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

[Marv21]

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.

Thats a very intelligent way to look at it! I would agree that the United States is acting as the world police....but I have a good question for u....Do u think that the United States is the Greatest Country as of yet, with the freedom and all that good stuff?

 

[Nuke_em_05]

Snip.

I have a good question for u....Do u think that the United States is the Greatest Country as of yet, with the freedom and all that good stuff?

Well... that's a tricky question, depends on how you define "Greatest Country", and I don't really think I'm qualified enough to answer that anyway. Compared to the other "greatests" of their time, the United States is still relatively young.

As far as freedoms, I'm not entirely sure what freedoms currently set the United States apart from other commercialized countries. Freedom to live where you want, work where you want, go where you want, say what you want, even about your own government. Even at that, in the U.S. and other countries, there are still limitations and regulations on those freedoms.

 

[jboking]

Snip

You missed the part during the beginning of WWI where the United States decided, "Hey, lets become industrial and sell guns to both sides of this fight!" It worked rather well.

Not so much missed as unaware. Again, could be biased United States history classes, but I can't seem to find anything to validate that statement. From what I understand, the U.S. government under Wilson was a very strong advocate for peace in Europe up until the Zimmerman Telegram. That doesn't mean private U.S.-based industries couldn't have, but again, I've found nothing to indicate such, and even then you are blurring the lines between U.S. government and U.S. citizens (Defense contractors are private companies in the U.S.)

Ah, look around and you'll find that selling weapons is how the U.S. has operated for quite some time. Not saying there is anything wrong with selling guns when your not involved. You gotta make money somehow when your usual trading ports are...closed off.

 

[Knonsense]

The government abuses its absurd power in both foreign and domestic policy. We have to put up with it, too.

 

[Combined]

America has a lot of power and I think that's a good thing. It should police and influence the entire world, as is proper for such a large and powerful nation. And kick communist ass. Woo, America!

 

[Shock and Awe]

At times yes, but we do nothing even near as bad as what Europe did

 

[Lexodus]

Eh, it does what any country would do if it had the power and influence America has with as bad a leader as America had. America seeks to protect its own interests (usually in a remarkably stupid way), and often, given how far-reaching those interests are, this leads to conflict with other nations (I.e, America sticking its ass in somewhere it's not wanted).

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

Fix't.

Fix't again.

 

[Crimsane]

Given the amount of power America has, over the rest of the world. I'd say no. We could easily do a helluva lot more to serve our interests, harm those who seek to interfere with our interests etc.. But, our Government doesn't.

On the same token though, it sure would be funny to stop all aid going outside the US. Stop all military, and civilian angencies from assisting the rest of the world. And cut everyone from our satellite systems. Oh, and lastly, make a pact with Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, have Windows and OsX, forcibly uninstalled from any IP outside the United States. (Back to the Stone ages with you.)

Ahh, if only I were in power.

This, basically. People seem content to ignore all the positive contributions and concentrate on the few abuses of power.

 

[Lord George]

At times yes, but we do nothing even near as bad as what Europe did

I don't think Europe as a collective has ever done anything bad except fighting itself.


But yes America abuses its power, I wouldn't mind that but it also seems to like to pretend it doesn't, at least the great empires like Rome/Britian ect. were honest about attacking and pillaging other countries.

 

[Lexodus]

China has 180 nukes. U.S has over 4,000 nukes.

No one will ever fuck with the u.s at its doorsteps.

Crazy fuckin' idea, right here: what if China used its nukes to detonate America's nukes?

 

[Doug]

At times yes, but we do nothing even near as bad as what Europe did

Well, give it 400+ years and THEN compare. The USA only entered its 'lets be shitty to the rest of the world' phase about 60ish years ago. Also, be about 10 seperate big-power nations all fighting each other, and then compare.

Else, the comparsion is invalid.

 

[Gotham Soul]

Power corrupts. Absolute power is kind of neat.

 

[Lord George]

At times yes, but we do nothing even near as bad as what Europe did

I don't think Europe as a collective has ever done anything bad except fighting itself.


But yes America abuses its power, I wouldn't mind that but it also seems to like to pretend it doesn't, at least the great empires like Rome/Britian ect. were honest about attacking and pillaging other countries.

Hmm, the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, WW2 (I'm pretty sure people in Africa were killed during WW2...I could totally be wrong though...no wait, I'm not. Hence the term 'World War 2') Shall I continue?

Thats not Europe that's England/Spain/France/Russia/Poland/Australia, you can't judge all the other countries in Europe on the actions of a few countries.

 

[GrinningManiac]

I don't care, really.

Either they don't, and that makes me the bully

OR

they are, in which case I ain't gonna say anything to a trigger-happy Nuke-Stockpiler

 

[Paperplanes79]

Can we please lay off the U.S. for a week seriously try it.

You guys are doing nothing here but causing headaches.

Let it be.

 

[Panda Mania]

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 self-preservation, rather than an intentionally arrogant or aggressive demeanor.

Wow. That's the most well-put explanation I've heard. Even now, I as an American cannot deny I hold a feeling of self-righteousness because of our "better" ideals, i.e. equality, freedom, blah blah blah. This makes us feel less worse when we meddle unprovokedly in other countries' matters.