Globalization: Your views on America in a post-American world

[Brian Hendershot]

I just got back from London Study Abroad and part of my assignment is to write about how people feel about the United States in global affairs.I got most of the opinions I needed, but I forgot the most important opinions of all! I need the voices of people like you. Yes you. Even you Tony..

You can talk about anything from 9/11 to President Barack Obama. I just need a few quick opinions. Hate us, Love us, I don't really care, just say something fairly productive. I know there are couple of other posts like this out there but most of them either a. went in to pointless flaming or b. have a really low post count. Oh and if you could leave your country of origin in your post that would be great.

Oh and a few months ago I made a post about advice for going to London. Thanks for all the Londoners and English who gave me excellent advice! It goes without saying I think your entire country rocks.

 

[Heathrow]

Are you canvassing for American opinions as well? I think our position in the world is simply shifting back to something more akin to what it was at the birth of our nation before the late 1800s invested us with American nationalism and the second world war convinced us of our eternal righteousness. It's clear to most of us now that America is not a perfect place and hopefully that will give us the humility to address some of our shortcomings.

Oregon, USA

 

[Brian Hendershot]

Are you canvassing for American opinions as well? I think our position in the world is simply shifting back to something more akin to what it was at the birth of our nation before the late 1800s invested us with American nationalism and the second world war convinced us of our eternal righteousness. It's clear to most of us now that America is not a perfect place and hopefully that will give us the humility to address some of our shortcomings.

Oregon, USA

HaHa actually your opinion is pretty much summing up my paper so far and yeah American opinions are more then welcome.

 

[Heathrow]

It is becoming a common opinion.

 

[intheweeds]

Canadian here. I'm still angry about free-trade. My family lost our farm and it is way more expensive to buy fresh Ontario produce grown 50 miles away than it is to buy half-ripe crap from California. How messed up is that?

I wish when we were debating a major political event in Canada, that we didn't have to concern ourselves with what the American Government thinks when we make our decisions. Unfortunately, we do. It's crazy, but when you're watching Canadian news, sometimes they will actually bring in an American political expert to comment on how they think the U.S.A. will react to our new (or changes to our) immigration/trade/drug/etc. laws. Because it matters. If the U.S.A. doesn't like what we are doing they can withhold trade etc. So we are forced to consider their opinion in all our matters. Sometimes I think the American government thinks we are a gigantic extra state.

This is of course, my humble opinion. I'm no political expert. I usually don't post in threads about this sort of thing, but i thought i would in this instance. I hope your paper turns out well! I'm not anti-american, btw at all. I completely understand that the government and the people are two different things. My experience is all i can speak to and this is what i haev seen and experienced.

 

[Lilani]

I think there is an, apparent, staggering difference between what politicians want and what the American people want. I think it's sad how hung up they are on their own parties. They seem to be so conceited as to actually think by asserting their party beliefs in any situation, every problem will magically be solved. No compromise. No talking. No listening. They think by being obstinate in their historical and grass roots view on things, they are somehow being "heroic" or "revolutionary." The fact of the matter is they are neither--they are being stubborn, spoiled brats who are so afraid of losing their power they will never say anything the majority of their party won't agree with.

And I'm talking both Republicans and Democrats, here. Both deserve a good kick in the teeth. They can take their fundamental beliefs and shove them right up their asses. It's all just a game to them. A game they're played hundreds of thousands of dollars to play, and we are the ones at stake if they lose.

Oh, and I'm from Missouri. And a female, if that means anything to your study. Good luck~

 

[Dense_Electric]

I think there is an, apparent, staggering difference between what politicians want and what the American people want. I think it's sad how hung up they are on their own parties. They seem to be so conceited as to actually think by asserting their party beliefs in any situation, every problem will magically be solved. No compromise. No talking. No listening. They think by being obstinate in their historical and grass roots view on things, they are somehow being "heroic" or "revolutionary." The fact of the matter is they are neither--they are being stubborn, spoiled brats who are so afraid of losing their power they will never say anything the majority of their party won't agree with.

And I'm talking both Republicans and Democrats, here. Both deserve a good kick in the teeth. They can take their fundamental beliefs and shove them right up their asses. It's all just a game to them. A game they're played hundreds of thousands of dollars to play, and we are the ones at stake if they lose.

Oh, and I'm from Missouri. And a female, if that means anything to your study. Good luck~

I think you mean trillions of dollars, but yes, you're entirely right.

