CDZ Your opinion

[Devils_Advocate]

I'm looking for opinions.....

I keep hearing 'make America great again' , while having being raised thinking it was always so.

What made America great?

Was there some historic point /event ?

Is there a particular characteristic , ideal , metric ,or identifying factor ?

What will keep America great would be a follow up

I realize i'm asking this in a political forum , but it's really an apolitical Q, for those that can handle it. And yes, there are some smarts here still, that haven't been thwarted

So please have at it & thx

~S~

What has made America great is our free spirit, ingenuity, and being able to rise above when needed.

I do feel that we have slipped as a Nation and have become global when we should not be so much.

Like all great societies they must decline sooner or later and America will decline and has started he decline.

Many will take offense and they should with the harsh words I just wrote but nothing last forever and we as Americans must know another country will rise and take our place...

 

[occupied]

The "captains of industry" or as you call them these days "job creators"

I don't remember calling anyone anything in that regard- it is true that industry creates jobs- crony capitalism funds them- think the never ending wars, i.e., the "green energy" plans, etc- ALL wars of aggression- the wars on citizens at home and abroad- thus the MIC- it has lots of jobs, DEA for instance, the CIA is a big spender too- bought and paid for restrictions to insure the ensurance of paying to play- that isn't really capitalism- the funds derived are from capitalist endeavors, so there is validity in using the word- however, not as you implied that it became a form or gov't by them-

We have often seen the wreckage when socialist governments collapse. They tried to make socialism itself a form of government. Is the concept of the reverse so startling? In a capitalist government citizens become mere consumers. We only have as much liberty as we can afford and as much opportunity as they allow us to have. Think about the lifetime of crushing debt an American must now accept to move up in the world. We willingly accept the chains that keep us in line in return for the illusion that we are controlling our destiny.

 

[candycorn]

I'm looking for opinions.....

I keep hearing 'make America great again' , while having being raised thinking it was always so.

What made America great?

Was there some historic point /event ?

Is there a particular characteristic , ideal , metric ,or identifying factor ?

What will keep America great would be a follow up

I realize i'm asking this in a political forum , but it's really an apolitical Q, for those that can handle it. And yes, there are some smarts here still, that haven't been thwarted

So please have at it & thx

~S~

\
The ideal.

We no longer embrace the ideals.

The ideals I'm talking about is giving our kids better than we had and fixing our shortcomings. You saw this with women's suffrage in the 20's, civil rights in the 60's. You saw this, unfortunately, with the civil war in the 1860's. You saw this with Brown v. Board of Education. You saw this with environmental protections...the fouding of the National Park Service--setting public lands aside for the enjoyment of the people. You saw this with compulsory public education, student loans, grants.....

And you can see who wishes to preserve the ideals and who is trying to tear them down. We actually have million of people who think being born here doesn't guarantee you citizenship.

 

[Meister]

America may not be perfect, but, it's not broke, and it's way ahead of the country that's in second place.

 

[Darkwind]

America became great when we won our independence and became a constitutional republic. The very same Tories we defeated are still extant, having evolved from the Democrat party to the current socialist liberal progressive bastards who are still pining for the madness of King George III. We are still great until and unless we surrender to the NWO/OWG. God Bless America!

Amen, My friend. We stop being great when we stop fighting the good fight.

 

[petro]

Pretty girls with guns.

America rocks!!!!

 

[Ghost of a Rider]

I'm looking for opinions.....

I keep hearing 'make America great again' , while having being raised thinking it was always so.

What made America great?

Was there some historic point /event ?

Is there a particular characteristic , ideal , metric ,or identifying factor ?

What will keep America great would be a follow up

I realize i'm asking this in a political forum , but it's really an apolitical Q, for those that can handle it. And yes, there are some smarts here still, that haven't been thwarted

So please have at it & thx

~S~

We can argue until the millenials get jobs about whether or not America was ever great but one fact cannot be disputed: America has done great things.

I believe that Trump was primarily referring to the period of WWII and the twenty years or so after that when the U.S. achieved a level of prosperity never before seen in history.
America has been trailblazers in countless areas including medicine, technology, industry, manufacturing, science and entertainment, among other things.

I don’t know about others here but I happen to like living in a country where innovators, creators, thinkers, inventors and dreamers are encouraged and challenged to devise things like smart phones, personal computers, important films, space exploration, rock and roll, microprocessors, the internet, MRIs, cell phones, etc. The list is endless.

