People Are Revealing The Dark Side Of American Life, And Here Are 40 Honest Stories
Interview
The American dream is an idea that with enough hard work, courage, and sacrifice, anyone can lead a happy life. It’s an aspirational belief that all individuals, regardless of where they come from or what family they were born into, can reach success if they just put their mind to it.
Sure, the United States has plenty to be proud of—it’s the most powerful country in the world that has a well-deserved reputation in culture, innovation, and democracy. However, it also has its flaws, showing that the American way of life is not always exactly a dream.
Sometimes, when you’re scrolling through social media, you come across posts where many discuss the unhealthy work-life balance, complicated housing crisis, flawed healthcare system, overwhelming debt—you name it. Take a look at what people have shared on the internet, and let us know what you think of it in the comment section below.
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Injustice In USA
Republicans are destroying our country. They are sick fascists.
We reached out to one of the users who shared a post about the difficulties of living in the US with fellow r/AntiWork community members. The author preferred to stay anonymous but was kind enough to share their thoughts with us. “The reason why I posted this on r/AntiWork was mainly to show people the ridiculous situation happening in the United States,” the user told Bored Panda.
They mentioned an example that a few weeks ago, several states passed laws that allowed 14-year-olds to work until 11 PM: “Many people were outraged because these companies would rather use ‘child labor’ instead of providing adults a ’living wage.’”
The author said that they can see the US as perhaps a great country to live in if you are a business owner: “Low regulations compared to other first-world nations—no required maternity/paternity leave, most states don’t mandate breaks/lunches for adults, low minimum wage, most states being at-will employment (so you can fire employees at will with little repercussions).”
Uteruses Are Weapons Of Mass Destruction In The USA
And That's Why USA Is Not Gonna Get Better. Americans Think That They Are Better Than Anybody In This World
The aholes in the government want you to believe nothing you do will make a difference. They are wrong, it’s all propaganda. They want you uneducated, poor and too busy to care or pay attention, it’s evil, it makes the USA weak and vulnerable. It’s why the illicit drug scene is thriving. Watch some Robert Reich YouTube videos and hold onto whatever hope you can. Vote, write letters..do what you can to be a part of the solution not a part of the problem
They want to clarify that they disagree with all these regulations being acceptable in this country and feel all of them need to be addressed. However, “from a selfish standpoint, if you are rich, this really is probably a great place to live.”
“Your assets are basically stable, strong military prevents instability in the country financially, most of the politicians willingly support your causes and the public will even blindly support your causes even when it goes against their interest, etc.,” they mentioned.
“From what I can gather is that certain jobs in the USA pay much more than in other countries, like in the tech sector,” the user mentioned. “So unless you get a job in the tech sector here then maybe it is better than in other developed countries.”
Let’s Face It USA
So true. All these bastards should be in jail, including the orange stain!
Insulin Should Be Free!
According to Zippia, with around 12.2M tech industry workers, net tech employment accounts for 7.9% of the total U.S. workforce. However, they have a huge impact on the U.S. economy since tech employees make up to 85% more than those in other industries: “And this number becomes even more inflated in certain areas. For example, tech workers in San Jose, California, earn up to 507% more than the average area salary.”
Yet, those who are not employed in this sector are much more vulnerable: “Should something truly catastrophic happen, your ability to pay for healthcare, housing, food evaporates, and the public options in most of this country with their onerous red tape are designed to facilitate your death while you wait for them to kick in,” the author said.
Wow, USA
Had a huge debate with a nurse back in the 1980’s when the medical system changed from being compassionate snd having the patient be the main focus to having the guy who writes the checks be in charge of care. I said this is going to flat out till people, she disagreed. Sure enough within a year young poverty stricken kids with serious multiple medical problems began dying. Within another year free clinics were popping up to care for rural patients. One of the suits at Aetna insurance went to visit his father in rural Maine, read the paper advertising the free clinics, got up at 7am convincing himself nobody would show. The line had started forming at 5am and was a quarter mile long by 7am. Dude stayed all day, learning about how bad things are. He quit his job the next day, could not stand the contradictions of the opulence his company afforded him and those turned away from care fir “previously existing” issues or who lost everything due to outrageous billing practices.
