I have lost faith in America!
Dec 13th 2015, 6:34 pm
#31
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: I have lost faith in America!
Ironically guns are quite hard to obtain legally in Mexico. The reason guns are widely available and there is an epidemic of drug-related shootings in Mexico is that guns are purchased in the US and smuggled into Mexico.
Here is a Wikipedia article on the subject. These were "government sanctioned sales", but no doubt these are only the tip of the iceberg.
Here is a Wikipedia article on the subject. These were "government sanctioned sales", but no doubt these are only the tip of the iceberg.
Some Canadian's end up in the gun smuggling game and don't even know they were involved....
Gun Runners: Unsuspecting Canadian drivers drawn into world of weapons smuggling | Windsor News - Breaking News & Latest Headlines | Windsor Star
US is the main source of smuggled guns into Canada.
Dec 13th 2015, 7:57 pm
#32
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 572
Re: I have lost faith in America!
I have been here 37 years, and I like it. Like some others have said, the OP needs to stop worrying about things that he can do nothing about, and may be volunteer his time where he can make a difference. No country is Utopia, and I hate that many politicians in the USA, at both the federal and state level, seem more responsive to their lobbyists than their constituents.
On the other hand, it is good to see so many involved in volunteer work, such as United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, Feed the homeless, Free Health Clinic etc, some of which might be unnecessary, if the politicians were doing their job,and not being so hypocritical.
On the other hand, it is good to see so many involved in volunteer work, such as United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, Feed the homeless, Free Health Clinic etc, some of which might be unnecessary, if the politicians were doing their job,and not being so hypocritical.
Dec 13th 2015, 7:57 pm
#33
Banned
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Mallorca
Posts: 19,367
Re: I have lost faith in America!
Everywhere in the world sucks. And [almost] everywhere in the world is great too.
If you don't like it, move elsewhere. But beware, something will suck there too. Nowhere is perfect. Grass is greener and all that...
Come on over to Spain. Lots of things are great here, but there of plenty of things that are astronomically stupid too. Lots of expats here just can't handle it. Different set of headaches than you have, but whether it really sucks or not is in the eyes of the beholder. If you choose to hang around, you find ways around the stuff that sucks... Like anywhere else you may choose to live.
Good luck with that.
If you don't like it, move elsewhere. But beware, something will suck there too. Nowhere is perfect. Grass is greener and all that...
Come on over to Spain. Lots of things are great here, but there of plenty of things that are astronomically stupid too. Lots of expats here just can't handle it. Different set of headaches than you have, but whether it really sucks or not is in the eyes of the beholder. If you choose to hang around, you find ways around the stuff that sucks... Like anywhere else you may choose to live.
Good luck with that.
Dec 14th 2015, 2:10 am
#34
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,903
Re: I have lost faith in America!
Where did I say there were no problems in the USA? Huh?
Of COURSE there are problems here, just as there are in every country. I just stated what a lot of people are telling you - you need help - and quick!
Anyway, looks like several people have tried to help just like I did and you shot them all down. This is a public FORUM, which means people will give their opinions. Having a closed mind is a sure way of proving you have problems. If you don't want advice, don't ask for it. Simple really. But, you can't cherry-pick what's given so it fits you. You have to take it all and consider it.
Last edited by Guindalf; Dec 14th 2015 at 2:13 am.
Dec 14th 2015, 2:30 am
#35
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: North East Ohio, USA
Posts: 1,933
Re: I have lost faith in America!
Hi All Come next May, it will be 12 years since I moved to the US. Now more than ever I am truly struggling to be optimistic about the future of the US for myself, let alone for my wife and daughter. A whole host of issues are driving this feeling I have, including the lack of gun control, climate science denial, abuse of woman's rights, bigotry etc..... Therefore I wanted to reach out to the BE community and find out amongst expats and Americans alike, if any of you feel the same way or if I am alone in how I feel? If there are others out there feeling the same way, are you also seriously considering turning your back on America and moving elsewhere? I am really interested if any of you are considering trying to move to places like Canada or back to Europe. In the last 4 years, my OH and I have tried to go back to Scotland, but those two attempts didn't work for us, but in hindsight I wish we had succeeded there. I am not saying these places are perfect, but I just feel that at least in these other places they are trying to do the right thing, unlike here in America. Any advise and support will be welcome. Cheers, Highlandpenguin
Dec 14th 2015, 2:45 am
#36
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: I have lost faith in America!
There does seem far too many pills prescribed.
Dec 14th 2015, 5:19 am
#37
Banned
Joined: Dec 2015
Location: california
Posts: 6,035
Re: I have lost faith in America!
A funny thing happened to me during my 41 years living in the US. I used to get periods of home sickness for the first few years I was here.
When I spent a few weeks in the UK back in 2007 where I have relatives in London I wanted to get the hell out and back to California.
Sure things are much better in the UK these days than when I left but people look miserable and mentally self absorbed. Or maybe all big cities the world over are the same
I spent a week in New York a few years back, hated it the whole time, wall to wall people, cup of java at 5 dollars a kick and no refills, Broadway shows booked up months in advance and the drivers .....and the way they drive ..... oh lord. What would a New York driver do if he didn't have a car horn to pound every other minute and if that would solve the problems of thinning out a traffic jam
Maybe I've become a small town western boy. Certainly I love the deserts and the mountains and the forests.
