"People like EJ", who are American citizens do not all feel American. So why should I bother to want to "improve" America. That is something uniquely American that if you don't like it you should do something to improve it or leave it. People have the freedom to live where they want and criticize how much they want. There are some countries without that freedom, but not in the First World. There are sites in other countries, called forums, and if you speak foreign languages you can go there and put in your grain of salt. (Go to Watching America site - most sites will accept your English language comment). In all the countries I lived in, people - including their citizens -would criticize the way things worked there, not least the American expats, who found European countries so unlikable that they re-create their own closed society overseas even including their own Cub Scout troops! (and they don't learn the language of the country they live in). But a big difference is that the rest of the world knows what goes on in America, but Americans do not know what goes on elsewhere.

"Tout le monde il est beau, tout le monde il est joli"! American optimism at all cost does not do it for me. I don't give a fig about America rushing downhill in a handbasket. The faster they get there the better. Everything they do is always for their own benefit, in the guise of altruism! They have interfered with elections in every country in the world, including all the European countries' elections and the various labor groups, like in 1947 for instance in France.

American Imperialism started way back in the 19th century with President McKinley. And it hides behind the mask of idealism. Look what they have done with Iraq! And Iran before that, starting after the democratic election of Mossadegh. Yes, he was democratically elected but that did not please the Americans so they did a coup. I wish people would research history and not gobble unquestioningly the pablum their schoolbooks (or newspapers) offer them. With the access to information now, through the Internet, lots of people throughout the world find out the reality behind America. "America, my country right or wrong" sure rings funny. This is the most absurd quote in the American lore.
EJ
USA