Is it true that America causes more problems than it solves?

Question

There is more real conflict in the world now than there ever was when we had the cold war with the USSR. The USSR has broken down into the Russias. Bush has lost the vote of the American people, and he no longer has their backing.
Do the American people really realise what is being done in their name - or do they just live on the information they are fed on television?
This is not meant to be a 'down' on the American people. I believe that they are decent people with good ideals. I just think things are being done in their name that they don't know about, and would not approve of.
Views?

Answer 1

Most of the Gordian Knots with which America is now dealing are not made by America. I appreciate the attitude of your query as an American. It is fair to ask these questions and make statements, but one should look much deeper and also consider that many of these problems have existed for centuries, were caused by bad decisions made by other countries and leaders. And that those old smoldering fueds are the natural inheritance of any one super power (which just happens to be the USA) to whom all others look for help when their own fat is in the fire and the UN stands as usual, impotent. No leader is 100% correct but Bush has failed us miserably on several key issues. We know this and it was reflected in our latest national election.
Addressing your first premise re the cold war period: Do a little research and you will discover that their were many conflicts during the cold war. However, the number of opportunities for conflict were in fact cut by almost half because those countries under the Soviet thumb knew exactly how the Soviets would respond to any small upheaval anywhere within their realm. The extent of media coverage is also much higher now because the US does not manage its press. For instance, how much did one learn about the Soviet war with the Taliban? Not much because the Soviets repressed news coverage. Do you know about the Sino-Soviet border skirmishes that occurred then? Have you forgotten about rebellions and coups in Africa? South America? The Falklands? The Suez, the 67 Arab-Israeli war, Lebanon of the 70s, Jordan exterminating their own Arab immigrants, the decade long Iran-Iraq war killing 100,000s? And many many more. So, I know from facts that your first sentence is incorrect. You simply ignore history.
2d premise: Too many of us do rely on modern TV and news analysis(always slanted) and have very little in depth knowledge of world history ancient or modern. Our geographical separation from much of the world is a problem which has made us separate, aloof and ethnocentric. However, there are a few of us that try to help the others take off their blinders.
3d: Thank you for having faith in our society and people. There will be excesses and secret operations by any large governmental system. Things will be done that the populace in general would not approve if given the opportunity. But the system is designed to 'correct' itself through the electorate every few years. There is an opportunity for a minor correction every two years (we just had one) and a major one every fourth year. Do you doubt that worse problems exist in other large governments? I know they do.

To Cogita: TG I had four years of Latin in Jr High. LOL And good insight.

To Claude: TY for you sentiments. A special good luck to you sir, if you are also per chance a Canuck.

To comments about Capitalism:
Personal greed caused the fall of the USSR as much as anything else and it works its devilment in the USA too. Much of communism is simply disfunctional because it defies man's instinct. I have often said, dismaying many business acquaitances, "The ideal of communism, 'from each according to his ability, to each according to his need' is a much loftier ideal than the one Capitalism seems to engender, 'from each according to his ability, to each according to his greed and willingness to exploit others and the system'". Even with that Capitalism still seems to function as the best motivator, which produces the most upward mobility of the masses, affects the quickest improvement of living standards for the masses (albiet some fall through the cracks), and assures success for a nation's economy, that exist among all the systems of commerce.
Lastly, my belief is that one of the best measures of a society's success and greatness is how well it treats its most unfortunate citizens, our society is a failure due to both the government's and the upper classe's waste and corruption fueled by adamance, apathy and avarice. But we are working hard to be better and with a little luck will succeed. I hope you will wish us well. I hope we succeed. I, like many Americans, want peace, security, freedom of self expression, comfortable living standards and a meaningful life for each citizen of the whole world.

