A new Revolution in America, how could it happen?

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LKL
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02 Dec 2012, 12:50 am

AspieRogue wrote:
visagrunt wrote:
I think that there is one overriding factor that categorically stands in the way of a new American Revolution:

The vast majority of Americans have a good life.

The vast majority of people in the United States have access to inexpensive food; comfortable shelter; communications; entertainment and transportation. Americans have universal primary and secondary education free at the point of delivery, and--for all its shortcomings--excellent health care.

Are things perfect? Of course not. Could things be better? That goes without saying.

But can you honestly say that things are so bad in your country that you would take up arms against the government? I believe that the number of people who could honestly answer that question in the affirmative is a tiny, and frankly self-deluded, minority.





1)Unless we have another great depression and the government is unable or unwilling to take the necessary steps to instigate recovery, the chances of a revolution are practically zero. However, you are incorrect that the "vast majority" of Americans have a good life, they simply aren't desperately poor and starving....................................YET.

2) In case you haven't noticed, a lot of Americans are pretty unhappy these days compared to people in Canada who seem quite content with their country. Canada has strict quotas on Americans wishing to emigrate there, unlike the US which will happily accept Canadian immigrants.

3) You're claim that secondary education(as in college) is free at the point of delivery in the US is 100% Wrong. College is NOT free and is becoming more and more expensive with the exception of community colleges. ONLY 25% OF AMERICANS HAVE A BACHELORS DEGREE(OR MORE) :!: Many people have gone to college by taking out student loans and with the bad economy they are thousands of dollars in debt which they will spend the rest of their lives paying off. Banks may become increasingly restrictive about who qualifies for a student loan since in the wake of the financial crisis fewer people are able to get loans greater than there net worth.

'secondary education' generally referrs to high school, which is indeed free in the US.



visagrunt
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03 Dec 2012, 2:17 pm

AspieRogue wrote:
1)Unless we have another great depression and the government is unable or unwilling to take the necessary steps to instigate recovery, the chances of a revolution are practically zero. However, you are incorrect that the "vast majority" of Americans have a good life, they simply aren't desperately poor and starving....................................YET.


If the first was insufficient to sow the seeds of revolution, I see no potential for another economic disaster of similar proportions.

As for the quality of life of the "vast majority" of Americans, I will stand by the claim. The most recent census data suggests that approximately 15% of Americans are living in poverty. Now, that percentage has been rising steadily during the last decade--which is worrisome--but that strongly suggests to me that well over 80% of Americans have sufficient income to meet their needs. If 80% isn't a vast majority, what is?

It also bears noting that as poverty levels rise, so too does the political imperative to address poverty. In the mid 1960's, the poverty rate rose as high at 19%, and the federal government responded with legislative initiatives to respond to poverty.

Quote:
2) In case you haven't noticed, a lot of Americans are pretty unhappy these days compared to people in Canada who seem quite content with their country. Canada has strict quotas on Americans wishing to emigrate there, unlike the US which will happily accept Canadian immigrants.


Canada has no immigration quotas at all. Canada has a global immigration target, but this does not limit decision making on individual cases. There is some capacity to "manage the mix" through the requirement to apply for permanent residence in a visa office with responsibility for one's country of residence, but the capacity of the processing centre at Buffalo and the satellite offices in the United States has always been vastly higher than the number of American's applying for permanent residence in Canada. When I was in the foreign service, the permanent resident caseload in the US system (other than the Family Class) was composed mostly of third country nationals in the United States on temporary resident status of one kind or another.

You should make sure you get your facts correct if you are going to make bald statements about the Canadian immigration system.

Quote:
3) You're claim that secondary education(as in college) is free at the point of delivery in the US is 100% Wrong. College is NOT free and is becoming more and more expensive with the exception of community colleges. ONLY 25% OF AMERICANS HAVE A BACHELORS DEGREE(OR MORE) :!: Many people have gone to college by taking out student loans and with the bad economy they are thousands of dollars in debt which they will spend the rest of their lives paying off. Banks may become increasingly restrictive about who qualifies for a student loan since in the wake of the financial crisis fewer people are able to get loans greater than there net worth.


Secondary education is high school. College is post-secondary education. Again, get your facts correct.

Every American has access to primary and secondary education free at the point of delivery.


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