Why the US?
#77
Re: Why the US?
Ah yes the "Freedoms"
Does this really have any practical, life changing, effect for people?
I personally always feel much freer in England than in America. England is just generally laid back, US is fundamentally coercive. Police everywhere, etc. maybe it's just me? I've never had a bad incident with the police in my small town, or elsewhere in the US. Village police, town police, Border Patrol, sheriff, state police, DEC Police, SUNY Police, all seem professional and generally non threatening. But there are a lot of police in America.
Does this really have any practical, life changing, effect for people?
I personally always feel much freer in England than in America. England is just generally laid back, US is fundamentally coercive. Police everywhere, etc. maybe it's just me? I've never had a bad incident with the police in my small town, or elsewhere in the US. Village police, town police, Border Patrol, sheriff, state police, DEC Police, SUNY Police, all seem professional and generally non threatening. But there are a lot of police in America.
But to your point about freedoms, I agree, generally I think the UK is a much freer country, for individuals, than the US.
Last edited by Pulaski; Apr 18th 2014 at 12:48 am.
#78
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,545
Re: Why the US?
I was looking at police per capita figures a few days ago, and in fact there are substantially more police in the UK than the US. In the US there are about 245 police per 100,000 people, whereas in the UK there are about 307/100,000.
But to your point about freedoms, I agree, generally I think the UK is a much freer country, for individuals, than the US.
But to your point about freedoms, I agree, generally I think the UK is a much freer country, for individuals, than the US.
#79
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,545
#80
Re: Why the US?
Freedoms? When you can hardly function on a day to day basis without being required to show a picture ID?
And how often in the UK do you have to give up your National Insurance Number to private companies?
And how often in the UK do you have to give up your National Insurance Number to private companies?
#81
Re: Why the US?
They're probably doing an Easter clampdown on speeding, .... they are down here in NC.
#82
Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: Why the US?
I was looking at police per capita figures a few days ago, and in fact there are substantially more police in the UK than the US. In the US there are about 245 police per 100,000 people, whereas in the UK there are about 307/100,000.
But to your point about freedoms, I agree, generally I think the UK is a much freer country, for individuals, than the US.
But to your point about freedoms, I agree, generally I think the UK is a much freer country, for individuals, than the US.
I don't want to bring up the 2nd Amendment, as that's just a whole other argument, but take up in New Hampshire where - of all places - the 'Live Free or Die' state is a couple of votes away from banning cell phone use when driving a motor vehicle! Some idiot politicians say implementing such a ban infringes on a persons 'freedom' to talk on the phone. The morons don't seem to mention the 'freedom' to not be hit or injured by a distracted driver.
Another 'freedom' which gets me here; the total inability of local police to pursue an allegation of dangerous or aggressive driving unless THEY witness it. Despite my car having back and front video recording equipment (MA drivers are aggressive wankers at the best of time for those who aren't aware). In England a s172 would be sent out with an intention to interview the person named as driving the vehicle. Here in America, nothing is (can?) be done about it. Utterly crazy.
There is one 'freedom' I do like here though, and that is the freedom to speak my mind, regardless of how rude, offensive, or otherwise. The UK has no concept of freedom of speech now. I feel safe in the US that if I write something that someone finds offensive on twitter I won't get the old bill knocking at my door.
#83
Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: Why the US?
My wife, for example, feels 'lost' without her ID. I just can't understand it. I only carry my driving licence with me because apparently I can be arrested without it if stopped (I don't need that kind of heat to be frank). In the UK my driving licence was kept in my safe and there it stayed until I got a 7 day wonder or what not.
#84
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Why the US?
A lot of places want to see ID with a credit card, yet I have lost count of the number of times our card has been compromised now.
#85
Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: Why the US?
Given how insecure the signature system is, I don't have a massive problem with showing ID. I used to when i first moved over, but I feel slightly different now. God, i'm going native :/
#87
Re: Why the US?
I was looking at police per capita figures a few days ago, and in fact there are substantially more police in the UK than the US. In the US there are about 245 police per 100,000 people, whereas in the UK there are about 307/100,000.
#89
Re: Why the US?
I also don't have a real problem with proving I am who I say I am. I quite like that a couple of our cards have photo ID on them, though it has never stopped me from using my wife's card or vice versa, so not really achieving it's purpose there.....
#90
Re: Why the US?
In a world history class this week in HS, the teacher was talking about the British being happier than the Americans to sacrifice freedoms for security. Apparently we can blame WW2 and its "walls have ears" campaigns, it put our culture in the right frame for this it seems.
I bit my lip.
I bit my lip.