Americans, you are happy, aren’t you? Wonder of European. Americans vs. Obama

[Paul Lasaro]

Are you happy and satisfied with yourselves? So many people in the world not only dislike you but also hate and can’t stand you. Already for years anti-americanism is quite natural for young intellectuals in all parts of the world. Unfortunately, not only for them. Including Europe. Your embassies are turned into fortresses even in allied countries, in peaceful European countries. Even Russian embassies do not look so armed. Thousands of your soldiers, young people die in many countries of the world. Nobody wants to buy your goods, your workers lose their work. Even so friendly UK sneers at your famous American cars.

You don’t believe - just look yourselves how the British evaluate your cars (whatcar.uk) ... Cadillac Escalade two stars of five, Chrysler Sebring – the same – only two stars, Dodge Avenger (Charger) – two, Hummer H3 – only one, Chrysler 300C – achievement! – three stars. Do we have to wonder that one of the biggest car markets – Europe – practically ignore the American production? It could be only half of the trouble but also Russians, Chinese and others are being influenced by it.

For the young people America is connected with bubbles of Coca-Cola and McDonalds which parents usually abuse about using the most terrible words since their children’s childhood and doctors shout even louder. At least in two European countries – at schools it is forbidden officially to sell sodas.

The most recognizable symbols are ... Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.

The world more and more compares the USA with the collapsed USSR which had an impressive army, disgusting cars and weak money.

The economics of America has limped for years. The well-known researcher Tony Judt in his book „Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945” shows that the economics of America became a shadow of Europe long ago – already in 2000 Europeans’ direct investments into the economics of the USA were 900 billion USD against 650 billion Americans’ direct investments in Europe. America got almost 70% out of all external investments from Europe and multinational companies in Europe then had a great amount of American cult products.

Almost every evening the biggest Russian TV channel PRIME TIME in its comments nastily jeers at Americans. For example, saying that American military doctrine can be characterized very simply – unpunished killing of unarmed opponent from a certain distance.* It can’t and mustn’t be called just a simple point of view, it is an information channel for hundreds of millions of people in Russia and behind its borders.

Americans, are you happy and satisfied?

It seems that a part of Americans has understood that now it’s the time to change something. That’s why they trusted Obama to rule the country.
Europeans characterized it shortly – it is the best what could have happened to America.

But having a look from aside it seems that many Americans haven’t understood it yet. There are Americans who call themselves – Christians and patriots of the country but it doesn’t disturb them from propagating hostile offence against Obama on the Internet. Not long ago in a big surprise I saw a picture, sent out by these patriots, where the following can be seen – „Somewhere in Kenya a Village is Missing its Idiot”.

I only want to ask these American patriots how can you be proud of the country where the elected president is missing idiot in Kenya village?
Now it’s the time when Americans have to join together at last in order to change something. It’s the time to support a person who the world is ready to listen attentively to. To listen and to hear.

Let’s hope that Americans will understand it and finally that day will come when thousands of young Americans and their opponents who are usually the same age don’t die because of high-flown antiamericanism.

Let’s hope that a day will come when Americans in the whole world do not have to hide themselves in the fortresses of embassies.

Let’s hope that a day will come when Americans do not have to lose their work only because American cars and other goods are something strange.

Let’s hope that Obama does not have the same destiny as Gorbatcov. Gorbatcov is still being respected and admired abroad while Russians can’t understand that he gave to Russia a possibility to get back its self-respect and took away a disgrace sign of the aggressor.

Americans must understand that Obama symbolizes not only Changes but also a Challenge. Positive.

Have a nice Day and be careful!
Paul Lasaro

* Original russian text - "военнойдоктриной, которуюможноназвать "Три "Б": безнаказанныйрасстрелбезоружногопротивникасбезопасногорасстояния. "

[DougieG]

Good post, some decent points made.

[Balthazar]

I recently re-read Strike! by Jeremy Brecher. Anyone wanting to understand why the US has no mainstream socialist movement, and why US working class culture is so gun, church and redneck oriented should read it.

US capital was utterly determined that no socialist movement would take root in America. The police were sent in regularly to shoot strikers dead and local judges then covered it up. Whole towns were locked down, strike leaders arrested and killed in prison. The National Guard called out again and again (plenty of amusing stories of one NG contingent siding with the strikers then having a shoot-out with another NG group called in wrest control from the rebel NG). In one strike the men hired a light aircraft and dropped sticks of dynamite on the police.

