Poll: Does the USA Overly Abuse the Power it has?

[dontworryaboutit]

Eh, it does what any country would do if it had the power and influence America has. America seeks to protect its own interests, and often, given how far-reaching those interests are, this leads to conflict with other nations.

Yes, America oversteps its bounds at times (Iraq comes to mind), but I think it's primarily due to a zealous sense of superiority, rather than an intentionally arrogant or aggressive demeanor.

Fix't.

I quite disagree, as a matter of fact. As an American, I do not see myself as inherently superior to any other person of any other nationality, nor do I see my country as inherently superior. It simply happens to be the most powerful at the present time in history.

I have to disagree with your disagreement of my fixing of the previous poster's post. Matter of fact, as an American, I can say that this country sees itself as divinely endowed with a transcendence over any other country or people in the world today. And as outlandish as my claim was, my observation would be as valid as yours. It's a matter of which collective has the louder voice, and that voice tends to be the kind that gathers around city plazas bearing signs announcing that our own president is a godless, dirty Muslim. And that Muslims are godless and dirty. But I love you guys, go base-8 numeric systems and all that.

I have to disagree with you disigreeing with his disagreement of you fixing the preivious poster's post.

As an american i do not feel, nor am i, superior to any one nationaly or internationaly.

I disagree with all disagreements above, and preemptivly disagree with disagreers what disagree with me in future disagreements.
I'd also like to complain about the amount of complaints on this thread.

I admire your moxy.

 

[Compatriot Block]

Eh, it does what any country would do if it had the power and influence America has. America seeks to protect its own interests, and often, given how far-reaching those interests are, this leads to conflict with other nations.

Yes, America oversteps its bounds at times (Iraq comes to mind), but I think it's primarily due to a zealous sense of superiority, rather than an intentionally arrogant or aggressive demeanor.

Fix't.

I quite disagree, as a matter of fact. As an American, I do not see myself as inherently superior to any other person of any other nationality, nor do I see my country as inherently superior. It simply happens to be the most powerful at the present time in history.

I have to disagree with your disagreement of my fixing of the previous poster's post. Matter of fact, as an American, I can say that this country sees itself as divinely endowed with a transcendence over any other country or people in the world today. And as outlandish as my claim was, my observation would be as valid as yours. It's a matter of which collective has the louder voice, and that voice tends to be the kind that gathers around city plazas bearing signs announcing that our own president is a godless, dirty Muslim. And that Muslims are godless and dirty. But I love you guys, go base-8 numeric systems and all that.

I have to disagree with you disigreeing with his disagreement of you fixing the preivious poster's post.

As an american i do not feel, nor am i, superior to any one nationaly or internationaly.

I disagree with all disagreements above, and preemptivly disagree with disagreers what disagree with me in future disagreements.
I'd also like to complain about the amount of complaints on this thread.

I disagree.

 

[tenlong]

the usa never abuses its power ! never! while i have a gun to my head.

 

[Nuke_em_05]

America? As in the two continents (North and South) comprising of several nations, one of which is the United States thereof?

Sorry, pet peeve of mine.

It is funny sometimes, the rest of the world thinks that the citizens of the United States have any say over the actions of the United States government. Oh, we choose who makes the "decisions", but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are the one who ultimately make the decisions.

A brief, very loose description of American "outside" history:
For about a century and one half, the United States tried to stay out of other countries' business. Sure, it would fight for more land or amongst itself, but generally it go beyond things that directly effected the nation at large. Then this great depression hit and things started to suck for the United States. Things started to suck everywhere. One European nation decided that the best way to get out of depression was to go to war with everyone else, so they grabbed some friends and started on their merry way. It worked. So much that the other nations of Europe started to realize they couldn't stop it. They pleaded with the States to help, but the States had problems of it's own. Finally, just as it was almost over for Europe, the States thought, "hey, maybe this war stuff will help fix our depression problem". It did. The United States helped the "good guys" beat the "bad guys" and everyone was happy. Except that first country who found itself in a worse state then before and eventually pretty much the same thing happened all over again. The United States realized something, this war stuff really worked for them. Other nations figured out that the United States was pretty good at this war stuff and was willing to help out. Soon a couple nations over in Asia were having troubles, then some in the middle east. Sides kept switching but the United States tended to win no matter what because war was good for their economy, even if they were perpetually losing the actual wars. Then, everyone pretty much started to get along, for the most part. The United States realized something, they were nothing without war to fuel their economy. So they started picking fights, generally fights that were "worthy", but not exactly necessary. Then others started picking fights with them and the United States was like "why not?". Now the US is just revisiting old stomping grounds that they didn't quite finish off properly the last time.

In short, the United States became the world police, mostly because the world asked for it. The problem is, the United States became dependent on it, and of late doesn't know what to do about it.

That's my biased opinion at half past midnight where most of my history classes escape me.

 

[mangus]

America doesn't overly abuse its power enough!

(Native Canadian, thinks notions like this are attention-grabbing bullshit)

 

[The_Prophet]

I like these threads. They always lead to a bunch of American's yelling "No, USA never does that" "You only say that because you hate us" and other stuff that can be translated to "USA Is teh PWNz".

 

[Compatriot Block]

I like these threads. They always lead to a bunch of American's yelling "No, USA never does that" "You only say that because you hate us" and other stuff that can be translated to "USA Is teh PWNz".

To be fair, usually that is set off by someone from another country saying something along the lines of "USA is teh SHitz."

 

[The_Prophet]

I like these threads. They always lead to a bunch of American's yelling "No, USA never does that" "You only say that because you hate us" and other stuff that can be translated to "USA Is teh PWNz".

