Trump & the search warrant

[Lilith7]

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.

But some of the kindest most generous people I have ever met. I am glad I am a New Zealander...

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.

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.

That's an interesting comparison harm-less; it hadn't occurred to me but it makes good sense

I strongly believe that health care should be paid for with our taxes & freely available to everyone rather than just those who are able to afford it, because they've got more money. 
Imo, that is just utterly wrong whichever country it is.

Years ago I lived with two Americans at different times, both of whom were nice enough people so I think the problem isn't so much with ordinary people but rather with those who have the wealth & power.

The more I live & the more I read, the more I can't help thinking we humans are in fact, fools. We live in a beautiful world (once we clean up the mess we've made) & should have plenty for everyone under a fair system. But we seem afflicted by greed & selfishness - or some of us at any rate. I'd like to see us overcome it & make our world better for all of us.
Lucky dreams are free - I'd be in hock for decades!