Most Recent CommentsI cannot understand why America, where we are egalitarian and respect workers and reject class and caste, has become the tipping capitol of the world. Foreigners find it awkward and bizarre, and surely many of us do, too. I would love simply to pay bills without wondering about how much to add--10% at breakfast? Many people, in other countries, find the idea of tips demeaning. Why don't we?KarenC USA ..more by this author..  
(2486 votes)
america,no doubt THE BEST COUNTRY TO LIVE IN.i love everything about US including its culture,infrastructure and i've nothing to hate. Niraj India ..more by this author..
(1582 votes)
It's not "America" that is the problem, it's the _People_ of America that is the problem. Half of us want to progress and stay innovative in the global economy. The other half is racist, ignorant, and want to remain in some kind of fantasy land that does not exist anymore, ha, that never existed. Only on TV, that they watch waaay too much of. I am American and I want progress. Unfortunately, I also live in a democracy and majority (and ignorance) rules. If I could get out I would. I feel so repressed and held down here. America is not the America I knew and loved as a child. But only because I have opened my eyes to the reality of what that really means. Thank you for your time! I really do wish for world peace, without violence, without borders, without hate. I wish ALL of us as a whole human race, could PROGRESS and live in complete harmony and peace. Bengt (3rd generation away from Swe USA ..more by this author..
(4878 votes)
I am an American currently lining in America. I'm 26 years old and serving in the US Army. I'm telling you that for background information. NOT because I feel my opinion is more valuable. As a younger male in the United States I often see things in my country that upset me. I feel our taxes are too high. We spend roughly half of a trillion dollars each year on our military. This is foolish in my opinion. We would not need such a massive and powerful military if our elected leaders would take the time to act more appropriate. I often feel our military spending is so high because it replaces our need for quality Foreign affairs. With a massive military we can basically do as we see fit. If our elected leaders would stop being lazy and stop fighting over meaningless things then the American people would not need such a large military. Our taxes could be much lower. Or, if taxes need to remain high, lets spend the money on improving America. We do not need to spend more money on Education, we need to find ways to motivate the youth of this country. As a student in America I did not learn better by looking at a 52" plasma TV. I would have learned much more by being given quality teachers who understood how to make learning enjoyable. I would never be able to support universal health care. I believe Medicare and Medicaid are already a curse on this nation. Not to mention the disaster of Social Security. We don't need a large Federal Government taking our money, in the form of taxes, and giving it to whom ever they see fit. I'm currently struggling with my own financial difficulties and my government is giving billions of dollars to the same companies that are making my life difficult. I am also upset that my government feels the need to interfere in the affairs of other nations. It is not that I have not heart. I care about those in places like Myanmar or Somalia and I wish they could have a better life. However, I do not feel it is the job of my government to fix their country. Help the American Veteran who can't find work and is losing his home to foreclosure, help the single mother who can not afford to work less than 80 a month, but people call me cold hearted for saying, "Lets help our own first". I also feel the best way to help those in need is to take the money out of the hands of the government, lower taxes and allow people to donate it to charities. Let an adult choose to help those who need it. That said, I also must stand up in defense of my nation. As I said, I am Enlisted in the US Army. To any fool who thinks that the invasion of Iraq was for oil and to any moron who says things like, "No blood for Oil" consider thinking for 5 minutes before you speak. What Oil has American taken from Iraq? Even if we did, have we not more than paid for that oil with the money we have given those people and the lives of my friends. I do not believe there was terrorism in Iraq prior to the MULTI-NATIONAL invasion. I do not believe the real reason we went to Iraq was due to WMDs. I believe it was caused by a personnel problem between Bush Jr. and Saddam. Remember, Saddam did attempt to assassinate Bush Sr. Not many sons take to kindly to people attempting to murder their father. That is certainly not a good reason for war, but then it was not my choice nor was it the choice of 99% of Americans. Blame the American people for that if it helps you sleep at night, but consider this, I have yet to see gasoline prices go down due to the Iraq war, and America was not the only country to invade. Furthermore, if you are so ignorant as to hate an American individual simply for his citizenship then you truly are a lost cause. I was born here, I has no choice in that. I have been to foreign nations as a civilian and have been treated like I was dirt. Why? Because of my accent, my passport and because foolish people blame me for the mistakes of a President I did not elect. I do not hate a Muslim, even after seeing people who claim to be Muslim kill my friends. I do not hate a Frenchman for not supporting the United States in Iraq and I do not hate a North Korean for living in North Korea. So why does the world feel the need to hate me, the individual, for my citizenship? I am currently engaged to a woman who is not an American citizen. She "forgives" my birthplace. We have talked many times about living in another country. In all my searching I have yet to find any country that is perfect. I have been forced to accept that no matter where I live I will disagree with the government to some extent. So if I must disagree with a government I choose to disagree with my government. They are wrong almost constantly in my opinion but for all the faults of the United States can anyone say that the United States does not have it's redeeming qualities? Every nation, in my humble opinion, has wonderful qualities and problems that mask those qualities. America's real problem is not our shortcomings but our success. We attract the attention of the world and attention always comes with judgment. SPC Daniels USA ..more by this author..
