U.S.A vs U.K vs Australia

[TheKingIam]

All 3 countries are very similar but also very different
personally I'd go Australia>U.K>U.S.A

[Horatio Nelson]

Obviously the U.S, because I'm a biased American! :D

[phuckphace]

STRAYA. there's no question.

[Miserabilia]

UK>USA>Australia

[phuckphace]

straya = how to do the whole colony -> country thing right
murrica = how to do colony -> country wrong
UK = how to start colonies and be awesome but then fuck everything up and end up less awesome than any of your former colonies

trufax

[Gamma Male]

I'm an American, and I voted UK. It just seems like a better place to live. It would be sooo great if I could move there some day :lol:

Maybe enroll into an all boys boarding school, watch Doctor Who more often, start using funny british words.......


Bloody. Heh.

[Miserabilia]

I'm an American, and I voted UK. It just seems like a better place to live. It would be sooo great if I could move there some day :lol:

Maybe enroll into an all boys boarding school, watch Doctor Who more often, start using funny british words.......


Bloody. Heh.

Somehow that really fitted your avatar xD

[Gamma Male]

Somehow that really fitted your avatar xD

Why? Because of that furry british cat fantasy I have, or because of the grumpy face he's making? :lol:

[britishboy]

As if! They're my 3 favorite countries!!!

I'm an American, and I voted UK. It just seems like a better place to live. It would be sooo great if I could move there some day :lol:

Maybe enroll into an all boys boarding school, watch Doctor Who more often, start using funny british words.......


Bloody. Heh.

You would love the UK!

[Babiole]

I prefer the U.S. because on other sites I've been to, Americans have generally been the nicest of the three. Australians seem pretty nice too. I've had a lot of bad experiences with the British - probably the English more than anyone else. (No offense to any British users here - I didn't mean you.)

[Harry Smith]

I'm an American, and I voted UK. It just seems like a better place to live. It would be sooo great if I could move there some day :lol:

Maybe enroll into an all boys boarding school, watch Doctor Who more often, start using funny british words.......


Bloody. Heh.

Eh I'd be skeptical of that-the all boys boarding schools aren't that great. Just hotbeds of elitism, a flawed class based society and abuse. Doctor's who's gone down the pan since David Tennant left, but yeah our dialogue is pretty decent.

I'd still argue that the UK is better than Australia though on the basis that they've got a terrible human rights record, a PM who supports marital rape and a largely racist society. Looking at the state of the current three governments though it's pretty bleak

[Vlerchan]

Other: Canada.

[Croconaw]

USA is better because I said so. I'm biased!

[Harry Smith]

There's serious concerns about Australia's human rights record, it signed up in 2011 to UPR yet it simply hasn't met the fundamental criteria-it's continued to abuse children in detention centres which is in blanant disregard to it's own pledges and the international treaties they signed up for, they've a migration system in place which is popular in Australia, and I'm sure it's popular with many others but they still have to abide by the international community

[Sir Suomi]

Oh I'm sorry, can you speak up? It's pretty hard for us Americans to hear you from the Moon.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/Scott_Gives_Salute_-_GPN-2000-001114.jpg

Update: I'll take your silence as a sign of victory.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/0454cc1091c897faa22cc0825862544a/tumblr_mypq8di8tJ1qzeo2zo1_500.jpg

[Gamma Male]

Eh I'd be skeptical of that-the all boys boarding schools aren't that great. Just hotbeds of elitism, a flawed class based society and abuse. Doctor's who's gone down the pan since David Tennant left, but yeah our dialogue is pretty decent.

I'd still argue that the UK is better than Australia though on the basis that they've got a terrible human rights record, a PM who supports marital rape and a largely racist society. Looking at the state of the current three governments though it's pretty bleak

Yeah, the all boys school thing was really more of a sexual fantasy, I like other british tv shows too, and yes, your accents are awesome.




Prat. Hehehehe.

[Miserabilia]

Why? Because of that furry british cat fantasy I have, or because of the grumpy face he's making? :lol:

haha I don't know for some reason I can really imagine grumpy cat saying 'bloody"

[britishboy]

Oh I'm sorry, can you speak up? It's pretty hard for us Americans to hear you from the Moon.

image (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/Scott_Gives_Salute_-_GPN-2000-001114.jpg)

Update: I'll take your silence as a sign of victory.

image (http://24.media.tumblr.com/0454cc1091c897faa22cc0825862544a/tumblr_mypq8di8tJ1qzeo2zo1_500.jpg)

The commies went there as well ;)

Eh I'd be skeptical of that-the all boys boarding schools aren't that great. Just hotbeds of elitism, a flawed class based society and abuse. Doctor's who's gone down the pan since David Tennant left, but yeah our dialogue is pretty decent.

I'd still argue that the UK is better than Australia though on the basis that they've got a terrible human rights record, a PM who supports marital rape and a largely racist society. Looking at the state of the current three governments though it's pretty bleak

OMG! Shut up about elitists! Your parents couldn't afford you to go to a good school, it doesn't make everybody that can evil! You say you hate stereotypes!

In my experience those who have received a private education, from middle or upper classes, have been police, kind and intelligent... We all know what those from state schools are like.

