Many of my friends are organizing everything from mutual aid, protection of the targeted, and have expressed a willingness to die for the best values we were taught, if it comes to that. People like that are one good thing about America. Each of us can contribute in our own way, and many are quietly doing so. I don’t have a crystal ball to predict the future but good people fearlessly doing what is right feeds my soul.
I am an American. I used to be proud of my country. Now it feels like a turd circling the drain. Is there anything going on behind the scene that America is actually doing good in?
Submitted 3 hours ago by Patnou@lemmy.world to [deleted]
Comments
Danarchy@lemmy.nz 22 minutes ago
DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
There are several websites about current good news, some of which is happening in this country right now.
In October 2025, following pressure from United States Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered cities across the state to remove LGBTQ+ Pride crosswalks and other road markings that “advance political agendas” and “ideologies.”
Abbott cited safety concerns and violation of state and federal guidelines as reasons to invoke the measure, which required cities to comply within 30 days or risk losing transportation funding.
…
But, in the meantime, the new, colorful sidewalks do not violate any local regulations, and Kaur and McKee-Rodriguez hope they signal an ongoing commitment to LGBTQ+ Pride in San Antonio.
backalleycoyote@lemmy.today 30 minutes ago
When the Idaho legislature banned Pride flags on public property to punish the City of Boise for flying one at city hall, the mayor and city council adopted the Pride flag as the official city flag. Best part, city hall is two blocks away from the state capitol building, so the bigoted fucks get a nice view of it when they’re at work 😊
Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 52 minutes ago
Hi. Random straight guy here.
looks at picture
…not sure why anyone would have an issue with this.
I’m more confused/concerned why there’s a series of traffic cones turning a 2 lane road into a 1 lane road without any obvious reason why.
Also, holy shit! That’s a lot of random solar panels! Someone call that phone number, and ask them what they power.
otacon239@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
This is actually one I didn’t know about. A small gesture, but a pleasant one. Of course the only story that made the front page was the one that sparked outrage when it was originally removed.
K1nsey6@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
The only difference between now and what it used to be is that the mask has been taken off of US politics. Who you see in Trump and the entire Republican administration is who this country has always been. Regardless of whether it’s Democrat or Republicans, they’ve always been war hungry, serving only the CEOs bankers and Wall Street while tossing us occasional table scraps, so we didn’t get too loud in our grumbling.
The only effort that Democrats have put in is trying to put that mask back onto US politics and back to business as usual. Once the mass comes off it can’t be put back on
LeonineAlpha@sh.itjust.works 3 hours ago
“It was real. I’d seen it. I’d seen it in reality.” • The mask of humanity fall from capital. It has to take it off to kill everyone – everything you love; all the hope and tenderness in the world. It has to take it off, just for one second. To do the deed." And then you see it. As it strangles and beats your friends to death… the sweetest, most courageous people in the world." “You see the fear and power in its eyes. Then you know. That the bourgeois are not human.”
Typhoon@lemmy.ca 3 hours ago
It’s promoting Europe and the rest of the world to come closer together with new treaties and trade. It’s a positive move in the next phase of global relations.
SomeAmateur@sh.itjust.works 2 hours ago
They better figure defense out too, China isn’t building a massive military for nothing
callouscomic@lemmy.zip 1 hour ago
Being proud of countries or nationalities is 8nherently toxic and problematic. I never understood it.
Land of the free, fought against oppression, and force children to pledge allegiance.
Backwards ass shithole.
DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works 3 hours ago
Government might be corrupt as hell but at least culture of Mental Health acceptance is much better than Chinese culture.
I’m originally from Guangzhou, China, am naturalized and I overall like the US… at least more than China…
I just hate the corrupt politicians.
Also, so much entertainment stuff… movies, tv, are made in the US. Chinese entertainment is boring as hell (IMO)
Also: Usually those in the Entertainment industry lean relatively more left.
I still think Americans are generally good, if they actually knew the truth and not just far-right propaganda. (I mean that’s just humans in general… people are easily manipulated by the evil few)
The problem is low voter turnout, first past the post, winner take all electoral college, gerrymandering, most important of all, the PROPAGANDA.
Americans in red jurisdictions… rural areas… those who never met a non-white person… have a problem with a distorted worldview…
Primary turnout is atrocious…
Right now my parents and their culture are smothering me to death… they hate the idea of medications and depression is not a serious problem in their eyes.
disregardable@lemmy.zip 3 hours ago
now that the DOJ doesn’t prosecute for it anymore, we’re way better at corruption. the rich take so much more of our taxes.
anon6789@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
Is America fundamentally different today than in the past? Like others have pointed out, it’s not like we’ve got no skeletons in our collective past. Ask any indigenous person, a large percentage of black folk, or anyone who’s ever been considered “a foreigner.” The only major difference is that the same people who have always been assholes are feeling like they can operate out in the open.
But at the same time, the good that has always been true is still here. We’re a beautiful country, with so many ecosystems and climates, two beautiful oceans, amazing natural resources, and we’ve been pretty safe from wars due to our geography and having two pretty good neighbors.
Those being selfishly rich or power hungry have very loud voices these days instead of doing the same things while acting like so-called gentlemen, but they’re still a minority. Most people are just keeping their heads down and earning an honest living. Many are still doing great things like working on medicine, trying to repair our environment, raising and teaching our children, helping those in need, whatever you can name.