(3466 votes)
My honest view of Americans, after talking to maybe two dozen individuals there and watching their media (never been to the United States): 1. They have a strong will to be independent, despite the willingness to sue for almost anything (including spilling hot coffee on themselves in a restaurant). The right to bear arms is cited as an example of that independence. 2. They have an irrational fear of "socialism" and "communism", even to the degree that they prefer bailouts for the rich to better healthcare. European countries are sometimes called "socialist" or "communist, despite evidence to the contrary. 3. Many Americans are hospitable and will invite you into their homes, at least in the South (despite the habit of "shoot first, ask questions later" of some NRA enthusiasts). It's also not unusual to greet strangers on the street. 4. Many Americans work hard and have several jobs, mostly because jobs there don't pay as well, but also because they're encoueaged to work at a young age. 5. People in the United States are often encouraged to be ambitious and optimistic (and sometimes unrealistic), and they have the attitude of "if you can dream it, you can do it!" 6. Outer appearances are a big deal for many Americans, even to the point where young children are dressed up for pageants (i. e. "Little Miss Perfect"). Teeth whitening products are a typical American phenomenon. 7. Many Americans are curious about the outside world (many young people want to travel), despite the stereotype (partly true) that many Americans also know very little about the rest of the world. 8. Most Americans seem rather proud and patriotic of their country, even though they sometimes don't understand that people around the world can feel the same way about their countries (see Iraq, Afghanistan). 9. As a result of no. 8, some Americans believe the USA "invented" everything, and saved the whole world (saviour complex), something which is a very annoying habit for the 96% who make up the rest of the world. 10. Another annoying habit, is how some Americans (and I mean some) believe that women in European countries are up for anything (sexually), and have low standards, because we don't go hysterical over a nipple on this side of the Pond. Just because nudity isn't regarded as horrible and shameful, it doesn't mean that all women are easy. The two aren't necassarily related. Erik Norway ..more by this author..
(3356 votes)
You know, maybe I don't know who the biggest offenders of greed there are by name but I am willing to bet that there are plenty to go around, representing every nation of this world. Greed isn't something relevant to religion or ethnicity anyway. And is it too much of me to expect these same greedy/rotten people to represent our human race so much better than they choose to? Is looking greedy & selfish to others really all that appealing and is it their narcissism that "blinds" them of their borderline-psychotic disorder? What makes the sin of greed and envy of others less destructive and more desirable than say wrath or lust? Sally ..more by this author..
(1 votes)
I hate the us because they value economic wealth over social and community wealth. No one cares about each other Its all about getting rich materialistically and not helping each other out in the community. why not value community more Anon Austria ..more by this author..
(3114 votes)
I'm cringing at how people are sterotyping every single person in the U.S., and how Some of the Americans are screaming back 'You wish you were this awsome!' People in the U.S. are like anyone else. Some are greedy or generous, compasionate or cruel. I'm 14 and I' am ashamed at some of the things my country has done. It is deeply offensive when people rant that ALL Americans are gun slingling, arrogant, greedy, idiotic, hamburger eaters, because that simply isn't true. You can't sterotype a country full of people by the actions of their leaders. Yes I will be the first to admit that America has had its fair share of screwups like slavery, wars, nuclear bombs,...*covers face* Iraq war... and many many other things. But really not all of us are that bad. I got along wonderfully with people i have met from other countries every single time. In fact oddly enough i got along better with them than americans.... All i want to say is that don't condem Americans before you get the chance to know some of the decent ones. And lets all cross our fingers that Obama will clean up the horrible bloody mess Bush made, he sucked as a president. Anon USA ..more by this author..
(3076 votes)
"We consider this comment both ignorant and offensive, and not worthy of serious response." But the author is right. The US are controlled by jews! And you will get that point at the very moment the world economy collapses due to jewish financial crimes. Mr. Madoff was just the beginning. And who was the guy who ordered the holocaust in Hiroshima and Nagasaki? You got it! It was a jew! Btw: My country (Liechtenstein) isn't listed here. Perhaps it's too small for the USA? Anon Switzerland ..more by this author..