As for Australia the people there are so kind, like everyone. Sydney is beautiful, they have other stuff as well like that big rock in the desert (I've never seen that rock) it's the costal cities you want.

[Harry Smith]

The commies went there as well ;)

We all know what those from state schools are like.

Yeah we do-Maragret Thatcher, John Major, Alan Johnson, John Prescott. 4 pretty successful politicians who went to a state school. Absolutely no evidence going to a state ran school makes your character worse-your just struggling to understand social conditions

It's ironic that you dismiss the elitist label yet you then say how everyone who goes to private schools are better-that's the definition of elitist.

[CharlieHorse]

Where's Canada?

[DerBear]

I doubt anyone will vote outside of their own home country.

Anyway I picked UK because I live in the UK. I'd then go Australia and then USA. Not because I have anything against the USA but personally I like the fact that Australians for the most part understand British humour and sarcasm whereas Americans don't, I'm not saying all Americans but I've been in some conversations both online and in person and you say something sarcastic and unless its blindingly obvious they give you that blank stare whereas with Austrailans they do seem to get it.

[Fractured Silhouette]

I have been to all three and lived in two of them.

I choose Canada.

[StarSpark]

Where's Canada?
Hi Charlie :D

The commies went there as well ;)



OMG! Shut up about elitists! Your parents couldn't afford you to go to a good school, it doesn't make everybody that can evil! You say you hate stereotypes!

In my experience those who have received a private education, from middle or upper classes, have been police, kind and intelligent... We all know what those from state schools are like.

As for Australia the people there are so kind, like everyone. Sydney is beautiful, they have other stuff as well like that big rock in the desert (I've never seen that rock) it's the costal cities you want.
No need to get harsh with him .

I'm American and I don't believe that sense I go to school here that my education is bad. I won't say that I like the American education but no need to smash them :P

I my self would love prefer to be in Australia :wub:

[TapDancer]

Canada all the way. I hate Australia. Our Prime Minister refuses asylum seekers entry and turns their non-seaworthy boats around towards Indonesia - it pisses them off too. He is also privatising our health system to look like America's, which is so stupid. We need universal healthcare. The UK is good, but, Canadians are bilungual, which I find very cool :3 As for the U.S.A., I like Obama, but, Americans are not very kind to each other. That, and it shocks me that as a McEmployee here in Australia, I make more than a waitress.

[britishboy]

Yeah we do-Maragret Thatcher, John Major, Alan Johnson, John Prescott. 4 pretty successful politicians who went to a state school. Absolutely no evidence going to a state ran school makes your character worse-your just struggling to understand social conditions

It's ironic that you dismiss the elitist label yet you then say how everyone who goes to private schools are better-that's the definition of elitist.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2469742/Private-school-students-likely-land-jobs-state-school-pupils-identical-degree.html

http://www.parentdish.co.uk/teen/why-private-schools-are-better-than-state/

Are you jealous of the upper class?

[Vlerchan]

We all know what those from state schools are like.
I go to a state school.

How would you strawman me in this case?

[britishboy]

I go to a state school.

How would you strawman me in this case?

Aren't you a communist or anarchist?

[Camazotz]

http://lewwaters.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/fireworks-3.jpg

If you disagree, we'll nuke ya with all our freedom;)

USA! USA! USA!

http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/anYz3do_700b.jpg

[Capto]

OMG! Shut up about elitists! Your parents couldn't afford you to go to a good school, it doesn't make everybody that can evil! You say you hate stereotypes!

In my experience those who have received a private education, from middle or upper classes, have been police, kind and intelligent... We all know what those from state schools are like.

As for Australia the people there are so kind, like everyone. Sydney is beautiful, they have other stuff as well like that big rock in the desert (I've never seen that rock) it's the costal cities you want.

That's one of the most incredibly ridiculous sequence of umbrella statements I've ever seen.

[Vlerchan]

Aren't you a communist or anarchist?
No?

Though I'm unsure how that my ideological-leanings are relevent to the question I just asked.

[StoppingTime]

The commies went there as well ;)



OMG! Shut up about elitists! Your parents couldn't afford you to go to a good school, it doesn't make everybody that can evil! You say you hate stereotypes!

In my experience those who have received a private education, from middle or upper classes, have been police, kind and intelligent... We all know what those from state schools are like.


You need to stop making ridiculous statements like this. VT isn't a place for you to spout judgmental nonsense against other people - if you're just posting to put other people down for whatever reason, I'd suggest you stop posting that kind of material. Ramblings of the Wise (or any of VT for that matter) isn't a forum for you to blindly judge people for no reason, and it's been driving a number of threads off topic recently.
PM me if you'd like to discuss this further.

[Harry Smith]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2469742/Private-school-students-likely-land-jobs-state-school-pupils-identical-degree.html

http://www.parentdish.co.uk/teen/why-private-schools-are-better-than-state/

Are you jealous of the upper class?

I'm not jealous of the upper class as they're a dying bread in Britian, I mean I know you like to claim your upper class but using the actual british class system that's been in place for the last 500 years you have to be part of the landed gentry to be upper class meaning you require an actual social rank e.g Dukedom, Earldom etc going to Dulwhich College and playing cricket doesn't make your upper class-at best it makes you middle.

