What do foreigners think of the United States of America?

[benao87]

insomniac17 said:

benao87 said:

Not really. Panama used to be a province of Colombia, which, I have to admit, felt quite abandoned by the central government, but there were no serious attempts of secession. Then came the US put some frigates, and instigate a revolution, then came the independence, then they take the control of the canal, and if I'm not wrong your government didn't wanted to hand the control back to Panama XD

It's ok mate. I know one can't judge all the people for the actions of their governments, but I do think that people can do more to control the actions of their governmetns. I mean, the invasion of Iraq, Gitmo, environmental issues, just make you look like world assholes, and they represent you, then thats why its easy to think that the whole population are a bunch of global bullys.

Ah. Wasn't quite sure what you meant there. But yes, the US government was probably not particularly eager to hand control of the canal over to Panama.

Well, sure. And here's where I'll admit that the US has some serious problems. Just look at the elections now, and who could become the next president. Most politicians here are self centered and arrogant. You don't see many good (read: honest) guys get into politics and when they do, they get ripped apart by the jerks. This wouldn't be a problem if people would think for themselves and get involved in politics, but so many people here just don't care. They start paying attention after the two candidates are chosen (I also dislike the two party system we have... it is very limited), and then just choose whoever sounds/looks best. So, to a large extent, it is our fault and I can't blame others for thinking the way they do about the US.

It is also your economic system mate. Politicians may have the best intentions but other agents have more power, for example I do believe Obama wasn't as bad as he turned out he just had to report to powerful capitalists. This ain't a socialist argument, it happens in most of the world, but US corporations are just way too powerful, and in the end they are the ones pulling the strings. I don't really want to go deeper as this is .... a light thread, then I'll just say that you have nice people spoiled by a system (call it economic, politic, social, lol i think the whole structure is fucked up) :)