4 ms·

The US is not even close to totalitarian. Even China, a far more repressive state, is not totalitarian. Totalitarian governments are those that are so authorita

The US is not even close to totalitarian. Even China, a far more repressive state, is not totalitarian. Totalitarian governments are those that are so authoritarian that they control just about all aspects of life of the residents. Only Eritrea and North Korea fit the bill in today's world. Yes, OP has a point, but his characterisation of the US is not accurate.

usr1106 6y ago
Of course that was a relative classification. When selecting my destinations for travel I do not start at the end of the list. And traditionally the US has been on a top rank. My daughter had a phase where she was excited about China. She was not happy with my clear refusal to travel there. I was in Russia once for 12 hours, because there was the possibility to go there without a visa. These decisions don't follow scientific criteria.
- K0SM0S 6y ago
  Just to poke your brain, or anyone's, suppose we shared concerns and views on all topics. Now let's consider a spectrum of "how well are are individual rights upheld in practice?", with all the nuances. What's your short list of particularly good/best places in SE Asia/Oceania (that you'd be comfortable travelling to, but even work with, invest in? (Coming from the north Atlantic) I'm down to: - Australia + NZ - Taiwan (sadly HK seems 'compromised') - Singapore Pretty much in that order. That's the shortest this list has even been in my lifetime. What am I not seeing?
azmodeus 6y ago
I think comparing the US to China is misleading. Compared to the US in the past I can't tell if it's more totalitarian. Looking from the outside it looks more totalitarian. Freedom of speech and privacy have been eroding in the US. I don't know if police brutality is constant at this level though I think the large amount of military grade equipment the police have has increased. From my perspective it seems like a good idea for the US to reflect on where it is going compared to its past.
- JoeAltmaier 6y ago
  I don't get that at all. There is more communication going on now, than at any point in history. Easy proof: the internet and Twitter exist now. How is this an erosion of free speech? Almost every last dope in the country can blurt out nonsense 100 times a day (look at our POS).
  - sifar 6y ago
    more communication != free speech
    - JoeAltmaier 6y ago
      Wha?! It's kind of the definition. Talk when you like, say what you like.

usr1106 6y ago

Of course that was a relative classification. When selecting my destinations for travel I do not start at the end of the list. And traditionally the US has been on a top rank. My daughter had a phase where she was excited about China. She was not happy with my clear refusal to travel there. I was in Russia once for 12 hours, because there was the possibility to go there without a visa. These decisions don't follow scientific criteria.

K0SM0S 6y ago
Just to poke your brain, or anyone's, suppose we shared concerns and views on all topics. Now let's consider a spectrum of "how well are are individual rights upheld in practice?", with all the nuances. What's your short list of particularly good/best places in SE Asia/Oceania (that you'd be comfortable travelling to, but even work with, invest in? (Coming from the north Atlantic) I'm down to: - Australia + NZ - Taiwan (sadly HK seems 'compromised') - Singapore Pretty much in that order. That's the shortest this list has even been in my lifetime. What am I not seeing?

azmodeus 6y ago

I think comparing the US to China is misleading. Compared to the US in the past I can't tell if it's more totalitarian. Looking from the outside it looks more totalitarian. Freedom of speech and privacy have been eroding in the US. I don't know if police brutality is constant at this level though I think the large amount of military grade equipment the police have has increased. From my perspective it seems like a good idea for the US to reflect on where it is going compared to its past.

JoeAltmaier 6y ago
I don't get that at all. There is more communication going on now, than at any point in history. Easy proof: the internet and Twitter exist now. How is this an erosion of free speech? Almost every last dope in the country can blurt out nonsense 100 times a day (look at our POS).
- sifar 6y ago
  more communication != free speech
  - JoeAltmaier 6y ago
    Wha?! It's kind of the definition. Talk when you like, say what you like.