Why is the US always wrong?

[Kebean PFC]

It seems to me that no matter what we do, the US is always wrong. It doesn't matter about what, but to some of you ) the US cannot do anything right.

Thankyou for your time.

 

[FictiousWill]

nvm........................................... :hmph:

 

[Absinthe]

It's not that the US is a bad country (although I think the administration is despicable). I could name plenty of worse ones. I only make so many "anti-American" comments because I can't stand this idea people have that everything's kosher when it comes to both foreign and domestic US policy.

The notion that the USA is a righteous and benevolent beacon of hope that acts out of the goodness of its heart is one that needs to be replaced with a slight reality check.

 

[GhostFox]

People like someone to blame, and the US as the sole superpower fits that nicely. The policies of the US are 100% immaterial. No matter what the US ever does good or bad will make zero difference, so you guys should stop caring about what the rest of us think and just do your thing.

 

[baxter]

QUOTE] it seems to me that no matter what we do, the US is always wrong.[/QUOTE]

The US is not always wrong; in fact they get many things right. As the only major super power in the world, it is unfortunate that you guys are wide open to criticism.

WITHOUT BULLSHIT QUOTES FROM WEBSITES, IN YOUR OWN WORDS why the US is so bad.

No bullshit, a lot of it is envy. It is verging on primeval.Noboby like to be pushed around, whether it is in the school yard, pub, what ever.
There is, on this side of the pond a perception that the US uses its military might and super power status to bully and push around other states (I am generalising and not quoting specific).
People just don't like bullies. Whether the US has intentionally set itself up to be the worlds police man is a side issue, it is the general perception they are.

Your question should be " Is the US, capable of policing the world and if not why not?”

You guys have too much power and come across as bullies.

 

[HunterSeeker]

Its not that everything the US does is wrong, its only the wrong things we talk about.

 

[Recoil]

No bullshit, a lot of it is envy.

Yep, that's right, many envy the US's powerful position.

I personally like the US very much, as a economic/political/military ally and also on a personal level (some of the oh-so-terrible culture). The few americans I met were great people!

What I don't like sometimes is just the seemingly blind faith some people have in the administration. Not only Bush that is...

So, regarding the topic: No, the US is not always wrong.

(I consider myself as a centrist btw)

 

[KoreBolteR]

the people do envy the US of course...

this is why USB hated them, and wanted to prove them wrong, and that is what some world leaders oppose every movement of the US.

i think the american people are great... every country in the world has lots of great people, but also has very sick/evil people.. you can not stereotype any country in this world, by only looking at these bad people and classing a whole land as one 'bad person'.

but i hate it when anti-bush activists from a country outside the US blames all americans for his actions, its just not right. not to mention... they are still trying to attack his decisions whatever he does.

going to Iraq, i think its going in the right direction at the moment. Lets just look to the future.

 

[el Chi]

The notion that the USA is a righteous and benevolent beacon of hope that acts out of the goodness of its heart is one that needs to be replaced with a slight reality check.

Absinthe hits nails' heads all round. The US, fundamentally is not a bad country; it's the governmental administrations consistant world police mentality. The neo-imperialism is NOT a myth; US foreign policy is often questionable at best. There just seems to be this notion that the US knows what's best for the world and they act on this; it simply does not transpose to other cultures, yet there is little allowance for this.

It is NOT simply envy; people are genuinely pissed off at the US government's mentality.

Also, aggressive, unscrupulous American corporations are hardly popular and I think justifiably so.

I also think it's a shame that you single out Stern in this thread's opening post. Sure he stirs a lot of shit, but he gets a lot as well, and that's half the poison of the Politics forum right there in one go; it doesn't need to be added to by inflammatory threads like these. <Sighs>

 

[baxter]

I also think it's a shame that you single out Stern in this thread's opening post. Sure he stirs a lot of shit, but he gets a lot as well, and that's half the poison of the Politics forum right there in one go; it doesn't need to be added to by inflammatory threads like these. <Sighs>

Missed that, yeah you're right, I thought you shouldn't post inflamatory or threads directed at people, agreed, mate.

