NationStates Jolt Archive

How much do you agree with that statement? Take into consideration everything that you perceive about America, culture, government, foreign diplomacy, Americans you've met, etc. I'm interested to know what foreigners think of America on this forum and what difference there is between how Americans perceive themselves and how foreigners perceive Americans.
Personally, I voted option #2. I wouldn't be anywhere else in the world (except maybe Canada) but we sure do have some fucked up leaders(I'm looking at you Dick Cheney!)

Well, I think the American continent is probably the greatest continent in the world...I don't think we can boast the biggest population, but it's a pretty great continent to live in.

If you're just referring to the US, then *vomits*

Oh goody. Another one of these threads.

This should be fun.

No way. The only place i'd want to live in America is Canada.

I'd prefer to live in many places in Europe and New Zealand before the US. I've visited the US twice and travelled all over Europe, so it's not like i'm not talking from experience. If you love the US above any other country, that's great - but not everyone shares the same views.

I'm sure someones going to accuse me of jealousy now xD

Greatest what? Consumer of oil? Figure of middle-eastern hatred?

Anyway, I think it has its good and bad aspects. Not the worst place in the world, but not the best.

Just like every other country on earth, I don’t really like it, but it has some good things.
Greatest what? Consumer of oil? Figure of middle-eastern hatred?
Does anybody else but me think this is hilarious?
Not the comment, the attitude of the Mid East.

Basically I dislike the government. We have no real control over it anymore. It does things of its own volition. I don't feel people influence it at all.

That said, I've lived outside of America. I missed the freedom, the expansive countryside, the people. Most of all I missed the freedom. Oh.. and tacos.

The problem with America

It has ideals which it holds very closely to itself as being part of what it is. Freedom, Justice, Capitalism and Democracy as being examples. However it holds them so close that they become "American" values and thus severarl things happen
- Many Americans begin to believe they have a monopoly on such things and that their version is the best
- Many Americans believe that those who practise varients of their ideas (IE European governments with more socialistic ideas) are wrong and 'evil' as a result
- The public opinion of such values in authoritarian states becomes one of which they are just "American" values and thus not for them. Where as in fact they are values that apply beyond America

Also the American government does not itself hold true to these ideals in its dealing with forigen nations. So it is seen as guilty of the highest hypocracy seeing as how highly it places those values.

Of course I love living in the US, and I'd never consider living anywhere else save for being offered an incredibly large amount of money to do so. That doesn't mean I always agree with our policies or our values, but I do enjoy living here.

The problem with America

It has ideals which it holds very closely to itself as being part of what it is. Freedom, Justice, Capitalism and Democracy as being three examples. However it holds them so close that they become "American" values and thus severarl things happen
- Many Americans begin to believe they have a monopoly on such things and that their version is the best
- Many Americans believe that those who practise varients of their ideas (IE European governments with more socialistic ideas) are wrong and 'evil' as a result
- The public opinion of such values in authoritarian states becomes one of which they are just "American" values and thus not for them. Where as in fact they are values that apply beyond America

Also the American government does not itself hold true to these ideals in its dealing with forigen nations. So it is seen as guilty of the highest hypocracy seeing as how highly it places those values.

Sad, but true. Except for the Europe being evil bit. Americans are more tolerant than you realize.

That said, I've lived outside of America. I missed the freedom

Where did you live? North Korea?

Seriously, I never noticed any particular excess of freedom in the US - if anything it was more restrictive than most places i've being to. Definitely the place with the most freedom i've visited is Holland.

I liked the vision that Franklin had, and I like many of the ideas. I also liked the time in America were poor people actually made it occasionally and became big industry magnates.

But that's all over now. America is a self-obsessed country which still believes it is special when it isn't.

So my scores are:
culture - 6/10. It is popular, although much of it I don't find particularly appealing (like pop music, or fast food)
government - 1/10. What a morass.
foreign diplomacy - 1/10. Just because they sometimes do get things right...but usually by accident.
Americans you've met - 5/10. Some were great, some were horrible. Tough to say.

God damn! Not again! The "I love America"-thread hasn't even had a proper burial yet... :(
But then again, that thread was utter BS, so this might be different...

One of the biggest problems I have with the U.S. are the big corporations, (Wal-Mart, Microsoft etc...) Did you know that Wal-Mart is trying to get into the insurance business?

Where is the "I'm sure it's a nice place, but It's not great. Just not terrible either" option?

honestly, never found anyplace else I'd rather live.

Where did you live? North Korea?

Seriously, I never noticed any particular excess of freedom in the US - if anything it was more restrictive than most places i've being to. Definitely the place with the most freedom i've visited is Holland.
I guess it depends on what freedoms you pay attention to. Freedoms to own guns, speak unpopular (even Nazi) political viewpoints, and freedom from illegal search and seizure (debatable after the patriot act) seem to be more prevalent in the US than in most parts of Europe.

Where did you live? North Korea?

Seriously, I never noticed any particular excess of freedom in the US - if anything it was more restrictive than most places i've being to. Definitely the place with the most freedom i've visited is Holland.

Well, in America, wire-tapping is more controlled than in Europe. See this link.
http://www.slate.com/id/2136147/

However, American society is probably more conservative, and you can thank Christianity for that.

Where is the "I'm sure it's a nice place, but It's not great. Just not terrible either" option?

#6 on the polll.

Freedom, Justice, Capitalism and Democracy as being three examples.
Err... that's four.

Seriously though, the US's alright. It's just like many places in Europe but with wider roads, worse food and no idea of social welfare. Wouldn't particularly want to live there, but it's quite nice to visit.