(3467 votes)
I think the biggest problem with any country (including mine) is that its residents do not understand the world outside of theirs except through outdated books, skewed media sources, and thus the groupthink perception of their neighbors. Many folks I've met have only seen one side of the coin with no desire to see the other, and instead judge the other side with understandable ignorance. So if the USA is your enemy, go there and understand your enemy. Most of you will see that we are not your enemy at all, but only as ignorant as you once were. So while the above applies to a country's people, this next one is for understanding the government's actions: To understand government action is not easy. It requires schooling AND experience in foreign diplomacy, local economics, world economics, law enforcement, and general marketing. Then to top that off you need to understand the specific area's religion and culture to understand what identifies their country. So that's the most of it. Anyone's entitled to an ignorant comment, so no one can stop you. Just know that the above apply to the majority of this site's posters. And lastly, for those who live comfortable lives (by realistic standards), realize that there are people in your country (not family) and others who sacrifice so much you can live your comfortable lives. And if you don't know who at least some of those people are, then you are retarded or definitely in a bad and/or third-world country. ChrisM "Ignorance is bliss, and therefore not a negative quality, unless you run a country" Anon USA ..more by this author..
(3262 votes)
Hey, ill be the first to say we do have our problems. We have our bad people but hey so does every country, but most of us are good caring people. I do think this site is a little offensive. Everybody puts the U.S. in the spot light and as soon as something bad happens everybody jumps all over us. I could care less where you are from, treat me with respect and ill do the same for you. Not all of us are cruel apple-pie-eating rednecks who think we are the best thing in the world. We may not perfect but who is? come on give us a break. J USA ..more by this author..
(3333 votes)
I was watching the American spelling bee contest this morning. And I saw most of the contestants are Indians from India, very little native American. And when it got to the final around 90 to 95% left are the Indian kids. What is happening to the America? I believe that these kids have the same education that the native American kids received. So I figured out that the differences must be the family education. As I can see most of their parents are both Indian from India. I don't think its the genes, but I believe that they work harder. And I remember I read the comments of someone here once, he was complaining about too many foreign immigrants in the America thats why the American lost their job opportunities. I don't know why they think that way. Is it just because they are smart and they work harder than most of the native American. The American should start work harder instead of being scared by the competition. Or are the American really don't like the other races. Anon ..more by this author..
(1 votes)
Thanks for allowing me to actually express my feelings about the country im living in. So where do i start, ok hee i go. I been living here for the last 9 years, which i think it's too long, Problem is after so many years spent outside my native country i have realised that i am a stranger there now as well here. So after so many years on the road i dont belong anywhere. When i first moved here in 2000 i was 18, and i was loving life. Untill then i never had a job or any obligation i was just a kid at heart. It took only 3 months to go from 18 to 45 years of age. One day i woke up i had a job, i had to put the food on the table, and i had to think if i'll have enough for the next month rent. My paycheck was 290$ every 2 weeks, talk about modern slaves. Well day by day things started to change. I noticed how careless these people were, always busy, not having time to live their own life. If person was bleeding on the street they would walk by without any compasion, apsoulutelly heartless. People in usa dont have real friends either, they charge their "best friends" for a glass of water, yeah even that costs in usa. Glass of water is not fee, unfortunatelly i had to find out the hard way. Everybody here just lookin for the way to take advantage of someone, to make a profit. I have never seen a daughter suing her mom, or brother suing his brother for 200 $. Or parents kickin their kids out on the street as soon as they turn 18. I sometimes have a feeling that when all the europeans immigrated to usa back in the days, that a whole lot of jail birds, rapist, murderers, child abusers, mentaly retared one's immigrated here in great numbers. Europe has got rid of all the scum, now european streets are safer to walk thry. Kids aint getting kidnaped as much as in usa, parents murdering their kids: just one incident ill list when that lady drowned her 5 kids, or how many times have students came to school shooting everybody?? i think i made a point. I dont know why is it that the crime rates are so high here, not a day goes by that someone didnt get killed, news are flodding with these type of news, and yet guns are so easy to purchase. 10 year old kids carry guns now in usa, while kids n europe play outdors with their friends. Things hee have gotten out of hand. This land was never an opportunity land, it was just comercials, that make people belive that grass here is indeed greener. but the truth is grass is fake here. There is not one natural thing in this country. Kids spend their lives playing video games, locked in the house, people getting fat, it is horible goga ..more by this author..
(1 votes)
American people never admitted their shortcoming or mistakes, thats the problem. One cannot solve his problems if he doesn't see or realize the problems. miguel ..more by this author..
(1 votes)
American always think they are the best. They always say they have the gold card and the green card, so what, that doesn't make you superior than the others. America have the most satellites, and they don't like the other countries to have it. Its that what we call selfish. People always say America is a country of freedom. what kind of freedom do you have when the government is spying on your every movement, listening to all your conversations on the phones. And if you criticized the government you are considered not patriotic, is that what you called freedom of speech. Look at what happened to Dixie Chicks, the band, their career was ruined just because they gave their opinion about the war. The American just can't take any criticism against them. miguel ..more by this author..