These weren't just occasional localised strikes but massive affairs involving hundreds of thousands of workers. It's a whole hidden history of the US never mentioned on Fox News. It happens at regular intervals - it's not some interesting piece of history but an aspect of living, contemporary American culture - and will happen again. Chicago was always a centre of radicalism which is one reason Obama's so interesting - he knows his history.

We're fortunate in Britain to have a (largely) non-redneck working class. Sure, there's some fisticuffs on Saturday night and a tiny number vote BNP but on the whole they've been civilized by a humane, democratic, internationalised socialist movement lasting from c. 1880 to 1985.

American capital, by resisting organised labour so vehemently, has kept the American working class fighting each other like dogs. This impacts on US culture and effects their relations with the rest of the world. They're a troubled, internally conflicted, violent nation, at war with themselves, who then export that war and violence around the world. The US should be pitied and helped, not criticised (or attacked militarily as OBL tries to do). Lots of decent Americans know exactly what's going on.

Since its original publication in 1972, no book has done as much as Jeremy Brecher's Strike! to bring American labor history to a wide audience. Strike! describes what is left out of ordinary history books: the dramatic story of repeated, massive, and often violent revolts by ordinary working people in America. The story includes nearly nation-wide general strikes, the seizure of vast industrial establishments, non-violent direct action on a massive scale, and armed battles with artillery and aircraft. Strike! tells this exciting hidden history from the point of view of the rank-and-file workers who lived it.

Source

[Tantal]

I recently re-read Strike! by Jeremy Brecher. Anyone wanting to understand why the US has no mainstream socialist movement, and why US working class culture is so gun, church and redneck oriented should read it.

Hey, I resemble that remark.

US capital was utterly determined that no socialist movement would take root in America. The police were sent in regularly to shoot strikers dead and local judges then covered it up. Whole towns were locked down, strike leaders arrested and killed in prison.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Chicago was always a centre of radicalism which is one reason Obama's so interesting - he knows his history.

Actually, Chicago and New Orleans share the title of most corrupt cities in the U.S.

Lots of decent Americans know exactly what's going on.

You mean those POS leftists that are attempting to change the U.S. into a nation with the intestinal fortitude of France and the economic viability of Zimbabwe? Those 'decent Americans'?

[Tantal]

Even so friendly UK sneers at your famous American cars.

I'll have to agree with you there. American cars are ****, which is why I drive a Toyota Land Cruiser. Most of the poor quality is a result of paying auto workers too much, then saving money by using substandard components. It doesn't matter how good the assemblers are. If the parts they're using are crap, the car's going to be crap.

Americans must understand that Obama symbolizes not only Changes but also a Challenge. Positive.

I'd be a little skeptical in pinning your hopes for America on the jug-eared Kenyan Marxist.

[DougieG]

You say that like it's a bad thing.

I thought you believed in freedom Tantal! Especially freedom from a government. What sort of a world is it where you can't ask for better work standards from an oppressive employer without being shot?!

Actually, Chicago and New Orleans share the title of most corrupt cities in the U.S.

Doesn't stop them also being centres of political radicalsm... Maybe I missed your point.

You mean those POS leftists that are attempting to change the U.S. into a nation with the intestinal fortitude of France and the economic viability of Zimbabwe? Those 'decent Americans'?

To be fair, the USA was in a bad state when Obama took over. Even you, Tantal, have to agree. The economy was ruined, if nothing else!

Welcome back by the way

[Tantal]

I thought you believed in freedom Tantal! Especially freedom from a government. What sort of a world is it where you can't ask for better work standards from an oppressive employer without being shot?!

I do believe in freedom from government, but in my lifetime, the labor unions have been given preference over companies. If labor unions are so wonderful (especially given their ability to strike), then why am I prohibited by law from being in one?

Doesn't stop them also being centres of political radicalsm... Maybe I missed your point.

Yes, they are centers of radicalism.......which may help to explain why they're festering dung-heaps.

To be fair, the USA was in a bad state when Obama took over. Even you, Tantal, have to agree. The economy was ruined, if nothing else!

Yes, the economy was going down whe Obama took over.....and George Bush's meddling in the free-market economy at the end of his term didn't help matters; however, the economy wasn't 'ruined'. What's going to ruin it is when the bill comes due on all the money Obama has spent in his first 5 months in office. We're expecting to have to pay $800 BILLION just to service the interest on the debt in a few years....and that's if we stop deficit spending.

[Balthazar]

Hey, I resemble that remark.

Hey Tantal, nice to meet you. I meant no offence. It's just that us Pinko Yerps, schooled in 120 years of socialism and - more usually - social democracy, look at the Yankee working class with admiration - your can-do individualism - but also with sympathy and bafflement.