God Bless The USA
Don't forget the ultimate 'feat' of the 21 century - the Great Wall of Trumpia.
“Factor in cheaper rent [in other countries], cheaper transit, twice as much vacation time, etc., and the US advantages fade away real quick,” they continued. “No big difference in grocery costs, and other day-to-day expenses, much faster internet speeds, affordable and usable phone plans.”
The user added: “The only advantages in America for an employee are cheaper single-family homes if you live in such an area, cheaper gas prices (but CA gas prices are about halfway between the UK and the rest of US), and cheaper cars (new & used).”
They think that if you’re not employed in the tech sector, “aren’t born rich, and just want to live as an employee, EU countries give you a much better bang for buck.”
What Passes For Christianity In The USA Is Anything But The Teachings Of Jesus
God Bless The USA
This Is USA
So, these are apples that grow on peoples trees. Extra apples, you give them to your neighbours (or people walking past)
“Overall though, for the average person, I just don’t see the benefits,” the author said. “If one has any illness or health issues (chronic or otherwise), you are basically not guaranteed healthcare and could simply just go bankrupt with no assistance. The culture here is people worrying about petty things (religion and other things) over helping their fellow citizens get proper healthcare, etc.”
On a final note, having to deal with such issues daily puts a toll on people’s emotional well-being: “This is anecdotal but one of the worst things I have done for my mental health was learning how the USA truly operates. I’m sure that some people feel the same way.”
My Sister Passed Away Today
The USA Is Proof Propaganda Works
Some Americans. Please don’t disregard those of us fighting every single dah to change things (it’s what many of us boomers are use to doing, and instead of acting like a Chandler Halderson by calling us names and acting like spoiled brats you millennials might want to pay more attention, many of us have been doing this for decades and know one thing is true about persistent common sense ideas and policies and getting things done, but we will keep that tidbit close to the vest until you learn to play nice together).
Disabled People In The USA With Medicaid Are Not Allowed To Have More Than 2000 Dollars
And yet people in America constantly trash struggling fellow Americans…the disabled, the poor, the mentally ill, homeless vets, as if those people wanted to be in those positions. Then they are victimized again for self medicating because in reality there is no access to effective affordable long term mental health professionals. Yet few complain about the BILLIONS of dollars going to Wall Street welfare or to the losses the 1% cost everyone in loss of taxes due to the hoarding of billions in off shore accounts
A Human With More Power Had To Put Them There
“I Pledge Allegiance To The Flag Of The USA… With Liberty For… Only The 1%, Apparently”
I remember hearing about this years ago and was appalled at the injustice. I understand that the homeless man got more of a sentence because he was armed with some sort of weapon but he was desperate and needed the money to survive. Maybe if there were better services he wouldn't have had to make that choice. He even felt remorse and handed himself in. The CEO did it out of greed, tried covering it up and showed no remorse.
Now That America Has Lost Yet A Nother Senseless War They Started Maybe It's Time To Learn A Lesson From This And Defund The Military And Instead Spend That Money Actually Taking Care Of The Needs Of The People Of The USA
Republicans are warmongers. Bush should be in jail for his WMD lie. Trump should be in jail for treason. It's bullshit.
USA! USA!
Every Other Developed Nation: Sick. Help! / USA: How We Gonna Pay For It?
I feel this. My husband had cancer. He was only 60 and it took him fast. Here I sit, still devastated, knowing I used all his life insurance to pay medical bills, and now I lose my house in June because I can't pay $4600 in property taxes. Is this the American dream? We both worked and paid taxes for over 30 years!
The USA Spends 2 Trillion For Wars And Not Enough Money For Health Insurance
Pictures Like This Makes Me Never Want To Visit USA
"I won't wear a face mask because I am not gonna live my life in fear!!!" ... wears machine gun because you know, just in case something scares him.
I feel like this is pre-COVID wow that sounds weird
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How can people feel safe going out in public with these ersatz “heroes” toting around more firepower than my dad carried into Europe in WW2?
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No one needs a gun like this. Unless you’re Rambo, and even then, I would’ve loved to see the film where instead of blasting everyone away, he sits down with them with a nice cup of tea and talks about why everyone’s so angry. And then they do makeovers, smoke a spliff and dance along to Right Said Fred.
