What do other countries think of America. Do you think we're stupid for going to 'war' with Iraq? Do you think we're greedy? What do you think of Bush? What are your views? Are we really the most hated country in the world?
-Sunset

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On that subject: what's public transit like in other places and does anyone know if they laugh/scorn at the American one?

When I went to London, the subway system is really great. (Mind the Gap) Atlanta (the city I'm from) has MARTA which is ok. One problem with American public transportation is it's a catch 22. If it was better, more people would use it. More people need to use it before it'll get more funding.

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Originally posted by MizzM:
Unfortunately I do believe that we are a very hated nation. Yet it is not just because wea re the U.S. but because of the poor choices made by our fellow politicians. Yet it is unfair to place the blame entirely on them because many of the citizens have neglected their duty to vote and elect who they really want to represent the ideals of our nation. After all it is probably true that the majority of the nation is AGAINST BUSH and his ludicrous actions in Iraq. Yet as a nation I think we are appealing to people because it is the nation with the most freedom...

I agree so much with your post. However, there is one issue I see with it. We do not have an option anymore in who we can vote for. Democrats have pretty much stayed true in there beliefs over the years, so you still have a democrat to choose from. However, Republicans are no longer republicans as far as definition goes. By definition republicans are conservatives. They are for SMALLER Goverenment and non intervention. This is only history now. Republicans, as they call themsleves, want HUGE Goverenment, and want to intervene in everything they can, locally and abroad. Thomas Jeffereson was a Republican, and he would be sick if he saw what our Republicans preach today.

So back to my point. You really only have 2 choices, unless you want to throw the independent in there that gets no air time and has no chance in winning. And both of these choices are for BIG Government, lots of interventiona dn lots of spending no matter ehich you choose from. The only difference is, they each want to spend ALL YOUR money in different ways to TAKE CARE of you.

Someone once told me that people view Americans as stubborn and unwilling to change. I don't know if that's a world view or just in his country(Vietnam).
America does have a tradition of freedom that other nation's don't, but that's not why they hate us. Afghans hate us because we're bombing them and killing thier children, the Congolese hate us because we had thier democratically elected leader assassinated. Look at My Lai. Look at Abu Garib. Look at Imperialism and the trail of tears. I love America so much, but trust me, we're not hated because of our "freedom" That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. We've done alot to make us hated.

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Originally posted by Sunset:
What do other countries think of America. Do you think we're stupid for going to 'war' with Iraq? Do you think we're greedy? What do you think of Bush? What are your views? Are we really the most hated country in the world?
-Sunset

I live in Australia and have American friends and I have travelled throughout America and love the American people that I met. Having said that, being the world's sole superpower also brings with it lots and lots of attention. The rest of the world focuses on america and americans and unfortunately when the spotlight is on, the flaws get noticed more than th ebig picture. Think of a white board that has a black dot in the croner. Every one focuses on the dot and forgets about all the white space.So, when you get stuck with a dysfunctional president (sorry bushsupporter. You do make some good points though) it is ten times worse as far international image goes, than if we get stuck with a dysfunctional Prime Minister (as we did for 11 long yars). Also, many of the older generations, especially here, remember America's rise to world hegemony in the post-war period. Britian was on its knees due to war expenses (which America refused to fight in until pearl harbour and many believe British and French were fighting and dying while America played!) adn needed America to bail it out, combined with the Marshall Plan in euope, gave America freedom to dicate trade, tariffs etc. many of which were in America's favour. One could argue either way, I guess. The point I am making is that the lasteset feeling about america have a long history. I am not saying those who criticise AMerica are right or wrong, just giving you a perspective that may help you understand an international perspective. I love Americans and if it wasnt' for you during WWII, Australia would've been invaded by the Japanese, so gratitude is imense.

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(And if you've ever been to a Midwest winter, for example, some people try biking in the snow, but that can be a bit frigid and difficult).

I live on the califonia coast so I dont experiance much snow, but once my family went to lake tahoe and I tried riding my bike in the snow (for some reason that isnt quite clear to me now) It was horrible. yet another reason I guess the fact that gas is going up isnt a good thing.

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Originally posted by Ikki14Reed:

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I think america would be better off if gas went up to ten bucks a gallon. think of all the people riding bikes

Yet the issue there is is there are people who have to commute insane distances or go away to college that have to drive to move in. Plus, not everyone can ride a bike and public transit isn't always the greatest.

