Our Attitude towards 'Across the Pond'

Iain said:

I don't know anyone there who does like him from my extended family

That's hardly a representative sample of the British people in Scotland.  The fact is that because your family are related they are likely to hold similar views. There are plenty of Scotland based British Social media accounts that back up my assertion. I also stated 'in general' to convey that it's not to be considered a universal view.

Iain said:

It seems more the fact that country would willingly elect someone with his track record and blatant promises - he never hid his fascist leanings or plans to destroy the opposition.

If the majority really wanted this then it reflects very pooly on their morals and ideals.

It's not really down to the majority view of the population though. Although it is a significant percentage of the total. Ultimately it shows the democratic limitations of the US system of democracy. The fact that people are willing to elect people with questionable leanings shows how much people nowadays are ignorant of history and influenced by social media. Not to mention that people tend to be heavily influenced by tribalism and tribalism is really what's responsible for the majority of human inflicted tragedies throughout history. 

People worry about AI bringing about the end of the world. I think that social media is already ending the world we know. 

Excellent what you said Iain I feel the same way

We have Harvest Festival in the UK, which is in October and although it's not a national holiday people can choose to join in with events that happen in places such as schools and churches, giving food for the needy and giving thanks for what we have. Thanksgiving is made more of than Harvest Festival, but in the US I believe they have less days holiday at the Christmas period.

I think the black Friday sales are ok, it's helped me to get some Christmas presents cheaper. I don't know when cyber Monday is, and hadnt heard of Giving Tuesday?

We have been allies with the US for a long time and I personally respect the people, we have some American members of this community which I think is great. I don't feel that it's my place to comment on the politics of the country, as I don't live there.

Why do we keep trusting democracy? Because we can't see a better way to run things.

Kevmck said:

British people in Scotland in general seem to like him.

I don't know anyone there who does like him from my extended family.

Kevmck said:

If people are changing their view of the country on the basis of it's temporary leader,

It seems more the fact that country would willingly elect someone with his track record and blatant promises - he never hid his fascist leanings or plans to destroy the opposition.

If the majority really wanted this then it reflects very pooly on their morals and ideals.

I disagree. 

Scottish people in general don't like Donald Trump. British people in Scotland in general seem to like him. I don't really think that changes how people view the US. The existed a long time before Donald Trump and will exist for a long time after him. If people are changing their view of the country on the basis of it's temporary leader, then I think that they need to reassess whether or not they really liked that country in the first place...

Desmond1979 said:

But only a Post-Political Society can act so mature

I don't know what you mean by 'post-political' but I do know that you can become President of the US with absolutely zero public office experience whereas here a person becomes Prime Minister with substantial political/public office credentials ie they have to actually be a working politician first.

So, in the US you can become president because of being a wealthy celebrity.

Not mature and not something to respect.

Perhaps you could explain to me the advantages of things like black friday, cyber monday etc, because all I can see is another oportunity for big business to rip off consumers, most products in black friday sales have been cheaper previously.

I think The Special Relationship has been that Britain blindly follows America into its wars to help with the dying.

Desmond1979 said:

Rather than mock, and ridicule, we should look towards them to pass on their knowledge.

I've been trying to find what things about the US that are really worth such respect and admiration and the list is short.

Their quality of life is questionable as they get a lot less days of holiday each year compared to the UK and their work ethos means most are bullied into not taking them all. ( see https://www.bls.gov/ebs/factsheets/paid-vacations.htm for numbers)

Health care has become an incredibly expensive option for them and seems to be full of denied claims now.

Unemployment benefits are time limited and after that you pretty much fall out the system.

Politically the country has become incredibly polarised.

The death rate from firearms is truly appalling making it the 6th worst in the world. 16.5k deaths last year (excluding self-inflicted).

Lets not even cover racism or religious intolerance.

Desmond1979 said:

Americans seem to have the secret of coping in an insane world.

If that is coping then I think I'll stick with our current level of insanity for all its failings.

Yeh America sucks now because of Donald trump he's like a dictator. Scotland doesn't like America. Scottish people protest when Donald trump comes to Scotland to play golf