Editor's note: Bruce Stokes is the director of the Pew Research Center’s Global Economic Attitudes, which released a new survey on Wednesday. The views expressed in this article are solely those of Bruce Stokes.
By Bruce Stokes, Special to CNN
A recurring theme of GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s attacks on President Barack Obama has been that America’s stature in the world has declined under Obama’s stewardship. In January, after winning the New Hampshire primary, Romney charged that “(Obama) believes that America’s role as leader in the world is a thing of the past.” In late May, President Obama pushed back. In a commencement address to the graduates of the Air Force Academy he asserted: “Let's start by putting aside the tired notion that says our influence has waned, that America is in decline.”
The presidential campaign promises more of this to and fro as each candidate attempts to seize the high ground as the champion of American triumphalism. The anti-Americanism around the world during the Bush era profoundly challenged Americans’ self-image. Romney seems intent on convincing voters that the bad old days of Ugly America are returning thanks to Obama. The president implies that the Obama-mania that swept much of the world in the wake of his election in 2008 remains a positive asset for the United States.
A new global survey released Wednesday shows both presidential contenders are right. And both are wrong. As a result, the Romney and Obama camps are likely to cherry pick world public opinion data that bolsters their partisan argument. And they will conveniently ignore foreigners’ sentiments that contradict their broader campaign themes.
Poll: Obama policies weaken support for America
As with many public opinion findings, all things are relative. Any assessment of the global public’s take on America during the Obama era depends on whether it is a snapshot or a moving picture. And when exactly the cameras start rolling.
Overall ratings for the U.S. today remain largely positive in 12 of 20 countries surveyed by the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes project involving more than 25,000 people outside the United States. This includes large majorities in a number of European nations, as well as Japan and Brazil. In contrast, ratings are decidedly negative in four of the six predominantly Muslim countries polled.
America’s stature soared in most of Europe where the Pew Research Center surveyed and in Mexico and to a lesser extent in Japan in the wake of president Obama’s election in 2008. But in most of the Muslim world there was hardly any improvement in people’s opinion of the United States.
This year America’s favorability stands at 52% in Germany, down 10 percentage points from 2009, in Obama’s first year. But such approval is still up 21 points from the last year of the Bush administration. Opinion of the U.S. in Mexico (56% favorable) is down 13 points from 2009, but up 8 from 2008. Approval of the U.S. in China (43%) is down 15 points from 2010, but it is relatively unchanged from 2008.
However, America’s image as the global economic superpower is eroding. In 2008, before the onset of the global financial crisis, a median of 45% of those Pew surveyed in 14 countries named the U.S. as the world’s leading economic power, while just 22% nominated China. Today, only 36% say America is number one, while 42% believe China is the top dog.
At the same time, in countries across the globe, people continue to embrace American popular culture and to admire the U.S. for its science and technology. Attitudes toward American ideas about democracy and ways of doing business are mixed, but global publics are more positive toward both than in the final years of the Bush administration. This is especially true in Europe, but views have improved in other regions as well.
For instance, looking at the 16 countries surveyed in both 2007 and 2012, the median percentage saying they like American ways of doing business has increased by 11 percentage points. The median percentage that say it is a good thing that American ideas and customs are spreading to their country has also increased over the last five years, although it still remains the minority viewpoint.
Foreign confidence in Obama’s foreign policy leadership has slipped by 6 percentage points or more in most countries since 2009. But it remains high in Europe, Japan and Brazil. Attitudes continue to be much more negative in predominantly Muslim countries, as well as Russia, China and Mexico.
Moreover, on a number of specific issues, there is a sense that Obama has not lived up to the expectations people had for him when he first took office. The 2009 Pew Global Attitudes survey found that many believed the new American president would act multilaterally, seek international approval before using military force, take a fair approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and make progress on climate change. The current survey reveals few now believe he has actually accomplished these things.
And the global public particularly opposes one of the signature Obama security policy initiatives: drone strikes. In 17 of 20 countries, more than half of those surveyed disapprove of such attacks, including 63% of the French and 59% of the Germans, fellow NATO allies. But since 62% of Americans approve of such actions, including 74% of Republicans, it may prove difficult for Romney to exploit foreign opposition to Obama’s use of drones.
America’s stature in the world soared in Europe after Obama’s election, but it ultimately proved unsustainable. And it never improved much in most Muslim countries. However, America still rates higher today among key U.S. allies in Europe and Japan and, on balance, no worse in the Muslim world than it did in 2008. Nevertheless, there has been slippage.
So the alleged decline of America is all relative. It is in the eye of the beholder.
Related: What do people around the world think about the U.S.? Here are a few insights from CNN's "Open Mic" video series:
French weigh on the U.S. politics
People in India's words for America
Lebanese give their messages to the U.S.
Hong Kong lets loose on America
What Pakistanis want from the U.S.
What do you think? Has the world view of America changed? How has your view changed of the U.S.?
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Eff the rest of the world and what they think about the U.S. You want what we have – come try and take it!
And what do you think U.S. have that others don`t?!?
You`re all so narcisist that call youselves "America" ignoring that America is not a country, is an entire continent.
After all, U.S. is just another falling country like the europeans ones. You just don`t know that yet.
@ Brazilian
America is recognized around the world as short hand for the U.S. The only ones who complain about this are the tiny insignificant countries of North and South American continents is stew in envy. That said NotForYou is a troll.
Perhaps you are right. Perhaps we are failing and just don't know it yet but...
You better hope not. What other nation in the world has come to the aid of so many others with nothing in return.
What a great positive light is about to fade away if we do fail. Who will pick it up. You? Check your history and tell me again.
We call our home America, because we are the show baby – Kinda like how New York City is called New York. New York is a state – but Say New York, and the city comes to mind first.
Amongst many other things, we have a large population of illegal immigrants from Brazil. Why do your people keep sneaking here if your country is so great?
Yea, Brazilian, because Brazil is such a lovely place to live, with all the crime, kidnappings, drugs, Favelas all over, and the fat women that it makes me want to pack up right now and move down south.
People in cardboard and tin can sh.. holes shouldn't talk trash about the places they'd REALLY like to live. lol. Id1iota.
Do you think china will help your country if brazil is in trouble?..keep dreaming...lol
@Brazilian.....If we are failing then what is Brazil? Known as one of the "BRIC" countries, Brazil was suppose to see a 12% increase in their economic growth...but you haven't. We have saved everyone's a** many of times and asked for nothing in return. Something that all other European nations cannot say the same. And you South Americans live off our success. By association, we keep your country safe from foreign invaders because we dont want them that close to them. So you are welcome Latin and South America, be grateful, stop trying to illegally enter our country, and count your blessings before we decide to make the entire "America" continent NORTH AMERICA
Is that why Brazilians are everywhere down here in Miami, because the USA is so bad?
Hmm. which country invented electricity? The plane, the internet, computers, higways, mass prodeuced cars? The steam engine, should I keep going or do you get the point? People from all over the world come here for a better education and to experience the most innovative market on the planet! The US became a superpower because of the freedom to learna nd innovate. Other countries which have been around for hundreds of years longer, did not figure this out and now they're angry and jealous! That's ok, we will still welcome people from your country and others to caome share and contribute to thw best system in the world! Thanks!
Two continents, my friend, but it doesn't stop the rest of the world from referring to the United States as "America." Too late to do anything about it now.
@DR
I can`t see your point. The plane was invented by Santos Dumond, a Brazilian. Internet and computer was invented by USA during the Second World War. The mass produced cars was invented by Toyota (correct if I`m wrong), and the steam engine was invented during the French Industrial Revolution, in France...
@Joe
The economic politic that Brazil uses makes us kind of "secure" about economic crisis around the world. That means that we`ll never need China`s help.
The influence that we feel on any USA and Europe crisis is because we have many great companies of yours here. And that affects a great part of our workers, because we always have the minimize costs here to supply the entire company as a business play.
@sam
"We have saved everyone's a** many of times and asked for nothing in return"
That`s not real even on my craziest dream ever. There`s no such a thing in life like " I`ll save you and don`t want nothing in return because i`m cool and nice to everyone".
A bit time ago we kind of stop to enter illegally on "your" country. We used to go to take your jobs, but since you don`t have one anymore...
And most of the ones who live there wants to come back, but can`t.
Isn't Brazil a kind of nut?
These are all insignificant when you compare with Brazilian Bikinis. Brazil rules whatever you say.
what does the US have?
what everybody else wants!
south america is nothing but a filthy cesspool of slums and poverty
you have never moved forward!
total filth
Imigrants.
Don't get a big head just because Brazil will host the olympics...your country has more problems than most, BTW, Brazillians are among the most narcissistic people on the planet.
Brazillian, Santos Dumond was the first person to create a flying plane witnessed in Europe, but the first successful plane was invented by the Wright Brothers(Americans) three years earlier. And Henry Ford (American) invented the assembly line for cars, not Toyota.
To BraSillian,
America may not always be perfect in our or other people's eyes but it's still the number one destination for people all over the world for many reasons. And I love Brasil. Been there many times. Don't think your country ain't screwed up.
The first winged flight in an heavier than air aircraft was a German called Otto Lilienthal. He is recognized as the "The Father of Flight" and performed his first successful flights in a glider back in 1891.
BRAZILLIAN ... isn't that something to do with pubic hair?
Failing? No. We have suffered many setbacks but always emerge stronger than ever. We have helped many countries overcome tyranny but we didn't do it for free. We always required a payoff of some sort. It's just business.
Brazilian, you seem a little bitter. You should come visit, relax, drink some beer, and I'm sure your crankiness will go away in no time.
Here is a link for the 1st airplane. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_brothers. And the first mass produced automobile was the Ford model T. You should read some more "actual" history to see what else the US has invented and improved over the ages. Telephone, bi-focals, tv. What else does the US have to do in order for you to get the point?
You can't generalize one idiot's comments to the be the rest of America's comments. This is a problem and the rest of the world should be worried. If America is falling, its certainly not because someone else is able to replace them. What is happening is a global growth stagnation and transfer of economics. Take for example, China. There was a nice balance in the world in business and economics til China came along. Employees were getting paid the correct amount of wages, to supply the consumer market. When China comes into play, with the billions of people and severely low cheap wages, this dilutes the consumer capital supply. The wages for the jobs are so little that they can not afford to buy products. People in the west see there jobs go east, so the west capital drops but now the jobs are getting paid less the east capital remains low. Overall you have a global reduction in consumer capital. America and west did not see this happening this fast. If America falls, we essentially have a weak, diluted China with mediocre technology and innovation. The one country which led in technology and innovation in America is dead. China is 20-40 years behind in innovation. Remember its easy to do what someone else has already done rather create something from nothing.
Hey Brazilian why don't you stick to the two things that you really know how to do!! Climb trees to get your bananas and playing soccer your whole life and dreaming of some day having all the good thing's that we have here in America.If life is soooo good in Brazil then why are you and your country men coming to America by the thousands??? If you don't respect our Country go back to Brazil. Fallen Angel
Brazilian: Why do only people from Latin America like to stand up and say, "Hey, we're American too!!" when I never hear anything out of the Canadians. In fact, I think the last thing a Canadian wants to be called is "American." You should have pride in your own country and embrace being a Brazilian.
@Brazilian
I will correct you because the first car was produced by Ford, an American company. And the plane was invented by the Wright Brothers, google it if you don't believe me.
Some of us are completely aware that the US is crumbling under our feet. I think its only a matter of time until we are in the streets like the people in Greece & Spain. Our 'leaders' have sold us out and none of them have any intentions of changing anything. They benefit too much by screwing us over. Since that is the case, the US is destined for big time problems. I guess the only good thing is that most of us are armed so when the sh!t hits the fan, our enemies (or the enemies of the US Government) might think twice before invading.
Everyone knows when referring to America they are talking about the US, not your banana republic. How is the monkey problem?
It seems that exists some confusion about who really invented the plane.
I know that here in Brazil they teach us that Dumont invented, even teaching about the Wright Brothers too and it always get some discussion about it.
But it`s interesting knowing about " The Father of Flight" that @n1lksu wrote...
I made a mistake about Ford and Toyota.
@Bill
I would not like to be called "American". I just wrote that because I think is there some confusion about the name of the country and the name of the continent. Because is not wrong if a call a mexican or a guy from Porto Rico by "American". It`s some linguistic thing that express the narcisism of the USA people someway...I think it`s cultural.
@JM
You really have an awesome point of view. The best answer so far...
But you can be from any country or culture in the world, you have to agree with me that that "@Fallen Angel" guy is a total id1ot.
And You know because some divine power told you?????????? The United States of America, is the best country in the world, you just don't accept it!!!
Ford did not produce the first automobile.
Uggg I used to live in South America and I don't know how many times I have corrected people down there about this. America/Americans are nicknames given by the British when we were their colony. Just like Mexico is short for United Mexican States which is their official name. It's not some conspiracy that the US took over that name because we think we are special and the only country in the Americas. BTW there is no America the continent, there are two, North and South America. The use of "Americas" is correct and American can be used to describe people from those continents, but America is used when discussing the US.
Brazil has YOU (and many others like you), and the U.S. doesn't.
That alone puts Brazil at a distinct disadvantage, and creates an
overall bad image of Brazil...
The US is called 'America' in the English-speaking world. In the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking world it's called 'Estados Unidos' (United States)'. In the French-speaking world it's called 'Les Etats-Unis'. 'America' was the name given to the New World, named after the Italian cartographer Amerigo Vespucci, who was the first to realize that Columbus has stumbled upon a new continent.
And the only reason people emigrate to the US is because of $$$. No one comes here because of the charming personalities of Americans!
Finally an intelligent comment.
Ugh. EVERYONE here, American, Brazilian, etc, is being stupid. Every where you go there will be rude people, nice people, stereotypes, and racism. It doesn't matter. The US has really nice people, Brazil has really nice people. The US has vain and selfish people, Brazil has vain and selfish people.
Brazilian, why are you faulting North American's for having pride in their country? Do you not have pride in Brazil? Calling it narcissistic is subjective. I'm sure many different people would and could say that about Brazilians although it probably holds no merit.
Americans: You guys do know that you're just proving his point, right?
I would rather go into the middle of a war zone then step foot in Brazil.
Ok just because America is having economic trouble, doesn't mean were not as great as we were before 2008. Look what happened, Americas economy went down, and so did much of the rest of the world. Economys go up and down, but when they go back up america is always on top
US is still the best country to live. However we should watch out. We are fast losing our edge in technology. Europe and the far east is passing us by. Look at some of the latest technologies such as plasma/LED TVs, flash drives, CD/DVDs, etc were developed outside of the US. Our tech companies have dropped the R out of R&D under pressure from the Wall street. Gone are the days of Bell Labs and IBM Labs which invented transistor and other fundamentals of today's technology. Texas Instruments invented the integrated circuit without which today's products wouldn't exist. We are still strong, but we need to make sure we stay that way.
Maybe we are called Americans because our countries name is "The united states of america."
We don't call the people from the "Peoples republic of China." the peoples or the republicans. What shall we call people from this country? United Statesians?
America should be used to refer to the continent(s). It's not everyone else's fault in America that the U.S. chose a selfish name that was already taken by a continent populated by millions of people. Also, Brazil is a tiny/insignificant country? like some idiots here have been saying? Brazil is the 6th largest economy in the world and is projected to be 4th within a decade: how in the world is that insignificant?
Also, Dumond made the first useful airplane. He created it in France and it was the design that airplanes in WWI were derived from. The "airplanes" made by the Wright Bros were pretty useless in the big picture, but people don't teach that in this country (I live in the U.S.), because of the need to further increase U.S. ego.
Having said all that, no need to start an offensive flame war. Be respectful, and people in Brazil are definitely not narcissistic as some people have said. We actually have fame for being hospitable.
Correc! AMERICA is divided for technical purposes in : NORTH-CENTRAL-SOUTH ....AMERICA!!!
uh, really? Ameria IS a country. Canada is NOT america. Mexico, for god's sake, is NOT America. WE ARE AMERICA. and we ARE better than ANY other country in the world. Hands down.