No way. The only place i'd want to live in America is Canada.
Canada is part of America now? :eek:

Who'd 'a thunk it! Did we make them just one State or several?

honestly, never found anyplace else I'd rather live.
Ditto.

I guess it depends on what freedoms you pay attention to. Freedoms to own guns, speak unpopular (even Nazi) political viewpoints, and freedom from illegal search and seizure (debatable after the patriot act) seem to be more prevalent in the US than in most parts of Europe.

Most people in Europe aren't bothered about guns like Americans are, so that's really not so relevant. Very few people want to own a gun, unless they are criminals, so it makes sense to keep guns illegal. I think that trying to ban guns in the US just isn't feasible and it's probably best to make them free to own there, but in other countries its different.

I'm not aware of the exact laws concerned with freedom of speech, but I think the recent publishing of the Islam cartoons shows that most countries have a pretty fair degree of it. I've certainly never felt restricted by any laws, and neither has anyone i've met.

I'm also not sure on the differences between American and European laws on searching, but I remeber the quote from Pulp Fiction concerning Holland - "It's illegal to carry it, but that doesn't matter, cause get this - if a cop stops you on the street it's illegal for them to search you"

Dunno the truth of that, but Holland still gets my vote for most free nation.

Canada is part of America now? :eek:

Who'd 'a thunk it! Did we make them just one State or several?They're all living in one State...



Denial. :D :p :D

Canada is part of America now? :eek:

Who'd 'a thunk it! Did we make them just one State or several?

Don't be a dick. It was obvious that in that statement I was using the word "America" to describe both North America and South America combined - I wouldn't want to live in anywhere in South America and only in Canada in North America.

I don't object to people using the word "America" to refer to the US - I do it, simply because it's easier to say. However, you don't have a monopoly on that word and I can use it in both senses if I choose. Besides, that's a debate that's being done over a thousand times.

They're all living in one State...

Denial. :D :p :D
Heh! Perhaps. Actually, I kinda like Canada. It's just a shame so many of them seem to dislike America here lately. I don't see us raising hell about their politics, why do they feel they have the right to lump us all together and raise hell about ours?

Most people in Europe aren't bothered about guns like Americans are, so that's really not so relevant. Very few people want to own a gun, unless they are criminals, so it makes sense to keep guns illegal. I think that trying to ban guns in the US just isn't feasible and it's probably best to make them free to own there, but in other countries its different.

I'm not aware of the exact laws concerned with freedom of speech, but I think the recent publishing of the Islam cartoons shows that most countries have a pretty fair degree of it. I've certainly never felt restricted by any laws, and neither has anyone i've met.

I'm also not sure on the differences between American and European laws on searching, but I remember the quote from Pulp Fiction concerning Holland - "It's illegal to carry it, but that doesn't matter, cause get this - if a cop stops you on the street it's illegal for them to search you"

Dunno the truth of that, but Holland still gets my vote for most free nation.
1) Though gun rights don't matter to you or most Europeans they do matter to Americans. You can't say that they're simply not relevant because they are relevant to us. It's still a right that we wouldn't have if we chose to move to a European country.

2) Many European nations still have blasphemy laws. If I'm not mistaken a person could be arrested in Germany for selling copies of Mein Kampf. In the US we don't have such restrictions on speech.

3) Holland may have us beat there, but in Britain I think the police actually have more leeway to search than in the US. I may be wrong, but don't the police in Britain carry "Warrant cards" that permit them to search a home based on suspicion?

Anyway, like I said. Who's more free depends on what freedoms you really care about.

I'm not aware of the exact laws concerned with freedom of speech, but I think the recent publishing of the Islam cartoons shows that most countries have a pretty fair degree of it. I've certainly never felt restricted by any laws, and neither has anyone i've met.

Can mention what the European Convention on Human Rights says on the subject:

ARTICLE 10

1.Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. this right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information an ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.

2.The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or the rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.
Source (http://www.hrcr.org/docs/Eur_Convention/euroconv3.html)

So my scores are:
culture - 8/10. Rap is the only thing keeping this from a 10.
government - 5/10. Aceptable.
foreign diplomacy - 1/10. Sucks.
Americans you've met - 10/10. Only people I've had trouble with are Mexican immigrants.

We here in America (the nation) use the word "Americas" to describe both the continents of N. and S. America. We use the full continent names to describe either one.

America is synomous with United States of America.

At any rate, America (the nation, again) is my homeland, and I would never live anywhere else.

Well, Canada's pretty nice, too.

1) Though gun rights don't matter to you or most Europeans they do matter to Americans. You can't say that they're simply not relevant because they are relevant to us. It's still a right that we wouldn't have if we chose to move to a European country.

2) Many European nations still have blasphemy laws. If I'm not mistaken a person could be arrested in Germany for selling copies of Mein Kampf. In the US we don't have such restrictions on speech.

3) Holland may have us beat there, but in Britain I think the police actually have more leeway to search than in the US. I may be wrong, but don't the police in Britain carry "Warrant cards" that permit them to search a home based on suspicion?

Anyway, like I said. Who's more free depends on what freedoms you really care about.


1) True, and I concede your point there - Americans who like their guns will most likely be happier at home.

2) Meh - I know Germany is pretty restrictive on some stuff because of their past, but rather that than be completely unapologetic like the Austrians. I think it's probably different throughout Europe.