You managed to quote the Daily mail, the same paper that said Mo Farah was a fake brit, said that Ralph Miliband hated britain, and has smeared women, the NHS and pretty much everything that isn't far right, I have no time for the Daily Mail or there terrible standards of Journalism. I'll pass on a paper owned by a family that supported the Nazis over Britain.

I find it ironic that you took offense at my saying that fee paying schooling is breeding elistism, and you respond by saying that everyone who goes to a fee paying school is perfect when that's quite clearly not the case, it's not some magic airbrush and I'm sure even you know that. Social conditions are, and will always be the biggest problems in schooling. That's why we need to put more money towards the system, helping to stop the cycle of poverty to actually give children a chance. Of course a boy from the home counties with two rich parents, going to a school with quality teachers is going to have a better chance at success, does that mean that said person is better? No. Does it mean that said person is smarter? No.

There's a very unique trend to all your posts-you post something that is simply wrong, you get challenged by about 5 members and then you completely forget that you even mentioned it, and you just move on. I mean you even claimed early in this thread that and I quote

Your parents couldn't afford you to go to a good school

My school got an outstanding rating from OFSED, I got 6 A's at GCSE, 2 A*s, 3 B's, I'm on course for a good set of AS results and I'm hoping to go to a Russel Group uni. My parents could probably afford to send me to one of the local private schools in the area, would I of wanted to go there? No. Would they of wanted me to go there? No.

I don't really appericate people guessing/saying how much my parents do or don't earn, sure guess it, ridicule it. Just don't tell me what my parents can and can't do when you have absolutely no idea about my life or there's.

We all know what those from state schools are like.

Yeah we do, there just ordinary people. The moment you walk into a state school your not automatically a terrible person, it goes back to the whole idea of elitism. I mean you claimed that I need to shut up about elitism, yet you then go and claim that everyone from state schools are bad. It's ironic enough looking at the language-you claim that 'we all know', I hope your not referring to yourself here because you clearly have little knowledge about how Britain works, and as a Board I'm sure the majority of VT wouldn't agree with your claim but your more than welcome to put it to a poll. As I said before, and I'll say again the state school system in Britain has achieved wonders. We've had prime ministers from state schools-I'll even you a fact-from 1964 to 1997 we've didn't have a single prime minister from a fee paying school.

So are you telling me that Edward Heath, Harold Wilson, Margaret Thatcher, James Callaghan and John Major fit into your category of what state school children are liked. I'd find it hilarous to see you debate with our former prime minister about how he's an horrible person because he went to a state school.

You want to know the worse thing about Britain-it's the fact that people with social attitudes like yours still think that there somehow correct, and that peasantry need to be oppressed. The next time you claim that Elitism is gone in Britain please try and be less more subtle in your language

Aren't you a communist or anarchist?

You do get what Strawman means right?

And no to my understanding Vlerhcan is a social democrat, not a communist ( although that carry has about 50 sub categories in it even further)

[britishboy]

No?

Though I'm unsure how that my ideological-leanings are relevent to the question I just asked.
In response to your previous question, I have nothing against the hard working, working class. We need them. What annoys me is lazy poor people hating the wealthy for no reason if you get that?
You need to stop making ridiculous statements like this. VT isn't a place for you to spout judgmental nonsense against other people - if you're just posting to put other people down for whatever reason, I'd suggest you stop posting that kind of material. Ramblings of the Wise (or any of VT for that matter) isn't a forum for you to blindly judge people for no reason, and it's been driving a number of threads off topic recently.
PM me if you'd like to discuss this further.

I might make a thread for the private vs state school debate or elitism in general.

[britishboy]

I'm not jealous of the upper class as they're a dying bread in Britian, I mean I know you like to claim your upper class but using the actual british class system that's been in place for the last 500 years

Sigh... How many zeros does a billion have? After you have searched Google for the British amount you will realise you know the American amount. Things change like your private schools that are actually state schools argument? It's outdated.

As for the rest of the rant I scanned it and it's irrelevant. Also learn your their, there and they're before you attack me on petty issues.

Wait before you reply I will start a thread on this as the GM is getting annoyed.

[Vlerchan]

In response to your previous question, I have nothing against the hard working, working class. We need them. What annoys me is lazy poor people hating the wealthy for no reason if you get that?[1]
This doesn't answer my question.

I'd appreciate that if you made an school-fostered elitism thread you would re-dress my question in the opening post.

[britishboy]

This doesn't answer my question.

I'd appreciate that if you made an school-fostered elitism thread you would re-dress my question in the opening post.

What was the question? Have I answered somebody else's? I will make a thread tomorrow.

[Harry Smith]

Sigh... How many zeros does a billion have? After you have searched Google for the British amount you will realise you know the American amount. Things change like your private schools that are actually state schools argument? It's outdated.

As for the rest of the rant I scanned it and it's irrelevant. Also learn your their, there and they're before you attack me on petty issues.

Wait before you reply I will start a thread on this as the GM is getting annoyed.

What? My whole point of argument is that the true upper classes in Britain belong to the houses like Spencer, Churchill etc.Not just someone who has a swimming poole in their back garden.

