Problems With America?

[stylie]

Stop caring about what Europeans might think.

^^^ My favorite so far! ^^^

I would like to point out Stefan's post, for this reason.
a. The joke was funny
b. He's absolutely right about the drug war.
c. First time this has ever happened.

Another post about food processing/packaging is bang on, but I do not know how this relates to Europeans. You guys are not wasteful at all? We are all buying the same stuff, no? Im talking about all products, not necessarily food.

I also want to point out one other thing. We have 2 kids, one in first one in third. Everytime I go to a school function I actually look for fat kids... there are none. I mean NONE! Where are all the fat kids I keep hearing about! Adults are a different story though...

If I could change one thing, it would be to put kids in school uniforms. They spend way to much time and effort thinking about their image and what to wear. I find that to be a dangerous distraction at that age.

Turning things around, Id like to help Europe a little...

Your fascination with Social networking sites is a bit disturbing. Flash mobs and such. Nothing wrong with message boards though ;-)

[Meadow]

Move your politics beyond the two right-wing party stasis it has now and embrace the post-war Social Democratic revolution that Europe underwent 60 years ago. In essence, create a nationalised healthcare system that is non-pay-at-point-of-use and undo the years of McCarthy, Reagan and Limbaugh boogeymanisation of the left or 'socialism'.

So my big hope for this generation is that they will oversee political reform in America, to answer the question directly. Move beyond these ideas that more progressive countries left behind in the 1900s (I am not exaggerating).

[Zoologic]

Fancy education like teaching snort-nosed brats with algebra is useless 3rd-world country show-off.

Every Asian & African country did that for mostly its leaders' amusement... "ha' your kids can't do algebra, then why you criticize our 'freedom' instead of teaching your kids cooler stuff??!?!?"

I envy Finland's system, where they were taught based on every person's unique interest and logical reasoning.

America was founded by people who fled Europe's big government in search of a country that would allow more personal liberties. It's something that is deeply ingrained in the American mind, and I for one hope it stays that way.

We were taught that way. I guess my school received a lot of imperialist US-aid funds.

I read a lot of books, observe a lot of Americans and Europeans, only to conclude that we are wrong. America is founded by opportunists, who seeks for more personal gain and escape the law in the expense of the natives. Centuries later, they rewrite a lot of history in apologetic manner and decided to mix current-day standards in order to dignify their new-found reasoning.

personal gain = freedom (by today's standard)
the law = tyranny (by today's standard)
the natives = buggers (by those day's standard)

But this is highly excusable, since most countries write their history this way.

Anyway, can't imagine the world without US. Have to love the country the current way or whatever it would be many years to come.

[siben]

Your average north american uses about a double amount of resources compared to the average european. Australia is not far behind the US. Average european uses about 20 times the resources as your average Somalian. Europe is doing all it can to improve this and be less wasteful, the us, prior to obama, refused this in every single way.

Social networking? I know like 5 friends, that i see weekly, that refuse to use facebook or any other social network site, i even know someone my age that simply turns of his cellphone in the weekend because he then no longer needs it for work.

Anyway, tip to the us, be less patriotic, and try eating less garbage and have a healthy meal once and a while, even if it is just in the weekends.

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

I envy Finland's system, where they were taught based on every person's unique interest and logical reasoning.

Do you know where I can read more about this? Education reform is an issue I have written about and one that I am interested in.

[Ts4EVER]

I envy Finland's system, where they were taught based on every person's unique interest and logical reasoning.

Do you know where I can read more about this? Education reform is an issue I have written about and one that I am interested in.

In Germany many envy finlands education system due to small classes and stuff. Most don't envy the high taxes that pay for it though. 

[Jürgen]

I envy Finland's system, where they were taught based on every person's unique interest and logical reasoning.

Do you know where I can read more about this? Education reform is an issue I have written about and one that I am interested in.

In Germany many envy finlands education system due to small classes and stuff. Most don't envy the high taxes that pay for it though. 

How much people had/have you guys when you were/are 14-16 years old in your classroom?

[Ts4EVER]

I envy Finland's system, where they were taught based on every person's unique interest and logical reasoning.

Do you know where I can read more about this? Education reform is an issue I have written about and one that I am interested in.

In Germany many envy finlands education system due to small classes and stuff. Most don't envy the high taxes that pay for it though. 

How much people had/have you guys when you were/are 14-16 years old in your classroom?

In Germany? 20 - 30

[Stefan]

To answer the question originally asked by the OP, what can this generation do?

I would say protest, political system today gives you little say if you can only vote for 2 ideas , being republican or democrat every 4 years. through protest ( no not riots ) you can get broad attention if you bring the numbers. Today there is too much bitching on facebook twitter and the "mainstream media" that people watch and get frustrated about.

Now i cant promise you it will work, in europe through massive protest we got what we have today, when i look at the vietnam protest im not too sure if it would work for you, anyway i guess the answer is being more active from the bottom up for political change of the system.

[Zoologic]

I started reading about the Finnish education system during the hype of our education reform campaign too. And last week Finnish prime minister visited here, so a lot of articles regarding this issue arise again.

Well i found that the source they are using is this article written by this guy:

Top of the Class - Fergus Bordewich

(the summarized points in Indonesian): Finlandia : Kualitas Pendidikan Terbaik di Dunia (Finland: The best education quality in the world) by Andri Aji Saputro
http://supermilan.wordpress.com/2007/05/14/finlandia-kualitas-pendidikan-terbaik-di-dunia/

Google translator will help.

"best" as in ranked 1st in 2003 comprehensive survey by OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development) shown here: http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/14/15/36039008.pdf

[THeTA0123]

Americans waste all their tax money on its military and Europeans waste all their tax money on banks

[NTH]

To the OP a little management BS course for you.

- Don't think in problems, think  in opportunities.

Since we are currently discussing Euro vs US school systems.

I think kids in US are being raised to be more assertive or at least outspoken. When I see young American kids on TV they are more articulate then their European counterparts.

A pro for the European (at least the Dutch one) system is that the good Universities are accessible for everybody. It does not depend on how much money you saved to get in or if you get a scholarship..

[stylie]

We need some sort of exchange program. Some things I have read are so far out there, you just need to come here for yourselves. We all believe waaaaay too much of what we see on the news... polls... etc. I'll be the first to call himself guilty. Here is some healthy food for thought.

My kids are
a. Of mixed race
b. Dont have a clue what racism is and dont give a damn.
c. eat well
d. Are patriotic
e. They have all kinds of friends from different races.
f. Have a working knowledge of several languages thanks to Mom.

Here is the pecking order at my job in an IT department

a. Woman VP
b. Jew Director
c. Mexican Network Manager
d. Me

Friday night we are having a party. There will be...

A couple of Polish dudes
My Ukranian friend
2 Mexican Families
1 Black Family
A Columbian/Finnish couple with Child
A White/Iranian couple with child.
3 Atheists.
4 War Veterans (1 from WWII!)
A devout Knights of Columbus card carrying Catholic Mexican.
1 guy who we think is gay.

[Oddball]

This thread is one major FAIL. I was going to start ripping it apart.... but then I read on and there was another comment and I was like...

.. so now i'm just going ot leave this thread laughing...laughing out loud, no joke.

@ Stefan, I really just want to say this, the vietnam protesting is what caused 58,000 brave American soldier and over 2 million vietmanese, along with the many other murdered by the VC after we left them to die in vain. I hope those basterd, hippie, cowards are happy... self important punks.

[Ts4EVER]

You mean like the last time you ripped us apart and we laughed at you for being a creationist?