And I'm not talking about the "fake happy" people either. It just seems like people are always edgy, vindictive, cliquey and mad. You can't really discuss anything too complicated with them; their ignorance might partly explain why their surly, hopeless demeanor. Furthermore, many do not understand the Republicans they elect are very responsible for the nation's current problems. They believe that if America has it like this, the world must have it worse. Simply not true, I was born overseas, and traveled other places; my home country had worse employment, but the people were still happy and intelligent. I just never feel comfortable with Americans, I don't feel American. Any thoughts on what is wrong with this nation?
124026
The country is founded under the idea of the material success. To contribute to this material success, they need to get people unhappy so that they consume more products to fill the emptiness they have in their soul.\n\nThat is the cause that they are always unhappy and in denial.
172726
9/11 has given the leaders of the US an excuse to heighten in another era of fear.  Every day they tell us to fear - fear the terrorists, fear the immigrants, fear natural disasters, etc.  I am surrounded by people who are just plain scared, and that is very sad.  We are told that people who want to kill us for being Americans are everywhere, behind every rock. This is just not a happy situation to be in.  The only way to be happy is to realize most of it is not true.  \nAnother thing I've seen is that people are no longer allowed to criticize the government or point out any flaws that might exist without being labled as "anti-American" or "pro-terrorists."  We are being told by Bush and others that if we are not with him, we are against America.  This is just sick and wrong.  I live in the South and if I even mention that there are things I am uncomfortable with in our government, I get all kinds of angry responses.  I have friends who are teachers in the public schools who can't even mention that America has flaws without getting angry responses from parents and administration.  The US is truly worse off after 9/11, but not because of 9/11 itself.  It's because of how our leaders have reacted to 9/11.
143283
I think that being awful or anything else depends individually in each person , not in their ethic group. And thinking that other people think this also depends in yourseft. You can't say that all American are awful, because that is not true. Just like you can't say all immigrants think this because that is also not true.
268286
yeah, America is often viewed as the country filled with people who are uneducated and have no clue what is going on around them. \nI heard a comment from a comedian, he said,\n"As a whole the U.S. is a country filled with idiots, but as a whole they are genius; Russians on the other hand are all Einsteins, but as a whole you can't find a dumber group of people." \nIt's sad, but somehow true, for example, try asking an Average American what the capital of Italy is, or even France. Americans don't care about what is going n in Dafur, in fact 95% probably didn't even hear about the country. Or ask an American to place Iraq on the map... and we are at war with this country!\nThere is nothing that anyone can do about that. But the fact that we are the most individualistic country in the world has something to do with that. People just don't care, they would rather watch American Idol, then worry about what is going on in Congress. Arrogance... \n\nOne day the political arrogance and ignorance of the general population will get us into trouble...
669126
Agreed. This country has big enough problems that need ANSWERS and it is frustrating when they haggle and dicker and argue and fight about whose solution is better. It looks terrible to other countries in the world as well, because it looks like we can't get along in Congress any better than the Sunni's or Shiites. \n\nI think it has come to the place in the century where we need to be a whole lot less partisan and a whole lot more moderate. We are in Iraq and other places in the world shouting democracy edicts to other governments and we haggle like children fighting over toys. It is awful.\n\nWhat I think we need to do is to start encouraging younger people in college and just out of college to throw out the boomers who have fermented this nasty tasting wine. We need to get rid of conservatives and liberals alike and Democrats and Republicans alike until they decide to get along. \n\nThese Congressional and legislative members are like the only child in a playpen full of babies. Totally unsure of how to get along with everyone.
435182
Because too many people sadly only love their version of what the country is or should be. They have no respect for differing opinions, so they deride and scoff at such opinions.\n\nListening to others takes time and effort, as does rationally thinking about issues rather than just reacting emotionally. Too many people don't want to put the time and effort into the process. \n\nRational discussion, respect for differences, ability to compromise -- these are all essential components of any functioning democracy. Sadly, we're rapidly falling into the dysfunctional category, because of partisan hatred.
395707
they're basically jealous.  america is powerful, for some reason the rest of the world cannot separate the people from the govt.  and they don't like our govt.