Thats alot of men with low self esteem/worth issues..compounded with the highest level achievable of empty brained stupidity
Ok, most of them are men but you do see women do this too. I've seen it with my own eyes. I asked one young lady wearing a sidearm if she was a cop, she said no, she was exercising her freedoms. You go girl, lol.
Load More Replies... Would not want to be the store employee having to tell the nutjob with a machine gun, that he can't bring his war toy in...
Put up a sign and then call the cops when anyone violates it.
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Today's finalists in: Tell me you have a tiny penis without telling me.
I'm pretty sure he's there for penis enlargement pills.
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And these are the very same people I expect to see running away and hiding miles away when real trouble actually happens.
Each one of those men has a micropenis, I bet you. They're compensating. xD
Welcome to my local grocery store, everyone! And if you think *that* doesn't give you a bad startle, try walking into the cleaning products section and seeing some a-hat with his M-4, buying bleach.
Why? Just stop measuring your tiny d***s in public people. Nobody cares to watch.
I completely agree. This is nothing more than a p*ssing contest between these fools. I'm not fond of guns in the first place, in the second place, what if one of these guys (women too) get set off over something and start shooting? It's just so dangerous!!
Notice that all these gun nuts shown are all scrawny runts. Obviously it's a power trip for them. Like "Obey me or I'll shoot you!".
What state is that?! Where are you allowed to carry your military grade weapon (that civilians shouldn't have in my opinion) like a purse and not get the cops called on you?
Well, I know for fact it happens in Virginia, b/c yes you can carry a long-barrel firearm openly here, no permits, so as long as it's a "rifle", you can walk around like that. I share your opinion on how (argh!) it all is.
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Either this should be forbidden or they should have to make ape noises all day. OOH OOH OOH
Remembers me of a quote from Robert A. Heinlein "an armed society makes for a polite society". Only Americans can tell me if he was right.
In my experience it's the opposite. People who are armed treat others like trash and get away with it, because no one wants to risk getting killed over a petty argument.
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Not sure what they expect the businesses to do. Tell men with big guns to leave? The problem clearly isn't with the businesses.
Yes we first see how short you are next we see how bald you are. Next we see how dirty you are. Next we see if you have a fake uniform on. Next we see if your hands are nice and soft. Next we see how poor you are by the color of some teeth you have left. Next we see how greasy and the body odor is usually overwhelming letting your mom pick blazey axe scent. We lol at your old cheap shoes and dingy socks. Stained shirt and pants. Unkempt neckbeard bc you can't grow a full one or being as clean shaven and handsome as the cops w that sexy jawline. You'll never be that. There fore you must must must carry big gunny of girlys are going to see how gross I am mooooomm as you pound your tiny unwashed athletes foot at nanas house you still live at. Mouthball old people smell does not wash off. Well good luck hunting poor human beings w brown skin.
Load More Replies...Stay Strong USA
As a European we will take your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
USA #1
How Terrorists Are Defined In USA
USA #1 Again
Hungary should not be on this list either. We don't get automatic (mostly) free healthcare like in the UK. (Well children do.) If you're an adult, you have it as long as you're employed and the insurance pay is deducted from your salary, or you're self employed and you pay for it. When you lose your job you can still have it for a little while if you're a registered job seeker, but after a few months that's gone too. From that point when you have zero income you can only keep your access to healthcare if you pay the insurance rates. You know, out of your zero income. If you don't, you're not insured and you'll only be treated if it's a life threatening emergency. The pandemic took away lots of people's jobs and I'm sure not all of them had enough savings (Hungary is one of the worst when it comes to people having savings) to pay for a continued insurance, therefore saying 0 lost their coverage is just not true.
Health Care In The USA
The USA Is A Trip
What Has USA Become?
If I recall correctly, weren't there several tweets and similar wondering why Obama didn't do more to prevent 9/11? That man hold so much real estate in their heads - amazing how threatened they feel by someone with more intelligence in his left foot than in their entire bodies. (And I'm not saying he was perfect, not by any stretch - he was just a well educated man sandwiched between an idiot and a moron)
Fun Fact About The USA!
