What do you love about your country...

[Trialanderror]

... the one you live in and the one you came from, if applicable.

[ILADVOCATE]

I love America because it is an ever evolving democracy where people have the right to speak their mind and advocate for social change. And regardless of what is wrong I'd feel comfortable to say that as well but know that my and other people's say could be a part of changing it. I can't say I feel a sense of complete freedom here as a person with a disability (not the only issue I advocate on btw) but I believe America is at the forefront of disability rights legislation from all political backgrounds and I'm glad to say I am a part of it, past, present and future. As it says in the guide for the immigration test under questions "What is the American government for?". Answer "to serve the people". Well if that came from the government itself I feel comfortable saying it and why everyone has the right to speak their mind and should and be glad we are guaranteed this right.

[SeriousSam]

Dear Mayflowers,
                           You crush me! And here I was hoping that you would be able to give me the nervous breakdown and psychotic twitch I've always wanted for xmas. LOL I just hope the man you give it to deserves it much more than I!  ROTFL.

But what does this have to do with the topic?

[mayflowers]

Always looking on the bright side aren't you Sam?  Quit trying to charm me.....I already have a boyfriend.

[SeriousSam]

I love the land.  I love the music, I love the access to ideas from other cultures.

I hate how close minded, bigoted, lazy, uneducated and steeped in their constant tfear my fellow Americans are.

I hate the perverted sick roots of our culture that come from the European cults that ran the indians out of their land.  I hate the mean spirited greediness that allows americans to have the morality of their " religion" to ban abortions but still not want to teach birth control or to help take care of and educate the child when they are born.

The level of morons that turn each election not in to a challenge of whits but rather halfwhits analyzing clothing charisma and not content.  Not that content ever actually reaches the actual presidential elections.

I despair that we award greed, and potential rewards over the real rewards of pulling everyone up together.

I love the beaches the dunes, and the snow, the mountains of washington and Alaska.  The people of the  Norther midwest, the music that came out of East St. Louis that the people in St. Louuis claimed.

The people who strive against the system that survive our society and reach to pull their brothers and sisters up.

That is what I like about my country.

[PrettyKitty1]

Great point. My personal opinion on this subject is, as the world turns, all the things once considered bad/erroneous/problematic to look at or think of, etc will eventually be accepted among societies. Europe I think will always be ahead of us. Thankfully, there are people on this side of the world willing to recognize change as a phase humans need to go through to ensure happiness and personal development.

[Trialanderror]

I agree for the most part, PK. At least since Gen X, sexual matters have lost that Victorian aura. On a personal basis there seems to be open-mindedness and room to maneuvre today.
It is more how on a legal, municipal or sometimes medical basis services and ideas related to sexuality are reglemented here. It seems to create lots of grey zones compared to North European countries. For example, where I came from, every major city has a confined red light district in which prostitutes, customers, health inspectors and police work with each other, more or less, to avoid that pimps, gangs, drugs or diseases spin out of control. In North America I find it harder to localize the boundaries, for example, between sex trade and massage parlor businesses. Legally, geographically. It is interesting to compare.

[PrettyKitty1]

I do think some people are sexually repressed when they do not experience love to its full potential, and that includes watching. Not a lot of people in America are this way as many are open-minded and willing to find new ways to please their partners even if that includes watching others have sex. If you go to Europe, sex is exposed from morning til sunset. People are much more open minded. It almost looks like they've been through a step in evolution America hasn't been through yet, with those few who think porn is bad and all these kinds of thoughts. One thing about this country, one thing that I really like is the fact that you can express yourself and present yourself however you want and what others think of you is nothing to be worried about. Yes, I believe there are a few people who will always be more conservative than others (not watching porn would be a feature owned by a conservative person).  But if you come to realize, generation after generation, the idea of expressing sex in a certain, specific, standard way has become more obsolete.  That is just my opinion.

[Trialanderror]

I love what everyone writes about North America. Hits the spot. It will always feel like the place of great possibilities, no matter what my fellow Europeans say. What may seem like sexual repression is simply the inheritance of the Victorian Age I believe, in all countries with anglo-saxon background. History has its impact. Thanks for sharing all of your thoughts. It`s beautiful!

[mayflowers]

I disagree with you zodiaqueen. I don't think that people who watch porn are open minded at all.  I think they have a sexual repression issues going on, that's why they watch it.  By watching porn, and seeing people do things that you yourself would probably never do, doesn't that just make you feel a little bit like a naughty girl??  It makes you feel better about your sexual desires b/c you can't express them any other way.  Oh, you're so on the edge aren't you when you watch porn.  Oh La La.   If people accepted the fact we are naturally sexual animals, there would be no need for porn.  

It's been found that in certan societies, when something is taboo, an off-shoot will occur.   Take a sociology class and you'll learn about this.   I don't have the desire to teach you.

Here's a thought.  I think it's strange that people like to watch other people have sex.  Would you like your son/daughter to be porn star?  Would that make you proud?  That's a serious question by the way.  

That's all I have to say.  I don't want to take over Trialanderror's nice post.

Bottom line, you believe what you want, and I'll believe what I want.  We will never see it the same way.

[zodiacqueen]

You mention that americans are sexually repressed!!  What makes you say that?  But, of course, you wouldn't be talking about the people that watch porn!!  Those people would be too experimental and open-minded to be defined as repressed!  

