I don't think it's unfair at all... I find that an overwhelming majority of Americans have this superiority complex over other countries (such as many people's ridiculous hatred toward France) and feel that it is their responsibility and right to go around the world and "fix" problems they were not asked to be involved in - on false pretenses, even.
I don't hate America... I'm glad I live here, really, and I appreciate the basic ideals that are the foundation of our government and respect the founders of our country and the basic democracy they created. However, I hate Bush with a passion, as well as most of the people in power right now and feel very angered by the corruption, dishonesty, etc. that takes place currently. Not to say that governments haven't ALWAYS been corrupt and dishonest - they have, it's a fact - but it seems worse now more than ever and I just wish more people would try to do something about it, especially here in the US where it's supposed to be about the rights of the people and founded on revolution and all that.
first off sorry it took me so long to reply, my internet went out over here and since last night 24 night i didn't get around to fixing it up til late.
Anywho, I would disagree with your assertion. Americans get the stigma of having a superiority complex but as another poster stated, other countries do it as well. You cannot imagine how many europeans have tried to tell me that all americans are boorish and stupid, or how many times individuals from other countries have told me that their countries are superior because of their longer history; that North American history is laughable compared to their extensive and storied pasts ( at this point I politely remind them that the history of North America does not begin at 1776). Every country in existence proclaims their superiority over other countries. To say that America is the sole guilty party is unfair. From Japan to Iran, to England, to America, all countries do that, its basic socialization. America is no more guilty of that than any other nation.
Not to mention the fact that as a nation of immigrants, Americans are actually less likely to harbor genuine feelings of superiority over other countries because by doing so they would be insulting their own heritage. And most Americans are very proud of their ancestral nations. And the majority of Americans are immigrants (I myself even have a branch of family who are not native to this land, as I am half spanish on my father's side) so it would stand to reason that the MAJORITY Americans do not harbor feelings of superiority. It is a stereotype, plain and simple.
As for most Americans' "ridiculous hatred for France." Most Americans did not and don't hate France, but those that did were well publicized, so people thought more people were actually into it than actually were. The situation is analogous to that summer a few years back when people were in hysterics about shark attacks, there were no more shark attacks than usual, but the shark attacks that occured that year were covered ad nauseam, so people got the impression that shark attacks were more rampant than they really were. And while those who were angry with France had their reasons, I agree with you that they should have respected the French government's decision and let it be. I still maintain however, that those angry with France were an outspoken minority, outspoken but a minority nonetheless, and certainly not an OVERWHELMING MAJORITY.
In regards to Americans feeling they have a "responsibility and right" to go around the world fixing problems they were not asked to, well that one is a dicey one.
America is in a difficult position, a catch 22, if you will. America is often asked (and expected) to assist and intervene in world crises. Why? Because like it or not America is a powerful nation and by most standards, a wealthy one. When a smaller nation is set upon by a more powerful neighbor, whom do they appeal to? America, because if you're gonna have back up, why not have the biggest back up in town? Now, if America comes to the aid of this smaller nation, they and their allies will be pleased. The enemies of this nation will be annoyed
( to say the least). This kind of situation is often presented to America. Who to please and who to piss off. Someone's gonna be mad either way. Add into the equation other countries who may or may not have a vested interest in the outcome of this confrontation and it can become a rather sticky situation for all involved. The majority of Americans do not send aid and money to foreign countries because they feel the inferior foreigners are in need of a babysitter, the majority of Americans send relief because they are trying to help, because the MAJORITY of Americans, as in all countries, are good people. They feel a responsibility to help "fix" the problem because they know that at that particular moment that tsunami victim or that earthquake victim or that bystander in a war, has less than they do and that it's the right thing to do to try and help. America is always being asked to help here or there and it is unavoidable that we are unwanted by some in certain situations, but the fact of the matter remains that the majority of our involvement in the global community is asked for, and the MAJORITY of Americans don't want to fix others problems because they have a superiority complex, they try and help, because they've been asked and they are trying to be nice.
As for meddling into situations under false pretenses, I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that you are refering to Iraq, or some other similar situation. I would like to point out that you have implied that the MAJORITY of Americans have perpetrated these false pretenses, when in fact that is false. I do however agree with you that going into Iraq (if that is indeed what you are referring to) under some supposed link between Hussein and the attacks on Sept. 11th was unsavory at best. I would have appreciated it much more if Bush had simply said that Hussein was a megalomaniacal dictator who had attempted assasinations on the previous Pres. Bush (even after he was out of office) and killed people on the street while his underlings picked women off the street and summarily raped and shot them (and their husbands), and that for all these reasons he wanted to depose him. That would have been a bit closer to the truth in my opinion. However, Bush's assertion that Hussein was a threat to his people is true, so at least that was true. However, if you'd like a story about conflicts fueled by false and flimsy pretenses I suggest you look into the history of the Spanish/American war or perhaps the initiation of WWI. While I don't agree with Bush's course of action, I do maintain that the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of Americans had little or nothing to do with the perpetration of these falsehoods.
To address your feeling that the government seems more corrupt now than ever, I'm sorry you feel that it is the most corrupt in history, but some exploration into the subject of corrupt government will reveal that it is not necessarily so. The governments under Grant, Nixon, Roosevelt and others were fraught with corruption and scandal. The government is no more corrupt now than it has ever been, its just easier to expose this corruption now than in the past. The amount of dishonesty and corruption that occured in the past due to limitations of technology is incredible. And that is only counting American history. Throughout the world, past and present there are governments more corrupt and dishonest than current America, and by a long shot too. Perhaps it does
seem more corrupt than ever, but it is in fact just that, it
seems.
I agree with you, more people should try and make a difference instead of just laying around and complaining, that is precisely what we need people to do, and I absolutely applaud you for saying so. In addition I would like to say that it is wonderful that you love living in America, it is a sad thing when one despises their homeland. Personally, my heart belongs to three nations, two of these nations lost their sovereignty years ago, one by force and one by choice, but I love them and their people all the same and it makes me very proud to hear you profess your affection for the third, likewise, I cannot help but bristle when I feel the people of any one of these nations is spoken unfairly of.
As for me, I do not feel America should be placed upon a pedestal above other countries. America is a great place to live and this is home, but she is just like any other country in the world today, filled with mostly good people trying to make their way in the world, sometimes we make poor choices, sometimes we succeed, the same goes for our nations. I know America is not perfect, but neither is any other nation, and I believe that the overwhelming majority of Americans know this.
I hope that you have not taken any of this as a personal assault, had anyone else said it, the response would have been the same. And again, I applaud you for your desire to see more people get involved rather than simply relying on luck or others, after all "Virtuti melius fortunae creditur."
My what a post this has become, hopefully most of you did not fall asleep while navigating its treacherous length.
P.S Southerners Rock!