3) Never heard of that to be honest. I know police can 'stop and search' people legally based on suspicion unlike in Holland, but I have only heard about search warrants like they have elsewhere. Wouldn't suprise me too much though if there are such things - I wouldn't claim Britain to be free as some places in Europe, but I still prefer to live here.

3) Holland may have us beat there, but in Britain I think the police actually have more leeway to search than in the US. I may be wrong, but don't the police in Britain carry "Warrant cards" that permit them to search a home based on suspicion?


No. Its simmilar to America. You need a search warrant, but if its in plain sight (IE you dont need to move anything to see it) then you take it as evidence without a warrent

1) Though gun rights don't matter to you or most Europeans they do matter to Americans. You can't say that they're simply not relevant because they are relevant to us. It's still a right that we wouldn't have if we chose to move to a European country.

2) Many European nations still have blasphemy laws. If I'm not mistaken a person could be arrested in Germany for selling copies of Mein Kampf. In the US we don't have such restrictions on speech.

3) Holland may have us beat there, but in Britain I think the police actually have more leeway to search than in the US. I may be wrong, but don't the police in Britain carry "Warrant cards" that permit them to search a home based on suspicion?

Anyway, like I said. Who's more free depends on what freedoms you really care about.
1) No, its not gun rights that don't concern Europeans, its just guns in general.

2) Well, there is an understandable reason for the example you picked.

3)I'm not British, but I sincerely doubt it. Normally, what they do, we follow.

Let's just say we're all free! Freer anyway than North Korea, which is all that matters.

I think the traditional relationship Europeans have with their government is different from the American one. Very often I get the impression that Americans believe that government is a necessary evil, something that is better opposed and kept under close observation.
My suspicion is that that comes from the revolution and the folklore that stems from that.

Europe works a little differently there, but the fundamental principles are still around. They are still free and open societies (some moreso than others perhaps) and usually very tolerant.

An interesting way of looking at it also comes from this Spiegel editorial:
What American Conservatives Need to Know about Europe (http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,395120,00.html)

3) Holland may have us beat there, but in Britain I think the police actually have more leeway to search than in the US. I may be wrong, but don't the police in Britain carry "Warrant cards" that permit them to search a home based on suspicion?

Nope. In Britain the police have to get a warrant issued before they can enter a persons home. The only time they may enter without a search warrant is if they are:

* dealing with a breach of the peace or prevent it
* enforcing an arrest warrant
* arresting a person in connection with certain offences
* recapturing someone who has escaped from custody
* saving life or preventing serious damage to property.

Meh. There are worse places. Sure, there are better too, but you could do much worse.

EDIT: Once that's been said, no place is perfect.

Heh! Perhaps. Actually, I kinda like Canada. It's just a shame so many of them seem to dislike America here lately. I don't see us raising hell about their politics, why do they feel they have the right to lump us all together and raise hell about ours?
dunno... insecurities maybe? a strive to better themselves by putting others down? or maybe they just see themselves as being better?

:)

who knows really.

I've visited Canada once. Beautiful country and people so similar to Americans that for a time, one tends to forget you're in another country.

I live in America, so I think its cool, I hate anti Americans that actually hate Americans, not just the government.

Canada is part of America now? :eek:

Who'd 'a thunk it! Did we make them just one State or several?

Yeah, I hope you know Canadians hate that, when we refer to the U.S. as America.

Well you know, stockier than Africa, sure as hell huskier than Europe...

A man's continent if I ever saw one.

Yeah, I hope you know Canadians hate that, when we refer to the U.S. as America.
( shrug ) So let 'em sue me in the Hague. :D

God damn! Not again! The "I love America"-thread hasn't even had a proper burial yet... :(
But then again, that thread was utter BS, so this might be different...
seriously, Just go to my thread, they are like same thing and mine is much older, all arguments have probably been stated on there. It wasnt bs, thank you very much.

seriously, Just go to my thread, they are like same thing and mine is much older, all arguments have probably been stated on there. It wasnt bs, thank you very much.

I don't know if you realize this or if you did it on purpose, but you spelled the "ambassador" in "The UN ambassadorship" wrong. Just letting you know.

#4! Down with America! Especially the United States. Why only 1.08%? I don't blame Canadians for disliking that US citizens refer to the entire continent as our own, just because we're not imaginative enough to think up our own name.


"Bush, great president or the greatest president?"

America! F*** yeah!! Comin' to save the motherf***in' day!! (http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/teamamericaworldpolice/americafuckyeah.htm) :D

*mutters unintelligibly to self, wipes nose absentmindedly on Old Glory, wanders off from tour group*

Two things:

1] America is founded on "love it or change it", not "love it or leave it".

2] Muhammed Ali is the Greatest.

I don't blame Canadians for disliking that US citizens refer to the entire continent as our own, just because we're not imaginative enough to think up our own name.
Actually, its the Europeans that made the whole mess.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_continent
The earliest known use of the name America for the continents of the Americas dates from 1507. It appears on a globe and a large map created by the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges. An accompanying book, Cosmographiae Introductio, explains that the name was derived from the Latinized version of the explorer Amerigo Vespucci's name, Americus Vespucius, in its feminine form, America, as the other continents all have Latin feminine names. However, as Dr. Basil Cottle (Author, Dictionary of Surnames, 1967) points out, new countries or continents are never named after a person's first name, always after their second name. Thus, America should really have become Vespucci Land or Vespuccia if the Italian explorer really gave his name to the newly discovered continent. Christopher Columbus, who had first brought the continents' existence to the attention of Renaissance era voyagers, had died in 1506 (believing, to the end, that he'd discovered and conquered part of India) and could not protest Waldseemüller's decision.