 

[SeaGal]

The "captains of industry" or as you call them these days "job creators". They will not allow anyone to rebuild the working class political base that actually used to make America great. Without it we will never be anything other than a plutocratic banana republic. Since it is now somehow socialism to fight for the working class in any way real greatness will forever elude us.

Then stop putting politicians in office who tax the 'working class' into oblivion. Stop putting politicians in office who have great big 'For Sale' signs flashing across their foreheads.

The so-called 'captains of industry' have no inherent political power - they cannot force us to do business with them - any influence they have is given (sold) to them by our elected officials in exchange for favors (money) Only the government and its officials can force us, under threat of fines or imprisonment, to do their bidding.

You don't like the way things have turned out? Thank a Democrat - they've been running things in Congress nearly 2 to 1 over Republicans for the last 70 years.

You want a President with a proven track record of fighting for the middle class?...oh, wait...we have one. Why do you think so many in DC along with their corporate backers hate him so?...and are working hard to make sure you do too?

Capitalism is an economic system - socialism is a form of government in which the government owns the means of economic production. What in the world makes you think putting even more power in the hands of a centralized government is a good idea? Socialism sounds great in theory, in practice that 'theory' has never delivered on its promise.

 

[Dale Smith]

I'm looking for opinions.....

I keep hearing 'make America great again' , while having being raised thinking it was always so.

What made America great?

Was there some historic point /event ?

Is there a particular characteristic , ideal , metric ,or identifying factor ?

What will keep America great would be a follow up

I realize i'm asking this in a political forum , but it's really an apolitical Q, for those that can handle it. And yes, there are some smarts here still, that haven't been thwarted

So please have at it & thx

~S~

America stopped being great one nov 22nd 1963 when our last great president ceased to exist after that day.the world has never been the same sense that horrible day,The future of America was looking bright and optimistic with a president that gave the youth hope for the future that they could have an impact on the world. It all drastically changed for the worst that day in the fact we were on the verge of returning to the constitution of the united states back then where the people had control over the government instead of all these corporations that do now.

America totally went downhill that day and people have lost faith in the trust of the media ever sense then. That is WHY i dont think Trump is what everybody thinks he is. If he was really draining the awamp,why had he not gotten rid of the fed,the CIA,the FBI,or IRS as he was trying to do and better yet why has he not attacked the media for constantly still covering up that horrible event or failing to ask for a real investigation into 9/11?

that does not sound like somebody trying to drain the swamp in the least to me.

 

[SeaGal]

I'm looking for opinions.....

I keep hearing 'make America great again' , while having being raised thinking it was always so.

What made America great?

Was there some historic point /event ?

Is there a particular characteristic , ideal , metric ,or identifying factor ?

What will keep America great would be a follow up

I realize i'm asking this in a political forum , but it's really an apolitical Q, for those that can handle it. And yes, there are some smarts here still, that haven't been thwarted

So please have at it & thx

~S~

You've already had some great answers. I can add only a little more.

America is an ideal - not geography, not a people. An ideal that was ahead of its time and unique in the world at the time - an ideal of self-governance.

That Europeans 'conquered' the New World is just happen chance. They were in the right place at the right time with the right tools. The amazing contrast between the prosperity in the regions where northern Europeans settled and where southern Europeans settled has a great deal to do with their reasons for settling. One group was seeking opportunity and freedom from 'class' constraints - and the other was seeking gold. One came to build, the other to pillage.

The 'builders' built a form of government that restrained what that government could do while charging
'We the People' with the responsibility of maintaining it. That form of government is portable - it could work anywhere in the world. So that's what makes America great with continuing appeal to peoples all around the
globe.

Unfortunately too many of us have become more enamored of 'bread and circuses' than self governance.

 

[occupied]

The "captains of industry" or as you call them these days "job creators". They will not allow anyone to rebuild the working class political base that actually used to make America great. Without it we will never be anything other than a plutocratic banana republic. Since it is now somehow socialism to fight for the working class in any way real greatness will forever elude us.

Then stop putting politicians in office who tax the 'working class' into oblivion. Stop putting politicians in office who have great big 'For Sale' signs flashing across their foreheads.

The so-called 'captains of industry' have no inherent political power - they cannot force us to do business with them - any influence they have is given (sold) to them by our elected officials in exchange for favors (money) Only the government and its officials can force us, under threat of fines or imprisonment, to do their bidding.

