Views on America

lickmybaconcakes

I went to boston when I was younger and all I remember was that it snowed endlessly and there was a lot of shops.

dinovino_59

Nobody likes war as people die as a result, but humanity will never be able overcome the political, cultural and religious differences that ultimately lead to conflict.

That said, I am glad to live in a country that has no problem standing strong in the face of tyranny and those who wish to eliminate us because of our differences.

oberon0124

I love my country, the good the bad and the ugly of it all. I an American to the core. We have our faults but we also have our high points. This is my country and I love it here. To those that do not, I hold nothing against you or your opinion. This is America and we are allowed to express them freely.

TheRoadDog

Our politcal system is broken.
We try so hard to do right by the individual, that we now overburden the many.
We have become so politically correct that we cannot speak freely.
We are overtaxed and underserved.

It's too bad, because the U.S. is one of the better places to live and I would never leave, but we're stressed to the breaking point. History says that this Empire will one day crumble too. I'll probably be dead by then.

bio_fit

That said, I am glad to live in a country that has no problem standing strong in the face of tyranny and those who wish to eliminate us because of our differences.

You're Iranian?


(Disclaimer - I am J/K :bigsmile: I know my sense of humour doesn't always translate...)

Oh, I forgot. Fox News is possibly the root of evil, but i'm not sure

fteale

I think most people ignore the bad things about their own country.

I think other countries do object to American military intervention. Not because it is making them worse off, but because of the breathtaking arrogance it take to assume your way is the best way. That is an attitude I have encountered in a lot of Americans, both privately and in policy.

I am English and don't think we are any better, though. We all have our flaws. We have far too much culture of entitlement, and I think a lot of people are very lazy here in the UK.

TinnedTuna

I would love to come live in America, like most things about it, not all but enough to want to live there,
I'm English and living in Ireland which is not the combo in the world but not to bad,
I love how most Americans are proud of there country, hanging the flag out etc. you don't see that much anywhere else.

FungusTrooper

I love the country and the people. My wife is American, and I'm in the process of moving there from the UK.

I dislike the politics and the military, but the UK is no better for either. At least the people are more chill in the States.

bluefox9er

I love the country..it has magnificent scenery and all a traveller could wish for. The people are warm,charming and genuinely hospitable.

This thing about the world 'hating 'americans is borne purely out of American political foreign policy and it's needs to intervene in some circumstances, yet ignore others...on an agenda that disenfranchises countries and people who genuinely need assistance but have no oil nor political leverage to offer.

The American people have also become a little more attuned to the world at large, and shouldn't be ' hated' at all for the misgivings of it's administrators, and indeed have also begun to question, challenge and oppose US foreign policy. This is long overdue, as being the only super power carries with it a lot of responsibilities that go further than acting for political or monetary gains.


But no matter who hates it with such terrible loathsomeness, most people would be more than happy to call America their home.

bluefox9er

As a Canadian, I have no quarrell with Americans...just their politics.

Oh, and to everyone else: We're not "just like" our American neighbours. We have our own cultural idiosyncrasies (sp?) which make us uniquely Canadian, eh?!

^^^^ THIS !!

LizKurz

I think if you ask most Americans, you'll hear a lot of "patriotism" and how they love to live here it's the "greatest country in the world". But.....most Americans have not had the opportunity to live anywhere else.

I have lived here, and I also lived in Germany for four years. I has the opportunity to look at America from a different perspective, and I'll admit I didn't like what I saw. And it's onl gotten worse since then. (we came back in early 2008).

To be quite honest, if we had the money, we'd chuck it all in over here and move back to Europe. This is especially true becaue of where we live. We live in a red state, where the mindset is to "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" even though many people aren't even afforded boots. Being a socialist myself, and my husband being a progressive liberal democrat, we don't fit in with this country at all. Even the current president is entirely to right winged for my tastes.