A few alternative theories regarding the continents' naming have been proposed, but none of them have any widespread acceptance. One alternative first proposed by a Bristol antiquary and naturalist, Alfred Hudd, was that America is derived from Richard Amerike, a merchant from Bristol, who is believed to have financed John Cabot's voyage of discovery from England to Newfoundland in 1497. Supposedly, Bristol fishermen had been visiting the coast of North America for at least a century before Columbus' voyage and Waldseemüller's maps are alleged to incorporate information from the early English journeys to North America. The theory holds that a variant of Amerike's name appeared on an early English map (of which however no copies survive) and that this was the true inspiration for Waldseemüller.

Another theory, first advanced by Jules Marcou in 1875 and later recounted by novelist Jan Carew, is that the name America derives from the district of Amerrique in Nicaragua. The gold-rich district of Amerrique was purportedly visited by both Vespucci and Columbus, for whom the name became synonymous with gold. According to Marcou, Vespucci later applied the name to the New World, and even changed the spelling of his own name from Alberigo to Amerigo to reflect the importance of the discovery.

Vespucci's role in the naming issue, like his exploratory activity, is unclear and most probably a tale. Some sources say that he was unaware of the widespread use of his name to refer to the new landmass. Others hold that he promulgated a story that he had made a secret voyage westward and sighted land in 1491, a year before Columbus. If he did indeed make such claims, they backfired, and only served to prolong the ongoing debate on whether the "Indies" were really a new land, or just an extension of Asia.
By this account, the Americas should be called "Erikland" or something to that effect. Maybe just, "New Found Land".

Then with people just being picky.
Whether usage of America or the Americas is preferred, many people living in the Americas refer to themselves as American. However, most of the English-speaking world (including Canada), use the word to refer solely to a citizen or resident of the United States of America. This may be due, at least in part, to the fact that the phrase "United States" does not easily translate into an adjective or descriptive noun in English. While Spanish-speaking peoples in Latin America use the word estadounidense (literally, "United-States-ian" or "of the United States"), calling someone a "United States-man" or "United States'er" or other such constructions sound awkward in English. This has led to the use of the word "American". Nevertheless, calling a U.S. citizen simply americano or americana in Spanish is considered offensive in some areas of Latin America. Some Latin Americans, however, will use "americano" or "americana" to refer to people from the United States in colloquial speech while still considering themselves "American", just as Germans or Spaniards would consider themselves "European".
Which is why I don't say, "I'm American!" I prefer, "I'm Michiganian!"

Well, I think the American continent is probably the greatest continent in the world...I don't think we can boast the biggest population, but it's a pretty great continent to live in.

If you're just referring to the US, then *vomits*

Fear not! Should Canada continue being so fragmented and basically ungovernable (what with the liberal/conservative split and the ever-seperatists Quebecois), then you can rest assured that in the next 30 years or so we'll see a US flag with 62 stars on it. :D

Fear not! Should Canada continue being so fragmented and basically ungovernable (what with the liberal/conservative split and the ever-seperatists Quebecois), then you can rest assured that in the next 30 years or so we'll see a US flag with 62 stars on it. :D
Actually, its our divine right to do that! Manifest Destiny and jingoism anyone? I'm not talking just about Canada. I'm talking about the United State of America (that being, all of it)! :D

Two things:

1] America is founded on "love it or change it", not "love it or leave it".

2] Muhammed Ali is the Greatest.
two points.
1] it is "Love it or Leave it''. Why? simple. if you Love America, then you will try to change it, to right the wrongs and mold America to fit what you feel America should be. but, if you hate America, and I mean all you do is just sit back and bitch about it without trying to change anything (even not voting and bitching about the results) then it would be better if you just leave.

2] agreed.

Is it me, or does the poll look suspiciously like someone giving the finger with both hands? :D

two points.
1] it is "Love it or Leave it''. Why? simple. if you Love America, then you will try to change it, to right the wrongs and mold America to fit what you feel America should be. but, if you hate America, and I mean all you do is just sit back and bitch about it without trying to change anything (even not voting and bitching about the results) then it would be better if you just leave.

Good point. Conceded.

2] agreed.

Damn straight! Not even Chuck Norris could beat the Champ.

The greatest what?

i think the government could use a huge revamp and everyone could do with a smack in the face, but the people here are pretty funny and well... most of my friends are here :( haha

I think if America dropped it's arrogant we own you b*tch attitude it would be far more popular. It is a little self centred, and eventually it's economical dominance is going to fall to somone like China, so I hope they make some friends before it happens.

Is it me, or does the poll look suspiciously like someone giving the finger with both hands? :D
That was of course the point of the poll:cool:

Is it me, or does the poll look suspiciously like someone giving the finger with both hands? :D
What should we name it?! Its gotta be a new statistical trend! :p

alot of people dont like america because of bush. But people in other countrires dont understand that bush isn't our entire goverment and that just because bush is a republican dosn't mean that everyone else in our country is.

alot of people dont like america because of bush. But people in other countrires dont understand that bush isn't our entire goverment and that just because bush is a republican dosn't mean that everyone else in our country is.
We do the same thing though.
*points to Iran*

You know, I used to get super pissed when I read these " America sucks ass" threads, until I realized that maybe its not the country, the land, the people in it, but the government that everyone really despises. I will be the first to say our government needs a right hook and a left jab, but I take offense when people start this anti American crap. If it is so horribly rotten, then why are people still risking life and limb to get into this country?

