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

[LewsTherin]

Only a little.

The whole high and mighty "we're the best because we're us" attitude that gets put across in the general media oft rubs other nations the wrong way.

My major gripe with the states is how the people complain that the government has so little control after decades of lauding capitalism as the economic end-all and be-all.

 

[Tim Buck II]

Presidents should not be worshiped like rock stars.

But our CURRENT President should be, 'cause he's a BArock star!


...Okay, I know. Bad pun.

 

[Tim Buck II]

No more or less than the British Empire did, or the Roman empire, or Athens, or anyone else that becomes the big boy in the play-ground- I have to admit, I do have a dislike of America - not Americans (No one owns a brush big enough to tar that many people at once), but the sense of rabid flag waving fundamentalist arrogant xenophobia that their antics abroad often give me. Still, now they've decided to elect a member of our species rather than that poo flinging spider monkey they voted for last time, I find my Ameriphobia abating (Is that a word? Balls to it, it is now...).

...Cue loopy Christian republican rant with the word 'sir' at the end of every sentence in an effort to look reasonable, and of course, the obligatory 'God bless' at the end...
...Darwin bless 'em.

I'd going to say I agree, because that's the way it is in my eyes, and because otherwise, I can't contribute.

What's xenophobia?

 

[Sgt Doom]

Any country with the power of the US would do the same things. The various European empires did it, the Soviet Union did it, all the way back to the first empires, they did it.

 

[Sgt Doom]

No more or less than the British Empire did, or the Roman empire, or Athens, or anyone else that becomes the big boy in the play-ground- I have to admit, I do have a dislike of America - not Americans (No one owns a brush big enough to tar that many people at once), but the sense of rabid flag waving fundamentalist arrogant xenophobia that their antics abroad often give me. Still, now they've decided to elect a member of our species rather than that poo flinging spider monkey they voted for last time, I find my Ameriphobia abating (Is that a word? Balls to it, it is now...).

...Cue loopy Christian republican rant with the word 'sir' at the end of every sentence in an effort to look reasonable, and of course, the obligatory 'God bless' at the end...
...Darwin bless 'em.

I'd going to say I agree, because that's the way it is in my eyes, and because otherwise, I can't contribute.

What's xenophobia?

Fear or dislike of anything different or unknown to oneself.

EDIT: Ah bollocks, double post again. I keep forgetting this forum doesn't have automerge.

 

[Plauged1]

At times, yes. But, according to the teachers at school, we have to do anything at all costs to protect christianity. I guess they misread the terms PUBLIC SCHOOL. Not everyone believes this stuff, and they are trying hard to convert me to christianity, although I just block out all their bullshit.

To be honest, ALL countries have abused their power at least once. America just does it in a more erratic and controversial manner.


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.[/quote]

In shorter and more simplistic terms, what he said.

 

[Nmil-ek]

Yes they do but as has been pointed out all major powers have waved their big financial, military willies in other countries faces. If I had the choice to once again make Britain the superpower of the world I would do so in an instant, any country would really we all want to make our own standards that much better.

And frankly id rather America be the superpower than the east as it is momentarily because the thought of Korea gaining any scource of income is fucking terrifying.

 

[PhantomCritic]

Yes it does, just look at what George Bush has done in Iran.

 

[dontworryaboutit]

Presidents should not be worshiped like rock stars.

But our CURRENT President should be, 'cause he's a BArock star!


...Okay, I know. Bad pun.

lol

Baraka is more accurate.

 

[MiserableOldGit]

No more or less than the British Empire did, or the Roman empire, or Athens, or anyone else that becomes the big boy in the play-ground- I have to admit, I do have a dislike of America - not Americans (No one owns a brush big enough to tar that many people at once), but the sense of rabid flag waving fundamentalist arrogant xenophobia that their antics abroad often give me. Still, now they've decided to elect a member of our species rather than that poo flinging spider monkey they voted for last time, I find my Ameriphobia abating (Is that a word? Balls to it, it is now...).

...Cue loopy Christian republican rant with the word 'sir' at the end of every sentence in an effort to look reasonable, and of course, the obligatory 'God bless' at the end...
...Darwin bless 'em.

I'd going to say I agree, because that's the way it is in my eyes, and because otherwise, I can't contribute.

What's xenophobia?

?noun
an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange.

 

[Thanatos34]

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.

Exactly.

 

[Kinguendo]

Give someone power and they will intend to use it.

They havent gone as far as some historic figures, so I have said No. I truly dont believe they have overly abused their power, although there has been some abuse.

 

[Kinguendo]

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.

Exactly.

Wait, isnt that China? Arent they funding your wars? Dont you owe shit-loads of money to them?
Point being, what does POWER mean when we are trying to achieve peace?

 

[Thanatos34]

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.

Exactly.

Wait, isnt that China? Arent they funding your wars? Dont you owe shit-loads of money to them?
Point being, what does POWER mean when we are trying to achieve peace?

No, China is not the most powerful nation on earth. The US is. At least at the moment.

 

[Avatar Roku]

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.

Very well said. As much as I dislike what my country does at the moment, it is an odd catch-22. I mean, we get shit for invading Iraq, but we also get shit for not invading Sudan (Darfur). That said, if we're catching shit either way, I'd prefer to do it in a less idiotic way than we have been.

The Iraq war was a direct effect of the Americans being stopped at the border in the Gulf War. If they were allowed to complete their objectives the transition would have been much faster and more succinct.

We did accomplish our objectives. Our stated objective was to drive Iraq from Kuwait. No more, no less.

 

[Kinguendo]

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.

Exactly.

Wait, isnt that China? Arent they funding your wars? Dont you owe shit-loads of money to them?
Point being, what does POWER mean when we are trying to achieve peace?

No, China is not the most powerful nation on earth. The US is. At least at the moment.

Ah Thanatos, we meet again... Hmm, I dont know if I believe that. China has the massive population, the currency, a large military (currently not involved in 2 wars)...

 

[FlyAwayAutumn]

Does the USA abuse the power it has? Allow me to reply in a manner any politician would.

Uh, well... ahem, i can not confirm nor deny the maybe fact or fiction that the USA has any great power that you need worry about, but if the USA did have any such supposed "Power" the USA would not abuse any such power.

 

[letsnoobtehpwns]

Why does the Escapist allow political threads? They all somehow turn into an excuse to bash George Bush.