Sweden invades the USA…

[GuiltyCowboy]

…suddenly, America has universal healthcare, the number of Americans living in poverty plunges, the number of billionaires increases too, support for freedom of speech goes up...

...minimum wages rise as they’re negotiated by unions not politicians, gun deaths plummet, hate speech declines, college is free so student debt does not force young people into dead-end jobs...

...you are free to live and work in any country in the EU whenever you want, licorice is everywhere…

But here's my question: what would you, as an American, be prepared to do to defend against such a scenario?

a) Nothing - as long as I have my guns and can bitch on the internet, that's all I need.
b) I would just vote against this. That's what I usually do.
c) I would sacrifice my future happiness and my first-born child to ensure this never comes to pass.

 

[ll74]

Is the question whether you would defend against an invader? The Swedes tend to be fairly passive

 

[GuiltyCowboy]

Is the question whether you would defend against an invader? The Swedes tend to be fairly passive

They've been playing rope-a-dope. Yes, would you defend against someone who radically improved your freedom, wealth and welfare?

 

[HumpDayHoratio]

…suddenly, America has universal healthcare, the number of Americans living in poverty plunges, the number of billionaires increases too, support for freedom of speech goes up...

...minimum wages rise as they’re negotiated by unions not politicians, gun deaths plummet, hate speech declines, college is free so student debt does not force young people into dead-end jobs...

...you are free to live and work in any country in the EU whenever you want, licorice is everywhere…

But here's my question: what would you, as an American, be prepared to do to defend against such a scenario?

a) Nothing - as long as I have my guns and can bitch on the internet, that's all I need.
b) I would just vote against this. That's what I'm used to.
c) I would sacrifice my future happiness and my first-born child to ensure this never comes to pass.

Well, you forgot a bullet point; Conscription…every swinging Richard and Perky Rachel!

Mandatory grades 13-14!

 

[GuiltyCowboy]

Well, you forgot a bullet point; Conscription…every swinging Richard and Perky Rachel!

Mandatory grades 13-14!

Yup, this isn't a free ride, you gotta take the rough with the smooth.

After all, you never know when you're going to have to invade Greenland.

 

[HumpDayHoratio]

Yup, this isn't a free ride, you gotta take the rough with the smooth.

After all, you never know when you're going to have to invade Greenland.

It is strategic after all…

There is a growing Interest in conscription…

One or two brave politicians have floated it, but it hasn’t picked up steam. The article has some good points. Mainly that we were stronger as a country for having the draft. The bitter taste of Vietnam is still on certain tongues though…

 

[ll74]

They've been playing rope-a-dope. Yes, would you defend against someone who radically improved your freedom, wealth and welfare?

I would defend my country against invaders, yes. It doesn't matter what country it is.

 

[MajorRewrite]

I heartily support all of those changes except the licorice.

 

[GuiltyCowboy]

I would defend my country against invaders, yes. It doesn't matter what country it is.

Conceptually, it’s kind of interesting. Obviously the instinct to defend one’s patch is understandable but, when the people coming in are giving you more freedom not less, more wealth not less, then what exactly are you defending when you’re defending your country? What or who exactly are you staying loyal to?

Put another way, many people might be willing to move somewhere to improve their prospects and their lives. No one bats an eyelid at that. But when the improved prospects move to them, it’s suddenly ‘whoa, get off my porch’.

 

[GuiltyCowboy]

It is strategic after all…

There is a growing Interest in conscription…

One or two brave politicians have floated it, but it hasn’t picked up steam. The article has some good points. Mainly that we were stronger as a country for having the draft. The bitter taste of Vietnam is still on certain tongues though…

I can see it being worthwhile when you have an intransigently aggressive neighbor - Sweden/Russia, South Korea/North etc. I’m not sure America falls into that category.

Also, as an individual, I’d kind of want my country’s army to have a decent track record of winning wars and not getting stuck in quagmires. Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan isn’t the greatest resumé on that front.

 

[GuiltyCowboy]

I heartily support all of those changes except the licorice.

It actually tastes a little better when you’re not worried about a medical emergency making you bankrupt.

 

[Pavlovsdog6862]

There’s 14 million kangaroos in Australia and 3 million people in Jamaica! If Australia invades Jamaica that’s more then 4 to one ratio

 

[John_von_Neumann]

…suddenly, America has universal healthcare, the number of Americans living in poverty plunges, the number of billionaires increases too, support for freedom of speech goes up...

