Thread: An alternative view of the USA & some other countries

Originally Posted by chaika

Here's a list of how corruption is seen to permeate various countries. Russia is very low on the list, but when you say things like "all governments are corrupt" you are basing your thinking on your own experience without realizing that the pattern does not necessarily map to other countries. I am not saying that the US is an angel, just that it may not be as bad as some think.

Have they stopped taking bribes in the Senate and the Congress? They're all right, aren't they?

Originally Posted by Ramil

Have they stopped taking bribes in the Senate and the Congress? They're all right, aren't they?

Hey, lobbyism is legal in USA, didn't you know?

Originally Posted by it-ogo

Hey, lobbyism is legal in USA, didn't you know?

Well that too. ))) Official bribes are the best. Still I wasn't talking about these.

chaika, you may find this interesting:
Congressional Culture of Bribes

There's but one thing about the American society that I can't bring myself to admire: their ignorance of their own greatness. Most Americans wholeheartedly believe that they are great, without knowing exactly why. Ask average Americans if they've ever heard of William Faulkner, or Richard Feynman, or Bobby Fischer. Few people might have a vague idea, while those guys were absolutely the best ones in their area of expertise.

Russians, on the other hand, are much more conscious of their pluses and minuses. Their contribution to science, art, sports, etc is no less than Americans'; the difference is, Russians are aware of it. Their criticism of their own setbacks is harsh and severe (especially in matters dealing with politics), but they're also truly proud of their national identity.

In America, it looks like following the orders: you believe that you're great, just because that's what you are told to do. Or rather, that's what everybody does without knowing why.

National Consciousness. I suppose this is ultimately what makes a nation a Nation.