You don't like the way things have turned out? Thank a Democrat - they've been running things in Congress nearly 2 to 1 over Republicans for the last 70 years.

You want a President with a proven track record of fighting for the middle class?...oh, wait...we have one. Why do you think so many in DC along with their corporate backers hate him so?...and are working hard to make sure you do too?

Capitalism is an economic system - socialism is a form of government in which the government owns the means of economic production. What in the world makes you think putting even more power in the hands of a centralized government is a good idea? Socialism sounds great in theory, in practice that 'theory' has never delivered on its promise.

Socialism is an economic system as well. There are social problems that cannot be made to produce a steady profit for capitalists so nothing gets done. The bulk of capitalist systems serve the needs of the people just fine so there is no need for the government to mess with them. it takes a mixture of socialism and capitalism to form a stable national economy. If the attempt is made to favor one system over the other instability or stagnation is introduced into the economy.

 

[Gdjjr]

Socialism is an economic system as well. There are social problems that cannot be made to produce a steady profit for capitalists so nothing gets done. The bulk of capitalist systems serve the needs of the people just fine so there is no need for the government to mess with them. it takes a mixture of socialism and capitalism to form a stable national economy. If the attempt is made to favor one system over the other instability or stagnation is introduced into the economy.

Simply put: socialism is everyone is equal- except the more equal- sound familiar?

Capitalism is merely a tool- it's not a system of governance. That "socialist" use it nefariously proves it is the preferred system of exchange a *whatever* for a service or product. Capitalism offers opportunity to rise above- ask Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos how much *money* they had when they were kids- or George Soros for that matter- or Hillary Clinton- they used their wits to get to where they are- they worked to become the more equal- that 'laws' have prevented others from achieving the success they have proves that laws restrict- laws don't create equality, they create obstacles- Liberty is THE answer. Not more of the same trying to fix the problem more created. Capitalism doesn't hold you back. Laws do. Gov't laws- not capitalist laws. Gov't laws are on paper and enFORCEd- Capitalist laws are unseen influences and work best in free enterprise. Free is unencumbered. Laws encumber. Period.

ALL economies are going to have ups and downs. It's a natural occurrence. Natural. Attempts by man to control it creates huge disparities (economic bubbles) which requires "more" of the same to smooth out the peak or valley, which would happen naturally through market (consumer) influence-

No matter- the US gov't controlled by TPTB who are after world wide hegemony- and have been for generations- follow the money, see the agenda- and NO POTUS is going to stop it- ask JFK how bucking/exposing the system worked out for him.

The best you can do, is the best you can do- and it is enough. Sow seeds of Truth- they will bear fruit- sow seeds of discord, they will bear fruit- NATURALLY- Liberty is a tree of rapid growth once it takes root- but, as with any plant it can be up-rooted or chopped down- and capitalism will finance it, not socialism-

 

[Gdjjr]

I REPEAT:
I'm not sure America has ever been all it was cracked up as- we can go all the way back to the Whiskey Tax and the ensuing revolution by those being taxed-

Then fast forward to Lincoln- I'm not sure how turning family against family could be considered great, or shortly there after with the Manifest Destiny, the only good Indian is a dead Indian, bullshit- or Reconstruction- or any of the wars of aggression we've started- or the Rail Road Industry shenanigans - and should we talk about the "great" American monopolist? Does the name Rockefeller ring and bells? Carnegie? No? Imagine that- they bought congress critters right and left- "great" you say? That's open to interpretation when no definition is supplied- I'm not real sure that having so many federal laws on the books that they can't be counted is great for anyone except ink and paper suppliers who probably had to pay to play- laws, btw, always favor one over another and make one a criminal if not complied with- in some cases shot dead on the spot! Great?!

Now, if materialism and superficial are the criteria used as definition- by all means- America is the Greatest-

The *concept* is/was a "great" idea- the manifestation, not so much-


Tell me where I'm wrong- I'm all eyes and unlike most message board posters I read.

 

[verker]

I keep hearing 'make America great again' , while having being raised thinking it was always so.

U.S. also mine country as foreign fans only if so as me in USMB.

What made America great?

Trump are good but not America's top president's after 1975.

Was there some historic point /event ?

History was when first black president Barack Obama jobs.

Is there a particular characteristic , ideal , metric ,or identifying factor ?

Trump workshipper to media of jackass he is.

