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Epignosis 
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: December 30 2007
Location: Raeford, NC
Status: Offline
Points: 32588
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 Posted: September 07 2012 at 20:55 |
 Epignosis wrote:
But we have a Constitution, and that should direct or dismiss any laws Congress puts up. Unfortunately, we have lawmakers who are ignorant of the Constitution.
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Dean wrote:
Isn't that what your supreme court is supposed to do under judicial review?
While I suport the general principle of our constitution (Magna Carta etc. etc) I'm not so sure that a 800 year old document is capable of dealing with every situation that the 21st Century can throw up. |
Our Supreme Court is crafted by the two other branches of government, which makes it a conflict of interest, does it not?
As for whether or not a document is capable of dealing with new situations, the solution is quite simple: Amend it. We've amended ours about two dozen times. But my opinion is this: While it stands, that is the law of the land and should not be breached.
All this said, I'm sure I would have been a bootlegger in 1921, so accuse me of hypocrisy this one time if you must. 
Edited by Epignosis - September 07 2012 at 20:56
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thellama73
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: May 29 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 8368
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 20:50 |
Dean wrote:
thellama73 wrote:
Also, I would move to England as well because I really like it. Especially if this country continues to elect presidents like Obama.
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Our Prime Ministers past and present (Blair, Brown and Call-me-Dave and his glove-puppet Clegg) like Obama. Our Conservatives are closer to your Democrats than they are to your Republicans. |
I'm aware of that. I'm just saying that I like a lot of things about England and if our politicians start to become similar to yours, then there's no reason why I wouldn't enjoy living there.
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Dean
Special Collaborator
Retired Admin and Amateur Layabout
Joined: May 13 2007
Location: Europe
Status: Offline
Points: 37575
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 20:42 |
thellama73 wrote:
Dean wrote:
thellama73 wrote:
I have traveled to Europe a few times and nothing I've seen has made me think any less of America. The opposite, actually. (Not trying to put down Europe. It's lovely, but I like my own country better.) |
Seen one MacDonalds/Starbucks/Walmart you've seen them all, but it's always easier when you can understand the menu and the ¢urren¢y eh?. 
I've been offered employment positions in the USA and turned them down - an okay place to visit (briefly) but I really don't want to live there. Most of us really are content in our native countries, |
I'll have you know, good sir, that I always make a point of learning at least enough to get by of the language of any country I visit. It's just good manners, I think. |
So do I. Especially in English speaking countries like the USA and Scotland, if only for expediency and avoiding any embarrassing misunderstandings.
thellama73 wrote:
Also, I would move to England as well because I really like it. Especially if this country continues to elect presidents like Obama.
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Our Prime Ministers past and present (Blair, Brown and Call-me-Dave and his glove-puppet Clegg) like Obama. Our Conservatives are closer to your Democrats than they are to your Republicans.
Epignosis wrote:
See, that's why I am not really critical of England's laws. That people here use the NHS for evidence the US should adopt such a thing moves me none. Ditto gun laws. The English are a different culture from us. What works for them, let them have it. It'll be useless here. |
It's not just Britain's culture, it's the whole of Europe's culture (and many other parts of the world) that provides national healthcare and enforces strict gun laws. It not only works for us, it works for them too.
Epignosis wrote:
But we have a Constitution, and that should direct or dismiss any laws Congress puts up. Unfortunately, we have lawmakers who are ignorant of the Constitution.
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Isn't that what your supreme court is supposed to do under judicial review?
While I suport the general principle of our constitution (Magna Carta etc. etc) I'm not so sure that a 800 year old document is capable of dealing with every situation that the 21st Century can throw up.
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What?
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Epignosis
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: December 30 2007
Location: Raeford, NC
Status: Offline
Points: 32588
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 20:02 |
thellama73 wrote:
Dean wrote:
thellama73 wrote:
I have traveled to Europe a few times and nothing I've seen has made me think any less of America. The opposite, actually. (Not trying to put down Europe. It's lovely, but I like my own country better.) |
Seen one MacDonalds/Starbucks/Walmart you've seen them all, but it's always easier when you can understand the menu and the ¢urren¢y eh?.
I've been offered employment positions in the USA and turned them down - an okay place to visit (briefly) but I really don't want to live there. Most of us really are content in our native countries, |
I'll have you know, good sir, that I always make a point of learning at least enough to get by of the language of any country I visit. It's just good manners, I think.
Also, I would move to England as well because I really like it. Especially if this country continues to elect presidents like Obama.
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See, that's why I am not really critical of England's laws. That people here use the NHS for evidence the US should adopt such a thing moves me none. Ditto gun laws. The English are a different culture from us. What works for them, let them have it. It'll be useless here.
But we have a Constitution, and that should direct or dismiss any laws Congress puts up. Unfortunately, we have lawmakers who are ignorant of the Constitution.
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thellama73
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: May 29 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 8368
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 19:23 |
Dean wrote:
thellama73 wrote:
I have traveled to Europe a few times and nothing I've seen has made me think any less of America. The opposite, actually. (Not trying to put down Europe. It's lovely, but I like my own country better.) |
Seen one MacDonalds/Starbucks/Walmart you've seen them all, but it's always easier when you can understand the menu and the ¢urren¢y eh?.