Yes, people drive when they could easily walk, but there are times when biking doesn't quite work.

(And if you've ever been to a Midwest winter, for example, some people try biking in the snow, but that can be a bit frigid and difficult).

Yes...you're right. there are too many people going long distances every day for that to be a good thing. I guess were better off just finding a more affordable, eco friendly fuel.

Unfortunately I do believe that we are a very hated nation. Yet it is not just because wea re the U.S. but because of the poor choices made by our fellow politicians. Yet it is unfair to place the blame entirely on them because many of the citizens have neglected their duty to vote and elect who they really want to represent the ideals of our nation. After all it is probably true that the majority of the nation is AGAINST BUSH and his ludicrous actions in Iraq. Yet as a nation I think we are appealing to people because it is the nation with the most freedom...

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But if the need for it increased I would like to think that it would improve.

Not really. The bus system in my city isn't all that great and a lot of people would take it if it didn't involve hour-long rides and thirty minute lay-overs. Add to that, some spots only get visited every hour which leads to walking over a mile (if not up to three) to get to your location. During noon hours, those stops are forgotten altogether.

I know of more people who would take public transit if it wasn't so inconvenient.

On that subject: what's public transit like in other places and does anyone know if they laugh/scorn at the American one?

lets see the european's think were a backwards country (not all Mouslims) some Mouslims think were infadels and need to be wiped off the face of the earth (religon to the extreme)and the countries deemed "Asian" think were good business. well that sums up the aparent thought of America

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Originally posted by Abi_:
I think america would be better off if gas went up to ten bucks a gallon. think of all the people riding bikes

Think of all the concerts you'll never see and all the bands you'll never hear of because of it

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Originally posted by Bushsupporter:
They inwardly support Israel because they realize that a democracy in the middle east is important, but outwardly denounce them in order to make themselves popular with the Arabs.

Israel's not a democracy, because the Arabs and other non-Jews living in occupied areas are not allowed to vote. (Off-topic, but so's public transport :P)

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public transit isn't always the greatest.

But if the need for it increased I would like to think that it would improve. Although Amtrack is already having trouble catching up with the increase in passengers, or so I hear.

On the bike thing though, yeah, bikes are just flat out not going to work for a lot of places in this country.

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I think america would be better off if gas went up to ten bucks a gallon. think of all the people riding bikes

Yet the issue there is is there are people who have to commute insane distances or go away to college that have to drive to move in. Plus, not everyone can ride a bike and public transit isn't always the greatest.

Yes, people drive when they could easily walk, but there are times when biking doesn't quite work.

(And if you've ever been to a Midwest winter, for example, some people try biking in the snow, but that can be a bit frigid and difficult).

I think america would be better off if gas went up to ten bucks a gallon. think of all the people riding bikes

well my missionary friend lives in sweden and she says most swedish 13 year olds think we are uneducated and power hungry becuase of our president and the Iraq war. She also says they have an imitation of us that sounds somewhat like a braying donkey. the world may be quik to judge us but most of the time they are correct.

Most of the western democracies who criticize us do so in order to appease our enemies. They realize that when it comes to war we will protect them. They inwardly support Israel because they realize that a democracy in the middle east is important, but outwardly denounce them in order to make themselves popular with the Arabs. They can do this because they know that we will support the Israelis and they don't have to. They don't have to spend time, money, and popularity/political capital supporting democratic values because we do all of that for them. They also don't have to build their military because we will protect them. That's fine I guess... as long as people realize that their criticisms of America are not altruistic.

Many of the world are jealous of our freedoms and everything that we have. We are very lucky.

But we are starting to lose respect. This is mainly because of our current President. He has brought our global status down.

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The whole world hates us, it's what happens when the government is into manifest destiny and tries to be the earth's police force.

well.....what happens when something goes down? Everyone looks to the United States to do something. We are the pointman, and thus, we are the world police. I'm sorry, but its true.

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I as a individual think that America has made some very wrong choices. The Iraq was SHOULD have been done with long ago. It should not ahve been going on for this long.

you may think that, but trust me, The democrats are not getting the soldier vote (because those guys know that we are winning).

I as a individual think that America has made some very wrong choices. The Iraq was SHOULD have been done with long ago. It should not ahve been going on for this long.

The whole world hates us, it's what happens when the government is into manifest destiny and tries to be the earth's police force.