...minimum wages rise as they’re negotiated by unions not politicians, gun deaths plummet, hate speech declines, college is free so student debt does not force young people into dead-end jobs...

...you are free to live and work in any country in the EU whenever you want, licorice is everywhere…

But here's my question: what would you, as an American, be prepared to do to defend against such a scenario?

a) Nothing - as long as I have my guns and can bitch on the internet, that's all I need.
b) I would just vote against this. That's what I usually do.
c) I would sacrifice my future happiness and my first-born child to ensure this never comes to pass.

d) Welcome the invaders with open arms.

 

[MajorRewrite]

d) Welcome the invaders with open arms.

Yeah, they don’t even have to bother to invade. The next time the Democrats are in power they ought to just hire a bunch of Swedes to run the nation.

 

[Pavlovsdog6862]

I’m going with the kangaroos

 

[John_von_Neumann]

USA under Trump is rapidly becoming a failed state. I'd welcome some Nordic nation-building exercises.

 

[Pavlovsdog6862]

How bout Sanna Marin she’s yummy I could eat that I mean boy for that

 

[HumpDayHoratio]

I can see it being worthwhile when you have an intransigently aggressive neighbor - Sweden/Russia, South Korea/North etc. I’m not sure America falls into that category.

Also, as an individual, I’d kind of want my country’s army to have a decent track record of winning wars and not getting stuck in quagmires. Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan isn’t the greatest resumé on that front.

My country’s track record basically lets you live in peace, so I wouldn’t be so flippant, but that’s just me. If we fought those other conflicts (not all wars mind you) like we fought WWII, we really wouldn’t be having this silly conversation now would we?

 

[GuiltyCowboy]

d) Welcome the invaders with open arms.

View attachment 2571290
You can't fool us. You're only in it for the healthcare and the stronger unions.

 

[ll74]

Conceptually, it’s kind of interesting. Obviously the instinct to defend one’s patch is understandable but, when the people coming in are giving you more freedom not less, more wealth not less, then what exactly are you defending when you’re defending your country? What or who exactly are you staying loyal to?

Put another way, many people might be willing to move somewhere to improve their prospects and their lives. No one bats an eyelid at that. But when the improved prospects move to them, it’s suddenly ‘whoa, get off my porch’.

I have no issue lobbying my representatives for policies I support. I see no reason to support any invasion of a foreign country to advance those.

 

[Pad_Foot]

All this totally depends on whether the licorice included black licorice! If only red licorice? Forget it!

 

[GuiltyCowboy]

I have no issue lobbying my representatives for policies I support. I see no reason to support any invasion of a foreign country to advance those.

This is the crux of the matter. Observable reality is showing you that your representatives have not delivered any of these policies - and, very probably, precisely because of the lobbying system you appeal to.

But if even a horde of benign, blonde sex goddesses bringing you greater freedom and wealth and opportunity isn't acceptable to you, what exactly is making you hold on to your less good situation? What is so great about your current representatives that you feel the need to defend them, even if they don't give you what you want?

It's just a thought experiment.

 

[ll74]

This is the crux of the matter. Observable reality is showing you that your representatives have not delivered any of these policies - and, very probably, precisely because of the lobbying system you appeal to.

They aren't required to deploy all policies I am lobbying for. That isn't an issue. That is politics.

But if even a horde of benign, blonde sex goddesses bringing you greater freedom and wealth and opportunity isn't acceptable to you, what exactly is making you hold on to your less good situation? What is so great about your current representatives that you feel the need to defend them, even if they don't give you what you want?

Democracy.

It's just a thought experiment.

 

[GuiltyCowboy]

They aren't required to deploy all policies I am lobbying for. That isn't an issue. That is politics.


Democracy.

The Swedes are democratic obviously. I figured that was implicit.

But if they weren't, you'd still hold on to America's dysfunctional democracy over greater freedom, wealth and opportunity, and not just for you but for everyone in America?

 

[ll74]

The Swedes are democratic obviously. I figured that was implicit.

How is that relevant?

But if they weren't, you'd still hold on to America's dysfunctional democracy over greater freedom, wealth and opportunity, and not just for you but for everyone in America?

I prefer our Constitution and system that has been setup by it.
Even if I don't get everything I want right now.

Yes