Is Your Overall Impression of the United States Favorable or Unfavorable?

[PresidentMike]

The US has been getting a lot of heat on this board lately, what with the Guantanamo Bay and "so-called justice" threads. So I'd like to take the temperature, so to speak, of the membership: is your view of the U.S. favorable or unfavorable?

Please take into account the complete picture (political system, culture, foreign policy, history, people, military, justice system, etc.). What is your overall impression of the United States?

 

[G-Man]

Despite the fact that like any other coutnry the US is far from acting in a perfect way, it's still the 2nd largest democracy on earth, with all that it means. It's also giving a lot of money in aid to other countries. It's role in history is basically one of bringing democracy and human rights.
Favorable.

 

[Hurricane]

Favourable.

There are lots of things to critisise about the US, but then again, so is there about my own country.

 

[PresidentMike]

Originally posted by G-Man
Despite the fact that like any other coutnry the US is far from acting in a perfect way, it's still the largest democracy on earth, with all that it means.

Unfortunatley, that's not true. India, with its billion plus inhabitants, is the largest democracy on earth.

 

[Stapel]

Originally posted by G-Man
Despite the fact that like any other coutnry the US is far from acting in a perfect way, it's still the largest democracy on earth, with all that it means. It's also giving a lot of money in aid to other countries. It's role in history is basically one of bringing democracy and human rights.
Favorable.

Ahem, India is the biggest democracy on earth. And compared to other western democracies, the US doesn't give that much money per capita.

But I do agree! The Yankian efforts of bringing democracy and human rights are enormous!

Just look at the current peace talks in Israel/Palestina. A clear result of USA politics. Of course the US government gets a lot of critical comments! But we have a saying here: High trees catch much wind.
I think most of the critics from Western European countries are overdone. Why don't France, UK, Germany or Russia arrange peace talks in the m iddle east?

Anyway: Favourable

Edit: I see two of my comments were made just before.....

 

[G-Man]

Originally posted by PresidentMike
Unfortunatley, that's not true. India, with its billion plus inhabitants, is the largest democracy on earth.

I'll fix it. Sorry.

 

[G-Man]

Quoted instead of editing... Please delete

 

[Kinniken]

Originally posted by PresidentMike


Unfortunatley, that's not true. India, with its billion plus inhabitants, is the largest democracy on earth.

Why "unfortunately"? Having the world's second most populated country a democracy is great, and if the most populated could become one it would be even beater.
In any case, if the US is not the populous democracy, it's certainly the most powerful.

Back on topic: Overwhelmingly favorable. While there are plenty of things I do not like in the US, overall I certainly have a positive opinion of it. Though to be honest I would probably answer the same of nearly every democracy

 

[PresidentMike]

Originally posted by Kinniken
Why "unfortunately"?

Because, while I'd love to claim the honor, it properly belongs to the Indians. Perhaps it wasn't the best choice of words.

Though to be honest I would probably answer the same of nearly every democracy

I agree: democracy rocks!!!

[dance]

 

[Kinniken]

Originally posted by Stapel

I think most of the critics from Western European countries are overdone. Why don't France, UK, Germany or Russia arrange peace talks in the m iddle east?

But they have tried... France included (remember the Rambouillet talks?). However, the Israeli are only prepared to accept US mediation, and since Israel depends a lot on the US for support, American involvement carries more weight than that of European countries or of Russia (which has little reasons to be particularly involved in any case).

 

[Stapel]

Originally posted by PresidentMike
I agree: democracy rocks!!!

[dance]

No way! It sucks big time!
I believe it was Winston Churchill who said:

Democracy is louzy form of government, but unfortunately, I do not know of a better one.

 

[Kinniken]

Originally posted by PresidentMike


Because, while I'd love to claim the honor, it properly belongs to the Indians. Perhaps it wasn't the best choice of words.

OK, understood

Originally posted by PresidentMike
I agree: democracy rocks!!!

[dance]

I can agree with that

Anyway, concerning the poll I think it would be more interesting if expended... I was thinking of a multiple-answer poll with the following questions:

[American]: I have a good opinion of the US
[American]: I have a bad opinion of the US
[American]: I have a good opinion of the Bush administration
[American]: I have a bad opinion of the Bush administration
[Non-American]: I have a good opinion of the US
[Non-American]: I have a bad opinion of the US
[Non-American]: I have a good opinion of the Bush administration
[Non-American]: I have a bad opinion of the Bush administration

I'll be interested in seeing the differences between positive opinions of the US vs Bush and that of Americans vs Non-Americans.

I would post it myself, but I don't want to be seen as hijacking your poll

 

[PresidentMike]

Originally posted by Stapel


No way! It sucks big time!
I believe it was Winston Churchill who said:

Democracy is louzy form of government, but unfortunately, I do not know of a better one.

Unfortunately we need governments, ergo we need to choose how our government will be structured. I believe democracy is the best choice, ergo it rocks.

 

[Stapel]

Originally posted by Kinniken


But they have tried... France included (remember the Rambouillet talks?). However, the Israeli are only prepared to accept US mediation, and since Israel depends a lot on the US for support, American involvement carries more weight than that of European countries or of Russia (which has little reasons to be particularly involved in any case).

It is not the only example...

France and Israel used to be close friends once. Appearently someone screwed up somewhere..

Besides that: The US not only try... they also succeed in arranging peace talks .

The US puts far more effort in middle east peace than the whole EU together.

 

[John-LP]

I chose unfavorable, not because I think the U.S is a worse place than any other, but because I desire something better.

 

[PresidentMike]

Originally posted by Kinniken
I would post it myself, but I don't want to be seen as hijacking your poll

Hijack away. I'll gladly leave my show and go to your show.

My guess is that the "I am a foreigner and I like Bush" vote will probably be nill (or at least really close to it).

 

[Kinniken]

Originally posted by Stapel
Besides that: The US not only try... they also succeed in arranging peace talks .

The US puts far more effort in middle east peace than the whole EU together.

Arranging peace talks is relatively easy ; hey, the Rambouillet talks were held. The difficult part is getting somewhere at them.

Your second affirmation is IMHO nonsense. It was probably true under Clinton, and with Bush's new involvement in the conflict it might become true again, but for three good years at least Bush did NOT involve himself at all in the conflict beyond supporting Sharon from a distance, while the European countries were begging him to involve himself. Hopefully it looks like he is making a real push for peace now, and with Arafat out of the way he even has a small chance of success.
But claiming that European countries did nothing is a blatant lie - they did, but unfortunately they have too little influence over Israel to achieve anything without American help.

Hijack away. I'll gladly leave my show and go to your show.

My guess is that the "I am a foreigner and I like Bush" vote will probably be nill (or at least really close to it).

OK thanks I'm not so sure that last vote will be so close to zero... but then, it's precisely to see what it will be that I want this poll

 

[PresidentMike]

Originally posted by Kinniken
OK thanks I'm not so sure that last vote will be so close to zero... but then, it's precisely to see what it will be that I want this poll

I'll ask the moderator to close up this thread so we can all head over to your place.

 

[PresidentMike]

Originally posted by PresidentMike
I'll ask the moderator to close up this thread so we can all head over to your place.

I've put in the request, so hopefully this thread will be closing soon.

In the meantime head over to Kinniken's thread, where we can continue debating this issue.

 

[Stapel]

Originally posted by Kinniken

But claiming that European countries did nothing is a blatant lie -

Je n'ai jamais dit cela, monsieur!

EU countries did do something, but they have missed several opportunities in the past! I have a feeling we are not able to do any good without yankian help. The whole Yugoslavia **** is another example of this.