I hate to say that: tell you fellow Bralizians to go back to you country, why do they have to work in the low paid jobs in a failure country like the US.
America's views abroad depends on the global balance of power, which is best described as a seesaw riding. The U.S. is glued to one end of the bar and challenges the world to take a ride. Once in while there's an up-and-down movement if the other player is lighter or heavier.
brazil isnt hosting the olimpics you dummasses its the world cup and brazil i live in florida and worked amongst alot of brazilians and like cubans why isit that you guys violate the laws so easy oberwok your own people open bogus bank acounts as pyrolls so you dont have to pay taxes there is not one brazilian here that i know that isnt soing somthing fishy arround here
juanito: Rio is hosting the Olympics in 2016.
Yes we do know that are falling. Do not believe all the hype.
Wow Brazilian, that is some string you started.
The Wright brothers had the first successful powered flight of a heavier than air craft. Lilenthal had a glider. Santos Dumont was important in aviation history mostly for his pioneering work in dirigibles, a lighter than air craft. He had the first airplane to be seen in Europe, but that was 3 years after the Wrights.
Toyota didn't start making cars until the 30s.
The steam engine was invented in England.
And finally, if you're going to criticize the US for not contributing anything to the world, you're going to have to get your own internet. This one's ours.
You will never understand, We are America
@DR
@Brazilian
The Industrial Revolution actually started in Britain, not France OR the USA. I think you're thinking of another type of Revolution
I never criticizes USA for not contribute anything in the world, that would be insane.
Another insane thing is thinking the internet is yours... it makes absolutely no sense...
@juanito
Brazil is going to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olimpics.
When I first started that discussion I never tought that would be so much people trying to offend me by writing things without knowing nothing about my country...
I like the USA, I like your culture like movies, music, books, even reading the news on the website. But some people seems to be a little mad an non-rational when someone have a different view of USA.
That much patriotism amuses me... it makes people get blind about somethings and become easy to manipulate...
You say things that your courtymen would take offence to, heck anyone who didn't hate themselves or their country would take offense to and your suprised that people are offended. Who do you hang out with, if I said what you said about Brazil, calling them narcasists and failures, I'm pretty sure they would beat me up not engage me in conversation. Just ask Chael Sonnen a jerk whom is really hated in Brazil. And as far as the american thing people from the US picked that up from other countries calling us that and ask yourself do you call anyone else from the americas that on a regular basis or do you refer to them by their country of origin? And if you don't why don't you, and doesn't that make you part of the problem you criticize?
@Brazilian – I apologize for the rudeness and stupidity of my countrymen. We are not worldly and very few of us are well educated or well traveled. It is one of the drawbacks of our culture. We are a nation in decline and that makes us fearful which manifests itself in arrogance and anger. Please forgive the nasty comments. We are not bad people, just grossly uninformed and afraid.
You are wrong , America is part of the name of the country * United States of America , it is not part of the name of Brasil , years a go there was a try to implemente Estados unidos do Brasill ( did not work ) So Americans called them self's correctly .
Brazilian you have created a war here , kkkkk , but that shows how some people think in the US , The greatest etc , a lot of Americans think ( and really believe ) God Blessed them , kkkkkk so funny . Yes US is a good place , good people , and off course Get many things right and many things wrong , I had the opportunity to visit the famous cemetery in DC where I believe 1 million soldiers and buried there , very sad , all kids died because some bureaucratic in DC ( who did not send his kids to war ) had to protect some Corporate interest somewhere for some US company , Vietnam all those Kids dead for no reason it is sad . Any way just to trow some more wood at the fire , Did you all proud Americans know that over 150 000 Americans immigrated to Brasil ??? Yes looking for a better life and a new opportunity , I will not give details you can Google it as some people said , An one of the top Brazilian Singers * Rita Lee * I love her is part of one of this families .... By the was this week in Rio has a major World event called Rio+20 even Mrs Clinton is there and funny this site CNN and any other US media talks about it , The idea of this meetings is to try to save the World of wast * One proposal is for Americans to be forced to drive Tine small cars and save on Gas , but the argument ( KKKK ) is that your asses wont fit the Sits , KKKKKKKKKK Sorry just a joke , have a great day
They already are kid; where do you think our jobs and quality of living standards went? That's not even touching on things like R&D or Education. It amazes me how naive some Americans are.
In terms of quality of life I'm going pretty well, as are most of the people I know. Regarding education, our colleges and universities are flooded with international students. Stop being such a Negative Nancy.
Considering some of my daily worries are what to make for dinner, not enough time to finish my sketch for class, if I didn't say anything stupid to my boyfriend last night, what to wear at the beach next weekend, if I'll be 15 minutes late for work because I want to sleep in for more than 15 minutes, I think we've got it pretty good here...
There are so many Chinese comments on here, claiming to be all different nationalities, brazilian etc, it's a complete joke. This isn't a global public square. It's who can get here first with their propaganda team and fill it with fake opinions and fake arguments. Europe is on our side. It's the US, Europe, probably India, ASEA against China. That's the world. Deal with it. The US is well liked, and China is universally hated.
It's people like you that are ruining this country with your arrogance and stupidity.
Thanks for apologizing for us. You must be a Democrat.
you couldn't be more right. I see such stupid comments constantly & unfortunately, people don't even realize how stupid they really sound.
By the way, where are all the iimmigrants from England, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and all the other countries over in Europe? When they start coming, then you can call America a leader again.
That's real adult thinking.
How's living in the past doing you? Noboyd wants what we have today. THough many want what we had that made this country great. But nobody wants what we turned it into.
We don't want what you have. Massive income desparity, rampant racism, political deadlock of two parties that would rather see the country implode than to co-operate, outrageous healthcare costs because of private insurance company profiteering, a profoundly broken education system, weak environmental policy, total control by corporate interests ahead of national interests, an economic system held hostage by high-finance gamblers who pocket the winnings and con the public purse into paying the losses, millions of homes foreclosed sitting empty and deteriorating while former buyers are homeless, ghettoized cities hollowed out where you have to be careful where you go because of racism, Christians who hate and who seek only money and personal profit, empty-headed celebrity brats like Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan, and Paris Hilton as the role models for your next generation, oversized military sucking the wealth of the nation and committing atrocities worldwide, and a total self-absorption that insulates you from realizing that America is not the best nation on earth. It is way down the list for every criteria of liveability. Even communist Cuba has you beat in several categories, including health and education (all free for citizens, and better results overall). We don't hate Americans individually, but your country is seriously messed up.
Our country is so messed up because you foreigners keep sending your poorest, dumbest citizens here to sneak in and we keep taking them. Our debt is so high because every time one of you sill weak nations has a problem, you come crying to us for help, then leave us with the bill.
Actually, as a big fan of America – what it should stand for and what it could be – I'm still sorry to say that @kevin has hit a lot of nails squarely on their heads. Too many Americans are wallowing in what once was and are blind – or indifferent – to what it is becoming....
Yea we are all those things and more. But, you know what (AH), its still the best country on this planet. I have been to many other countries while I was in that, how did you put it, oh yea "oversized military sucking the wealth of the nation and committing atrocities worldwide." And the one thing it proved to me, the US is the only place I ever want to live. Oh, and by the way, if it was not for us, you would be speaking German now!!!
According to most of you we are the worst country in the world. But for being the worst country in the world we sure have a lot of people flocking to our shores everday trying to get in to this horrible country.
Kevin, you nailed it.
Thanks for trying to inject some rationality into the conversation.
Looks like it will fall on mostly deaf ears, however.
Admitting to our problems is the first step in solving them.
Here in lies the problem: Punditry. You state just enough facts to get people’s attention, sound coherent, but if anyone is checking your facts they will see this just isn’t the whole story. Hyperbola is not truth, shocking and entertaining, yes, but not truth. Let’s take education for example: Where I teach we struggle to make progress as defined by “No Child Left Behind”. Many of our problems are the result of language. Immigrant students learning English are given two years to become equally proficient as their native speaking counterparts. This is absurd and casts an unfair light upon our immigrant student’s scores (only to be used by xenophobes as evidence of immigrant laziness). I could bore the web community with more examples of how scores are not reflective of effort nor ability, but it doesn’t read as well as the shock and awe. I just hope we all understand it is difficult to make accurate assessments of the current state of our world via punditry and the armchair-quarterbacks of the world.
Read my name to get the answer of why people try to get to the US. But, to those that hate imigrants don't worry people will stop coming soon enough.
Many of these things are, more or less, true. There a lot of specifics that aren't included to clarify each problem, but yes, this country has a LOT of issues. I for one, am not a huge supporter of America in how we operate or what our international objectives are, but I will say this: We have a lot of redeeming qualities(I won't list them because I hope most are intelligent enough to figure them out). These redeeming qualities, however, are overshadowed by a system that is rife with many conflicts included in Kevin's response to the troll who posted that nonsense at the top.
I couldn't have said it better myself. I am American and I do love a lot of aspects of this country, but having lived in other places and being more globally aware, I realize that we aren't the "best country" with the "most freedom" that we all have been brainwashed to believe. I grew up with the military where this brainwashing is even more rampant, and it's probably why I'm so against patriotism/nationalism today. From reading posts here, it seems it's not only a problem within military schools.
Americans are very hard workers, and we've made a lot of impact in this world in the past. But our accomplishments have gotten to our heads, and for a long time now - even before Obama - we've sunken. Our ego has inflated so much, that it has caused us to become reckless, secluded, and ignorant.
It's time to wake up America. We're not even in the top nine rankings of countries that are happiest (World Database of Happiness, and Forbe's list of happiest countries), that have the highest quality of living (The Economist's Quality of Life Index)... we aren't even in the top ten of the most democratic countries (EIU's Democracy Index).
Gee Kevin, I didn't realize the U.S. was the only country in the whole wide world that has any or all of those problems you mentioned. Yes, we have problems. We've always had problems and always will have problems. Often they are the same problems that keep cropping up generation after generation because none of us remembers what happened 100 or 200 years ago. They will get muddled through eventually as problems always do. The biggest target is always the easiest one to go after, and doom and gloom always make great headlines.
I don't want what we have either. I couldn't have outlined the issues we face better myself. Thank you.
We know what and where the problems are (DC, Corporate US, Wall St.) we just don't know how to solve them without strating an all out revolution. Unfortunately I think thats what it's going to take to fix things.
Everything you have said is absolutely correct I couldn't have said it better myself and that is coming from a natural born citizen. I am not even going to comment because there is not left to say you have said it best.
Well said.
and yet America IS the best country in the world, hands down decided.
Your assessment seems about right to me.
Go get em cowboy.
As an American I do care what the rest of the world thinks about us and I do care what we think about the rest of the world. We've had an advantage here in the U.S. for a long time to grow economically and militarily that other countries have not not had until now. These other countries are rising and some will even surpass us in certain areas. Countries like Brazil, China, India. I just wish Americans would stop putting down other countries or trying to force our will on them instead of learning to cooperate with them. But I suppose that won't happen until we wake up and see we're in third place instead of first.
Lee you are correct, but do you really think that will happen? We can't cooperate within our own country too busy labeling people Democrat, Republican, Black, White, Immigrant, Rich, Poor, Middle-Class, Famous or Nobody to actually see that there are certain people that wants to keep America Divided so they can continue to get rich.
whats lots of student loan debt? i dont think anyone wants to come take that.
People who take on loads of student debt do it of their own free will. While most people do have to take on some debt for college you can still get through without too much if you are willing to make sacrifices. I have seen way too many students mismanage their finances to feel sorry for them.
Lemmee guess...you vote Republican. Here's a tip brainiac: No one wants what we have. No one is out to crush our freedoms and liberties. The rest of the world is tired of the US interfering in THEIR affairs.
Right, brainiac, that's why so many people are escaping the US to Mexico, and trying to get to Haiti or Cuba on rafts, and that's why there are 12 million illegal aliens in the US – oops, wait...
For one standard of living is better in a lot of other countries. We don't even have real freedoms anymore here in the US. We haven't since the 1930's. It's a complete farce.
Standard of living, do you have a car? Do you know how much gas costs in Germany? Equivelent to $10.15 a gallon. Do you know how much a gallon of pasturized milk is in China, $12.45. Every time you start up new car to get relatively cheap groceries, remember that your actions would be near impossible for 95% of the world.
@Roger: Your points are somewhat correct, but they are irrelevant. You try to equate standard of living with costs? Why is your life tied so much to money? I pay a lot more for gas, rent, and food today than ever before, and yet my standard of living hasn't been much affected. Luckily, I've been born with a lot of privileges most other people didn't have, so the costs aren't so exorbitant that it affects the ability for me to do essentials.
In Germany, because of the high taxes, they have a lot better socialized programs. Great public transportation, great health care, better education. It's even better in places in Sweden and Norway, where the taxes are even higher. Why are they ranked higher in terms of quality of life then?
Tax does not equate to unhappiness.
Ah yes, those halcyon days of the 1930s and before. Jim Crow laws, child labor, a lack of opportunities for women, prohibition (which ended in '33) and the list goes on and on. What a great time!
Yes, depression era America saw a great boom in civil rights.....fail.
You're nuts – you have no idea what you are talking about. Right, the 1930s were great, except for the Great Depression and 25% unemployment.
Yes, they all want to live in a country which has no healthcare for its people, a country in which one illness can financially destroy you even if you have insurance. They all want to live in a country in which the price of an education is to put yourself into lifelong debt. They also want to live in a country which rewards those who show no loyalty by shipping jobs away and not paying any taxes. I think the thing that they are really jealous of what they really want is to live in a country which is perpetually at war.
RIGHT ON !!!!
Good one. Our biggest export must be guns and weapons of mass destruction. We are deemed to be the world's policeman and spend trillions on war materials while people go hungry, lose their homes, can't get an education because it's too costly. You really nailed it.
Yet, they keep coming and coming....those things must not mean much to them.
Get it?
it has nothing to do with freedom, or any other political propaganda thrown out there. Most immigrants come because at the moment the USA is were the money is at. Don't worry immigrants will stop coming soon enough
@ Hannah - Exactly!! If the US spent as much money and effort on helping people as it does on devising new and more efficient ways to kill people, the world would be a much better place for everyone.
Our massive debt, incompetent government, the world's largest prison population, and impending economic collapse? Nobody wants those things.
Not to mention our lack of any manufacturing, our dependence on China, our lack of education (specifically science and math, that the rest of the world completely kills us), our racist, xenophobe redneck population. our divisiveness...the list goes on and on anymore.
What, exactly, makes America the greatest nation anymore other than a group of people standing around shouting it at the top of their lungs trying to make it true?
If you say freedom, you are a complete ignoramus and I would hazard a guess you havent ventured much into the world beyond your la-z-boy.
@ Steve - Americans think America is the greatest because 1) they have been thoroughly and successfully brainwashed in school, and 2) because most Americans have never been outside the country and get all their "news" from Fox News. For a so-called "advanced" country, Americans are totally ignorant or shockingly misinformed.
I'm from Canada but live in the US because I'm married to an American. Let me tell you Americans something... you are not all that and a bag of chips, whether you think you are or not.
And neither is your dinky little country up north that flys the maple leaf. Last time i checked, waiting 2 or 3 weeks to have a surgery done in filthy government run hospitals plagued by c-dip outbreaks, isn't any better than the US. Or paying some of the highest tax rates in the world with 60% gobbled up by healthcare. Or having a province / country within a country (Quebec) that is constantly threatening to seceede. I live in Buffalo and travel often to OH Canada. You ain't all that either.
See, Chris here is a perfect example of the classic american ignoramus. He hasnt traveled or been anywhere but he is the greatest armchair travelogue you could possible find and he is knowledgeable in every country and how they operate and how all those people actually live, not just the hearsay and hyperbole that is spouted by the insane right-wing blathering on about how america is the greatest country in the world...all without a single fact or statistic to back him up. But then again for the GOP types, facts and reality are a bit too much to have to argue against, they prefer to just make it up as they go along and believe that, like religion, simply believing something makes it true....