To be fair, usually that is set off by someone from another country saying something along the lines of "USA is teh SHitz."

Actually, no. Threads like that are locked. It's often started by a person who wants to discuss something in a polite and intelligent manner.

 

[brighteye]

It would actually be funny if other nations tried to do the same as the US, imagine Ghana or Norway invading Washington with an army ,slowly moving towards New York because the US having weapons of mass destruction.

 

[Valiance]

It would actually be funny if other nations tried to do the same as the US, imagine Ghana or Norway invading Washington with an army ,slowly moving towards New York because the US having weapons of mass destruction.

Sure would be, because it'd be really funny if the US was trying to develop more nuclear weapons in a time where it's illegal to do so.

 

[RelexCryo]

America? As in the two continents (North and South) comprising of several nations, one of which is the United States thereof?

Sorry, pet peeve of mine.

It is funny sometimes, the rest of the world thinks that the citizens of the United States have any say over the actions of the United States government. Oh, we choose who makes the "decisions", but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are the one who ultimately make the decisions.

A brief, very loose description of American "outside" history:
For about a century and one half, the United States tried to stay out of other countries' business. Sure, it would fight for more land or amongst itself, but generally it go beyond things that directly effected the nation at large. Then this great depression hit and things started to suck for the United States. Things started to suck everywhere. One European nation decided that the best way to get out of depression was to go to war with everyone else, so they grabbed some friends and started on their merry way. It worked. So much that the other nations of Europe started to realize they couldn't stop it. They pleaded with the States to help, but the States had problems of it's own. Finally, just as it was almost over for Europe, the States thought, "hey, maybe this war stuff will help fix our depression problem". It did. The United States helped the "good guys" beat the "bad guys" and everyone was happy. Except that first country who found itself in a worse state then before and eventually pretty much the same thing happened all over again. The United States realized something, this war stuff really worked for them. Other nations figured out that the United States was pretty good at this war stuff and was willing to help out. Soon a couple nations over in Asia were having troubles, then some in the middle east. Sides kept switching but the United States tended to win no matter what because war was good for their economy, even if they were perpetually losing the actual wars. Then, everyone pretty much started to get along, for the most part. The United States realized something, they were nothing without war to fuel their economy. So they started picking fights, generally fights that were "worthy", but not exactly necessary. Then others started picking fights with them and the United States was like "why not?". Now the US is just revisiting old stomping grounds that they didn't quite finish off properly the last time.

In short, the United States became the world police, mostly because the world asked for it. The problem is, the United States became dependent on it, and of late doesn't know what to do about it.

That's my biased opinion at half past midnight where most of my history classes escape me.

I actually agree with this statement, somewhat. I feel the U.S. could have handled the various conflicts it fought better. Like NOT putting dictators over South American countries. All human beings have rights, and the U.S. should have prioritized people's rights over speed, efficency, or "winning" period.

I feel every governement should respect the rights of every human being, irregardless of whether or not they are citizens of that country, above all else. Governements that step on human rights in an attempt to make things "safe" disgust me. Which is why I both hate the Republicans AND the Democrats. Reagan appointed dictators over other countries, and that philosophy sadly defines the party currently. At the same time, too many democrats seem to be intent on removing the right to bear arms, which I personally value. Both engage in "pork" and lies.

There were more lies in John McCains campaign than in Obama's, but there were still some lies in Obama's campaign, if I recall correctly. That said, I am independent. Ralph Nader for President!

 

[asinann]

The only reason people see more of the US doing horrible things is because we have 24 hours news and the internet now.

Took us hundreds of years to find out most of the evil things the ancient empires did.

 

[zauxz]

Yes. Yes it does.

 

[asinann]

It would actually be funny if other nations tried to do the same as the US, imagine Ghana or Norway invading Washington with an army ,slowly moving towards New York because the US having weapons of mass destruction.

You DO understand that the general populace of the US has more and better guns (civilians buy foreign weapons) than most nation's militaries right?

Would be funny to watch the very short, very one-sided battle though.

 

[scotth266]

I like these threads. They always lead to a bunch of American's yelling "No, USA never does that" "You only say that because you hate us" and other stuff that can be translated to "USA Is teh PWNz".

To be fair, usually that is set off by someone from another country saying something along the lines of "USA is teh SHitz."

Actually, no. Threads like that are locked. It's often started by a person who wants to discuss something in a polite and intelligent manner.

Meh, his point remains intact: this thread will soon devolve into a slappy fight, just like that news bit on the missing link did (ironically a fight that should never have started in the first place, but people were determined to pick it).

I would say that ALL nations abuse their powers. China exploits its political power frequently, as does Russia. And both of those countries have exploited their military power in the past.

Every country in the world that's had power over the course of history has used it to their advantage.

 

[MorphingDragon]

Yes all the super powers have.
Imagine if the Queen took back her power from the CommonWealth.
Or if China showed their true militial potential (It Will Happen)
Over 1 BILLION possible Conscripts that dont necessarily need Guns.
Or If North Korea fessed up on their number of Nukes.

 

[Grimm91]

I think every country with influence over uses its power the US just is the most vocal about it.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

Given that power serves no purpose but to further one's objectives, there is really no capacity to abuse power, other than never use it.

After all, how do you know you have power unless you make people do things that they didn't want to do in the first place?

I think I just used O'Brien's argument from 1984.

 

[Sparrow]

Wow. Honestly wasn't expecting anything even resembling a close poll, let alone a tie.

Thats because Americans always think they're right, and Europeans think they're always wrong. Therefore, because this site is half American and half everyone else... tie.