why do american people assume that america is the only "free" country?

Question

i'm american, and every time i say something that's critical of american government, ideals, or culture- someone has to say, "why don't you go live somewhere else and then you'll appreciate how great america is and all the freedom you have"

where does this notion that the world is some giant totalitarian, fascist dictatorship, and america is a little island of democracy and freedom come from? I know people from a lot of countries (including america) that think that AMERICA is a fascist, blood-thirsty, imperialist nation that exploits less fortunate people all over the world in order to maintain the wealth of a tiny percentage of the american population.

i would understand, if i said- "f*ck america, i'm moving to sudan" people saying i didn't appreciate america, but, if i were to move to, say, finland- would i just get thrown on a train and taken to a concentration camp as soon as i got there?

Answer 1

As an American have you ever considered the impression you leave with the people of other countries? Your failure to capitalize properly and your reckless use of hyphens doesn't present a very compelling argument to listen to what you have to say you leftist b-----d.

Answer 2

I think you have a good point, and I've often wondered that myself. I would say that it just has to do with the way we're taught--we really do focus very little on the world outside our country in school, and often when we do, it's only within the context of the US.

However, I'm not ready to believe that people really think we have more freedoms than they do in Finland (good example), or in a lot of other countries in the world, just based on how they're taught in school. But I think it's just easier for them to blind themselves to reality. There's a special kind of ignorance mixed with arrogance going on here that goes beyond just what they're taught. It's like it's our national character, which I find rather sad. It's like if you raise a child and tell them that they're the most beautiful child in the world, and you never let them go outside and meet other children, of course they'll believe that. And when they get older, they'll probably stay away from other people just as much, because they're happy in their ignorance, they wouldn't want to risk learning that there are people out there just as beautiful or more so than they are.

I asked a question a few days ago about how you would rewrite the US Constitution if you could, and you should have seen some of the hostile responses, as if I were calling for death to democracy! It was seriously a little scary--and a lot of them didn't seem to know that our constitution has already been changed in 27 ways...that's a little scary, too.

Answer 3

I think,... that that's only from the opinions of those who didn't really pay attention in school. Or consider the details of the news.
You know, in one ear - out the other?

They don't know that the US of A is but one of the countries that make up the Free World. Other than ourselves, there is the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan, and understandably parts of Asia.

But some people can't help being narrow minded, they refuse to consider that there can be a different point of view, another interpretation, how someone Else's thoughts are processed - we all understand the way of things in our own personal way.

But that's one of the perks or quirks of living in a society based on the Freedom to Chose.
What people forget to consider is that their understanding may not necessarily be the same as the next person's understanding of something.

Instead of being compassionate, they are belligerent and confrontational, and with those who tend to be so narrow minded they can also be fanatical to the point of blind hostility.
Which is unfortunate, you would think we could all just get along by now.

Answer 4

My assumption isn't that America is the only free country, it is that we are losing our freedoms everyday to these bureaucratic @$$e$ in Congress that keep doing things to violate the rights of americans. I want to get out of this country and move on to a place where I can find employment, work come home and the the family with having to worry about what I can or can't do anymore or what the government is able to check on without our knowledge or worse yet without our consent. Now I don't always feel this strongly about the subject at hand, ya just caught me on one of those weird days where I rant and rave about how we are getting screwed over all the time. I don't believe that America is the only free country, the government just tries to make us think that.

Answer 5

The notion that the world is some giant totalitarian, fascist dictatorship, and America is a little island of democracy and freedom comes from our denial...

Answer 6

Its starting to feel like a big scam; especially the way our present government twists our great ideals to suit their agenda. For example, in the absence of WMD in Iraq, they said that we went to war in order to bring freedom and democracy to the Iraqi people. Anyone who believes that has got to stop watching the government's propaganda wing - Fox News - they are losing touch with reality. Peace is another supposed value of America, but when it comes to asking for a cease fire in the Middle East, our leaders say no because it might not be a lasting peace. What bull. Nothing lasts forever. Stop the damn murdering of innocent civilians and we'll work out the details later. Its easy to do...if thats what you really want to do. Our values and ideals have been trashed and manipulative catch phrases have been marketed to faithful Americans who refuse to believe what is really going on in their once wonderful nation. The illlusion of American freedom has become the biggest scam in World History.

Answer 7

Bravo, At least is are some who are not controlled by the government, They have a voice. They do not accept, what the papers and the government have to say. People WE are Not Alone. There are others who probably have a better freedom than we do. Theirs isn't being taken away.

Answer 8

only thing that an idiot would complain about in Finland is the high taxes. taxes knock out ~55% of your income- HOWEVER, everyone there gets equal healthcare and no one is turned away for not having insurance.

and america has a lot of ignorant people that have never left the country. that's why people think america is the only free place.

Answer 9

List, I agree with totally. Yes, in the American mind all non white civilizations are dictatorships. If,however these states were Muslim or Arab then the judgment is even more sever. These states ( called regimes ) are not only dictatorships but also terrorist.
One sided, self central and bias are all American politics. BUT please do not blame the brain washed,ignorant ,robot and unthinking nation.

Answer 10

That is a valid point.

Some people just don't know that much about the political geography of the word. They don't realize there is a certain amount of freedom in countries located in other continents.

We know our own country is free, and we get tired of people who don't fully appreciate living here.

Thanks for the reminder.

I'm still staying here....LOL.

Answer 11

I think you're overreacting. People probably just get tired of hearing you complain particularly when there's so much going on in other parts of the world. If you have problems with our government, why not work to change things instead of only complaining?