There is nothing worse than a cheerleader who doesnt even know what she is cheering for...just a lot of wah wah, america is the greatest, how dare you think any different!! Raaaaaaaaah!!!
then dont come to canada u terd
btw, Chris, did you just allude to a part of their country that speaks of secession and rail against them for it?
Just asking because I would direct your minimal attention to Texas as your pride in that respect here in our nation...maybe South Dakota and Montana (home of the militia) as your shining example here in our country...I am sorry, what was your point about that again?
Thought so...
We are all that and a cruise missile.
Melissa, I guess you have a very unhappy marriage then....
Oh Brother. It's impossible to answer Chris's statement. It's so out of touch with reality. Canadians love their healthcare system. As for insulting Canada, it makes us laugh. We are always rated higher than the U.S. in health, living standards, quality of life, life expectancy and education. So laugh away.
"All that and a bag of chips"? Wow, time warp. Is that a new saying in Canada now?
@ Chris - Americans could learn a lot from the Canadians if they were so insufferably arrogant and full of themselves. Canada has some problems but nothing like what the US created for itself. Canada has much worth emulating.
when we cry terrorist or evil empire it is because the other guy has something we are looking at taking for a steep discount by yelling extremist or barbarian horde. In 3 thousand years of western history we haven't changed.
Should be easy enough. Just pretend you're an American billionaire & they'll hand it right over.
I am the world and I see America as a: Zzzirt
(you know when you are in the bathroom (you had lots of Beans for lunch))
Yes, this is the image of America to us, the world
Eat your heart out, Kirky-cakes.
Unfortunately our foreign policy is to take what other countries have or at least make them sell them to us. Thats why the world hates us. We have our hands in every corner of the world to serve ourselves. At least that is how they see it. I think we do a lot of good as a country but it is overshadowed by the few questionable actions like Iraq.
This is obviously a comment from someone who hasn't traveled much. There are MANY countries in the world with a higher standard of living. You don't have to take my word for it. Go see for yourself.
@Brazilian
1) America is not a continent, North America, South America is. When people say America they mean the U.S.A.
2) The plane was invented by The Wright Brothers.
3) Steam engined was made by an Englishman, Thomas Savery.
4) America has a history of up and down economic times and Industrialized third world countries will to when they stop using the next best thing to slave labor.
You need to go back to school!!! In the LATIN COUNTRIES we refer to AMERICA as the whole continent. Why do you think there are FIVE OLYMPIC RINGS?
love the opinions on who invented this and that because it truly shows the propaganda that has been fed to Americans.
First automobile can be argued if you are talking about little devices that Leonardo made or if you are talking about the first truly gasoline internal combustion engine one. If the later then it's Karl F. Benz of Germany. They were earlier steam driven ones...on that note the combustion engine was invented by a Swiss, Francois Isaac de Rivaz and the steam engine invented by an Englishman Thomas Savery and improved greatly by James Watt.
Who invented the light bulb? Now this one is a great story since Thomas Edison DID NOT invent the light bulb. There were many around the world who were working on light bulbs. The first light bulb was built in 1809 by Humphry Davy, another Englishman, however it was not practical. Many countires claim to have their own inventors of the light bulb.Here's Canada's claim.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/cool/002027-2003-e.html
The telephone. Ugh This one I have just accepted that it was invented by a Scotsman, living in Canada, who eventually got U.S. citizenship. The first phone call " come here Watson" etc happened in Canada. Bell lived in both Canada and the U.S. and the reason he didn't get Canadian citizenship was because British subjects didn't have to then since Canadian citizenship didn't exist, we were all British subjects. So Canada can claim Bell just as much as Scotland and the U.S.
Internet invented in the U.S. is correct, however the World Wide Web was invented by a Brit.
The U.S. has invented many,many great things and has a lot of good going for it etc. Peoples complaint around the world is the arrogance and ignorance that many, not all, but many in the U.S have. This is their downfall. They seem to want to take comfort that things are horrible outside their borders and that they have it the best. You don't. Not in education, health of it's citizens, life expectancy, livable cities and human rights. We can all learn from each other, the good and the bad.
Bush was a disaster. Trust me, the world hates the U.S. a lot less today because of Obama. Like it or not.
You are so funny, where did you get your education?....Not in the USA obviously!.....What "bull s-" you spout....You better go back and do a little more research!......because you are way off on just about everything!.....are you from Canada, obviously.....what other claim to fame do you have?...LOL...LOL....Lol....Best laugh I have had in days!!!!!!...When you come down off of what ever you are on, please do a litte more research.....This is so funny!....hope noone actually believes this bull!!!!
Wow! I had a head ache reading this after all the improper uses of the word "America"... please buy yourself a map and find me a country with that name. "America" is the name for the region/continent in which the United States forms a union in. If the US equals "America" then surely North America, Central America, South America, Latin America etc would all be regions of the United States but that's not the case is it? These describe regions of America or as you like to call it, the Americas haha, which sounds jst as rediculous as the Africas, the Europes, the Oceanias, and the Asias. With a little more education you might be more sensitive and knowledgeable of the proper use of this word. After all, the vast majority of the peoples in "the Americas" can straight up tell you their countries belong to a continent named America...just tell a Central American they belong to a North American continent, and see how much they'll laugh at you..I mean if Central America were part of North America wouldn't it then be called Southern North America??? Come on people!! The US of (belonging to) America not The U American S.
Regards,
An American in the continental sense.
and right HERE we identify the problem
THIS guy and his kind, yup YOU are whats wrong with the USA
BTW yes I'm a US citizen, former marine and my family has served this country since the revolution itself
JM i agree with you, but also I would like to add that the balance of economy you are referring to was basically a balance between rich European nations and the US. We are experiencing a new balance because as more nations weight gets heavier in the world Economy their micro economies will have to be added to the equation thus creating a new balance. What we face now is the inability of certain nations to adjust to the change, which as you say is happening really quick. Instead nations try to maintain an economic system that no longer supports the flow of new newcomers by trowing more money at it because of lack of ideas. We might as well sit tight and enjoy the ride
America is a great country, with great people – but there are exceptions like you.
johnh77, nothing i return? What a JOKE, let me see here why do you think we went to IRAQ? why do you think our governments always support right wing dictators (Somoza, Batista, the Shah of Iran, Pinochet, and many others) you think we do this out of the goodness of our governments. What kind of drugs do you take, bacause you are certainly hallucinating my friend.
My, my, how intelligent.
and what exactly does america have that other countries want? i cant really think of anything to be honest with you.
but i can tell you what the rest of the world thinks of all of you yanks. We laugh at you and we pity you. because in america the most important things are money and taking penis enlargement and ED pills. do you honestly think people in the eu care about any of that?
america should really just try to be more cultured.
eff your mother.
25 million people in usa suffer from depression, that tells you how great your country is.
"Eff the rest of the world"? Then who would you get to bow down before you, you arrogant sh&%
This whole discussion is a perfect example of why the rest of the world think America is arrogant, self-obsessed, and zenophobic.
That was not very polite Pugsley.If you stay in your room I'll see to it that you get three giant pizzas, four liters of Pepsi and a two pound bag of M&Ms.
People in US are nice and beautiful.Only a few redneck around.Unfortunate it's the government they voted in are run by the lowest and unethical class in your society. They misused the power of the US around the world.
About 50 years ago, America was a decent place to be. Today, I must say that AMerica has become like a third world country like Brfazil, Venezuela, Indonesia, etc. I am ready to give my passport and return to my Switzerland. Adecent place with decent people where character of a person still counts and honesty is still a tradition.
The rest of the wortld is just jealous as usual. We have the biggest homes, biggest cars, and the most acres. We got big pools, big flat screens and we eat like kings. Too bad. Enjoy your social utopia and 3rd world accomodations. Its not my fault they we have wealth and the rest of the world is chasing down their dinner trying to hit it over the head with one of their sandals. HAHA!
Congratulations! You're another successfully brainwashed American who has never been out of the country!
Sir, I am so sure that you belong to the 99% and really I don't want to take that away from you. You can keep it.
Amen – come and get it – if you think you can.
This is why people in the world hate americans...America great country too bad for all the Americans living there
Drone attacks protect American Soil. I am back everything the President does or says. He is one of the best Presidents in history. He is protecting us from what the president before him couldn't. This President deserves more credit then he gets and it kills me that he doesn't. I just hope race is not playing a factor in why he is not.
The sad part is that you think you actually think you have something....... but reality is, you have nothing. You are not free, you are "oil dependent". if there is no oil, you can't go to work, you can't go to the supermarket and feed your kids like the rest of the world can because they happen to have a thing called "sidewalk" and everything is near. You live in constant fear of muslims, mexicans, chinese, and everybody else. When you come to the US you can smell the paranoia, the only place where they do body scans, they treat tourists like criminals also. If you are so happy and free why do you consume 70% of all the illegal drugs in the world? you are fueling a drug war in Mexico and the Canadians when you run into them abroad they carry their flag in sewn in their backpacks so they won't be identified as Americans, I wonder why. I'm pretty sure is not because you are liked all over the world. Everywhere I have been they identify Americans as ignorants, and they proudly are, in particular during the Bush era, the opinion of the entire world, including that of your ally Great Britain was completely negative.
Amen brother!
This was in Reply to NOTFOR YOU – I don't know how it got posted here. I'm an American and this is America. If other inhabitants of this continent don't like it, too bad, so sad, we made it so with the greatest nation on the face of the earth. We bled, sweat and toiled for it and we won't give it up. So NOTFOR YOU is right, you want it come and try to take it,.
I knew the first response to this article would be along this vein. The predictable braying of the a$$es never disappoints.
YOU NEED TO WAKE UP AND SMELL YOUR DIRTY PANTIES BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES IS NOT WHAT IT WAS YEARS AGO!!
Today we have become the most hated nation in the world thanks to George H.W. Bush, his son George W.Bush and Barak Obama with these obscene wars of theirs! George H.W. Bush once promised a "kinder, gentler America" but delivered the exact opposite!!! We need to get out of these wars and let these countries solve their own problems.
You are wrong. The countries (as this poll shows) that hate us are Muslim countries and they hate Israel a lot more than they hate us. The U.S. is by in larger the worlds largest aid giver.
Lol....watch Fox News much? I've got news for you bub, there are far more countries that hate the US than like us. And you honestly think it's only Muslim nations? That's just sad that you don't have enough understanding to see that's completely false.
There's more than just the Muslim that don't like USA, trust me on that one, just about every country in the world does. The problem with the American is the Military thinking, you guys can't think about anything else but wars, guns and blowing people brains out. You people suffer from the biggest superiority complex i ever seen. You are born and raise into thinking that you are the greatest and most powerful country in the world, you give your life away for the so called patriotism which is the most stupid brain washing techniques the Government have found to control you. I have to stop here, because you really don't want to know what others are thinking about USA, it is far worst than what i just described here.
That's what the article is about! everyone will pick what he likes and neglect rest. You for example. Yes, US is the largest donor in absolute terms; but when it comes to % of GDP, it is in 9th position, with Norway leading. So everything is relative!
http://filipspagnoli.wordpress.com/stats-on-human-rights/statistics-on-poverty/statistics-on-international-development-aid/
...maybe not hate, but certainly laugh about and kind of shrug their shoulders about the fake patriotic displays you see every hour, day, week, etc. at sporting events and the like, just like the fake religiousness americans like to trott out with their 500+ religions. Just writing this, I've got to laugh, and I haven't even mentioned the economy, politics, education and racism, etc. etc. etc. Yeah.... America sure is no. 1, question is what?
@ Walkingfan. Thanks for the comment, so true
Yea, tell that to every country we aid, tell that to every muslim who now lives in freedom, tell that to our Allies...You would of rathered let Afgan and Iraq suffer under the Taliban and Saddam? You are a confused individual who has a narrow world view...and not a clue...Oh if we are so hated, how come just about everyone in the world would do just about anything to come here and or be just like us...There is a rock with your name to crawl under
Man, you are drinking the kool-aid too. I know we don't get world news much here in the US, but in general, the US is despised by many many many people, even if their government keeps cordial ties with us.
@john
Yes I would have let those people suffer under those regimes. People have to want the freedom so bad, they are willing to fight for it themselves. THey didn't want it bad enough, becuase they have basicially return to a theocracy. Sure those regimes were brutal, but you can't make people want something they don't want to fight for on their own.
Yet another brainwashed american patriot that refuses to see his country for what it has become...an ignorant cesspool of divisiveness and racism...valuing nothing but money and power, and giving no thought to infrastructure, education, or its citizens in the least.
which "WAR" did Obama start again?
um... yemen, proxy war in central africa, drone war in pakistan, libya, syria, egypt, tunsia.
clinton did his fair share to add to the mess.
Patrick: Insane wars of ours??? On 9/11/2011 Muslim extremists operating out of Afghanistan attacked New York City, Washington, D.C. and tried to attack a third location. The U.S. responded by sending forces to Afghanistan. I would hesitate to call the U.S. response an "insane war of ours". The invasion of Iraq was unnecessary and unwise, but even so - deposing a dictator and mass murderer was not without some justification. And the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq thereafter was largely to suppress a brewing Sunni-Shiite conflict that threatened to become civil war. Again, probably an unwise U.S. decision, but a far cry from an "insane war of ours". Or perhaps you were referring to the Obama drone campaign in Pakistan as "an insane war of ours". The drone campaign that has killed hundreds of terrorists and was accompanied by the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Perhaps that's what you consider an "insane war of ours"?
Yep, insane war...
Did you see the article on the massive bombings in Iraq today or yesterday? Did you see the article about the power grab by the Taliban in Afghanistan and their attack on girls in schools?
Did you see any indication that the sacrifice of thousands of our men and women in those countries by the profiteering warmongers at the top had any influence whatsoever on the development of governance of these countries...no?
Surprise!
Envy – the green-eyed monster. That is why we are hated.
I'm sorry but the rest of the world hates everyone around them, we're jut a big shiny target. We're in the news a lot, and a lot of culture comes from us, so we're the poster boy for nationalistic rage.
Thank you for saying in two sentences what summarizes all of the other rhetoric (good and bad) on this board.
* a lot of POP culture comes from the US, rarely is it something significant
Couldn't have said it better myself
You said it right with the exception of the cultures. You have adopted other cultures because of the mixed races you have in your country, sorry to say this but you have not spread your culture anywhere else around.
American culture has been spread many place around the globe. Just wish it wasn't fast food that we spread around; hate seeing McDonalds in other countries. Like we aren't satisfied making just our own people fat and unhealthy?
Our foriegn policy should not be aimed at making the rest of the world like us but insted should be developed to keep the USA strong. There are and will always be countries who don't like having a strong USA and they are not our friends so who cares what they think. No president (Mr. Obama) should placate our enemies. On the other hand we aren't the world police force (regardless of what the UN thinks) and we should cease getting involved in every conflict in the world. We have no business getting involved in Syria – let the Arabs deal with their own!
Why is it that candidates want to either be complete weaklings to the outside world OR they want to be the world police force. There's a LOT of room in between the two positions.
Because our society is polarized between two extreme parties that don't represent the moderate views of most people.
...so if most people have moderate views..how come we have such polarization? Our government is a direct reflection of us, after all who voted them in?
The rest of the world must view America as pushy, controlling, bad leadershio, and war nhungry.
Really?
Any foreigner will tell you the hate for America increased tenfold because of Bush.
Not accoding to this poll. However I am open to changing my opinion if you have evidence of your own. Posted with the source of course.
I know many foreigners. And they do say "aprt" of what you say. But they don't mention ANY individual.
just look at this article for proof that Bush destroyed America's reputation in the world. Although numbers have fallen within Obama's mandate, all numbers are higher than when Bush was in office. The world was ready to embrace America in their time of need (after 9/11) and instead were slapped in the face, hurled insults and told that whoever didn't blindly follow America into Iraq, were no friends of America. Sometimes outrightly told that we were enemies. The international community was tripping over themselves to welcome Obama, why do you think he was awarded a Nobel prize? Not on actions but on promises of a brighter day. Bush/Cheney are despised in the international community, the republicans ruined America's reputation in the world. To many they are still seen as fundamentalist, extremist, war mongering, untrustworthy, arrogant and ignorant.
