Is anyone else tired of Americans bashing America?

Question

The United States remains the best country on earth in which to live. Witness all of the immigrants who come here for a better life. We have unsurpassed freedoms and opportunities found no where else in the world. I am grateful and fortunate to be an American. Sure, we have problems. Our country has faced problems of nearly every kind and nature since it was founded. But, we have survived and become a better place to live over the long run. So, isn't it time for those Americans who relentlessly bash America to take a hard look at what this country offers to them and affirm that they too are fortunate to be Americans?

In the 38 answers so far, most of those who disagree with me miss the point. Everyone has the right to criticize our government.That is fundamental. But, with that criticism, should not we applaud our nation for its unparalleled freedoms and opportunities?

Answer 1

OK dear liberals, I understand all about your rights. Here's what YOU need to understand about the rest of America's equally sacred rights.

When you choose to routinely bash, criticize, dissent, complain, or whatever you want to call it, I have the right to think you are evil, unpatriotic, silly, childish or (at best) misinformed.

AND I HAVE AS MUCH RIGHT TO TELL YOU THAT AS YOU HAVE TO OBJECT!!!

So get off your high horse and realize that when you hurt someone (or their country), they will generally scream OUCH! and push back aggressively.

My mother taught me that people are like mirrors; they reflect what they see. If you want to have a reasonable dialog, learn to talk, pause, listen, contemplate, and respond.

Otherwise, learn to be shunned by the people you make so uncomfortable.

(BTW...a "thumbs down" is not an adult response. It's the equivalent of a 6-year old giving someone the raspberry.)

Take that!

Answer 2

John, you are right. We have a lot to be proud of. This is a great nation, NO DOUBT. We deserve to hold our heads high. Any time the criticism is getting to you, feel free to tune out people like me.

Now, what type of person am I, someone critical of the activities of the US government? Where does this feeling come from, what is the motivation?

I can only speak personally. For me, it is betrayal. Until recently, I thought we were the good guys. I trusted our leaders, and took it for granted that we were agents for good in the world.

What intervened was a lot of disturbing reading. A lot of disturbing observations. A lot of probing, and looking beyong the political rhetoric. I've read conservative and liberal radical texts on both sides.

I came away finding the liberal voices to be much more credible. The claims match the facts and the evidence much more cleanly. Sort of like Copernicus saying, "look, everything can be very simply explained if you accept the premise that the Earth revolves around the Sun, and not vice versa."

I use this analogy because grotesque logical gymnastics are required to explain how our behavior around the world is consistent with our self-proclaimed values. One need only look at the twisted logic of the right wing posters here.

Now, we should not be content to simply be the most powerful. We should strive to improve ourselves. This spirit of progress has to its credit the end of slavery, the establishment of a reasonable work week, voting rights for women, minorities, the poor, civil rights for African-Americans, etc.

If we cannot stand to look at ourselves critically, we will never make these crucial advancements. Now, we still have a long way to go. We cannot, for example, continue bombing brown skinned people back to the stone age for economic gain.

This and other things are unacceptable. Once you allow yourself to see that the US has committed terrible atrocities the world over, and you move beyond denial to acceptance and grief. Finally, it's time to get to work.

If you don't have the stomach for it, or believe that life is easier simply avoiding that dialogue, that is an acceptable choice. Life here is stressful enough without adding discretionary stress.

But, I believe this country is starving for political involvement. Sadly, many people are just too busy. The price appears high and the gains too abstract.

Answer 3

" Sure we get tired of the libtard and their socialist rhetoric smearing America and Americans. But they do have the Right to say their bull-oney thanks to the First Amendment even though they abuse the right with the Right.
Americans also have the right to ignore the ignorant. And we have the Right to rebuff the leftists. Americans get to hear all sides and should strive to separate truth from liberal lies and propaganda and make the right decisions that are good for America.
The clintonist phrase "politically correct" is an asinine insult to the First Amendment and is a backdoor affront to reduce it's true meaning to what is "allowable" and what "is not". To restrict the First is a small step to restrict the rest of the Bill of Rights and subvert the country to "accept" changes we cannot, should not, and will not accept and still be America!

Answer 4

It is tiring, but hey, it's a free country! Some of the posts are not from US citizens, some are.

Be patient, point out facts in your discussions or arguments, don't get upset with the stupidity of many questions posed here on Yahoo Answers.

Answer 5

Constructive criticism is always a good thing.

In the end, it can actually improve our country. Some people have opinions that are contrary to the status quo and it is their right to express their opinion. When people stop expressing their opinions, positive or negative, then that is an indication that something has gone terribly wrong.

Answer 6

No. If you want to live in a country where its own citizens are not allowed to criticize the groups in power and who get knocked off when they do so, you can move to China or Russia. Or pretty much anywhere in the Middle East. Most of their citizens speak and act all the same in public for fear of their _lives_.

Heh. And you fools tell _us_ to move out of the country. We know how lucky we are (though I doubt that you personally can attest to "America being the best country on earth" when I'll guess that you've never lived in or even visited another country), but things really don't stay that great when people allow themselves to become stupid, silent, and complacent.

Answer 7

Some of the Americans who say that the American government is so cruel (for wars, for taking Mexico's land, or whatever else is the flavor of the week) need to go hug a tree in Afghanastan, because although I don't appreciate the things that they say about our nation, I will defend to the death their right to say it.

That's one of the things that war did. It allowed us to say what we want. Just a little education for the anti-American.

Answer 8

Yeah - I'm tired of it,but it is part of our right as Americans. "free speech" I do wish we could work together better but America is becoming a society of "it's all about me" and if you all take a good look at us you will see it too. Not counting the occassionally helping out our fellow humans - Tsumani, Katrina but everyday and beyond that.
How sad...

Answer 9

Yes it fumes me when people who have the right to bash do in fact bash. But then I remember that this is why young men die for their country so you have that right. But you should be at least thoughtful of others feelings that do and do not approve of the way they think.

I am an American and I think we should all just shut up and get along...after all regardless if we are illegal immigrants or 12th generation Americans. We are here for a reason.....Freedom...

(read this while humming the star spangled banner)

Answer 10

Absolutely not. Without American bashers and dissenters, women would not have the right to vote. Blacks would not have the right to vote. The civil rights movement would not have happened. You see for every stupid thing (and there are many) that these bashers say, every now and then they actually get it right. As socialist as their agenda may be today, tomorrow it could quite possibly be the "in" thing.

I'm not saying we should listen to all that they say, but every now and then they do make a point worth adhering to. Without these views being brought up by someone, things would not change. They are not the best people in the world, nor are they my personal favorite. But sometimes you have to give credit where credit is due and sometimes these people have intelligent points that should be heard. Not always mind you, but sometimes. Thanks and have a nice day.