I had threatened numerous times to renounce my citizenship just as soon as I could come up the money and find a country I could become a citizen of with the least amount of financial output or waiting periods. This was often met with incredulous looks and speeches on America being the only free country there is. At these times I chuckled at the ignorance and shook my head. I'm still shaking my head now that I live in Sweden. You've been hoodwinked. You can't even say something as simple as Bush is outta control in front of the wrong people without risk of the police showing up 30 minutes later to search, question and harass you for being Un-American. Think I'm kidding? Go grab the DVD Unconstitutional: The War on Our Civil Liberties.
You may want to close your eyes and pretend that things like the above are not happening everyday in your very own neighborhood, but I assure you that they are. The attack on the Twin Towers gave Bush and Ashcroft just the fear factor they needed to push through exactly what they wanted: full control. They could give a rat's ass about the constitution, and this documentary lays all of it out here for you to see:
Over a thousand people were rounded up without cause under the Patriot Act... an act that was pushed through shadily at best. Oh, both sides had drafted a bill, which they both agreed upon unanimously. Then at like 3:45AM prior to the official vote, it was changed by Bush and his few trusted buddies. Congress was then told it was imperative they just go ahead and vote on it and worry about the particulars later. It was an emergency. Voting no would be unpatriotic. None of them were given a chance to read the new version prior to voting. The changes made were fundamental and dangerous. The American public was purposely kept in the dark about it.
Do you believe that every person who has been arrested without cause is an immigrant? Think again. This documentary will show you that American Citizens have been picked up and held in solitary confinement for months. MONTHS. Without a charge ever being made. Without being allowed to contact family. Without being allowed to contact a lawyer. The 4th Amendment no longer exists in the good ol US of A.
Were you aware that they could come search your house and take whatever they want and not even notify you that they did so? Well they can, and they do. You can go on thinking that you've been burglarized for 3 months or more before finally being told that it was an agency of the government that took your stuff, and they need to prove nothing to do so. A good deal of that Patriot Act has absolutely nothing to do with terrorism. It has to do with Bush's buddies targeting anyone who looks at him wrong. It has to do with arresting folks who say anything derogatory about Bush or anyone who is in Bush's good graces. This is not alarmist propaganda here. This is fact. Members of both the major parties are interviewed on this DVD and horrified about it.
Nonny De La Pena directed this documentary and lays it all right on the line. Watch it. Listen to it. This isn't being made up as they go along. You already know (or should know) that peaceful anti-Bush demonstrators are not allowed to gather along the president's route to anywhere, only supporters. But do you know that cops infiltrate these peaceful groups and try to get them to become violent so they can arrest them? Well, they do. One even suggested to one such group that they plant bombs, or at least packages that look like bombs, on bridges and so forth. The group of course refused and were disgusted... but what kind of crap is that? In the middle of another peaceful gathering, two plain-clothes cops wander among the crown and start spraying mace at everyone trying to create a riot and pandemonium. Hey, I couldn't make this stuff up, guys... it's all caught on film.
If you are one of the folks who prefer to swallow the lies, you need to watch this. If you believe in the constitution, you need to see this. If you truly think America is the land of the free and that the current administration is just trying to protect us, you really need to see this. Five full stars for Unconstitutional. I hope it pisses you off.
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Comments: 41
Shawnee... do that.
I know first hand that a lot of this stuff is happening. I didn't need this documentary to prove it to me. But I think it might enlighten a few other folks. I hope it does, at any rate.
You have some valid points here, but some other points you attempt to make are not precisely true, and when people discover these, they will cease to believe anything you have to say, even your valid points. This is what happened to the American far left in the late sixties and early seventies. They got caught in a few lies, and those few lies undermined the entire movement.
Paul.. what did I exaggerate here? That is an honest question, not snarkiness at all. This was a review of what is shown in the Documentary, with a lot of my own feeling tossed in.
Plus, I gotta tell ya I am sick to death of the harasment I get at the airport every time I come over there on business, all stemming from a comment I made in a bar in DC a few years back. Insanity.
Do it. It is old, but it is still very applicable. If anything, the situation is even worse now.
Lighten up Hugh. Lori has done more than most of us. She has spoken with her feet. America COULD be the greatest place in the world to live, but it ISN'T. We are simply an odd bastardization of socialism (as was Communism). Local and national governments take more than half of our income. A small minority accummulate unimaginable wealth. What do we receive in return? Fecal healthcare and retirement benefits which alone would provide and existence at or below the poverty level. We are merely workers who waste our lives building the next pyramid for the pharoah. When we are spent, we are discarded.
Anyway, I found the film on google, so I'll just watch it now for free. Thank you for the reference, Lor.
and Europe simply was not convinced--and even though the US was warned and had access to information re: Towers, the US gov did nothing to stop it and then afterwards played a nice cover-up game and fanned the flames...
nothing new under the sun-- the US can't get together the small amount of money to create National Health Insurance to protect its citizens and create a sound base for family and work stability; but it can waste. squander and lose billions in corruption and unnecessary, illegitimate wars...
Both sides are fucked up equally... and there lies the major problem with the US.
And yes, of course this documentary has bias. What the hell doesn't? I mean seriously. However, it does also have a firm foot to stand on... and lots to back it up.
Please explain something to me. There is no doubt that the MSM has little issue attacking this administration and the mistakes they have made, and lord knows they have given them enough to debut.
So where are these stories? How has media missed the 'a thousand people were rounded up without cause under the Patriot Act'. The last time I believe you made that comment it was Rummy who did this, and it was thousand(s), but yet nothing in the news. I asked you previously to point to just one and your retort was they were everywhere.
