I was born here in the United States of America. I am proud of this fact & consider myself very patriotic. I freely admit, like many Americans, I am somewhat USA-centric or centered when it comes to my ideas concerning other countries. I do think the USA is the best country on the planet. Oops! Did I really say that?

I just do not understand the resentment of America or our central ideals of freedom for all that I'm beginning to see on the news & Internet.

What is your opinion of the United States of America? Do you love us, hate us or think that we feel the world revolves around the USA?

I don't think asking our opinions of America is a very safe question, the answers might get us banned ;)

For me, it's not that your central ideals of freedom are especially bad (although I don't particularly think the US is a very free or equitable society) it's that there doesn't seem to be any consideration that the planet is occupied by people other than americans, after all you only take up about 5% of the planet's population.

This might not be the case but America as a country comes across as a bully. At the start of the war on Terror, President Bush said I think, countries are either with him or against him, I think this is a fairly childish view. I know a lot of people and I certainly don't put them into the friend or enemy slot, they're just people.

Just because a country has a different point of view to the US doesn't make them enemies and it doesn't make their point of view any less valid than that of the US.

Another thing I've noticed is that the US never seems happy unless it has an enemy or it's at war with someone, or at the least messing with the way other countries run. I think most people's opinion of the US would be much improved if they'd just butt out and worry about sorting out their own problems rather than pushing other countries around - we have the UN to ensure the world plays nice, we don't need America doing it too.

- don't get me wrong, I have a lot of American friends who I think are wonderful people - it's more about the government policies than the people but then again maybe it starts with the people.

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Thank you, Kellare, you actually helped me gain a much clearer perspective on a subject that some might not be willing to discuss. I can now understand why America could seem the bully at times. Thanks again.

This is a good topic if we can discuss it without becoming upset and try to be open minded.

Most Everyone tends to be somewhat loyal to the belief systems they were brought up in. Fortunately, I have traveled to many countries for extended periods.

In that period as a marketing executive for an Oil Company, I had to be keenly aware of the different and many times subtle business practice differences that prevailed.

In Germany... You do not arive early or late for a business meeting..period, ariving on time..punctuality is where it is at. They are great hosts, providing ample meeting space, refreshments etc.. and are very business like (suits, the whole bit).

In England... I ate lunch with an Aristrocatic Rolls Royce Engineer that could not fathom the concept of "finger food" so he cut his "Beef-Burger" up with a knife and ate it with his fork upside-down.

In Norway, I met with Engineers setting in cubicles with their feet kicked up on their desks with blue jeans and untied tennis shoes.

In Scotland (many trips) it was bright colored ties and shirts during the day and pubs, pints and bagpipes in the evening. My kind of life, I must say! Maybe "mad cow" disease is my problem!

In Taiwan I boarded a jet with a beedie eyed pilot that couldn't possibly have seen over the cockpit, with engines that were leaking fuel oil on the tarmac.

In Indonesia - I bought Bali art, the economy was crumbling and their lives were falling apart. Monetary exchanges were changinging by the minute.

In Malaysia (Borneo)The Head Hunters still practiced a passing of rights. I had a feast of "Wild Boar", "Barbecued Fruit Bat".. really good stuff a delacacy for sure!

In Malaysia (Kuala-Lumpor) I ate at an American owned Mexican resturaunt. The meat in the enchaladas had to have been cured in vinegar and corn syrup. Never want to taste anything like that again!

Brunei---The Sultan, Ramadan, I got out once or twice from my hotel room after tiring of looking at the green button on my hotel room ceiling pointing the direction to Mecca. I just can't relate to a directional hearing god only.

Asia Pacific - The elevators even stunk of currie, it seeps from their pores! The "Women of the Night" were everywhere, every bar and hotel!

Don't get bored with my post yet!!!

Then there was civilization like I have never experienced it - Australia - I went in so sick from Malaysia! but, MY GOD - There was PERTH, Melburne, Brisbane....

I love Australia - and to think that their ancestry is ripe as a British Prison Colony.. Yet they have their culture, borders and most everything about their culture (including immigration) under better control than the US...

Sure US history is ripe with Brithish Subversives but Australia has us beat "hands down"..

Hey, I LOVE Australia... I'd move in a heartbeat if I could!

That's where I want to live!

Of course Denmark and Amsterdam, THERE ARE REAL FREE CULTURES!... you know!

I have to agree, after traveling, that "freedom", means different things, different places!, and they all have REAL substance.

Forget Borneo and monkeys swinging out of the trees at you!

Perth, Australia Day, Sailboats, Fireworks, Real People, Good Food Casinos, Muscle Cars, Beaches... I could go on and on, but they have got it down!!!

Ken
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I think my opinion of the USA has changed since 911.
When the news came through, I like millions of others watched the burning towers, I can still remember turning to my wife and saying, 'God, they are our cousins'- I freely admit I cried. I also cried when Payne Stewart died as he was the perfect sportsman and a great golfer, I play with the same spirit, winning is not everything.
The USA has a reputation that is so often tarnished, if the press published the 'good' stuff, then maybe we would not just see the sight of war, but whether we like it or not this World faces more potential problems than we would all like to see, we need the USA. My feelings prior to 911? I had none other than other peoples perspectives, a rich Country lacking in compassion. That was the general feeling of my generation, but all that has changed for one other reason, this forum has shown me that you are no different to me, except your humour, but you are learning, the hard way!
Australia, flies everywhere, now New Zealand, one day perhaps.

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All very interesting..........

Is America as powerful as it appears?? Or does it just shout the loudest to give us that impression??
The word "bully" was mentioned earlier,, A bully isn't a tough guy,, he just wants to be, maybe he just needs a hug!
What creates a bully? FEAR!

I think if every country in the world wanted to flex it's muscles like America does, then America wouldn't be at the top of the tough guy list for long.

How would the "war on terror" be going if America had gone it alone? Another Vietnam??? Let's hope not! I don't think the American Armed forces are anywhere near as powerful as they think they are or people think they are. Soldier for soldier they are a long way down the "power" list!!

10 years ago I thought America was a wonderful country, I've been there 6 times now and I have no need to go back, the more I have learnt about it the more my opinion has changed.

A very violent, angry country in my opinion, full of fear. I have never been able to relax there, I'm forever looking over my shoulder....... It shouldn't be!

And what is this right for everyone to own a gun all about?? WHY???? HELLO!!!

The food!!! beefburger overload,, fat overload,, salt overload,, sugar overload.... It's very hard work trying to find a good healthy meal!

I know there's still a lot of good in America and a lot of wonderful people but it's not for me!!

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Actually I think the USA is great and when my fanatical situation changes I will move to NY
I am an environmentalist and I clearly know what damage US presidents and the US society has on the environment and the political ignorance of the problems but having said that the only to change a system is from within and to sit back and point a finger and plea ignorance on your own behalf is without words.
The US has taken on a hard role as the world police and there are those who will always ridicule them for this but if you had family in those towers from 911 you would have no doubt and if the US where to ease up then it would happen again.
Things have gone on for far to long in this world and it needs to stop if that means people give their lives for making the world a better safer place for tomorrow they will be honored for ever.
I was ashamed when our PM refused to back the US with Iraqi and I only hope our new PM will see the value of the space defense system.
I can go on and on about many topics for every con or negative point their seems to be more good.

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