My argument wasn't attacking you on petty issues, it was responding to each point. But why bother to reply to an argument that proves you wrong, lets just sweep it under the carpet and pretend that it doesn't exist. I'm still waiting for your response about our 5 state educated Prime Ministers and how bad they must be. In all fairness most the argument was about my own life, and the only parts I addressed on your behalf was your debating style, and the unsupported points you made. Something that other members of the board have agreed with

[Vlerchan]

What was the question? Have I answered somebody else's? I will make a thread tomorrow.

I asked what you meant in this statement: "We all know what those from state schools are like."

What are those from state schools like? I'm quite interested in your characterisations of (other) groups that I happen to fall into.

[britishboy]

What? My whole point of argument is that the true upper classes in Britain belong to the houses like Spencer, Churchill etc.Not just someone who has a swimming poole in their back garden.


Traditional outdated British system yes.

I asked what you meant in this statement: "We all know what those from state schools are like."

What are those from state schools like? I'm quite interested in your characterisations of (other) groups that I happen to fall into.

Okay I will include it in the OP.

Stop double posting. -Cygnus David

[Harry Smith]

Okay I will include it in the OP.

Surely can't you answer it right now, on a thread about the UK rather than trying to avoid the issue.

What are those from state schools like? I'm quite interested in your characterisations of (other) groups that I happen to fall into.

[britishboy]

Surely can't you answer it right now, on a thread about the UK rather than trying to avoid the issue.

What are those from state schools like? I'm quite interested in your characterisations of (other) groups that I happen to fall into.

What do you want? A thread on stereotypes we have or state vs private schools?

[Harry Smith]

What do you want? A thread on stereotypes we have or state vs private schools?

You made a claim earlier on this thread that 'we all know what those from state schools are like'

I want you to expand this point, and educate VT as we quite clearly don't know what all the scum from state schools are like

[britishboy]

You made a claim earlier on this thread that 'we all know what those from state schools are like'

I want you to expand this point, and educate VT as we quite clearly don't know what all the scum from state schools are like

As I said previously I will be making a thread on it.

[Harry Smith]

As I said previously I will be making a thread on it.

I'd take that with a pinch of salt, I've given you about 3 chances to simply outline your view about the character of state school kids yet you've ignored the issue. Your must likely not going to make a thread about it-that's the reality. If you do-great

[canonjourno]

Australia is not the best country in the world- I'm Australian and even I can say that! No one's perfect- I'll be blunt. Australia has a lot of cracks in our nation, at the moment. However, just because I live in it doesn't mean I don't enjoy living here!

[BuryYourFlame]

Australia:

Incredible racism, sexism and homophobia (I would say worse than America, America's is more centralised and therefore in the media more, but Australia has a greater underlying homophobic nature)
Severe human rights violations which neither major party is in any position to do anything about so it doesn't look like it's changing
Going the same way as UK in terms of police state
Prime Minister is a fucking idiot
Relatively small economy
No same sex marriage
No drug legalisation, war on drugs wasting tax money
Religious tax benefits
Everything is more expensive and brought out after America etc. (An itunes song can cost up to $2.10AUD I think)
MSM run by Murdoch

But...

Relatively free/fair rights, i.e. no death sentence, age of consent 16, age for alcohol/other things, mandatory voting
Beautiful landscapes/beaches
Firearms laws, you can own one but appropriate checks are made
Medicare, tax payer funded health system
Student (HECS) loan is so much better than USA student loans. Student loan is only paid off once you start earning over a certain amount per year and it comes straight out of your income.


UK:

Police state
MSM run by Murdoch
Pandering to ridiculous religious laws
Overpopulation

but...

Deep (not always good though) history
Countryside/landscape views
Larger economy


USA:

America...
Gun control laws. Here, have a gun. You want a gun? Here have a gun, why not another?
Death penalty in some states
Obesity rates
^ Price of healthy food
The police
Insane debt
The bible belt...
Student loans/fees
Health care system is completely messed up
Obsession with war. Only at war for oil. Blasting Syria then spending tax money to build it again, then bombing it again, then destroying it, then building it.
Crazy levels of Zionism, no anti-semitism allowed (i.e. yay israell, fuck palestine)
War on drugs
Crazy drug laws in some states (i.e. arrested for marijuana possession?)

but...

Most things are cheaper
50 states!
Often at the forefront of technology and media (Hollywood)
Marijuana legal in some states
Same sex marriage legal in some states
Beautiful landscapes/state forests
Large economy


By no means are these comprehensive lists, but you get the idea :mrgreen:

With all of this in mind, I choose Australia because it has more (nowhere near all) of the things I agree with than the other two.

[Camazotz]

USA:

America...
Gun control laws. Here, have a gun. You want a gun? Here have a gun, why not another?
Death penalty in some states
Obesity rates
^ Price of healthy food
The police
Insane debt
The bible belt...
Student loans/fees
Health care system is completely messed up
Obsession with war. Only at war for oil. Blasting Syria then spending tax money to build it again, then bombing it again, then destroying it, then building it.
Crazy levels of Zionism, no anti-semitism allowed (i.e. yay israell, fuck palestine)
War on drugs
Crazy drug laws in some states (i.e. arrested for marijuana possession?)

but...