I never understood why they just don't cut out the interest. Apparently it pays more to service these loans every year than it is worth keeping them.
Since We Postin School Lunches (USA)
America Must Liberate The American People And End The Tyranny Of USA
Losing A Job Is More Than Loss Of Income In The USA
A One Month Supply Of My Son's New Cystic Fibrosis Medicine. At $24,000, It's The Most Expensive Thing I've Ever Held In One Hand
My cancer medicin is US$7.000 a month but I am a lucky to live in Denmark so I get it for free
USA! USA! USA!
Poverty
How I Became A Homeowner In My 20s
This Is A Real Text My Wife Received Yesterday In The USA. It Looks Like Cheap Electronics Aren’t The Only Thing To Save Up For On Black Friday!!
We Did It, Everybody! USA! USA!
50 Shades Of Rubber Bullets Used In USA Protests
I sooooo wish there were more police officer supervisors like Sheriff Grady Judd in Florida. He advises his newly hired officers upon that he expects the citizens and visitors to his county to be treated well, that officers will be held to a higher standard and anyone unwilling to get on his program or is foolish enough to test his authority are immediate dealt with and they are publicly shamed.
Note: this post originally had 86 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.
I'm not going to "attack" America each country has its pros and cons, I can give you a list of Spains' problems, but my heart just breaks for all the families that dread going to the hospital and receiving that bill at the end of it
I'm a lawyer and my wife is a doctor and we have what is considered to be excellent insurance. We are both frightened what will happen to us if we end up with a serious illness, especially when we retire. Unless you have at least $10 million squirrelled away, a serious illness will drive you into extreme poverty in the USA.
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And somehow US citizens are still so brainwashed that they believe that USA is the best country ever
SO TRUE, I had no idea until I moved to Ontario 16 years ago how bad it really was there ( from Florida). It is so much better up here. Canada has a lot of issues as well but the states is a dumpster fire I never saw until I removed myself from it.
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I have lived in many different countries on three different continents. I have seen the best and the worst in different places. I am a US citizen, having lived there for over 20 years. What galls me the most, and why I am so vocal against so many US policies is because America is one of the richest countries in the world. The government *could* do SO many things to improve the lives of its citizens, to improve health, education, freedoms, but they choose not to because it's more profitable not to.
Hmm... it's like... if working-class Republicans and working-class Democrats realized our common enemy is the rich.......... but no... one side's working class has been brainwashed, and the other side's working class is just voting for the less evil option.
They are both claiming that the other side has all "the elites".
Load More Replies... I did the math. Actually sat down and worked it out. Twenty-five years ago. Again this past weekend. IF we paid more in taxes on our gross income, and took into account that we'd no longer need to pay out of our earnings for healthcare? We end up not only with national healthcare for all, but with a bit more take-home pay. Now, take out of that for education, and people might grasp the math of how this is a really stupid system where they whinge that nationalized healthcare is "taking gtheir money" but they aren't considering that they'd not have to pay for health insurance....
As an American, who is fixing to lose her home because of this, I just can't read anymore.
I don't know if you like hugs, but I'm sending you a virtual hug anyways.
Load More Replies... We are not all evil and wasteful and stupid. The local stores and orchards give their surplus to the elderly and those in shelters or on assistance. The fruit and vegetables are still fresh, btw, and the bread is only a day old. We work in a pandemic for nothing. (Literally zero in my case.) We reduce, re-use, recycle, and protest. The problem is, we're up against tens of millions who think greed is good. :-(
I really hate these. I'm not saying America doesn't have issues. It does. Definitely. But so does every other country. There is no such thing as a perfect country. I have been to around 27 countries. I've lived in 9. I have yet to be in a country that is perfect.
Well, that's a nice wishy-washy response, Heather. Who's mentioning perfection, other than you? So, let me see if I understand your point... nowhere is perfect, so the U.S is just fine as it is and doesn't have to do anything, right? No need for improvement? You acknowledge that America has issues, but you're avoiding the point that it has some really awful ones that no other country on the planet does.