Doreen_Murray

This is a great thread. We definitely are at a breaking point and I wish Ronald Reagan was still around to inspire some of our present day leaders. We certainly are not heading in the direction I'd like to see our country head in so I'll continue to vote against what I don't like seeing and vote for what I do want to see. I'm happy to be living in a country where I'm able to vote and live freely. I love my country, will never leave, but do hope for better, especially for our children.

dinovino_59

I have to respectfully disagree with your statement " This thing about the world 'hating 'americans is borne purely out of American political foreign policy and it's needs to intervene in some circumstances, yet ignore others...on an agenda that disenfranchises countries and people who genuinely need assistance but have no oil nor political leverage to offer. " Given the fact that there are many countries who choose to do nothing about everything. I think the US and it's population are far more giving and compassionate to the worlds less fortunate than we are given credit for.

TheDoctorDana

I love my country, the good the bad and the ugly of it all. I an American to the core. We have our faults but we also have our high points. This is my country and I love it here. To those that do not, I hold nothing against you or your opinion. This is America and we are allowed to express them freely.

^This^

Italian_Buju

Let me start by saying I am Canadian......however, most of my family is American....in fact, I am the only Canadian born person in my family other than my children...even my siblings were American born....

As far as America the country goes, there are many things I find very wrong, I would not live there if someone was paying me....

I agree 150% with this statement that was made:

"I can't get over the fact that someone like Rick Sanitorium could run for president and spread his hateful views on gays, coloured people and women, and name it all as a religious virtue."

That pisses me off like you would not believe.....in the same token, I also do not understand how you can have someone like Ron Paul running as well, after seeing a Q&A with him where he was asked about health care for the poor, and his reply was something along the lines of 'why is it our responsiblity to take care of everyone'......I almost got sick....

My sister is a hardcore Republican, although when asked, she will claim she is 'undecided', however, she liked Bush, HATES Clinton and Obama, and thought "Socialized" medicine is a terrible idea.....

I do not understand the idea behind the very rich getting the biggest tax breaks.....capitalism is a nightmare it seems.....

I also do not understand what is up with health care over there, why do they seem to have so much money for the military but none to take care of its most in need citizens....

I know our military here in Canada is a joke compaired to lots of other countries, and when war starts, we send our one boat over with our 12 soilders, but personally, I would rather have other perks......

Speaking of war and such, why do guns seem to be such a giant problem in the states? Why does it seem like everyone has a gun? And its easy for any nutjob to get one it seems to.....

And not only does it seem that everyone needs a gun, but you even have people that make it their mission to make sure everyone has the right to a gun....really? REALLY?? Are their not better things to fight for.....like perhaps health care? Blows my mind.....

Also, why does it take so long to make sure everyone has human rights over there? Like seriously, what is the hold up? Not only in history was America way behind the times with the end to slavery and civil rights for black people, but I cannot get understand why it is 2012 and homosexuals do not have equal rights yet.....what is the deal with that?

Speaking of human rights, I also cannot believe that America still has capital punishment.....with, the saddest part of that, again, being rights for those with less.....most people that have been murdered by the state that were innocent were people that did not have enough money to pay for proper defence, and in many cases, black males....so I guess that falls right in line with all the other human rights issues America seems to have. And it even STILL happens....Troy Davis anyone??

Speaking of the justice system.....Canada's is not perfect either, but why is it that Casey Anthony and George Zimmerman are still walking free and Troy Davis is dead and Buju Banton is rotting away in jail? Makes NO SENSE.....something is wrong there, and I hate to say it, but it seems like the darker your skin, the more likely you are to be found guilty, if you committed the crime or not....

Alright, I could go on and on about the flaws of the US as a whole, but let me bring something else to the table....

When I read the OP, I thought he meant why do people around the world have a dislike for Americans as people, and I can answer some of that too.....

While I love Americans, including my family, I have to admit, they are some fo the worse tourists EVER! This is why many Canadians make it known they are Canadian when travelling...LOL

First off, I worked as a tour guide for years and Americans were always shocked to learn we are not just like them, no you many not bring your gun with you, and yes, we have equal right for everyone! Last time I checked, We The People meant EVERYONE, not just the ones just like you!

I work in retail now, and again, Americans are the only ones, that not only will routinely ask if the prices are in US dollars, (like seriously, I would NEVER go to another country, and expect that the prices are in MY homelands currency), but will then also get upset I do not have US money in the til to give them change....really? REALLY??



