why do americans think they are in charge of everyone else?
359141
I know that all Americans do not feel this way. Right now I feel like we are heading for a train wreck but the train is going too fast to jump off.
999769
We can sometimes be spoiled brats.  Rightly or wrongly most of us grow up thinking we live in the greatest country in the world, not because of who we are as individuals but because of our institutions and our history.  We naively expect the entire world to feel the same way and for everyone to "love" us.  I suppose it is kind of an insecurity, possibly because we are this melting pot.  I think most countries with single strong ethnic identities probably don't suffer from this insecurity.  They are who they are and they just don't care what anyone thinks.  Americans get this attitude but in a different reactionary way.  Trying to give an example:  The French say might criticize America for something it's doing in the world...and it feels no embarrassment about doing so...they are perfectly justified in doing so.  However after this "affront" we become insulted...kind of get our "feelings hurt"....then respond with a kind of beligerant screw you attitude.  I suppose we come off kind of whiney at times like that.  On the other hand it seems that other countries aren't quite as "thin skinned".  So I don't think it's an inferiority complex...but I think it's a bit of over concern with image.  I think we should just do what we do and quit worrying about what people think.  Personally though I have to admit that i'm becoming weary of the weight of all the worlds problems and if the world wants us out of them maybe we should just get out of them...and let them deal with it all.  Seems to me like we are only having our entire economy destroyed by dealing with the rest of the world anyway..so shut the borders...bring all the troops home, cut off all foreign aid, no more trade, sit back, and carry a big big stick.  Maybe then the rest of the world will find us acceptable.\n\ntruthseeker...you are seeking anything but the truth or if you are it's to seek it out and destroy it wherever you find it.
480167
Nobody. There's the irony. People don't feel comfortable with the notion of the anarchistic functions of the world, so they greatly inflate the powers of Skull & Bones, Masons, Brandenburg Gate and other secret societies. It's more comfortable to think that somebody else is in control of the world, even if they have avaricious intentions, than no one.\n\nConversely, you could think that everyone controls our world. Stuff gets done by people and we're all part of the same planet.
545629
I hate to admit it, and I might have the CIA knocking on my door in a few hours for saying it, but I dont like Americans. I have lived here my whole life and I think that as a whole, Americans are arrogant, greedy, simpleminded, intolerant, ignorant, and superficial. (Case in point: work2twerk who posted your first answer.) We have a horrible system of not taking care of our children and elderly and those who are sick. We can not see a doctor when we need to because we are uninsured and we can not go to college because we can not afford to. Something isnt right when the richest country on the Earth can not care for it's citizens.
915803
=because even though this is a free country, and we refer to free society, government and society rule all of us because "they" know what is best for each and every one of us!!!  Evidently we are not responsible enough for decision making, so "they" do it for our own well being.
496981
Well, this may come as a shock to you, but Americans DO own MOST of the world.  The entire world's economy is based on the US dollar. Technology and productivity, human rights, and quality of life have improved ALL OVER THE WORLD because of American innovative thought and ( YES!! ) compassion!\n\nWhy are we now embroiled in a situation where MANY ( NOT ALL!! ) non-American's hate us?..I think it is JEALOUSY!!\nYes, there are GREEDY and SELFISH American's...But I think you'll find those faults also in other cultures.\n\nBottom line: Americans only want the BEST for everyone!!..We don't want to conquer or impose our will on anyone.  But we will fight to preserve our way of life! And the world would be better off if other governments would simply recognize that fact, and let us HELP them.\n\nDon't under sell American resilience and resourcefullness!\nWe will be a powerful force to deal with for MANY more years.\n\nDon't tread on us!!
1106785
Americans from the USA tend to think that they are to be served by everyone else in the world. They have been taught from birth they are the best and only country in the world that is worth living in. Most of them, not all, talk down to others from other countries. They are very ignorant when it comes to knowledge of other countries because they do not want to learn about them.\n\nHow do I know this? I am an American and have lived in and visited in and have seen first hand what most of them do. I currently live in Canada, a great country and in many ways better than the USA especially when it comes to being friendly.\n\nDoes the answer above give you a clue? That shows you how ignorant many of them are...the answers below show you the same...I am sorry that Americans think they are the only ones who do anything for others around the world they aren't and those from other countries soon learn that Americans are giving up their freedoms more and more every day...I am sorry all of you but it is the truth...travel outside of the USA sometimes and observe!
92533
Because American's are lazy and no longer think for themselves. Our generation as a whole has become profoundly gullible and we eat what society feeds us because we don't want to work for our own cognitive nourishment.
58447
Because they feel like they need someone to blame.  Often, it's because of low self-esteem, and they feel better by complaining about someone else, even if it's not for a legitimate reason.  However, I think people blame the president because he is the central figure of power in this country.  Even though he doesn't really have total power, many people are ignorant of that fact, and for that matter, many of them CHOOSE to remain ignorant about it!
590706
I don't think its Americans.  Its our government. I'd say the majority of Americans want to take care of our own.  But our government seems to have other ideas.  Should we say they are un-American?  I feel ya.
846795
The point of Americans is to unite the world and make everybody feel better.\n\nThe rest of the world are already uniting against them, and you only have to look at an American, or speak to one to feel morally and intellectually superior.
194976
I don't think it's so much a matter of people being too dependant on authority as it is a matter of people not wanting to take responsibility for themselves any more. People need to be told what to do nowadays because they don't like thinking for themselves, don't like having to be the one responsible if something happens that they don't like, don't like being the reason for something happening that doesn't benefit themselves.\n\nIt's a sad world that we have birthed, and our children are going to pay dearly for it.
469305
they have. it's partly our own fault. quite a bit of these countries we've helped, we put their officials into government and they turned around and went after us. but our presidents have a funny way of helping people out which isn't always advantageous to everyone. maybe we shouldn't get into everyone else's business.
236275
All Americans are different.  This American thinks that any two people who want to have a relationship with one another should do so.
734842
Yes. USA is so paranoid about what the other people are doing
150042
I am an American and the truth is Americans are arrogant. Americans will visit a foreign country and call the people there foreigners! lol, it's true. But seriously, I do think that's the reason why...not to mention we are a bit spoiled. Now understand, not ALL Americans are like this but you can safely say the majority fit in this category.
208143
Putting this question in the Sports category is a bit peculiar, don't you think?\n\nIt's a lot like the question itself.  Elected leaders of any country represent at best the wishes of the majority.  I don't know how things work in your country, but in America, we don't all just fall into lock-step with out leaders.  I think most of us want to believe our president will wisely lead us, but we are certainly not blind to reality.  And in light of recent events and Bush's crumbling approval rate, it appears most Americans have lost confidence in him.\n\nIf you really think all citizens of this or any nation are no more than carbon copies of their leaders, you have a lot to learn about people.