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I am so sick of seeing my fellow people in America struggling. I am sick of gun violence and racial injustice. Everyone should be able to afford their necessary medicine and have somewhere safe to sleep, food to eat. There are thousands of empty buildings that can be converted for those on the streets. There is food thrown out every day, food that is edible and safe. Pharmaceutical companies make billions, why can’t they help? It disgusts me.
As has been mentioned, it is pretty bad here. From someone who lives here and is growing up here, the political climate, the poverty, the racism, the horrible healthcare, the covid policys and the recent rollbacks of women’s rights all affect my life, and they suck. We may have been a great country once, I know my parents think that we were. But I am not old enough to remember that. I became aware of politics when Trump was elected. My only experience with the “American Dream” has been that it doesn’t exist. I live in a red state. I do not feel safe at school. Only a couple hours away was a shooting last month. Our Covid protocol is atrocious. 15% of students out and 20% of teachers, and my school is actually on the good end of this. I have friends in other states who have classes being subbed by the janitors and even older students. I do not like it here. I want to move out as soon as I can. And this is coming from someone who is very privileged. Attack America as much as you want.
I hope that most people reading this don't believe that most of us think our country is the best. Many of us are frustrated and embarrassed. We do our best to promote caring for others and vote for the people that we hope will enact laws to benefit everyone but at a grassroots level, it is hard to fight the large PACs that finance the crazies in government. Many of us would love to see universal medicine, free or reduced higher education, free or subsidized daycare, and a living wage for everyone. (And that's just to name a few things.) I would love to see stricter gun laws, for example, but that has become a huge hot-button political issue. No one needs an assault rifle for personal use.
so excited to be growing up in this country!!! i cant wait to be an adult!!! pls help lmao
Take German classes! Germany has a lot of free higher education and Berlin is a great place to live. https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/studium/studienangebot/english/index.html
Load More Replies... These are all a reasons why I declined a job in the US and stayed in Europe
This thread has made me realise I can never go back to America. I should have gone whilst Obama was still in power. Now I will not recognise the place I visited 40 years ago, it has gone.
After reading this I feel somehow sick. I know every country has its problems. I feel that everyone, especially the poor sick and crazy should have at least a minimum of help for free. (Basic health care, somewhere decent & safe to stay at night and some food). I hope this will get better.
Look up "Residence based on the Dutch American Friendship Treaty".
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All Americans seem to due is tweet about how bad things are. Get organised and effect change.
Absolutely. But if you are voting for the devil or beelzebub, which choice do you think will actually cause a change? IMHO USA needs at least two or three new political parties, e.g. a green party, a fascist party, a socialist party. That way, the fascists can leave and join their own crowd (and stop pushing the republicans even further right), and the socialists (Bernie and others) can get a shot at controlling the country.
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I'm not going to "attack" America each country has its pros and cons, I can give you a list of Spains' problems, but my heart just breaks for all the families that dread going to the hospital and receiving that bill at the end of it
I'm a lawyer and my wife is a doctor and we have what is considered to be excellent insurance. We are both frightened what will happen to us if we end up with a serious illness, especially when we retire. Unless you have at least $10 million squirrelled away, a serious illness will drive you into extreme poverty in the USA.
Load More Replies... And somehow US citizens are still so brainwashed that they believe that USA is the best country ever
SO TRUE, I had no idea until I moved to Ontario 16 years ago how bad it really was there ( from Florida). It is so much better up here. Canada has a lot of issues as well but the states is a dumpster fire I never saw until I removed myself from it.
Load More Replies... I have lived in many different countries on three different continents. I have seen the best and the worst in different places. I am a US citizen, having lived there for over 20 years. What galls me the most, and why I am so vocal against so many US policies is because America is one of the richest countries in the world. The government *could* do SO many things to improve the lives of its citizens, to improve health, education, freedoms, but they choose not to because it's more profitable not to.
Hmm... it's like... if working-class Republicans and working-class Democrats realized our common enemy is the rich.......... but no... one side's working class has been brainwashed, and the other side's working class is just voting for the less evil option.
They are both claiming that the other side has all "the elites".
