Is the USA a big bully these days?

Equality 7-2521 wrote: Vompatti wrote: Chicapah wrote: Sorry, but "bullies" don't send billions of donated dollars, supplies and aid to Tsunami victims.  Say or think what you want but the USA is more generous than any other country on earth.  Check out how much aid the huge China sent to their needy neighbors. I wonder how much of that money went to the poor?   That has nothing to do with the U.S.. When corrupt governments embezzle relief money for their own regimes the United States can't be held responsible.

Vompatti wrote: Chicapah wrote: Sorry, but "bullies" don't send billions of donated dollars, supplies and aid to Tsunami victims.  Say or think what you want but the USA is more generous than any other country on earth.  Check out how much aid the huge China sent to their needy neighbors. I wonder how much of that money went to the poor?

I believe Bush has the best intentions with his foreign policy even if his democracy above all else theology is a bit foolhardy. I don't agree with his interventionism, but I don't think there's any bullying behind it.

My point with the generosity was that the populace of the USA is highly generous when asked to contribute to a cause on a personal basis.  Government as an entity is typically and inherently (to a large extent) self-serving and corrupt so there's only so much one can do with one's vote but when asked to donate to disaster relief we come through big time.  Whether that money gets spent on the ones who need it most is beyond our control but if we let that be a bigger issue than the need then none of us would ever give a cent.

TheProgtologist wrote: Just to nit-pick a bit....   Bush said...."You're either with us,or with the TERRORISTS".   It's no different really,just a matter a semantics,but I had to point that out.

Chicapah wrote: Sorry, but "bullies" don't send billions of donated dollars, supplies and aid to Tsunami victims.  Say or think what you want but the USA is more generous than any other country on earth.  Check out how much aid the huge China sent to their needy neighbors.

Actually, the US does not rank high amongst developed Western nations for its percent of gross domestic income devoted to charity.  While American individuals are very generous, state sponsored money is not so generous.  And it's "the state" that people blame for bullying -- an aggressive "America first" foreign policy prone to "gun boat" diplomacy.

You might find this an interesting analysis: http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Debt/USAid.asp

Even if that were true, that argument would not hold water though.  Do you think that the US government puts more into charitable relief work or the military industrial complex? And is the US military acting primarily for the greater good (in international dealings)?  Of course its first job is to protect American citizens.

I see US foreign policy as very invasive and bullying (both economic policy as well as military objectives).  I don't see this as anything new either... Look at the state's dealings in Latin America and around the world for many years.  Look at the dictatorship's that have been supported through American intervention.

The US state has a record for not adhering to international law and treaties.

The US is one of many countries that use coercive tactics, but as the major economic and military power, people do focus on it. 

As for China, China has a terrible record.

As Bush put it, "You're either with us, or against us."


Edited by Logan - June 12 2007 at 09:59

Chicapah wrote: Sorry, but "bullies" don't send billions of donated dollars, supplies and aid to Tsunami victims.  Say or think what you want but the USA is more generous than any other country on earth.  Check out how much aid the huge China sent to their needy neighbors.

I wonder how much of that money went to the poor?

We just misuse the words, "freedom" and "democracy" a lot.

Yea, a lil bit. But I personally dont think we "bully" the world   as much as we rule it economically.

^^ Of course we believe in freedom and prosperity.  And yes, some of the those that represent us have their own agendas.  But this country is about freedom and opportunity.

I say NO.  We are not a bully.  I think a lot of others just want something to pick at.  They see the U.S. and what it represents and they start picking.  Yeah, yeah - you all don't like George Bush.  So what.  Get over it.  You only have to hear about him for 18 more months.