Slapped in the face, thrown insults, and said you were enemies if you didn't follow us into Iraq???? PLEASE...provide links, news headlines, etc. proving this. crickets chirping.......chirping......chirping......Nice that you can hide behind your computer like the coward you are, pants or skirt around your ankles in mommies basemant, while making up whatever you want to believe.
Chris, are you for real?
Bush said to the world (referring to the wars): "If your not with us you against us." He referred to the european countries that did not blindly follow us into Iraq as "Old Europe." Bush was antagonistic bozo who brought world opinion against us to historic lows. I know a lot of foreigners too and did extensive traveling during those years and their was a distinct coldness toward us. Face it. The world hated Bush and celebrated Obama and conservatives cannot stand this fact.
I completely agree. There is no hiding the fact that while Buish is an amiable fellow his IQ is not enough for a president. The most powerful country on earth couldn't find anyone smarter to respresent them? The rest of the world was laughing at the US. And Bush lack of brains turned out to be a fatal flaw as he was easily manipulated into two wars and overspending . Like it or not, the president represents your country and whatever his faults/ political ambitions are there is one overriding requirement – he must be very smart in order to be good at diplomacy, presenting your country and protecting its interests.
Make sure you ask them the question in their home country. If you ask them that question here in the states they'll tell you how bad it is but you can rest asure that they will not leave.
@latuya
I am a 23 year old living in Chicago, IL, USA. I can't stand the country we have become due to capitalist greed and pure national apathy for our fellow man. I saw an article that the U.S is the most class divided country in the western fold. I cannot afford food for the whole month and have to go to food pantries because i don't earn enough to pay for food, bills, and rent. I had to drop out of school because my debt is too high and because I missed a semester of school due to lack of funds, the banks are calling in their debt. I have asthema and cant afford my medicine so I have to use expired inhalers from friends just to stay alive. I have been in and out of the Emergency Room because I can't afford my medicine which just racks up more bills. I work 30hrs a week and a spend good 24 hrs a week on public transportation just to get to and from work because I can't even dream of affording a car, or even a bicycle for that matter. I usually earn far less than minimum wage because my job is commission based so I only get paid if I make a sale. The only reason I have this job is because I've been looking for 3 years with no luck and finally settled for telemarketing so I can make ANY type of income at all. My parents cannot assist me financially because they lost their house during the market crash and my father lost his job; they're living on unemployment benefits and a link card. The only reason I can afford my apartment is because I live with my girlfriend who has to work two jobs, both minimum wage. You say that if we despise the country we live in, why don't we leave? HOW CAN I AFFORD TO LEAVE IF I CAN'T EVEN AFFORD FOOD? Am I to walk to Canada and be deported back? Or am I to walk to Mexico and be sucked into the Cartel war? I don't have a choice but to live in "the land of the free..."
I was born here, I will probably die here, writhed in poverty...
That is true and i will include their arrogance and lack of intelligence when it comes to kill thousands of innocent children in other countries just because they're not American. Not any better than the Muslim, if you're not a Muslim then you should die, and on the other side if you not an American you should die as well. Go figure.
Brandon: You wrote that any foreigner will say that hate for America has increased tenfold because of George Bush. I'm American. My wife, who is a foreigner, will most certainly not say that "hate for America increased tenfold because of George Bush". She would tell you that she, like most South Koreans, long for an American president whom they can rely on and respect.
..I don't think we were hated more because of Bush, we were just laughed at more – he truly contributed to the impression that americans are truly ignorant & stupid
While I agree that Bush Jr added to a mostly worldview questioning the intelligence (or lack thereof) of Americans in general, this Canadian believes that is is the extremists on both sides of your political spectrum that diminish the American people in general. Their voices carry over the moderate and intelligent majority of your country – which unfortunately is no different in many other countries. Part of my being a proud Canadian is to recognize the tremendous attributes of countries all over the world – the strengths of the global community serve to strengthen my country. There is a distinct difference in being proud, and coming across as being proudful – and that may be what the rest of the world is only seeing. I believe in the intelligence and honor that many. many Americans have, and fervently hope they choose to have their voices heard over the ignorant fringe. You have much to be proud of. just temper it with the humbleness that should accompany greatness. You, as we all, are part of a global community, and that reality should be reflected in how we communicate with each other.
Also the fact that Bush was elected for a second term !!
They love us as long as we continue to give them foreign aid even though we are broke like they are.
If we don't like you, we invade you! We have lots of money and military, so we must be right, right?
But I'm guessing you live in the US for a reason, so you can bit the hand that feeds you...which makes you a coward.
How did Hitler view Churchill? Incorrectly.
Hitler was in awe of the British Empire and wanted to create "our own India" in Eastern Europe. He hoped the GB would also join them in an alliance against the Soviets.
With every political comment, always ask yourself, "compared to what?" to put perspective on it. The Republicans want you to believe that the US is doing horrible (to spite Obama), but the fact it, during these troubled times, we are doing better than most of the world.
Also, How do Americans view America today?
We Americans love our country but hate the fact that our elected representatives never fulfill the promises that got them elected in the first place. This goes for both parties.
Simple, stop voting and stop putting your money in the Military Complex. And please stop this stupid Patriotism ideology.
as the turdstain called israel's lapdog....what a joke
AIPAC/Israel=9/11
haha learn how to use your iPhone, weak...
thay look at it us the turdstain called israel's lapdog....what a joke
AIPAC/Israel=9/11
they..
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), headquartered in Washington, is perhaps the best-known and most controversial Muslim organization in North America. CAIR presents itself as an advocate for Muslims' civil rights and the spokesman for American Muslims. "We are similar to a Muslim NAACP," says its communications director, Ibrahim Hooper.Its official mission—"to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding"[2]—suggests nothing problematic.
Starting with a single office in 1994, CAIR now claims thirty-one affiliates, including a branch in Canada, with more steadily being added. In addition to its grand national headquarters in Washington, it has impressive offices in other cities; the New York office, for example, is housed in the 19-story Interchurch Center located on Manhattan's Riverside Drive.
But there is another side to CAIR that has alarmed many people in positions to know. The Department of Homeland Security refuses to deal with it. Senator Charles Schumer (Democrat, New York) describes it as an organization "which we know has ties to terrorism."Senator Dick Durbin (Democrat, Illinois) observes that CAIR is "unusual in its extreme rhetoric and its associations with groups that are suspect."Steven Pomerantz, the FBI's former chief of counterterrorism, notes that "CAIR, its leaders, and its activities effectively give aid to international terrorist groups."[5] The family of John P. O'Neill, Sr., the former FBI counterterrorism chief who perished at the World Trade Center, named CAIR in a lawsuit as having "been part of the criminal conspiracy of radical Islamic terrorism"[6] responsible for the September 11 atrocities. Counterterrorism expert Steven Emerson calls it "a radical fundamentalist front group for Hamas."
http://www.meforum.org/916/cair-islamists-fooling-the-establishment
This article is pitting apples against oranges. Comparing Bush's last year in office to Obama's 3rd year in office is ridiculous. Compare the same time periods if you want to be relevant. Otherwise one is just cherry-picking years to make a political statement.
Romney "charged", Obama "asserted", yeah no left wing bias here, I knew after the first paragraph this was an unpaid Obama campaign ad. I'm so sick of sycophantic journalists.
in my opinion, look how great the world is doing, we got war, hate, terrorism, economic crisis, and the environment is being destroyed... maybe our "control" should be fading.
MITT WILL SAY AND DO ANYTHING TO BE PRESIDENT
Just like the rest of the clowns do...
What? Like Obama doesn't? LOL
I used to be angry at the American government when Bush was in, mainly because he was so insensitive and dumb when he spoke. We all thought Obama was gonna b revoloutionary but now we know that was a dream, but honestly America is better internationally with Obama because he shows respect for other countries/religeons etc.
I mean, I don't hate America anymore. I guess because Im a leftist but also I learned that although I dont agree with America on everything, I love too much of their culture to pretend that I dont secretly love America too
America is the best.
Bush/Obama...I don't care. All I want is a president who does what is in the best interest of our country and not worry about polls of what the othr countries think.
We need to realize that compared to other countries in the world, The United States is still a baby. It's only been 150 years since we had our civil unrest. It's only been 50 years since segregation ended. The U.K and many other northern European countries were way ahead of us with their civil order. We should be proud of how far we have come, pay tribute to the people who fought and died for our country's freedoms and accept that we are but a mere baby compared to others nations. Until we can settle all of these social issues in this country then we should foresee more problems to arise. This country began with the people and should always be about the people. Until we show equality for all we can and will continue to see discord filter into other aspects of politics. Equality builds bridges and stimulates everyone, including the economy.
Reblogged this on Hình Chí Mô.
I wish we'd cut ourselves off from the rest of the world, no more aid, no more wars....then see how they like us when they can't come to us with their hands out. Regardless, I'd still rather live in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world.
Majority of your so-called "aid" is weapons. You can keep it.
go travel a little...maybe that'll open you mind, although, I don't think so. Americans unfortunately have never been taught to think for themselves.
Right on !!!!
Sure. Pull back. then the rest of the world will demand repayment of the US debt to them. That would do worse than cripple the US. You really want that?
Don't care what the world thinks, all I know is that many many and many more want to be here to enjoy our base foundation – FREEDOM, my thought is this, if countries don't like AMERICA, their people may actually stay in their own country and leave ours alone.
I can understand why we are losing some respect around the world.It is the same feeling a woman who has been lucky enough to know who her baby's father is and them finds the bank is busted and no more money to pay for mistakes the taxpayers were never responsible for before.Our elected, liberal politicians are responsible for the mess we are in and you can bet on Obama's crowd to go back in and continue the giveaway for another 4 years.
There is so much of this that is relative. If you live in the US and go visit anywhere else, you are likely to think, wow the food here sucks or it's less comfortable or everything is overpriced relative to what you are used to in the U.S. but that's what you are used to. If born and raised in a non-U.S. location, you probably come to the U.S. and think.....this place is overrated and the people are spoiled, fat, and rude. Both perspectives are technically true. I do think China is the new global economic leader but what does that mean? I mean really, they haven't really progressed globally in terms of non-economic matters (ecology, benefits and health of their residents). Sure the U.S. could stop and go back into the sweatshop mentality and treat their people bad, create tons of pollution, manufacture everything, and get back on top of being the world's economic leader but we don't want that.
As an foreigner in US i have to say the opposite – I fell in love with the food, thought people wqere nicer than i expected and prices were AMAZING! I wish I could get a green card!
Once you get past how acessible food and consumer goods are in the US, you'll start seeing the real America- the land of the sheep who can not think for themselves, like in the WALL-E.
To ES, man you said it right. I couldn't have said it any better myself.
Another brilliant article by CNN..."is America in decline, it is in the eye of the beholder." Sensational journalism...anything to make a dollar.
No you're wrong, it's about time CNN do something right. Here is the chance to an open free to post people opinion about USA. Usually CNN don't do this, about time they wake up.
Fareed Zakaria is an American by naturalization. He was not born in this country. He is for further immigration to this country. I am against immigration to this country! We have had enough. We have lost our middle class.....we have immigrants coming here who are willing to work for less than a "born here" American. Our retail outlets and many corporate jobs are being taken over by NATURALIZED Americans! It is time to STOP! Close the gates! We have had enough. STOP outsourcing jobs and lets have AMERICAN MADE products made by AMERICANS! We need to GO BACK in time! Our Founding Fathers would NOT be happy with our present situation!
To Ed, aren't your Founding Fathers the ones who went to Africa and broke many families by taking away from their wives and children all black males who were living peacefully and then brought them to USA and made them slaves? And you want to go back to your Founding Fathers ways?
Ed, when exactly did your family arrive on these shores? In case you forgot, we are a nation of immigrants. Did your ancestors spring from the soil or did they come here from another country? I can trace my family history in America back to the 1600s. If yours arrived after that I suggest you leave because I was here first and don't want you around.
Ed, your Founding Fathers were naturalized citizens. They were originally from England so they were not Americans either. Unless you are an American Indian, then everyone in this country is a "naturalized citizen". Please stop trying to simplify things by saying immigrants are to blame for all the problems.
Us Americans are all mutts, except for the American Indians.
TOM the Piper, that poll didn't ask Canadians. and we can't stand Americans and your radical policies. Patrick is 110% correct. I understand how you couldn't believe it cuz the States is your home, and everyone has pride in there nation. but if Canada was anything like the United States, I would be disgusted to live here.
Adam L, wake up and realize that Harperland is where you (and I) live. Canada is disappearing.
Adam, you are absolutely right, Canadians are sick and tired of Americans, no one in Canada wants or envy their way of life. And no one in Canada wants to become the next USA.
Isn't Canada under the protection of the US military.. not that it matters because nobody gives a crap about Canada.
Are you out of your mind, Canada was not and still not under the protection of the US Military. See, this is the problem with you Americans, you think the world belongs to you. Come back to earth you're still floating somewhere in space.
It would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for the USA to regain its former ranking in the world..........is that not right Fareed?
Guess what when you are number one people will hate on you, is the nature of the beast. But the world better thank the US for being the leading country in the world. Imagine if China or Russia were the world leaders, a lot of people would be suffering today.
Very true, but we're not to far from being in the same position with USA at this point in time. The more the USA goes the more it start to look like Russia and China.
6bq5, we got the point throughout your posts. For whatever reasons that we don't care to know, you hate America and you think it's the worst place on earth. Great. Now, do humanity a favor and go back to whatever rathole of a country you are coming from and continue your miserable life.
The difference in us and China, who is kicking our rear end, is the definition, too old or too sick ,to work, We have millions on disability moonlighting and not paying a dime of taxes, and listed as disabled.Not one,I say no one should be a non tax paying citizen if they can get up and walk.We can bad mouth the rich because they make an easy target but the small man outnumbers millionaires many times over.We have become a nation that shifts blame,one of the things freedom of speech has done.
The people of this world have surely ruined it. I am glad I have secruity in God and I will be in Heaven some day rejoycing in peace.
You have to remember, the only thing never to listen to is someone from Washington telling you" I have come here to help you".They might make you feel good but, somewhere down the line, 10 more people will not feel good after you perk up.Might be the next adminstration but someone has to pay for any comfort you received.
With 72 virgins to keep you company?
Is this all you American can say, 72 virgin or pouring acid on their wives? Every darn post you guys are making its like a broken record, i this all you guys can say? What about the killing of thousands of children in Vietnam, and Iraq and all over the world, do you really think it's better than having 72 virgins?
The following are only some of the verses in the Qur'an that can and have been used in the history of Islam in support of violence in the name of God and the glories of martyrdom in a holy war.
2:190-193 "Fight in the cause of God those who fight you ... And slay them wherever ye catch them ... And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression and there prevail justice and faith in God ..."
2:216 "Fighting is prescribed for you and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But God knoweth and ye know not."
2:224 "Then fight in the cause of God and know that God heareth and knoweth all things."
3:157-158 "And if ye are slain or die in the way of God, forgiveness and mercy from God are far better than all they could amass. And if ye die, or are slain, Lo! It is unto God that ye are brought together."
3:169 "Think not of those who are slain in God's way as dead. Nay, they live finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord."
3:195 "... Those who have ... fought or been slain, verily I will blot out from them their iniquities and admit them into Gardens with rivers flowing beneath; a reward from the presence of God ..."
4:101 "... For the Unbelievers are unto you open enemies."
4:74, 75 "Let those fight in the cause of God who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter. To him who fighteth in the cause of God whether he is slain or gets victory, soon shall we give him a reward of great (value). Those who believe fight in the cause of God and those who reject faith fight in the cause of evil, so fight ye against the friends of Satan, feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan."
4:89 "They but wish that ye should reject faith as they do, and thus be on the same footing as they. But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of God. But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them…"
4:95 "Not equal are those believers who sit at (at home) and receive no hurt and those who strive and fight in the cause of God with their goods and their persons. God hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than those who sit (at home).
5:36 "The punishment of those who wage war against God and His apostle and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land. That is their disgrace in this world and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter."
5:54 "O ye who believe. Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors. They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily God guideth not a people unjust."
