Any other Americans out there feel like they should be apologizing for their country?

Question

I read in the news daily of new reasons to be ashamed of what has become of my country. In the last few weeks alone, information has come to light that our own government has:

1. been running secret torture facilities throughout Europe (specifically in Romania and Poland)

2. become so complacent that they are willing to grant full amnesty to millions of criminals (read: new immigration bill)

3. vowed to continue an illegal war in Iraq...even after the new powers in Congress swore they'd not allow this. Apparently, the Dems lie as often and as shamelessly as the Reps.

4. systemematically and often-times secretly been stripping away our civil rights in the name of our Fuhrer's (Read: Bush's) laughable grand scheme.

And while all this has been going on...the citizens of this country sit quietly by. This is exactly how the Nazi's were allowed to rule for so long: because the people refused to rise up and put a stop to it!

wow Viper...Thanks. I loved that link. Sadly, it is too true.

okay...why is it none of you who disagree with me even attempt to address the points I listed?

To Jennifer: Read the news. We aren't stopping ANYTHING in Iraq. Also, since when is "everyone else is doing it" a valid excuse for us to do the wrong thing. Evil is evil...no matter how many are doing it. We should be better than that.

Answer 1

Like lobsters languishing in a pot of lukewarm water, we Americans will wake up someday screaming in agony over our own apathy as the water starts to boil.
"We the people" have allowed our government to become the scandalous, corrupt, untrustworthy entity it is. Our founding fathers recognized that as one of democracy's greatest flaws. Just as the great Greek and Roman empires collapsed, so will the United States of America as we become more complacent, more out of touch with our government, and more tolerant of what we believe is the strongest, most moral government on Earth.
Thomas Jefferson said: "When all government, domestic and foreign, in little, as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power, it will....become as venal and oppressive as the government from which we separated".
Jefferson also recognized that we, "the people", have a Constitutional right - and duty - to preserve and protect our union. Jefferson noted: "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants". Unfortunately, we have become far too lazy to accept such challenge, and that has allowed our public servants to become some kind of pompous royalty that has no regard for the people's wishes. While many believe we have a right to own handguns, AK-47's or other weapons because it's a Constitutional 'right', they fail to recognize that the Constitution afforded us the 'right' to "keep and bear" arms" against a tyrannical and oppressive government.
Yes, Nazi Germany brainwashed "the people" into believing the state had the 'right' to slaughter those whom it did not consider 'desireable'. The U.S.A. is not too far away from similar bias, hatred and bigotry - all you have to do is listen to Rush Limbaugh every day and see how his lies, distortions, misrepresentations, and inaccuracies are brainwashing people into accepting one point of view without regard, respect, consideration, or thoughtfulness of another's viewpoint. That kind of disturbing trend only sets the stage for a government that is not ruled by its people, but a government that rules its people.
Benjamin Franklin warned us: "When people fear the government, it is tyranny. When government fears the people, it is liberty". We are not very far away from being stripped of all our inalienable rights, freedoms and liberties as America moves toward a totalitarian government, all because of our disinterest, self-absorption, and shallow attitude toward those whom we elect. -RKO- 06/08/07

Answer 2

Whereas I apologize frequently for the actions of this President, I am proud to be an American and would never denounce my citizenship. (I currently live in Italy for personal and business reasons. Have been here for almost 7 years.)

I read (unfortunately I don't recall where) that the USA gives more $ in aid to other countries in need than any other nation. And generally when there is some sort of disaster we're the first to jump in to help as well as give $. Like tsunamis in Indonesia and Malaysia, earthquakes in Mexico etc... So I don't think that the US is all that bad. I just can't wait to have Bush out of the White House.

So, I apologize for this president and some of the governing officials, but I do not seek forgiveness for my country. Many Italians blame Bush, but they do not find fault with America or Americans.

Does that answer your question?

Answer 3

So Mr. Pink, Have you been to over to Iraq to see what is going on in this so called "illegal war"? If not than you have no basis to tell anyone that no changes are being made for the good. If so you obviosly were not paying attention. As a member of the United States Military I personally have seen the changes and the good that we are fighting for. Ask anyone who has fought for there country and they will tell you that they may disagree with the cause but they know that we are doing for some good.

Answer 4

the illegals hateu least some do i know that you cant tell me otherwise most of them just want the money if they loved america i would welcome them but the problem is which ones are here to help or harm us. I don't want to see a border fence its sad like the berlin wall hows that freedom. why are they coming here cause their gov. Mexico is corrupt. Mexican people are cool and all but their gov. sucks i wish we could help liberate their gov. like we wish we could for Iraq. And its not that hard for mexicans to bare the heat and sun of the desert they more adapted. And how many jobs and how much money are they gonna sponge. I did'nt go to college and I am tired of losing the majority of work to people who don't even pay taxes so bus. owners can save money hiring these lowballers. i dont know wher u live but in new york im soft on it i have mexican freinds and i tell them how i feel and that we should give these people an army like the bay of pigs but better an thay should over throw the mexican gov. and make it just and create jobs and fight crime but we go to iraq and try it mexico our next door neighbor we should do more see the real root of the problem corruption south of the border. its not americas fault we help and help but it keeps happening and its getting worse all we have been doing is grabbing the snake by the tail now lets get it by the head the corrupt mexican goverment not the illegals crossing the border just trying to make a better life.just my opinion thank

