I love America. My nation. Love, love love.
But, I’d like opinions of the good, and the bad.
I must admit, I’m really interested in what you think is bad about my country.
Do you see us as people who are trying to take over the world?
Or… as people who are currently obsessed with controlling oil?
Is it about oil now?
Or, do you feel that Americans are people who are concerned with hegemony, spreading their culture throughout the world?
Do you think that the next administration, after Bush, will be better?
Look, I’m not gonna get into who I am, or what incredible blessings (secular) I’ve had. I am lucky to be an upper middle class American. Just a roll of the dice.
But,but,I don’t want to burst the American Dream. I have lived it, and am living it now. It’s great.
Yes.
Well, are you looking for Americans to come in and burst it or foreigners? Maybe some of the Euroo-Dopers might come in here and tell you that there really aren’t a lot of differences. Me not know.
Do you see us as people who are trying to take over the world?
Not really, I do think the size and wealth of the US make it an overbearing trade partner though.
**Or… as people who are currently obsessed with controlling oil?
Is it about oil now?
**
Until something else comes about as a power source oil will continue to be a primary driver of the world economy, and since the USA’s share of that is pretty large, then yes, it’s about the oil.
**Or, do you feel that Americans are people who are concerned with hegemony, spreading their culture throughout the world? **
From what I’ve seen of Americans, most of them couldn’t care less about spreading their culture to the next room, let alone the world. However, once again, the USA’s economic power makes it the largest player in many fields including mass media, so I don’t so much see the spreading of US culture as a goal as a byproduct.
Do you think that the next administration, after Bush, will be better?
I’m sure it will better for some not for others, isn’t that pretty much true of every US administration?
Sticking only to what you’ve asked…
Not as a people, no. America certainly is the police though.
Your leaders and perhaps top big businesses, but again, not as a people.
Wait, let me douse myself with flame retardant first. Bwahahaha! American culture?! What is that? McDonald’s? Pop culture? Seriously, I’m sure you’ve heard the term “ugly American” in your travels to Europe, Asia, etc. It stems from America’s lack of culture, an inability to respect/appreciate another country’s culture, or American perception that their culture is the greatest culture (often confused by Americans as “patriotism”).
So yes, if by “culture” you mean fries with my Coke, then yes, America is concerned with spreading that.
Can you do worse? Unless Jeb is running, I’d say you guys are in the clear.
*** ** My opinions are formed based on my growing up upper class on the West Coast, moving to Asia in my teens, going to college on the East Coast, returning to Asia to live. I’ve travelled around parts of Asia and Europe as well and now live in Spain.
So I’m not exactly an outsider looking in but having moved around the world quite a bit, I can understand why Americans are perceived as bullies and brutes. Of course, this doesn’t apply to all Americans. It’s fairly easy to discern who the “ugly Americans” are… they are usually complaining why everyone can’t speak English, dammit.
I believe it was on these very boards that a Doper from South Africa had an interesting analysis of what America has done throughout the years. That included civil rights, the burgeoning prison population, the use of nuclear weapons (twice), etc.
I liked the list. It’s a list of wounds and scars that have been inflicted by us over the years. It’s good to look back and point out the bad that you’ve done in addition to the good.