Is it fair to generalize and blame all Americans for the war?

Question

I've been reading how "all" americans are this or that. If it's not right to make geralizations about anyone else then why is it okay to make them about Americans?
Because Americans are shallow and self-"absorbed. They don't care about the sacrifices, tribulations or accomplishments of non--Americans." (Skeff)
"ALL of the U.S. because they're trigger-happy, paranoid and narcissistic. Bad combo." (Kelvenst0ne)

Get a grip Barb. I didn't make these statements, others in society and culture did. These statements are what made me ask this question. If you'll notice I put quotations around the statements and included the name of the person making the statement.

Answer 1

Deep down when you look at it : No it isn't fair.However, in International politics, the government of a country acts as an agent of a particular state [i.e people within a particular territory] and therefore any action by that government represents the mandate of the state. This could possibly explain why Americans often get a rap over their knuckles about all this.

Answer 2

As an AMERICAN, I can tell you that your statements are VERY UNFAIR, HiGHLY prejudicial and insulting to ALL AMERICANS---we are not trigger happy, paranoid OR narcissistic nor are we all self-absorbed and as far as how MOST American's feel about other countries---let me enlighten you for a few minutes here. Ok---first off, the actions of our CURRENT political leaders are by NO MEANS representative of what ALL AMERICANS want or believe in--(as proof of this, I offer up the recent poll taken that gives Mr. Bush only a 30% approval rating---meaning 70% of ALL AMERICANS do NOT agree with the way he is running (ruining ) our government... now, as far as what American's think of other countries----do you have ANY CLUE how much a LOT of countries in this world actrually OWES the USA???? Our country is always one of the FIRST to send aid, money or physical HELP to countries who have had natural disasters ----when 9/11 happened HERE, not ONE country came in to help.... Yes, we HAVE done some things WRONG in some countries, but for the most part, we have as I said given aid WHEREVER it was needed throughout the world. Most American's do NOT belittle the accomplishments of NON-Americans.... If YOU believe in something and your friend does NOT, does that make ONLY WHAT YOU BELIEVE to be TRUTH? HARDLY.... so why is it that if a group of people in the USA represent all the bad things you have accused us of---why then do you ASSUME that every single American is exactly like that??? I really think the people of the USA have been taking an UNWORTHY BAD RAP for YEARS!!!!! The USA is by NO MEANS PERFECT.... it DOES have it's problems, but FOR THE MOST PART, it is full of people who DO care about the world around them and PROBABLY care more about YOU then your OWN COUNTRY DOES... so stop knocking ALL AMERICANS----

Answer 3

Hello,

Well there is always a price to pay for being the leader as they say!

Michael