8:12-17 "Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you. Give firmness to the believers. I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers. Smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger tips off them. This because they contend against God and his apostle. If any contend against God and his apostle, God is strict in punishment ... O ye who believe. When ye meet the unbelievers in hostile array, never turn your backs to them. If any do turn his back to them on such a day, unless it be a stratagem of war ... he draws on himself the wrath of God and his abode is Hell, an evil refuge (indeed)."
8:59-60 "Let not the unbelievers think that they can get the better (of the godly). They will never frustrate (them). Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies of God and your enemies and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom God doth know ..."
8:65 "O apostle! Rouse the believers to the fight. If there are twenty amongst you, patient and persevering, they will vanquish two hundred. If a hundred they will vanquish a thousand of the unbelievers, for these are a people without understanding."
9:5 "... fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war) ..."
9:14 "Fight them, and God will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame ..."
9:29 "Fight those who believe not in God nor the Last Day nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by God and his apostle nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth (even if they are) of the people of the Book, until they pay the Jizya [religious tax] with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."
47:4 "Therefore, when ye meet the unbelievers, smite at their necks, at length when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them) ... but if it had been God's will, he could certainly have exacted retribution from them (himself), but (he lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the way of God, he will never let their deeds be lost."
61:4 "Truly God loves those who fight in His cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure."
Hey checedu, just how much of an ignorant fool are you? You can't rip passages and quote them out of context. I hate people like you, who propogate hatred and islamaphobia. Shame on you.
Who we are:
We are ex-Muslims. Some of us were born and raised in Islam and some of us had converted to Islam at some moment in our lives. We were taught never to question the truth of Islam and to believe in Allah and his messenger with blind faith. We were told that Allah would forgive all sins but the sin of disbelief (Quran 4:48 and 4:116). But we committed the ultimate sin of thinking and questioned the belief that was imposed on us and we came to realize that far from being a religion of truth, Islam is a hoax, it is hallucination of a sick mind and nothing but lies and deceits.
Some of us have embraced other religions but most of us have simply left Islam without believing in any other religion. We believe in humanity. We believe that humans do not need to follow a religion to be good. All we need to follow is the Golden Rule. All we have to do is to treat others the way we expect to be treated. This is the essence of all the goodness. All good religious teachings stem from this eternal principle. This is the ultimate guidance humanity need. This is the Golden Rule.
Muhammad produced no miracles and when pressed he claimed that his miracle is the Quran. Yet a cursory look at the Quran reveals that this book is full of errors. Quran is replete with scientific heresies, historic blunders, mathematical mistakes, logical absurdities, grammatical errors and ethical fallacies. It is badly compiled and it contradicts itself. There is nothing intelligent in this book let alone miraculous. Muhammad challenged people to produce a “Surah like it” or find an error therein, yet Muslims would kill anyone who dares to criticize it. In such a climate of hypocrisy and violence truth is the first casualty.
We are apostates of Islam. We denounce Islam as a false doctrine of hate and terror. However we are not against Muslims who are our own kin and relatives. We do not advocate hate and violence. Muslims are the main victims of Islam. Our goal is to educate them and let them see the truth. We are against Islam and not the Muslims. We strive to bring the Muslims into the fold of humanity. Eradicate Islam so our people can be liberated, so they can prosper and break away from the pillory of Islam. We would like to see Islamic countries dedicate more time to science and less time to Quran and Sharia. We would like to see them prosper and contribute to human civilization. We would like to see the draconian laws of Islam eliminated and people are treated humanely. We strive for freedom of beliefs, for equality of gender and for oneness of humankind.
Bush was the goose that flew into the engine.
Obama landed the plane in the Hudson.
"ratings are decidedly negative in four of the six predominantly Muslim countries polled"
Wait... there are TWO predominantly Muslim countries that still like us?
Yes.. the Saudis love us. We buy all their oil and gave them slack for 9/11. What more could you ask for?
Don't ever believe anyone in the Middle East loves you or your religion.
No matter how "popular" – immigrants, like Zakaria, continue to flood into this nation under its permissive immigration rules. When given a choice between his native India and America, Zakaria chose America – that is the best indicator of how "popular" the U.S. is abroad. No nation offers a better deal and no nation is willing to pay such a great price.
There is very little difference in political parties.We lose track of what is done in our Congress because most of it comes into affect after the party leaves office.Tracking wild game by what they drop on the ground was learned early by man but seems to have been totally forgotten now.
I as a Canadian am Proud to stand withl the United States of America our Ally and good friend. Our Nations have fought together to free the same nations. Our sons have spilled their blood over the same earth side by side to aid those in need. Few nations have done so much and asked for so little in return.
Our countries do not always agree on everything, but I am thankful to have the US as our neighbor. Despite their flaws of which may be numerous, there are few others nations as noble and dedicated to correcting and improving themselves and the situation of others, as the United States of America.
Thank you. And remember you have friends who still remember. Lest we Forget.
Most of us who know a grain of history and have lived a lot of it agree with you.We need to remain friends and keep part of the world sane. Unless you are willing to read you will never know the part both nations played in war that mattered.
are you out of your mind? better go take your Seroquel, weirdo
Scott, a real friend should also be able to say the hard truth. The USA is without question a great nation and I'm sure most Americans love their country. But, it is far from perfect and saying so does not mean we don't like them. Canada is the USA's greatest friend and ally but most Americans would not know this and what's more, they could care less. And it does not bother me in the least!
Scott you must be an American, don't try to make me believing you're a Canadian, because if you are you then must be a lost one.
I am a Canadian who respects and appreciates having such a wonderful neighbour as the United States of America. Our culture is almost identical.
Thank you for having protected us and fought with us over the years.
Good friends and good neighbours.
Saying the United States is better then Russia or China is like saying it's better to have Herpes than aids or HIV, (which is true) But what I like about China is they really dont try hard to lie about what they are. there is no false image about China ( we all see they're oppression) But America has tricked Americans to think they're still free. Most Americans think "terrorists" were solely behind 9/11. I wish My Government could arrest your officials for murdering Canadians on that day.
Wait till they have a gun at your back or billett you in one of their prisons where talk does not exit.
Sorry to say our country is, by far, the second most hated. The first most is Israel. Hmmm, any connection?
Israel sunk one of our ships,we shot down an unarmed Iranian airliner full of people.We killed the original american citizens by the hundreds with blankets infected by smallpox.No one in the world is squeaky clean,especially the churches who helped with the destruction of whole nations.
By whom – Muslims?
Muslims, as exemplified in this blog hate everyone and anyone who is somewhat different then other tent dwellers.
Why should we care what you think?
Who cares.
This chest thumpin', USA #1, Greatest Nation mantra is a throwback to mid-20th century idealism.
Grow up America, the U.S. is a great place but not THE greatest place.
Lets name one that is better.
Any country out there is close if not any better than US. Unless of course you still think your Government are filled with honest people and all they wants is to give you goods, and have your best interest in mind.
You missed the pont jorge.
Well, we certainly hit rock bottom under the Red Neck Right (2001 – 2008) but we seem to be recovering now under Obama.
Scott- Clearly we are not full allies, for an Ally follows through thick and thin. We are not always there for the states, Ie: the Invasion of Iraq. We didnt' go scott, because that was an illegal war. there was absolutely "ZERO" reason to invade Iraq. however it did make Haliburton and Bush lot's of cash and ruined America's economy. The only reason America and Canada are so close is because We dont have a great vast military (they do) and they help us because we are like America's big open front door to russia and china and any northern invasion. We're allies cuz we have no other choice.
bush made it OK to harm a US Citizen, b4 his idiocy it was taboo to harm a captive US citizen, now it is the norm. thanks wmd bush. mission accomplished.
It was tried, one time to make slaves of us.We need to remember, a country of what was our peers and brothers, intended to make us slaves of their country after this country was settled and making its own way,barely. We should remember the contributions the native Americans made to this country trying to keep what they recognized as another theft of their land,
Unless we foresake Israel, allow Islamists roam free, build mosques on every corner, allow women wear pinjabs on driver's licenses, and buy oil for $200 per barrel, muslim countries will still hate us because we are not muslims.
Ignorance is an ugly stain both here in the US and worldwide. Many Americans are ignorant to the plight of the rest of the world, and much of the rest of the world simply can’t appreciate the position currently occupied by the United States because we’ve held it for so long.
When you're world number one (economically, militarily, and through soft-power) the rest of the world starts to depend on you whether they know it or not. In time they start to take the good you do for granted and point out your mistakes with ever-increasing fervor, even though it is almost impossible to make a mistake that hurts you alone given the aforementioned dependency. The international spotlight shines the brightest on you, giving your critics the ability to hurl insults from the safety of the shadows knowing full well that it would be a sad day if their own affairs ever received such attention.
The point is this world would be a much different place without a dominant US presence. I’m not arrogant enough to say the world could not exist without this presence, only that the world order would look much different and not necessarily better. Given the lack of military & economic transparency by much of the “rising” world (Russia & China especially) living in a world that doesn’t have a US counter balance is something that certainly gives me pause. Just something to think about for the “the US has had its time and is on its way out” crowd.
"America’s stature in the world soared in Europe after Obama’s election, but it ultimately proved unsustainable." Yet: "In 2008, under President George W. Bush, 31% of Germans had a favorable view of the United States. In 2012, under President Obama, 52% do." and "In France, 92% of those questioned think Obama should get another term. In Germany, 89% agree..." Please explain, Bruce, how 89% and 92% Obama support causes you to claim the support is "unsustainable." Looks like it held up incredibly well for 4 years!
Here in lies the problem: Punditry. You state just enough facts to get people’s attention, sound coherent, but if anyone is checking your facts they will see this just isn’t the whole story. Hyperbola is not truth, shocking and entertaining, yes, but not truth. Let’s take education for example: Where I teach we struggle to make progress as defined by “No Child Left Behind”. Many of our problems are the result of language. Immigrant students learning English are given two years to become equally proficient as their native speaking counterparts. This is absurd and casts an unfair light upon our immigrant student’s scores (and we are not allowed to cherry pick our scores like other countries are known to do). I could bore the web community with more examples of how scores are not reflective of effort nor ability, but it doesn’t read as well as the shock and awe. I just hope we all understand it is difficult to make accurate assessments of the current state of our world via punditry and the armchair-quarterbacks of the world.
Jakkers ! you Yanks are fine, always remember that adversity does teach you who your real friends are. I'll hoist up a pint and say "Up the Yanks" slainte!
I think Romney should get elected first, and only then start worrying about how the rest of the World sees US.
It can't be too good frankly, and that shouldn't come as any surprise to honest and fair minded people...the double standards we employ both at home and abroad, and our propensity to use violence as a solution to all problems abroad, and prison as a solution to all problems domestically must truly be a curious thing to many in the world.
Personally I have never been one to rest on my laurels, and it's simply not good enough for me that I might be doing a little better or have it a little better than the next person, the challenge is not to be better than they are...the challenge is to be as good as I can possibly be.
Americans seem to be oblivious to that notion, and as long as they imagine there is some nation, or group not as successful in some superficial category people love to measure success by...we'll probably continue to be the bane of the world, and I'll probably keep preferring to describe myself as a human being, and not an American.
I'm with you.
very well spoken-was there a time when we could say proudly we are americans?maybe after WW2,when we were the heroes of the world?Now look at us-instead of being a world leader,we are a world aggressor,and both parties are to blame.We are the new bullies of the world,not it's saviors.
funny-i was under the impression that the US has not been popular around the world for quite some time.That would be during the Bush admin as well-in fact,people seemed to hate us even worse then-political mumbo-jumbo from Romney before elections.They will say whatever they can to win this thing-fortunately for us,not so fortunately for them,a lot of us have become a lot smarter......for the new voters out there-try to see past all the bs-personal attacks on either side are generally false-look at the issues.
We've become smarter? Really? We keep electing the same do-nothing millionaires that refuse to work together with the other side of the aisle to accomplish anything positive for America or it's citizens. American voters are about as dumb as it gets. You know Einstein's definition of insanity, right? They should print it on banners in big bold letters and hang them from the rafters of every polling place in the country.
The rest ofthe world must understand that we be the boss. The United States, in its wisdom, will tell all other countries how to conduct their internal and external affairs. They all must become more like us, if not just like us.
You be an idiot.
Apparently many view it favorably , they keep coming by the truckload....
lol
Just bc u live here doesn't mean u have to agree with everything..lol Remember Occupy Wall street. There are many Americans who don't agree with the way the government runs and I bet most don't favors the wars either.
Like Ron Paul said..we borrow money from china and give it to the rich people in poor countries and we think we are helping them.
When you have TV personality Joy Behar is attacking Mitt Romney for disagreeing with President Obama’s recent call to hire more firemen and other public-sector workers, saying she would like to see one of his homes catch fire; this nation is definitely in decline.
“I’d like to see his house burn, one of his millions of houses burning down,” said Behar, a co-host on ABC’s “The View” daytime talk show.
What's wrong of her comment? Was Romney right to attack in every single issue about the President? He likes to see all the civil employees being fired and the result would be high unemployment rate, then he waste no time to blame the President not create jobs. But when the PResident summit his jobs stimulus plan to Congress, will again be rejected by Republicans. He is one of a few supporter of the Paul Ryan's plan, do you have parents?
America, the United States of America is not and never has been in decline, the greatest country has always been constantly changing. The rest of the world loves us or does not hates us so much as envies the US for our celebration of the individual. Even capital punishment, is an affirmation of the right of the individual, and when you take that life, you may forfeit your own.
Curmudgeons may remember the good old days when all was right with the US, however, they are just nostalgic for their youth, and not so much for better government. God bless America!
I think one of the only reasons most countries have negative views of USA is bc of its unfair, biased one sided foreign policy.
The Great Republican Recession has destroyed our economy. This is the consequence of years of tax-cut, borrow and spend policies that DOUBLED our National Debt. Had they left the last Clinton budget in place there would be NO national debt today.
maybe your part of the problem.blaming only one party shows your willingness to follow a different turd.
Democrat is bad, Republican is worse, Tea PArty is the worst.
America is in decline and if you can't see it or admit it, then I do not know what planet or drugs you are on! Be encouraged my fellow brothers and sister in the Lord Jesus Christ, this is the way it is suppose to be when sin abounds for the sinner, but when sin abounds, grace much more abounds for God's children. Look up and live and declare the Glory of our God!
Well, if Jesus did something to fix the world other than destroy it and take whoever he deems qualified, I'd be impressed. America is in the decline if WE let it. If we don't like what someone is doing, let's get rid of that person.. Remember, America is about, "We the People".
Psalm 24:1 "The earth is the Lord's and its fullness, and they that dwell in it"
The Conservative Christians always preach (and hope) that the world is going to end because they are waiting for the return of Jesus. I'm not saying he isn't coming back, I am saying after about two thousand years it is getting a little old.
It’s vital to understand the underlining theology of Islam. Muslims have been dreaming about a Caliphate that can unite the entire Muslim world and rule with strict Islamic code ever since the death of Muhammed. There have been coups, countercoups and civil wars because of disagreements over wether or not to install the Caliph.
The dream of a caliphate is what is responsible for the Shia-Sunni split. Several Caliphates existed over time until 1924 when Mustafa Kamal Ataturk abolished the Ottoman Caliphate and established the secular Turkish Republic.
Al-Qaeda has clearly stated that the re-establishing the Caliphate is one of its primary objectives. Although Al-Qaeda has taken the violent path to realize their dream of the massive Islamic empire, there are many Islamic groups all across the world that use politics to gain influence; Tanzeem-al-Islami and Hizb ut-Tahrir to name a few.
A caliphate is the Islamic form of government representing the political unity and leadership of the Muslim world. The head of state (Caliph) has a position based on the notion of a successor to Muhammad’s political authority. It is a dream that has never been realized by Muslims and it will never be.
There will always be Muslims who dream about this empire and on the other hand the power-hungry leaders will prevent any movement that could dissolve their nation-state. Therefore, Muslims are stuck in an eternal conflict between Islamists and nationalists.
