Being an American Citizen

[Rarity Paige Belle 1,854]

After ten years of having a Green card, in October I become eligible for US citizenship (I was born and broughtup in the UK, but my adoptive parents are Americans) so, one question, how does it feel to be a citizen of the US of A?

[Scootalove 10,692]

I wouldn't say that it is a dream come true, though many people from other countries from all walks of life worked hard for years to even step foot on American soil, to experience the ''land of opportunity.'' I'd say that I'm pretty lucky.

[Hyper Tumble 1,483]

free as hell, that's for sure.

[Syannax the Changeling 101]

Well being born and raised in the United States. I am not sure what to say... Other than the corruption in the government is goin to be our downfall if we don't change somethig about it.

[Arctic Night 884]

I love it here. <3 <3 <3

 

It really depends on your outlook. Stay positive and it'll be a great place!

[Fantasma Phantasm 674]

Some of the stereotypes are VERY exaggerated! I think you'll like the U.S! Depending on place you live also can only improve things for you!

[Rarity Paige Belle 1,854]

Some of the stereotypes are VERY exaggerated! I think you'll like the U.S! Depending on place you live also can only improve things for you!

Oh, I'm not planning to live there! In fact I'll probably visit less! With my Green card I have to spend a total of a minimum of three months in one year otherwise I lose it! Which as you can imagine is VERY expensive for me!

[Fantasma Phantasm 674]

Oh, I'm not planning to live there! In fact I'll probably visit less! With my Green card I have to spend a total of a minimum of three months in one year otherwise I lose it! Which as you can imagine is VERY expensive for me!

 

Oh.... Well then! If you do visit, have fun! I enjoy being a Citizen of the U.S.

[mars 4,863]

*flies in on an eagle* 
DID SOMEBODY SAY AMERICA??
LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE???

 

no but seriously, I really like it here. Yes, sometimes the ignorance of the Government makes you want to hit your head against the wall, but how can I complain? It's very beautiful, and perhaps that's just my bias coming through. There's plenty of awesome tourist attractions to visit, so you won't be bored here! Also, many people have a strong sense of nationalistic pride here, I've noticed. Even with everything that goes wrong with this country, we will always band together as one nation and stay strong. 

[Carbon Maestro 1,003]

Depends on where you go. I think the general description of the US are the following:

• Homes in the US can be WAY bigger than anything in the UK (Unless you live in the dense cities like New York City or San Francisco)
• Americans aren't materialistic - in fact we're nice, although many of us are in a "loud" sort of way.
• In California, we're mostly in suburbs with planned neighborhoods and very little "Main streets." However, I know that this doesn't represent most of the US.
• Most of the US are little communities, small towns with a main street, quiet but tidy. I know because I lived in Texas for a time before moving to California.
• Not tipping sit-down restaurant workers, cab drivers, hairdressers in the US is considered really rude.
• Americans like punctuality. Everything here work-wise is faster paced than every other developed country.

Edited June 18, 2014 by Carbon Maestro

[websterhamster 203]

Being a naturalized (or in my case, natural) citizen of the United States is pretty awesome. You can vote, walk down the street without having to worry about the Politburo checking your papers (people are trying to change that), own, use, and carry a gun (people are trying to change that), run a business, work where you want to, get a college education, and basically do your own thing.

 

Of course, as I'm sure you are aware, many of the traditional and Constitutionally-protected freedoms Americans have had since the 19th century are being attacked and are even disappearing in many places. You can thank extremely unintelligent Americans for destroying their own liberty.

 

Just watch out for the NSA. Even though it's illegal for them to spy on you as an American, doesn't mean they won't anyway.

 

Oh, did I mention that it's not illegal to defame/complain about public figures in the US? Yeah, you can say Obama shouldn't be the President without being charged with treason.

 

For the ultimate experience of being an American, I suggest you find a place to live in the country, away from any cities. American city folk are generally illiterate and afraid of shadows.

[Discordian 6,021]

The average day of a US citizen: Not caring that you live specifically in the US and just taking care of your own business day in and day out without regard to where you are living or the government that exists outside of your spectrum of reality.

 

That's how it is for me anyway.

[Simon 4,557]

 

 

Oh, I'm not planning to live there! In fact I'll probably visit less! With my Green card I have to spend a total of a minimum of three months in one year otherwise I lose it! Which as you can imagine is VERY expensive for me!

Did you google green card to get that info so you could make up this topic?  You would have been denied reentry years ago if that were the case... any time someone with a green card leaves the U.S. for more than about three months, they have to file for reentry, and they're going to have to prove that they're maintaining residence and employment in the U.S. to be permitted back into the country.  If you were leaving for 9 months at a time and not maintaining residence here there's no way that you would have been permitted reentry every year for 10+ years.

 

And there's also a presumption that any time a permanent resident leaves for more than six months it breaks the continuity for citizenship purposes even if you're allowed to reenter.  Of course if you were a green card holder, you'd know that...