Most things are cheaper
50 states!
Often at the forefront of technology and media (Hollywood)
Marijuana legal in some states
Same sex marriage legal in some states
Beautiful landscapes/state forests
Large economy


I can't really comment on the UK and Australia because I've never lived there and I'm not comfortable confirming or denying your accusations, but they sound spot-on from what I've heard from others. As for the USA, I agree with everything you said except for the police since I feel that a large number of police officers are normal law enforcement, and the media only covers the ones that are abusive (misrepresentation is probably true for many things for the other countries as well). And your points are opinionated (ie death penalty, drug legalization, gun control, etc.) but I agree with all of them and I would say that your overall representation of America in that list is mostly accurate. I think I'd add that we're overall nationalistic as well, and I'd emphasize how war-mongering we are (ie War on Drugs, War on Middle East, Battle against cancer); our culture can be summed up with the contradiction that every thought should be respected unless it goes against our own, in which case we fight it through rhetoric or violence. I think that's evolved since the 1780's, but maybe it's always been like that?

[Kasp]

I'd take that with a pinch of salt, I've given you about 3 chances to simply outline your view about the character of state school kids yet you've ignored the issue. Your must likely not going to make a thread about it-that's the reality. If you do-great

I have experience in both school systems in Britain. Honestly people who go to state schools aren't that different, and usually are far more modest. Though I have only been to smarter, more traditional state schools.
The teaching at private schools is far better as you'd expect, and many of them have world class sporting facilities but the boys tend to take this for granted.

I think it's good to have the choice between the two systems, and if you can afford private education there should be nothing to stop you taking advantage of it. In my experience state school boys aren't less clever or less articulate.

[Harry Smith]

I have experience in both school systems in Britain. Honestly people who go to state schools aren't that different, and usually are far more modest. Though I have only been to smarter, more traditional state schools.
The teaching at private schools is far better as you'd expect, and many of them have world class sporting facilities but the boys tend to take this for granted.

I think it's good to have the choice between the two systems, and if you can afford private education there should be nothing to stop you taking advantage of it. In my experience state school boys aren't less clever or less articulate.

That pretty much sums up the issue, I mean if your paying 9 grand a term you'd expect their to be good sports equipment wouldn't you?

I'm lucky in that I go to a very good state school, with good teachers and a good community. I just hate this whole idea that since you don't go to a fee-paying school your almost some sort of lower class degenrate, I mean I think that if someone from a state school goes to Uni it just shows how stupid the system is because they didn't have to pay to-it kinda flips the whole thing on it's head.

I mean would you agree with BritishBoy that everyone who goes to a fee-paying school is polite,kind and intelligent?

[PinkFloyd]

If you really look closely at this selfie of me, the question will be answered.

http://i.imgur.com/UdJrOe2.jpg

[Kasp]

I mean would you agree with BritishBoy that everyone who goes to a fee-paying school is polite,kind and intelligent?
Not at all!! Some are yes, but that also goes for state school students.

[PythonProject]

UK > USA > Aus. But of course I'm English so it would be that way :P

[TapDancer]

Australia:

Incredible racism, sexism and homophobia (I would say worse than America, America's is more centralised and therefore in the media more, but Australia has a greater underlying homophobic nature)
Severe human rights violations which neither major party is in any position to do anything about so it doesn't look like it's changing
Going the same way as UK in terms of police state
Prime Minister is a fucking idiot
Relatively small economy
No same sex marriage
No drug legalisation, war on drugs wasting tax money
Religious tax benefits
Everything is more expensive and brought out after America etc. (An itunes song can cost up to $2.10AUD I think)
MSM run by Murdoch

But...

Relatively free/fair rights, i.e. no death sentence, age of consent 16, age for alcohol/other things, mandatory voting
Beautiful landscapes/beaches
Firearms laws, you can own one but appropriate checks are made
Medicare, tax payer funded health system
Student (HECS) loan is so much better than USA student loans. Student loan is only paid off once you start earning over a certain amount per year and it comes straight out of your income.


UK:

Police state
MSM run by Murdoch
Pandering to ridiculous religious laws
Overpopulation

but...

Deep (not always good though) history
Countryside/landscape views
Larger economy


USA:

America...
Gun control laws. Here, have a gun. You want a gun? Here have a gun, why not another?
Death penalty in some states
Obesity rates
^ Price of healthy food
The police
Insane debt
The bible belt...
Student loans/fees
Health care system is completely messed up
Obsession with war. Only at war for oil. Blasting Syria then spending tax money to build it again, then bombing it again, then destroying it, then building it.
Crazy levels of Zionism, no anti-semitism allowed (i.e. yay israell, fuck palestine)
War on drugs
Crazy drug laws in some states (i.e. arrested for marijuana possession?)

but...

Most things are cheaper
50 states!
Often at the forefront of technology and media (Hollywood)
Marijuana legal in some states
Same sex marriage legal in some states
Beautiful landscapes/state forests
Large economy


By no means are these comprehensive lists, but you get the idea :mrgreen:

With all of this in mind, I choose Australia because it has more (nowhere near all) of the things I agree with than the other two.

Can I just point out, in Australia, we do have Medicare, but, our idiot of a Prime Minister wants to scale it back. That and he was talking about privatising some of the HECS Scheme, oh, and this is just personal opinio but I thik the compulsory voting system here is ridiculous in that it is slow, inefficient, very costly, and not fair for people like me who would not put anyone in either party (Labor or Liberal) in Government right now.