(1 votes)
I've been noticing lately on a lot of websites and encounters that I've had with Australians living in the US, the biggest impression that we've unfortunately made on them is we're a bunch of ignorant, arrogant bastards. I don't blame them for thinking so, honestly. Don't get me wrong, I do not hate my country. I don't hate its people, so don't anyone dare to call me 'anti-American', which by the way is a pathetic insult created by American obsessed, brainwashed group of Republicans. My point is that our government has hideously derailed ever since Bush was in office. I was very pleased to see that Obama won, and probably one of the biggest morons to ever walk the earth, Bush was finally gone. It has only been 5 months since Obama was inaugurated, and I'm giving him a chance to change things for us. We shall see what happens in the near future. And then perhaps I wont be so ashamed of saying that I'm American to foreigners. Honestly, I'd rather be Canadian to say the least. I'm embarrassed to know that so many people around the world see the majority of us in such a bad light. We as Americans are unfairly rolled into the same ball of wax constantly. That is one thing I cannot stand about the world's view of us. I myself am not ignorant, or arrogant. The large sum of imbeciles that follow the Republican party and that believed in, and still do believe in Bush's ideas and now follow McCain make the US look detestable to the rest of the world. Let me state, I am a Democratic-Liberal and have been disgusted with the image of American that has been thrust upon other countries, making them abhor our ways endlessly. If my words are offensive to any Republicans that may read this, I'm sorry but I will say what I feel. A lot of Conservatives have made their loud mouth selves known, so I will express whatever opinion I wish to. I will say, I'm sick and tired of the response that I've gotten for saying that I'm American to people from other countries. Usually it's "Oh, really?", a disgusted look on their face, or a look of pity. Either way, I can't take it anymore. Something needs to change, and fast. America's face needs to be seen in a better light. And the cruel generalizations of Americans need to end. I'm a good person and I do not wish to be demeaned because of my nationality. Basically, I just want the rest of the world to stop hating ALL of us, and the Americans that make the rest of look bad, to check themselves. How are we to progress when American has fallen into this trap? Like I said, things definitely need to change. I want to be liked and accepted by other countries, and not shunned because I'm American. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that everyone who's not from the US hates us, because obviously that's not true. But I would like the default response of dislike to cease at one point. I want to be liked for who I am, not for my nationality. And I never want to be put in the same category as idiotic, diluted Republicans who are the main reason for foreign hate. That's all I have to say. Interpret what you will. Melinda USA ..more by this author..
(3325 votes)
As an American living and working in Sweden, I've come to see my home nation of America in a new light. People here are quite fair-minded about the USA - I'm much more of a critic. I can say that they are highly amused by the American Right's portrayal of Sweden as some sort of socialist hellhole. The Swedes are quite satisfied with their lives overall. Some things work better here than in the US and some things don't. Transit is fantastic, healthcare is OK...though slow, and the Swedish fetish for rules, structure, and security is truly hilarious...as long as you are not mired in it. They have lines and queues for everything. My favorite cultural artifact here is the organizational practice of "kitchen duty", a bizarre system by which everyone takes turns being a servant to the group for a week, washing everyone's greasy dishes and cleaning the kitchen up several times a day. God help you if you don't perform these all right on schedule! Heaven forbid each person would clean up after themselves. It's childish and insane, but they would have it no other way. Swedes tend to view the US as a sort of scary place where people have little of the security they enjoy here. So far, I think the security issue is a toss up. Dr. Z Sweden ..more by this author..
(3332 votes)
nationalism is like a drug for any state. When the state is ill and going to split it can save it.But when health ones use drugs they become dope heads. They start fighting with everything around and they need more and more drugs to survive. Don't misunderstand. National interests must be protected but it doesnt mean to become the new roman empire. The previous ones have been crashed. igor Russia ..more by this author..
(3334 votes)
I am sure that most people that have entries on this site are far more educated than I. There is one thing thought hate, love it doesn't matter then current condition we are all in is caused by us all, not the French, or the Russians, or the Americans. if we want to see another day and throw more *&^%$(g stones than we need to get over the abhorring and fix the economy and become more of a docile civilization. an another thing we are all people entitled to our own opinions and thoughts and violence never has solved one thing in our counties historys so dont bitch fix it. bob USA ..more by this author..
(3554 votes)
US is the most hypocritical country on the face of the planet. Americans, especially those with power and in corporations are the worst. "We are righteous, have high regards for others, and we treat everyone as equals....as long as you do not infringe upon my beliefs, my thoughts, my territory, my job, my money, my hopes and dreams, etc...if you do, then all bets are off." I wished I have never set foot on the US. I am ashamed of hold a US passport. Anon USA ..more by this author..
(3426 votes)
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