The world is impressed with us...

[ConcKahuna]

Hey Dawn, have you seen that Gen. Petraeus (probably spelled wrong) and the current military leadership is working on starting talks with Al Qaeda?

Just thought you should know since that piece of fiction you posted lists that as Obama's doing.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I was about to start a thread just like this one. Canada is so incredibly excited for America right now. Finally, a leader that America can be proud of. Finally, a leader that has a clue what's going on outside of upper class America. I am giddy thinking of all the possibilities.

And it is so insanely self-centred for some Americans to say that it doesn't matter to them what happens outside of their borders or how the rest of the world sees them. Why wouldn't you want the rest of the world to respect your country? We live in a global village. Each country affects the others. I am so glad that most Americans that I know are not so inward looking.

Americans are among the most caring and generous people in the world.

While this may be true on an individual basis, it's not true as a nation. While you might give a lot of money in terms of dollars and cents, in terms of what your country is actually worth, it's a very small percentage. So your "generosity" is really government propoganda. It all comes down to what percentage of your GDP goes to foreign aid and, looking at it that way, America has an abyssmal record according to the United Nations. You rank 22 of the most developed countries on the league table. Not only that but on the money that is sent, 50% of it goes to middle-income countries in the Middle East instead of the people who really need it. It has been all about self-interest.

So, don't pat yourself too hard on the back just yet. The rest of the world doesn't owe you a favour and, because of the Bush Administration, your rep has been quite negative globally. But as the OP said, luckily, that's all about to change.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I think the slumping dollar has more to do with tourism than how others feel about America.

This makes absolutely no sense. With your slumping dollar, people should have been flooding to the US to visit since our money has been worth more there. There are many people who stay away from it with a ten foot pole, unfortunately, because of the mess that you've been in, including your strange anti-terrorism laws. I live in a border town and there are people who have absolutely refused to cross into the States in recent years. That's unfortunate, because our two towns have historically acted as one with certain shops and services being offered on one side or the other but not both.

 

[honugirl]

I never said anyone owed us anything, but if you want to say it's a global world, then what we put out, we should get back in return when we have problems. Everybody wants something from us, but I don't see many countries lining up to help us when we've got people in crisis, we help ourselves. Maybe if other countries tried to be more self reliant, the world would be a better place.

And individually, yes, we rank in the top for being the most caring, generous people in the world. Individually we donate copious amounts of money, supplies and other vital items to countries around the world, not to mention providing man power.

We don't have an endless stream of resources to help everyone.

I also live in a border town and honestly, I see tons of Canadians down here. They shop here all the time. They come down for gas, etc.

 

[NancyIL]

Canada and western European nations are happy that we will finally have a socialist president like their leaders.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Canada and western European nations are happy that we will finally have a socialist president like their leaders.

Better than having a communist in the whitehouse should the other candidate have died.

 

[NancyIL]

Better than having a communist in the whitehouse should the other candidate have died.

Huh?

 

[klofan]

Who cares what they think? We never care about their governments....and if anyone says that they do, you're obviously lying. Even if I supported Obama, it would be my vote...not Peru's.

 

[Shmily1]

now that Obama has been elected, we have already gone a long way to mend our reputation. I'm so happy we got our country back. This is definitely a proud time to be an American.

And just where do you think our country was??? Who had it??? I'm with the PP that said this whole coming of the lord thing is sickening!!! By the way, I do believe it was Clinton that kept telling the bombers that we would get them but never did a thing about it so they just kept bombing... That's something to be proud of!!! He was the laughing stock of the world with all of his lies!!!

It's great to know that the world is happy today. I could really care less about if they are happy with the election. I don't care if Iran is happy, or if Al Queda is happy, or if they had a party in Kenya. It's all the same... I guess in 4 years when all the stuff has hit the fan, the ones that voted for him will be happy to have a Republican back to straighten out all the mess he made with all his lies!!!

 

[Holly]

Who cares what they think? We never care about their governments....and if anyone says that they do, you're obviously lying. Even if I supported Obama, it would be my vote...not Peru's.

Ridiculous.