I hate it here. The Homophobia sucks balls, and you are right, it is an underlying thing that no one really addresses. The Racism is disgusting, and while we have welfare, the amount of people that abuse it, makes the government limit it so people who genuinely need it don't get access to it when they need it.

[phuckphace]

I have a serious question for the people who are bemoaning Australia as "racist." are there actually statistics showing that Australians are generally more racist or is that just a melodramatic stereotype? I'm wondering because I've talked to quite a few Australians on the Internet, and I always got the impression that they consider themselves generally more progressive and enlightened than Americans, and consider Americans to be the most backwards and intolerant and racist. I'm aware that those examples are anecdotal, and I'm sure that there are some Australians who are in fact racist, but the same could be said for people in any country.

but in any case, I think we can get some better clues by looking at Australian politics - I notice that their nationalist and "racist" party One Nation is completely irrelevant politically, garnering less than 1% of the vote during Australia's most recent election. that's even less than the British National Party in the supposedly racism-free UK. this is exactly the opposite of what we should be seeing if Australia has a "generally racist society," as Harry Smith claimed.

I've read about some lefty Australians bawling that the government hasn't ever apologized for the genocide of Aboriginals during Australia's colonial days, but then again most people don't like apologizing for things they've never done, so I really don't blame them. rejecting white guilt-tripping isn't racist, it's what any sensible and self-respecting person would do.

and as a final note, I think it's important to note that Australia is the only English-speaking country I'm aware of that has a living wage. that right there is one of the main reasons I'd like to live there.

[Abyssal Echo]

I've also talked with several people in Australia they seemed very easygoing and open minded plus my cousin lived in there for 6 months she said that the place was awesome and really didn't want to come back. so for those reasons I chose Australia.

[Harry Smith]

I have a serious question for the people who are bemoaning Australia as "racist." are there actually statistics showing that Australians are generally more racist or is that just a melodramatic stereotype? I'm wondering because I've talked to quite a few Australians on the Internet, and I always got the impression that they consider themselves generally more progressive and enlightened than Americans, and consider Americans to be the most backwards and intolerant and racist. I'm aware that those examples are anecdotal, and I'm sure that there are some Australians who are in fact racist, but the same could be said for people in any country.

but in any case, I think we can get some better clues by looking at Australian politics - I notice that their nationalist and "racist" party One Nation is completely irrelevant politically, garnering less than 1% of the vote during Australia's most recent election. that's even less than the British National Party in the supposedly racism-free UK. this is exactly the opposite of what we should be seeing if Australia has a "generally racist society," as Harry Smith claimed.

I've read about some lefty Australians bawling that the government hasn't ever apologized for the genocide of Aboriginals during Australia's colonial days, but then again most people don't like apologizing for things they've never done, so I really don't blame them. rejecting white guilt-tripping isn't racist, it's what any sensible and self-respecting person would do.

and as a final note, I think it's important to note that Australia is the only English-speaking country I'm aware of that has a living wage. that right there is one of the main reasons I'd like to live there.

I think the point about the political parties is largely mute because it isn't as simple as 'a racist society votes in a racist government', I mean I'd say over the last 4 years the UK has moved to right on immigration, yet the BNP vote has been slashed by about 75% which shows that other factors are important (turnout, leadership, etc) so it's not as straightforward as that, i'd even argue that the far right position take by their PM has meant that voters don't need to turn to an extreme party.

Here's the evidence

According to the Challenging Racism project around one in ten Australians believe that some races are naturally inferior or superior.[199] Recent Scanlon Foundation research suggests that in Australia there is a “core level of intolerance” numbering at least 10% or 1.5 million of the adult population, with relatively high levels within some regions and demographic segments.[200]

The Challenging Racism project found that many Australians experience racism on a regular basis:

approximately 20% have experienced race-hate talk
around 11% have experienced race-based exclusion from social activities and/or their workplace https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/face-facts-2012/2012-face-facts-chapter-2#Heading1178

[everlong]

http://www.churches4america.com/assets/images/Eagle_Flag.JPG

[CosmicNoodle]

Oh I'm sorry, can you speak up? It's pretty hard for us Americans to hear you from the Moon.

image (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/Scott_Gives_Salute_-_GPN-2000-001114.jpg)

Update: I'll take your silence as a sign of victory.

image (http://24.media.tumblr.com/0454cc1091c897faa22cc0825862544a/tumblr_mypq8di8tJ1qzeo2zo1_500.jpg)

Or is it just hard to hear through that massive wall of fat and self importance you have built up?

[Sir Suomi]

Or is it just hard to hear through that massive wall of fat and self importance you have built up?

Oh I'm sorry, it's just that us American's have gotten tired of either kicking your ass in war or saving it, and we've decided to take a little break.

http://fellowshipofminds.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/bald_eagle_flag_small.jpg

[CosmicNoodle]

Oh I'm sorry, it's just that us American's have gotten tired of either kicking your ass in war or saving it, and we've decided to take a little break.

image (http://fellowshipofminds.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/bald_eagle_flag_small.jpg)

It really does make me laugh when Americans get all patriotic, considering you live in one of the most hateful country's in the world, I'm not saying the UK is perfect, in fact its shit as well. But come on man. Step back and look at all if America, not just the bits you want to see.

