"Americans will happily optimize their own personal future at the expense of their community."

[divideandconquer]

Between Walmart shoppers and Toyota buyers, does America even deserve a middleclass?

[HEyHEY]

1. As an outsider, I've always been a bit taken aback

I'm not on some Canafascist rant here, but you guys seem to have an almost psychotic hold on this "My rights first" ideal. Honestly, it's not like that elsewhere. Sure, people get mad and take the government to court and all that and we're just as free as you, but in the USA there seems to be this overly dramatic need to spout overly idealistic rhetoric, and put it into play as well.

[marmar]

2. You'll get no argument from this American.....that's spot on.

All that "rugged individualism" is really biting us on the derriere right now.

[HEyHEY]

8. True, but don't forget all the great things you've done for the world

I find too many Americans forget that these days.

[Billy Burnett]

3. Tell us what Canadian car I can buy in Canada (not a foreign subsid.).

Not bashing you, but Canada (Canadian owners) sold off the manufacturing sectors decades ago. Just as much foreign owned/foreign made crap in Canadian stores as in US stores.

[marmar]

4. What does buying foreign made crap have to do with his post?

nt

[HEyHEY]

9. Don't you know EVERYTHING can be broken down to one issue?

[Billy Burnett]

12. It relates to the response to the OP. n/t

:hi:

[HEyHEY]

7. Yes, there is, but we're not a manufacturing powerhouse

We're a resource based economy, so not really fucking ourselves over too much by buying stuff not made in the usa...

[enough]

5. My conclusion after a couple of decades of intense involvement in local politics in my area:

Many people no longer even believe in the very idea of common good or community. They consider the idea of common good to be extremely suspect, possibly even seditious.

The strangest thing is that the most rabid non-believers in the common good are also the most rabid self-identified "Christians."

[LeFleur1]

6. You Do Know

that many foreign owned car companies have manufacturing plants in the US, don't you?

[divideandconquer]

13. Did you know we have an $80 billion dollar a year automobile trade deficit?

Consumer Products and Autos Contribute to the Deficit:
Another large contributor to the trade deficit is consumer products, such as Drugs, Consumer Electronics, Clothing, Household Goods, and Furniture. In 2009, the U.S. ran a $103 billion deficit, importing $253 billion while only exporting $150 billion. This was also up from prior years, despite a declining dollar and resultant inflation.

Automotive is another category where the U.S. ran a trade deficit in 2009. It imported $160 billion worth of cars, trucks and auto parts, while only exporting $81 billion, running a deficit of $79 billion.
-----------------------------------------
<http://useconomy.about.com/od/tradepolicy/p/Trade_Deficit.htm>

[Chan790]

10. Of course they will...

It's a rational act. If everybody acted so rationally across the board there wouldn't actually be a problem. The problem stems from people being afraid of being labeled for acting rationally.

Advocating for higher taxes on the wealthy so you can pay less is rational.
Advocating for higher pay for yourself is rational.
Advocating for the social safety-net is rational.
Advocating for assistance for the downtrodden is rational unless you don't mind them being forced to desperate or criminal acts in order to survive.
Advocating for employee benefits is rational.
Advocating for labor is rational.
Advocating for controlled government spending qua borrowing so you don't leave your kids in hock is rational.
Competing for the lowest cost on goods is rational.
Undercutting your competitors prices is rational.
Class warfare is completely rational. They're engaged in it against us and they propagandize against it so we fear engaging in it against them.
Advocating for greater freedoms (for others, even) isn't just rational it's pretty goddamned key unless you're keen on surrendering your own.
Advocating for your values is rational.

“It is better that a man should tyrannize over his bank balance than over his fellow citizens” -Keynes

[east texas lib]

11. Well then, feel free to divest yourself of all your worldly wealth and possessions...

And fearlessly set the example for us. Your community demands it.;-)

[Odin2005]

14. The Corporate Elite has done it's best to demonize the very notion of community.

Civil Society is a threat to the Elites, so it must destroy Civil Socierty and make everyone subservient to their Corporate "Lords".

[LostInAnomie]

15. American's are determined to live out the fisherman's dilemma.

We've totally accepted the idea that it's better to put your own self interest above the community. We refuse to see that if we look out for the community we all prosper.