On reflection this day, how proud are you of America?

[quinnox]

Poll question: On reflection this day, how proud are you of America?

[astral]

1. It's a trickquestion.

America as it was does not exist anymore.

[polichick]

2. I'm proud of many Americans - like OWS, Bernie Sanders, many others - but I'm not proud of...

...the power structure of this so-called democracy, or the fact that a lot of Americans have allowed themselves to be blind, deaf and dumb in the face of it.

The good news: the times they are a-changin' once again - more and more people are wise to the propaganda of the power structure and are finding creative ways to turn it on its head. With the people's revolutions around the world, including OWS and anonymous, I have hope that one day the United States may be a true democracy (with verifiable voting).

[lbrtbell]

3. OWS makes me proud of this country right now

:patriot:

[treestar]

4. I'm still proud of it

It recovered from the post 911 downslide and the Bush/Cheney administration.

It still has one of the best systems of government and more freedom than many have.

It does progress forward, sometimes too slowly perhaps, but it does improve and doesn't backslide for long.

[Kaleko]

5. kick for more samples.

Some recs would also help. This thread has been preemptively dissed.

[Selatius]

6. This country doesn't live up to the ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence.

It failed in that regard, but on the other hand, it could be worse. There could be thousands of dead protesters on the streets because the national guard was called in with tanks and guns to crush protesters like in Syria or Libya. This is a country run by the rich, and I have no doubt about that, but I realize things could be far worse given other examples around the world and in history.

I mean, we're not as bad as China, North Korea, Syria, Egypt, or Iran, but if that's how we advertise ourselves, then we really don't have much to be proud of as a people if we are to hold the belief that ultimate authority rests with the people. We're the ones that tolerate the abuses and didn't do much to stop it.

[HopeHoops]

7. I'm proud, but very concerned. The fascists are too powerful.

Unfortunately, there are enough idiots to give them power. I don't believe Obama is part of it, but his powers are limited. The local authorities don't even give a shit about court orders or federal laws.

"Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it" - paraphrased, perhaps, but still relevant. The 84 year old woman who was pepper-sprayed grew up in the era of German fascism. She saw the similarities and expressed them rather clearly. My late father-in-law was in WW-II and he was concerned about the deterioration of our rights (while the shrub was in the White House). I'm not sure if we're headed for another revolution or another civil war, but one of those is imminent.

[flobee1]

8. As of this morning

after waking and hearing about the woman that peppersprayed other customers to get more stuff, I am ashamed.

what the hell is wrong with people??????

[Kaleko]

9. kick