Besides uniting the Muslims, the goal is to arrange a massive army and call for Jihad against infidel states for the expansion of the Caliphate. Various caliphates have used this strategy to expand their states. The rapid Islamic expansion during the reign of the Caliphs is nothing but staggering.
The reason behind that is millions of eager men willingly joining the fight with the Infidels bacause they believe that Allah will reward them heftily if they die. There has never been a shortage of recruits in the army. This is the same reason there is no shortage of suicide bombers today.
The ultimate goal of the Caliphate would be to bring every square inch of this planet under Islam and convert/subdue all remaining Infidels.
Various groups around the world are actively advocating the creation of the Caliphate. Surprisingly, the most vocal of these groups, Hizb ut-Tahrir, is based in the UK and other countries in Western Europe and Australia. Just last year, thousands of Muslims gathered in a Khilafat conference to show support for the future Caliphate in Jakarta, Indonesia. The growing support for this empire all over the world is evident.
So what does the future hold? A massive Islamic empire where outspoken voices, “immoral” people will executed on a regular basis? A fascist empire expanding itself bit-by-bit through demographic conquest, like we’re seeing in modern day Europe? The West having to constantly defend itself from Islamic aggression?
If we don’t wake up to this threat, the future looks gloomy.
Globalization is our biggest enemy. We'd have our jobs, money and taxes back if it wasn't for being scammed into the lie that is Globalization. It has hurt this country far beyond anything else. The idea that we legally allow American companies to send millions of jobs to China (a communist country) is sickening. All for the profit of a few people. That would never have been allowed had it been 1960. But since the 80's, the big business fat cats bought their politicians and sold out this country. Both parties are at fault. But the Republicans are more guilty of selling us out.
You are 100% correct! It's all about corporate profit. Any job that can be done cheaper overseas ends up there.
Today it takes a 2 income family to get by. That was not the case 40 years ago.
Meeeh... it's amazing America is as popular as it is, considering it's systematically murdering people who doesn't like it. Just compare the reactions of what happened when Russia supposely assasinated one of its dissdent in UK with the drone strike that killed a anti-US muslim cleric(who's an US citizen btw) in Yemen. So all and all Amazing exercise in hypcrisy and congnitive dissonance.
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS BEEN DESTROYING AMERICA FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS. THE REPUBLICANS IN THE SUPREME COURT WITH CITIZENS UNITED JUST PUT ANOTHER NAIL IN THE COFFIN OF DEMOCRACY.
I STRONGLY BELIEVE THE REPUBLICAN IN THE SUPREME COURT ARE TRAITORS. THEY ARE DESTROYING OUR DEMOCRACY!!!!
AND THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS ARE TRAITORS TOO. THEY ARE SABOTAGING OUR ECONOMY!!!!
The Political Parties (Rep & Dem) are not traitors, granted they may not be giving us their best but traitors they are not. Compromise, compromise and more compromise is how democracies continue to survive.
http://www.Hear-The-Truth.com
The middle class has made no ground in the last 25 years. The rich and corporate America has just gotten richer.
We are slowly migrating to a 2 class society. The uneducated will be making min wage or close to it. Union jobs, pensions and even medical benefits are slowly going away. Any proffesional job that can be moved overseas has been or soon will be. How many one income families by choice are there today? How many 40 years ago?
obama mania was created by the media and of course it lost it's luster.it was b.s.from the start.just the msm helping out their canidate.
@ Kevin will said!
A country divided will fall, there is too much division going on in this country, at the end of the day we are all American, no left and no right but Americans. And yes, we are blind to the real issue that are happening in this country that we all love, when the head lines new story of the day is what the Queen of England, Lohan etc. is wearing or what they’re doing.
If you want to know what's destroying this country, just read some of these comments. "The Republicans ruined the country!" "The Democrats ruined the country!" Blah Blah Blah... As soon as we the people finally realize that neither party cares about us, maybe we have a chance to take back our country. But for now we'll just stay polarized while our Congressmen accomplish absolutely nothing. And the best part is watching them all get re-elected after bankrupting their states while living in multi-million dollar mansions and flying their personal jets to D.C. just to vote "present". We The People...are frickin morons.
We need a new goverment. Maybe it's time for a revolution. Corporate America runs the show today. Tey can pour unlimited funds into elections. How can they lose?
Look at the lies from corporate America. We are actually exporting more gas than we import today. It's all about profit.
Do you see any more jobs from the petroleum industry.
✯≈✭≈✬≈✮≈✰ ℝ𝕆𝕄ℕ𝔼𝕐 𝟚𝟘𝟙𝟚 ✫≈✩≈✯≈★≈☆
What is this? Forever some High School popularity contest? The U.S. has its problems and as a nation we need to work on them. Too often people are polarized and unwilling to see what needs to be done. The two sides end up sounding like a fighting couple on the verge of divorce. When is it people will recognize self-interest groups take advantage of the divisiveness of the nation for their own political or economic benefit? We have more in common than we think. Throwing insults at trolls (wherever they live, U.S. or overseas) just wastes time. Take each day and find something worthwhile to work on ...small or large to help, not hinder the progress.
Behold Amerika—the quintessential caricature of hypocrisy—as she stumbles upon the floor of the Insecurity Council at the United Circus. She did not see herself, but others saw her, and reflected: a mumbling, drunken, overly made-up, bankrupt, demoralized, loud she-swine, heavily armed [be careful!]. Slouching to the beat of an updated version of the Star-Spangled Banner [sing along!—O’er the land of the crook and the home of the slave!], swift, hi-heeled Amerika makes her way to the speaker’s stand. Shocking! She wears a scandalous G-string made out of her national flag, and one cannot help but to overhear the frequent self-congratulatory remarks she makes regarding her own perceived beauty: “O me so beautiful, and you all so ugly!” she stutters. Afraid, no one dares say a word [just like no one wants to start a fight with the cook, you know]. A tiresome diatribe for others to follow [she is exempt] on human rights, the protection of civilians, the rule of law, justice, et al, egualite, liberte, fraternite, [et merdre], blah, blah, blah, ad nauseam, follows. She praises Socrates, but she is Trasymachus’ most ardent disciple. She is held in a very tight leash by her pimp (the most vicious of the hyenas) [also exempt], a certain crappy little nation in the Middle East, which barks orders at her with rapid and astonishing succession: Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Syria, Iran!!! [the whole world, actually]. The pimp’s commands are more like ultimatums, and there are credible rumors [the pimp publicly slaps her on occasion] that Amerika is frequently beaten on account of not following orders concisely.
Wow, what a great manifesto. Did you write that all by yourself? I bet you worked really hard on all the kool spelling and everything. I'm going to go right out and share this with everyone.
america is in decline, so called native people(black and white) are getting sorry and lazy and living off what other generations accomplished. we're not doing much for our selves so immigrants come in. then what happens? we cry and complain about immigrents. well if us natives(black and white) would turn of nancy gracy and jersery and stop obsessing over bling bling and shoes and be the men and women we're supposed to be companies wouldn't need illegal immigrents. we vote fools in office then cry about them. we say the economy sucks(which is does) then we buy things we can't afford. instead facing truth and reality, we'd rather hear what pleases us, and instead of picking up a book and research ourselves we rely on media folks who give the interpritation or opinon of a matter and take that as fact. yes we are in decline and no we're not number 1. education, justice, health, economics, mainstream, and using the internet as a fact source for everything all sucks.
i wouldn't live in any other country but this one is going down, and down hard.
Until the people stop letting our country be led by the oil and defense industries, nothing is going to change. Right now, we are being taxed and not represented. This is NOT a free country as we are under complete corporate tyranny. Our servicemen and women are supposed to defend THIS country.....not the world and certainly not corporate interests. I honestly wish our military would put congress and their donors in their place. The people need to rise up and remove every single member of congress. We also need the media to quit bashing us at every single turn. It's all a big game.....and right now our government, their donors and our paid off corporate media are running the show and profiting at all of our expense and reputation.
Uh..., Ryan. I don't much care for what the US federal government does under either party, but..., you are aware that you just called for a military coup d'etat in the United States, right? When armies take power, generals run the country. It's called a dictatorship. While the US government could use reform, what you suggest will be the destruction of US democracy and a new dark age in America..., also calling for the US military to overthrow the government is illegal and an act of treason. If you really are in Madison, WI, regardless of whether you are a US citizen or not, you shouldn't do that. It really is illegal and technically punishable by death in the US.
Mark.....when the military is being given orders made by paid off corporate traitors to do things that hurt the US, hurt the taxpayer, kill servicemembers and only increase terrorism and hatred for the US, they have to have some say in the matter. We are being led by traitors, blue and red. Making decisions that benefit them politically and financially while bringing this country to it's knees is TREASON. I want my country back.....enough of this coddling of the rich donors of congress.
I agree 100%! It's time the American people took back our country from the people who have the audacity to act in such a treasonous way in front of the majority of the American people by serving the Rich who pad their bank accounts with bribes... I mean contributions. I'm insulted Republicans!! You're not fooling anyone!!! Sad that bribes cause good and honest people to look the other way.... (You're sold us out for $$)
THAT'S TREASON!
I've noticed at least on the Internet that Brazilians have a huge little man complex. Accept it America is better than you, we control the currencies, invent things that change the World, and are a land of diversity geographically/demographically. No one here cares about Brazil, you talk about us more than we care about you. You are only a headline during February Carnival when it is the winter vacation destination
And that's why Brazil is no longer dependent on foriegn oil!?! REALLY? I thought it was all the inovations and sugar cane they now produce. They don't import oil anymore... and you're have the nerve to insult Brazil. Dude they're kicking our ass on ethanol!!
replace all the we and us with I and then write again.
NEW YORK: Renowned Indian activist and novelist Arundhati Roy has decried the silence of the international community over the continued “brutal Indian occupation of Kashmir” and said Kashmiris should be given the right to self-determination.
“Kashmir is one of the most protracted and bloody occupations in the world — and one of the most ignored,” she told a large audience at the Asia Society during a discussion on “Kashmir — a case for freedom”.
Under the Indian military rule in Kashmir, Ms Roy said, freedom of speech was non-existent and human rights abuses were routine. Elections were rigged and the press controlled.
She said the lives of Kashmiris were made miserable by gun-totting security personnel who harassed and terrorised people with impunity, adding that disappearances were almost a daily occurrence as also kidnapping, arrests, fake encounters and torture. Mass graves have been discovered and the conscience of the world remains unstirred……
The apathy towards Kashmir, especially in the western world, Ms Roy said, was because of their pursuit of commercial interests in India where they were more eager to “sell their goods than human rights”……..
I take issue with the author's last statement, that foreign approval was "unsustainable" after Obama took office. We'll never know if it was sustainable or not. Obama wanted to do certain right things (i.e. close Guantanamo) but he was not a particularly strong leader in the face of strong resistance... and probably never will be. This will be Obama's legacy: Good man, weak leader. I still prefer him over a corporate shill like Romney.
On one hand, the world feels like it's better and closer(people can communicate via the internet), at the same time all the governments feel like they are in a decline. They are being run by a small amount of wealthy greedy people. That's everywhere including the US. Look how they are all acting about oil, there are wars and all this behind the scenes fighting over places like the Arctic. The world is sadly in a free fall right now.
Romney would have you believe that America should lead the world down the wrong path to war and destruction where the few already absurdly wealthy defense contractors gain while everybody else loses. Obama's approach is to take a seat at the table of the community of nations and work together with the rest of the world to solve the world's problems. Big difference.
If Selfishness and Greed are the NEW ways we define ourselves as Americans... Then I am extremely embarrassed to be an American... No one cares about anyone unless your RICH and have POWER good for you! Too bad you won't be able to take it with you when you die. we get already... Rich A – Holes have ruined Ameica
“Let's start by putting aside the tired notion that says our influence has waned, that America is in decline.”
Yeah, that.
How the world views us doesn't matter as much as how we view us. And right now we are lead by weak corrupted leaders. Leaders who hold wealth and position above morality for the common man.
Yep! Eric Canton, Mitch McConnell, John Boener. They said it best themselves. Their goal was to make Obama a 1 term president. Too bad they've screwed the rest of us AMERICANA over in the process. Why would anyone vote for these paid off corrupt leaders who really haven't shown any kind of leadership other than sabotage on the whole country. I would call sabotage TREASON! They words and actions are complete TREASON! Off with their Heads!
There is no doubt that the United States of America is a great nation and will remain a great nation. Russia remained a great nation after the fall of the USSR, even in its darkest days in the mid-90s. You can't have a couple thousand nuclear weapons and not be considered great.
However, is America the "greatest" nation? It obviously depends upon how you define "great." Many people around the world have a higher standard of living. Yes, Mexico doesn't and a lot of Mexicans come to the US, but that doesn't mean everyone in the world is anxious to move to a nation with no guaranteed healthcare and crumbling infrastructure. America has great universities, but how long will that last with minimal government investment and a very poor public education system. Americans also seem to think they are "saving" the world when they invade countries, wage wars of occupation, and prop up puppet governments. There aren't many people in Afghanistan, Iraq, most of Central America, or Vietnam who will thank American troops for their service. They view them as occupiers who killed friends and family. Yes, the US did save the world in WWII, but it has been a long time since then and in many parts of the world, when they think of occupiers and conquerers, they don't think of troops speaking German..., they speak American accented English.
That's not to say that I'm bashing America. I'm just realistic. America is still a land of great opportunity and innovation. I've traveled and lived all over the world. The US needs to live within it's means, it needs to stop invading other nations, and it needs to adopt sensible economic policies, like limiting "free" trade agreements. If it does that, it will be among the greatest nations in the world for years to come. If it destroys itself by intentionally defaulting on its debt or slashing a trillion dollars out of the budget in one year with no tax increases, or if it starts another war it can't afford, then its greatness will be very much in peril.
I think Bob Sinclar said it best... "World, Hold ON!" Soon enough the Rich will have to answer to the children of the Sky...
Most rich folk work six days a week and work over ten hours a day. Their I.Q. run 120 and above - else, they do not stay rich very long. Crime and irresponsible behavior in general cause poverty. If a man fathers multiple children by multiple mothers and takes no responsibility in meeting their financial needs, not only does he doom them to poverty, he pulls down the quality of life for all of society. The presence of such "men" are worse than having an invading army. Everyone is in agreement as to what to do with an invading army.
Whenever Europe has a low opinion of the U.S., it is a sign that we are doing something right. When the world rejoiced at the election of Obama, it was a sign that things were going to go sideways. Europe has entered into stage IV economic cancer. The patient is being propped-up, but everyone knows that this is not only the end of the Euro, but that any attempts to return to original currencies are also doomed. Europe is going to have a bone-snapping depression. The U.S. dollar is going to fair well for a short time, then it too will collapse - irrespective of who wins in November.
As a first generation American, I ask you all to look around. First of all, quit telling the world we are the Greatest Country on Earth. Saying it doesn't make it so. If it is True, believe me – they know it. Now, think this over.
Would you pack up your family and take the risk of moving here (not necessarily knowing the language) to start over? (for the sake of this argument, let's assume you went through the paperwork and are doing it legally) Once you got here, would you want to put up with some redneck telling you that you don't belong here? (even though his family did the exact same thing?)
Maybe we should re-assess the situation here. If we are such a wonderfull place, and the world wants to be just like us, why do we need to spend hundreds of billions of dollars every year on the defense budget? Who are we afraid of?Why do we have soldiers all over the world, when we would never allow other countries to post their armies here? We have flying Killer Robots. Would you want to move to where Those Things came from?
Enough of the "they'll take all our jobs" argument. Some of those outsourced jobs are in the places that those people are leaving. Don't believe me? Ask a CEO that sent the jobs away.(Very Patriotic, by the way. Screw the country, you are in line for a huge bonus!)
Maybe we need to get back to being the place that the world admired so much that folks would give up everything they had to get a chance to move here. It's time to take the High Road, get Honorable, take excellent care of our own, be the Utopia the world craves. – or are you just out to make a buck?
There are a lot worse places in the world to be than the US. The US may not be perfect, but what country is? Many claim that the Scandinavian countries are the model to follow, but are they really? They pay extremely high taxes and their life is controlled by the government. Maybe some people want to live that way but I certainly don't.
