TheByte

Bruce

Wasn't sure where to put this thread, but this seems appropriate.

So then, to the question. I wanted to ask the question: Are you proud/happy with the country that you live in? What do you deem to be the postives and negatives?

What things make you proud (or not) to be a citzen? Is it the politics; the citzens; the health care system, the history of the country, etc?

I realize there are many ways one could answer this thread, therfore feel free to answer it any way you like.

BMW_Dude

Great idea for a thread Bruce!

I am not a particularly patriotic person, but overall, I'm happy with Britian. I think some of the things we have done have been terrible, such as the slave trade, and taking over most of the world, and to a lesser extent Iraq. Although some things I'm proud about, such as WW1 and WW2 we along with a load of other countries stopped the world becoming a worse place.

One thing which I think is great, is the freedom for speach, in some places you can't say what ever you want, but I think it's very important that we can say what ever we like, and not to be oppressed by the government. This is linked to democracy which is another very important thing.

Points that I don't like about my country is the 'football hooligan' image, and chavs. I wish that would all go away.

I'm sure there's loads more I could say, but in my current tired state, I can't think of anything else!

The Emperor

Guys, as i've said many times before CZ, that even when CZ comes, i don't want to talk about politics, either about the one from my own country or any other in the world, i simply don't want.

Bruce, nice thread though and i'll only answer this: Yes, i'm proud of my country and i'm very proud to be Croat! Mainly because my country suffered a 5 year war, survived all the $h!t, managed to become independent and the fact that many people gave their lives for us to live free and peaceful like we live today, and thanks to who, i sit here and type this post; if there wasn't for them, maybe i wouldn't sit here now...

Regardless of that, the country that i love that much doesn't build future for me and my family, i do that, that's my job. And how i work for myself and my family, that's how my life is going to be. No politics can influence that, no politics gives me money for my life, that's my job! My only duty is to pay the tax according to law...All the rest is my job.

Therefore i'm not interested in any politics and that's why i don't like to talk about it. It simply doesn't interest me.

Again, nice thread, Bruce. I'll read it at least...

Bruce

Thanks, Will. Good answer too

I'd say that am very much a patriotic Canadian, but franky, much less than I once was. Don't get me wrong though, I still love being a Canadian.

I very much appreciate my country's status on war and peace keeping, and I'm also very happy with our donations of money to other countries (for whatever reason). I am also happy that we boast an excellent health care system that is relatively inexpensive and provides service to most everyone when needed.

I'm also happy with:

- Our economy (as I imagine most other Canadians would agree)
- Our beautiful landscape (and the fact that it has brought many movie producers here)
- The fact that most other countries deem it a great place to visit
- Our cool flag
- Our supplies (lumber, oil, etc)

Not happy with:

Charting into dangerous territory..

- Our Imigration laws. While such increases our economy and eliminates work shortages - I feel we are being a little too gracious.

- Last time I checked, our American brothers were recieving our supplies for bargain prices..

Perhaps some of that is contradiction to the economy thing... but whatever, I'm not arguing!

Interesting point, Will. On the stereotype boat - I'm sick of Canada being thought of as the Arctic. People think we live in Igloos and wear snow shoes. People even seem to think we have no sunshine...

Drives me insane. We have everything the United States has: phones; coffee shops; exotic cars (a plently!); book stores, etc. We even get sunshine!

Furthermore, I doubt the majority of folks aren't aware that many of the biggest oil companies have headquarters in Canada

Bruce

Thanks!

You're view point about politics and what-not is completely understandable. Honestly, I hardly ever talk about politics (because like you, I don't have much interest in them), but I thought this would make an interesting thread.

The Emperor

And it will be, you'll see...

The Artist

i can not participate.. as i do not feel at home in sweden.. or in pakistan..
im like a foreigner wherever i go..
ive learnet to be comfortable with that..
the world is my home..

MikeJ

Am I happy to live in Finland? Oh yes. It's nowhere near perfect, but I do think that the positives outweigh the negatives.

Politics:
Finland is a modern democracy. There are three major parties and a whole bunch of smaller ones. There's an element of undecisiveness regarding certain matters that I don't like, but overall one has to be happy with the way things are going. There's no corruption to speak of and matters such as labour disputes are usually solved without anyone resorting to illegal activities.

History:
Finland was a part of the Swedish Empire from the 13th century to 1809, and from 1809 to 1917 an autonomous Grand Duchy of Russia. During those times, Finns managed to maintain and develop their national identity, which must account for something. In 1918 there was a civil war, during which many atrocities were commited, so that's definitely not something to be proud of. On the other hand, Finland's ability to defend itself against the Soviet invasion in 1939 is something that many Finns still consider the greatest achievement of the nation. Other events that followed during WW2 and Finland's post-war foreign and domestic policies can seem a bit iffy in certain respects.

Welfare state:
Finland has an extensive welfare system. Education, including universities, is free. Health care is free. Many other services are free. There are all sorts of subsidies and grants and other types of benefits available to make people's life easier in different situations. I think that the system is basically good, but in some respects it is ineffective. I also think that there is a lot of unnecessary bureaucracy involved, and getting rid of some of that might lessen the tax burden the system creates.

The people:
The great majority of Finns are what you would call decent people. Honest and hard-working. However, there is a relatively large group of people that gets on my nerves, and that is the people who seem to have nothing better to do than to oppose and complain whenever anyone is trying to do, well, anything. You would hear these people still complaining about Finland joining the EU and adopting the Euro. They will tell you that everything was much better in the past when in fact it wasn't. They do not like anyone who has a nicer car or a nicer house or nicer clothes than themselves - and it's not necessarily that they couldn't afford one. And so on. These people are my pet peeve, as I'm sure you've already realized... there has also been something of a national inferiority complex, but that is quickly becoming a thing of the past.

The country:
Finland (especially the northern part) is sparsely populated, and there are lots and lots of wilderness where you can roam without needing permission from anybody. There are lots of lakes and rivers. There are wild berries and mushrooms which you can pick freely, thanks to the concept of 'everyman's right'. In my opinion, Finland is a very beautiful country and that right provides everyone the opportunity to enjoy that beauty.

The economy:
Finland is doing better than ever before. The only dislike I have about that is that it is too much dependent on the fortunes of a single corporation - Nokia.

I suppose that's a start.

The Emperor

Nice post, Mike!

Bruce

Absolutely! Karma for the great post, Mike.