Answer 5

I'm with you all the way.
I'm sad when I travel to Canada, a country that I adore (I live an hour away in Michigan) and get the evil eye from from the natives when they check out my license plate. Sadder still because I don't blame those Canadians; they think I'm one of "those" Americans, the flag-wavers and yellow-ribbon-tiers who trashed them because they didn't want to get involved in Bushie's little war.
The world despises us (who could blame them?) and yet, as you say, the citizens sit quietly by. I grew up during the Vietnam era, a time when the youth (and others) of this country did NOT sit quietly by. I blame this on the fact that we realize, at this point, that anything we say, do or feel will steadfastly be refused to be addressed. Back then, we were naive enough to believe that the government could and would make things right. My friend, this is a now a nation OF the corporations, FOR the corporations, and BY the corporations. What they want, they get, and war is good business. (And illegal immigrants are great for businesses too.)
So what if Americans are unemployed and suffering because of NAFTA? NAFTA's great for the corporations.
Our government officials are nothing more than corporate whores....forget the "people".
We no longer matter.
If I had the opportunity, I'd go to live in Canada or the British Isles in a heartbeat.

Answer 6

I certainly wouldn't want to apologize for our country. And I have to say, it's been a long time since I've been this happy with my governement. I think Bush is doing an excellent job considering the circumstances. It's easy for people to stand on the sidelines, but to act is much more difficult. The president acted the best way he could on the information he had regarding Iraq. Republicans and Democrats agreed to go to war, along with the blessing of the United Nations. I don't blame Bush for the lack of human compassion displayed by France and countries like it. If they really cared about the conditions in Iraq, they would be helping instead of constantly getting in the way.

There are lot of people lining up to say "I told you so," when everyone knows true compassion is not saying "I told you so," but rather looking beyond the past and into the future and trying to work together to help our fellow man. I salute the man I proudly call our President for having the courage to stand up for his fellow human beings' rights in Iraq and elsewhere, while at the same time helping improving our economy, and working to improve our own security at home.

Let's also not forget his steps toward protecting our society from other domestic dangers. We can thank him for nominating a conservative supreme court justice and fighting to prevent our country from adopting such distructive policies as allowing gay marriage and relegating religion to something people should be forced to keep private.

Answer 7

I agree that 1, 3, and 4 are serious problems.

However, "illegal immigrants" are great Americans. How many Americans love America so much that they would cross 70 miles of desert on foot to get here?

The British Proclamation of 1763 outlawed American settlement west of the Alleghenies. I'm the proud descendant of "illegal aliens" who violated that law.

The first man to sign the Declaration of Independence was John Hancock, a notorious smuggler.

America is a nation of immigrants. Most people who obey bad laws stayed home.

Answer 8

Can only say that this country is getting farther and farther away from what our forefathers had in mind. They must be rolling over in their graves right now. I love my country more for what it could be, not what it has become. And what we've become is a nation of fast food eating, cigarette smoking, overweight cowards who would rather give up our freedom and our money if it means being taken care of a little better by a government that is 10,000 times bigger than it was when it started out. We have essentially become what we crossed the Atlantic to get away from. Now, there's noplace else to go.

Answer 9

yes, I agree with everything you have said. Our government is supposed to represent her people and it's clear they are not. I am appalled that the Bush regime has been given so much power and Americans sit idly by as lives and families and countries are being ripped to shreds by the few in power. Bush has stained America and has caused us to lose respect from other countries.
Even though mamy of us did not vote for Bush we are the ones who are apoligizing for the incompetence, ignorance, and arrogance of the idiot placed in office. Just the thought of him makes me want to PUKE!
We say we have freedom but are becoming oppressed under this regime. America is NOT the home of the free any longer.
God save us all

Can You Wait Until 2008?
Just Look at What the Bush Regime is Doing:
Bush Confers Dictatorial Powers on Himself in the Event of a "National Emergency"
Bush Approves Covert Operations to Overthrow Iranian Government
3 US Naval Battle Groups Enter Persian Gulf in Blatant Threat to Iran
Casualties of War: The Children of Iraq
The world faces a grave emergency. The very nature of U.S. society and its relationship to other countries are being reshaped in a horrific ways before our eyes, including now escalating the war in Iraq and threatening Iran with nuclear weapons. Yet the full implications of these sweeping changes are not widely understood, even among those who oppose the Bush administration. This must change and resistance must grow.

World Can't Wait for 2008

Answer 10

I think by way of apologizing, we should send each country we have offended several fully-laden B-52s. They don't even have to land...they can just fly lazily overhead and drop our apologies down on the annoying, little ba$tards.

We'll feel better because we "gave back" and they won't feel anything :-)