We may not be the greatest, but we sure as hell dont deserve 8 threads per day telling us how shitty we are. If we did that about other countries- the threads would be deemed as flame bait or trolling.

I'm an American and I'm a pretty damn nice person. So dont lump us all into a "all Americans are "fat/lazy/stupid/selfish" category.

We may not be the greatest, but we sure as hell dont deserve 8 threads per day telling us how shitty we are. If we did that about other countries- the threads would be deemed as flame bait or trolling.
Not to mention in RL. I spazed out on some innocent Finn last week. Something on how McDonalds and Coca-Cola support the human slave trade. Only thing was, it was a metaphor, and I missed it due to a language thing, and rasied hell about it. Because, when you think about it, what do McDonalds and Coca-Cola have to do with the human slave trade? Ronald McDonald's House (or whatever its called) actually does charitable efforts. Anyhow, it was a big misunderstanding. I'm just a touchy American on edge.

America home of the free the brave etc. The land where they elect their next dictator for the comming 4 years. :D

I basicly don't see much good in america nowdays, I'm sure that there are some aspects, I just don't think there are that many...especially for a country of it's size.

I voted "I don't really like it, but it has some good points" (Non-American) though I think that's a bit harsher than my views really are. I think America's about 50/50 when it comes to good and bad points.

Good points:
-You like freedom. Some people tend to go on about it a bit more than I like, and I've found Europe to be more free (though it depends on your definition of "Free"), but the enthusiasm is good.
-The people. I visited America for the first time last summer, and the people I met were SO nice. The shop attendants were all very understanding when I explained that I was Irish, and yes, I'd been there a week, and no, I still can't remember which is a dime and which is a nickle.
-Free refills. You buy one glass of coke, refill it as many times as you like, free of charge. Sad, I know, but this was seriously the highlight of my trip.

Bad points:
-Government. There's been enough threads on NS to cover this a hundred times over, but basically, Bush, Foreign policy, Enviromental policy, the two party system, and Bush.
-Isolation. I think the fact that America's pretty isolated is a problem which gives rise to the idea of "America- FUCK YEAH!!" idea that some people have, as they see their country as a bastian of liberalism, democracy, and culture, because, basically, they don't get out more. I'd like to stress the "Some people" in that sentance, I know a lot of the Americans reading this won't be in this category. Also, I acknowledge that I could be seriously wrong on this point, but it's just my opinion.
-Right wing bias in the media, which contributes to the aformentioned "America- FUCK YEAH!!" attitude, and the whole "patriotism" thing, which can be taken a bit too far at times. "HOW DARE YOU QUESTION OUR MIGHTY OVERLORD BUSH??? DIE PINKO COMMIE!!"

This is just a small list, there's plenty more good and bad points, but I got bored, and have an essay to finish. And by finish, I mean start... DAMN YOU NS FORUMS!!! So addictive...

Ah, yet again a poll that makes me feel left out :p

I hate its leader.

And i also hate segrated polls enough with this adding (from here) andd (from there) at the end of poll options.

All the americans I've met have been nice inteligent left wingers.

However this is mainly as I've only met the ones that leave america for at least part of their lives.

From what I've seen/read/been told of america (the U.S. here), I get the impression that if we woke up one day and it had disapeared in the night then the world as a whole would be ahead in the game.....

[QUOTE=Neu Leonstein] America is a self-obsessed country which still believes it is special when it isn't.

I agree.

I agree.
So do I.

[x] Down With American Imperialis Pigs! (Not American) :D

There are so many things seriously wrong with the US that I don't know where to start... I really feel sorry for the few sane people that still live there in the US because they don't have a chance to move out.

America is great if you don't mind slightly increased levels of jingoism and a noticeable lack of public services, or being spit on by their current government if you disagree with its policies. I was thinking of visiting Miami or somewhere like that until quite recently, when I discovered Malta.

America is a bunch of morons, but that's not completely our fault (leaders are morons *cough*Bush*cough*) idk if i'd want to live anywere else except Japan and Canada (at least until WWIII starts)

The US society is a very effective brainwash, I've been there on holiday for two weeks and I slowly begain to forget that there was anything but the US, I don't know how they do it but Americans are subjected to this their whole life.

Meh ... it's an ok place. It needs some reform here and there, but there are some great points that I like very much:

1] I don't get met with armed resistance when I go to vote.
2] The government changes hands without a coup.
3] I'm allowed to say "GEORGE BUSH SUCKS ASS!!!" on the steps of the Capitol without fear of arrest.
4] I can do a completely unfiltered Google search.
5] I can kill myself eating 6 cheeseburgers and drinking 4 liters of Coke a day and do this knowing there will always be plenty more food where that came from.
6] I have such freedom to travel that I can actually bitch about gas prices.

Some nice stuff here. I'm sure there's better elsewhere, but it's not so bad here either.

As a britishman thorugh and through, I'm still trying to grasp the thought of a little hatchling leaving us and being succesful. Without Britain, America wouldn't exist. So americans owe us a huge debt.

I hate America. Everything except the following suck: Subway, Donuts, Democrats, A minority of American People I have met and Hillybillies.

And what is it with american chocolate? It dosn't taste like real chocolate but more like Carob. I tried an american milky way, and istantly spat it out. Because instead of the sweet chocolate and the creamy centre, I got something that tasted like cheap marshmallow covered in excrement.

And american culture. What culture?

Government: Self Explanatory.

Singers: James Blunt (Who is the worst British singer alive!) is actually better than most americand bands and artists.

Awards: Just a big american Publicity sham.

