Actually America is one country with one language (perhaps not codified as English, but certainly de facto). It’s bigger than most other countries, but most countries have regional dialects, regional dishes, regional norms, etc. The difference is the countries of Europe each have their own language(s), government, history, etc. Just look at the history of war–the US fought one war between the states; the nations of Europe . . .? The US has one military-industrial complex, the nations of Europe . . . ?
OK, I’ve drifted far enough.
But I still think white American cheese is superior to yellow.
Actually this is factually incorrect. 51 constitutions. The US is a federal republic but unlike Germany’s version there are 50 co-equal sovereign states with the federal government. If there are any constitutional lawyers around here, I will let them pick this “thread” up but this is something that if you went to school in the US and paid to attention in history and civics you would have a better appreciation of. When the 13 colonies declared independence in 1776 from England, they were 13 separate co-equal sovereigns. For practical purposes 13 separate countries united by a dislike of the English.
The US Constitution says - The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
All power originates from the States and only what has been ceded by the States to the Federal government is within the power of the Federal government. Over time that has been expanded by amendments and court cases. This is why the argument for State rights is so unique to the US.
And yet every morning children pledge their allegiance to the flag of the United States of America (and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible with liberty . . . (Under God was not added until post-WWII.) The national anthem is performed before every sporting event (also a relatively recent development.) And I have yet to hear anybody sing “I’m Proud to be an Oklahoman” (or Kentuckian . . .maybe Texan
Wait - you don’t recall each US state’s own anthem being played at national - sorry federal US sporting tournaments like football or baseball or hockey games?
Illinois declined to add it to their pledge, andas a small child as a small child I was always very confused as to why people always put extra words in.
My parents (born 1920 and 1928) could never wrap their brains around the “new” pledge (and they were both raised Catholics). To do this day mom grumbles about the need for the anthem before a game.
Sue, the largest and one of the most complete T Rex skeletons ever discovered was found in South Dakota and is currently housed at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.
Most states, it turns out, have some law or other on the books that REQUIRES the pledge to be recited each morning. Supreme Court cases have ruled that no one may be REQUIRED to personally recite it, but many states have requirements that students recite it unless specifically opting out with written parental permission. Many have requirements that non-reciting students stand quietly during recitation. Many state laws require pledges but leave enforcement of the policy to the discretion of local school boards (California is like this).
If you’ve caught any videos of local school board meetings lately, you know how that’s going…
I’m in the Boston area. Neither of the high schools I’ve worked at in the last 23 years have recited the pledge. In fact, the school I’m currently in doesn’t even have the American flag in classrooms!
That being said, we are a country, states and differences and all. Europe is a collection of countries.
Back on topic - American cheese. You know what I used to really like it in? An olive loaf sandwich, with mustard and rye bread. I never see olive loaf anymore.
Odd, it’s still widely available in the Philadelphia region. Not a fan myself.
American cheese (white of course) is the perfect grilled cheese option. Though I’m not opposed to sneaking another meltable cheese (think mozz or even gruyere) in between the American slices.
