Why are Americans concerned about democracy in foreign lands and don't participate in their own?
151284
Democracy is not a gift to be given to anyone. It also can not be installed in Iraq. Iraqis prefer a Islamic Republic, which they will return to when the USA leaves. One of the first laws passed in Iraq was to make unions illegal. They will also reverse any Womens rights when we leave. In America, organized crime is alive and well, some call it Congress. People don't vote because they know that Congress and the White House are Courrupt. All Local and State Government is also Courrupt. Most that don't vote have given up any hope for change, they are not stupid as some say.\nThey are also not illiterate as some say. Neocons love calling other people names and demeaning them. That's how Neocons get their jollies.
1172179
Because America is not interested in democracy. It wants to transfer tax payers money to republican contributing companies, which happen to sell weapons used in WARS
424686
i've been to america, met some nice people.\n\nbut looking at the country from a distance, it seems to me that lots of americans have an extreme arrogant view on the world. like they own this world, like they do good to this world.\n\nthey bring democracy to countries with bombs, they always brag about their big financial aids to the world, when the truth is that they contribute almost the lowest percentage of their national income to aid. european countries donate about 0.7 to 0.8 % , the usa only 0.25% of their national income. just bcs they have a lot of people, it sounds much money, but the european union in total donated lots and lots more.\n\nand abt bush..let me not even answer u on that. he's the devil in cowboyclothes.
988866
Americans are rude, lazy, selfish and arrogant.  Yes, we should keep out of other countries' disputes.  You wouldn't want someone whose life is screwed up telling you how to run yours, would you?  America is a mess.  We have no business telling others what to do.  We should stay home and clean house here.
415117
Lethargy, mostly.\n\n"If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention," so says a popular bumper sticker.\n\nWhether we see it as a fundamental ailment or mere symptom, most people are largely ignorannt of political reality. Americans still believe they are free because they can vote. There is a bipartisan illusion that democracy is liberty itself and that state power is non-aggressive if checked every few years by majority vote; delusions. There will always be power-hungry people who wish to control. Most countries do not have a powerful Constitution like ours, designed to limit big gov't, and we have not protected ours, or enforced it, and it is back under dirty glass, hidden, unused. Have you even read it? It's only two or three pages, but most people don't know what it says. That is our only protector against the real evil: those that want to rule in a coherent force. What our forefathers designed is absent, and what they feared has happened. That is why you fear gov't.\n\nBut ignorance and fear do not a prudent democracy make. We do not vote for our Masters, who then obtain near absolute power. Instead of seeking representatives to safeguard our rights, people now seek strong leaders or saviors to redeem their lives and protect them from all harm. \n\nNobody is policing our government. We've lost interest, are lethargic, and want someone else to take care of running gov't for them. It is an end to the rights of the self-governed, when the self-governed won't govern themselves, or obtain real knowledge; not just media information. To become informed, involved, and really concerned takes effort, time, and the will to act.
1124440
let's face it. american democracy is not freedom for all and is not rule of the people, but rather rule of the press. there is also a very low probability of becoming a president or a senator without a lot of money and people backing you up (in which case you have to pay those people or act the way they want you to get them to follow - which means not expressing yourself and not being free). voting is so directed by press that it's not even funny. and i mean, we all think that war in iraq is to bring democracy, but it actually is to get oil or some other reason we dont even know about. seriously, what government has ever in history gone to war to help people of another country? no government. what government has gone to war saying they are going to help other people but go for a different reason? many governments and many times. it's an old trick and many americans are going for it. furthermore, ok, we live in a country that isnt quite democratic as by principles, but we like it. ok. we can live like it, even though it is not the rule of the people. but why do some people think that this government is what the iraqi's want, if it is not the rule of the people??? there is so much propaganda here in USA that it is incredible. george bush and the republicans are not at all stupid like many people try to poke fun at them. however, they try to get profit for themselves rather than for the nation, for face it, their election campaigns cost way more than what their salaries pay off.\n\nps. as for colonial mode, us has been in colonial mode ever since its beginnings, including hawaii, costa rica, and panama canal. during the cold war, spheres of interests. and now, this.
350252
so that americans are not ruled by foreigners
613808
As in all things, we Americans are self-conceited jerks.  If it doesn't happen within our shores, we seem to think it doesn't really matter.
13591
Most Americans have great respect for everyone who is rational, productive, and self-sufficient. This also means anyone who does you harm should be served justice in the interest of protecting free principles.\n\nThe problem is that everyone BUT Americans seem to eat up whatever the media says, or they lack the education to realize that Americans are like any other human being. We live for our happiness and productive achievement, and we highly value our liberty and security.\n\nAny actions we take are a result of that love for freedom and that moral pursuit. We do not tolerate socialism, facism, or totalitarianism, but rather open and mutually beneficial relationships and trade.
1135529
The idealistic citizens believe that other countries could benefit from the perceived democracy that Democracy provides (notice the emphasis on perceived). However, these citizens fail to see the macro scale picture - power! The American Government is at the central hub of commerce and capitalism, and thus you can look to them to see a shining example of profiteering at its best. \n\nThe American Government, in more recent times than ever before, has begun working and operating in the interests of Corporations. These Corporations (Pharmaceuticals, Petroleum, Diamonds) need resources to create their products, and in order to do this they require the labor and land resources of other countries. So America looks to countries with strategical land and resource value and sinks their claws into it. The people are oblivious to what's going on, and are much more concerned with their daily shopping habits and thus they allow horrible things to occur with little care for change.
468101
If there is one thing that the United States is not, is a democracy.  It is a Constitutional Republic.  Every natural born citizen has the opportunity to work their way through the political system and become President.  Unlike many countries, it matters little where the individual came from and more what the people think of the individual.
825185
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.
340216
USA uses the word Democracy just as an excuse to get into other countries and take advantage of its resources they attacked Iraq to take the oil and only for this reason it's more a domination than an attack to make a country  more democratic.. I dont think there's any good reason for americans to go and die for something dat has nothing to do wiz them
224236
I will never pretend to speak for all Americans, but I am highly qualified to speak for myself.\n\nI am far less concerned about how the rest of the world sees us than I am about my freedom and safety being infringed upon.\n\nI voted for George W. Bush twice, and feel that if he is arrogant or inconsiderate of others it is because he feels the need to protect the people of the country that elected him - twice.
36645
Democracy is a joke! us americans think that we are free that is not the case, and america thinks that it's there job to polize the world
574230
yes I've noticed this. The U.S.A. wants everything our way. Not so sure we want democracy. the present administration is more concerned with having there way than democracy...hopefully this will change when we get a few of these currently elected officials out of office the American people are gettign wise to there ways and soon maybe the U.S. will be happy to mind its own business again. at the current time it seems we havent done a very good job running our own country doesnt make much sense that we are trying to run everyone elses. Unfortuneately we have a few more years with the current president but perhaps the American people can rein him in a little there are many people in the U.S. that are not aproving of the ways things have been handled too bad we get the blame for what the government is doing.
868995
Because American citizens are rude and demanding.  If European people can tell the difference between a Canadian and a American by talking to them, the there is a problem.  They don't want you to stop existing, just to shut-up.