Ask HN: America turns 250 today. What does it mean to you?

news.ycombinator.com

11–12 of 12 posts

Re: Ask HN: America turns 250 today. What does it mean to you?

#11

Post by salvesefu » Mon, Jul 06, 2026, 2:45 PM UTC

I always found the symbols of America interesting and their connections to the history of the European Democratic societies (and their ideals). Concepts that spread like wildfire across the global peasantry, unlanded & slave classes alike.

Who is this Columbia woman? Seriously, why is there a pyramid with an eye on the dollar bill? Compared to many other countries currencies, America has some of the most ambiguous imagery on its bills to the point most Americans don't know or understand their respective meanings.

Americans don't discuss Democracy's relationships to Anarchy (I always found this strange, especially with its obsession with guns); how one complements the other in very important and dynamic ways (this was an ongoing study in the working groups of early democratists).

Why did Americans give up wigs and the Brits did not? are the paris club and imf considered democratic institutions because they originate in democratic countries? Why is capitalism as an economic structure automatically considered democratic?

America as a concept of converging ideas has always befuddled me.

Re: Ask HN: America turns 250 today. What does it mean to you?

#12

Post by moomoo11 » Mon, Jul 06, 2026, 4:00 PM UTC

America is my home and I am proud to be part of a nation that is hands down the most consequential nation to have ever existed.

the reason we have so many haters is that we're actually so much better, i've never heard of anyone hating on a loser.

as an immigrant here and naturalized citizen, i think i have noticed that i am becoming more conservative because well... i don't share anything in common with illegal "immigrants" (12-30 million of them, btw ), socialist types (i grew up poor, but i also worked really hard), people who move here and still talk about their old country and trash America, or otherwise just don't really contribute or assimilate.

if people like another country more, i think they should move back there. if people want me to pay more in taxes so illegals get more protections and people who do the least get to cry more, no thanks. if you can't do the bare minimum and at least try to assimilate, you shouldn't be here.

this is my only passport, my only home.

Post reply on HN