 

[CptStern]

I really didnt want to participate in this thread for pretty obvious reasons but let me set the record straight for (infinity + 1)' th time: US foreign policy NOT americans

 

[el Chi]

Missed that, yeah you're right, I thought you shouldn't post inflamatory or threads directed at people, agreed, mate.

Sadly it's an inherent flaw in this forum; almost every new thread is rife with vicious subtext. It's tiresome, depressing and degrades the intellect that some members clearly posess.

Just so no-one misses it:
US foreign policy NOT americans

-CptStern​

 

[Absinthe]

the people do envy the US of course...

this is why USB hated them...

This is another reason a lot of people dislike the US.

I doubt it's so much that people envy the US as much as they dislike arrogant thoughts like that.

 

[KoreBolteR]

This is another reason a lot of people dislike the US.

I doubt it's so much that people envy the US as much as they dislike arrogant thoughts like that.

how is it arrogant?! im not even american!!!

nice avatar btw.

US foreign policy NOT americans

I totally agree..

 

[el Chi]

how is it arrogant?! im not even american!!!

He wasn't saying YOU'RE arrogant - just that that viewpoint is.

 

[seinfeldrules]

The notion that the USA is a righteous and benevolent beacon of hope that acts out of the goodness of its heart is one that needs to be replaced with a slight reality check.

What is your vision of America then?

 

[KoreBolteR]

He wasn't saying YOU'RE arrogant - just that that viewpoint is.

hmm, well.. they are only stating the truth imo.

Why should some people hate millions of people because of what thier government has done. :hmph:

 

[Bodacious]

What you people who don't seem to get is is that the government is the people.

We have a representative government. The people put our leaders in power.

When you condemn the government, you condemn the people that put the government in power.

 

[ComradeBadger]

Do not defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or otherwise violate the legal rights (such as rights of privacy and publicity) of others.

Don't attack other users, this is not tolerated.

 

[KoreBolteR]

What you people who don't seem to get is is that the government is the people.

We have a representative government. The people put our leaders in power.

When you condemn the government, you condemn the people that put the government in power.

this is the only problem with democracy..

a candidate can win with only 51% of the vote, with the other 49% hating his guts!

but i have no other solution, so i will tell myself nicely to STFU. :O

 

[Kebean PFC]

I disnt ATTACK him, i singled him out, yes, becuase i do belive he is the most know ANTI US poster on this forum. People know stern, and know his views. I didn't attack him. Not by your rules anyway, on the line, yes, over, no.

If Stern considers this harrassment or any of the above, feel free to warn me and close this thread. Wow, a wicked solution huh? If I offended him, i am sorry, but again, i wouldnt call this an attack.

EDIT: And you edited my post, so i can't prove it wasn't an attack... smooth... at least give me a chance to defend myself...

Back on topic though, I do find the General Anti US feelings here to be extreemly manifest. I do find some of your reasons interesting, but the way that you exhuberantly voice them on the forums really irritates me becuse most do not even LIVE in the US, and here they are posting about how bad we are. I guess it all come down to free speech, but this is way overboard to me.

Every day another anti US thread. I guess i sohuld stay out of the politics forum. Because it is really misleading, it isn't "Politics" it is just a couple warning points waiting to happen.

 

[el Chi]

What you people who don't seem to get is is that the government is the people.

We have a representative government. The people put our leaders in power.

When you condemn the government, you condemn the people that put the government in power.

Not necessarily - had I been old enough to vote at the time, I may well have voted for Tony Blair; I do not agree with his proposed reasoning for the war in Iraq, yet you seem to be saying that I would have no right to criticise that decision made "on my behalf"?

You may vote them in, but beyond that , they're outta your hands and they can do almost whatever the f*ck they like for four years (in the US's case).

 

[seinfeldrules]

You may vote them in, but beyond that , they're outta your hands and they can do almost whatever the f*ck they like for four years (in the US's case).

Checks and balances.

 

[ComradeBadger]

I disnt ATTACK him, i singled him out, yes, becuase i do belive he is the most know ANTI US poster on this forum. People know stern, and know his views. I didn't attack him. Not by your rules anyway, on the line, yes, over, no.

If Stern considers this harrassment or any of the above, feel free to warn me and close this thread. Wow, a wicked solution huh? If I offended him, i am sorry, but again, i wouldnt call this an attack.