Load More Replies... I did the math. Actually sat down and worked it out. Twenty-five years ago. Again this past weekend. IF we paid more in taxes on our gross income, and took into account that we'd no longer need to pay out of our earnings for healthcare? We end up not only with national healthcare for all, but with a bit more take-home pay. Now, take out of that for education, and people might grasp the math of how this is a really stupid system where they whinge that nationalized healthcare is "taking gtheir money" but they aren't considering that they'd not have to pay for health insurance....
As an American, who is fixing to lose her home because of this, I just can't read anymore.
I don't know if you like hugs, but I'm sending you a virtual hug anyways.
Load More Replies... We are not all evil and wasteful and stupid. The local stores and orchards give their surplus to the elderly and those in shelters or on assistance. The fruit and vegetables are still fresh, btw, and the bread is only a day old. We work in a pandemic for nothing. (Literally zero in my case.) We reduce, re-use, recycle, and protest. The problem is, we're up against tens of millions who think greed is good. :-(
I really hate these. I'm not saying America doesn't have issues. It does. Definitely. But so does every other country. There is no such thing as a perfect country. I have been to around 27 countries. I've lived in 9. I have yet to be in a country that is perfect.
Well, that's a nice wishy-washy response, Heather. Who's mentioning perfection, other than you? So, let me see if I understand your point... nowhere is perfect, so the U.S is just fine as it is and doesn't have to do anything, right? No need for improvement? You acknowledge that America has issues, but you're avoiding the point that it has some really awful ones that no other country on the planet does.
Load More Replies... I am so sick of seeing my fellow people in America struggling. I am sick of gun violence and racial injustice. Everyone should be able to afford their necessary medicine and have somewhere safe to sleep, food to eat. There are thousands of empty buildings that can be converted for those on the streets. There is food thrown out every day, food that is edible and safe. Pharmaceutical companies make billions, why can’t they help? It disgusts me.
As has been mentioned, it is pretty bad here. From someone who lives here and is growing up here, the political climate, the poverty, the racism, the horrible healthcare, the covid policys and the recent rollbacks of women’s rights all affect my life, and they suck. We may have been a great country once, I know my parents think that we were. But I am not old enough to remember that. I became aware of politics when Trump was elected. My only experience with the “American Dream” has been that it doesn’t exist. I live in a red state. I do not feel safe at school. Only a couple hours away was a shooting last month. Our Covid protocol is atrocious. 15% of students out and 20% of teachers, and my school is actually on the good end of this. I have friends in other states who have classes being subbed by the janitors and even older students. I do not like it here. I want to move out as soon as I can. And this is coming from someone who is very privileged. Attack America as much as you want.
I hope that most people reading this don't believe that most of us think our country is the best. Many of us are frustrated and embarrassed. We do our best to promote caring for others and vote for the people that we hope will enact laws to benefit everyone but at a grassroots level, it is hard to fight the large PACs that finance the crazies in government. Many of us would love to see universal medicine, free or reduced higher education, free or subsidized daycare, and a living wage for everyone. (And that's just to name a few things.) I would love to see stricter gun laws, for example, but that has become a huge hot-button political issue. No one needs an assault rifle for personal use.
so excited to be growing up in this country!!! i cant wait to be an adult!!! pls help lmao
Take German classes! Germany has a lot of free higher education and Berlin is a great place to live. https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/studium/studienangebot/english/index.html
Load More Replies... These are all a reasons why I declined a job in the US and stayed in Europe
This thread has made me realise I can never go back to America. I should have gone whilst Obama was still in power. Now I will not recognise the place I visited 40 years ago, it has gone.
After reading this I feel somehow sick. I know every country has its problems. I feel that everyone, especially the poor sick and crazy should have at least a minimum of help for free. (Basic health care, somewhere decent & safe to stay at night and some food). I hope this will get better.
Look up "Residence based on the Dutch American Friendship Treaty".
Load More Replies... All Americans seem to due is tweet about how bad things are. Get organised and effect change.
Absolutely. But if you are voting for the devil or beelzebub, which choice do you think will actually cause a change? IMHO USA needs at least two or three new political parties, e.g. a green party, a fascist party, a socialist party. That way, the fascists can leave and join their own crowd (and stop pushing the republicans even further right), and the socialists (Bernie and others) can get a shot at controlling the country.
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