America may get a bad rap for going to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, but those countries' citizens are better off for having the US depose of it's tyrannical regimes and inject democracy into their lives. Sure, those countries are far from perfect and that just goes to show how the US and the West still have a long fight ahead with radical/expansionist Islamists.
"Favorability" isn't influence. Teddy Bears have high favorability. Neo-Soviet Russia and China have more influence than we have under Obama. But Romney isn't Reagan or George Bush.
We fought two wars in suport of France and England. We restarted the European economy after war war II with our aid.
The rest of the word look to us when in trouble and we never failled to respond. We are a comlicated nation of many nationalities and faiths, but we are an example how various nationalities and religeon can co exist.
Having spent the last 10 years in the real world (e.g. outside the U.S. bubble) I can tell you what the developing world thinks of us: we are clueless idiots and corrupt thieves. It is sad that the nation founded by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson has decended to this. What the rest of the world wants is what we had in 1783. And threw away.
So true. What will help the world get there is to learn a little of respect for each other. Something that at the moment the US lacks in general
Ray- Was your "real world" experience in Iran by any chance? Your an Idiot and shouldnt speak in public like this!
Another Republican in the White House will turn back any goodwill the world has left for the U.S.
Don't you just love the opinions on who invented this and that because it truly shows the propaganda that has been fed to Americans.
First automobile can be argued if you are talking about little devices that Leonardo made or if you are talking about the first truly gasoline internal combustion engine one. If the later then it's Karl F. Benz of Germany. They were earlier steam driven ones...on that note the combustion engine was invented by a Swiss, Francois Isaac de Rivaz and the steam engine invented by an Englishman Thomas Savery and improved greatly by James Watt.
Who invented the light bulb? Now this one is a great story since Thomas Edison DID NOT invent the light bulb. There were many around the world who were working on light bulbs. The first light bulb was built in 1809 by Humphry Davy, another Englishman, however it was not practical. Many countires claim to have their own inventors of the light bulb.Here's Canada's claim.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/cool/002027-2003-e.html
The telephone. Ugh This one I have just accepted that it was invented by a Scotsman, living in Canada, who eventually got U.S. citizenship. The first phone call " come here Watson" etc happened in Canada. Bell lived in both Canada and the U.S. and the reason he didn't get Canadian citizenship was because British subjects didn't have to then since Canadian citizenship didn't exist, we were all British subjects. So Canada can claim Bell just as much as Scotland and the U.S.
Internet invented in the U.S. is correct, however the World Wide Web was invented by a Brit.
The U.S. has invented many,many great things and has a lot of good going for it etc. Peoples complaint around the world is the arrogance and ignorance that many, not all, but many in the U.S have. This is their downfall. They seem to want to take comfort that things are horrible outside their borders and that they have it the best. You don't. Not in education, health of it's citizens, life expectancy, livable cities and human rights. We can all learn from each other, the good and the bad.
Bush was a disaster. Trust me, the world hates the U.S. a lot less today because of Obama. Like it or not.
Who cares, the ones that say they like us are receiving money to say they like us. Most of the countries have men whom still treat woman a property. So we will see soon whom really is our friend when we run out of money.
Seriously, US is only #1 in one thing anymore – Military. And even that will be in doubt in the next 2 decades. Whole world already knows this though. Old news
1) The United States could have ruled the world with nuclear blackmail in 1946, but instead pushed for a world organization to advance the cause of peace.
2) The United States is the only nation founded not upon an ethnic / religious group; or geographical feature, but upon a belief – The belief in Freedom.
3) The United States put a man on the moon...because we felt like it.
But seriously, the US is the greatest nation in the world, if for no other reason than our accomplishments, and the spirit which brought the dregs of Europe and everywhere else and gave them chances to succeed in ways they could nowhere else. Soon, those dregs – my ancestors – could work for themselves and live their own lives in freedom. They thrived and the US became a superpower.
And with that power comes what's natural to those with power, but in our case it also comes with overwhelming compassion, the likes of which simply would not be seen from any other power that would fill our shoes.
Because of what America is, we have high standards to live up to. Often we fail; we're sure not "better" than anyone else, but we have every right and reason to be proud of what we have here – for it is truly unique in the history of mankind.
And for the record, if earthquakes or tsunamis smash your cities, we'll be there as soon as we can, even if our economy's struggling. No charge.
It's your last line than irks me. It gives the impression that other countries do not sent relief or aid to strickened areas of the world. It also seems to imply that the U.S. doesn't receive help in it's own country, such as Australian and Canadian firefighters and equipment sent to Washington State and California. How about Katrina?
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/dis_hur_kat_int_aid_res-hurricane-katrina-international-aid-response
It seems still, Amerians have a blind spot about the rest of the world. I blame your media. It doesn't report these things.
Americans are thought to think that we are the beacon of light, what is good in the world. We are told we fight evil around the globe. I can relate because I have been in the military for 6 years. What you are talking about is human compassion and respect and it is not only found in the US. And the evil our media continually tells us about can easily be found on your backyard (I am not talking about little crimes, but the lack of freedom and selfish actions that get your neighbors killed)
Please correct your hinduism, ignorance, USA was founded on GOD, truth absolute and freedom is by product of it. hindu criminal democracy founded not on truth absolute but hindu Judaism, criminal self center ism, secularism is defiance OF foundation of USA, THE TRUTH ABSOLUTE.
MLK, JR: Don't let anybody make you think God chose America as his divine messianic force to be a sort of policeman of the whole world. God has a way of standing before the nations with justice and it seems I can hear God saying to America "you are too arrogant, and if you don't change your ways, I will rise up and break the backbone of your power, and I will place it in the hands of a nation that doesn't even know my name. Be still and know that I'm God. Men will beat their swords into plowshafts and their spears into pruning hooks, and nations shall not rise up against nations, neither shall they study war anymore." I don't know about you, I ain't going to study war anymore.
the world largely has peace, no world wars or major wars, free trade, fast spreading global propserity for one and only one reason : the u.s.a. period. (note there are 3 periods to our countries name).
Southern Wonder indeed. All your points are incorrect, including " u.s.a. " , it's U.S.A. and it's " country's " not " countries ".
US in decline? LOL – the US is BANKRUPTED !!!!
It will not matter who is president, as a country we are on the way out, our time on top is over.People blame the president .There is the house and senate.I blame everyone in government for what has happen to this country as a whole.The national debt is out of control.I blame the government as a whole and corporate greed.I hope Im wrong but I think we are on the knifes edge of economic disaster.I think 2008 was a hiccup compared to what is coming.
Remind me again... what was it the Obama got his Nobel Prize for? Being black, was it?
I admire and like Zakaria but he continually comments on issues he knows absolutely nothing about including Economics and the REALITY of how governments actually work.
Ask foreigners how they feel about Romney or Obama. Then ask them how they feel about Ron Paul. You'll find most foreigners know more and care more about him getting the office than Americans. Just a funny little tidbit I thought I'd throw out there.
Not surprised that Mexico's rating of the U.S. is 56%. I think it is higher, given that half of Mexico's population is here, another forth are trying to get here and the other fourth receiving monetary compensation from money being sent back there by Mexicans working here and the rest profiting from America's insatiable desire for drugs. These things alone spells "Ka-put", add to this all of the other things (too numerous to name). Yes, I would say that we have another year, if that. I would move to Mexico for a better life, but their government will not allow it, they would turn me away, even lock me up.
oh noes they dont like us! lets pack it up and go home!
We'll see who's smarter when we refuse to pay back the trillions we owe China. HAHAHA you chinese suckers!!!
what a lively discussion....lol.....I have traveled most of the world sans china and few areas over there. Mostly I find good people. I spent extensive time in south america.....Chile is modern and Santiago is a nice city, liked Panama and the people well most of the places. Europeans are great...the french are alright...got lost once and couldn't find the metro....lady helped me out...just told me not to talk so fast in English. Russians were warm people. On and on. So mostly you are arguing about governmental styles and perceptions. Our Mr. O. is about to unleash the drones on us, we have traffic light cameras, every move on the internet is tracked by business or government. Yep. We all are free....lol...and it keeps getting better. Don't pay your 1K property taxes – laid off or not – see if school district lets you keep your house. There are a lot good things and things that need to be constantly worked on. Need to get out of the house more and take your head out of the sand. We are a good people for the most part. I think cable tv has just about corrupted everybody's mind. Salud to all. God Bless America (u.s.) and all the rest of the countries in the human struggle out there. Texas is a good place despite what you say (I am not originally from here).
If we are so concerned what all the other countries think about us, maybe we should have them vote for our next president.
@ America Rules
Only the dollar will be so weak that you wont be able to dirt with it
hi
Oh, well I guess we better vote for Obama again, so everybody likes us! Lib media propaganda machine working OT.
Robin Williams said Canada over the US is the same thing as a nice mid western family living directly over a biker bar. The father would stick his head out the window yelling below," Hey you bunch of crazy people down there, quit all that nonsense with your guns and senseless violence, theres nice people up here trying to live in peace & quiet!!!".
USA and people of USA have been put on a hindu, wrong path denying them truth absolute enshrined in con–sti–tution of USA, take hindu, ignorant Obama or hindu ignorant Romney, one follow's hindu Judaism, filthy secular ism in open and other live by in following of his hindu sanatan criminal man god Jew, a secular, denier of truth absolute by hindu criminal faith labeled as Christianity by hindu Mag's, criminal tricksters.Either way USA has no leader but hindu gentiles, criminal slaves of hindu Jew's, criminal self centered, secular s by faith, no future for USA but down hill for hinduism, criminality of hindu criminal leader ship of USA in defiance of truth absolute, foundation of USA.
huh?
Wow. Weird Troll
Two things that I hate about USA:
* They don't use the metric system on road signs
* No mandatory paid days off (A.k.a not enough labor laws)
Otherwise America is the best country in the world by far, then comes Canada second close.
Divide of 4, 8, 16 and 24 is the true divide of time, based on true north, a factual calculation, not of hypothetical divide of true divide, called metric system. Way of hindu's, ignorant s.
bottom line, the rich and powerful have taken over and no one has a solution to stop them. Because we worship what they have and believe in their trust. Foolish little global man and women, you just don't get it, yet.
Reading this thread is like watching a trainwreck. It's horrific but I can't look away.
Yeah, I feel the same way when I read the news and blogs. I'm stuck at home with a sick kid and I'm procrastinating from studying my accounting homework. If you can, just go outside and get some fresh air and take a walk. You'll feel better for it.
The world views America with envy and then proceeds to bash us to cover it up
Americans pay Kosher Tax and they don't even know it , so I would call Americans stupid .
Notice how shallow this article is, simply painting America as being "positive" or "negative." WAY too simplistic. I attended grad school at IIT where there lots of foreign students -including my Taiwanese roommate. I've discussed national viewpoints candidly with many foreigners while sitting on the floor of the Mohammed Ali Mosque in Cairo, while having a beer with a group including the daughter of the Communist-mayor of a resort town in a bar in Beijing, as well as many other places.
In general, most people -excluding those in the severe Muslim states- genuinely like Americans in terms of our generosity, our generally good intentions, and our work ethic. But they also view us as a high-tech, low-culture people who don't bother to learn much beyond stereotypes about people in foreign lands. Many see us as a rich but ignorant sort of "Beverly Hillbillies." Still, they know that we became a strong country not because of our resources alone but because of the character of our people. They respect our leaders when they display common sense (as Washington as a whole is NOT doing now) and at the same time, they're very glad we don't hesitate to take on the rascals of the world – especially when it's at our expense. But they are wary of the "cowboy" approach that G W Bush took and felt he stabbed certain nations in the back. For example, when Abbas tried to support the U.S. and disrupt the power of Hamas in Gaza, it was Bush who agreed with the Israelis to cut foreign aid to and close off the West Bank of Palestine just before their elections and make Abbas look like a fool. Then, when Israel struck at Hamas, the U.S. cut off medical aid to Gaza. So there's little trust among Muslims: they think the U.S. will back whatever Israel does.
It's amazing to me that people from other countries feel like they can judge the US. We are an incredibly diverse country and just because our government does certain things does not mean we all agree with them. Every country has its problems: Brazil, China, Russia, Greece, etc. I've been to many European countries and have seen a lot stuff going on that i don't agree with. However, I don't judge an entire country based on that nor do I judge a country on what I read in the news.
To those commenting who are from other countries, maybe you should take a good, long look at your country before you judge the US. Perhaps yours isn't perfect either.
I can't believe I just read an intelligent reporter (Bruce Stokes) who simply pulled up the data and wrote an article with facts minus BS–with no political tinge that I could tell. Outstanding Bruce; but I fell off my chair in shock. Honest reporting is no longer the case in the US. Where did Bruce come from?
why am i reading an article talking about how things have gotten worse since obama took office? don't get me wrong, obama's a tool, but they gave this guy a NOBEL PRIZE just because he wasn't Bush.
America is a remarkable country – democracy, freedom, wealth and liberty. Most of the world are jealous because of its wealth, influence and power. Apart from some Europeans who insist that America achieved its position only because its founding structure, values and culture all come from European immigrants.
Most of the world are not jealous......just interested and somewhat curious.
OK, I will try this post again. I am a citizen of Canada and the US, and while the countries are very different they should be very grateful. Americans have a great work ethic, agressive business banking, love their families, unapologetic about their love of guns and are overtly patriotic. Canadians are more worldly,respect education, love their families and have backbones of pure steel. In WWII 8% of American men fought and most were drafted..........40% of Canadian men Volunteered. While Americans are much more "showy" than Canadians both can be proud and this is why so many people are trying to immigrate to BOTH countries. I think that it would help if more Canadians were aggressive with their money and Americans realized that they are part of the world....not the world. Still 2 great countries and neighbors too.
Thanks for the kudos. We are a very proud country and you guys in Canada are very proud and brave. The only nit I have with Candians is that they don't tip waiters ,waitresses and bartenders worth a snot.
Why should be care about what they think of us in Egypt or the rest of the Muslim world for that matter? I thought they were more occupied administering their State sponsored "Virginity Checks" on there women than being concerned about our image?
The USA isn't Top Dog anymore? That's actually great news! The next time another country needs aide for us we can tell them to go suck on China's tata they are the Top Dog, now!
The USA is "rich" because of the imperialist policy of stealing resources from other countries. Read the history of the USA!!!
Which countered did the US stole their resources? Please elaborate.
World Bank and International Monetary Fund are in Washinton DC so by default world's wealth flows into the US. Understand how the banking system works and you see how the trasfer of wealth around the world has taken place
"AMERICA"??? The OFFICIAL name is....'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA". AMERICA is the Continent that extends from Chile to Canada. Like it ot not...it is the true!!! You can not change the Geography.
Is this what wakes you up at night, the name the U.S. is called once in a while?
come on man... this is some petty stuff you're whining about. What are we supposed to call ourselves? "I am a United States of American?" "I am a U.S.Aian?" "I am a United Statesian?" Don't blame us for our country's "unknicknameability"
depend who are you, for the gay are the paradise with the famous rainbow party support for the U.S. president, for the manitos the raza, are the racist country , but any way nobody move them out from here, for the jews are the solomon's golds mines .
And....who moved from Europe escaping starvation to exterminate almost all the natives and create slavery in this land? AMERICA is a continent. Explain the FIVE OLYMPIC RINGS...
Actually, if I remember my history correctly.. the Spanish wiped out most of South America before moving North to discover what is now the United States. That would be Latin America as well.. WELCOME TO THE CLUB BUDDY!!
You are narrow minded old man.
The Tea Party has blocked reasonable compromises (ask Jeb Bush) and thereby has blocked legislation that would have advanced the U.S. economically and also made the U.S. look impotent.
(The Tea Party was also the cause of the lowering of our S&P credit rating.)
No. S& P downgraded the USA because Obama and the Democrats were too either idle or unable to produce a Budget. And they gave massive bailouts when they had no cash in the kitty! And they had no plan in place to solve the deficit crisis. They blame the GOP but quite honestly they were right to say "No" to spending non-existent money.
