We all know what happens to people when the electricy goes off for a few hours, they start to think and talk to one another and their neighbors again, until their power goes back on and they rush back to their imaginary worlds.

When I see situations like the Katrina disaster and the whole mess that has created, along with the crash of the housing market, the growing cost of the average quality of life, and the actual possibility of having a female or ethic president for the first time in our great nation, it all signals very radical times for our great nation. It’s scary but exciting at the same time. Sure, things have gotten pretty bad over the last eight years but maybe the next eight will be a time of positive growth.

The overall quality of life for the average American is still light years ahead of other countries. And we are still looked at as an important powerhouse in the eyes of the rest of the world.

Look at the Dafur situation for example. The fact that we haven’t taken as big a step in helping fight that genocide makes us look bad in the eyes of the rest of the world….. because we are still looked as one of, if not the strongest country in the world.

Also, one quick side note:

What some people may not realize is that America plays a huge role in the development of the other countries that are “moving ahead of us.” Like Dubai. A lot of American investors are why that place is what is it. Outsourcing is another example. My company tried to lay off some employees to an outsourcing company based in India…… owned by Americans.

Your points have been the most even handed here.

Spot on about the current status of the US in a broader historical setting.

A lot of nit picking from a lot of other posters, who site the singular and try and expand that to define and support their arguments.

Also just because the author of th report has a middle eastern sounding name doesn’t automatically make him an Islamic mad man.

No more that being a yank denotes gun toting right wing tornado bait yahoo.

And I use the word yank to denote US Americans.

I don’t see it as being in anyway offensive…despite all over the world the Word is usually suffixed with “…go home”

You’re damned right! They just seem to crawl up out of the woodwork!

And when they get there, let’s see how they handle all the crap we’ve had to deal with in the last hundred years or so.

and ok, say i am arrogant bigot. so since i am arrogant bigot, its ok for americans to be that way as well?

i think i expressed my point quite clearly. i dont like americans for boasting too much how great their country is. for all the wrong reasons. to the point of narcissism. because your government spending all the money on (read awesome)army instead of proper health care is not something to feel proud about. in my opinion.

but what is YOUR point exactly?

That’s more like it, that’s the American perspective I’m used to.

OK, we are the 3rd most populous country in the world. No 1 economy, one of the largest landmasses. Our country takes almost a whole continent and has massive shorelines on both of the planet’s 2 biggest oceans. The US has the largest military, many top universities, and top research facilities on the planet.

It contains 300 million armed, dedicated, pretty religious, and highly motivated citizens.

So where exactly does a country like that disappear to? Yea Mr. Muslim fanatic… keep dreaming ya idiot. We are going to continue to be your worst nightmare for generations to come.

Perhaps you’re the bigot? Perhaps you are that which you claim to hate? Thats what I meant by the self awareness bit.

I don’t see what’s so hard to follow.

Was actually trying to clear things up. My apologies if I offended.

whats your point?

i dont care for any of those things americans try to boast about so hard. i care for all the people that get screwed over in process.

and yes, what a cunning insight into my childhood years.

i actually knew an american kid that went to a local school here. he was so out of touch with real world. kids used to beat him up. first for being a douchebag and second for being an american. his mom sent him to international school because of that.

I apologize on behalf of whichever American beat you up when you were in grade school. He obviously didn’t know how hard you’d take it.

Australian.

everyone seems to have temporal myopia. rome lasted for more than 800 years between its founding and its fall. had you checked things out at the time of the punic wars, you would have declared “hannibal ante portas” and said rome was falling. instead, their greatest days were in front of them.

the united states leads in so many categories, across every spectrum. no other nation on the planet holds such an advantage. china may have economic power, but their philosophical underpinning is weak. europe has diplomatic power, but no military strength. only america has power, and the ability to project that power, in every sphere.

thing king is dead, long live the king.

excuse me, i really dont want to start a flame war here. what exactly are you trying to prove? that i really DO care about americans? that its so bloody obvious that i cant live without those silly chaps?

i didnt even read half of that article to be honest.

“Go back to clubbing baby seals if you don’t like it.”

What does that have to do with basketball? Or this article, for that matter?

Or was it just a cheap shot because you’re an insecure little man/woman?

With a state welfare/social security, maybe it will be frenchified :p

Depends on what your criteria is. A while back a poll was taken of European hotel managers about their guests.
Americans were the No. 1 tippers and No. 3 in politeness (behind the Japanese and the British).
What about books published? New patent filings? Trial by a jury of your peers? Opportunities for appeal and redress of grievances?

Well, Guantanamo prisoners excluded…

I think popular opinions about Americans reflect attitudes about Bush and Co. rather than the rest of us. Of course, when he won in the second election it did reflect poorly on America as a whole.

The best thing we can do to improve our standing in the international community and economy is to stop voting for Republicans.

Of course, if America is such a terrible place why do so many people try so hard to move here? Despite our faults, America is still the “land of opportunity”. Its the best place for innovation, free speech and public accountability. We just need to keep it that way.

Go back to clubbing baby seals if you don’t like it.