 

Also, you don't get a green card for having American parents.  You'd become a naturalized permanent resident if your parents were green card holders, and you'd automatically gain U.S. citizenship if you were a non-citizen who was adopted by U.S. citizens.

 

So I'm really not sure why you posted this topic when you're clearly making this info up... I know you've posted some anti-American things in the past... hopefully this isn't another attempt at trolling Americans...

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

Guns, Beer, and giant trucks!! What more could ya' want?

 

 

But I do enjoy living here a lot more than the previous places I have been in. The attitude is a lot different, with a lot more people telling you to "solve it yourself" or "you have to do it yourself, no one can for you". It is this very strong, independent way of thinking that I personally enjoy most in America. We have our issues true, our NSA is spying on the entire world, our government is nothing more but extensions of mega companies at this point. But we still have a lot of that fiercely independent spirit, that preaches self reliance and reliance on close family comes before wanting to have a country support you. Sure, it may seem strange to a lot of people, but that self reliant spirit is what I love most.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vPKp29Luryc

*the anthem plays as fireworks go off and f-22s fly overhead*

[CT-1138 3,184]

Like being a citizen of any other democratic republic, I'd suppose. I've never lived to any other country and only visited either Canada and Mexico for no more than a few hours, so I don't know what it's like to not live as a citizen (although my high school made it pretty close). I do think it's a great feeling to vote, as if I'm fulfilling my purpose as a citizen of my country. Though, I will say, I can be a little embarrassed by thd stupidity Americans are capable of. Many of us are so far behind the rest of the world intellectually.

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

Like being a citizen of any other democratic republic, I'd suppose. I've never lived to any other country and only visited either Canada and Mexico for no more than a few hours, so I don't know what it's like to not live as a citizen (although my high school made it pretty close). I do think it's a great feeling to vote, as if I'm fulfilling my purpose as a citizen of my country. Though, I will say, I can be a little embarrassed by thd stupidity Americans are capable of. Many of us are so far behind the rest of the world intellectually.

I dunno man, women get beat and hit with whips in Russia for going around topless and protesting. In many smaller South American countries, protesters are lined up and shot. In Somalia they would capture you and do unthinkable things to you if you were to protest them.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_governments_by_development_aid We give out the most aid to 3rd world countries, by a large margin. We are one of the few countries that tries to rebuild the ones that we destroy in warfare.

Sure, we may have our fair share of ignorant bigots, but so does any country, even in Sweden, the progressive capital of the world a nationalistic front has been gaining popular favor. We may say dirty mean things to people, and claim that they will go to hell for not believing in our god. But at the end of the day, you most likely won't get shot for disagreeing. Unlike a large portion of the globe.

[Admiral Regulus 2,769]

I'm just gonna leave this here. This is what it feels like to be an American citizen:

 

[Adachi 772]

It's nice here, although there's rumors that they're slowly taking away individual freedom. They already tried to censor the internet, and the economy is in the crapper. Although I heard that Obama raised employment rates, so that's something positive.

[Freeze-Frame 100]

Depends on where you live. Certain states have certain laws that are different from one another. But no matter where you live, you're going to love it here. You are going to have to get used to the culture. Ours is quite different from the rest of the world.

 

And about your profile picture, I love it even though Compton isn't the best pace to live.

[Alia 158]

Since some useful pieces of advice have been given, I’d tell ya- stay optimistic, well-wishing, open-minded, and you will be happy wherever you are.

[Sweets 198]

... Don't let other folks bad attitudes ruin your good attitude. Be you. Stay weird. Or normal. Your preference. 

 

Depending on what part of the country you're in (Let's say... the NORTHEAST for instance) there can be assholes. And I mean a lot of them. The best advice I can give it to not let them harden you, or make you callous. Grow a thick skin, but keep your softness tucked away. There are also a lot of good people here too, and some of the best friends I've ever had are American. 

 

Just... stay you.

[Adachi 772]

One thing to know about being in the USA. People tend to want more personal space than people in most countries. People are friendly here, but what may seem as enough personal space in some countries, might seem too close here. Also, never talk religion or politics with strangers. And although the upper end city areas are mostly safe during the night, don't go into the inner city during the night (especially in the more run down areas).

 

Also, it helps to smile when you can. Even if you don't care much for a person or don't know them, the people here still like when others smile (which is different from some countries like Germany, Japan, etc, where they believe more in sincerity, and believe that smiling without a reason is fake).

[Zekromic 1,054]

This thread is making me very SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD T_T. It only took 8 months of my life to realize how awesome is living in the US

[Shanks 10,817]

Despite its problems and the disturbing increase of unchecked government power and decrease of personal freedoms thanks to an increasingly out of control criminal governemnt I am very grateful for the freedoms I have left and will fight tooth and nail for them. For me being an American is simply loving my country yet despising my government for selling out the principles that America is supposed to stand for.

[Guest90210 3,569]

It feels great. I love this country. It's a place where anyone can make something of themselves if they really put their mind to it