What will keep America great would be a follow up

U.S. greater than North Korea, China, Russia, Germany, Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Chile, Canada, Bangladesh and India at least !

 

[Thunk]

History lesson.

Draw a line on a sheet of paper. On the left side of that line is 100% gov't control over you...on the right side is 0% gov't control over you.

100% gov't control is communism, socialism, marxism, totalitarianism (all the isms).

0% gov't control is anarchy...no law, no police, no military, no currency, no public roads or schools (you only "own" something if you can defend it by force).

Our founding fathers saw gov't as a necessary evil. We wanted to be as close to anarchy as possible...but still have social order, rule of law, and property ownership.

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice (court system), insure domestic Tranquility (Law Enforcement), provide for the common defense (military), promote the general Welfare (public roads and schools), and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity (secure freedom for ourselves and our children), do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of .America.

 

[sparky]

Waving Old Glory is giving the finger to kings and dictators. Betchya didn't know that. Seriously...that is OFFICIALLY what our flag stands for!

i suppose dissent became inherently patriotism ....

Democracy is like a raft..your feet are always wet..but the raft is very hard to sink.

good one!

Since it is now somehow socialism to fight for the working class in any way real greatness will forever elude us.

well that is a tad confusing.....

Our founding fathers saw gov't as a necessary evi

who could blame them?.... they came from an insane theocracy

Socialism is not intrinsically bad--it's like salt..you need a little..but too much ruins the dish.

another good one.....the metric seems constantly debated....

You've already had some great answers.

well, there's some great posters here....

America is an ideal - not geography, not a people. An ideal that was ahead of its time and unique in the world at the time - an ideal of self-governance.

The *concept* is/was a "great" idea- the manifestation, not so much-

Both kinda on the same page , but i get it....on that note, a jem the gifted USMB posters enlightened me to>>>



~S~

 

[sparky]

My own opinion?

What made, makes, and will keep America great are Americans, especially when we stand together.

as i've had the pleasure of meeting some rather grand Americans here, i'm hoping y'all keep this in mind , because it is far more powerful ,far more relevant ,than any one person

that includes who might be potus after tomorrow's election results

thank you all

~S~

 

[Gdjjr]

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice (court system), insure domestic Tranquility (Law Enforcement), provide for the common defense (military), promote the general Welfare (public roads and schools), and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity (secure freedom for ourselves and our children), do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of .America.

Interpreting to fit a belief is still interpreting- I don't recall in any of the "laws" (rules for job and behavior) saying anything about using *force* to gain tranquility- in fact, that would be diametrically opposite- the founders feared a "standing army" (Military) but believed a Navy was vital- there is nothing in the constitution about schools- that is an interpretation that I've never seen referenced in any of the writings of explanation or argument- in fact, the real arguments were for federalism or less federalism- federalism won out by amending with The Bill of Rights-
federalism centralizes "power" which was one of the reasons for the revolution- to get away from a distant "ruler"-
DC is quite distant, mentally and physically. The no.1 job of the representatives is to protect and defend the constitution- that's the oath they take- the out they subscribe to is; to the best of my ability- their ability, it seems, is to restrict vs secure Liberty- that's what laws do- when one is restricted another is favored- in the arena of commerce and trade their job was/is to ensure (not insure) that one didn't have a legal advantage over another- not mandate a winner or a loser-

The court "system" is, has been, and can be, a joke- it's run by people who pay others to teach twist, spin and castigate facts, words and events to *favor* a situation/event- the common denominator? Lawyers and arrogance gained form being sold that they are smart- an esoteric endeavor makes one more knowledgeable in a particular endeavor- smart, not really (unless getting rich is considered being smart)- AND they were Publicly Educated under "centralized/federal mandates" in a system coerced (blackmailed) into doing it a specific way with Public Funds coerced because; interpretation- which cannot exist without definition, meaning words mean things, or they don't- in some cases,such as the constitution (and most laws) what isn't said counts more-

 

[sartre play]

Will have to wait a few days and see if we decide to include all citizens as AMERICANS, Or continue to keep us divided by political party over country.

 

[Gdjjr]

Or continue to keep us divided by political party over country.

The division in ingrained, and becoming inherent- it will never go away completely- Too much animosity has been created and it is "the will of the people", that would be we, the stinky astro-turf, deplorable tourist- and make no mistake, anyone who sides with either side of the Duopoly Party is a tool for one side and an enemy to the other side-