International Relations
There's a "Have Your Say" article over at The Local Sweden today that has prompted this post. The question is basically, how do you view Sweden and the USA.
I don't like the "compare/contrast" aspect of this question because it supposes that it's possible to determine that one is, in fact, better than the other; which it's not. There is no "better or worse," there is only difference. A lot of the comments I see on The Local's articles leave me wondering why the average person bothers to read them. Sure, I have been known to offer up my 2 cents worth on certain stories, but nothing like some of the people who frequent this site -- some of their comments are downright vicious.
(Here's some free advice for people who live in Sweden but hate it there (they seem to be foreigners...): since you hate Sweden so vehemently, then why don't you spare yourself any further pain and suffering and leave. I'm pretty sure the Swedish people would thank you.)
I did respond to this open invitation to "have my say," and I thought I'd share it with you all. (Obviously, if you'd like to view the other comments then feel free to follow the link above)
"As an American (of Swedish descent) who spent 7 of my formative years in another country, I have to admit that there is not much I actually like about my home country. But the thing is, it's so easy to find the negative wherever you go because people are people the world over. There will ALWAYS be greener grass over the hedge, until you get there, then you will see that it's just as brown as your own lawn. There are good and bad things about both the US and Sweden, just as there are good and bad things about EVERY SINGLE COUNTRY on this planet. The problem is that too many people want to focus on the negative, instead of looking at the positive.
Yes, the US has issues. Yes, Sweden has issues. You already know this, just accept it and move on."
I don't like the "compare/contrast" aspect of this question because it supposes that it's possible to determine that one is, in fact, better than the other; which it's not. There is no "better or worse," there is only difference. A lot of the comments I see on The Local's articles leave me wondering why the average person bothers to read them. Sure, I have been known to offer up my 2 cents worth on certain stories, but nothing like some of the people who frequent this site -- some of their comments are downright vicious.
(Here's some free advice for people who live in Sweden but hate it there (they seem to be foreigners...): since you hate Sweden so vehemently, then why don't you spare yourself any further pain and suffering and leave. I'm pretty sure the Swedish people would thank you.)
I did respond to this open invitation to "have my say," and I thought I'd share it with you all. (Obviously, if you'd like to view the other comments then feel free to follow the link above)
"As an American (of Swedish descent) who spent 7 of my formative years in another country, I have to admit that there is not much I actually like about my home country. But the thing is, it's so easy to find the negative wherever you go because people are people the world over. There will ALWAYS be greener grass over the hedge, until you get there, then you will see that it's just as brown as your own lawn. There are good and bad things about both the US and Sweden, just as there are good and bad things about EVERY SINGLE COUNTRY on this planet. The problem is that too many people want to focus on the negative, instead of looking at the positive.
Yes, the US has issues. Yes, Sweden has issues. You already know this, just accept it and move on."
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