Maybe those that want to do evil in America want honest people to feel hopeless and to abandon holding on to what we have. That will leave it all to them after all. But I still love my home and my friends. I love our mountains, beaches, and wildlife. I love my America as much as ever, since I want this country to be the best it can be. But those who go around doing wrong in the name of this country, I want them to see justice more than ever too. We’ve survived the tyrants of America’s past for over 400 years, and one way or another, we can only move forward and hopefully learn from our mistakes.
We can be embarrassed or angry for how our country is being represented and managed, but barring a literal apocalypse, there’s still a ton of good left to find here between the land and the actual people who live here and cash this place home.
Greg@lemmy.ca 2 hours ago
The US has some amazing musicians
dumbass@piefed.social 1 hour ago
Your goverment is making me appreciate my goverment a bit more for just being useless and boring.
Chippys_mittens@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
The United States gives billions of dollars in foreign aid to developing nations every year. In total foreign aid is in the 60-70 billion dollar range but that includes Israel and Ukraine… Total strictly humanitarian aid is more like 20 billion-ish. So, thats nice.
darkdemize@sh.itjust.works 3 hours ago
Gave*
With the near-complete dissolution of USAID, expect that number to drop dramatically. Unless it’s for Israel.
K1nsey6@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
USAID was nothing but a tool of imperialism and regime change. The US creates the circumstances so that they would need aid. Aid that comes with strings attached.
theuniqueone@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 hours ago
You should have never been proud of your country its just more blatant than usual.
spectrums_coherence@piefed.social 2 hours ago
I have options to go to another country, but I choose to stay in the U.S. It certainly is not an easy decision to make, admittedly, my wife is in the U.S. makes U.S. much more attractive.
Yet, here are some aspect I have considered: - EU have repeatedly trying to push chat control, and U.K. already have strict age verification law for porn (and possibly VPN). U.S. is heading there, but at least my state has not have any of these ridiculous moves. - US is a top funder of scientific research. Now even China is taking over EU and UK, but I am certainly not going to China any time soon. There is way too much politics in Chinese academia, as far as I know. - I think education is a human right, and U.S. education is way more expensive than it should be. I don’t want to defend it. But I believe U.S. has better educations thanks to the libral art system, where student have much more chance to interact and learn from professors compare to many top UK schools. - In general, even account for the out of pocket maximum for healthcare, many U.S. job still pays more than their U.K. counterpart. This means saving money in the U.S. and later move to a lower income country is easier than saving money in a lower income country and later move to the U.S. That is working in the U.S. now gives me more liberty to move later in my career, if U.S. eventually collapse.
Apepollo11@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
There are worse places to live.
Don’t get me wrong, there are loads of better places to live, but there are definitely worse places.
America makes great animated series. It makes great movies sometimes too. Admittedly most of both of these things are actually made overseas, but you guys write them.
You also have a nice flag. Although you do kind of ruin it by being super weird about them.
You have really cheap petrol / gas. That’s definitely something you beat most of the world at. I think that’s the winner.
ThanksObama@sh.itjust.works 2 hours ago
We only have cheap gas because we pay for it in federal taxes that are diverted to oil producers in the form of subsidies. It’s only cheap on the surface and most people have no clue.
rockSlayer@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 hours ago
Instead of trying to feel good, make it good. Go forth and organize for the better future that you wish to see.
LodeMike@lemmy.today 3 hours ago
The U.S. is a very nice place to live.
CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de 2 hours ago
At the local level there are many people in many cities trying to make things better.
lemonhead2@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
lol. it’s not your country. it’s bezos trump musk thiel and co’s country. you can live here as long as you don’t inconvenience them too much
schwim@piefed.zip 3 hours ago
We’ve always excelled at terrorism.
sns@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 hours ago
No
Sanctus@anarchist.nexus 3 hours ago
Let me tell you the good news: we’ve always been fascist, racist, bullies. This admin is just not covering it up at all. Glad you’re awake now my guy.
RustyShackleford@piefed.social 45 minutes ago
Pretty much this, my friends and family thought I was being negative. But now, a few either, don’t like admitting it or they act like I’m a wizard.
WYLD_STALLYNS@lemmy.dbzer0.com 35 minutes ago
Image
Patnou@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
yea that was really good news. I ment so a small part of me can be proud again to be American?
bus_factor@lemmy.world 13 minutes ago
If you’re a birthright citizen, why would you be proud over something you did nothing to achieve? It’s also not your fault, so there’s nothing to be ashamed of either.
It shakes out a little differently if you’re naturalized, but only marginally. That naturalization test isn’t much of a barrier.
BuboScandiacus@mander.xyz 3 hours ago
Despite having done things that seem dated in other countries, you guys did plenty of good
Just look at all the technological innovation coming from your country that saved a ton of lives (yes you have a spud healthcare system, but these innovations will help humanity for the rest of its existence, they cannot be taken away)
sneakypersimmon@lemmy.today 3 hours ago
Image
Yes, yes we are. We have been for pretty much forever. We fucking suck.
theuniqueone@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 hours ago
No reason ever to be.
FistingEnthusiast@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
Why would you be proud to be American?
It was founded on cruelty, and never improved.
The civilised world has always sneered at the US, and for good reason
OrteilGenou@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
Well, you freed the slaves that you had enslaved. I mean, their descendants anyway.
I guess the answer is yes. Some small part of you can be proud to be American again. All you have to do is not think about it too hard, and you could try yelling “Silver Bullet” and shotgunning a Coors Light every now and then. That could maybe act as a stand-in for pride, anyway. C’mon buddy, it’s
notthat bad…