Can you answer me one thing? British soldiers returning from WW2 were determined that the privations of the 1930s would not be repeated. They voted, in vast numbers, for the 1945 Labour government on a mandate to build the National Health Service and finalise the welfare state (founded by the Liberals in c. 1903).

Much of that socialist structure survives today. It's politically impossible for any British national politician to get elected unless he promises to cherish the good old NHS. It's the largest employer in Europe - well over 1m employees LOL - and the British are in love with it.

My question is: why didn't Yankee soldiers returning in 1945 do the same? Why was there no equivalent political movement in America determined that the suffering of the 1930s would not happen again, that ordinary people would be treated with at least a degree of fairness by the capitalist class?

You realise you've got tent cities springing up all over the US? Not tramps, drugs users and chaotic alcoholics but good, decent, lower middle-class Americans - many of them Republican voters - who've been screwed by the banking crisis. People are even writing songs about it:

YouTube - Shutting Detroit Down

Europeans, safe in a our welfare states, built on the blood of the WW2 heroes, look at the images open-mouthed.



Total Banker

Why didn't the GIs in 1945 ensure that never happened again? We did in Britain, why not America? A returning victorious army can always get what it wants from civilian politicians - they scare the sh*t out of them!

It is pathetic that the US working class has failed to get its capitalists under control. Where's your American get-up-and-go? Or are you one of those dismal social Darwinist fellas who wants these normal, decent Americans to go to the wall to "purify" the gene pool?

[DougieG]

I do believe in freedom from government, but in my lifetime, the labor unions have been given preference over companies. If labor unions are so wonderful (especially given their ability to strike), then why am I prohibited by law from being in one?

Well because the US government needs you to go out shooting trade unionists! I can understand you having a dislike of them, or wanting the government to take a hard line - the current tube strikes in Britain show how ridiculous some strikes can be - but murder?! Violence is never justified except in self-defence against other violence.

Yes, they are centers of radicalism.......which may help to explain why they're festering dung-heaps.

Perhaps. Or are they centres of radicalims because the are festering dung heaps? Cause and effect is very difficult to determine. It seems more likely that people there are in favour of 'radical' ideas like social security, state healthcare and decent working standards because they are the ones that are unable to afford them, and can't get themselves out of the hole due to the useless education rife across a great deal of American cities.

Yes, the economy was going down whe Obama took over.....and George Bush's meddling in the free-market economy at the end of his term didn't help matters; however, the economy wasn't 'ruined'. What's going to ruin it is when the bill comes due on all the money Obama has spent in his first 5 months in office. We're expecting to have to pay $800 BILLION just to service the interest on the debt in a few years....and that's if we stop deficit spending.

It's true to an extent. But it's Republicans that have been driving the USA into debt over the last 8 years. Clinton left it with a surplus. Bush left with trillions of dollars of debt! Compared to the amount that the USA owes already, thanks to the Republicans, $800m is nothing.

[Paul Lasaro]

Interesting surprise. On my web page some americans blame for anti-americanism.... They can't deal with realiity or something is wrong.....?
btw - "american patriots" blaming US president, not me. I just protecting.
Interesting ....

[Tantal]

Well because the US government needs you to go out shooting trade unionists! I can understand you having a dislike of them, or wanting the government to take a hard line - the current tube strikes in Britain show how ridiculous some strikes can be - but murder?! Violence is never justified except in self-defence against other violence.

I don't want the government to do ANYTHING with regard to trade unionists. The trade unions should be allowed to enter into contractual agreements with the employers without government interference of any kind. If the union goes on strike, the company should be allowed to fire every striker for failure to come to work or perform his/her job as expected. If the company goes under (as was the case with GM and Chrysler), the government should let it go under.

[Opinionated]

I don't want the government to do ANYTHING with regard to trade unionists. The trade unions should be allowed to enter into contractual agreements with the employers without government interference of any kind. If the union goes on strike, the company should be allowed to fire every striker for failure to come to work or perform his/her job as expected. If the company goes under (as was the case with GM and Chrysler), the government should let it go under.

I understand this pov on an intellectual level Tantal, I think it's short sighted but I get it. However on a human level you really wouldn't have the slightest desire to see anyone (even government if they are the only ones with the inclination) stop the devestation mass unemployment can cause?

[Tantal]

I understand this pov on an intellectual level Tantal, I think it's short sighted but I get it. However on a human level you really wouldn't have the slightest desire to see anyone (even government if they are the only ones with the inclination) stop the devestation mass unemployment can cause?

