Individualism Has Destroyed America And Turned Its People Into Morons
Yes, correct
Side Score: 11
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No, wrong.
Side Score: 10
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It's a big part of what's wrong, just not the only answer. Yes we're greedy, selfish, self righteous, miserly, and sticking it to others so we can get or keep our own. All true. But we're also polarized, and that does not fit the individualism explanation perfectly. And we're mislead, which admittedly is our own fault through negligence and naivety, but it's regardless still a form of fraud. Probably the biggest tragedy isn't that we got into this quagmire in the first place, but that most of us are trying so very hard to make sure we (they) will never ever climb back out of it. This site demonstrates repeatedly how people not only shut out reason but mock it and attack it as an enemy. We might not ALL be screwed, but a large share of us are, and quite probably they'll take the whole system down with them in one big crash. Side: Yes, correct
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Probably the biggest tragedy isn't that we got into this quagmire in the first place, but that most of us are trying so very hard to make sure we (they) will never ever climb back out of it. This site demonstrates repeatedly how people not only shut out reason but mock it and attack it as an enemy. Completely agree with you, Grenache. Fantastic post. Side: No, wrong.
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What a shock, we are once again seeing European Liberals hating America, and ultra Liberals like you go right along with their judgmental hate. Grenache, you are a sorry excuse for an American and I wonder why you have not long ago left for these European Socialist utopias? The truth is that every nation in this world has faults and America probably has the least faults of them all. We are the guiding light of democracy and protecting the innocent lives around the world. Were it not for America, Europe would long ago been taken over by Russia, China, etc. etc. America's strength keeps this world safe from would be dictators. But do we her praises to the good of America? NO! Liberlals always speak to any bad they can dredge up. You keep showing how ultra Liberal you truly are. It's funny, when speaking to America's faults, you never mention the barbarism of the Left's support of No Restriction abortions. YOU COMPLETE PHONEY! Side: No, wrong.
Nonsense. What I advocate is a responsible citizenry participating in their democracy with intelligence and purpose. That is COMPLETELY American in ideals. What I spurn is idiocy in the electorate. You find that offensive because you're part of it. Your side in fact constantly feeds the disinformation campaigns as well the destructive bipolarization of politics. And your bullcrap no limits abortion nonsense has no relevance in this debate. Plus I've answered it a dozen times in a dozen other places already. Side: Yes, correct
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What a shock, we are once again seeing European Liberals hating America Ah, the standard go to defence of the right. Disagree with us on pretty much anything and YOU HATE AMERICA! I'm pretty sure they did a sketch about this on Family Guy and it was hilarious. Side: Yes, correct
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Capitalism is irrational because the problems which affect us all come a distant second to the pursuit of individual wealth and power. Since this is counter-productive to the human race as a whole, the only way capitalism can function effectively is by ensuring the population are unable to think critically. Side: Yes, correct
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Capitalism is merely an economic system, how has it been able to stop people from thinking critically? Are you trolling or are you just stupid? The American people have just elected Donald Trump, a serial rapist and pathological liar with four bankruptcies and 75 open lawsuits. A man who was once put under federal investigation for systematic racial discrimination against blacks. Respected political fact checkers following Trump's election campaign noted his record of telling the truth at somewhere between six and twenty percent. Both major political parties in America are capitalist parties. Capitalist parties are the only parties which are sufficiently funded because private capital funds the election process. The American people do not have a choice about capitalism. They have a relatively meaningless choice between Republicans and Democrats which purposefully misdirects them away from the ideological prison they are living in. America is a capitalist dictatorship. The bizarre fact that this has somehow been hidden from the majority of the population is evidence enough of what capitalism has done to reason in America. Side: No, wrong.
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I would argue the exact opposite. In my mind collectivism has "Destroyed America". People have become so attached to pack mentality that it clouds reason. This is shown how political discussion has boiled over into violence time and time again. Regardless of whether you support Trump or not, if you are a Republican or a Democrat, you are still a human. But when you look at the UC Berkeley riots you see people attacking each other merely because they supported a different candidate. At this rate, America is heading towards Italy in the 1930s. And in regards to the "turned its people to morons" merely look at any political discussion. Arguments devolve into glorified name calling be it "racist" or "comie", "Nazi" & "Cuck". Actual discussion or sustenance is lost for the same arguments regurgitated without any real thought to it (This website is a great example). Now I am not going so far as saying collectivism is entirely bad or wrong. Rather that tribalism or "Us and Them" mentality has gone too far and butchered individuality and reasoning. There is nothing wrong with working as a collective, but that doesn't mean your collective is always right. To put it simply, everyone just wants to be part of the crowd, as long as its the right crowd. Side: No, wrong.
I would agree with you. For most now it's either one side or the other. There is no gray in between. You either support Trump or you want him to burn and crash and people with either mind set have no problem physically or verbally attacking those who disagree. Either mindset can tiptoe in extremism when none have their own mind and can't see that things aren't just black and white. That being said, I do understand where the OP is coming from in this. It seems everyone is out for themselves, to get what they can and damn the rest. I think with both Individualism and Collectivism there are inherent flaws that need to be overcome. With only an individualistic mindset there is no concern for our fellow man or a collective good for all. With only a collective mindset there is no give or forgiveness for freedom of expression or differences in others. So again it falls under the, we must see the gray in between. Side: Yes, correct
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That being said, I do understand where the OP is coming from in this. Thank you very much. It seems everyone is out for themselves, to get what they can and damn the rest. It's true and as far as I am concerned the reason is quite clear. Under the present system these behaviours you describe are incentivised and rewarded. Even crime is rewarded as a means to personal wealth/power provided you don't get caught. Crime is but a higher risk method of obtaining those same goals which American culture tells us we should want. Individualism and Collectivism there are inherent flaws that need to be overcome I don't think they are "flaws" but rather different ways of understanding society. They both have merit when discussed in the right context. But -- and this is absolutely crucial -- we must understand that the acquisition of and/or exercise of any individual power must NEVER be permitted to outrank the collective good as a directive. Individualism has taken such a grip in America that we have begun to see precisely that, with the purchasing of think tanks designed to obfuscate or set back the scientific evidence for climate change, with the fight against teaching evolution in schools, with the blind support of military personnel over and above the actions the military takes, with the fight against sane gun legislation and probably a hundred other things which I won't bore you by sequentially listing. Side: No, wrong.
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