In these dark times where the USA is no longer the leader of the free world, has a president who is weirdly subservient to dictator Putin, is experiencing a level of division not seen since the civil war, etc., I think it's time to talk about what's STILL really great about the USA.

Not things like stock market profits that you might have personally gained.

More general stuff.

I'll start with Southern marching band culture. It's amazing!

I will start with this.

Southern Historically Black College USA marching band culture. It's amazing!

www.southerncultures.org/article/were-not-just-shooting-the-breeze/

8 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I'll start with Southern marching band culture. It's amazing!

I will start with this.

Souithern USA marching band culture. It's amazing!

People have more fun down South.

I've never been but obviously have to mention CHEESCAKE FACTORY.

So they have a Bangkok location. How does it compare?

NOTHING while that buffoon is in charge!

Great movies and TV shows.

A vast range of music genres.

Levi's.

Clothing with realistic sizes (I can still fit into US sizes L and XL shirts).

24 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

In these dark times where the USA is no longer the leader of the free world, has a president who is weirdly subservient to dictator Putin, is experiencing a level of division not seen since the civil war, etc., I think it's time to talk about what's STILL really great about the USA.

Not things like stock market profits that you might have personally gained.

More general stuff.

Great idea! Balance out some of the negativity.

Definitely still the world leader in chlorinated chicken, growth hormone and antibiotic packed meat, and generally high levels of processed food. Europe just can't match them. We must try harder.

Oh, and pissy beer and processed cheese.

3 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Great idea! Balance out some of the negativity.

Definitely still the world leader in chlorinated chicken, growth hormone and antibiotic packed meat, and generally high levels of processed food. Europe just can't match them. We must try harder.

Oh, and pissy beer and processed cheese.

Yeah sure, but those are negatives.

There must still be a lot of features.

Here's one which is a bit of hyberbole but "true" based on my own experiences.

BEST PHO IN THE WORLD. BETTER THAN VIETNAM!

16 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

NOTHING while that buffoon is in charge!

Life goes on even in dystopian hellscapes.

"Enjoy each miserable day"

High schools too.

Jefferson Davis -- president of the Confederate States of America, Oh my!\

Yes, that's Vanilla Funk.

The facta how Americans can still escape sky high healthcare costs by fleeing to Thailand or the Philippines. Truly the land of the free to go somewhere cheaper.

I hear Amazon Prime is pretty awesome, no?

1 minute ago, Celsius said:

The facta how Americans can still escape sky high healthcare costs by fleeing to Thailand or the Philippines. Truly the land of the free to go somewhere cheaper.

That's true. They're still letting us out.

We still drive on the right side of the road!

Songkran's that last 10 days as in Pattaya are not a thing in the USA.

We have baseball ⚾

Everything as good or better than TH, except housing cost / RE Taxes. If not having daughter here, TH, then RE is the only thing keeping me from returning.

Really can't think of anything else that's a negative. Healthcare not really on issue, if retired, on Medicare.

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

Everything as good or better than TH, except housing cost / RE Taxes. Really can't think of anything else that's a negative. Healthcare not really on issue, if retired, on Medicare.

Housing costs and taxes are two pretty big negatives, plus of course being under the helm of a moronic dictator. You need a rethink.

Simply cannot conceive of anything good until I get over the grief of Charlie Kirk's assassination and the trauma his poor wife must be still suffering.

1 minute ago, couchpotato said:

Housing costs and taxes are two pretty big negatives, plus of course being under the helm of a moronic dictator. You need a rethink.

The govt, has never been an issue, no matter who is president, as only there for 4 yrs at a time. Worse presidents than DJT, but none ever affected day to day life for me. The 'UniParty' has always been in control, and again, never affected my day to day life or smile.

7 minutes ago, couchpotato said:

Housing costs and taxes are two pretty big negatives, plus of course being under the helm of a moronic dictator. You need a rethink.

Yep, that's why I'm here, aside from daughter. Only because I liquidated my holdings. If still having houses there, I'd think about returning. But if still having houses there, I would have never left.😂

As wouldn't have a Thai wife & daughter, and no reason to stay in TH.

As stated, gov't is completely irrelevant to living in USA, for me. Don't even cross my mind, nor do I care who runs the country and I don't even vote.