Hollywood: Ditto

Texas: Bunch of oil-shagging, bush-loving, gun-shooting idiots.

Bagel: Round piece of bread that is extremely stodged up

Junk food/ Fast food/ Main food source of America: Obesity. It's what caused Michelle McManus and Rik Waller (search on google if you're an american)

Good enough?

As a britishman thorugh and through, I'm still trying to grasp the thought of a little hatchling leaving us and being succesful. Without Britain, America wouldn't exist. So americans owe us a huge debt.

I hate America. Everything except the following suck: Subway, Donuts, Democrats, A minority of American People I have met and Hillybillies.

And what is it with american chocolate? It dosn't taste like real chocolate but more like Carob. I tried an american milky way, and istantly spat it out. Because instead of the sweet chocolate and the creamy centre, I got something that tasted like cheap marshmallow covered in excrement.

And american culture. What culture?

Government: Self Explanatory.

Singers: James Blunt (Who is the worst British singer alive!) is actually better than most americand bands and artists.

Awards: Just a big american Publicity sham.

Hollywood: Ditto

Texas: Bunch of oil-shagging, bush-loving, gun-shooting idiots.

Bagel: Round piece of bread that is extremely stodged up

Junk food/ Fast food/ Main food source of America: Obesity. It's what caused Michelle McManus and Rik Waller (search on google if you're an american)

Good enough?

Seems to me like you really like your stereotypes. But yeah, good enough.

Stereotypes are not really any use. I look at a country, give it a score. Dig a bit deeper, give it a score. See if anything suprises me, average it out and wallah.

What is it with americans and rap? Rap is just some mindless gibbering about who you bonked, who got killed, you look fat, and my dog blew my cat.

Anyone agree?

I voted "I don't really like it, but it has some good points" (Non-American) though I think that's a bit harsher than my views really are. I think America's about 50/50 when it comes to good and bad points.

Good points:
-You like freedom. Some people tend to go on about it a bit more than I like, and I've found Europe to be more free (though it depends on your definition of "Free"), but the enthusiasm is good.
-The people. I visited America for the first time last summer, and the people I met were SO nice. The shop attendants were all very understanding when I explained that I was Irish, and yes, I'd been there a week, and no, I still can't remember which is a dime and which is a nickle.
-Free refills. You buy one glass of coke, refill it as many times as you like, free of charge. Sad, I know, but this was seriously the highlight of my trip.

Bad points:
-Government. There's been enough threads on NS to cover this a hundred times over, but basically, Bush, Foreign policy, Enviromental policy, the two party system, and Bush.
-Isolation. I think the fact that America's pretty isolated is a problem which gives rise to the idea of "America- FUCK YEAH!!" idea that some people have, as they see their country as a bastian of liberalism, democracy, and culture, because, basically, they don't get out more. I'd like to stress the "Some people" in that sentance, I know a lot of the Americans reading this won't be in this category. Also, I acknowledge that I could be seriously wrong on this point, but it's just my opinion.
-Right wing bias in the media, which contributes to the aformentioned "America- FUCK YEAH!!" attitude, and the whole "patriotism" thing, which can be taken a bit too far at times. "HOW DARE YOU QUESTION OUR MIGHTY OVERLORD BUSH??? DIE PINKO COMMIE!!"

This is just a small list, there's plenty more good and bad points, but I got bored, and have an essay to finish. And by finish, I mean start... DAMN YOU NS FORUMS!!! So addictive...

I'm with you until the "right-wing bias of the media". I know it's hard for newcomers to understand, but the Democrats *are* the liberals in the US. (NB: I'm a Slovak ex-pat).

That said, the media in the US is skewed very much towards the LEFT, not the right.

Liberal news outlets:
The New York Times, The Daily News, The Washington Post, CNN, NPR (National Public Radio), CBS, ABC, NBC, Air America/Al Franken (dying a slow death, but still on the air), and Hollywood.

Conservative news outlets:
The New York Post, Fox News, Rush Limbaugh.

...I personally put MSNBC, C-Span and Bloomberg in the "generally non-partisan" camp.

Now, before anyone gets huffy:
* I read/listen/watch each and every one of these news sources at least once a week, if not daily.
* I firmly believe that the two parties are 90% the same.
* It's the Nancy Pelosis, Ted Kennedys, George Bushes and Donald Rumsfelds that ruin the political landscape. Punditry is bad, but the rabid extremes of both sides are cancerous.

Meh ... it's an ok place. It needs some reform here and there, but there are some great points that I like very much:


1] I don't get met with armed resistance when I go to vote.
Neither do alot of other countries, yet they don't vote who will be their next dictator for the comming 4 years either.

2] The government changes hands without a coup.
see above, and also the US coups other countries instead...

3] I'm allowed to say "GEORGE BUSH SUCKS ASS!!!" on the steps of the Capitol without fear of arrest.
As in alot of other countries.

4] I can do a completely unfiltered Google search.
As opposed to what? China? At least they don't use stuff like "Echelon" to listen in on everything you say in a mail, sms telephone or fax-machine...

5] I can kill myself eating 6 cheeseburgers and drinking 4 liters of Coke a day and do this knowing there will always be plenty more food where that came from.
Americans fail with this kind of suicide every day. oh and here's the mandatory; You can do that in alot of other countries as well.

6] I have such freedom to travel that I can actually bitch about gas prices.
Yeah, you bitch about your gas, we know...It's not even expensive in the US...

Some nice stuff here. I'm sure there's better elsewhere, but it's not so bad here either.

