• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Republic?

Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Republic?

  • Yes, states no longer have any power, pick a name that better describes us

    Votes: 6 37.5%

  • No, I'm nostalgic and like to maintain the illusion that states have any power

    Votes: 10 62.5%
  • Total voters
    16
Peter Grimm

Peter Grimm

Banned
DP Veteran
Joined
Dec 13, 2011
Messages
10,348
Reaction score
2,426
Location
The anals of history
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Progressive
The United States of America.

How quaint.

To hear that name, it sounds almost as if we were intended to be a collection of semi-independent states, united under one government for defense against tyranny.

There was a time when that name actually described us.

No more. What does a state even do anymore? The federal government has grabbed so much power from the states, the "50 nifty" are nothing but lame shadows of themselves.

That is NOT what the founders had in mind. We were never meant to be a centrally-governed monolith. But that's exactly what we have become.

For example, if Texas wants to sell assault rifles, ban gay marriage, and if Colorado wants to legalize marijuana, is it really right that someone on the east coast gets to lord over YOUR state and tell you what laws you can and cannot have in your own jurisdiction?

So we should change our name. I get it... The United States has a quaint, nostalgic appeal. Like an old wooden cottage nobody lives in anymore, but everyone thinks is so cute. But really, the American Federal Republic suits us much better.

That was never the intention.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

I think you actually want to change the name to The UnUnited States of America.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

pbrauer said:
I think you actually want to change the name to The UnUnited States of America.
Click to expand...

There was a time when congress actually had to declare a war. The thought being, congressional representatives are there representing the states, and the decision to go to war is a decision the states make collectively.

Nowadays, the president just unilaterally decides "hey, let me send your kid to war."

Just one example. Of many.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

the u.s. is no longer a true republic, since the 17th amendment.:(
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

Actually, we should channel our inner Star Trek and just call ourselves "The Federation."

That might be more descriptive.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

Peter Grimm said:
The United States of America.

How quaint.

To hear that name, it sounds almost as if we were intended to be a collection of semi-independent states, united under one government for defense against tyranny.

There was a time when that name actually described us.

No more. What does a state even do anymore? The federal government has grabbed so much power from the states, the "50 nifty" are nothing but lame shadows of themselves.

That is NOT what the founders had in mind. We were never meant to be a centrally-governed monolith. But that's exactly what we have become.

For example, if Texas wants to sell assault rifles, ban gay marriage, and if Colorado wants to legalize marijuana, is it really right that someone on the east coast gets to lord over YOUR state and tell you what laws you can and cannot have in your own jurisdiction?

So we should change our name. I get it... The United States has a quaint, nostalgic appeal. Like an old wooden cottage nobody lives in anymore, but everyone thinks is so cute. But really, the American Federal Republic suits us much better.

That was never the intention.
Click to expand...

It would indeed be more accurate. We haven't been the UNITED STATES of America for quite some time now.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

I mean... what I don't get with all these federalists is.....

Don't YOU live in a state? Do you really want some outsider in Washington ****ing DC telling you what laws your state legislature can and cannot pass?

I mean, that goes for dems and repubs. You want the feds busting in to Colorado to take down the marijuana growers? You want the feds telling the conservative state of Alabama they have to accept gay marriage or else? It goes both ways.

Why not just live and let live, live in your own damn state and live free. Let others do the same.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

Peter Grimm said:
Actually, we should channel our inner Star Trek and just call ourselves "The Federation."

That might be more descriptive.
Click to expand...

I think the Borg Collective has a better ring to it.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

I like the United States of America, I've gotten kinda used to it over the years.

We are a Constitutional Limited Democratic Republic.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

Oh look, another terrible poll thread.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

Van Basten said:
Oh look, another terrible poll thread.
Click to expand...

And you have to comment on every one? Is your obligation contractual or compulsive?
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

Van Basten said:
Oh look, another terrible poll thread.
Click to expand...

Yeah, because debating the merits of federalism vs anti-federalism is so terrible. /sarcasm

You do realize that is the FUNDAMENTAL debate in American political history, right? I mean, you know that, don't you?
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

clownboy said:
And you have to comment on every one? Is your obligation contractual or compulsive?
Click to expand...
Naw, it's the first time I've bothered to post on a "terrible poll thread," I suppose I was bored enough this time around.

Nice try though.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

I've never understood why the US doesn't have an actual name. Wasn't the original plan to name it Columbia? Prolly would have been less complicated. My home country also uses United States (United Mexican States) in its name, but at least it actually has a name.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

pbrauer said:
I like the United States of America, I've gotten kinda used to it over the years.

We are a Constitutional Limited Democratic Republic.
Click to expand...

not according to the wording of the constitution article 4 section 4
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

pbrauer said:
I like the United States of America, I've gotten kinda used to it over the years.

We are a Constitutional Limited Democratic Republic.
Click to expand...

