Are you really an American?

I've just recently decided to stay in America. The decision was a silent one made by my wife and I over several cups of nothing. Really. We don't know why. It just came to us after months of learning the history of Norway and learning the language of Norsk (which is beautiful) that we just... wanted to stay in this heartless government-operated North American panopticon. Since we have, we have both fallen in love with the ideals of liberty.

You see, I can speak for the middle ground. This nation (and largely, this site) woefully lacks people who can speak about any subject without throwing around dismissive partisan insults. I've been called a "commie" and a "fundie" in the same thread before. Those are normally considered opposite concepts. This just goes to show you the typical lack of breadth in the subscriber demographics.

Too many people here are so obviously confused that they think whatever pet conspiracy they love is perpetrated by whoever is in the opposite party they are in.

I am trying to express my new-found (probably first-found) love for this nation. This great country was founded on principles of defying a totalitarian government. Then we imposed that same system first on the indigenous tribes then on the Chinese, then on the Africans. Now? Now we impose it on ourselves. We seriously lost our spirit as soon as we signed the freakin' papers. The only reason we feel it now is because it is coming full-circle.

Now is the time to pick a new direction. A new leader. We have learned. History only repeats itself on the aspects of things we neglect to improve on. Lets turn this around! We are still one of the newest nations on the planet!

We should be leading the world on liberty!
... and social responsibility.
That's where people can't agree for some reason. So...

What if you could have a totally free federal system? What if all those lost services you are worried about and all those lifted regulations were taken over by your state? What if that meant you had zero federal taxes to pay?

As a born-again patriot, I support Ron Paul. Let's shake the tree and let bankers and war profiteers fall out.

With all due respect. I am a born true blood American. I just learned last fall that my family extends back to the early 1600's here in the midwest. My ancestors fought for my right to be here. It is in my best interest to keep it that way. I will never leave my homeland. As messed up as it is, I love my country.If the time arrives, I too will fight for my freedoms and my children's freedoms.



I went to a smaller town close by to watch their fireworks last night. I felt my patriotism there, as I wept(with pride) for my country with my children.

Again with all due respect. Ron Paul is someone's cronie. Just because he sounds different on the outside does not mean that he is not the same on the inside. I am not falling for his talky talk. He is another form of puppet.( this is only my opinion of RP).

You sound like someone who is lost. You sound well educated but are lost in life. You seem to be looking for a place to call home. I hope that home will always be America.

So the answer to your question.

Are you really an American?

You are damn right I am an American.


I also forgot to add that I do not have the privilege of voting. Not that I think it matters much these days. I am a victim of a system that makes you follow the rules. Get punished by the rules, and then banished from being a productive citizen of society. I did my time I paid my debt to society. I still cannot vote..:puzit was non violent)

reply to post by liejunkie01


What would somebody have to do to convince you he/she were not somebody's "cronie"? I keep hearing this kind of talk. What kind of litmus test does a person have to pass in order to be taken beyond that initial grain of proverbial salt?

It's just that he seems like the least politicianesque person I've seen run... ever. By that rationale, you must have assumed every politician that has ever run (ever ever) is a "cronie"? What's the way to get past that logic? Really, I'm not trying to be combative; I'm seriously wondering since I hear it a lot.


edit - ps - Just read your edit. That sucks. One more example of how they control the demographics.

Yes I am an American..and it sounds like you are, too.

In fact, your conversation sounds as if it might have been one from a colonist about 240 years ago...should we stay and oppose the the growing tyrrany, or should we seek safe harbour else where? Like you, I say stay.

I actually have done some research into the possibility of moving to Brazil...maybe Costa Rica...and in the end, each time...I say stay. Why?

I love my country. I locve the ideals...maybe not the reality, but the ideals on which it was founded. And like my forefathers and my relatives... I will rebell and oppose those that try to stifle it, or distort it into some neo-Nazi facist state.

Many say it is too late, or that we arewell on our way there. On the way...Yes. Too late...No.

I see the laws being passed. I see our Constitution being dismantled before the eyes of an iggnorant populace.