The degree of party-based polarization in this country is getting ridiculous - no one on either side wants to compromise on anything because they're too busy shouting about how the other side never wants to compromise. To them, their party is right, the other party is wrong - they refuse to see themselves as two sides of the same card (which they are).

They never have their own opinions either, it's always whatever their party thinks, which in the case of both Democrats and Republicans usually contradicts something else - the far left wants people to have the freedom to abort and smoke whatever they please, but then they turn around and try to force people into public healthcare and take away their firearms, while the far right goes on about freedom of speech and the right to bear arms, but God help you if you're not a practicing Christian, because we all know there's no greater evil than two people of the same sex loving each other.

Frankly, I wish we could put all the left-wing nutjobs in California and kick it off into the Pacific Ocean, then put all the right-wing nutjobs in Texas and annex it back to Mexico.

And I'm now thoroughly aware that that didn't really answer your question, OP, so just consider those some random thoughts on what's wrong with America (though it's the same in most first-world countries I'm sure, I don't know why America always gets singled out when the same shit happens everywhere else).

From Florida, USA.

 

[spartan231490]

I just got back from London Study Abroad and part of my assignment is to write about how people feel about the United States in global affairs.I got most of the opinions I needed, but I forgot the most important opinions of all! I need the voices of people like you. Yes you. Even you Tony..

You can talk about anything from 9/11 to President Barack Obama. I just need a few quick opinions. Hate us, Love us, I don't really care, just say something fairly productive. I know there are couple of other posts like this out there but most of them either a. went in to pointless flaming or b. have a really low post count. Oh and if you could leave your country of origin in your post that would be great.

Oh and a few months ago I made a post about advice for going to London. Thanks for all the Londoners and English who gave me excellent advice! It goes without saying I think your entire country rocks.

Question: What do you mean by post-American world?

OT: Country: good. Government: pretty abusive. America has flaws, like everywhere else does, but in my opinion it's still the best place to live. The government is kinda being the international bully right now, and will probably continue to do so until 40 years of bad economic policies cause it's economy to collapse, so I hate the government, but the country itself is a good place to live.

I live in NY state USA.

 

[Kolby Jack]

America has many of the same problems the rest of the world's democratic countries have (or similar ones at least), but because we're the most powerful country on Earth, we are under more scrutiny. That's not unreasonable though because we play a major role in most world affairs. If we wish to continue being the "first among equals" as it were, we need to be criticized when we screw up. I just wish people who don't have anything constructive to say would shut up, because their tidal wave of ignorant comments deafen us to many legitimate concerns.

Another thing to note is that the idea of globalization hasn't completely come into being yet. Yes, the world is more connected than ever before, but many countries, including the United States, still care far more about their own interests than those of other countries, and I think it'll be that way for a few more decades at least. Right now it seems that the US is trying to find a balance between doing what is best for our country regardless of the consequences and doing what is best for the world. Globalization is inevitable, but not instantaneous. Give it time.

From Texas, US. Also a sailor in the US Navy.

 

[Brian Hendershot]

I just got back from London Study Abroad and part of my assignment is to write about how people feel about the United States in global affairs.I got most of the opinions I needed, but I forgot the most important opinions of all! I need the voices of people like you. Yes you. Even you Tony..

You can talk about anything from 9/11 to President Barack Obama. I just need a few quick opinions. Hate us, Love us, I don't really care, just say something fairly productive. I know there are couple of other posts like this out there but most of them either a. went in to pointless flaming or b. have a really low post count. Oh and if you could leave your country of origin in your post that would be great.

Oh and a few months ago I made a post about advice for going to London. Thanks for all the Londoners and English who gave me excellent advice! It goes without saying I think your entire country rocks.

Question: What do you mean by post-American world?

OT: Country: good. Government: pretty abusive. America has flaws, like everywhere else does, but in my opinion it's still the best place to live. The government is kinda being the international bully right now, and will probably continue to do so until 40 years of bad economic policies cause it's economy to collapse, so I hate the government, but the country itself is a good place to live.

I live in NY state USA.

I mean a world where America is no longer the last superpower but just merely another player in the global market, ect.

 

[Brian Hendershot]

Canadian here. I'm still angry about free-trade. My family lost our farm and it is way more expensive to buy fresh Ontario produce grown 50 miles away than it is to buy half-ripe crap from California. How messed up is that?

