Wonder why they don't hate America.

They do not hate America because America for all its flaws and for all the Yankee hubris and American Imperialism stills represents a vision of
god given inaleianable indiviual rights
representative governement with checks and balnaces and of limited scope and powers
and
a society where talent and ability can rise despite humble birth or beginnings.

Although American does not manage to perfectly fullfill these promises it is still an inspiring vision compared to the reality of other societies and other governments.

I've imagined non-westerners don't think about the west all that much. The Amercian culture itself resonates with anti-American sentiment. When I was a child my father would sing a famous folk-song about an Irish woman who'd gone with her husband to America and spent the rest of her life longing to go back home. I left home when I was in my 20's and was so homesick I thought I would die. I think we take "home" with us in our hearts. It's lucky to be able to move about and make "home" wherever you are. If your heart is full of the past, the present won't be able to find any room in there.

But as for America, some predict that by the middle of this century, the Chinese economy will be larger and drinkable water will be the main issue of concern in the world. No more grieving over the American empire.. it will be gone.

I don't exactly believe in reincarnation, but I'm still planning to come back Chinese in my next life.

And, for all its faults, American is the greatest force for good among nations. It is also, as the former Secretary of State Madeline Allbright said, "It is the one indispensable nation".

i always feel very sad when i hear indian people saying they want to go to america. a lot of them think i am crazy for coming here. i tell them all the things they dont know about their country that are worthwhile to me-but all of them, every one i have talked to so far, has had that gleam in their eye, the lust for gold. very few who go there ever come back, even when they intend to.

but when people have a terrible life in their own country, i can understand them wanting to leave and i dont think they would choose america in particular-they want to go anywhere they think they wont be killed. that is another reason for my believing that the people who answered the survey were motivated by greed.

i dont have any patriotic feelings for any country, i try to see the world without boundaries. as far as i am concerned, the whole world should have an open door policy. so i cant really maintain a practical point of view on the issues behind the poll.

Salima,,,have ya ever wondered what the world would be like without currency?

On Topic: Despite how the reality plays out, I believe there is still a persistent perception that this country is wealthy and rich. Depending on how you define such a thing, it's quite-justifiably true, even with our faults and flaws.

As far as emigrating; the only place I've given this serious thought to is Canada - though I don't know that I'd ever really do it. I've learned, with some difficulty, that the grass is never as greener on the other side as it often looks

Other thoughts Expressed:[INDENT]When someone else from another country wishes for indoor plumbing, fancy cars and all those yum-yums from McDonald's (read: Gulp-and-blow), I doubt they're thinking about political, social or economic inconsistencies - no matter how true that may be.

For Us Disenchanted: I'm with you, I am ashamed in many ways at what we've become. Even so, one can't deny that there have been times we've been a positive influence (don't ask me for an example - this is a concession). I also don't think we have much justification for begrudging someone for wanting the "boon" they perceive there to be.
[/INDENT]Thanks

I am surprised. I thought you supported commonsense, and the avoidance of absolutes. No one claimed that the United States was the best conceivable nation. Only that it is (by far) the best there is. If you are ashamed of what we have become, then what did you think we were like before; and what nation is better, given the responsibilities and task this nation has? Canada can afford to be purer. Nothing is expected of her.

I do support common sense, to the extent that it's "common", that it's what I'd term "sense" and correlates to my priorities (as I'd think it'd be the case with you, me or anyone else).

I'm not sure I'd agree that it's the best there is. That'd depend on how someone determines what's best. What countries are "better" isn't an easy question to answer; as I said before, when one isn't happy about something in their abode there's a natural human tendency to see the other side of the fence rosier than it really is.

I've also spent a great deal of time in other countries and don't much subscribe to nationalism - that kind of exposure does wonders for gaining a world view and clearing the clouds of blind loyalty. There are good advantages to living in the U.S.A; but to admit such does not negate our faults or frailties. In the end game, I honestly don't think there is a "best" and "worst" - comparing and contrasting in reality tends to be an equation where one trades advantages and disadvantages of one place for those of another. This isn't something that should be oversimplified.

I am ashamed in some ways, yes. But that hasn't anything to do with "what we were before", it has to do with what I esteem; what I live with, what I want and what I like. Also, let's not go too far off that edge: To say that I am ashamed in some ways is not to say that I see no benefit, no advantage and no worth. It also doesn't mean that I don't have a sense of patriotism or pride. Again, it's not an all-or-nothing proposition

Good reply - thanks

I guess you mean that The United States is not perfect, and could (maybe) be better, but it is the best now. If that is not what you mean, then what country do you think is better? (I already pointed out that to say it is Canada would be to compare apples with grapefruit).

... In the end game, I honestly don't think there is a "best" and "worst" - comparing and contrasting in reality tends to be an equation where one trades advantages and disadvantages of one place for those of another.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well I think that it is far better to live in America than in North Korea. Don't you? In fact, I think that any rational person would think so.

Excellent question. The short answer is: I don't know for sure, it depends on where I lived, what I did, what I felt was important in my day-to-day life and so on. So I really can't say, I was born and raised in a different culture.

If I'm to believe what news I do hear, then I'd have to say "Yes! Leave me here!" - but I know it's more complicated than that.

How about you?

Well I think that it is far better to live in America than in North Korea. Don't you? In fact, I think that any rational person would think so.

It is better to live anywhere than not; but as we used to say: Better dead than red... Life is the test of any form... Some times people give up one form for another, and if they were poor before, they are poor after...But the test is if they are living at all beecause threats to life are about the only thing that will cause people to change their forms, but if the result is a life no more secure than before, then the new form has failed...

Incredible, after 6 pages, it's been established that we'd rather live in the USA than North Korea! That's saying a lot!

As was said earlier, 'it's like comparing apples to grapefruits', and truly this discussion is just dominated by very strong biases, one way or another.

Having lived nearly all my life in sub-saharan Africa, I can say that I would not really think anywhere else is worth trying to live in.

But before I travelled elsewhere I did not believe that.

...As mentioned before, the vast wealth of America coupled with the exposure American culture gets around the world makes the States a very attractive place to live.

The number of bitter, close-minded ethnocentric viewpoints that are on display here in this thread is shocking.

I sense this as well. There's nothing so disappointing as ethnocentricity. It shuts the eyes, elevates one over the other, designates winners and losers that leak our in our speech, our levels of compassion, our votes and general mindset. Some of the most honorable, compassionate and intelligent people I've met were from some of the poorest 3rd world settings. Pangloss is quite right here; we need to ditch our stereotypes and zenophobia.

Good stuff people

But it is better to live in American than any number of other countries. Yemen, China, Russia, Cuba, every country in Africa, and in the Mideast. Albania, Kosovo, etc. etc.