Australia in the eyes of a visiting American

[blastedbugler]

This is why I love Australia
Come & see us sometime & see if he is right.
Australia: an American's view

Interesting set of observations from a visitor from the other side of the Pacific.'Value what you have and don't give it away.' There's a lot to admire about Australia, especially if you're a visiting American, says David Mason. More often than you might expect, Australian friends patiently listening to me enthuse about their country have said, ''We need outsiders like you to remind us what we have.''  So here it is - a small presumptuous list of what one foreigner admires in Oz.

1... Health care. I know the controversies, but basic national health care is a gift. In America, medical expenses are a leading cause of

bankruptcy.  The drug companies dominate politics and advertising.
Obama is being crucified for taking halting baby steps towards sanity. You can't turn on the telly without hours of drug advertisements - something I have never yet seen here.  And your emphasis on prevention - making cigarettes less accessible, for one - is a model.

2... Food. Yes, we have great food in America too, especially in the big cities.
But your bread is less sweet, your lamb is cheaper, and your supermarket vegetables and fruits are fresher than ours.
Too often in my country an apple is a ball of pulp as big as your face.
The dainty Pink Lady apples of Oz are the juiciest I've had.  And don't get me started on coffee.
In American small towns it tastes like water flavoured with burnt dirt, but the smallest shop in the smallest town in Oz can make a first-rate latte.
I love your ubiquitous bakeries, your hot-cross buns. Shall I go on?

3... Language. How do you do it?
The rhyming slang and Aboriginal place names like magic spells.
Words that seem vaguely English yet also resemble an argot from another planet.
I love the way institutional names get turned into diminutives - Vinnie's and Salvos - and absolutely nothing's sacred.
Everything's an opportunity for word games and everyone's a nickname.
Lingo makes the world go round.
It's the spontaneous wit of the people that tickles me most.
Late one night at a barbie my new mate Suds remarked, ''Nothing's the same since 24-7.'' Amen.

4... Free-to-air TV. In Oz, you buy a TV, plug it in and watch some of the best programming I've ever seen - uncensored.
In America, you can't get diddly-squat without paying a cable or satellite company heavy fees.
In Oz a few channels make it hard to choose.
In America, you've got 400 channels and nothing to watch.

5... Small shops. Outside the big cities in America corporations have nearly erased them.
Identical malls with identical restaurants serving inferior food.
Except for geography, it's hard to tell one American town from another.
The ''take-away'' culture here is wonderful.
Human encounters are real - stirring happens, stories get told.
The curries are to die for. And you don't have to tip!

6... Free camping. We used to have this too, and I guess it's still free when you backpack miles away from the roads.
But I love the fact that in Oz everyone owns the shore and in many places you can pull up a camper van and stare at the sea for weeks.
I love the ''primitive'' and independent campgrounds, the life out of doors.
The few idiots who leave their stubbies and rubbish behind in these pristine places ought to be transported in chains.

7... Religion. In America, it's everywhere - especially where it's not supposed to be, like politics.
I imagine you have your Pharisees too, making a big public show of devotion, but I have yet to meet one here.

8... Roads. Peak hour aside, I've found travel on your roads pure heaven.
My country's ''freeways'' are crowded, crumbling, insanely knotted with looping overpasses - it's like racing homicidal maniacs on fraying spaghetti.
I've taken the Hume without stress, and I love the Princes Highway when it's two lanes.
Ninety minutes south of Bateman's Bay I was sorry to see one billboard for a McDonald's.
It's blocking a lovely paddock view. Someone should remove it.

9... Real multiculturalism. I know there are tensions, just like anywhere else, but I love the distinctiveness of your communities and the way you publicly acknowledge the Aboriginal past.
Recently, too, I spent quality time with Melbourne Greeks, and was gratified both by their devotion to their own great language and culture and their openness to an Afghan lunch.

10. Fewer guns. You had Port Arthur in 1996 and got real in response.  America replicates such massacres several times a year and nothing changes. 
Why?
Our religion of individual rights makes the good of the community an impossible dream.
Instead of mateship we have ''It's mine and nobody else's''.
We talk a great game about freedom, but too often live in fear.
There's more to say - your kaleidoscopic birds, your perfumed bush in springtime, your vast beaches.
These are just a few blessings that make Australia a rarity.
Of course, it's not paradise - nowhere is - but I love it here.
No need to wave flags like Americans and add to the world's windiness.
Just value what you have and don't give it away.

David Mason is a US writer and professor, and poet laureate of Colorado

[..]

When does the writers last flight leave for Australia?

[Rams]

Always wanted to visit Australia and New Zealand, both are on my bucket list.   Not for the reasons listed above but, to each their own.

[Detn8er]

Bugler is so predictable...All this was so 10 could be typed by him. 

[Sorcerer]

Mason must be a Cal. transplant.

[..]

Bugler is so predictable...All this was so 10 could be typed by him. 