It was handy for Obama to turn a reasonable refusal into the nasty GOP "Blocking" everything he tried to do! If he'd had leadership skills he would have been able to honour his promise to unite the 2 main parties. The man has nothing to offer but division.
The fact that we worry so much about what other countries and people think of us so much is a problem itself. The Brazilian that called us Narcissists is correct. Plenty of other things to worry about.
Wow...polling PAKISTAN on this? Really? The nation who harbored Osama Bin Lade is "mad" about our action to go in and kill him and also use drones against Islamofascists they won't touch. This is like polling the Nazis about "would you like America better if we didn't fight back on D-Day?" The answer is obvious. Hey CNN...how about you nut-up and ask Americans what we think of the rest of the world. The Muslim world in particular.
America is just a nick name for the U.S.A. Its no dis on the rest of the Americas. Enough of the hateful garbage about the rest of the Americas. You sound like a nazi
Are Americans evil because of the KKK? Muslims for the most part are good people. Quit believing groups of people are evil because 1/2 of 1% is bad
Well said. All we hear in the papers and on television is the bad stuff. All we hear is what that 1/2 of 1% is saying and doing. Do I think all Americans are arrogant? Of course not. Unfortunately, its the ones in power who act the part of the ugly american. And by power, I don't just mean those controlling the weapons. The ones controlling the money and the media know that only bad news and drama sells and creates wealth.
Before November America is going to suffer from Poll poisoning! Some Buffoon is being paid to produce polls that mean little and matter less.
Won't somebody tell the self-important termites to disappear into the middle distance and take their damn polls with them!
Why are people so obsessed with what other countries think of the U.S.?
Do you think the rest of the world gives a rat's fuzzy butt what the U.S. thinks of them?
The reason American's care so much about how the rest of the world views them is that Americans are arrogant, egocentric, and have a friggin' god complex. If Americans could see how really dispised they are by a majority of the world, they would likely be surprised. You wouldn't act as if you cared, but you would be disappointed none-the-less.
THANK YOU! Those who criticizes the USA need to only look in their own government! BTW, why aren't the Countries in the Middle East helping the Syrians? But of course, the rest of the world can't do much but complain.
One I agree with, the US needs to let the world handle their own security. The lives of our American soldiers and our taxes should stay in our own country; just like the rest of the world. Close the bases in EUROPE and ASIA.
And stop the foreign aid! The US government must take care of it's own people! Not the rest of the world!
America image is not at all affected nor the strength of its Dollars. America is a great country with greater democratic accomplishments & values. Political parties going to Courts for adjudication & verdict on the laws passed by the political parties have undermined people & political opinion about American Democracy. With separation of powers & upholding dignity of law makers, judiciary will uphold law of Healthcare & other social benefits as these are universally applicable to all & one wherever he/she is placed. As for Military strength & application of Executive power it will continue to work through all odds as it has people of America support, democratic commitment & dedicated leadership even after sway of politics. May God bless America for its strength & above all trust of world in American Democracy?
As a Canadian, I can say quite clearly that I wouldn't want to be an American. You believe that America is the shining light of the world but, really, it isn't. You have a society that focuses on personal gain while leaving the huge majority behind. Teddy Roosevelt said, "walk quietly and carry a big stick". The problem is, American isn't quiet. America is standing in the spotlight, screaming at the top of your lungs, telling the whole world that you are the best (and carrying that really big stick in case anyone argues).
There is a lot to admire of the American spirit, and certainly us Canadians are able to speak our minds because we have the safety of living next to the most powerful nation on earth. However, you Americans need to focus on fixing your own home before you start telling other people how to fix their own.
Americans seem to believe that every country in the world should be democratic and exist in the same set of rules as America. This is arogant nonsense. If you really are the shining light of the world, go on setting an example and other countries will follow your lead. Just stop throwing a chain around the necks of other countries and force them to follow your example.
DEFINITION Americans: Stupid, lazy, self-indulgent, over-weight slobs, with stupid, lazy, self-indulgent, over-weight slob kids.
Define Irony: guy making blanket accusations about an entire population of people being stupid. Really intelligent.
If you are too afraid to make any point, just don't even try. Saying Obama and Romney are both wrong and right at the same time just shows how incredibly scared you are...
I just spent 6 weeks in teh Los Angles area. My God what a sad situation tehy have out there. The place has been taken over by the Asians, teh Mexicans and Lating Amricans. I flet like I was in Sao Paulo or in Manila or some other pit. My God what has become of teh America we once had? We took in too many people from the third world who live off our SS and welfare system. Thye took overe LA schools which rate 4th on scale of 10. All Asians, Mexican etc. Bad for America. Real Bad.
On my recent trip to LA I was watching people in teh LA airport eating junk food form Auntie Annie's a sugar mine, Chinese food which is a slt mine and of course pizzas. Than I looked around me and I saw the bech whales, fat cats who gorged themselfs with Mc Donals MC Muffins, also high cholesteol foods and I realized how many fat and oveweight people therfe are in America. How disgusting and how sad that this nation has lost discipline in eating and in humanity.
If people from around the world look past personal feeling and actually look at facts of how much America really does for the world they could not help but give some credit. When the UN has to get money for an operation that nobody will help with they come to us. As a whole the US does alot of good things in the world. Look at your own countries history record of what they give to the world and what they have contributed. Then compare it to the US, Americans dont intend on hurting anyone feelings but sometimes they tend to be a bit bullish. Not to be confused with bully. I will bet anyone on the planet that if they took a road trip through America they would be shocked at how warm and generous the people are.
That is all in the eye of beholder. There is no truth, there are only opinions. You get all your information from your "free media" which it totally biased and manipulative. That is why you have difficulty understanding "why".
Riiiiight..... but you've got it all figured out. Ironic, considering that you're posting on a CNN message board. it's clear where you get your unbiased information from.
Like any true leader US will always get a lot of criticism, approval and disapproval...a sighn of decline would be when people stop caring like they did about Russia. US remains the balancing weight in the world, without it Arabs, Russians and Chinese would tear this planet apart.
I gathered Romney has to do a lot 'due-diligence' for the companies he invests. Why doesn't he do some good due diligence on the messages that he can focus on. He seems to consistently pick up the wrong kettle, wrong topic that he later can not defend what he is saying.
Remind me again, why should I care what the rest of the world thinks of us?
What motivation do I have to seek the approval of my inferiors?
Gee....cant BEGIN to imagine why any other country would have a dim view of America or Americans...til I read your comment.
What IS it about the ignorant that they cannot WAIT to show off how vapid they are. As the saying goes – better to keep your mouth shut and have people wonder about your intelligence, than open your mouth to confirm your ignorance.
As I have said, the majority of Americans that I believe to be moderate, intelligent folks should be more vocal. The longer the majority stays silent, the more damage to your countrys reputation and integrity individuals like Sumo will do.
Depends on WHO they polled and take it all with a grain of salt. Have you ever been 'polled' regarding anything important like this? I haven't. I live in the U.S.!
The world views us unfavorably. The see us as ham handed, brutal, liars, torturers, intellectually/logically inconsistent, bigots, thieves with a trailer park mentality..............all of which is right. Our image and reputation has never been worse. Thank you george bush/dick cheney/don rumsfeld/condi rice/paul wolfowitz.
To be perfectly frank, I am tired of this conversation. I think it's funny how judgemental other countries are. I'm tired of feeling like I have to be sorry for being American. Honestly, I'm not at all. I'm sick of uppety countries that are ironically accusing America of being puritanical. As an American citizen, I can't tell you the last time I had a conversation about citizens of another country (other than maybe Afghanistan or Iraq). Because, WE DON'T CARE! Do your thing go about your lives and leave us the hell alone! I was born an American, I had no choice about it.. one should not be held accountable for things that are out of one's own control. I don't think I'm better than anyone else and I think America is just as flawed as any other country. So, get over it and mind your own business. For the past 10 years or so, I feel like America has to say "I'm sorry" for everything.. it needs to stop. The rest of the world has to take accountability for their own problems and stop worrying about what the US is eating for lunch every day.
The United States of America...is still the greatest country in the world.....we understand completely the blogger "Brazilian"....due to the fact that when the subject is touched all over Latin America....the claim is the same we're all Americans not just the US...that shouln't be a problem....call yourselves how ever you want...is your privilige....under Obama administration....the US has endured extremely hard economic times....as well as many other great countries...hes getting there...but the puritan party the GOPTeabaggers will not let him......simply because of hate....the world sees this...and brings down the US image.....most of conservatives, if not all, in the US dont care what happens to their own country...as long as they get rid of President Obama......we cannot believe they hate him more then Bush....simply because hes black!.....sad but true...in our opinion...like was said at the beginning...the United States of America is the greatest country of the world....and if President Obama is reelected....it will solidify that greatness.....
I'm sure glad that I was born in The USA. Of course we're not perfect. In fact we're seriously flawed. But I can't think of another country I'd rather call mine.
I care about the poor, the sick and the elderly people in this country, the USA. I care about our soldiers family killed in service and the families left behind. I care about the staggering cost of healthcare, that if I get very sick, my family will lose all our savings (even though I have insurance); I not losing his job (because of outsourcing); I care about the future of my child.
I DON"T CARE ABOUT WHAT OTHER COUNTRIES THINK OF THIS COUNTRY! What they think does not matter!
THEY NEED TO CARE ABOUT THEIR OWN COUNTRIES, SINCE MOST OF THEM ARE WORST THAN THE USA!
iTHE USA MUSTTO TAKE CARE OF HER PEOPLE.
Multilateralism is a joke. The UN is a joke. Just a bunch of miniscule windbags trying to appear important. Foreign countries will do nothing and use multilateralism as an excuse to do nothing.
The US is execptional. We've lost our way in recent years, but we bailed the world out of two world wars. We lead in freedom and democracy. The problem is Bush was arrogant towards the rest of the world, and Obama thinks US ideals are no better or relevant than the opinion of a third world dictator or that of an illiterate third world countries popular opinion.
It's not so bad to see what others complain about, even though it's often a reflection of their own insecurities. Recognizing what we need to improve is what makes us great. I have been to most of the countries listed and you would not want to live in them. You cannot take it too seriously. The average Brazilian will tell you that the USA never went to the moon, 9/11 was an inside job etc. They tend to live in another reality, sort of like Fox news.
As someone who has no great dislike for or envy of the USA as many people from around the world have, it is not difficult to see why in fact America is so hated by so many. Americans have an inflated, narcissistic view of themselves, for some reason thinking "we are the greatest (best, richest, most powerful, world leader, strongest, etc.) and have no respect for other's cultures, customs or beliefs. Often the actions of the US contradict their promises or commitments. Throw in the fact that the USA is probably the most militaristic and warlike country in the world today. Yet they are unable to understand why everybody doesn't love them.
people who think america is really the best country in the world are living in a bubble, and do not fully understand how other nations operate. it's ignorant & self righteous- and everyone posting on here is just jumping on a bandwagon of self defense because they feel the need to defend their turf in one way or another.
So that's going to be the new rationalization for hating the US if it elects Romney? That we have to keep showing we aren't racists by always electing a black (or other pre-approved) president? Could you think about that a little bit harder and even if you aren't enthusiastic about one party, try not to HATE because you can't completely understand us without except by calling its supporters "rednecks" (hardly 50% of the voters)?
And during this thread, some of you were bashing the US because we didn't care enough what other people think...then along the way, others faulted us for being obsessed with what other people think. So which is it?
As for the "American" adjective usage, I can't believe something so simple to explain is even an issue. Americans (US) are not oblivious to continental names. And in referring to that larger frame of reference, we say North or South Americans. But there is no "America" as a continent. The speaker is therefore using historically established precedence and is referring to the nation when leaving off the North or South. Others populations can say "Peruvian," "Columbian" or "Chilean" etc. but the US would have to rename itself to have such an option.
Another hint: usually the rest of the sentence or paragraph provides context. So in talking about things "American," it is usually obvious what population is being referenced.
America is no more dominant in this world than countries such as Greece, Mongolia, France, Spain, and what are now Italy and Turkey have been in previous eras. I'm natural born, but also a dual citizen (UK), and lived in the U.S. for most of my childhood and have always been flabbergasted about how delusional most Americans are about how they supposedly have it better than everyone else. Instead of using your vacation time every year to make your annual pilgrimage to Disneyworld, Graceland, or one of those backwater towns in the Midwest that claim to be the home of the world's largest ball of twine, try stepping outside your comfort zone and experience other cultures.
I think you have offered the best advice so far. I have only lived in 2 countries, so that is all I feel qualified to offer an educated opinion on. I agree that travel and open mindedness is fatal to ignorance.
America is no more dominant than Greece or Mongolia? You so smart! I bet your IQ is the same number as your age.
The point of this story was how does the world view the US,not flag waving,or throwing slurrs.This is a country with many problems ranging from a need to produce more of its own energy,and improving its own infastructure,all the way to improving its own democracy before telling others how to govern. If America improves more from within it will become easier to influence from without,and world leadership can be by example rather than demand.
Pass the popcorn...
After reading thru the comments above it is easy to see why we simply do not stand a chance when The time comes.
America's Time of True greatness has not yet arrived. And when it does, then its people will have to make a terrible choice. No country in this world is perfect. All are, just like America, flawed.
FDR said America should tread softly, yet carry a big stick. Wise words.
Romney could be wrong in many policy positions but American people might still give him a chance. He is right to suggest that it's the President who was in charge for last 3 and half years. Too many false promise is not good for any politician. What were promises? Expire bush tax cut, comprehensive immigration reform, comprehensive health care reform with low cast(cost went up after health caree reform), deficit reduction, big stimulus to get a good economic recovery. That's all I could remember. None got done. What's worst is that they didn't stick with what worked in American history? Big government spending was always part of American recovery after recession.
Gimme a break, there are over 6 billion people in the world. You can cherry pick any subset of opinions from any context and make any case you want.
What a choice the American public has for the upcoming in the election in November. The choice is to either vote for a Marxist or a cultist. This that the best the American people can do ?
25000 people wow good job thats .000000000000000000000000000000000000001%. You suck at this get a new job.
You mentioned on your GPS show (re: the Bush yrs) that during the Bush's presidency "job growth" was "weaker than during the Great Depression." At the same time, perhaps you shd have mentioned that the Unemployment rate for most of his presidency was in the 4% to 5% range, growing to the hi 6's in late 2008. When unemployment trends below 5%, historically, "full-employment" (an economist's term) is reached. When that happens, it is difficult to "grow jobs" more because w/unemployment so low, it's difficult to find workers to hire.....therefore, altho it sounds counter to logic, job growth flattens, unless there's a huge increase in population.
A Failure By His Own Words
" many believed the new American president would act multilaterally, seek international approval before using military force, take a fair approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and make progress on climate change. The current survey reveals few now believe he has actually accomplished these things."
A Failure By His Own Deeds
Obama restarted federal funding for the Killing of Babies By Abortion, a Demoncrat thing previously started by Clinton Coward Clown.
He is a man of Evil.
Congre$$
The Democrats always spend more than the taxes they increase when they are in power.
The Republicans always cuts taxes less than what they spend when they are in power.
....................................So what is the difference here? None.
Congress has a spending problem not a revenue problem. Ops, I take the second part back. Tax revenues would be higher if NAFTA and China's MFN trade status were never passed by Congress. That was about 8 million lost jobs ago.
Both political parties have lied to the voters for 40 years and committed willfull ecomomic treason against the taxpayers that sent them in good faith to Washinton to build a better America not destroy it.
....................................Fight Organized Crime! Re-elect No One!
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I love all of the freaks trying to state that the US is the greatest place in the world. Not that this isn't a great place, but most of you have never actually been anywhere and sum up your international experience to a trip in Cancun or Toronto, right? Foremost, if you think Americans have the most "freedoms", then you clearly have never been anywhere, as I've been to numerous countries where personal freedoms are much better than here in the US. I love patriotism, but nationalism is very, very dangerous. It's what caused WW1.
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You can certainly see your enthusiasm within the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren't afraid to say how they believe. At all times follow your heart.
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