Years back when we were younger my wife and I would sometimes spend a morning up in the mountains on the ski slopes then we'd drive an hour and a bit or so and do some surfing in Malibu or Redondo Beach. Where else could you do that?
I'm not saying California is paradise but it's easy on the mind in many ways.
I don't like the creeping bi-lingualism that is gradually manifesting itself. Nearly all big stores and retail outlets now have signs in Spanish also. It brings back memories of French-Canada and all the problems they had or still have over the language issue, divisive in the long run. I would have thought that Spanish speakers, like millions of immigrants before them who came to these shores would master the English language
t
When I spent a few weeks in the UK back in 2007 where I have relatives in London I wanted to get the hell out and back to California.
Sure things are much better in the UK these days than when I left but people look miserable and mentally self absorbed. Or maybe all big cities the world over are the same
I spent a week in New York a few years back, hated it the whole time, wall to wall people, cup of java at 5 dollars a kick and no refills, Broadway shows booked up months in advance and the drivers .....and the way they drive ..... oh lord. What would a New York driver do if he didn't have a car horn to pound every other minute and if that would solve the problems of thinning out a traffic jam
Maybe I've become a small town western boy. Certainly I love the deserts and the mountains and the forests.
Years back when we were younger my wife and I would sometimes spend a morning up in the mountains on the ski slopes then we'd drive an hour and a bit or so and do some surfing in Malibu or Redondo Beach. Where else could you do that?
I'm not saying California is paradise but it's easy on the mind in many ways.
I don't like the creeping bi-lingualism that is gradually manifesting itself. Nearly all big stores and retail outlets now have signs in Spanish also. It brings back memories of French-Canada and all the problems they had or still have over the language issue, divisive in the long run. I would have thought that Spanish speakers, like millions of immigrants before them who came to these shores would master the English language
t
Dec 14th 2015, 5:24 am
#38
He/him
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 18,861
Re: I have lost faith in America!
The English speakers never bothered to learn Spanish when they first arrived in California, so I suppose the precedent was set.
Dec 14th 2015, 5:42 am
#39
Banned
Joined: Dec 2015
Location: california
Posts: 6,035
Re: I have lost faith in America!
Dec 14th 2015, 6:42 am
#40
Expert ping ponger
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Not sure yet!
Posts: 91
Re: I have lost faith in America!
Wait. What????
Where did I say there were no problems in the USA? Huh?
Of COURSE there are problems here, just as there are in every country. I just stated what a lot of people are telling you - you need help - and quick!
Anyway, looks like several people have tried to help just like I did and you shot them all down. This is a public FORUM, which means people will give their opinions. Having a closed mind is a sure way of proving you have problems. If you don't want advice, don't ask for it. Simple really. But, you can't cherry-pick what's given so it fits you. You have to take it all and consider it.
Where did I say there were no problems in the USA? Huh?
Of COURSE there are problems here, just as there are in every country. I just stated what a lot of people are telling you - you need help - and quick!
Anyway, looks like several people have tried to help just like I did and you shot them all down. This is a public FORUM, which means people will give their opinions. Having a closed mind is a sure way of proving you have problems. If you don't want advice, don't ask for it. Simple really. But, you can't cherry-pick what's given so it fits you. You have to take it all and consider it.
Dec 14th 2015, 6:50 am
#41
Expert ping ponger
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Not sure yet!
Posts: 91
Re: I have lost faith in America!
All of your thoughts and opinions have definitely given me food for thought. It is much appreciated.
Dec 14th 2015, 12:20 pm
#42
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,455
Re: I have lost faith in America!
I made the move from Sheffield to Gloucester at age 8, and the language differences were noticeable, but my accent never changed, and hasn't to this day, so far as I can tell, including more than ten years in London, and now fourteen in the US.
Dec 14th 2015, 2:56 pm
#43
I approved this message
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,425
Re: I have lost faith in America!
I'm struggling to understand why someone so deeply opposed to legal guns that they would move their family out of the country despite not being personally affected would emigrate directly to the wilds of Kentucky. Surely you must have had some sense of what you were getting into? Kentucky is a beautiful state and has many merits, but it's likely not the ideal place for a liberal European with deeply held convictions to ease themselves into the US.
Dec 14th 2015, 3:14 pm
#44
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,455
Re: I have lost faith in America!
I'm struggling to understand why someone so deeply opposed to legal guns that they would move their family out of the country despite not being personally affected would emigrate directly to the wilds of Kentucky. Surely you must have had some sense of what you were getting into? Kentucky is a beautiful state and has many merits, but it's likely not the ideal place for a liberal European with deeply held convictions to ease themselves into the US.
Dec 14th 2015, 3:17 pm
#45
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: I have lost faith in America!
I'm struggling to understand why someone so deeply opposed to legal guns that they would move their family out of the country despite not being personally affected would emigrate directly to the wilds of Kentucky. Surely you must have had some sense of what you were getting into? Kentucky is a beautiful state and has many merits, but it's likely not the ideal place for a liberal European with deeply held convictions to ease themselves into the US.