108001
Drew, that's because this aint your country alone! our forefathers fought and bled for America so that it would be a bastion of freedom and democracy and not some special interest or lobby group batter stick.\n\nDrew, opposing our policies doesn't mean we hate the US "so much", on the contrary, haven't you ever thought that this could mean we "love it" so much and are genuinly concerned about it's well-being? not only on the short run, but also on the LONG RUN!?\n\nI realy get frustrated when right wing or conservative (you choose) folks like you go around blasting us "peace-lovers" and calling us names just because we're opposing sending our boys over in harms way! \n\nDrew, we're all in the same boat, and because we are, i'ld advise you to try to see the world from many different angles and learn more about "the other".\n\nWe're all human beings and we musn't let our enemies decide who we must become, why let extremists make US become extremists like them? don't forget who you are!
199057
they're just bitter that they're in the minority. there's nothing they can do to set policy in the country, so they just b itch and try to discredit others. expect more of that this fall when republicans retain both houses of congress.
266904
There was a similar conversation going on within yahoo 360. I, being an American, can do nothing more than agree with you on most points. I don't know that I would go as far as to say that as a whole we are worse than Hitler, but I have mentioned to several that I work with that I feel, our President Bush is modern days version of Hitler. \n\nI think, unfortunately, that most (not all) foreigners don't realize that most (not all) Americans don't like the man either! His approval rating as of yesterday was 33%. That's pretty bad. We don't like that he seems to be a bully to others and don't like that we are as a whole viewed as believing the way he does. The argument can be made that "we" re-elected the man. I understand that, although I did not. I didn't vote for him either time. I think the general thought at the time, was that he started something we better let him finish it, since (in theory) he should know what he's doing. Ha!\n\nAs far as history is concerned. I can't argue that either. But again, like every other country that is judged, and they all are, the country as a whole does not necessarily believe the same as their leaders do. I think in the beginning they put on a good "show" and are then elected into leadership. Whom ever puts on the best show wins the "prize". It sucks.\n\nMy response in the discussion to the blog was similar to what is here. I also said that I really hope that someday people just learn to accept others for what they are and what they believe. There is no right or wrong way. There is only what people believe is best for them. That includes democracy! It might be OK for us, but not for others. Our way is not necessarily the "best" way. I just wish everyone could leave everyone else alone.
116408
People tend to fear what they don't understand. Personally, I believe it is fear that is manifesting itself rather than hate.\n\nThat doesn't justify their actions which are often times displayed by hateful acts. Most have never seen our benevolent side. \n\nWith the onslaught of natural disasters, many of these people have witnessed first hand how quickly we, as a nation, have responded to their peril. \n\nI have read accounts of how these people were absolutely shocked that we would respond faster and with more resouces than their own government. They had previously thought we were a selfish nation... taking things that don't belong to us... forcing other to conform to our vision for their lives... They fear that they might become our next victim.\n\nThe answer is not Iraq as suggested above. There are way too many people here on Yahoo answers that want to be the first to answer a question and give no regard to it's accuracy. Their misinformation is a blithe on an otherwise great site. You deserve an answer not an opinion that isn't even backed up with the flemsiest of evidence. \n\nPardon my distain. Back to the topic...\n\nYour anticipated response would be, what can we do about it? How do we let them know that we want them to be happy, prosperous and free to enjoy life under their own terms? Well, there's not much an individual can accomplish on an international scale. \n\nTrue, there are some amazing people that have a calling it would appear and these people have proven how much good or bad one person can accomplish internationally. As for you and me, we need to take the time to examine our leaders. We need to look beyond party lines and select officials that represent our country for what it really is. A melting pot of ideas and people. A place where their way of life is acceptable as long as it doesn't infringe on another person's way of life. A nation that loves it's soldiers and can hardly bear the thought of placing them in harms way. And if we do send them into battle, there is no reasonable doubt that they are dying for a worthy cause. A cause that is international in scope rather than that of the privileged few that seem to have far too much control.\n\nWe must calm their fears.
