This is all very strange and it varies so much from nation to nation - or region to region. I do not buy the whole jealous argument - I think that is silly and, moreso, intentional distraction from the truth. Sure, some countries will be envious...but that will not lead to hatred and wanting to blow us up or for us to suffer in some way. Some countries dislike us because of our direct meddling in their affairs - Latin America and all sorts of bloody mess, the Mid East since about the 20's, etc. Others hate us because they are told to - even if they do not know of any specific meddlings. Others dislike us because of our elitist/superiority complex - due to our relative isolation we do not understand the struggles of having to exist peacefully in a crowded environment and thus respect cooperation, etc. Maybe some dislike us because we are such superconsumers and are using an obscene amount of the world's resources. Others still like us despite past wrong doings. The Phillipines are an example. We went in and did all sorts of violence and mess to them - resulting in instability and eventually leading to the likes of Marcos. Filipinos, generally, love us anyway. Same for Cuba - our actions ultimately helped to bring Castro into power...but many Cubans like us and want to come here. Some of it is inevitable with us being so large and being a (and now "the") major player in events - such that even well meaning actions can backfire. Additionally, it is impossible in our system to have a long run of consistent policy - too much turnover - so we may seem a bit schizophrenic to certain outsiders. Still, despite our great belief to the contrary (and Delay's comments basically calling us God's chosen people), we have done all sorts of nasty things in the distant, recent, and present past (hmmm...present past). Put me in charge and I will create a national coalition to give all areas in the world to Poland. They deserve a break. If Poland doesn't work out, we can then transfer power to Costa Rica - they have the right idea on a local level, anyway. They are so nice that they don't have an army...and nobody wants to attack them. See? It is all so perfect.
This is where you are wrong. Let's pull out an example from the "High School is a Microcosm of Life" file. In my high school there were really rich kids and really poor kids. I was right in the middle. You had kids wondering where their next meal was coming from and kids driving their BMWs to school (I was in my 1984 Olds...it was 1991 BTW ). I PERSONALLY saw poor kids beating up rich kids simply because of their affluence. When faced with wealthy people everyday, a certain percentage of poor people will exhibit jealousy. Jealousy can breed anger...anger breeds hatred. It's a cycle. Like I said before...the wealthy must be VISIBLE to the poor in order for the cycle to continue.
Wow! Good posts. You guys by and large get it. We need to run one of you for office. We’ll get Clutch to endorse you. Jeff can be the campaign manager. I can see it now … It’s a real mixture of positive and negative attitudes, for both good and bad reasons. As several have pointed out, it’s the self-serving attitude and actions that are probably the biggest negative factor. Ironically, doing what’s “right” is typically in the best interest of a country in the long run, IMO. I think it’s a universal temptation to look for the quick fix, or react in anger, or to take advantage of a situation for your own short-term gain. But the results are the same for nations as they are for individuals, IMO. You reap what you sew. If you conduct yourself in less than honourable ways, it’ll come back on you, and if you conduct yourself honourably, somewhere down the road that usually repays you too. The US is by no means the only country guilty for these transgressions. They just tend to be bigger and more visible when you are. (Refman: I would me remiss and neglecting my patriotic duty if I didn’t point out that the US has one ofthe worlds highest standards of living. Canada and a few other countries consistently rank higher. )
Chairman recognizes the distinguished delegate from Canada. But since you have the Harts it isn't a fair comparison.
In my opinion its sad that country as great as America which was founded on just and fair principles has the hightest crime and rape rate in the world.
quote a source please. Britain, Australia top U.S. in violent crime Rates Down Under increase despite strict gun-control measures -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Jon Dougherty © 2001 WorldNetDaily.com Law enforcement and anti-crime activists regularly claim that the United States tops the charts in most crime-rate categories, but a new international study says that America's former master -- Great Britain -- has much higher levels of crime. The International Crime Victims Survey, conducted by Leiden University in Holland, found that England and Wales ranked second overall in violent crime among industrialized nations. Twenty-six percent of English citizens -- roughly one-quarter of the population -- have been victimized by violent crime. Australia led the list with more than 30 percent of its population victimized. The United States didn't even make the "top 10" list of industrialized nations whose citizens were victimized by crime. MUNCH ON THAT
Yeah I certainly hate Bill Gates, that SOB makes more money in one day than myself in my lifetime. Micheal Jackson comes as a close second. That freak enjoys better life than I can imagine. I mean he has a personal zoo while I have a little tank for two turtles. I also hate the Rock, he the big and strong guy with an attitude. They don't come as near as Mike Tyson though - that rich, big and BAD motherfocker. I guess every man and woman in this world - Americans or non Americans- should hate them to guts, otherwise it wouldn't be normal to not be jealous.
