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I have noticed from websites, and international opinion that Americans and America itself is looked at like were all fat-ass arrogant little *****s.
Stereotypes suck but America does have the highest rate of obesity in the world so that might explain the "fat-ass" part. I haven't met that many Americans but I've known some. One of my best friends in high school was a guy from Colorado and arrogant he was not.
Having said this most of the Americans that I've met have come across as arrogant at first and we all know first impressions last. Maybe this is because of the difference between the Australian and American cultures. In Australia, it is really frowned upon if you act like you think you're superior to average person in any way. For more information, do some reading on the Tall Poppy Syndrome (no I'm not making this up). It doesn't matter if you're better than someone at something, you're not allowed to admit that you think this or people will think that you've "got tickets on yourself". From what I've seen Americans are more cocky and are encouraged by American society to be more confident. This often gives other people the wrong message.
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The rest of the world envys America for it's greatness, I am assuming.
Sorry no. There has not been a single time when I can remember wanting to live in America rather than Brisbane, Australia. I simply don't feel that America is any "greater" than Australia. But my criteria for deciding this might be different to yours. By the same token, I don't see Australia as any "greater" than America. But why should I envy America?
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Why is it that a country that supports independence and freedom on such a level, looked down upon?
America is not looked down upon because of its support for independence and freedom.
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Is it our foreign policy?
It's not America's official foreign policy that upsets people. It's all the unofficial stuff, the back room politics, that enrages a lot of nations.
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Are we not giving enough money and rations to the starving nations?
Problably not.
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Did we not create somewhat of a "freedom" in Afghanistan, by destroying the Taliban? Did we not send in the troops to Somalia, when the people were being starved?
That's debatable but it's also arguable that America is indirectly responsible for the situation in Afghanistan anyway.
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Why is it that when 9-11 first when down, all these European nations claimed they had our backs...Germany gifted our government with a few tanks painted red, insinuating their Support in a military action. But as soon as Bush went over there to call to arms, Germans didnt want anything to do with it.
Because no one wants a war. Has the so called "War Against Terrorism" yeilded any tangible benefits for the American public? Well I suppose Bush had to look like he was doing something.
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Is this the type of behavior that has lead America to its reputation?
Yep, pretty much.
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Or is it that America is simply the most powerfull country in the world and the world has become envious of her power?
I don't envy America. But some people do because of the way that Americans act or are perceived to act. Nobody likes being told they're second class. Stereotypes are bullshit. I've learned to judge people for who they are (at least I try to). And I couldn't give a rats ass what anyone thinks about my country, especially some 15 year old who thinks using DreamWeaver is elite. No country is perfect. But it's my country and that's good enough for me. I bet most of you people from the US feel the same about your country.