607931
Unfortunately, the general populace's lack of interest in politics, its complete apathy, failure to vote, to find out what is really going on in this country, has lead to the intolerable situation we find ourselves in right now.\n\nI'm sure that not every public official is a bad person; the law of probability alone does not allow it.  However, the average American citizen does not know much about his/her local and national officials, the pressing issues of the day, laws, etc.\n\nTherefore, we now take what we are told at face value, do not question anything for fear of bashing/retribution, and accept what the press and politicians tells us - the webs of lies craftly spun to keep us ignorant, in the name of "National Security".  The abuse of power is blatant and appalling.\n\nNot only are we at war, but foreign countries have bought much of our important domestic assets, our privacy is basically non-existant, we are denounced as traitors if we dare question laws such as the Patriot Act, our phones are being tapped, our e-mail messages and regular mail read, etc.\n\nIt is terrible, scary, and indecent.  Our country was founded precisely because our forefathers decried the intrusion of their mother country into their personal affairs.  How ironic then, that those who now try to preserve those Unalienable Rights, the same ones safeguarded and preserved with the blood of countless men, women, and children throughout our history, we are denounced as anti-American and told that if we don't like it, we should leave.\n\nThe signers of the Declaration of Independence must be rolling over in their graves.  What a tragedy.  It makes me very sad.
652959
I have no idea.  i am a American, and i live in England, and everyone has their little opinion on America and its so annoying, people think they're experts on America, and they've never even been there.  If I was to talk bad about a third world country people would think i was rude and stuck-up, but for some reason people from other countries think they can sat whatever they want about my country.  I have met Africans from really bad countries and they have the audacity to talk about America and how violent it is, when they live in country that is at war or is far more violent than America.  I think alot of them are jealous and wish they could live in the most powerful country in the world.
16522
I think Americans get along with each other rather well compared to some developing countries.  This country needs both liberals and conservatives to keep both extremes honest and moderated.  Neither extreme is right all the time.
332286
I don't feel that these people are insignificant. I just think that they lack understanding. We mock that which we do not understand. A lot of Democrats/Liberals don't understand that the world is not always a warm and fuzzy place. It's not a warm and fuzzy place when I have to get up and go to work in the mornings either but there are times when you have to work and there are times when you can play. This is one of those unpleasant times. Sometimes leaders have to make unpopular decisions knowing that what they are doing is what is best for the country in the long run. Why can't we have our instant gratification on this one? Waaah! It's just like payday. You have to work for a while first doing things that nobody likes then you get your reward in the form of a paycheck later. By the way the Fed is having to raise interest rates to cool off the economy so that it doesn't grow out of control raising the risk of inflation. So much for the weak economy. Another thing, If the bashers on here think this war has been soooo bad..... Research the sacrifices that we had to make here at home because of WWII. You think the gas situation is bad now? The habit of making repairs yourself began during WWII. If your whatnot broke during WWII there weren't enough resources for you to go buy a new one because those resources were diverted to the military. And there wasn't anybody to fix your whatnot because they were at war and doing that for the military. People need to quit whining so much about our government and start learning to appreciate what we have.\n\nBigfatdumbloser why would you call anyone milking a cow on a farm a stupid redneck? That's the kind of work that has to be done if you want something nutritious. That's the kind of work that has to be done if we all want to eat. Just another Liberal Democrat stereotyping Conservatives and not understanding the way things work in the real world. Thanks for helping me make my point.
556302
Think about it this way...\nWhy is it that more people try to get into America than any other country?  That should give you an indication on what the rest of the world REALLY thinks about life in America.\n\nConsidering how good it really is here I think we have a right to be proud of our country.\n\nBesides, I have never heard anyone rip other countires for being jingoistic or proud of THEIR country.  Why should we?\n\nGod Bless America.
504611
It is so much easier for people to shout at each other than face reality. And as long as they themselves feel alright, they are not inclined to even want to do anything about it.\nI am from Ireland, a country that was crippled by its national debt for decades after a spending spree of one irresponsible gouvernment, and only the EU funds got us finally out of it.\nIt might still be great at the moment, but it will certainly catch up with the US in the long run.