(14-08-2022, 03:24 PM)Oh_hunnihunni Wrote: In many ways they are a nation of opposites. Land of the free, but only for some. Best of everything if you ignore they are also the worst of everything. Leaders of the free world - or they'll bomb you into oblivion. Egotists who are blind in one eye and deaf in the other.Interestingly I see close similarities between the way that the US and Chinese populations are kept in check by their respective governments. Both are essentially brainwashed from a young age that their country is the greatest in the world and numerous examples of military might, engineering abilities and sporting successes, among other things, are kept front of mind to reinforce that mindset. This is mirrored in both societies in the way that great importance is put in the ability to impress friends and colleagues by providing food based events and in the status symbolism of high value items such as cars and homes.
But some of the kindest most generous people I have ever met. I am glad I am a New Zealander...
Both countries have a great fear of internal dissent and use their own form of 'law and order' measures to ensure internal stability, and racism is close to the surface in both countries.
As a friend who lived for 20+ years in California has said "America is only one political party away from being a Communist country" which rings true as financially a third political party gaining any traction is virtually impossible.
China is an extremely competitive society where individuals and businesses strive to progress against their peers, and in the US this same competitiveness is present and is also a symptom of the ability to access what should be social services freely available to all, such as healthcare.