I care about every government because I have empathy for my fellow man and want the world to be a peaceful and prosperous place. Did I base my vote upon the opinion of someone in Peru? No, but it doesn't mean that I don't care what others think. We all live on this rock together.


I sincerely thank all of my fellow Dis members around the globe for their well wishes.

 

[Mikelly1221]

With the slumping dollar, we should have seen a big increase in international tourists over the past couple of years. Living near one of the largest international tourist destinations in the world, I have to say it hasn't been the case (from my observations).

That's interesting. I also live near a huge international destination and I found it to definitely be the case. Just my very unscientific observation!

 

[Nancy]

OMG- I really have to stop reading here for awhile because this whole "next coming of the lord thing" is making me ill. So, just because we elected a black president the whole rest of the world will coming bowing at our/his feet??
BO will be like every other president- make hundreds of promises while he is running and then not follow through with them- its the same game year after year- why do you people think that just because the new lord is elected that he will be the one to follow through- he speaks like a snake oil salesman telling you what you want to hear- he just does it more "oily" than most of them!

 

[Mikelly1221]

This makes absolutely no sense. With your slumping dollar, people should have been flooding to the US to visit since our money has been worth more there. There are many people who stay away from it with a ten foot pole, unfortunately, because of the mess that you've been in, including your strange anti-terrorism laws. I live in a border town and there are people who have absolutely refused to cross into the States in recent years. That's unfortunate, because our two towns have historically acted as one with certain shops and services being offered on one side or the other but not both.

That's your observation and their principles. Others do not have the same principles and love the fact that their money goes further here than elsewhere.

 

[N&B'smom]

psst, the Al Qaeda website encouraged it's US members to vote for McCain...

Pssssst. Like anyone would REALLY believe that they would back McCain. Everyone knows who they REALLY wanted to become President. Seriously. Don't pretend otherwise.

Sure, they implied that if McCain won it would all be part of their plan. Whatever. I sure hope people aren't naive enough to have believed that.

Shelby

 

[DisMN]

Ridiculous.

I care about every government because I have empathy for my fellow man and want the world to be a peaceful and prosperous place. Did I base my vote upon the opinion of someone in Peru? No, but it doesn't mean that I don't care what others think. We all live on this rock together.


I sincerely thank all of my fellow Dis members around the globe for their well wishes.

I agree. This thread is just full of egocentricity which doesn't help us get along with other countries. Over the past 10+ years we've become a GLOBAL economy and whether you like it or not the survival of our American economy does depend on the cooperation between countries......
this isn't JUST about America....it's about all nations, all countries, all areas of the world including the financial markets that are affected by the leaders that are put in power.

I have high hopes for our new leader and hope he gets the cooperation he will need in order to help rebuild our country.

 

[freckles and boo]

We ignore the rest of the world at our own peril. They don't get a say in our elections (although our government tries VERY hard to influence many foreign elections ) but the results are important not only to us.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Someone put extra sugar in the Kool Aid this morning. We're going to look back in 2012 and say "remember the good old days of 2008, and look at things now."

 

[honugirl]

You know, a little egocentricity isn't all bad. It's actually good for self preservation. It helps in the business world. The simple fact is that we're not all equal, we're never going to be all equal and trying to make us all equal isn't going to work. I don't want to live in a world like that. I want to have a reason to get up in the morning and do better than the day before and a healthy dose of ego and believing in myself does that. Surprisingly, we actually are in COMPETITION (oh blast, I said the dreaded "C" word...) with other countries. Our companies are COMPETING in a global market. They vie for contracts and without being slightly egocentric, they wouldn't ever get anywhere.

 

[Tikitoi]

Very proud to be an American.

 

[mefordis]

Back in the 90's when I travelled throughout Europe American's got so much respect from Europeans. I'm glad I travelled then and not in 2000. They had good reason, too. IMO.

And, yes, the respect of other countries is important and should be to all Americans.

I am an American living overseas, and I can tell you that Europe* is very happy.

I have heard 'Who are you voting for?' from many many people. Most of whom know NO other English. I just don't think people can fully grasp what the world* has been thinking of the US unless you've traveled a lot in the past few years.

*Disclaimer: I do not profess to speak for all of Europe or the world.