He didn't type - just a quick cut and paste.

Bless his heart.

[da prez]

  We have been to Australia and New Zealand . We are planning to go back again and Hope to spend some more time sight seeing and maybe meet some of the Valkers over there.

                       da prez and wife

[Serk]

I'm glad Australians live in Australia, and Americans live in America, and if an American wishes to give up their freedom and become an Australian, they're free to do that, and if an Australian wishes to throw off the chains of slavery and become an American, they can do that too.

The country itself I love, the people are good and decent people, but Australia, much  like Europe, has left the path of freedom and liberty and are quickly headed to a place we've seen far too many other successful societies go throughout history, every time with disastrous results.

Which is why many of us react with such vitriol at what must seem like tiny infractions against liberty to outsiders...

[Valker]

I think the original author needs to see more places in the USA.

[solo1]

Over simplifcation of what it's like in the US. Sounds like the author spent most of his time on crowded freeways and in big cities.
It also sounds like he had high expectations for Australia and only saw what he wanted to see.

I've never been to Australia and I always considered it like our old West UNTIL the citizens of Australia gave up their privilege to own guns because of their politicians.    However, Mason gives himself away on the gun issue.  Typical big city thinking, trust the government to keep you safe.

Notice that i said privilege, not the right to own a gun.  Only the US has the 2nd Amendment.

I would visit Australia but wouldn't want to live there as it's not perfect either.

[..]

I think the original author needs to see more places in the USA.

The author is from Washington

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mason_(writer)

[Rams]

I think the original author needs to see more places in the USA.

The author is from Washington

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mason_(writer)

Didn't know that but, I did assume he was a West Coaster.   

Would still like to visit down under but, I'll definitely come back home. 

[8Track]

Being an Australian, much of what the visiting American quoted in the first post does ring true. However I do feel we are over-governed and when I visited the US in 2013, certainly observed and envied the greater amount of personal freedoms you have there.

[Valker]

I think the original author needs to see more places in the USA.

The author is from Washington

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mason_(writer)

My statement stands regardless of where he is from.

[old2soon]

Being an Australian, much of what the visiting American quoted in the first post does ring true. However I do feel we are over-governed and when I visited the US in 2013, certainly observed and envied the greater amount of personal freedoms you have there.

        We are-as a Nation-trying desperately-some-NOT all-to get into that over governed state.  Far too many folks demanding and getting the "free" gubmint hand outs.  And as thinking people we KNOW it's NOT "free".  Even with all the warts and pimples I'll stay right here in the good ole U S of A.  RIDE SAFE.

[Serk]

Being an Australian, much of what the visiting American quoted in the first post does ring true. However I do feel we are over-governed and when I visited the US in 2013, certainly observed and envied the greater amount of personal freedoms you have there.

        We are-as a Nation-trying desperately-some-NOT all-to get into that over governed state.  Far too many folks demanding and getting the "free" gubmint hand outs.  And as thinking people we KNOW it's NOT "free".  Even with all the warts and pimples I'll stay right here in the good ole U S of A.  RIDE SAFE.

Sadly, far too many people have forgotten this simple truth:

[BF]

1... Health care.

On this point I agree somewhat.  People shouldn't have to be go bankrupt or have to sell their possessions or even maybe their home simply because they get sick or have cancer. 

I have no answers, but this is not right to me.  Most civilized countries on this planet provide healthcare for their citizenry....some even manage to do it fairly well. 

2... Food.

Living along the Gulf Coast, I have all the great food I could ever want. 

3... Language.

If you live north of the Mason-Dixon, or west of the Mississippi, I might have problems understanding you. 

4... Free-to-air TV.

I could live with free.  I have a date with Cox Cable once a month where they get to screw me.  However, they provide a service...I pay for that service.  There are other options for service. 

5... Small shops.

I shop local shops and restaurants most of the time.  I loath Walmart. 

6... Free camping.

I'm not much for camping.  I like hotels with bathrooms and soft beds. 

7... Religion.

We have separation of church and state.  What's the problem?

8... Roads. 

I can only speak locally, but true, they're getting more and more crowded, but we still have pretty good roads around here for the most part. 

9... Real multiculturalism.

Just muddy's the waters. 

10. Fewer guns.

From my cold dead hands. 

[bagelboy]

Tell the author thanks, but I'll stay right here in the good ole US of A. While he can complain what the US doesn't have, I'll take it for all it's problems and expenses. My problems aren't the small shops, businesses try to sell me cable, or the freeways. It's the problem that a growing number are trying to take away our individuality, our rights to privacy, and our rights granted by the constitution. I'm not going to look for these things elsewhere, I'm going to try to keep them from changing here. While it's nice to travel, I love getting back here to my home!

[Hook#3287]

David Mason is a US writer and professor, and poet laureate of Colorado

Dang, when did he give up music.  

"There ain't no good guy, there ain't no bad guy, there's only you and me and we just disagree"

[Skinhead]

1... Health care.

