So if no one is making any generalizations, how can there be a topic asking if America is as bad as people say it is? There's nothing wrong with America as a nation and not many people think much of its negatives and positives when going about their daily lives. Civilians can go to the grocery store every day and get some milk and live just like they would anywhere else. So why base your judgement on the stereotype that causes people to hate America? You shouldn't hate any country.

Let's say somehow you thought China was a bad country because you heard people were dirty and spit on the streets and pirate copied video games. You live in America. And then you find out your father is getting a job transfer and you have to live in China. You're devestated, but then you go there and find out living is just the same. You can still go to the grocery store and get milk and do all the stuff you want to do. There are pros and cons of every country, so if you really take a moment to live someplace, you'll realize it's not that bad.

What generated hate for America? Stereotypes. Like what Libertie and Fae mentioned.

Why would someone hate a country and why is it so complicated? Because people are making life more complicated than it should be and they're making preconceived notions about how life should be in a certain place.

Is America as bad as people say it is? That's not a fair question. How can you judge all of America?

iraq hates us bcuz we are trying to change their way of life but the rest of the world hates us bcuz we are trying to be peacemakers and they think that we should just stay out of it

I have one way of looking at it, if you think America is a bad country - I will put you on a plane and send you to Somalia for a while. Then we will see how you feel about America after that.

Sure, but they love it when we donate 70% of the funding to the worldly 'peacekeeping' organization.

What's happened in Darfur? Nothing?

That's the kind of attitude that keeps America from improving.

I love America, but it's not perfect; the US does act irresponsibly in some world affairs (Iraq, the environment, etc.). I, for example, don't criticize the US because I hate it; I criticize it because I love it, and I want to see it improve, to be the best it can be, and be an example for the rest of the world. America gets nowhere when people just label critics as unpatriotic and offer to ship them somewhere else in the world.

It may be just the kind of attitude that keeps America from improving, but that's the attitude has shaped America to be what it is today. The majority of immigrants came to America because they believed America to be a better place than their own country. To hear people rant about this and that about America just doesn't make sense to us [immigrants] most of the time unless those same folks really know what they're saying. And the only way for them to know what they're saying is if they've seen what we've seen for their own eyes, lived as we lived... etc.

Seriously, I would totally understand those kinds of comments if it came from someone who traveled outside of the States before or understands politics and culture, but if the person hasn't done or know any of that, it sounds like just another unhappy brat trying to make everyone else unhappy.

Yes, I completely understand and agree that criticism is a great way to improve things. However, I'm sure you know about constructive criticism--from those who really know, and plain criticism--from those who don't know what the heck they're rambling about. Most of the time, people don't give constructive criticism. I love constructive criticism, but I can do without the unconstructive ones, and I'm sure the same goes for America.

Edit.. i just realize i went off ranting myself... sorry.

This post has been edited by uninspiredfae: Jul 7 2005, 11:54 PM

I have been to many foreign countries and must say I am mighty grateful for what I have here and America - and the rights I have here. In Cuba I could not even leave my hotel without a armed escort due to the Violence. In Russia I about puked when we drove from city to city, the way they live in poverty is absolutely disgusting. And as for the outskirts of Cancun Mexico, well we don’t need to discuss that. If people feel that there country is better than the US so be it, I can assure you it could be.

i am not yet into what the world thinks of america, but from what i see everyday, america is like where everyone wants to be...

america is great to me it just the presidents who makes us look bad!!!

The presidents are chosen by the people. So what's that say about us?

In the last several elections, the president has been chosen by roughly 25% of the voting-age population.

Well that doesn't say much either does it? Okay, the president is chosen by the 25% of the people who get their asses out to pick. The rest shouldn't bitch about it when it goes...poorly.

every country has their problems......cuz of human error, greed, and everything else.....but if America was so bad..........people would be sneaking into mexico......but they dont.....thousands of people try to come here every day....America is the shit

Haha! Damn good point, obvious, but still good!

I've decided NOT to live there, there polictics are horible not saying canadian politics are any better mind you lol. But I'm glad I live where I am now because I feel we have more freedom here in most parts of Canada. Not all the time. But really ... however I don't think all americans are rednicks and such and such. Most of them are really nice, and are just like you or me. I just don't like the fact how every outburst is controlled by the republicians. I.E like FOX Network. I love my friends from there, however it's not as scary a place as some think.

Ha, thank you Now all I have to do is wait for someone to argue with it.

it means that 24.9 % of the people who did get off thier asses and went to vote voted AGAINST the president.

a president should rule for america, not the party that put him in office.

50.1% of voters voted for bush in the last election. it also means 49.9% voted against him. which means, (with 50% turnout) that 75 million people voted against bush.

Huh?

< Feels like she's brain dead trying figure out what that sentence means.


Ideally, sure... well maybe... But which presidents have done so in the past?

Can you clarify that? I don't understand fully. If the 25% statistic that was stated earlier is indeed correct, it means that only a quarter of American citizens that hold voting eligibility had gotten up to do just that.

It did not mean that 25% of voters necessarily voted against President Bush (damn! that was hard to say), it merely states that 25% of the American population with voting rights had gotten up. So now I revert to my previous statement.

Okay, the president is chosen by the 25% of the people who get their asses out to pick. The rest shouldn't bitch about it when it goes...poorly.

errr.... i meant 24.9% of america got off ther asses and voted against bush.




err... there was that... president that was a hardline spoils system person till he got elected... forgot which one.

It also means that roughly a quarter of America voted against the president, too, is what acid is trying to say.

I actually meant to quote the statistic as an interesting fact, not to support any argument per se.

People expect so much of America. After all, it is richer than the other countries, such as the Philippines or Cambodia. I appreciate what America has done for my family and myself. There are more jobs and it's really modern and everything. I don't see what not to love about it. Of course, except the president ..

...That doesn't take much.

Burninated!

I enjoy america. It is a nice place. But I really dislike BUSH and his goverment.


Don't judge all americans on what Bush does...lets face it, he is well..not very bright.