Why are Americans so reactionary?
968570
Amazing, isn't it?  And watch the answers you get on this one.  Any time you bring up the slightest criticism and you are called Anti-American.  But you bring up a valid point.  Just don't expect any of these people to be honest about it.
211122
Americans are not properly educated and taught not to think. I am a naturalized citizen from another country, and it's amazing how hostile people, especially from the Midwest, get at you for having your own opinion on an issue, independent of what the news media or even ESPN. I've seen people hate me for coming to a certain conclusion, then agree when the news media comes around to it too. It's depressing. Lots of these people don't even know their history, so I find it embarrassing when they talk about terrorists and don't even know what the Six-Day War was about or Munich.
1028991
It is media in America's nature to be liberal and slightly anti government because we have free press, if we had a state sponsored press similar to China or Saudi Arabia like some folks would prefer, than we would have a cheerleader press that never criticised the government, and always stood by their side, but people seem to forget, that is un American.
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.
1096284
Don't feel that they hate liberty and America exactly, but have own opinions that don't really express the true American spirit.  They tend to look at the small picture instead of the whole.
691023
What a great question!!\n\nOn the one hand, I think Americans have grown pretty cynical about the possibilities of change.  The system that has developed here is very adept at either co-opting real discontent or ignoring it -- take for example the huge protests before the invasion of Iraq.  Our government here doesn't try to repress or crush the opposition, it simply pretends that it's not there.  (Though some of us are beginning to wonder just how long that approach is going to last!)\n\nOn the other hand, most Americans are also aware, maybe only subconsciously, that they've got things pretty cushy, and rocking the boat could endanger their comfort.  I mean, hey, you got your ample supply of alcohol, your 500 channels of video-on-demand, and your vibrating armchair -- why would you want to revolt?
132117
I think most Americans hate war more than any other country on earth.  We aren't constantly blowing each other up and freaking out every time something upsets us.  It happens, there are psychos everywhere, but in general America is a very safe place to live because we aren't violent as a people.
683577
Americans (really "US citizens"--Americans include all those who live in North, Central, and South America) are not really stupid--many tend to be very ignorant though.  This, coupled with their patriotic jingoism, makes for an interesting combination.\n\nWe must remember to examine structural reasons for this rather than blaming people in terms of biology.  For example, how can US citizens be informed when their mass media is controlled by very few billionnaires who constantly espouse pro-corporate messages rather than messages that could make people feel like they have a sense of community with each other and the rest of the world?
1074465
the total sum of U.S politics is indefinable with a single word, the U.S contains a diversity of opinion from communist parties to fascist parties. However if you want to generalize; well just look at the government they elected, neo-realist / neo-conservative politicians, the same creed that have always maintained a vice like grip on the central executive. You also have to look at the party system, there is only one party in America, the corporate nexus party, the republicans and democrats just have different business interests. There is also the factor of religion, we are talking about a nation of self hating puritans - extremely conservative, racist, armed to the teeth and afraid of anything new or different. I suppose if you were to compare America with other liberal democracies in Europe, it;s clearly the most conservative. I am personally disgusted by the patriotic sensationalism bound to American culture, it's not their fault but it's still pretty repugnant, Americans are generally raised as flag waving, god fearing, isolated, and extremely ignorant young people, and this simply has to change if the world is to stand a chance, it's the most important country in world politics - they need to start getting things right.
711668
The real deal with us British who some over the pond label as "anti-American" is not that we are against the American people as such. What I, as an "anti-American" dislike is the policies of successive USA governments. As individuals, almost all the Americans I have ever come in contact with, have been brilliant - good company and very hospitable. Good people in every way. Its just a pity that such good people never seem to get the kind of government they deserve.
1168554
coz americans are dumass and brainwashed...
383248
NeoCons and many other less radical kinds of people will think that they are not Anti-American but rather Patriotic Americans sticking up for America, against those wishy-washy "liberal" dumb butts.\n\nIt totally escapes them, of course, that they confuse patriotism with chauvinism, which is a prejudiced belief in the superiority of one's group or kind and a fanatical glorification of one's country.  Such people are not influenced by reason or common sense, and it is largely hopeless to talk to them.\n\nBut there is value in accurately describing them and pinning the correct labels on them: chauvinist, unthinking, hate-mongering rabble rousers hiding behind a patriotic facade.
447996
for one thing,americans are spoiled. it's true.  people come here from other countries and they work harder than most americans because we are complacent.
856823
i'm an american, but i think i can answer that: arrogance. americans treat everyone as foreigners, even when visiting a foreign country. i was in europe three years in the air force, and i was ashamed at the way most gi's behaved over there.
711522
Because many Americans (erroneously) assume that America is the greatest country on Earth and that every country wants to be like the U.S.  This decreases whatever motivation Americans might have to learn about other countries.  \n\nNot only do many Americans not know about other countries, but they are also pretty oblivious to a lot of America's history.  Namely, those things that we are not proud of.  How long did it take to free the slaves, grant black people the vote and the right to attend public schools (not specifically set aside for blacks).  How much fighting did it take for women to get the vote?  When did the American judicial system finally recognize spouse and child abuse?  When did our country finally realize that infants, toddlers, and young children do not seduce their fathers?  Of the homeless, which population is the greatest- veterans, mental health patients, or families with children.  Look these questions up- you will find the answers appalling.\n\nI am American, and I love my country.  However, I do recognize that our country has weaknesses and could stand to learn from other countries.
987689
Americans, for the most part, are lazy. They would rather believe something just because they saw it on television, then look it up for themselves. Furthermore stations like Fox News feed on this.
234843
Because americans love to hate.