EDIT: And you edited my post, so i can't prove it wasn't an attack... smooth... at least give me a chance to defend myself...

I have warned you, removed the content from the start of the thread.

The thread stays open however. It contains valid discussion.

 

[Bodacious]

Not necessarily - had I been old enough to vote at the time, I may well have voted for Tony Blair; I do not agree with his proposed reasoning for the war in Iraq, yet you seem to be saying that I would have no right to criticise that decision made "on my behalf"?

But I didn't say you had no right to speak out against your leader, did I?

If what you think your elected leader is wrong vote him out, that is what elections are for. That or impeach them.

You may vote them in, but beyond that , they're outta your hands and they can do almost whatever the f*ck they like for four years (in the US's case).

Some places have recall elections. There is also impeachment. Checks and balances exist: congress and the judicial system. That and if they mess up they won't get re-elected. Bush must have done something right.

 

[seinfeldrules]

Some places have recall elections.

hahaha poor Gray Davis...

 

[KoreBolteR]

As long as a country doesnt go down the road of Tyrancy and one main power like what Askar Akeyev (ex president of Kyrgyzstan) did.

im glad the Kyrgyzstanian people protested.. this man was slowly choking the country by the neck. also being very crafty in being friendly with the US and Russia.

A new Leadership has now been appointed

 

[el Chi]

But I didn't say you had no right to speak out against your leader, did I?

If what you think your elected leader is wrong vote him out, that is what elections are for. That or impeach them.

Some places have recall elections. There is also impeachment. Checks and balances exist: congress and the judicial system. That and if they mess up they won't get re-elected. Bush must have done something right.

Impeachments happen very rarely, especially in the UK. Elections are every so often, but that doesn't mean that Blair will get out.
You make it sound easy, which it quite obviously is not.

Besides, those arguments did not really defend your position that the government and the people are practically synonymous.

 

[AzzMan]

What you people who don't seem to get is is that the government is the people.

We have a representative government. The people put our leaders in power.

When you condemn the government, you condemn the people that put the government in power.

I didn't vote for Bush. nuff said

 

[baxter]

As long as a country doesn’t go down the road of Tyrancy and one main power like what Askar Akeyev (ex president of Kyrgyzstan) did.

imp glad the Kyrgyzstanian people protested.. this man was slowly choking the country by the neck. also being very crafty in being friendly with the US and Russia.

As a fellow county man I am loathed to voice an opposing view but surely you can't be comparing America to Kyrgyzstanian.

America is a super power, and at this moment in time it is he only nation that has the military might and political power to change the world.

It is unlikely there will be an uprising on this scale in the US.

Despite all our misgivings on the US who would you suggest take the role of world police man?

Like them or loathe them (the leaders) America has contained a world war for the last 60 years. Don't quote Vietnam, Iraq etc, these are localised and not world wide.

Having said that it is difficult not to find fault in American policies, guess it’s just in our nature to bring down what we admire

 

[staticprimer]

Like them or loathe them (the leaders) America has contained a world war for the last 60 years. Don't quote Vietnam, Iraq etc, these are localised and not world wide.

Mutually assured destruction is what contained a world war for the past 60 years. We wanted to wipe communism off the face of the Earth, and the communists wanted to wipe capitalism off the face of the Earth. The USSR and NATO's power in essence cancelled each other out. However, when the USSR collapsed, it left a vaccum of power, which someone had to fill. America filled that void and now has no great power to keep it in check. That is why so many people fear and hate America, it has unchecked power. The reason we have checks and balances in the American government is so that one group (branch) does not get too powerful and end up alienating those who do not support them. Shouldn't world power have checks and balances as well?

 

[Kebean PFC]

How would you institute a checks and balances on a world scale though? It would be extreemly difficult, would you like to give your government more money so it could sent troops to Lostinthedesertistan (Fictional Place)? The world can control us quite easily. There is a magic substance that the US needs above almost anything else. Only few countries have significant amounts of it. Oil.

Every great nation that rose to power, eventually fell back down into mediocrity. The US is no different, we will fall, the question is when and how. Who will fill the space we took up as the worlds police force and to a certain extent the "big brother" of all those little rooty-poop countries in the middle of nowhere?

