Ah, it was just a strawman argument with no relevance to anything then. Fine. We both agree that you didn't do anything exist in the country that you happened to be born in. Congratulations, you must be very proud of yourself for randomly existing in a country.
No strawman, I show that ones parents had a choice, thus the place of birth was not an accident.
Also I HAVE a choice, I have made mine. I choose to be an American, even though other options are open to me, so again not an accident...
Sweet. I'm off to Germany then.
Have fun.
Wait, that didn't work. I guess I could get a visa, as the German government's permission to come over, see what kind of Visa I can get, get the money to pay a company to bring me over there, then save up the funds to eat, drink, and have shelter there...
...Wait a second, not everybody could afford that! And the government still has the right to kick you out or not let you in in the first place!
It's almost as if not everyone can made a decision to stay or go. But you said that everybody gets to choose where they want to stay and go. Do I believe the guy that started the troll thread on the internet, or reality?
That is called working for a goal... get a work visa or set up with a company that will do it for you, or, or, or...
Opposition to ones goals is a hindrance, no more. People have been migrating to new Countries for a long, long time and many with nothing but the clothes on their back.
Not such a great argument.
You did nothing. You, like every other living thing, happens to be alive. That's it.
That is only true if you DO nothing, for those who do...
Not such a great argument.
My parents happened to be in Oregon when I was born. Oregon was part of the US. Now I'm supposed to be some fucknut that has an identity based on what? NASCAR and McDonalds?
Only if you see that as being American, I do not.
No American will tell you that, but then try to break down what it means to be an American then and you end up with these divergent ideas and tales that have nothing in particular to do with the United States, but the human experience in general.
If that was true, than all places with Humans would follow the basic ideals of freedom and equality. So...
Not such a great argument.
Past that, there are a great majority of people who could break down what it is, for them, that America stands for and thus what it is to be an American.
You're proud of where you were born because it's a socially constructed unit that has no basis in reality.
This only works if it was an accident that you are still here, as I am an American by choice, it has nothing to do with birth and thus your logic is flawed.
Stand on your own, stand with the internationalists.
Ignoring the fact that by route, if I am standing with the internationalists...I would not be standing on my own.
What does that mean to you? There is no world court, no open borders and no International agenda to bring equality to all citizens of Earth. Though I would be an advocate of such, just as I am an advocate of the North American Union.
Anything you can think of as defining national identity is bullshit.
This is why you have no National, pride, identity, responsibility. By not having those things, it seems, that you are unable to fathom those who do and that those things are not inherently bad.
One does not need to have a blind faith, my eyes are open.
One does not need to follow blindly, not when they can lead.
One does not need to celebrate an abstract happening such as birth, not when they chose their Nationality.
I would suggest that your and my definitions of patriotism and National pride, are significantly different. Your argument shows that, the question is... are you of an open mind, to such a degree, that you can step back and see another point of view?
You're no better than a Mexican, a Peruvian, or any other damned thing.
True, as I see all people as equals. Though I do not see all Countries, nor the ideals of those Countries, as being equal. So where I do not see myself, or any other American, as being better than say, a Peruvian, or a Mexican, I can and will say that I see America as being a better Country for its Citizens, than either Peru or Mexico.
The world is segmented, thus people are different, borders are in place. Regardless of what you, or I want, that is a fact. That being fact, one needs to take care of their own home and have more loyalty to that home, in larger increments than for others not associated with them.
Now you may argue that, but do you work for free? Would you work to give all, or an equal share of all you make to others? Will you take the food from your families mouths and feed another family at their expense?
I wont. Nor do I feel I need to do so. Giving away your work or hard earned payment helps no one, at least not in the long run.
I can, will and do help others and at times put myself out in the process.
The point is this.
America works to bring equality and to offer peace and stability as it is able. Not everyone agrees with that, that is their right after all.
I would say it was the case and in the ways it is not, I would help change them so it becomes true.
What is it to be American?
For me, as I see it.
An American is free to rise above their birth and can stand shoulders high, side by side with others, from all walks of life and from all Countries. That is a great thing, freedom. Americans by birth or by immigration, can make their life in the shape they want it.
Do they need to follow laws, sure. Is that bad, no.
Do other Countries offer the same basic principles of freedom, citizenship and possibilities?
Maybe, but I am not concerned with those "other" places. Why? Because this is about being an American, right?
I can list our liberties and freedoms and sing praises, but you know them. Let us just say that there is not an over abundant amount of Countries that are as free and as tolerant as that of the USA.
I own and run several businesses.
- By Tainari88
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