Who will be the next Big country?

Honestly people. Bush is a good down to earth President. Thank GOD he had some experience to handle all he was put through in the last 8 years. And don't act like republicans are the oppressive war mongers. WWI and WWII were both entered into by Democratic Presidents. Also, after the end of WWI the American people were just against war as they are now and probably even more so. Some even wished to go back the the isolationist ideals of Washington. The death toll in WWI was far greater that that of the War In Iraq. We are fighting in Iraq to remove and tyrannical government from an oppressed people. We, as the United States owe it to the rest of the world, of whom we are made up of, to help them out when they are in need. We are fighting for democracy, freedom, and the inalienable rights, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

 

We need not force our ideology upon the rest of the world unless we are invited to it.

If change does not come from within, then it will not be embraced by the people it is forced upon.

 

that was deep man.

 

But then what of our opposition to oppressive regimes? Should we not worry about the apartheid that existed in South Africa, or the genocide in Iraq?

There is a duty upon every civilised nation to prevent the most basic human rights being violated and in pursuing this duty, intereference is a just and often necessary tool.

However, I do concede to the essence of your point. The sovereignty of states and respect for the beliefs of others should always be forefront in our minds and indeed be persuasive in all but the gravest of situations.

 

Well, its not only us, who think like that, its also you who projects it So its nothing to do with "hate" or "love", get the facts and you will be there by no time. In case you are too lazy, I will quote your National Intelligence Council (who are "total fucking idiots") :

hmm, I can get a car loan anytime from my local Sberbank branch, and in fact every car dealer has this option + other bonuses. I have to say that Im not in Moscow or St. Petersburg, where the possibilities/wages are higher. You will be amazed how many expensive cars in Moscow, once you stop dreaming, thats what every foreigner notices first on arrival and thats a fact, cos they say it themselves

 

"We" went in for WMD's. Plans changed as your leaders saw fit, propaganda changed. At some point I think we won the war?

How nice of you. Maybe we should focus on being free at home before we "free" everyone else with money we don't have.

There is no duty on any nation to provide global welfare. I guess the real difference between "conservatives" and "liberals" is this.. liberals want to redistribute wealth domestically and conservatives want to redistribute it abroad.

I wonder when my fellow Americans will get a clue and become aware that the US has no money to "give".

 

ncz_nate: Then why were WWI and WWII both entered into by Liberals?

 

Democrats. The definition of republican, democrat, conservative and liberal has gone in completely opposite directions through time..

Modern liberals are something near socialism, modern conservatives really don't know what the hell they are. They're usually just pissed cause things aren't like they were in the 50's. Can't blame'em. Most are closet libertarians, they just hadn't been introduced to it the right way. Take me for example many months ago.

 

Well, if we wanted to get rid of an oppressive regime, there were much better places we could have gone. Take Zimbabwe: Mugabe is effectively a dictator, Life expectancy is 35 years, the average person makes a few dollars/month, and inflation will be at about a decillion (1e33) percent this year. What do you conservatives have to say about that? Nothing at all.

We didn't go into Iraq for the Iraqis.

 

Pennnniess

 

Most of'em have a whole lot of nothin' to say on that subject..

The ONLY point we'll agree on. Savor it while it lasts.

 

The more I think about this so-called financial crisis, the more it appears to be completely contrived.

Let's start with the premise there is a cold war happening between China, India, east Asian countries and the United States and Europe for the world's resources.

Now, suppose all of these countries back their economies with Federal Reserve Notes (US Dollars).

Also, China, India, and east Asia are breeding like crazy (as if 3 billion mouths to feed isn't enough) and demanding more of the world's food, energy, and raw materials while providing little in return.

If other countries have responsible growth and don't consume beyond what they produce, then China, India, and east Asia will demand their surplus.

Thus, there is no incentive for any country to be responsible in it's growth.

Hence, the only way to curb China and India demands is to curb their economy using the Federal Reserve Note tool under the guise of a financial crisis.

IMHO, I think this financial crisis is designed to stunt the out-of-control growth of east Asian countries.

Thus, the United States still maintains control as long as it controls the world's currency.

 

You almost fooled me there with your clever words but I didn't propose welfare, I proposed the protection of basic human rights, for which there is a legal duty. One of these is the prevention of genocide.

In no way am I suggesting we export money that we need at home to help ailing states, but what I am saying is that as a relatively safe, afluent and civilised nation there is a duty to protect thos who are not so fortunate from degrading abuse and murder.

It doesn't boil down to being liberal or conservative, it boils down to having a shread of human dignity.

 

By 2050? Not to be rude, but I could hardly give a shit by then.

Even you'll finally be 37 by then, and I bet your priorities will have changed.

 

Well, things like that doesnt happen in 1 or 2 years 37? I think you missed some 30 years

questionable, since the dollar dropped, many countries split their reserves by 50/50 in advantage to euro (I mean the Eurozone + Russia) + there are more deals made in euro now than lets say in 90's.

The population of India & China is a good point, even if they make to top 5 countries, the quality of life per person would be still low I guess. Im glad we dont have a billion of people....

 

The only reason China has been able to manage their economy so well in recent years is because they have centralized control. As the people earn more they'll come to expect more from their government in the way of human rights and benefits.

As they expect more, the government has to pay more.

The key question is how well they can manage growth long term.

 

I think you dreaming big time buddy like the Indians, Your Russia country won't close to be a superpower again..With Russia only depended mostly on oil revenue,I don't think so.. By the 10 to 20 every country will try to go green, now tell me how your country would balanced her budget without the oil revenue..right now Russian are suffering right because of gas prices down things are getting rough, I saw the news, and they are being beaten for let they voice heard...

 

NFS doesn't know about the bad news in Russia. He only reads the "happy news releases" released by Putin and Co.

If he were reading the bad news, he'd know that the Ruble is being devalued back to 1998 levels and people in Russia are one step away from doing a "run on the banks" and bankrupting the whole nation.

Even at $140/barrel for oil they weren't leading the world. At $25, they're in deep shit along with Iran and Venezuela.

Hell, even Canada is completely fucked due to low oil prices. (Not like they're not already fucked completely on most levels).

 

My nomination for understatement of the thread.

one out of every 194 U.S. households received a foreclosure filing <- from april ( i lost my current bookmarks when my computer died )

I've never heard this statistic before; but then again 73.92% of statistics are made up on the spot, right?

Heard that the other day; nice quote.

I'm sure it was all the hardcore training in the air national guard.

especially when our citizens are going homeless...

We totally won, and were welcomed as liberators, and lived happily ever after; right?

But at least they can all still go to the doctors office, haha...

 

Tamponkeith back from the dead! Now if only Guerilla and AnthonyCea would come back my day would be complete.