people throw this term around like it means something, like there is anything that ties us all together.

Obesity?

Stupidity?

False sense of entitlement?





I can see this going on and on.

acquiring and maintaining both real and personal property and believing the right to do this is sancrosanct even if it tends to destroy the world

they do? i guess i don't hear it that much, but i have thought about this from time to time. in a sense, we do have a lot of things in common - traditions associated with holidays, general consensus on popular music, similar buying habits and ideas about furniture.

i mean, i don't think we have the kind of strong identification with specific foods, drinks, and cultural icons as, say, your france, but there's something there.

If you don't understand that the basics of American Culture are: Life, Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness, you will never get this country.

That's not a culture, Loogar, that's a mantra. American culture doesn't exist. We have many cultures with different traditions in one country, but unfortunately, only the WASP-y traditions get celebrated on a regular basis.

Ditto on the obesity, stupidity and entitlement, though... sad, but true.

edit: we could also add people referring to America when they really mean the United States, not the two continents that make up America.

It's a tie that binds, Dana. And it may be the only one.

Sorry that you sad sacks who want to complain about how stupid and lazy Americans are don't understand the greatness of our country.

It doesn't get much more American than French Fries.

I can't tell if you people are more insane, naive or stupid. There's tons of American culture out there. Stop shitting where you eat.

i think our lack of a unifying culture IS what makes us great.
i brought it up because i often hear it when people complain about illegal imagrants coming in and destroying our precious culture.

i think you have to be careful unconditionally demonizing the majority culture for celebrating the traditions handed down to them (at least the morally neutral ones) instead of handing out balloons at the puerto rican day parade or something.

i think you can do both loogar. I can see how great America could be - but we are headed in the wrong direction and without pointing out these problems nothing will ever be done. Call me a complainer, fine, there is a lot to complain about.

I don't think that anyone is saying that they are destroying our CULTURE in the sense of bringing in new traditions that are alien to us. The main point of contention is the lack of a willingness or eagerness to assimilate.

and we better figure out SOMETHING, before people go insane, or everyone speaks Spanish. There;s gotta be a happy medium.

One of the things that attracts these people is our culture, and they can add to it.

In a society as vast and encompassing as ours, I think they're will always be alot to complain about, and celebrate. I think it boils down to the individual's outlook on life. I'm sure they we're tons of naysayers during Jefferson's, Lincoln's, Both Roosvelts, and Eisenhower's eras saying we're going in the wrong direction.

if i moved to say, france, i doubt i would ever totally assimilate. it probably takes a generation. our culture will change as we add these new people which could be a good thing.

Which direction are we headed, and where would you like to see us go?

I admit that you can find many things that seem to be spinning out of control. But I think these are on the right AND the left.

What I am saying is, at our base level, Americans believe, and American Culture fosters the belief that with hard work, moxie and guts, anyone can get ahead.

How many generations are your people off the boat?

And how successful are you?

Why do Hispanics keep pouring accross our boarders? OPPORTUNITY.

I don't think Loog is taking about total assimilation, but rather the desire to assimilate. Big difference.

total assimilation would suck.
partical assimilation is fatty and delicious (american chinese food, american italian food, american mexican food . . .)

the lazy-ass people I see around here getting busted for dumping their baby in the river or blowing up their house from cooking up meth are not immigrants. the immigrants are working their 2nd job and trying to get ahead.