So I've been doing much thinking these past few weeks mainly because I'm begining to hate this country and my seemingly more and more mundane life
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To begin with, be careful dealing with Eurail sales agents. I don't know who quoted you $1300, but you should consider buying the "youth" pass to save some money. The restriction is that you have to be under 26 on the first day of validity of the pass and travel second-class instead of first-class. A two-month unlimited youth pass costs only $938. Even cheaper is the youth "flexi" pass which, for $642 or $488, allows travel on any 15 days or 10 days, respectively, within a two-month period.
I will say flatly that I don't share your view about not liking this country. That's not to suggest that we don't do some pretty stupid if not insane things at times, nor that this country does not deserve some harsh criticism, but I cannot bring myself to criticize the ideals upon which this country was founded. In fact, for the most part, most of my crticisms of this country would be for abandoning those ideals. Europe has spent two centuries looking westward for inspiration and there are good reasons for that, no matter how much we may
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Re: TraveljchrisquintOctober 13 2004, 19:24:34 UTC
I wasn't trying to sound unpatriotic... I still believe in what the flag stands for. Its just that I have no confidence in the leaders attempting to uphold ideals by lining their pockets, and their friend's pockets... I honestly fear that this country is in the beginning stages of a civil war that will lead us open to be conquered.. We are stepping on too many toes, and are blind to the fact that most of the modern world HATES Americans...
May it be that they envy us, or that they fear us, but being an American is becoming dangerous whilst not in this country...
I still wish to live in the states.. But I think I need to decenter my cocky American viewpoint, if only for a few months...
I certainly don't think you have a "cocky American viewpoint," and travel in Europe would be beneficial regardless if you can afford to do it. Hell, I wish I could go with you, but my work situation makes it impossible. I haven't actually taken a vacation since 2001! Actually, NY Rocky Con this July was something of a vacation, I guess, and I enjoyed it even more than I expected, but it was really just a long weekend.
I don't share your view that we are approaching civil war. Politics will necessarily become more vicious as the electorate polarizes roughly evenly, since fighting over very small stakes can be worthwhile. Nevertheless, this country has survived far worse stresses than those to which it is being subjected now, including a full-blown civil war with about 600,000 casualties in the 1860s and the Great Depression of the 1930s that led to openly Communist candidates drawing millions of votes in presidential elections. A good friend of mine says that he thinks George W. Bush is the worst and most dangerous president in his
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First,take it from a person who has lived in a different country for a long period of time, you are lucky to live here. Second, as a person who has traveled a lot, i agree that you should visit the places where McDonald's has not yet reached. That is the real Europe. Where the foundations of Europe are, a place where "Americanism" (yes, i know it's not a real word) has not yet filtered through. That is where you get the real essence of a culture shock. Rome, Paris, and London are for trips like a honeymoon or for a week. Of course, there is the issue of a language barrier when you go to Eastern Europe, because they are much less "westernized" but that's part of the experience, right?
that is the bestest, grandest Idea I've ever heard, and sounds absolutely wonderful! I too have been dying to leave this country, I plan to someday open a theatre in the netherlands. I also share your feelings about this country(at least I hate it here as well). I feel like the ideals that this country was founded on have long since dissipated into capalistic nothingness. HOw can you maintain ideals when everything is up for the highest bidder, and everything made by the lowest? AAAHHH Dont get me started.. anyway, I think you should go for it! I know I would had I the opprotunity!
Because the market provides an unseen hand that compels those who participate in it to serve interests that it was no part of their intention to serve. What alternative would you suggest, Stalinism?
the unseen hand is broken...;)ladycozzetteOctober 14 2004, 00:31:19 UTC
"What alternative would you suggest, Stalinism? " I assume that was for me, and I have been pondering that in my mind lately. To be open and hownest I belive that in its ideal form, Marxism would be better, but am aware that human nature prevents it from maintaining its ideal state. Stalinism is certainly no answer, it only prooves my point of how marxism goes against human nature. I think that egalitarianism mixed with democray, like the government in Sweeden, is the most succesful form of government out thier. The basic Idea follows that of marxism, everyone gets what they put in. Consider the conditions of said country in comparitive to here: lower crime rate, nationwide public health care,free higher eduaction and housing,they have one of lowest unemplyment rates in the world and thier students are rated higer on a global scale than japnanese, chinese and american students.One country working towards a common goal. To me that is ideal.
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To begin with, be careful dealing with Eurail sales agents. I don't know who quoted you $1300, but you should consider buying the "youth" pass to save some money. The restriction is that you have to be under 26 on the first day of validity of the pass and travel second-class instead of first-class. A two-month unlimited youth pass costs only $938. Even cheaper is the youth "flexi" pass which, for $642 or $488, allows travel on any 15 days or 10 days, respectively, within a two-month period.
I will say flatly that I don't share your view about not liking this country. That's not to suggest that we don't do some pretty stupid if not insane things at times, nor that this country does not deserve some harsh criticism, but I cannot bring myself to criticize the ideals upon which this country was founded. In fact, for the most part, most of my crticisms of this country would be for abandoning those ideals. Europe has spent two centuries looking westward for inspiration and there are good reasons for that, no matter how much we may ( ... )
Reply
May it be that they envy us, or that they fear us, but being an American is becoming dangerous whilst not in this country...
I still wish to live in the states.. But I think I need to decenter my cocky American viewpoint, if only for a few months...
Reply
I certainly don't think you have a "cocky American viewpoint," and travel in Europe would be beneficial regardless if you can afford to do it. Hell, I wish I could go with you, but my work situation makes it impossible.
I haven't actually taken a vacation since 2001! Actually, NY Rocky Con this July was something of a vacation, I guess, and I enjoyed it even more than I expected, but it was really just a long weekend.
I don't share your view that we are approaching civil war. Politics will necessarily become more vicious as the electorate polarizes roughly evenly, since fighting over very small stakes can be worthwhile. Nevertheless, this country has survived far worse stresses than those to which it is being subjected now, including a full-blown civil war with about 600,000 casualties in the 1860s and the Great Depression of the 1930s that led to openly Communist candidates drawing millions of votes in presidential elections.
A good friend of mine says that he thinks George W. Bush is the worst and most dangerous president in his ( ... )
Reply
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I also share your feelings about this country(at least I hate it here as well). I feel like the ideals that this country was founded on have long since dissipated into capalistic nothingness. HOw can you maintain ideals when everything is up for the highest bidder, and everything made by the lowest? AAAHHH Dont get me started..
anyway, I think you should go for it! I know I would had I the opprotunity!
Reply
Because the market provides an unseen hand that compels those who participate in it to serve interests that it was no part of their intention to serve. What alternative would you suggest, Stalinism?
Reply
I assume that was for me, and I have been pondering that in my mind lately. To be open and hownest I belive that in its ideal form, Marxism would be better, but am aware that human nature prevents it from maintaining its ideal state. Stalinism is certainly no answer, it only prooves my point of how marxism goes against human nature. I think that egalitarianism mixed with democray, like the government in Sweeden, is the most succesful form of government out thier. The basic Idea follows that of marxism, everyone gets what they put in. Consider the conditions of said country in comparitive to here: lower crime rate, nationwide public health care,free higher eduaction and housing,they have one of lowest unemplyment rates in the world and thier students are rated higer on a global scale than japnanese, chinese and american students.One country working towards a common goal. To me that is ideal.
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