The US is faulty because it's always "we have/want freedom", Responsibility doesn't seem to be such an important issue with you guys...

And what's with not charging the prisoners in guantanamo bay with anything!? What's up with that!? And while we are looking at the shadowy allyways, let's talk DEATH-PENALTY and POLICE CORRUPTION/EXESSIVE FORCE, the unwillingness to acctually scrap your nukes, even the russians are progressing better with the removal of their bombs, and how about GUN-CONTROL!? Any freak can buy a semi-automatic carbine/rifle..supposedly for "self defense" or "hunting"...yeah...or maybe a bit of a powertrip...

*Psycotic rant deactivating...returning to normal functions in 3...2...1...*:D

I'm going to start a "I Hate America Club!" one of these days just to see who joins. I bet it'd be wildly popular.

Rap isn't something wholly American. The only music genre we've invented is Blues.

I'm with you until the "right-wing bias of the media". I know it's hard for newcomers to understand, but the Democrats *are* the liberals in the US. (NB: I'm a Slovak ex-pat).

That said, the media in the US is skewed very much towards the LEFT, not the right.

Liberal news outlets:
The New York Times, The Daily News, The Washington Post, CNN, NPR (National Public Radio), CBS, ABC, NBC, Air America/Al Franken (dying a slow death, but still on the air), and Hollywood.

Conservative news outlets:
The New York Post, Fox News, Rush Limbaugh.

...I personally put MSNBC, C-Span and Bloomberg in the "generally non-partisan" camp.



Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that there was nothing but a right wing media, but I was under the impression that the right's media outlets were more viewed than the left? Isn't Fox news America's most popular news network? If no, thank you for correcting me.


6] I have such freedom to travel that I can actually bitch about gas prices.



Isn't it illegal for Americans to travel to Cuba? I've heard that if you want to go, you have to fly to Mexico or somewhere first, and then get a flight to Cuba. That's not exactly freedom to travel.

Stereotypes are not really any use. I look at a country, give it a score. Dig a bit deeper, give it a score. See if anything suprises me, average it out and wallah.


VOILA! Not 'wallah'... jeesh.

Rome<America

I'm going to start a "I Hate America Club!" one of these days just to see who joins. I bet it'd be wildly popular.

Rap isn't something wholly American. The only music genre we've invented is Blues.

Hip hop? and no- not Fiddy and Co. I mean the originals- Run DMC and that sort.

I'd give the States credit for that.

Hmm that poll wasn't broad enough. You could've put an 'other' sort of option in because none of them really suited me. Or an 'I don't care about America' or 'America is Overrated' option... That's just cynical me anyway. :rolleyes:

I don't really like it, but there are some good things. (Not American)
Is what i vote for but that isn't 100% accurate.

I find it amusing that the country fearing religious extrimity the most, is allso the one where such silly superstitions still dictate every day life. No where in Europe will you find such idiocy, and power can not be siezed by siding with god..

In addition, Europe is so far ahead in every aspect it's almost embarrasing. There is allways loughter in the theaters when american movie stars whip up their brick-like cell phones, or fire up their 5.6l "muscle" cars when Saab, or BMW go in circles around that same car with their "puny" 1.8l lol

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that there was nothing but a right wing media, but I was under the impression that the right's media outlets were more viewed than the left? Isn't Fox news America's most popular news network? If no, thank you for correcting me.

Ah! That's a different question! (Sorry if I misunderstood you the first time).
I'm not sure as to if the Conservative ways are more viewed or not, but as there are LESS of them, that might be the case...
I can say that the New York Times is far and away the most widely read paper in the country, but that Rush Limbaugh is much more popular on the radio. Fox News might be a bit more popular than CNN, but Hollywood tends to cancel that out nicely. (I can't think of a single pro-military film since "Top Gun".)

Isn't it illegal for Americans to travel to Cuba? I've heard that if you want to go, you have to fly to Mexico or somewhere first, and then get a flight to Cuba. That's not exactly freedom to travel.

Yes, that's right. (And I know this isn't directed at me, but I'll answer it anyway). However, *every* country on Earth has some countries that it requires restricted Visas to enter from, and places you can't travel to directly. For a long time Brits couldn't go directly to Libya, for example.
And Canadians couldn't travel to Spain back in 1995...

I find it amusing that the country fearing religious extrimity the most, is allso the one where such silly superstitions still dictate every day life. No where in Europe will you find such idiocy, and power can not be siezed by siding with god..

True. It's so much better when Euros posture by offering to abstain from sex like Berlusconi (Italy) or POISON their competition - Yushchenko (Ukraine).
Yeah, Europe is a much more refined place. :rolleyes:

BTW, given that some nations will be losing their cultural identities in a generation or three (that means YOU, Holland!), I'd not throw stones just because the US is 85% Christian and hangs onto it as a core value. That's called "intolerance".

In addition, Europe is so far ahead in every aspect it's almost embarrasing. There is allways loughter in the theaters when american movie stars whip up their brick-like cell phones, or fire up their 5.6l "muscle" cars when Saab, or BMW go in circles around that same car with their "puny" 1.8l lol

Yet you continue to go to the theatres. Personally, I find the poor plots and the questionable laws of physics far more problematic...

As for my cellphone, I carry a Razr. :)

Isn't it illegal for Americans to travel to Cuba? I've heard that if you want to go, you have to fly to Mexico or somewhere first, and then get a flight to Cuba. That's not exactly freedom to travel.

No, it isn't illegal, it's just very restricted. Besides ... I can't *drive* to Cuba. I do, however, have the freedom to defect to Cuba if I so choose.