Our problem in the States is that government has its hand in EVERYTHING, which is the cause of most of our problems. Every industry and special interest group has teams of lawyers and lobbyists in Washington trying to get laws and regulations passed that benefit them, their industries, or punishes their competitors. My point is that the free market does a better job of separating the wheat from the chaff than politicians do. Politicians don't make decisions based upon sound economic principles, but rather getting themselves re-elected. Sure, GM and Chrysler were run poorly, but the government isn't going to do any better at running those companies. First, it'll be banks and car companies that are 'too big to fail' that the government takes over. Then, the government will decide that health care and energy are too important to be left to the greedy capitalists. Then, transportation: so there goes the airlines, busses, UPS, FedEx (especially since UPS and FedEx are competitors to the U.S. Postal Service), trucking, and rail shipping. Pretty soon, the government will have seized the means of production. Soviet Union anyone?

Let's take GM and Chrysler as our example. Those companies make substandard products, yet charge almost what high-quality imports cost. Now that the government has taken over these companies, do you think that the quality is going to improve? No, it won't. The government will use its ownership of the automakers to push their political agendas. The environmentalists will push for more 'green' cars, which Americans won't buy, and the government will oblige. The unions will push for ever more lucrative compensation packages, and the government will oblige. Eventually, the car companies will become a money-pit that EVERY American will have to subsidise, rather than just the stockholders who willingly bought stock in the company. The best example I can think of is Amtrak. Amtrak continues to leak cash, yet the government keeps them propped up. My solution: Sell it to private investors, let them cut costs, raise fares, etc. Eventually, it will make money. The company isn't competitive now because it has no reason to be. No matter how much they lose, the government will come in to pay the tab with my tax dollars.

One of the problems in the U.S. is the dumbing-down of the educational system. Most American kids don't know history or the Constitution. Whenever the government proposes something, it is merely debated on whether the predicted outcome is desirable, rather than asking whether the government has a Constitutional authority to impose such laws. Since obesity has become a problem, we are now to the point of government discussing how they're going to regulate the diets of Americans. Should Americans be thinner? Sure. Should we eat better foods and consume fewer calories? Absolutely. Should the government have the authority to dictate what foods we can eat and in what quantity? Absolutely not!

Sorry to get a little off-topic, but what you asked has to do with what role government has to play in the everyday lives of its citizens. I think that the role should be minimal.....in both my private life and in business.

[Balthazar]

Mr Tantal: no answer to my post #3?

[Tantal]

My question is: why didn't Yankee soldiers returning in 1945 do the same?

Cultural differences I suppose. This country was founded upon principles of extremely limited government, personal liberty, and personal responsibility. I've never thought of the government as my 'provider'. I was raised to believe that I am my own provider. A little family history: My grandfather grew up in extreme poverty and began working cotton fields in east Texas when he was 12 just to help put food on the table. Although intelligent, he had to completely drop out of school after the 9th grade to work full-time. Through hard work and the sweat of his brow, he eventually saved enough money to open his own business....a very small corner grocery store. After making a little money there, he opened a small boat dealership/repair shop, having taught himself boat repair. In his entire life he never took a penny of other peoples' money. Never. He had too much pride for that. He died at 72.....a millionaire. My paternal grandfather was in the same boat; however, he had one saving grace. He was an exceptional athlete and was able to attend Texas A&M University on an athletic scholarship. He also held various jobs throughout his life and often worked multiple jobs at the same time. He was frugal with his money and saw to it that my father attended college......my uncle even attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. My point in all this is that neither of my grandfathers would've ever taken money from other people, especially if that money were forcibly taken from them by the government. My grandfathers were strong influences in my life and I suppose that their values were passed on to me.

[Balthazar]

Cultural differences I suppose. This country was founded upon principles of extremely limited government, personal liberty, and personal responsibility. I've never thought of the government as my 'provider'. I was raised to believe that I am my own provider. A little family history: My grandfather grew up in extreme poverty and began working cotton fields in east Texas when he was 12 just to help put food on the table. Although intelligent, he had to completely drop out of school after the 9th grade to work full-time. Through hard work and the sweat of his brow, he eventually saved enough money to open his own business....a very small corner grocery store. After making a little money there, he opened a small boat dealership/repair shop, having taught himself boat repair. In his entire life he never took a penny of other peoples' money. Never. He had too much pride for that. He died at 72.....a millionaire. My paternal grandfather was in the same boat; however, he had one saving grace. He was an exceptional athlete and was able to attend Texas A&M University on an athletic scholarship. He also held various jobs throughout his life and often worked multiple jobs at the same time. He was frugal with his money and saw to it that my father attended college......my uncle even attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. My point in all this is that neither of my grandfathers would've ever taken money from other people, especially if that money were forcibly taken from them by the government. My grandfathers were strong influences in my life and I suppose that their values were passed on to me.