[mayflowers]

I love the US.  Disney Land was started here which I think says it all.  

I love that there are so many different types of people and places.  The East Coast is so different from the West Coast, yet both are beautiful in their own way.  I think Americans are generally really kind and compassionate people, very trusting, taking people at their word.  This is a generalization of course since you filnd some selfish people too.  Overall, Americans are good people.  Many Americans are sexually repressed and I think other countries are more relaxed when it comes to sexuality.  That's one difference I have noticed from my travels.

U.S of America has a  beautiful landscape.  You have skiing in Colorado, great lakes in the Mid-West, beautiful beaches on both coasts.  Mountains, deserts, lush forrests.  We have it all.

The music is great here too.  I actually love country music.  Very American.  I like other types too but I listen to mostly country.

Also, if you really want to succeed, and are willing to go through some ****, you can make it.  There is still a class system here although noone likes to talk about it.  Barriers are hard to break through.  Also, racism and gender discrimination (on all sides) but I have noticed that the older I get, the better it seems to get.  Maybe I'm just mellowing out a bit too.

I love the US though. Couldn't imagine living anywhere else.

Great question Trialanderror!  Thanks!

[starfish1963]

Freedom of Speach :)
Freedom of Faith!!!!!!

[Savas]

What do I like about America?

Hmmm... I love the writings of Thomas Jefferson. If I had to pick a hero, he may be it. I love the original history this country had, the first four or five presidents were just...incredible!

I may not be proud of what this country is today, but I'm VERY proud of what it started from, and how it formed and became such a great nation despite the long odds against it.

On a lighter note, I love; the statue of liberty. I used to love going to it as a kid (when you could STILL go in the torch!!!).

The Empire State Building. I STILL check for king kong to this day. :)

The Washington monument. Because this nation had the nerve to make such a PHALLIC symbol...in our capital!!! YAAAAY!!!!

Mt Rushmore. I haven't been there yet, but someday I will.

The Catskill mountains. I've spent a great deal of time hiking and biking there. It's just bloody beautiful.

[margypops]

America,... Loved it when I was a small child living in England , saw every movie I could get to ,was star struck ,Hollywood was all I craved , never thought I would get here let alone becoming a US citizen, still star struck, adore this country whatever any one says about us, and trust me I have had to run the Gauntlet in the UK when on vacation, once they have known I am an American,I got booed when I got off the plane with my flag on my cap and jacket 2 years ago,, always over the Iraq War, they hate Bush .I hope even though I am a Democrat and will vote that way,  that we dont become too left wing and the Liberal ness of O' Bama concerns me a lot I dont think we want a socialised America..

[kitty51]

Australia!! Its a pretty good place to live,your Mc Donalds have bigger BIG MACS than we have!! We have some awsome places here,but every country would its own unique places.We also have the freedom to roam,can go to a public hospital and theres no charge,and bulk billing doctors are on the increase.I love our wildlife,(and the animals too) LOL ~~~~~~~~~~~```

[ChitChatNine]

The Freedom in America.  It promotes unlimited opportunity for those who want it.  C~

[TrudieC]

I was born and still live here in Canada.  I love what was mentioned above and would like to add:

- the great lakes
- the beauty of the north
- the space
- the way that Canadians don't take themselves too seriously and easily laugh at themselves and our politicians.  There is a unique sense of humour here and we love seeing some of our famous comedians being famous in the US (Jim Carrey, Mike Meyers, Dan Akroyd, etc.)
- Canadian foods like fiddleheads, Nanaimo bars, fresh salmon and lake trout/pickerel, poutine, maple syrup, etc.
- the culture of the Maritime people with their down to earth attitudes, humour, unique accents and love of the ocean and its bounty
- going to Vancouver and wondering if you managed to get to Asia
- the history, beauty and foods of old Montreal
- how our country is viewed on the international stage

[lonewolf07]

Copying Jollyman's answer - In Canada you can watch three people running for PM and none of them answers the question; none of them understands the question

Beat around the bush  -  lol

[PrettyKitty1]

heh heh I love jollyman's post.

Trialanderror, you live in canada? What you describe is just amazing. Might as well spend my vacation in canada lol

[Trialanderror]

Yep, you gotta beat around the bush to be a good politician :)

[jollyman069]

when u can watch two ppl in a presidental debate and neither one of them answered the question they were asked......lol

[Trialanderror]

That is so true, PrettyKitty. I was just going to write how thrilled I am about the multi-cultural life in Canada, if only we could add the great variety of landscapes and climates to the mix as that you have in the U.S.

I love in the country I live in it is:
- being surrounded by at least 30 nationalities at work and around home emphasizes that we are all human
- the friendliness and politeness, despite a few exceptions
- small population, more space, less aggression
- colder climate, Indian Summer
- great country to raise children

I love only a few items of the "old country":
- all inner city areas are for pedestrians only, with cobblestone, old churches, trendy stores in 300 year old buildings, tons of outdoor cafes and restaurants, little book stores, bakeries
- the "autobahn" highways
- energy efficient buildings
-

[PrettyKitty1]

I live in America. I love the fact that you don't have to travel outside of the country to see or know about other cultures. This country has all the different world cultures because people from all over the world come to live in America and bring their roots with them. So for example, if you want to eat Chinese food you don't have to go to China. Instead, you go to China Town :)