Answer 2

It'd good that you differentiate between the American people and our government. We are locked out of the decision making process for most of the things that directly affect our and other citizens lives.
Elitists in Washington-those we elect and those we don't-have a view of the population as peasants that doesn't differ much from earlier elitists in earlier centuries.
The American people have come up with MLK's "I have a Dream" speech, rock n roll, the Grand Ol Opry, Cajun cooking, surf guitar music, some of the greatest movies the world will ever see and classic cars.
The American government is responsible for the Palmer Raids, the Bonus March Massacre, the Japanese internment in WW2, the McCarthy witch hunt hearings in the 1950's, COINTELPRO, Prohibition and the War on Drugs.
That doesn't even take into account the bloodier aspects of our foreign policy.
And you're right, support of dictators, US tax dollar paid mercenaries engaging in chemical warfare in Columbia, and continued exploitation of the failure to prevent 9-11 doesn't make the mainstream media.
That's on purpose, they (the mainstream media) know the American public would no more support these things than they would support another Bonus March Massacre.
That's part of the beauty of the Internet. That's part of the reason we need net neutrality enshrined into law and hard to undo!

Answer 3

Negatives make headlines, and the more you know the more you know that you don't know much. We live in a very interconnected world now, and it's too complicated for anybody to understand it all. We just have to do the best we can and hope for a good outcome, and the world in general seems to be getting to be a better place than it once was, so we must be doing something right. The details we can argue over, but differences of opinion are what makes a horse-race.

Answer 4

Too bad communism didn't prevail. In theory it's a great idea, only problem is the whole population must practice and accept it. People are stupid, weak, and greedy, which is why Communism will never work.
Funny to think that America now is exactly the kind of nation our founding fathers went to war to rid themselves of.
I would have rather been born in Europe or Canada. That said it's better than Saharan Africa, but at least even their lives have a daily purpose.
Ideally the freakin Europeans would have left America alone and North and South America would be under the rule of the far smarter and more civilized Native cultures.

Answer 5

most people live in what's fed to them on television. and i think the television likes to feed the idea that it is true that america has caused more problems than it solves. the president is constantly slandered. (which is within rights, i guess, this isn't a dictatorship, people can say whatever they want...that's the beauty of freedom.) but it isn't nice and i don't think americans realize that whatever they say about the global representatives of this country will come back to reflect on themselves. and i don't like the negative image on america and the subsequent handing over of civil freedoms going on, or what will go on...in the name of security. and what also bothers me is what bush has done to make the citizens want to run to the democratic party in droves and come next election...i think the democrats could hand us anyone for election and not worry about their success. it's not that i particularly like our current president, but i like america and i'm not going to destroy america in an attempt to destroy a president i don't particularly like. he'll be gone before long anyway.

Answer 6

In my humble opinion,Yes, it is tottaly true. In fact, USA is adpoting autocrative style. Or may be it is superiority complex. Every country beleives USA is No 1 super power so USA should treat the world gently even the enemies. It is too unfortunate that USA is not getting friends but more enemies. I think USA should change the policy and educate undevelop people to think broadly and more humanly, with love, and win and change the heart of world or enemies with love and kindness and not with force.. With very little expenditure he can win the world without the game of bloodshed. Otherwise things will get into complex and problem will never be solved and the whole world be put into trouble.

Answer 7

I'm Canadian and truly like the american's but find that there leader at this time is on the wrong path america is a great country you only need one bad leader to change history but soon you will have elections and god i hope for you and your children god protect them all that the gorverment will find a way out of this war god bless the young soldiers for there sacrifice and there families also .. druide

Answer 8

America is the No 1 Capitalistic country.Capitalism creates Divisions and social classes namely poor and rich.Poor people are usually less educated and more prone to hate idealogies and extremeist behaviour.Hence the cycle begins

Pure Capitalism is the cause America is the Corporation,Poverty is the effect...War and Terrorism is the result.

The New World Order or Disorder

Answer 9

Well if you call defeating the evil Soviet empire during the Cold War, defeating the Nazi and Japaneese menace during WWII and generally being the world's 911 service during every earthquake, tsunami, hurricanes etc and giving billions in foreign aid to the 3rd and 4th world countries of this planet....Yes we do create problems. Problems of envy from other lesser countries like yours....envious of our great nation.

Answer 10

Americans know what's going on and who the cause of it is. That's why his approval ratings have plummeted. We used to be the peacekeepers of the world. I can't wait until Bush's term is over.