Conversion is possible... this is hope.

[dutchdemocrat]

Used in full with permission at

http://www.expatforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=1461&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

written by Dreamportal

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I don't know where you got the idea I'm a socialist. I have made all my money through capitalism, and I don't have anything against it, in theory. I might even be considered a fiscal conservative by some. (That's all the more reason for me to hate Bush, who has proven himself to be the enemy of conservatives by opening up financial privacy, trying to end the foreign-earned income exclusion, putting pressure on "tax-haven" countries, etc. But that's another rant.) But there's a difference between healthy market competition and the monopolistic, greedy, politically-dominating corporate culture that's arisen in the past 50 years. People are dying because of this greed, and that's a damn shame.

And for your information, I was disgusted with Clinton through most of his presidency. Yes, I realize that he did nothing for Kyoto. But I also realize that the right-wing attack dogs were on him relentlessly, and I finally had to step back and realize he made this country pretty prosperous. I sure did well during those years. Didn't you?

The only time I was ashamed to be an American under Clinton was while Monica was wiping her chin on her dress. That whole thing was very "O.J." in my opinion - just more petty sensationalism. I actually supported the impeachment, a fact I now regret. It was almost a desperate grasping-at-straws to bring the man down over anything possible. But this isn't what disgusts me.

No, I am disgusted with my country's pompous, self-righteous behavior in front of the world. I am disgusted with an unnecessary war which was sold to us on false pretenses - pretenses which changed on an almost daily basis, and which continue to change in light of ever-more-obvious failures. I am disgusted that we abandoned diplomacy and rushed to judgement, subverting processes set down in treaties which we signed (and in many cases wrote) ourselves. I am disgusted by the rampant, flag-waving ultra-patriotism reminiscent of 1930's Germany. I am disgusted with professed Christians who scream for blood, their brand of "eye-for-an-eye" revenge shaming the memory of the very man whom they claim to worship. I am disgusted with the hate, the violence, the guns, the crime, the "entertainment," the lack of education, the lack of basic health care, the stripping of the environment for profit, and basically everything which symbolizes this country-run-amok.

Whatever happened to the "good" America, the America of our founding fathers? They used to have principles, care for the common man, and govern based on morals and fairness. It's all about corporate greed now. Dwight Eisenhower warned of the rise of the military-industrial complex, and that's exactly what's happened. The framers of the constitution tried to put in protections for the people, but those people have lost their voices. All that matters now is your holy capitalism, and as long as we're good little consumers, we're ok.

Can you imagine what George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, or Alexander Hamilton would have to say about our country now? Would they even believe it was the same country they helped found? How do you suppose they'd feel about our president? It's truly a sad time for Americans. Our "empire" is slowly crumbling around our feet, and most of us are too self-absorbed to take notice.

I'm really surprised you have the view you have, because I know you're a smart guy and you've had the experience of living outside the country, to see things from a different point of view. Europe may have its problems, but there is no poverty like we know it here. Sure, I agree with the idea of everyone having a chance to better himself, and try to reach for that golden carrot, but most people will never see it, much less taste it. And the whole corporate-greed thing is what got us into this mess with all the terrorists aiming for our heartland. Was it worth it?

[WatchWhatISay]

1. My question would be

Can an expat vote?

[dutchdemocrat]

2. Sure

Yes sure. Of course. If the US can tax people working overseas you can be damned sure they can vote. Unless they changed the laws.

dreamportal is in the US at the moment and was living overseas in the past.