Great fishing and hunting made by strict conservation laws and enforcement.

SOME of the best music worldwide. The best movies, although some other countries do have some great ones.

All the best food from all countries in one place, scattered around in every state.

Mountains you can walk through without fear of venomous snakes and mines.

Ability to speak your mind without intimidation or fear of reprisal from officials.

Good, clean beaches, lakes and rivers.

Most sports worldwide in one place. 4 season weather in most places.

Good internet and wifi.

Good roads and driving conditions, and enforced traffic laws.

13 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I've never been but obviously have to mention CHEESCAKE FACTORY.

So they have a Bangkok location. How does it compare?

Been to the BKK location at Central World several times. Food tastes about the same as locations I went to in So Cal but the service as most places in the Land of Smiles varied from very poor to average. Prices were about the same as the US.

A foreigner can buy just about everything a citizen can. All you need is the $. Many government jobs do not require one to be a citizen. Also, many governmet benefits do not have a citizenship requirement. Last time I checked due process under the law is guaranted for all. Even non citizens. Of course let's see what happens from untinl Jan 2029. Lastly, In N Out Burgers and decent wine for under $5.

Judging by the number of Umerican's who constantly post here (while claiming to live in Thailand), not too much is good anymore back in their homeland.

Perhaps they need to let go of Uncle?🙃🙃

5 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

Judging by the number of Umerican's who constantly post here (while claiming to live in Thailand), not too much is good anymore back in their homeland.

Perhaps they need to let go of Uncle?🙃🙃

5 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

many of us go back yearly to visit, and stay for months at a time, along with still having all of our relatives living there, so we know what's there and how some things don't and some things do change, at least a little,, like everywhere else. I myself am moving back, as Thailand can't compare to what the US has, especially for children.

4 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

many of us go back yearly to visit, and stay for months at a time, along with still having all of our relatives living there, so we know what's there and how some things don't and some things do change, at least a little,, like everywhere else. I myself am moving back, as Thailand can't compare to what the US has, especially for children.

Cheers.

I went back to Aus in 2023 for 2 years after 11 years here.

It was like groundhog day.

Nothing had changed.

Thailand still offers a lot away from the cities.

Kids went to school & still became brats!

Good Luck with it all.🙃🙃

Just now, Lucky Bones said:

Cheers.

I went back to Aus in 2023 for 2 years after 11 years here.

It was like groundhog day.

Nothing had changed.

Thailand still offers a lot away from the cities.

Kids went to school & still became brats!

Good Luck with it all.🙃🙃

Funny. Just watched Groundhog day yesterday with my daughter. Every time I visited the last few years I was home, and it's coming none too soon for my daughter and I, as she herself knows she'll have a better future.

41 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

many of us go back yearly to visit, and stay for months at a time, along with still having all of our relatives living there, so we know what's there and how some things don't and some things do change, at least a little,, like everywhere else. I myself am moving back, as Thailand can't compare to what the US has, especially for children.

Why I have no real desire to return. Only have 2 brothers I talk to, and wouldn't live back in PA/NJ area anyway. So wouldn't talk to them much more than I do now.

With exception of Nat. Parks, and possibly life saving healthcare in an emergency (though I'd live rural there), nothing there for me, except playing tourist at the parks. Probably after a year of that, and I'd be bored.

I outlived all my childhood, hometown friends. Haven't seen my nieces & nephews since they were wee ones. Coworker relationships are scattered all over, and wouldn't have a clue even where they are.

I'd hop over with the wife for a year, if it wasn't so expensive to play tourist. Hard to justify that cost, just to see a few really nice Nat. Parks. Playing tourist isn't the wife's thing, and she's happier just sitting home with the Greenhouse & garden.

2 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Why I have no real desire to return. Only have 2 brothers I talk to, and wouldn't live back in PA/NJ area anyway. So wouldn't talk to them much more than I do now.

With exception of Nat. Parks, and possibly life saving healthcare in an emergency (though I'd live rural there), nothing there for me, except playing tourist at the parks. Probably after a year of that, and I'd be bored.

I have 5 children, grandchildren, cousins and friends, along with a 95 year old aunt I'd like to see again, so it's home. Not to mention hunting, fishing and places I still haven't seen.