# You're not American, why do you care? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 17, 2025, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116 "2025-09-17T08:34:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/1 "2025-09-17T08:34:25Z")
I’ve been accused of being ‘concerned’ about US politics because I’m not American. Others’ from foreign lands have had the same thrown at them here on this board. Just for your information, shit that happens in the US has repercussions across the globe. Whether it be something as obvious as tariffs, or even ‘stretching’ democratic boundaries, be damned sure that the right wingers across the world are taking notes. I care. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/2 "2025-09-17T09:25:52Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > I’ve been accused of being ‘concerned’ about US politics because I’m not American. Nobody on this board is doing that, are they? You and the whole world has every reason to be concerned. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/3 "2025-09-17T10:09:41Z")
Up here in America’s Hat, we are so inextricably linked socially, economically, and culturally we can’t help but care. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/4 "2025-09-17T10:25:54Z")
This American says Thank You for caring. I only wish more of our own populace did the same 😕 ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/5 "2025-09-17T10:31:30Z")
This “shithole country” resident cares. It as akin to, but on several orders of magnitude greater than, the collapse of Zimbabwe. I have empathy for the many reasonable Americans who are, and will suffer under the Trump regime. Once you have the army in the streets, then things are very likely to escalate. And, yes it is National Guard, but I don’t think there is much distinction. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/6 "2025-09-17T10:50:17Z")
I’m American and I actually do worry equally or more about the consequences of American events on other countries. There’s the saying that when America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold. It was about the economy, but more and more it seems about political and cultural attitudes as well. At some point the American moderate right-wing will warm up to the idea that America made a mistake in WW2, that it should’ve allied with Hitler instead of the USSR to carve up the world between them, and let Germany manage its own affairs with regards to genocide, etc. Except this time it won’t be Germany, it’ll be someone else. I keep thinking Russia. It’s “white”, it’s a petrostate that hates Muslims, the American right has already cozied up to the idea that Russia is our friend. What I can’t really fathom is Trump’s recent show of antipathy against Russia. Is he really that obsessed with bringing China to heel that he’d risk damaging a Trump-friendly partnership? Does he take the partnership for granted and is trying to ensure he has the upper hand? Pure stupidity is always a possibility, but I can’t really fathom what’s going on. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/7 "2025-09-17T10:54:41Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > Up here in America’s Hat, we are so inextricably linked socially, economically, and culturally we can’t help but care. Right. While @kambuckta makes a strong point, it goes at least double for Canada, where we’re already facing high unemployment and a looming recession entirely due to Trump tariffs. > [@enipla](#): > > > [@kambuckta](#): > > > > I’ve been accused of being ‘concerned’ about US politics because I’m not American. > > Nobody on this board is doing that, are they? You and the whole world has every reason to be concerned. I haven’t seen anybody on this board do that, but I’ve seen it elsewhere. Disparagement of non-Americans critical of America’s leadership and its policies comes almost exclusively from right-wing nutjobs. On one forum some time ago, one such RWNJ actually accused critics of being jealous of Americans, and secretly wishing that they could be Americans, too, living in the great US of A! Err, no, trust me, that’s not it! 🤣 Like I desperately want to live in a country where I will no longer have free quality health care, and be infested with guns, gun nuts, school shootings, and assassinations. I’ve never seen such a surge of Canadian patriotism as I’m seeing now as Canadians band together to protect themselves against the scourge of Trump’s America. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/8 "2025-09-17T10:56:46Z")
Well, since the rest of the world is going to have to bring down the rapid dog that is America, I think it’s reasonable to care. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/9 "2025-09-17T11:02:16Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I’ve never seen such a surge of Canadian patriotism as I’m seeing now as Canadians band together to protect themselves against the scourge of Trump’s America. Good for you guys. Stay strong. It will take generations for the US to recover. If we can… ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/10 "2025-09-17T12:07:51Z")
As the OP says “here on this board” What I see is a combination of (1) some people who do sometimes miss some of the finer points of American culture as it is not there own plus (2) high sensitivity to even the slightest perceived criticism. Maybe lighten up, Francis? ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/11 "2025-09-17T12:47:43Z")
The OP says “here on this board” but I’ve never seen it in the 24 years I’ve been reading and posting on it. Other cultural insensitivities? yes, inevitably (no group of humans is perfect, and no individual human is free of occasionally shitting the bed) , but never that one. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/12 "2025-09-17T13:16:19Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > the rapid dog that is America Would that be a greyhound ? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/13 "2025-09-17T13:17:21Z")
Alas no. We are a rabid dog, like Germany in the 30s. The sooner we’re dead, the better. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/14 "2025-09-17T13:18:58Z")
It’s like asking why the Gauls cared about what happened in Rome. When you’re the dominant power in the world, your choices affect everyone around you, whether they want them to or not. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/15 "2025-09-17T17:13:03Z")
It totally makes sense why people outside the US care about US politics. I don’t know why that would be a problem. The only issues I’ve personally had are: 1. Someone outside of the US speaking with authority on the current situation, especially for cultural things like “how racist is US society?” Etc 2. Offering commentary like, “Why don’t you guys just change your terrible laws?” Both I think stem from a desire to oversimplify really complex issues. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/16 "2025-09-17T18:06:53Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > Up here in America’s Hat, we are so inextricably linked socially, economically, and culturally we can’t help but care. Even some Americans are finding out the hard way our hat is important to their economic interests. America is the proverbial 300 pound gorilla and we don’t always realize the impact our actions have on our neighbors let alone the rest of the world. Poor Mexico. So far from God and so close to the United States. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/17 "2025-09-17T18:16:51Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Pure stupidity is always a possibility, but I can’t really fathom what’s going on. I suspect dementia onset. He can’t remember what he says from one day to the next, and he parrots whatever the last person he talked to has said. When I look at the unqualified clowns that are the secretarial appointments, I cringe. We are an embarrassment, sure, but worse than that, these people are dangerous and may be doing things that can’t be undone for many years, if ever. I sympathize with non-Americans who are darting apprehensive looks at us and worrying about the possibility of war erupting (worst case) or economic destruction. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/18 "2025-09-17T18:56:38Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I suspect dementia onset. He can’t remember what he says from one day to the next, and he parrots whatever the last person he talked to has said. Plus, he wanted the Nobel and Putin didn’t immediately acquiesce to his demands. He’s a narcissistic simpleton. Instead of a presidency of the United States, we get the president of MAGA and his never-ending tantrums. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/19 "2025-09-17T19:45:32Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > Maybe lighten up, Francis? Nice. ‘Your feelings mean nothing’. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116/20 "2025-09-17T19:54:37Z")
How so? You know there is a middle ground - perhaps a small one? - between “your feelings are totally warranted and backed by evidence” and “your feelings mean nothing and you should feel bad”. Maybe some of us are just strange for inhabiting such a rarely visited emotional plain most of the time. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-not-american-why-do-you-care/1023116.md?page=2)