Rap isn't something wholly American. The only music genre we've invented is Blues.

Rap, Hip-Hop, Blues, Jazz, Rock and Roll, Funk, Punk, and Swing were all invented in America.

kk other than politcal reasons and the annoying patriotism thingy which i dont wanna go into my hate of there are lots of things i hate... ahem....

SUGAR IN MILK WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU LOT THINKING
the high school culture it sickens me
rednecks omg they annoy me so much
ridiculous gun laws why the hell do you want a gun ( other than hunting or even better fox hunting- do you do that in america or is it banned like it is here,(UK) do you even have foxes in your country)
you blantent disregard for the environment
the irritating have a nice day fake happiness feel of your shops
the whole christianity thing okay your a christian dont shove it in my face so much
the whole rascism thing i know you claim to be not rascist but it is
i went to georgia and florida once ooh and tennesse and in those places when we went to a church we saw some people leave because a black family cam into the church there were even people who crossed the street because there were black people on their side

these are just a few of the reasons why i hate usa which are non political

btw i would like to say i have nothing against american people ( or christians )just your culture

punk was made in britain

kk other than politcal reasons and the annoying patriotism thingy which i dont wanna go into my hate of there are lots of things i hate... ahem....

SUGAR IN MILK WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU LOT THINKING
the high school culture it sickens me
rednecks omg they annoy me so much
ridiculous gun laws why the hell do you want a gun ( other than hunting or even better fox hunting- do you do that in america or is it banned like it is here,(UK) do you even have foxes in your country)
you blantent disregard for the environment
the irritating have a nice day fake happiness feel of your shops
the whole christianity thing okay your a christian dont shove it in my face so much
the whole rascism thing i know you claim to be not rascist but it is
i went to georgia and florida once ooh and tennesse and in those places when we went to a church we saw some people leave because a black family cam into the church there were even people who crossed the street because there were black people on their side

these are just a few of the reasons why i hate usa which are non political

btw i would like to say i have nothing against american people ( or christians )just your culture

punk was made in britain

I agree with most of the things you said, but punk was invented in the US. The Ramones' first album was realeased in 1976, and it was the first true punk album. Also, proto-punk bands like the Stooges were American. You seem to think that most Americans are Christian racists, which is not the case, although there definetely is that particular group.

There is certainly a distinction (to me, at least) between american punk and foreign punk. What most people call 'punk' is generally american punk.

BTW, many "old south" southerners have gotten used to the whole idea of blacks and have now turned their attention towards disliking the north.

There is certainly a distinction (to me, at least) between american punk and foreign punk. What most people call 'punk' is generally american punk.

BTW, many "old south" southerners have gotten used to the whole idea of blacks and have now turned their attention towards disliking the north.

What's the distinction? And anyway, the meanest, toughest, nastiest, and fastest type of punk-harcore punk-was started in America.

i dont think all of them are christian rascists from this forum alone i see alot of you arent ( i need to get a life outside the internet

but as you said there is a particular group and to be honest they have tainted my opinion of your culture and its a shame


ooh and to be honest i was thinking more sex pistols punk none of that blink 182 crap

There is certainly a distinction (to me, at least) between american punk and foreign punk. What most people call 'punk' is generally american punk.

BTW, many "old south" southerners have gotten used to the whole idea of blacks and have now turned their attention towards disliking the north.


Ahh..are we going to see the return of the Confederates?

Ahh..are we going to see the return of the Confederates?

Doubtful. Northern Virginia and Richmond are awash in Northerners, New Orleans is a wasteland, Dallas is an economic basket case and the Carolinas are fast becoming a New England retirement home. Heck, the Colony of New Haven would have a better chance of splitting from Connecticut and making a comeback. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Haven_Colony

Besides, the South is too busy deciding who's president to bring back "The Late Unpleasantness". :D

Ahh..are we going to see the return of the Confederates?
I hope so as then i can retire my flag.
THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN!

Rap, Hip-Hop, Blues, Jazz, Rock and Roll, Funk, Punk, and Swing were all invented in America.
Damn NPR and their propoganda! :p
-conpirations about the South rising again-
Never going to happen. Why? The South has appointed itself as the retainers of everything American. Plus, the Feds are too strong these days. We don't have to go through testing them again just to see who is stronger! States rights mean nothing. Various court rulings have made that apparent.

America is a great country but its far from being perfect.

...and the Carolinas are fast becoming a New England retirement home...I thooght New England was the New England retirment home? ;)

Seriously though, the american government is a hypocritical, secrative, neo-facist, imperialistic and (i hate to use the word) evil mess. I dislike the american population's apathy towards their government's betrayl of them.:(

I thooght New England was the New England retirment home? ;)

Seriously though, the american government is a hypocritical, secrative, neo-facist, imperialistic and (i hate to use the word) evil mess. I dislike the american population's apathy towards their government's betrayl of them.:(

Heh. Have you ever heard of "snowbirds"? I know *many* people over 55 that live October to March or so in Florida or the Carolinas, and April to September up here in CT....

Yep. Just like it's always been. It germenated around the time of the Civil War, established itself with the Spanish American War, and has been with us ever since. When you live in a world like ours, one needs to be somewhat ruthless.
This was borne out by the current clash with the Arab world. For 40 years, the US ignored the Arab street and did what it wanted to do. It was repeatedly repudiated by Arabic governments and attacked repeatedly by terrorists for 40 years. Yet the US ignored it all in light of the struggle against the USSR.