'You can't even say something as simple as Bush is outta control in front of the wrong people without risk of the police showing up 30 minutes later to search, question and harass you for being Un-American. Think I'm kidding? '
And yet, numerous Americans (still living here) make worse comments, write damming articles or post disparaging images daily here at Gather, and nothing. I am sure there are hundreds of other sites with thousands, maybe millions of more citizens posting daily. Why are the police not showing up at their houses? It's not as though the FBI doesn't have the ability to track these individuals down.
I get it Lori, you hated America and were 'smart enough' to move to a 'truly free' country. Those of us who do not agree are blinded ignorant sheep, those who do and stay are trapped or whatever excuses you may choose. Yes, the sky has fallen.
This I believe, the Secret Service does investigate alleged 'threats'.
That is quite different from saying 'something as simple as Bush is outta control in front of the wrong people
It was all over the news, Stevo. It was, as you mention, Rummy who made the nightly announcements bragging about it... until it got well over a thousand and people starting goping ummmm wait a minute, WTF is happening here... then he ceased announcing the numbers, but did not cease picking people up.
And Steve? Why don't they ticket every single speeder on the highway? You cannot use the argument that because everyone is not picked up, nobody is. That doesn't fly.
This I believe, the Secret Service does investigate alleged 'threats'.
And 'threat' is defined any way they wish to define it.
I wish all American bashers would leave.
Don, please try to keep up. Those speaking the loudest against Bush do so because they love the idea of what America is supposed to be, and hate that politicians have twisted and warped that all out kilter into crap. They (I) want that fixed.
And you might want to have your facts straight before dissing other countries. You are way off base. The taxes are not much higher than most folks pay in the US, and less than some make over there, but the taxes go to things like keeping the country clean and safe, healthcare, etc... you know, stuff that improves quality of life.
Check out which countries have the highest number of frequent travelers. I wonder how they manage to take so many vacations to other countries if they're so bloody poor? Odd, that.
Stevo, he is a bit crazier than I am. Just one actual news reference? Anything? Not Padilla or other terrorist arrests, but civilians who this was happening to?
'And 'threat' is defined any way they wish to define it'
That is a possibility, and is why I emphasized alleged 'threats'. However, to make it sound as though people are regularly rounded up for saying Bush is outta control is WAY over the top, and I believe you know that. Hell we would have all been in jail at one point or another over the past six years if that was the case. Except for maybe the 15% on the extreme right...
'Check out which countries have the highest number of frequent travelers. I wonder how they manage to take so many vacations to other countries if they're so bloody poor?'
To start off, I love Europe. I have family living there (natives not military based) and have visited 7 or 8 times (bit hazy on the number, too much German beer). Yes they do take more vacations and work less, and think we are crazy for our typical work week and lack of 'holidays'. But, in contrast, they make less. There are higher taxes, but these 'benefits' come at a cost in salaries. Typically they make less for equivalent jobs in the US. As far as traveling to other countries, well in the EU it is the same as saying you are traveling to other states in the US. No real difference anymore now with the Union.
*sigh* Look at Cost of Living factors, Steve. They have just as much disposable income, which is the real bottom line. Less takehome, but they do not have to pay for healthcare. Many in the US cannot even get healthcare at all. Plus, the average income figure are grossly skewed in the US... it is a much more even number here. Sure, we have Igmar, the richest man in the world, but the country, as you say yourself, does not equate richness with value or success.
Another thing you have to consider is that the income over there reperesents a 60 hour work week or higher. When you break those number down by hour, I'd guess the Swedish actually make more.
It is about families over here. They realize here that a stressed out employee is not the best employee. They bend over backwards to keep their employees well-rested, happy, and productive.
And if we want to get back into tax levels... it begins at 25%. Pretty on par with the US, no? Lars pays 50%, and at his income level, he would pay the same in the US... without all the added benefits his taxes pay for over here. If we win a prize or lottery money, we get what is advertisedf with no tax on it at all, unlike the US who will snatch 50% of your winnings off the top. There is no inheritance tax. The property tax is way less tha the US, and is only on the equity. If we sell our house, we will pay taxes at that time on everything over what we paid to buy it originaly, only. Not the full selling price... and then only if we do not turn around and buy another house.
Look, I am not saying Sweden is perfect. NO country is perfect. But Sweden gets it hella more right than the US does.
As far as your links you keep wanting. I regret I cannot yet figure out a way to link to my TV from several years ago. However if you just rent the damned video this article is a review of, you will find in it what I state here. Complete with interviews from both sides of the fence denouncing this crap.
Except that they feel the same way on that... the travelling to other countries from Sweden does not mean within the EU. Turkey is a favorite detination, as is Australia, Tawain, etc...
Just sayin...
Let's break this down:
- municipal income tax of about 30%
- additional high-income state tax of 20-25%
- employing company pays an additional 32% of an "employer's fee"
- In addition, a national VAT of 25% or 18%
- food (12% VAT)
- transportation, and books (6% VAT)
- Certain items are taxed at higher rates, e.g. petrol/diesel and alcoholic beverages.
So, a person at the top tax bracket gives to the Government:
30% + 25% = 55%
Add to that, the employer pays on the employees behalf another 30%:
55% + 30% = 85%
Then VAT of 25%.... 85% + 25% = 110% (is that where that saying 110% comes from??? I'll have to remember to credit the Swedes next time I use that line).
Plus food, gas, and other taxes.
INSANE. USA is more free since they don't take EVERYTHING.
And Don. I made an error. I was wrong about how much tax Lars pays. It is only 30% here...