans see nothing wrong with the government secretly listening to their conversations.
10) Massive propaganda campaigns. The Bush administration admits to planting fake news stories that are intended to influece public opinion on U.S. news stations across the country. They also did it in Iraq to gather support for their never ending occupation. Propaganda campaign to go to war with Iraq was massive as nobody in their right mind would think it was a good idea to go there...frequent use of fear tactics and illogical emotional appeals, but no persuasive reasoning was used. Acceptance of illegal spyinig and continued funding for a non-winnable war require huge propaganda efforts from government officials and the corporate mass media whic is what is happening right now.
11) Dismantling of progressive legislation. Labor laws, environmental laws, women's rights, financial laws intended to help consumers, immigrant rights, prisoner rights, etc.... all being flushed down the toilet b/c those things are no longer feasible or seen as a priority as all the financial resources must now go to promoting the military and for national security considerations.
In 25-50 years, the United States won't be much different than a place like China or Russia.
For example,
1) Endless cycles of war...the U.S. is mired in two wars that are never going to end. Third world countries are always mired in wars and conflict.
2) Voter fraud. This always happens in third world countries. Last two elections were basically rigged. Elections now bought and paid for by special interests and powerful lobby groups that have no allegiance to our country.
3) Growing income disparity between the rich and poor. Take a look at whose earnings are going up and whose are going down and you see a big disparity. In addition, labor movements are suppressed, sometimes violently while corporate power is increased and protected by corrupt government officials.
4) Corporate controlled mass media. Third world countries have media institutions which are routinely censored by government officials. Here, the media is engaging in high levels of self-censorship. Iraq War would never have happened had the corporate media done their job.
5) Unbelievably high levels of religiosity among residents in the U.S. For a country as industrialized and educated as the U.S., the religious zeal in this country is shocking. Third world countries are obsessed with religion and often times religion and government are intertwined. Increasingly that is the case here as it is becoming difficult to disentangle the role religion plays in politics.
6) Acceptance of inhumane and illegal treatment of people. Most notable is the willingness to use torture, but most of those people haven't even been charged and they aren't even allowed to have access to legal coucil. Almost all of them are innocent too. It's not uncommon to hear about torture in countries like Syria, Saudia Arabia, Israel, Indonesia, etc... where that is the norm, but the U.S. practicing those methods is a new low.
7) Disregard for international laws and treaties. Geneva Conventions don't apply anymore, U.N. resolutions no longer are seen as relevant b/c now we live in a "post 9/11 world," international initiatives for the environment are neglected, etc....
8) Total disregard for public opinion. In democratic countries, members of legislative branches must heed the will of the public. The majority of people in this country want an immediate withdrawal from Iraq--what does the Congress do? It continues to fund it. The majority of people in this country want universal health care--what does the Congress do? Ignores it and says it is akin to socialism. The majority of people want to see Bush/Cheney impeached.....the Democratic controlled Congress says now is not the time b/c it would send a bad message during a time of war.
9) Illegal spying on citizens. This is the hallmark of third world countries. U.S. openly admits to illegally spying on citizens to try to collect info to help them on the "war on terror." The scary and sad thing is that approximately 50% of Americans see nothing wrong with the government secretly listening to their conversations.
10) Massive propaganda campaigns. The Bush administration admits to planting fake news stories that are intended to influece public opinion on U.S. news stations across the country. They also did it in Iraq to gather support for their never ending occupation. Propaganda campaign to go to war with Iraq was massive as nobody in their right mind would think it was a good idea to go there...frequent use of fear tactics and illogical emotional appeals, but no persuasive reasoning was used. Acceptance of illegal spyinig and continued funding for a non-winnable war require huge propaganda efforts from government officials and the corporate mass media whic is what is happening right now.
11) Dismantling of progressive legislation. Labor laws, environmental laws, women's rights, financial laws intended to help consumers, immigrant rights, prisoner rights, etc.... all being flushed down the toilet b/c those things are no longer feasible or seen as a priority as all the financial resources must now go to promoting the military and for national security considerations.
In 25-50 years, the United States won't be much different than a place like China or Russia.