I see the arrogant governance of a group of people... Democrats and Republicans alike, with no sense of loyalty to the people or our country or the ideas of individualism, freedom of expression, the Bill of Rights, the rights of states...

I have made up my mind, be it for maybe less than noble reasons, but the course is set...to actively oppose our government if and when they begin to seize 401k and retirement accounts. Such an act would be in the lowest tradition of Chavez or Mao.

If my forefathers, my own blood kin...were willing to fight, and bleed, and die fighting for the things they believed in...what kind of man?...what kind of American would I be to run?

My conscience will not let me....My heart swells with pride and righteous indignation when I read the Declaration of Independence. Some say such ideals are "old fashioned" or "old school" or "quaint." I say such ideals still burn in the hearts and minds of free peoples every where.

reply to post by Cuervo

TextIt's just that he seems like the least politicianesque person I've seen run... ever. By that rationale, you must have assumed every politician that has ever run (ever ever) is a "cronie"? What's the way to get past that logic? Really, I'm not trying to be combative; I'm seriously wondering since I hear it a lot.

Really every politician is someones cronie. It takes serious money to get elected to Congress. So much money that they have $1,000 plate dinners and such. The money comes from special interest groups that want favors when the person gets elected. Even RP has his contributors that he wants to keep contributing. Without it he cannot afford to be on Tv campaigning his "promises" and "changes".

Like I said this is only my opinion of RP. If you like him that is fine with me. It is just that I see all major politics like the presidency as being manipulated by the powers that be. Whoever for whatever. People say that "they" do not exist. I say look at the state of things. Somethings amiss. It seems to me that it does not matter who gets pu in office. The problems aregetting worse or staying the same. Not better. Yet anyway. I am in no way saying that it will not get better. I am only saying, that from what I am seeing with my own two eyes, no president can fix these problems. But still with these problems, this is the best country in the world. (yes I have been brainwashed to think that) but it is true.

We have to roll with it. Pick up the pieces and do it again. Something will change. For the better, or the worst. Keep your head up and try not to pay too much attention to these crooked politicians in DC. You will get heartburn and have many a sleepless nights.

Now ain't this something... the original title of the thread was.." Are you an American?"...I gave my response....

Now the title is about Ron Paul...which makes my response look totally off subject, as Ron Paul was actually a side note of the original thread.

Somehow, I feel violated or set up. Maybe now I should oppose ATS too...

Originally posted by AlreadyGone
Now ain't this something... the original title of the thread was.." Are you an American?"...I gave my response....

Now the title is about Ron Paul...which makes my response look totally off subject, as Ron Paul was actually a side note of the original thread.

Somehow, I feel violated or set up. Maybe now I should oppose ATS too...

I think your comment above was excellent. I wish I could star it 100 more times. Do not get mad. I thought that the typed speech you gave should be posted outside for all to see.

Originally posted by AlreadyGone
Now ain't this something... the original title of the thread was.." Are you an American?"...I gave my response....

Now the title is about Ron Paul...which makes my response look totally off subject, as Ron Paul was actually a side note of the original thread.

Somehow, I feel violated or set up. Maybe now I should oppose ATS too...

Crap, I'm sorry man. I changed it because every time I start a thread, it ends up being about something different four or five posts into it. I'll change it back.

Panopticon. I like that. You dont see a lot of Foucault fans on ATS.

America is awesome. IF all the cool people leave, then it's just the jeebus fanatics left.

work to make your place better. The grass is not greener on the other side.

I was born in America, and the thought of leaving it forever never crossed my mind. And it never will. There is no better country on earth, and half of our border neighbors are good neighbors. Why would I leave?

To those that doubt America, then I say, please go to wherever you might be happier. There are thousands of people who would gladly take your place; people die just trying to get in. That would be best for America and best for you, if you went to where you would be happier.

reply to post by Cuervo


You do sound like an American. I too am proud to be an American.

To me, to be an American doesn't necessarily mean to have to be born in America, or have ancestral ties to this land for many generations; to me, to be an American means to love liberty and to be willing to defend it against anyone who attempts to take it away.