 

[KoreBolteR]

As a fellow county man I am loathed to voice an opposing view but surely you can't be comparing America to Kyrgyzstanian.

America is a super power, and at this moment in time it is he only nation that has the military might and political power to change the world.

It is unlikely there will be an uprising on this scale in the US.

Despite all our misgivings on the US who would you suggest take the role of world police man?

Like them or loathe them (the leaders) America has contained a world war for the last 60 years. Don't quote Vietnam, Iraq etc, these are localised and not world wide.

Having said that it is difficult not to find fault in American policies, guess it’s just in our nature to bring down what we admire

i wasnt comparing the two..

i was just stating there are more and more country leaders doing what he done these days.

im more than happy with the american system and people.

 

[Nofuture]

No matter what the US ever does good or bad will make zero difference, so you guys should stop caring about what the rest of us think and just do your thing.

The point is, that a big part of them have never cared. So you can't stop something what you haven't even started.

 

[Sprafa]

I hate America


(sarcasm tags!!)

No, now seriously, the Government of the USA is not representative at all of the wills of the people. That's why it does so much BS.

66% percent of Americans favor working within the United Nations, even when it adopts policies that the U.S. does not like.
59% percent want to do away with all vetoes in the Security Council, including America's.
74% percent want a standing U.N. peacekeeping force, commanded by the U.N., not the U.S.
49% percent approve of a tax on oil and arms that would fund U.N. activities.
Asked whether they would support their country's accepting unfavorable rulings from the World Trade Organization, 48 percent of South Koreans said yes, compared with 69 percent of Americans.
76% of Americans support the International Criminal Court
71% percent support the Kyoto accords.
87% percent support the treaty banning nuclear testing.
80% support the treaty banning land mines.


not a single USA Government follows that.

 

[Llama]

im British, so technically im im ally with America. I think George bush is a ******g ****, but 99.3% of Americas ive met were generally good, decent people who fall over my accent :rolling:

 

[Nofuture]

It seems to me that no matter what we do, the US is always wrong. It doesn't matter about what, but to some of you ) the US cannot do anything right.

I wonder why you don't see that people who discuss topics, criticize some actions or non-action of different countries because the actions or non-actions of these countries are wrong?
Isn't it pretty silly to put yourself into a position of a "victim" then?

Do you know the difference of a discussion and propaganda or even worse, hatered?
I've seen such sites. Unfortunately because of the First Amendment it seems to be legal in the US to host such racist and hatred encouraging sites.

 

[The Monkey]

They don't get everything wrong, but many of them will need to stop being so arrogant, especially the politicians.

 

[Hapless]

arrogant

adj : having or showing feelings of UNWARRANTED importance out of overbearing pride; "an arrogant official"; "arrogant claims"; "chesty as a peacock"

emphasis mine. :E

 

[Absinthe]

how is it arrogant?! im not even american!!!

To generalize all hatred for the US as mere jealousy is as ridiculous as saying that all enemies of the US hate freedom. To say such things is to pretend that the US has never inspired (often rightful) anger from the world community.

What is your vision of America then?

I view it as a nation of opportunity and wealth that is inhabited by a majority of caring and good people that are sadly ignorant to world affairs and are easily frightened by their leader thanks to their gullibility. The USA's involvement in conflicts can be best described as opportunistic or pre-emptive. For all it's parroting about liberty, justice, and the end of tyranny, it has propped up and done business with numerous dictators around the planet (and, sadly, the American people generally don't know about these things). It's recent cowboy-styled foreign policy understandably alienated the world further and the nation's leader managed to turn widespread support and sympathy for the US into hatred. It has developed an unnerving tendency to interfere with the privacy of its populace, it has given more and more room for Christian moral values to dominate, and it lied repeatedly to its own people.

What you people who don't seem to get is is that the government is the people.

We have a representative government. The people put our leaders in power.

When you condemn the government, you condemn the people that put the government in power.

Not necessarily.

A 51% majority does not represent the nation on the whole. Also, people do not often agree 100% with their candidate. They just vote for the person they agree with more. It's always a compromise, and it always leaves room for the victorious candidate to pull a stunt that will alienate his constituents.

This is ignoring faulty voting machines and the questionable procedure of barring certain voters.