Hmm. I'd say we're a semi-constitutional (when we feel like it) limited semi-democratic jurocracy with some elements of republicanism sprinkled in to pander the masses.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

foadi said:
I've never understood why the US doesn't have an actual name. Wasn't the original plan to name it Columbia? Prolly would have been less complicated. My home country also uses United States (United Mexican States) in its name, but at least it actually has a name.
Click to expand...

Good lord. I've had this debate with insecure Latin Americans too many times.

We're America. The whole rest of the world.... when they say "America," that's what they call the United States. Even Brazilians call us "America," and they're on the American continent.

We claim the nickname. Also, USA was a country before Mexico, so you copied us.

But anyway, I'm a Texan first, American second.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

Peter Grimm said:
Good lord. I've had this debate with insecure Latin Americans too many times.

We're America. The whole rest of the world.... when they say "America," that's what they call the United States. Even Brazilians call us "America," and they're on the American continent.

We claim the nickname. Also, USA was a country before Mexico, so you copied us.

But anyway, I'm a Texan first, American second.
Click to expand...
If you claimed it, then why is your country called USA instead of just America at international events? I mean Brazil isn't called RFB at the olympics, it's just called Brazil.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

Peter Grimm said:
But anyway, I'm a Texan first, American second.
Click to expand...
I agree with this. When people ask where I am from I say California. Don't care for being called American or Mexican. California is my home.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

foadi said:
If you claimed it, then why is your country called USA instead of just America at international events? I mean Brazil isn't called RFB at the olympics, it's just called Brazil.
Click to expand...

Because it's a shorthand name. A nickname. Hey man, you can hate it all you want, but if I go to Russia or India or anywhere in Europe and I say I'm American, they know what country I'm talking about.... and it ain't Uruguay.

People around the world associate America with the United States of America.

And Americans have been calling themselves Americans for hundreds of years. A couple whining Latin Americans isn't going to change that habit.

We don't call ourselves "America" to disrespect you. It's just what we do because we always have. Get over it dude.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

Peter Grimm said:
Because it's a shorthand name. A nickname. Hey man, you can hate it all you want, but if I go to Russia or India or anywhere in Europe and I say I'm American, they know what country I'm talking about.... and it ain't Uruguay.

People around the world associate America with the United States of America.

And Americans have been calling themselves Americans for hundreds of years. A couple whining Latin Americans isn't going to change that habit.

We don't call ourselves "America" to disrespect you. It's just what we do because we always have. Get over it dude.
Click to expand...
The only person complaining is you. Complaining about Brazilians who get mad at the US laying claim to the word America. The rest of LA couldn't care less. But that doesn't change the fact that the US doesn't have a name like other countries do.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

foadi said:
I agree with this. When people ask where I am from I say California. Don't care for being called American or Mexican. California is my home.
Click to expand...

And a beautiful home at that, you're a lucky guy. California is awesome.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

foadi said:
The only person complaining is you. Complaining about Brazilians who get mad at the US laying claim to the word America. The rest of LA couldn't care less. But that doesn't change the fact that the US doesn't have a name like other countries do.
Click to expand...

Ha no you mixed that up, in Brazil they cool and don't care, they call the USA "America." It's the rest of Latin America where they complain.

For example in Chile, if I say I'm visiting from America, they always answer "ahhh NORTH America. Norteamericano."

That's what they call us. Norteamericano. So I guess they don't remember about Mexico or Canada then lol.

But anyways, and this kind of goes back to the OP, the place I live in does have a name. Texas. And all the other states have names.

The states used to be their own countries, in a matter of speaking. The United States of America is simply those (formerly) independent states in America that are now United under one government.

The rest of the "states" or nations in the Americas are still America, strictly speaking, but they're not part of the United States that joined up in 1776.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

No.

United States of America.

People need to quit whining like it's the end of the world and try changing things. :shrug:

The name ain't going anywhere.
 
Re: Should the United States of America change its name to the American Federal Repub

Peter Grimm said:
Ha no you mixed that up, in Brazil they cool and don't care, they call the USA "America." It's the rest of Latin America where they complain.

For example in Chile, if I say I'm visiting from America, they always answer "ahhh NORTH America. Norteamericano."
Click to expand...
My experience is the opposite - Brazilians have always been the first to bitch in my encounters. I've never been to the southern cone though, so maybe different attitudes down there.

Peter Grimm said:
But anyways, and this kind of goes back to the OP, the place I live in does have a name. Texas. And all the other states have names.

The states used to be their own countries, in a matter of speaking. The United States of America is simply those (formerly) independent states in America that are now United under one government.

The rest of the "states" or nations in the Americas are still America, strictly speaking, but they're not part of the United States that joined up in 1776.
Click to expand...

Aside from perhaps a brief period under the articles of confederation, were those states ever independent in any meaningful way? I'm not as well versed on US history as I would like to be, but hasn't the federal govt always been fairly pervasive since the US constitution was ratified?

Peter Grimm said:
And a beautiful home at that, you're a lucky guy. California is awesome.
Click to expand...

Not that lucky. My work takes me away from CA most of the year. Have worked in the majority of US states. Can't stand most of them. I do like TX tho. Good food, hot women, decent winters, etc. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom