I am an American, from California. I recently decided to look into America's history on my own and form my own opinion about my country. I've decided that I love my country, but that I am ashamed of my government. The American people are hard working, kind, and caring.. maybe a bit pig headed and arrogant, but I feel that is from living in a country where we are always told we are #1.
Who wouldn't want to believe that they live in the greatest country in the world? We don't challenge the good things we hear and the bad things our government does are hidden from us, or we don't seek them out. I for one view Julian Assange as an amazing moral leader. The fact that our government views him as a terrorist is terrible. After all aren't we supposed to be a government "for the people, by the people"? There should be no room for secrecy in a government of the people. If the government has things to hide from it's people than we have fallen. Of course they will say it is in the protection of "national security", but that's only because it's the one thing they can get away with saying. I for one as an American want a transparent government. We are so disconnected from our politics and our constitution. The average American doesn't fully know their rights under the constitution. Fewer know who their congressman or senators are.
The fact that we as Americans now roll over and accept when our government tells us no, or when they take away our rights shows you how disconnected we have become from our roots.
The Americans of 1800's would never have put up with such a large and powerful federal government. Yet now it is commonplace. I for one don't think that the world hates the American people. I think if anything they pity our arrogance and shortsightedness.
Americans a good book I recommend is "A Peoples History of the United States" by Howard Zinn. There is an audio version on youtube that Matt Damon reads. Love and Freedom to all.
Americans that throw accusations of anti-Americanism around are to be ignored. They are trying to manipulate the conversation by making people defensive, as they did to their own people during Bush's severe mismanagement.
If Americans see fit to complain about an issue in their own country then foreigners can concur without these pathetic accusations.
Growing up my whole life in the USA and being lucky enough to have great history teachers and wonderful parents I've learned and continue to learn what this country is all about. The United States of America is a place where you can be you. There are a few issues that make that not so true that our country is try to work through and I definitely don't support(one would be the lack of Gay Rights). That being said when you want to open a business than you can. Loans, community college or university education, your own money; what ever you have you can start a business. Now if that business fails that's on you because this country isn't meant to help you when you fall down.That doesn't mean that you don't get help though. Its about living the life you want as long as it doesn't harm yourself or others. I know that this has and is becoming true in other countries but we're talking about the United States here.
I don't see how not reporting on a lot of news around the world is a bad thing. We do report on it. Usually its because it has to do with us but not always. One example is the Chilean miners. Other than big events like that I don't understand why we would randomly report on something when we have so many things to report on here. Yes, we report on celebrity news which bothers me but that doesn't always mean that we don't have something else they could be reporting on here other than Conan O'Brien.
So how do I think people view my country? Well I feel that people think of us as rude, ignorant, stupid, too fat, too skinny, lazy, over-worked, racist, pointless, a great idea gone wrong. I know that not everyone thinks this. I know you don't completely think this and I know my friends in other countries don't completely think this. But I did say not completely and that's because I feel like there is this hidden judgment that is sometimes felt even if you love the country. That happens with other things too. Sometimes we actively think it but not everyone acts on it and sometimes its in the subconscious. It happens sometimes when someone is afraid of a man in a dark sweatshirt. They may not show that they're racist and they may not be racist but they still assume that that man was a black man because that's who they usually see.
The love and hate comment I feel was a bit miss-understood. It's like discussing something with someone who just wants to argue. They just want to change the other persons opinion or make them angry or just share their hate. Its not to say that we are better than everyone else, because we certainly are not. But neither is everyone else.
A lot of people support our government and think that we should sometimes police the world so to say that you're just talking about the government isn't true, because you're talking poorly about the government and everyone who supports it.
I feel that there are a lot of great things that we've done that people forget about. I'm not here to teach people history so if you can't think of anything then go look it up.
Most people here in Norway see the U.S as the "world police". Getting involved in things they should keep out of, and basically trying to police the world and force their views on people. (and like you I want to state that I am talking about the government, not the individual people). I am also hoping so much that they don't give Assange to the US because he will definitely be treated as a terrorist. Meaning he'll probably be tortured into submission, or just vanish if he doesn't do as they want.
Honestly (and I don't really mean to offend anyone) I can't really think of anything the US has done where people here have said "good job guys!"... people mostly see them as an arrogant, power mad country.
Btw; There's actually a picture that kinda sums up my thoughts on their politics in a funny way: http://dft.ba/-usgovernment
I have never like the word "Superpower." It's self centered and arrogant. If you are truly good and strong you never have to tell anyone. People would know it by the way you live your life and what do for others.
It's not so much the American people (there are intelligent/stupid, good/bad, loving/hateful, old-fashioned/forward-thinkers, etc, no matter where you are), but what certain American ideals have become. For a country who boasts being number one in the world, it seems as though they've got a lot of internal things that need sorting out. "Yeah, you've got freedom, but don't you dare think about doing that." The majority of people I've met through my travels in the USA have been extremely friendly, it's just that... How can I put this? ...America was a great idea that seems to have gotten a bit out of hand.
I'm from Canada, but I live just across the border and go into New York State rather often. People say that we've got very similar cultures, but the moment I cross over, there's an entirely different atmosphere - one where you feel you need to be careful with what you say and do. I don't feel that there's that sense of paranoia or censorship here in Canada. Also, things don't seem as forced here, if that makes any sense - things are shoved down your throat in America and there seems to be no issue with the monotony of 'beating a dead horse', regardless of what the issue may be, until it's become an area of concern (and even fear).
I agree with what you said about "world news". We do have the major American news networks over here, and compared to the world news from a Canadian broadcaster's perspective, the American's definition seems to be "news from other countries that affects us".
These are just my observations. I could be entirely wrong and corrupted by the Canadian system, myself!
Who wouldn't want to believe that they live in the greatest country in the world? We don't challenge the good things we hear and the bad things our government does are hidden from us, or we don't seek them out. I for one view Julian Assange as an amazing moral leader. The fact that our government views him as a terrorist is terrible. After all aren't we supposed to be a government "for the people, by the people"? There should be no room for secrecy in a government of the people. If the government has things to hide from it's people than we have fallen. Of course they will say it is in the protection of "national security", but that's only because it's the one thing they can get away with saying. I for one as an American want a transparent government. We are so disconnected from our politics and our constitution. The average American doesn't fully know their rights under the constitution. Fewer know who their congressman or senators are.
The fact that we as Americans now roll over and accept when our government tells us no, or when they take away our rights shows you how disconnected we have become from our roots.
The Americans of 1800's would never have put up with such a large and powerful federal government. Yet now it is commonplace. I for one don't think that the world hates the American people. I think if anything they pity our arrogance and shortsightedness.
Americans a good book I recommend is "A Peoples History of the United States" by Howard Zinn. There is an audio version on youtube that Matt Damon reads. Love and Freedom to all.
If Americans see fit to complain about an issue in their own country then foreigners can concur without these pathetic accusations.
I don't see how not reporting on a lot of news around the world is a bad thing. We do report on it. Usually its because it has to do with us but not always. One example is the Chilean miners. Other than big events like that I don't understand why we would randomly report on something when we have so many things to report on here. Yes, we report on celebrity news which bothers me but that doesn't always mean that we don't have something else they could be reporting on here other than Conan O'Brien.
So how do I think people view my country? Well I feel that people think of us as rude, ignorant, stupid, too fat, too skinny, lazy, over-worked, racist, pointless, a great idea gone wrong. I know that not everyone thinks this. I know you don't completely think this and I know my friends in other countries don't completely think this. But I did say not completely and that's because I feel like there is this hidden judgment that is sometimes felt even if you love the country. That happens with other things too. Sometimes we actively think it but not everyone acts on it and sometimes its in the subconscious. It happens sometimes when someone is afraid of a man in a dark sweatshirt. They may not show that they're racist and they may not be racist but they still assume that that man was a black man because that's who they usually see.
The love and hate comment I feel was a bit miss-understood. It's like discussing something with someone who just wants to argue. They just want to change the other persons opinion or make them angry or just share their hate. Its not to say that we are better than everyone else, because we certainly are not. But neither is everyone else.
A lot of people support our government and think that we should sometimes police the world so to say that you're just talking about the government isn't true, because you're talking poorly about the government and everyone who supports it.
I feel that there are a lot of great things that we've done that people forget about. I'm not here to teach people history so if you can't think of anything then go look it up.
Honestly (and I don't really mean to offend anyone) I can't really think of anything the US has done where people here have said "good job guys!"... people mostly see them as an arrogant, power mad country.
Btw; There's actually a picture that kinda sums up my thoughts on their politics in a funny way:
http://dft.ba/-usgovernment
I'm from Canada, but I live just across the border and go into New York State rather often. People say that we've got very similar cultures, but the moment I cross over, there's an entirely different atmosphere - one where you feel you need to be careful with what you say and do. I don't feel that there's that sense of paranoia or censorship here in Canada. Also, things don't seem as forced here, if that makes any sense - things are shoved down your throat in America and there seems to be no issue with the monotony of 'beating a dead horse', regardless of what the issue may be, until it's become an area of concern (and even fear).
I agree with what you said about "world news". We do have the major American news networks over here, and compared to the world news from a Canadian broadcaster's perspective, the American's definition seems to be "news from other countries that affects us".
These are just my observations. I could be entirely wrong and corrupted by the Canadian system, myself!