Also, I wonder why you have reverted to the war, the "I'm stronger than you" mentality shared by apes, and not by the intelligent.

[Sir Suomi]

It really does make me laugh when Americans get all patriotic, considering you live in one of the most hateful country's in the world, I'm not saying the UK is perfect, in fact its shit as well. But come on man. Step back and look at all if America, not just the bits you want to see.

Also, I wonder why you have reverted to the war, the "I'm stronger than you" mentality shared by apes, and not by the intelligent.

War is what makes the clocks go round and round.

But think about it: Who does the world call upon when it hits the fan? That would be America. You wanna know why? As screwed up as we are, we're still the best goddamn country on the planet. No if's and's or but's about it.

https://swingcoachshow.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/merica.jpg

[Camazotz]

It really does make me laugh when Americans get all patriotic, considering you live in one of the most hateful country's in the world, I'm not saying the UK is perfect, in fact its shit as well. But come on man. Step back and look at all if America, not just the bits you want to see.

Also, I wonder why you have reverted to the war, the "I'm stronger than you" mentality shared by apes, and not by the intelligent.

War is what makes the clocks go round and round.

But think about it: Who does the world call upon when it hits the fan? That would be America. You wanna know why? As screwed up as we are, we're still the best goddamn country on the planet. No if's and's or but's about it.

image (https://swingcoachshow.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/merica.jpg)

You both have stupid arguments. There's no such thing as best and there never will be. Every country has its goods and bads, and there's no way to quantify who's better than who in an objective way. USA is far from the most hateful place in the world, but it's certainly not close to being the least hateful. Being war-mongering buffoons is nothing to be proud of either, not that that makes us "uncivilized" or "primitive."

The developed Western world is all pretty similar; some have worse economies, we have a bigger military, but overall we're all just humans. Rather than have a pissing contest, we should try to make the world a better place by reducing the effects of climate change, try to solve hunger and poverty, and use diplomatic resolutions to peacefully tolerate one another. The people that are not on board with all this all suck equally.

[CosmicNoodle]

War is what makes the clocks go round and round.

But think about it: Who does the world call upon when it hits the fan? That would be America. You wanna know why? As screwed up as we are, we're still the best goddamn country on the planet. No if's and's or but's about it.

image (https://swingcoachshow.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/merica.jpg)

Your argument seems to be "Were ythe best because we say we are, and because we have the biggest guns".
Just because your country stupidluy spends the most on its military, and has a size complex. Does not mean you are the best country. As that other guy said, there is no such thing as the best country. America just likes to think it is.

[TheBigUnit]

On the lighter note, USA is honestly much better place to live than UK or Aus. I mean Aus is having major water problems and UK it rains all the bloody time USA is close to ideal living as it gets

[britishboy]

War is what makes the clocks go round and round.

But think about it: Who does the world call upon when it hits the fan? That would be America. You wanna know why? As screwed up as we are, we're still the best goddamn country on the planet. No if's and's or but's about it.

image (https://swingcoachshow.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/merica.jpg)

I do admire the patriotism Americans have.

[Miserabilia]

War is what makes the clocks go round and round.

But think about it: Who does the world call upon when it hits the fan? That would be America. You wanna know why? As screwed up as we are, we're still the best goddamn country on the planet. No if's and's or but's about it.

image (https://swingcoachshow.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/merica.jpg)

At first I thought this was sarcastic than I thought wow he's serious now I think you're being sarcastic again ):
I'm confused help me out

u serious??

[Vlerchan]

I do admire the patriotism Americans have.
I cannot understand why anyone could hold patriotism to be an in any way admirable trait.

[Sir Suomi]

Your argument seems to be "Were ythe best because we say we are, and because we have the biggest guns".
Just because your country stupidluy spends the most on its military, and has a size complex. Does not mean you are the best country. As that other guy said, there is no such thing as the best country. America just likes to think it is.

You honestly think I'm having a serious argument here? Wow, you really must be clueless :rolleyes:


I do admire the patriotism Americans have.

It's what makes America great.

At first I thought this was sarcastic than I thought wow he's serious now I think you're being sarcastic again ):
I'm confused help me out

u serious??

No, not once have I been serious in this whole debate. And neither shall I be. It's like a bunch of 13 year old boys bragging about how big their :rolleyes: is.

I cannot understand why anyone could hold patriotism to be an in any way admirable trait.

I'm going to hope that isn't a indirect insult towards me.

[Vlerchan]

I'm going to hope that isn't a indirect insult towards me.
It's an opinion.

I suppose if you find it insulting then you find it insulting.

[britishboy]

I cannot understand why anyone could hold patriotism to be an in any way admirable trait.

It is! It shows you're a proud individual and most likely well educated and a good person etc etc. However there are extremes and we all know who they are, far-right individuals running around hating every other country.


You honestly think I'm having a serious argument here? Wow, you really must be clueless :rolleyes:



You are right it's a fun debate about which country is best!


It's what makes America great.



I always thought it was the muscle cars:P

[phuckphace]

It is! It shows you're a proud individual and most likely well educated and a good person etc etc. However there are extremes and we all know who they are, far-right individuals running around hating every other country.

