Why do people think you hate America just because you hate the American government?

Question

I hate the American government because I love America, but when I question them I get told I'm an America hater and I should move to China.

Answer 1

because (some) people have a difficulty differentiating the two.

What they, clearly, don't understand is that America was founded on the idea that the citizens in it had every right to voice their concern and anger towards the government.

This is why the first amendment guarantees our freedom of speech.

The only true Americans, in my eyes, are the ones that see the beautiful potential in this nation, and speak out in order to move towards that goal.

Remember - the only reason there is a USA is because of revolution, and revolutionary thinkers, who decided that "the way it is" just wasn't good enough.

Answer 2

I also have a belly button.

Some people are not able to distinguish between simultaneous issues like supporting the troops and not supporting the war. If you say you hate black jelly beans, they think you hate all things that are black.

Others will simply use the opportunity to spew rhetoric in order to fire ad hoc arguments at you because they support the administration. So if you criticize Pres. Bush they will simply say that you hate America, even though Pres. Bush and America are not one in the same. It's an amateurish parlor trick, but some people actually bite.

Still others don't realize or don't care that it is our civic duty to question our leaders if there is cause to do so and not to simply turn a blind eye.

One piece of advice, be careful how you use the word "hate." Hate is a powerful emotion that doesn't really do much to describe the relevant issues that concern this administration. If you stop hating and start analyzing issues, then people may be less inclined to call you a hater and may even start to discuss issues.

Answer 3

People in general are very ignorant and don't want to hear about what they don't understand. The easy answer is to tell you off that you are an "America Hater" instead of hearing out your full argument on why you hate the American government. Obviously, there are many many wrongs about the US goverment along with some serious corrupt officials running the show. If you move to China, you will encounter the same corruptions in their goverment too. No country in the world has a goverment free from the wrongs that exist in our current government, learn to live with it.

Answer 4

It's hapening. What I feared most. Patriotism has become an American value. Find a liberal who hates the government and America along with some closed minded hard core right winger and tell them that all the lack of voting and separaton of parties in America is from people like them. People who believe those bible thumping hicks or take only the part of Micheal Moore movies that hate America as truth.

Answer 5

Because they don't understand that leaders are not THE country. That the American government or more accurately, administration IS NOT America. Same holds true with other countries.

Answer 6

Maybe because it's a representative government, elected by the people.

But yeah, it's different hating the government than the people. I hate the government of China. But that doesn't mean I'm racist.

Answer 7

I'm with you on this... I think the administration is ruining everything "American" about America. I am very proud of being an American, but equally as embarassed/ashamed of the current government.

Answer 8

its because humans has this kind of way of thinking...they virtually generalise something..for example, you hate the American government, and so automatically they will think you hate everything about America....

if people complain about you objecting the government's action and all...it doesnt matter..because opposing party is needed to amend and improve a country's government...it gives the government body a sense of negative impact..more ideas and point of views will make things better...more correction can be made...

Answer 9

i don't like the american Govt. either. Its full of paid off crooked polititions and blind people who can't see bush is using the war as a front for his damn oil scam crap. I think the boys and girls of the armed forces should be sent home to thier families and just send the men who really wanna kick bin laden's azz. Kill'em, then jsut bring them back. Enough with this Iraqi Iranian buzz wax. Leave it alone. They are a bunck of child and women abusers over there anyway.

Answer 10

The problem is the wording. You should say, "I hate the things the administrations are doing" because government is the people, we are the people, government is a big word.