That's a good answer. Thank you. But doesn't personal responsibility also involve responsibility for the old, the sick and the poor? It's not just a selfish urge to look after number one, but extends to responsibility for neighbour and country? And doesn't extreme liberty cover negative liberty - freedom from the great wants described in the famous Beveridge Report - Disease, Ignorance, Squalor and Idleness?

The Beveridge Report was distributed to fighting troops in 1944 as an Army Bureau of Current Affairs summary. All over Europe the men held meetings between the fighting - bivouacked beside their tanks, in shattered villages, in field hospitals - and discussed the sort of "liberty" and "responsibility" they wanted when they got home. Those who survived came home and voted for the report in massive numbers.

Given what you say about personal responsibility and liberty, it's doubly strange that US troops didn't do the same. It's as if they forgot what they were fighting for.

[Midas]

That's a good answer. Thank you. But doesn't personal responsibility also involve responsibility for the old, the sick and the poor? It's not just a selfish urge to look after number one, but extends to responsibility for neighbour and country? And doesn't extreme liberty cover negative liberty - freedom from the great wants described in the famous Beveridge Report - Disease, Ignorance, Squalor and Idleness?

On the other side of the coin though, shouldn't people who might be old, sick and poor have made better provision for themselves whilst they were able to do so, rather than simply abdicating their responsibilities in favour of the government helping them out using other people's money with which to do so? Accepting that there are certain people who are genuinely unable to do so, but that is a small minority. Responsibility cuts both ways, and one of the reasons we're in the mess were in right now is that far too many simply expect without having contributed.

The Beveridge Report was distributed to fighting troops in 1944 as an Army Bureau of Current Affairs summary. All over Europe the men held meetings between the fighting - bivouacked beside their tanks, in shattered villages, in field hospitals - and discussed the sort of "liberty" and "responsibility" they wanted when they got home. Those who survived came home and voted for the report in massive numbers.

Was that large acceptance of the Beveridge Report simply a consequence of the second world war though? Do you think that its proposals would have gained anywhere near as much ground if it had been presented in times of economic plenty and social stability?

[Balthazar]

On the other side of the coin though, shouldn't people who might be old, sick and poor have made better provision for themselves whilst they were able to do so, rather than simply abdicating their responsibilities in favour of the government helping them out using other people's money with which to do so? Accepting that there are certain people who are genuinely unable to do so, but that is a small minority. Responsibility cuts both ways, and one of the reasons we're in the mess were in right now is that far too many simply expect without having contributed.

I think it's a bad idea to kick people when they're down - blame the victim in other words. When people need help that what they should get - not some finger-waving lecture that they should have saved for a rainy day.

Was that large acceptance of the Beveridge Report simply a consequence of the second world war though? Do you think that its proposals would have gained anywhere near as much ground if it had been presented in times of economic plenty and social stability?

Probably not. It grew from the experience of the 1930s and fighting an anti-fascist war. But that doesn't explain why returning US troops - whose parents had just as bad a time after the 1929 crash - failed to take responsibility when they came home, sinking back instead on the selfish, every-man-for-himself type of liberty described by Tantal.

A irony is that is was a massive great Yankee loan, negotiated by John Maynard Keynes just before he died in 1946, which funded the NHS. I believe it was only paid off recently. So the American bankers, who've stood so firm against their own population getting free universal health care, made it possible in Britain!

Of course some claim the Army Bureau of Current Affairs, who ran the propaganda campaign among the troops in 1943-5, was a communist front organisation. I think that's probably true. Churchill and the senior army blimps hated it.

[Expounder]

I don't want the government to do ANYTHING with regard to trade unionists. The trade unions should be allowed to enter into contractual agreements with the employers without government interference of any kind. If the union goes on strike, the company should be allowed to fire every striker for failure to come to work or perform his/her job as expected. If the company goes under (as was the case with GM and Chrysler), the government should let it go under.

Thousands of honest hard working people in the US have lost their homes and jobs and have been made destitute by the American Sub Prime mortgage banking scam/fraud.

The only safety net they have is the Charity "Feeding America" which has 63 thousand soup kitchens and food pantries who have found that demand has increased by 30% since the end of 2008.

This is the difference between the good ol' US of A and most of the civilised European countries, and Britain, where although things are bad economically, have safety nets in place for people who are affected by the recession.

You can't claim that the people affected in America are useless layabouts, they were working, and have been thrown out of employment and made homeless through no fault of their own by previous callous government policy which allowed a capitalist system to run out of control.

I guess what your answer will be, that they use their initiative to survive self preservation and all that while sitting in your comfotable home. What sort of civilised society could allow decent hard working people[families] to live in their cars and beg food from a charity? Not a very caring one Tantal.

Read the link.


Soup kitchen queues grow as US teeters on brink of new downturn | Business | The Observer

[Tantal]

Thousands of honest hard working people in the US have lost their homes and jobs and have been made destitute by the American Sub Prime mortgage banking scam/fraud.

That was created by the Community Reinvestment Act

The only safety net they have is the Charity "Feeding America" which has 63 thousand soup kitchens and food pantries who have found that demand has increased by 30% since the end of 2008.

Wouldn't say that it's the ONLY one. Realising that the Lord has blessed me and my family, we have given as much as we possibly can to the our church, which funds housing for the unemployed and especially single mothers.

This is the difference between the good ol' US of A and most of the civilised European countries, and Britain, where although things are bad economically, have safety nets in place for people who are affected by the recession.

Nice to see you being so generous with money that isn't yours. Here in the U.S., our government is supporting people with my childrens' money. They're 9 and 6, have never had jobs, and didn't get to vote in the last election. What we have going on here is intergenerational theft. Further, the money that we're borrowing has been forcibly taken from Chinese workers by their government. The way I see it, our government is indirectly robbing the poor in China to support the poor in the U.S.

You can't claim that the people affected in America are useless layabouts, they were working, and have been thrown out of employment and made homeless through no fault of their own by previous callous government policy which allowed a capitalist system to run out of control.

I never suggested that all recipients of government benefits were layabouts, but the system is rife with fraud. You're right about the "callous government policy". That callous policy that forced banks to lend money to people who couldn't repay it is what caused this mess.

I guess what your answer will be, that they use their initiative to survive self preservation

Something like that. I'd be willing to bet that, if necessary, I could have a job by the end of the day if I were to look for one. It may not be the job I want at the wage that I want, but I could find employment.

What sort of civilised society could allow decent hard working people[families] to live in their cars and beg food from a charity? Not a very caring one Tantal.

Basic economics are not very "caring". What happens when your government's money runs out and nobody is willing to lend you more? Raise taxes? Surely you realise that you eventually reach a level of taxation that is devastating to economic growth and recovery. You'll eventually reach a point of taxation and spending from which you cannot recover.

[Timothy]

Are you happy and satisfied with yourselves? So many people in the world not only dislike you but also hate and can’t stand you. Already for years anti-americanism is quite natural for young intellectuals in all parts of the world. Unfortunately, not only for them. Including Europe. Your embassies are turned into fortresses even in allied countries, in peaceful European countries. Even Russian embassies do not look so armed. Thousands of your soldiers, young people die in many countries of the world. Nobody wants to buy your goods, your workers lose their work. Even so friendly UK sneers at your famous American cars.

You don’t believe - just look yourselves how the British evaluate your cars (whatcar.uk) ... Cadillac Escalade two stars of five, Chrysler Sebring – the same – only two stars, Dodge Avenger (Charger) – two, Hummer H3 – only one, Chrysler 300C – achievement! – three stars. Do we have to wonder that one of the biggest car markets – Europe – practically ignore the American production? It could be only half of the trouble but also Russians, Chinese and others are being influenced by it.

For the young people America is connected with bubbles of Coca-Cola and McDonalds which parents usually abuse about using the most terrible words since their children’s childhood and doctors shout even louder. At least in two European countries – at schools it is forbidden officially to sell sodas.

The most recognizable symbols are ... Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.

The world more and more compares the USA with the collapsed USSR which had an impressive army, disgusting cars and weak money.

The economics of America has limped for years. The well-known researcher Tony Judt in his book „Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945” shows that the economics of America became a shadow of Europe long ago – already in 2000 Europeans’ direct investments into the economics of the USA were 900 billion USD against 650 billion Americans’ direct investments in Europe. America got almost 70% out of all external investments from Europe and multinational companies in Europe then had a great amount of American cult products.

Almost every evening the biggest Russian TV channel PRIME TIME in its comments nastily jeers at Americans. For example, saying that American military doctrine can be characterized very simply – unpunished killing of unarmed opponent from a certain distance.* It can’t and mustn’t be called just a simple point of view, it is an information channel for hundreds of millions of people in Russia and behind its borders.

Americans, are you happy and satisfied?

It seems that a part of Americans has understood that now it’s the time to change something. That’s why they trusted Obama to rule the country.
Europeans characterized it shortly – it is the best what could have happened to America.

But having a look from aside it seems that many Americans haven’t understood it yet. There are Americans who call themselves – Christians and patriots of the country but it doesn’t disturb them from propagating hostile offence against Obama on the Internet. Not long ago in a big surprise I saw a picture, sent out by these patriots, where the following can be seen – „Somewhere in Kenya a Village is Missing its Idiot”.

I only want to ask these American patriots how can you be proud of the country where the elected president is missing idiot in Kenya village?
Now it’s the time when Americans have to join together at last in order to change something. It’s the time to support a person who the world is ready to listen attentively to. To listen and to hear.

Let’s hope that Americans will understand it and finally that day will come when thousands of young Americans and their opponents who are usually the same age don’t die because of high-flown antiamericanism.

Let’s hope that a day will come when Americans in the whole world do not have to hide themselves in the fortresses of embassies.

Let’s hope that a day will come when Americans do not have to lose their work only because American cars and other goods are something strange.

Let’s hope that Obama does not have the same destiny as Gorbatcov. Gorbatcov is still being respected and admired abroad while Russians can’t understand that he gave to Russia a possibility to get back its self-respect and took away a disgrace sign of the aggressor.

Americans must understand that Obama symbolizes not only Changes but also a Challenge. Positive.

Have a nice Day and be careful!
Paul Lasaro

* Original russian text - "военнойдоктриной, которуюможноназвать "Три "Б": безнаказанныйрасстрелбезоружногопротивникасбезопасногорасстояния. "

I am an American and so I am fascinated by the ferocious, overwhelming hatred and rage and malice expressed here. There is no connection with reality - just bigotry and xenophobia.

The problem with this level of hatred is that the person who hates is eventually consumed by the hatred. I would suggest you look carefully at yourself and your prejudice. It's quite a serious problem and says infinitely more about you than about the "evil Americans" you despise with such hysterical intensity.

We have to share this planet. Get used to it.

I had been under the impression when I first registered that this was a relatively serious forum. This thread has made me reconsider.

We shall see...

[DougieG]

Is there any reason why anti-americanism = non-serious? Many object to its capitalism, or its lack of decent social welfare, are these not valid reasons? Understand that I'm not trying to 'get at you', only question why you have made that connection.

[Timothy]

Thousands of honest hard working people in the US have lost their homes and jobs and have been made destitute by the American Sub Prime mortgage banking scam/fraud.

The only safety net they have is the Charity "Feeding America" which has 63 thousand soup kitchens and food pantries who have found that demand has increased by 30% since the end of 2008.

This is the difference between the good ol' US of A and most of the civilised European countries, and Britain, where although things are bad economically, have safety nets in place for people who are affected by the recession.

You can't claim that the people affected in America are useless layabouts, they were working, and have been thrown out of employment and made homeless through no fault of their own by previous callous government policy which allowed a capitalist system to run out of control.

I guess what your answer will be, that they use their initiative to survive self preservation and all that while sitting in your comfotable home. What sort of civilised society could allow decent hard working people[families] to live in their cars and beg food from a charity? Not a very caring one Tantal.

Read the link.


Soup kitchen queues grow as US teeters on brink of new downturn | Business | The Observer

Yes, there is a great deal of suffering in the US due to this recession. The United States is not quite the living hell that you assume, but yes it is difficult and painful here.

From my experience in England (I have not been to Scotland or Wales), homelessness and pverty are serious problems there as well, as is unemployment in the current recession.

The property bubble in London and the surrounding suburbs was on the same scale as the worst of the US bubble, and the nationwide crash in housing prices in Britain will result in a total fall of about 25% between 2008 and 2010 - and that is including the entire nation, not just London and the Home Counties.

House price news, information and discussion - HousePriceCrash.co.uk

The City of London experienced a crash comparable to Wall Street and regulations in London were even more lax than in New York.

The stunning Royal Bank of Scotland scandal and its subsequent naionalization is the equivalent of any American corporate scandal.

Now, I know very well it is popular - and enjoyable - to insult Americans regarding these (and many other) issues. But before you do so, please be aware that your own nation is not without its very serious problems that are in many ways the same. It is more difficult to face our own problems. It is always easy to ridicule others first.

[Opinionated]

Now, I know very well it is popular - and enjoyable - to insult Americans regarding these (and many other) issues. But before you do so, please be aware that your own nation is not without its very serious problems that are in many ways the same. It is more difficult to face our own problems. It is always easy to ridicule others first.

Try not to take it too personally old bean, we do love you really! I also think you'll find we are all very well aware of our own short comings and in fact do recognise our own "problems" first!

[claire]

Are you happy and satisfied with yourselves? So many people in the world not only dislike you but also hate and can’t stand you. Already for years anti-americanism is quite natural for young intellectuals in all parts of the world. Unfortunately, not only for them. Including Europe. Your embassies are turned into fortresses even in allied countries, in peaceful European countries. Even Russian embassies do not look so armed. Thousands of your soldiers, young people die in many countries of the world. Nobody wants to buy your goods, your workers lose their work. Even so friendly UK sneers at your famous American cars.

You don’t believe - just look yourselves how the British evaluate your cars (whatcar.uk) ... Cadillac Escalade two stars of five, Chrysler Sebring – the same – only two stars, Dodge Avenger (Charger) – two, Hummer H3 – only one, Chrysler 300C – achievement! – three stars. Do we have to wonder that one of the biggest car markets – Europe – practically ignore the American production? It could be only half of the trouble but also Russians, Chinese and others are being influenced by it.

For the young people America is connected with bubbles of Coca-Cola and McDonalds which parents usually abuse about using the most terrible words since their children’s childhood and doctors shout even louder. At least in two European countries – at schools it is forbidden officially to sell sodas.

The most recognizable symbols are ... Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.

The world more and more compares the USA with the collapsed USSR which had an impressive army, disgusting cars and weak money.

The economics of America has limped for years. The well-known researcher Tony Judt in his book „Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945” shows that the economics of America became a shadow of Europe long ago – already in 2000 Europeans’ direct investments into the economics of the USA were 900 billion USD against 650 billion Americans’ direct investments in Europe. America got almost 70% out of all external investments from Europe and multinational companies in Europe then had a great amount of American cult products.

Almost every evening the biggest Russian TV channel PRIME TIME in its comments nastily jeers at Americans. For example, saying that American military doctrine can be characterized very simply – unpunished killing of unarmed opponent from a certain distance.* It can’t and mustn’t be called just a simple point of view, it is an information channel for hundreds of millions of people in Russia and behind its borders.

Americans, are you happy and satisfied?

It seems that a part of Americans has understood that now it’s the time to change something. That’s why they trusted Obama to rule the country.
Europeans characterized it shortly – it is the best what could have happened to America.

But having a look from aside it seems that many Americans haven’t understood it yet. There are Americans who call themselves – Christians and patriots of the country but it doesn’t disturb them from propagating hostile offence against Obama on the Internet. Not long ago in a big surprise I saw a picture, sent out by these patriots, where the following can be seen – „Somewhere in Kenya a Village is Missing its Idiot”.

I only want to ask these American patriots how can you be proud of the country where the elected president is missing idiot in Kenya village?
Now it’s the time when Americans have to join together at last in order to change something. It’s the time to support a person who the world is ready to listen attentively to. To listen and to hear.

Let’s hope that Americans will understand it and finally that day will come when thousands of young Americans and their opponents who are usually the same age don’t die because of high-flown antiamericanism.

Let’s hope that a day will come when Americans in the whole world do not have to hide themselves in the fortresses of embassies.

Let’s hope that a day will come when Americans do not have to lose their work only because American cars and other goods are something strange.

Let’s hope that Obama does not have the same destiny as Gorbatcov. Gorbatcov is still being respected and admired abroad while Russians can’t understand that he gave to Russia a possibility to get back its self-respect and took away a disgrace sign of the aggressor.

Americans must understand that Obama symbolizes not only Changes but also a Challenge. Positive.

Have a nice Day and be careful!
Paul Lasaro

* Original russian text - "военнойдоктриной, которуюможноназвать "Три "Б": безнаказанныйрасстрелбезоружногопротивникасбезопасногорасстояния. "

Well, I guess I should go drink piss and die lol. I'm confused. My life is so clouded with Coca Cola dreams, Paris Hilton Posters and ****ty cars that I can barely understand what you hope for me to understand. Is it because we make ****ty cars? Damn it. We should have shut down Detroit a long time ago. Let's get it together guys. Come on.

[Timothy]

Is there any reason why anti-americanism = non-serious? Many object to its capitalism, or its lack of decent social welfare, are these not valid reasons? Understand that I'm not trying to 'get at you', only question why you have made that connection.

Object to its capitalism? In Britain? Pot meet kettle.....

As for the lack of decent social welfare - that is indeed a serious problem, but hardly a reason for the citizens of another nation to dislike Americans. That doesn't make a great deal of sense, does it?

Also, by the way - London is a wonderful city, second only to New York in my humble estimation. But it has quite a bit of crime and poverty and homelessness.

And believe it or not I am not going to become "anti-British" because of it.