I've been offered employment positions in the USA and turned them down - an okay place to visit (briefly) but I really don't want to live there. Most of us really are content in our native countries, |
I'll have you know, good sir, that I always make a point of learning at least enough to get by of the language of any country I visit. It's just good manners, I think. Also, I would move to England as well because I really like it. Especially if this country continues to elect presidents like Obama.
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manofmystery
Forum Senior Member
Joined: January 26 2008
Location: PA, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 4335
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 19:00 |
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They are insane. Makes me glad I don't drink.
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 Time always wins.
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Epignosis
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: December 30 2007
Location: Raeford, NC
Status: Offline
Points: 32588
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 18:50 |
manofmystery wrote:
I like western Pennsylvania. |
I would never move to Pennsylvania. Your alcohol laws terrify me.
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manofmystery
Forum Senior Member
Joined: January 26 2008
Location: PA, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 4335
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 18:44 |
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I like western Pennsylvania.
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Time always wins.
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Atavachron
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: September 30 2006
Location: Pearland
Status: Offline
Points: 65865
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 18:42 |
Dean wrote:
I've been offered employment positions in the USA and turned them down - an okay place to visit (briefly) but I really don't want to live there. Most of us really are content in our native countries, |
No I'd move to England, it reminds me of my favorite place: the US Pacific Northwest.
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The T
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: October 16 2006
Location: FL, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 17493
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 18:39 |
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I have traveled to Europe twice (having a sister that lives there helps make it quite more afffordable). I love Germany and its culture. I love Switzerland. I think France is pretty, as are other countries in the continent. I love many things about those countries, especifically the first two. I would love if, in a cultural (artistic, better said) sense, the US would be closer to Germany; I'd love if other cultural aspects in general would be more similar. But I wouldn't like to make the US a copy of Europe. What makes the US what it is, and so attractive to millions living outside of it, especially in less developed countries, is unique to it. America is great, and of course could be better. Europe is far from perfect. Far far far from it.
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Dean
Special Collaborator
Retired Admin and Amateur Layabout
Joined: May 13 2007
Location: Europe
Status: Offline
Points: 37575
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 18:37 |
thellama73 wrote:
I have traveled to Europe a few times and nothing I've seen has made me think any less of America. The opposite, actually. (Not trying to put down Europe. It's lovely, but I like my own country better.) |
Seen one MacDonalds/Starbucks/Walmart you've seen them all, but it's always easier when you can understand the menu and the ¢urren¢y eh?.
I've been offered employment positions in the USA and turned them down - an okay place to visit (briefly) but I really don't want to live there. Most of us really are content in our native countries,
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What?
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thellama73
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: May 29 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 8368
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 17:56 |
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I have traveled to Europe a few times and nothing I've seen has made me think any less of America. The opposite, actually. (Not trying to put down Europe. It's lovely, but I like my own country better.)
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stonebeard
Forum Senior Member
Joined: May 27 2005
Location: NE Indiana
Status: Offline
Points: 28057
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 17:31 |
King of Loss wrote:
I think the problem with a lot of Americans is that because the country is so big they often do not travel outside the country very much (maybe Canada or Mexico). If its wonderful citizens traveled more often then it would understand the craziness its government has developed over the last 10 years. |
I've never traveled outside the US or Canada.
And to be blunt, vacations abroad are the concern of well to do people with good jobs and benefits. The kind of people you want to educate are the least likely to having this transformative experience.
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Epignosis
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: December 30 2007
Location: Raeford, NC
Status: Offline
Points: 32588
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 17:19 |
King of Loss wrote:
I think the problem with a lot of Americans is that because the country is so big they often do not travel outside the country very much (maybe Canada or Mexico). If its wonderful citizens traveled more often then it would understand the craziness its government has developed over the last 10 years. |
That's awfully assumptive of you.
How would traveling educate me about different country's governments? Sorry, but I'd rather use the Internet here at home than get arrested or pay taxes somewhere else.
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King of Loss
Prog Reviewer
Joined: April 21 2005
Location: Boston, MA
Status: Offline
Points: 17074
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 16:53 |
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I think the problem with a lot of Americans is that because the country is so big they often do not travel outside the country very much (maybe Canada or Mexico). If its wonderful citizens traveled more often then it would understand the craziness its government has developed over the last 10 years.
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thellama73
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: May 29 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 8368
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 13:24 |
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The T
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: October 16 2006
Location: FL, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 17493
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 13:21 |
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Equality 7-2521
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 11 2005
Location: Philly
Status: Offline
Points: 15784
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Posted: September 07 2012 at 11:33 |
Atavachron wrote:
Equality 7-2521 wrote:
I have no interest in changing the political will. I find that to be an approach rooted in compulsion and manipulation. I prefer just to educate as I can and hope for a critical mass to be reached.
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I like that.
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I appreciate that.
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"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "
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Atavachron
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: September 30 2006
Location: Pearland
Status: Offline
Points: 65865
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Posted: September 06 2012 at 23:02 |
hey let the truth be told 
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thellama73
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: May 29 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 8368
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Posted: September 06 2012 at 22:58 |
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^Be careful what you wish for, Mr. Sarcasm.
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