Why are Americans the first one to insult America?

Question

Just like caucasians automatically accept and laugh at "white people" jokes...Some Americans will be the first one's to tell you their country sucks....

I realize that other races and cultures have had jokes about them as well..I dont condone this either...but I have not seen another culture think that it's ok to be insulted. Lilkewise, I do not see people from other countries allowing insults to be slung about their home....I just don't get it.

being critical of American leadership is American...I agree. It is part of our freedom, and one of the best things about this place...

Answer 1

..I don't do full blown insults but there is a lot about America that needs to be criticized.
It is...I think ....in our blood.
I made comment on other forums...
"Too much respect for authority is UN-American"
What would begin to spook me is if we all fell in lockstep behind a leader that was obviously crazy as often happens in other countries.
We can call our president "crazy as a shithouse rat" and live to see the sun come up the next day.
There are places where you would disappear into the bowels of some government building and never be seen again.
Criticize Criticize Criticize.
That is how the system was designed.
I also think the emergence of Internet technology gives the impression that country is in turmoil.
On the Internet its buzz buzz buzz.
But I go out in the streets and it is as quiet as a mouse.
Except for the traffic, trains, and jets.
(I live near airport and port of Seattle)
Its all good.
let crazy people vent.
keeps them from exploding.

Answer 2

No one criticizes Americans better than Americans themselves. The ability to laugh at one’s own shortcomings is a very healthy thing and so is the ability to listen to other people make jokes at our expense.
Jokes very often contain a kernel of truth about who were are and how we act as opposed to how we think we are and how we think we act. I see be able to take such jokes with good grace and a smile as part of having a adult outlook on the world. I have lived in various European countries for more then 20 years and in that time I must have heard every ‘American joke’ ever written. I have never been offended by any of them. Have you ever thought that some of what these jokes have to say about just might have some small bit of truth in them?

Answer 3

there is a difference between insult and being critical... critical makes the country stronger... it shows us where we could do better.... granted some may take it into "insult" but the vast majority are being critical.. (of course there are some silly jokes too and if you don't have a sense of humor...I'm sorry)

it seems that conservatives just want to keep things as they are... no need to try harder or fix things that are wrong... "keep moving, nothing to see here" kind of attitude...

The country may never be perfect, but we won't even get close unless we strive for perfection...

I guess I would rather over criticize than under criticize... be a harsh parent rather than a lax one... maybe I go to far sometimes... but it's only because I want America to be the best it can be... no settling for anything less

Answer 4

A lot of people in your country do not like what your administration has done in the past six years. The war in Iraq, Huge deficits. Disregard for the environment. Trying to unseperate the church and the state. Americans are the people who are experiencing the difficulties of being in America first hand. We can insult America all we want but we don't have first hand experience your own citizens do. BTW I don't hate America at all just don't like the path its going down.

Answer 5

It has everything to do with guilt. It may be false guilt, but many Americans feel it, anyway. They have every reason for righteous anger but they feel guilty, so they laugh.

Then, there are those who feel so guilty that they think this country is:
1) racist
2) imperialistic
3) fascist
4) a dictatorship
5) a theocracy
6) all of the above,
They believe America is bad. We need to lose big in Iraq and be put in our place. We let that happen before, with Vietnam, but once is enough.

Answer 6

What's wrong with self-deprecation? Anyway, I'm sure that every national realizes that SOMETHING'S wrong with their country. There's a whole lot wrong with America and Americans know it. And there's a big difference between self-deprecatiing HUMOR and being straight-up insulting.

Example: Americans are fat. Obesity is an epidemic that the country is facing. One in five children are overweight. One in nine are obese. One in four American adults are overweight. One in twelve American adults are obese. It's a disturbing trend and great fodder for jokes.

Answer 7

Americans who insult their own country do it because they have the misguided belief that their freedoms were free. They neglect to remember the many sacrifices made to establish this country, the constitution, bill of rights, and to remain free from tyranny and dictatorship. If they had to live in another country without all their freedoms, they would very quickly change their tune and become very home sick. Basically, they are spoiled and over-indulged children.

Answer 8

I do not think that your statement is entirely true. I love living in America. It was the first one to set the example for other democratic nations. I am proud to be an American because I know that I can believe, think, or act however I choose, and I wont get in trouble for it.

I was re-reading my answer, and I realized that I named two popular songs accidently. 'Living in America' by James Brown and 'I'm proud to be an American' by Toby Keith were both inserted unintentionally. I know that means nothing, but I thought it was cool lol.

Answer 9

Your American constitution has an amendment that allows free speech. Saying your country sucks is not like burning your flag or defecating on it, that would be considered an insult, but complaining about things that you do not like about your country, well...that´s reality.

Mexicans have a lot to say about Mexico, they love their country, they hate their government.

Answer 10

I believe that is because most other countries in which there is freedom of speech have not failed as entirely as we have. Personally I think that if our country is going to continue to act as it does I will be one of the less-dissenting individuals living in some other country.

Freedom of speech is part of our country if you don't excercise it you aren't patriotic either. Besides if everyone simply left the country when poor decisions were madethen no one would correct our errors.