On this point I agree somewhat.  People shouldn't have to be go bankrupt or have to sell their possessions or even maybe their home simply because they get sick or have cancer. 

I have no answers, but this is not right to me.  Most civilized countries on this planet provide healthcare for their citizenry....some even manage to do it fairly well. 

The reason people go bankrupt is because we have health care INSURANCE and therefore health care insurance companies.  These companies contribute nothing but overhead and cost to health care.  Look at the BCBS buildings FULL of BCBS employees doing everything in their power to prevent their company having to pay for your health care.  Insurance premiums, deductibles, and their dictates of what is civered and what is not does not get you any better or cheaper health care.  All it does is minimize the cost to the insurance company.  Let the hospitals and doctors work with the patient to determine and negotiate his care.  DEATH TO HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES!

[Skinhead]

David Mason is a US writer and professor, and poet laureate of Colorado

Dang, when did he give up music.  

"There ain't no good guy, there ain't no bad guy, there's just you and me and we just disagree"

    I have that album.

[RP#62]

Bugler is so predictable...All this was so 10 could be typed by him. 

Exactly.  Liberal talking points masquerading as a travelogue.  Great idea.  I'll have to write one on Switzerland in the eyes of a visiting American so I can decry our misguided ideas on assault weapon ownership.

-RP

[beartooth]

David Mason is a US writer and professor, and poet laureate of Colorado

Dang, when did he give up music.  

"There ain't no good guy, there ain't no bad guy, there's only you and me and we just disagree"

I was thinking the same thing!!! 

[..]

Hey BUGGERLER why didn't you list the recent mass killings by Australians IN Australia. Plonker.

Too busy poncing around in some sheilas drawers???

[blastedbugler]

To Britman

This is the link to the 54 massacres in Australia since 2000
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_massacres_in_Australia
Yes we do have them.
Guns were taken from Australians in 1996.
Permits are needed but hard to get.
Self defence is not a reason.
Seems to be a lot of family events & not many by out of control nut cases.
No school killings so far so I suppose we are lucky ?.
I was just giving an Americans viewpoint of a visit to Australia.
I haven't visited the USA yet so wont give an opinion
Just comparing based on what others say.

[..]

To Britman

This is the link to the 54 massacres in Australia since 2000
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_massacres_in_Australia
Yes we do have them.
Guns were taken from Australians in 1996.
Permits are needed but hard to get.
Self defence is not a reason.
Seems to be a lot of family events & not many by out of control nut cases.
No school killings so far so I suppose we are lucky ?.
I was just giving an Americans viewpoint of a visit to Australia.
I haven't visited the USA yet so wont give an opinion
Just comparing based on what others say.

 

I think all Aussies are a bunch of flaming pooftahs.

Hey, it's just an Americans viewpoint of Australians.

Did you actually think before you posted your reply?

[Willow]

There are a lot of Americans that visit Australia,  Blastedbugler has posted the observations of only one.

I'm sure Australia is a nice place to visit.  I have no doubt I could seriously enjoy a vacation there.  I have an opinion on residing there based upon a few Australian laws of which I am aware.  It appears that I want to live in Australia about as much as blastedbugler wants to live in the United States of America.

In the interest of maintaining happiness in the world during our visit I think we'd both best stay where we are and maybe even avoid criticizing places to which we've never been.        

[czuch]

I spent a wondferful week In Perth.  1978.
If ya wear your uniform off the boat, no-one would take your money.
Great people, the Ice-Cream is worth the price of admission alone. Chocolate is in the European mode.
No American I know can drink beer there, like we do here. They laugh at our beer.
The terms are hilarious, "Laughing at the lawn". Resulting from too much beer.
More diverse in food choices, the Curries are probably from a family owned restraunt with folks who grew up on it. When you bite that first forkfull of delightful smelling chicken, and the board lights up telling you red alert, The Owner, chef, laughs and makes you a "Yank plate" and hands the offending plate to a six year old girl who makes short work of it. (That happened to me.)
I'd go back. I'd come back too.
It was all good till he got to 10. Then he got preachy,,,,,plonker.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I spent a wondferful week In Perth.  1978.
If ya wear your uniform off the boat, no-one would take your money.
Great people, the Ice-Cream is worth the price of admission alone. Chocolate is in the European mode.
No American I know can drink beer there, like we do here. They laugh at our beer.
The terms are hilarious, "Laughing at the lawn". Resulting from too much beer.
More diverse in food choices, the Curries are probably from a family owned restraunt with folks who grew up on it. When you bite that first forkfull of delightful smelling chicken, and the board lights up telling you red alert, The Owner, chef, laughs and makes you a "Yank plate" and hands the offending plate to a six year old girl who makes short work of it. (That happened to me.)
I'd go back. I'd come back too.
It was all good till he got to 10. Then he got preachy,,,,,plonker.

The Swan Lager was pretty damn good ! Was treated better there than anywhere else