I wish when we were debating a major political event in Canada, that we didn't have to concern ourselves with what the American Government thinks when we make our decisions. Unfortunately, we do. It's crazy, but when you're watching Canadian news, sometimes they will actually bring in an American political expert to comment on how they think the U.S.A. will react to our new (or changes to our) immigration/trade/drug/etc. laws. Because it matters. If the U.S.A. doesn't like what we are doing they can withhold trade etc. So we are forced to consider their opinion in all our matters. Sometimes I think the American government thinks we are a gigantic extra state.

This is of course, my humble opinion. I'm no political expert. I usually don't post in threads about this sort of thing, but i thought i would in this instance. I hope your paper turns out well! I'm not anti-american, btw at all. I completely understand that the government and the people are two different things. My experience is all i can speak to and this is what i haev seen and experienced.

Yeah. America has a habit of doing that to everyone (in regards to farming). Sorry about that.

Anyways, thanks for your post. I'll probably use it. I haven't gotten a non-american poster on here so far and Canada is right next to us...so...yeah.

Also, what do you think about President Obama's attempt to get a universal health care system.

 

[spartan231490]

I just got back from London Study Abroad and part of my assignment is to write about how people feel about the United States in global affairs.I got most of the opinions I needed, but I forgot the most important opinions of all! I need the voices of people like you. Yes you. Even you Tony..

You can talk about anything from 9/11 to President Barack Obama. I just need a few quick opinions. Hate us, Love us, I don't really care, just say something fairly productive. I know there are couple of other posts like this out there but most of them either a. went in to pointless flaming or b. have a really low post count. Oh and if you could leave your country of origin in your post that would be great.

Oh and a few months ago I made a post about advice for going to London. Thanks for all the Londoners and English who gave me excellent advice! It goes without saying I think your entire country rocks.

Question: What do you mean by post-American world?

OT: Country: good. Government: pretty abusive. America has flaws, like everywhere else does, but in my opinion it's still the best place to live. The government is kinda being the international bully right now, and will probably continue to do so until 40 years of bad economic policies cause it's economy to collapse, so I hate the government, but the country itself is a good place to live.

I live in NY state USA.

I mean a world where America is no longer the last superpower but just merely another player in the global market, ect.

I'd say that the USA is still a superpower. It has one of the top militaries and one of the top economies. I would say it's the most powerful of the 3 superpowers, USA>China>European Union with the EU being a mostly economic power. Keep in mind, I think China is very close to the US in power, but I believe that the US is slightly more powerful(for now).

 

[Valate_v1legacy]

I think America needs to use its collective intelligence. 300$ billion for 30 CTOL(The F-35 can only land vertically) F-22's? Really? With that money, you could build like 300 giant laser crabs. Then slap them on some strait somewhere and challenge the world. You don't believe me? Fine, I'll get a billion dollars and go make 1 giant laser crab, and it will take out all your base.

 

[KennardKId5]

I just wish for better redistrubition of American funds.

 

[TimeLord]

My views on America? My views on America are actually better than the views of my own country.

Except that "I'm going to kick up a fuss because my government is trying to give me free healthcare" thing. Which I still kinda don't understand the downside despite it being explained to me several times.

That and scrapping the Space Shuttles. I mean seriously?! Talk about going backwards since 1969! If they had some kind of newly designed space craft to take over from the shuttles than fair enough, but leaving it up to the Russians now? That's a lot of responsibility for one nation to maintain the ISS and Hubble and whatever else if floating around the sky now.

 

[the27thvoice]

Norwegian here. The US is a rather strange entity now. After having been the de facto leader of the world since the 40s and being without competitors for that title since the late 80s, the stars and stripes are now a huge economy with a heavy debt which must not be mentioned lest the economy crumble with us all under it. You also have a huge arsenal of weapons and have spread your culture worldwide...

It will be interesting to see what happens in the next 50 years. Will we still be teaching English in schools across the world once the economic capital of the world shifts back to Asia? And will the United States accept their role as just a big nation and not #1 anymore?

Frankly USA intrigues me more than it scares me, but the future will be interesting.

 

[Space Jawa]

As someone from the USA, I reject the assumption that we're currently living in "a post-American world" as suggested by the title of the thread.

 

[Matthew Kjonaas]

Minnesota, USA. Never let people try to change history with a text book aka Texas test books have alot of info missing, also do not undo progress such as the tea party just being a bunch of over excited Anti-Federalist that thing that they are the good guys no matter what.
In other words the USA is based around a if you do not like it change it idea but many people after getting their way start to stay if you do not like it leave it even when their ideas' suck.