I agree with most of this but not all. Either way, I think everyone has their opinion on the matter and with those who tend to think things through, that opinion is bound to be multi-faceted, regardless of which "end" you're on. For instance, of course it's a good thing Saddam has been removed from power - but at what cost? And who actually still believes they went in for WMD and "spreading democracy"? I mean, hello? How naive can people be? The problem with the USA is that they've claimed good causes for military action and... let's call it self-enrichment for ages now, and in many locations across the globe. This isn't any news, it's a mix of cultural imperialism and the notion that the world must be "enlightened" to the American Way -- which is the only way, of course! "IF YOU'RE NOT WITH US, YOU'RE AGAINST US" was a nice display of that widespread notion. What they're really doing is conquer markets, induce brain drain and draw the "good people" to the USA by sheer power of the almighty $$$, while at the same time assuming position in strategic spots for future "conquests"... And that's in the widest sense. {Can you say Kuwait?...} The thing is that it's never honest. All these highly idealistic reasons are given to defend their moves when in fact it all comes down to power and greed and very self-centered motivations. This bothers me, to say the least. So does the general opinion here that all places outside the USA are just pruny little countries anyway -- that they should be glad to be "saved" and given attention by "God's Own Country"! Greatest thing the world has ever seen! I could go on but it would turn this box into a novel. There are so many facets of this that one hardly knows where to start. Either way, the USA has its advantages, obviously. I wouldn't be here if it didn't. But it isn't as perfect as it claims to be - far far from it, in fact, and in areas that are major to me, personally. Most of which {again} will only be uncovered by most when living/working/taking part in regular life here for years... As opposed to, say, temp student or work exchanges and the like. This is why even though I have a lifelong Green Card, a company does well, and a rather comfortable life here, I won't grow old in this place.
Personally I think there was a desire on behalf of the US government to show force and overrule the UN (you often hear the US bemoaning the UN on news channels like CNN), so the intelligence they had on WMDs wasn't as carefully scrutinised as perhaps it could have been. Certainly the thought was Saddam had WMDs, as there were several press briefings showing what they found in the lead up to the invasion. I appreciate there are conspiracy theories that this evidence was fabricated, but if this were really the case it would have the power to bring the US government down, plus there would simply be too many people involved in the bringing to bear of the intelligence for a conspiracy of this nature to not be discovered.
Of course war is famous for being good for an economy. Again though I can't imagine that was the primary reason behind all this, because as above it would just be too easily discovered and again have major consequences.
Anyway, that's just my take on it.
I don't think anywhere's perfect unfortunately (Brazil's certainly loaded with problems, as is the UK). I see varies issues in the USA, such as class divides, money ruling on various levels, guns/violence, arrogance, short vacations, and the introversion.
What would you say are the worst & best things about Brazil as you see them? =)
I think it's a fascinating place but have never lived there. Did you move exclusively for your wife btw, or did you want to live in Brazil anyway? I was just thinking that would also be an interesting poll question for the expat community here on LJ but perhaps it has been asked before.
The curious thing is that sometimes the worst and best are flipsides of the same thing. For example some Brazilian people can be very open and laid back, but at the same time they don't really care very much about other people.
Some of the worst things here though are the poverty, MAJOR political corruption (at ALL levels), pollution, quality of public education, unemployment, low salaries, bureaucracy, violence, crime, and import taxes. The best things are probably the weather (at least for the top two thirds of the country), and the people... to some degree.
I moved exclusively to be with my wife (my girlfriend then of course). I don't remember seeing that on the expat community, it would definitely be an interesting poll!
What they're really doing is conquer markets, induce brain drain and draw the "good people" to the USA by sheer power of the almighty $$$, while at the same time assuming position in strategic spots for future "conquests"... And that's in the widest sense. {Can you say Kuwait?...} The thing is that it's never honest. All these highly idealistic reasons are given to defend their moves when in fact it all comes down to power and greed and very self-centered motivations. This bothers me, to say the least.
So does the general opinion here that all places outside the USA are just pruny little countries anyway -- that they should be glad to be "saved" and given attention by "God's Own Country"! Greatest thing the world has ever seen! I could go on but it would turn this box into a novel. There are so many facets of this that one hardly knows where to start. Either way, the USA has its advantages, obviously. I wouldn't be here if it didn't. But it isn't as perfect as it claims to be - far far from it, in fact, and in areas that are major to me, personally. Most of which {again} will only be uncovered by most when living/working/taking part in regular life here for years... As opposed to, say, temp student or work exchanges and the like. This is why even though I have a lifelong Green Card, a company does well, and a rather comfortable life here, I won't grow old in this place.
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Of course war is famous for being good for an economy. Again though I can't imagine that was the primary reason behind all this, because as above it would just be too easily discovered and again have major consequences.
Anyway, that's just my take on it.
I don't think anywhere's perfect unfortunately (Brazil's certainly loaded with problems, as is the UK). I see varies issues in the USA, such as class divides, money ruling on various levels, guns/violence, arrogance, short vacations, and the introversion.
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I think it's a fascinating place but have never lived there. Did you move exclusively for your wife btw, or did you want to live in Brazil anyway? I was just thinking that would also be an interesting poll question for the expat community here on LJ but perhaps it has been asked before.
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Some of the worst things here though are the poverty, MAJOR political corruption (at ALL levels), pollution, quality of public education, unemployment, low salaries, bureaucracy, violence, crime, and import taxes. The best things are probably the weather (at least for the top two thirds of the country), and the people... to some degree.
I moved exclusively to be with my wife (my girlfriend then of course). I don't remember seeing that on the expat community, it would definitely be an interesting poll!
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