All this said, one last gripe I have about America as a whole is if it was not for Bush, we would have legalized weed in Canada by now....but he threathened to close the borders....so after only ONE day of being legal, we all went back to being criminals....why are Americans so up tight about weed? Its an herb, grown in the ground, by God.....it seems like a lot of Americans think it is a drug equal to crack or something.....trust me, the only thing in danger when someone is high on pot is leftovers.....here in Canada, though it is not legal per se, one can smoke pretty openly, I basically smoke anywhere that people are smoking cigarettes and have never had a problem....you could never do that in the states.....

melg126

I live in America and I think there are a lot of things we can improve on (don't get me started). That being said, I do like living here. I know I am lucky to live in a country like this and I would never complain about it. However, I would also love to try living in a different country sometime. I've always kind of wanted to move to Canada. Or England...

Every country has it's own problems but I wouldn't mind getting away from ours for a while

^^^ this ^^^^

fbmandy55

I love the States, but their military interventions in places where they have no business being (Iraq, Afghanistan, tons of bases all around the world) rub a lot of people (including me) the wrong way.
For some reason most of the wars the USA wages to "bring democracy" seem to be located in places where there's a lot of oil in the ground.

As an American, I agree with you. Sadly, many citizens feel we need to stay out of other countries but the government has gotten out of control. There is no accountablility, the election process is crap, the media controls everthing...

It's sad because there are so many people here true to their country, but the country is not true to us.

nammer79

I Love America ... but then I'm American ... and its HUMP DAY so who cares we all live and share this lovely planet so no matter your views there's one thing we can all agree on....

GAS PRICES ARE WAY TO HIGH !!!!!! :grumble: :grumble: :grumble: :grumble:

sexforjaffacakes

To be fair university in the UK has got a lot more expensive (£9k a year now (~$15k)) but its paid for up fron by the government, and you only pay back the loan when you are earning above a certian threshold. The payment is collected through tax and is something like 9% of any pay above the threshold. If you fall into unemployment, you don't rack up payments and if you work for about 20 years, whatever is left unpaid gets written off. So whilst expensive, it still gives less fortunate people some chance.

Unless you're Scottish then Uni is free, hells yeah (typing on Uni pc just now, mwahahaha)

ARDuBaie

I have lived in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. My father is Scottish; my mother French. I spent summers in the UK, mainly Scotland, up Cargill way.

So.....

I don't get the fact that Americans don't have Universal Health Insurance.

I don't get the fact that, while many European countries start school early for their children (like around 4 years of age), Americans don't start until around 6 years of age.

I don't get the fact that second languages are not taught until middle school.

I don't get the fact that school only runs 9 months out of the year. I strongly believe it should be 11 months.

I don't get the fact that everyone has an opportunity to go to university, even if they failed half of their highschool classes.

Americans, compared to Europeans, are out of shape and a bit on the lazy side.

Americans are quick to blame everyone but themselves for problems in their lives. AKA, they don't take responsibility for themselves. This is one of the main reasons there is an obesity problem here in the U.S. "McDonalds made me fat. I think I will sue them." Come on. No one forced you to eat their food.

Americans are not as educated as people in other countries, especially when it comes to international politics, environmental issues, and geography. I was watching a video the other day where this British chap asked Americans about political issues. He then presented a map of the world to them, except that the countries were mislabeled. For example, Australia was labeled North and South Korea. When people said that No. And So. Korea were hot zones for war, they were asked to put a flag on those countries. They put the flag right on Australia without even questioning if that was the right name for that continent. Australia! For goodness sakes!

Americans live under the mistaken belief that resources are plentiful or that another way of dealing with the environmental situation or lack of a resource will present itself. What if it doesn't??? Europeans are very good about controlling their use of resources, but Americans.....

Americans don't recognize that their country is going to change from a Republic to a Theocracy if they don't pay attention to the platforms of the idiots they are voting for.

I could go on, but people are probably already getting ready to throw rocks at me. :huh: Remember, though, I have lived in other countries and so I have a different view from someone who has only lived in the U.S. So keep that in mind when you throw those boulders. :flowerforyou: