How do you view the American?

As a Canadian, I naturally view Americans from above.

Seriously though, I view them as individuals, and thus --as with people everywhere -- as a mixed bag, with much more variety than is implied here.

I certainly don't view an individual as being equal to a government.

(That being said, I hope that next time Americans elect a government that seriously values consensus-building and acting within the constraints of international law. I could wish that such a US government were much more environmentally-responsible, and less driven by big oil, the military/industrial complex, and the religious right, than the current administration.)

I believe that most Americans are basically decent (if a bit navel-gazing) and friendly, and that I have more in common with them than there is that which divides us.

 

Edited by Peter

Why is that bloody quote thing not working? Anyway, Peter: "I know that in Europe the word "American" is sometimes (erroneously) used to describe any citizen of North, Central, or South America, but around here, "American" NEVER means Canadian or Mexican".

I guess that explains it. I'll try to be less touchy about it. I'm however still confused with your "erroneously" adverb: I think if I say that a Mexican is an American that's not erroneous, and that using American only for the States is a clear example of an erroneous term becoming admissible by habit...

But anyway I'd better not argue with you about English language matters

 

what a stupid f**k*ng poll- if you answered this question- your a dumbass- like you can pin-point An american in a single poll- YOU MORONS

^ Well an American asked the question. What shall we do, ignore him?

Right On Hierophant- The Finger pointing gets rather old. Most do look at the media for their views. Rather pathetic. I am damn proud to be an American, but it doesent mean that I blindly support every freking thing we do as a country. What a horrible question to ask in the 1st place.

I've visited America twice and I always admired the open mindedness of the people I met there. And their social talents. I've crossed though the United States by bus, train and plane and only at one place I was on my own and nobody talked to me: Yosemite Park where there were only families who were on their own. The rest of my trip, people were constantly trying to communicate with me. I know reality is much more complex than that, that a lot of bad things happen in America just as well as in Europe, but my two visits to America were really a very good experience. So this time I want to be really subjective: 

 

I think you last election highlighted the fact that there are two America's, and that you have a very divided country...i

t would be difficult to give a tick in any of the boxes, because I know you aren't all Republican, Bible Belt, NRA Rednecks...

It would seem to me that most US citizens, like the others in the rest of the world, are at the mercy of their Governments (but we voted them in). Strange isn't it, that in the year 2005 after all those years of refining democratic principles and constitutions, after all the bloodshed and revolution, pain and suffering in the fight for 'rights', all the courageous and honourable lives lost through wars fought to uphold the 'freedoms' that we believe are the cornerstone of a 'true and liberated' society, we still haven't made it.

When a society (any society) can turn their backs on starving children and attrocities, as our societies in the west have been doing for years, you know that your societies are in trouble at their heart. Our societies are sick, ladies and gentlemen because we place greater emphasis on $$$$ and selfgratification than we do on compassion, mercy and justice. This is not just a US problem but a problem that has existed in man since the year dot. In 1980 when Africa was facing incredible drought and starvation there was enough grain in silos in the west to give every person 1000kgs each. Two bags each would have solved the problem.

Why wasn't it released??

IN NIGER right now, children are skin and bone. They are dying. The WORLDS governments were told about this looming crisis, six months ago and only now is there a response. WHY???   When we point the finger at someone else, the other 3 are pointing straight back at us. Place any other government in the world in the US position and find out how they would act. You may think differently and some would probably act more wisely and astutely with matters but there would be some who would make the US look like a sweet ol apple pie bakin grandma.

There are many things that the US could do better and should not have done at all, but the arguments I have been hearing are imbalanced. Have a look at China and try and find out how many people go missing there every week because they believe in (or are just suspected of) believing in something different to the 'power' in charge. Chances are you won't find out about it for week  or months because countries like that are not open to the scrutiny that others are. The reason the US and her people are bagged out so much is because it is, at least, a reasonably open society.

I voted for god-fearing traditionalist dedicated to family and country.

As a Scandinavian I see USA as a VERY religious country.
While I think Sweden is the most secularised country in the world.

As I'm studying town planning, my opinion is that the american way of planning cities realy sucks, but my teachers points out Portland, OR, to be an example of good town planning.
Nowadays cities all over the world are being planned the american way.

The only point where I see america being worse than Europe is that most of the states of US practise death-sentence. I don't know if any countries in Europe practise that anymore.

Anyone notice that a "Bush supporter" seems to be more like a female undergarment?

Seriously, though. Right now, I'm not overly proud to be an American. I don't despise everything about this country, but a lot of things could be better. I'm from Oregon, a fairly liberal State, so you don't find many fascist neo-conservative pricks around. Therefore, it could also be worse.