[fakedang]

The USA invaded Iraq and Afghanistan, both of which don't have the faintest connection to the US mainland in any form, either culturally or otherwise.

The US has also launched bombing runs in Syria and Libya, again both of which have the faintest connection to the average American's daily life, all in the pursuit of some boogieman War on Terror.

The US has engaged in military coups to overthrow democratic governments in nearly every Latin American country.

And to crown its Opus, the US has now begun building concentration camps (once again), both on its own soil and in foreign territory.

> They are sort of just pawns I guess? None of them will ever become self made. Look what happens to Chinese entrepreneurs who get a little too successful and forget the CCP. They go to a camp and then come out with a factory reset lmao! Russians fall out of windows weekly it seems.

Sure, while the US extends the favor to foreign nationals and kidnaps them to torture them at Guantanamo, often supplied to them willingly by their British vassals. There's a poignant recorded letter in the Guardian of a young child's letter to Tony Blair asking to return his father from Guantanamo.

[moomoo11]

I like how you repeat talking points instead of conceding anything like I did.

It’s why America and her people (whether they were born here or immigrated here to become American) are greater than anyone else. We accept our faults, and yet we still strive to build a better world.

And when dealing with such scenarios, whether in business or geopolitics, I’m always partial to the genuine winner who gave an actual shit.

[fakedang]

> We accept our faults, and yet we still strive to build a better world.

Or do you? There's a significant fraction of America that is clear-cut evidence of the contrary. Your statement alone is a blatant display of misplaced American exceptionalism.

> I’m always partial to the genuine winner who gave an actual shit.

Might want to broaden your scope a bit outside your country then. Check out the following map fyi: https://brilliantmaps.com/threat-to-peace/ Most foreign citizens actively disagree with your assumptions. And since that map is now a bit dated, we ought to add Canada and Denmark to the list too.

Again, I'm nowhere asserting that China and Russia are models to aspire to. But calling today's America as the shining beacon of democracy and capitalism that every nation should aspire to is a bit of a farce. Especially given that your richest and best are secretly seeking citizenship in European nations.

[moomoo11]

Buddy, we vote here every 4 years for a new figurehead. America has been through way more tumultuous shit in the past (1860 civil war? hello like 700k Americans died in that) and got out of it way stronger.

Go talk doo-doo about Xi (if you can even do that), you'll get camped or your family might get rm -rf'd. Same with Putin, Kim Dong or whoever else from a authoritarian regime.

People are free to criticize in America. I know that's a luxury belief that most people won't ever know, but that's also why things are luxuries. Once you have them, it is hard to go back to Target or whatever.

If America was to go mask off and cheat by become Authoritarian like Xi or Putin, we'd wipe the floor in like 20 years tops and everyone will unite under our beautiful flag.

We're better than that though. Hell, we fought ourselves and came out BETTER for it, instead of becoming commies or other losers. We even held ourselves accountable for actions we took in the past, something our authoritarian "rivals" would never concede because they know they're wack.