229 Comments
User's avatar
⭠ Return to thread
Ron Stockton's avatar

Great question. When was America Great? When has America not been a war-mongering, exceptionalist, white supremicist, racist, fundamentalist, misogynist, hate-promoting, us vs them state? No one in the corporate media will ask that question. No one amongst America's "progressives" will ask that question. I'd guess they don't ask it because they know the answer.

Expand full comment
Michael's avatar

What country WAS great? Maybe another question, what country doesn’t have dirty hands in its history? Not making excuses, just making a point about humans. One would think we could evolve past these behaviors but alas, we still have modern day colonialism

Expand full comment
Ron Stockton's avatar

You are likely right on this. Nationalism does this to people, otherism does this to people. The colonialist powers were all the same and equally as evil. Most of them have now given up on overtly preaching they are exceptional (although it's coming back with the rise of the right) but the USA, (Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and progressives) have never ceased preaching they are exceptional, it's in the DNA and, unfortunately, no other country has ever had the power (militarily and economically) the USA has in order to implement its agenda or end human life on the planet.

Expand full comment
Chang Chokaski's avatar

>>"...conservatives and progressives..."

I think you meant conservatives and liberals. True progressives are on the left (in both social & economic spheres - and I wouldn't consider Bernie Sanders or AOC progressives, even though the media does). IMHO, to be a true progressive, one needs to be an anti-capitalist.

Expand full comment
Ron Stockton's avatar

Fair point.

Expand full comment
Sam's avatar

Including here in America. It spies on us, lies to us, sends our families to kill people in other countries so rich people can still the resources. It lets cops beat the crap out of us and kill over 1,300 of us year with no repercussions because they are working for the rich people who run the country. Obama let the banks steal 10 million homes through fraud and then gave them money to buy up the stolen homes.

Wars abroad always come home to roost. Always.

Expand full comment
Bryan's avatar

Empires are inherently evil. Ours is no different

Expand full comment
Literally Mussolini's avatar

Your point suggests emphasizing people, rather than nations. That is, being a humanist instead of a nationalist.

Expand full comment
Michael's avatar

We can have both. Think about pride in sports teams. We love our team and want to win but we don’t want to literally kill our opponents and their families. We can compete in the world in a humane way.

Expand full comment
Longtrail's avatar

America was never great. America was lucky and our luck is running out.

I've been told that the definition of luck is when preparation meets opportunity. So it was. So it is. Opportunities are squandered because the fools don't see them. So it is.

Expand full comment
INGRID C DURDEN's avatar

I do not think there are any great countries. Was it Tucker, who a few months ago stated, that one of the only reigning people who worked for his people, was a sheik in one of the United Emirates? one emir? that is a very sad balance. I think the president of El Salvador is quite decent, too. There are a few people like Orban who are speaking up as well. Not sure if I trust Erdogan.

Expand full comment
Pippi Smythe's avatar

America was lucky? Rape, pillage and plunder is not the definition of luck.

Expand full comment
gypsy33's avatar

The decimation of the vast majority of Amerikkka’s indigenous people was a contorted sense of “Christianity “ coupled with greed and a warped sense of entitlement.

Native Americans: fighting terrorism since 1492.

Expand full comment
Hurricane's avatar

Who is the fool? Where is the obligation to act?

Expand full comment
mois78's avatar

This racist supremacist country voted for an African communist Muslim POS? Unless it was rigged like voting for a retarded octagenerian.

Expand full comment
Ron Stockton's avatar

If by "this racist supremacist country" you mean the USA I can agree if you are referring to the capitalist/fascist ruling class, with the addition of "white" in front of "supremacist". If by "African communist Muslim" you mean Obama, he is not African (anymore than all of us are as we originated there), he is definitely not communist, and he is not Muslim. But, what if he was? Are you one of the racists in the USA that support the ruling class? If you mean the election is "rigged" in that it doesn't matter whether you vote Republican or Democrat you will get a capitalist government that supports the ruling class and shits on the working class, then I agree all elections in capitalist countries are "rigged". Your final two words are both ableist and ageist and would indicate you are ignorant of facts and decent, respectful, social decorum.

Expand full comment
Chang Chokaski's avatar

Well responded Ron Stockton - I share your sentiments.

Expand full comment
Hurricane's avatar

Disagree. We are who we choose to become and taking action to make positive change is work and challenge and yet quite possible. It is not simply our right, it is our obligation as Americans.

Expand full comment
Hurricane's avatar

I consider myself an American ‘progressive’ duh…? I am the child of a European immigrant. I was one first among young women admitted to the colleges where I went and then global companies.

We are and can be ‘ great’ if as a country our systems allow for advancement for those who did not define and take hold in leadership … now women , individuals who of different backgrounds.. and more.

We are essentially immigrants who come together to advance a better world. We should not become afraid. We should learn and advance what are our greatest attributes .

Expand full comment