I think that the 'standard of living' issue is off target. It is not an issue of how much we make per family, but how much power we wield in financial and political matters. If you wield your power like the US does, you had better be on target, and regardless of right or wrong, you will make enemies. If wrong, you will make more enemies in the long-run. Also, Nations that are less prosperous and err will probably receive much less criticism than the US. This is partly because it is easier to dislike the 'rich', but it is also because we portray ourselves as a world leader, including moral issues. So indirectly, our country's prosperity does influence hatred of America, but its more an issue of how we wield it. Our leaders can certainly act with arrogance.
Hayes, But we are still #1 in gun-related crimes (go team!) according to the Dept. of Justice. You should know those Brits just have more bar and football game fights - which counts as "violent crime."
HayesStreet, Wow. That was quite surprising. We are still very high in the murder rate, but apparently safer than much of the West when it comes to violent crime overall.
I think American have incredible POWER. Not just as a nation. I mean individuals can and have cause GRASS ROOTS campaigns with international ramifications. The Whaling stuff. . .the Female mutilations etc. . . .Where we tell companies . . . HEY! YOU DO BUSINESS IN IRAQ . . .WE AIN'T BUYING YOUR ****!! Next thing u know. . folx starving in Iraq because 16000 jobs just left there. We vote with our Dollars more than at the polls. I think the fact that we have NO RESERVATIONS at all about using those dollars to wreck/scramble or generally f*ck with folx lives may cause some animosity. Rocket River
Rocket River, Do you think that the average American is really that interested in foreign affairs? How many of your friends said 'we won't buy from companies that do business in Iraq?' This is probably a problem for us. Foreign affairs do not get politicians elected, re-elected, or thrown out of office.
I don't know about not doing business in Iraq. We elected a VP who did business in Iraq, as well as Iran, and Libya. I don't think people could be that concerned about it.
no . . but My point is. . . we have that opportunity and have done it in the past. I think we are to an extent Meddlers THIS IS NOT A BAD THING We live a good life. . .and to an extent feel it is an enlightened one We tend to want others to come to this level of enlightenment [whether they like it or not] We are still living Manifest Destiny Rocket river
rimbaud, i think you were making a joke, but when you see the footage of the hooligans beating POLICE to death, its not really funny. i don't think you'd see texan fans trying to whup up on HPD officers. I wonder why that is? cohen, 'Wow,' is what I thought as well.
The part about arrogance that goes along with the wealth is a factor. In another thread about Tom Delay's speech on why should invade Iraq, Tom Delay says more than once how we as Americans are born to a higher destiny than other nations around the world. As Americans, we inherit a higher obligation than placating contemporary opinion. As Americans, we reject the illusion of greener pastures offered by moral equivocators. As Americans, we offer unceasing hostility to terrorists, tyrants, and every system of oppression. Because, as Americans, we`re born to a special destiny. That kind of arrogance and self appointed grandeur is absurd. If I was in another country I would be asking who the hell is Tom Delay to say Americans are born to special destiny? That's ridiculous and that kind of reasoning was used to wipe out the Indians, and can be used to justify any action. Putting yourself above everyone else, rather than WITH everyone else is not a good way to help the opinion others hold towards America.
Don't know why it absurd. For instance, what other country of even similar power DOES NOT believe that? The Chinese certainly do. The Russians certainly do. The Indians certainly do. The British and French and Germans do. Our system IS unique. And (some at least of) our achievements are unsurpassed by any other civilization. I see no reason to say all countries are our equals. They aren't. If they were then people would look to them in crisis. They don't. They look to us. Does that piss people off? I'm sure it does. But make no mistake, people across the world also admire (if begrudingly) what we do and the way we drive to be the best. And I believe his point is that we have a responsibility to use our power for the benefit of all peoples, not that we are supposed to oppress all people's. That the opportunity we enjoy sets a great destiny for our people, because we can (structurally) do anything.