My family has been here in the States for only a few generations, my ancestors came from Poland, Italy, and England - my mother's great-grandfather was even royalty (we have the Queen's orders to him), yet I feel no ties to those countries. I am American; I am completely enamored with the ideals our nation was founded upon, and though I may not know you, or most other Americans, I am willing to defend your liberties as well as my own.

Like you, I am a "born-again patriot". In my teens I wanted to bail from this country as soon as possible; I was disgusted with our politicians, our war-mongering, the hypocrisy - I didn't want to be associated with it. Then something clicked. At twenty-years-old now, I am one of the many who became fired up after hearing Ron Paul speak, and no matter how you feel about that man he has done a great job at making people realize the current situation America has placed itself in.

I began reading older texts, memorizing the Constitution, studying the Federalist Papers; then moving on towards texts regarding the current issues we face... and I got angry, frustrated, broken-hearted. That's when the gears really set into motion and I decided to fight back in any way I could.

I may make a difference or I may not, but I will not sit on my (you-know-what) and let things continue the way they are without attempting to change it. When I speak in public and when I write online on my site I tell people to have "frostily bones" because it is an anagram for "Sons of Liberty", and I can't explain how I felt when I overheard someone in my local coffee shop talking about having "frostily bones"

I am an American, I am proud, and I will fight for what I believe in. I have frostily bones!

reply to post by Cuervo


Apparently many of us have been checkingig into moving out of this country lately. Both sides of my family came here from Scotland and Wales in the early 1600's and were deeply involved in starting this thing called the USA. They have fought in every war to defend it. I have gotten so disgusted with the people and the lack of backbone so many of them have I began trying to find somewhere I could go just to get away from them. The blame can only be placed on the general population of this country. Yes there is a NWO agenda. Yes the globalists bankers are out to get us. Yes there is an agenda to depopulate the planet. But who is actually at fault ? Just look in the mirror then answer that question. There are a few who are giving all they have and trying their best. How many of us know that someone personally ? Not very many. I truly appreciate the new immigrants to this country. Many have that new excitement in their souls. That need to make a difference. If the majority of natural citizens had a spark of that things wouldn't be in the toilet as they are. I for one am more than willing to stay the course but I have no intention to be at the front of the pack. Then turn around to find there is no one standing behind me.

reply to post by redrose123

Apparently many of us have been checkingig into moving out of this country lately.

Where might that be? Before this thread I had heard of nobody who wanted to leave this country.

I have gotten so disgusted with the people and the lack of backbone so many of them have I began trying to find somewhere I could go just to get away from them.

Wow! You're really unhappy here, aren't you? Let me ask...what have you done to make things better?

The blame can only be placed on the general population of this country. Yes there is a NWO agenda. Yes the globalists bankers are out to get us. Yes there is an agenda to depopulate the planet. But who is actually at fault ?

You're pretty quick to judge Americans, aren't you? And if you believe that NWO, globalists bankers, agenda to depopulate the plane stuff, where are you going to go that doesn't have those problems?

Just look in the mirror then answer that question. There are a few who are giving all they have and trying their best.

Again, what have you done to improve things?

Many have that new excitement in their souls. That need to make a difference.

I don't see it in your soul. You seem very pessimistic.

If the majority of natural citizens had a spark of that things wouldn't be in the toilet as they are.

In the toilet?

I for one am more than willing to stay the course but I have no intention to be at the front of the pack. Then turn around to find there is no one standing behind me.

Iow, you're not too sincere, are you?

Originally posted by liejunkie01
reply to post by Cuervo

 

TextIt's just that he seems like the least politicianesque person I've seen run... ever. By that rationale, you must have assumed every politician that has ever run (ever ever) is a "cronie"? What's the way to get past that logic? Really, I'm not trying to be combative; I'm seriously wondering since I hear it a lot.

Really every politician is someones cronie. It takes serious money to get elected to Congress. So much money that they have $1,000 plate dinners and such. The money comes from special interest groups that want favors when the person gets elected. Even RP has his contributors that he wants to keep contributing. Without it he cannot afford to be on Tv campaigning his "promises" and "changes".