I think patriotism is a healthy phenomenon, but too many people (i.e. progressives) don't understand or see a distinction between patriotism and chauvinism. those are two very different things.

you don't have to be well-educated to be patriotic, but I would say being well-informed is certainly a prerequisite to being patriotic for the right reasons.

[Capto]

It is! It shows you're a proud individual and most likely well educated and a good person etc etc.


How does patriotism by itself suggest a state of being well educated? Or being a good person?

That's absolutely ridiculous.

[Miserabilia]

It is! It shows you're a proud individual and most likely well educated and a good person etc etc

> most likely

Hm???
Elaborate/data please?

[Vlerchan]

I understand the difference between patriotism and chauvinism and (bonus) nationalism, but I still don't consider patriotism and admirable trait.

It is! It shows you're a proud individual and most likely well educated and a good person etc etc.
'etc etc.'?

Keep going: what other traits are linked to patriotism?: I'm sure the sheer superiority of those unwaveringly commited to their own countries can't stop at intelligence and 'good-ness' (whatever that means).

[Typhlosion]

Yeah. Canada's missing.

NOT THAT IT WOULD BEAT IT'S BIGGER AND BETTER BROTHER USA!




http://24.media.tumblr.com/0454cc1091c897faa22cc0825862544a/tumblr_mypq8di8tJ1qzeo2zo1_500.jpg

[Babiole]

I actually think America is more tolerant of other cultures - at least the younger generation is. Australians tend to look down on anyone who isn't of British or Irish heritage. My experience with Australians is that according to them, your heritage seems to define you. If you're of Italian descent, they expect you to speak Italian, have an Italian first name, have bronze skin, and play soccer. My mother's an Italian immigrant and she didn't want to name me something like Amedeo or Francesco. I'm pasty white as well, and my Italian isn't very good. British people often point out other cultures' flaws more than their positive traits.

[AbigailBM98]

Australia - undoubtedly the greatest country in the world by a country mile, no doubt about it

[TheN3rdyOutcast]

Canada!!!

[Exocet]

Australia http://virtualteen.org/forums/images/smilies/metal2.gif

[sunno111]

On the lighter note, USA is honestly much better place to live than UK or Aus. I mean Aus is having major water problems and UK it rains all the bloody time USA is close to ideal living as it gets
The droughts in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane ended 8 years ago so i don't know what your talking about... And the outback had enough rain 2 years ago to last 20 years of farming. Is that the water problems you are talking about?

[Canadian Dream]

Where's Canada?

That's what I'm asking too.

[TheBigUnit]

The droughts in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane ended 8 years ago so i don't know what your talking about... And the outback had enough rain 2 years ago to last 20 years of farming. Is that the water problems you are talking about?

Uh yes, water conversation is still very vital in Australia, the country is starting to find it more difficult to manage water because of the growing population in certain places, along with water problems there are heatwaves never before seen, not dissing the aussies would love to go to the gold coast one day

[Karkat]

Ew, how is US winning? How on earth?

Must be people who don't live here; I am under no illusion that this country is 'great'.

It's beautiful, sure. It has a few good things going for it, but the government and most of the people suck. Ergh.

I'd know. I have to live there.

I don't know much about Australia- or at least not as much as I do U.K, so I'm going with U.K. But I think I'd rather live in Australia, strangely enough. :lol:

[Camazotz]

Ew, how is US winning? How on earth?

Must be people who don't live here; I am under no illusion that this country is 'great'.

It's beautiful, sure. It has a few good things going for it, but the government and most of the people suck. Ergh.

I'd know. I have to live there.

I don't know much about Australia- or at least not as much as I do U.K, so I'm going with U.K. But I think I'd rather live in Australia, strangely enough. :lol:

USA! USA! USA!

I like the people here. Proportionately, we can't be much worse than most other places. Government sucks, but we have it better than less developed countries.

I guess I look at the glass half full.

[Karkat]

USA! USA! USA!

I like the people here. Proportionately, we can't be much worse than most other places. Government sucks, but we have it better than less developed countries.

I guess I look at the glass half full.

Maybe it's just because I live in Utah.

[Camazotz]

Maybe it's just because I live in Utah.

That would explain it. That would definitely explain it.

[Karkat]

That would explain it. That would definitely explain it.

:lol:

[sunno111]

Uh yes, water conversation is still very vital in Australia, the country is starting to find it more difficult to manage water because of the growing population in certain places, along with water problems there are heatwaves never before seen, not dissing the aussies would love to go to the gold coast one day

Ah ok i see your point.
Also a word of wisdom... don't go to the Gold Coast! if you what you want is the theme parks then fine but other than that it is a fake, tacky city full of try-hards and completely overrated.

[conner74]

all im saying is that without the UK you two boys wouldnt be the countries that they are today

[Karagor]

Based entirely on:

Accents:
Australia
UK
USA

Education
UK
Australia
USA

Military Might (That is, individual might, rather than including alliances etc.)
USA
UK
Australia

Medicine, and general public safety
UK
Australia
USA

Pragmatic, and logical laws (Justice system)
UK
Australia
USA

Variety of wildlife and scenery
USA
Australia
UK
For this reason, I voted UK.