- Joined
- Dec 15, 1998
- Messages
- 27,075
<font color=navy>Excellent post, JimB.
While I admit that the United States of America (I have to smile when I type that - I love my country), does so much for other countries, I also have to admit that I believe that our country helps others for various reasons:
* It's the right thing to do
* It's the right thing to do - in our mind
* The US will help others, and in the long run, help ourselves because of the positive outcome of that aid - a country that has a good economic base will buy our goods, services, etc., or will sell us their goods/services, etc., at a better cost for us
I have seen first-hand the arrogance of Americans who go overseas with the attitude that everyone owes us their gratitude. Who actually expected people to speak English and to treat them with deference .... I am American - You OWE Me!.
It was apalling behavior, and I was embarrassed to call them my countrymen ... and this is more common than we may think.
How many people have been helped - do you forever feel that you have to show how thankful you are everytime you meet that person again? If you invite that person for dinner, do you serve him/her sirloin/lobster while the rest of the family may eat meatloaf, because, after all, that person helped you 20 years ago -- and you should be grateful. What if that person told you every time he/she saw you, "Well, you know, I did save you that time - you owe me."
Don't you think you would start to feel just a little resentful ... how tempted would you be to roll your eyes (here we go again).
Now, think of going through that for years and years.
When you help someone - just because it's right - do you expect undying gratitude? If you help someone because you know that by them standing on their feet, they'll contribute to you - isn't that called good business? Should you then continue to throw it in their face? Why? What does it accomplish?
The US uses its $ and military strength to influence the world - in the end we win. Not everyone likes it - not everyone appreciates it - but that is life, and frankly, to be expected (and I think - good thing it's us that has the power than some others out there). I can think of several nations who have lost their identity here on our own soil. Yes, they have an easier life - but, at what cost.
I also ask - who forces these countries to buy American products, dress like Americans, etc. Business pressures, peer pressures, etc .... Then again, I ask, Why does America sell land and businesses to other countries, and why do we have warehouses in Mexico, which caused so many in our border cities to lose their jobs? It's all about $$ - nothing to do w/being a good Samaritan.
While I admit that the United States of America (I have to smile when I type that - I love my country), does so much for other countries, I also have to admit that I believe that our country helps others for various reasons:
* It's the right thing to do
* It's the right thing to do - in our mind
* The US will help others, and in the long run, help ourselves because of the positive outcome of that aid - a country that has a good economic base will buy our goods, services, etc., or will sell us their goods/services, etc., at a better cost for us
I have seen first-hand the arrogance of Americans who go overseas with the attitude that everyone owes us their gratitude. Who actually expected people to speak English and to treat them with deference .... I am American - You OWE Me!.
It was apalling behavior, and I was embarrassed to call them my countrymen ... and this is more common than we may think.
How many people have been helped - do you forever feel that you have to show how thankful you are everytime you meet that person again? If you invite that person for dinner, do you serve him/her sirloin/lobster while the rest of the family may eat meatloaf, because, after all, that person helped you 20 years ago -- and you should be grateful. What if that person told you every time he/she saw you, "Well, you know, I did save you that time - you owe me."
Don't you think you would start to feel just a little resentful ... how tempted would you be to roll your eyes (here we go again).
Now, think of going through that for years and years.
When you help someone - just because it's right - do you expect undying gratitude? If you help someone because you know that by them standing on their feet, they'll contribute to you - isn't that called good business? Should you then continue to throw it in their face? Why? What does it accomplish?
The US uses its $ and military strength to influence the world - in the end we win. Not everyone likes it - not everyone appreciates it - but that is life, and frankly, to be expected (and I think - good thing it's us that has the power than some others out there). I can think of several nations who have lost their identity here on our own soil. Yes, they have an easier life - but, at what cost.
I also ask - who forces these countries to buy American products, dress like Americans, etc. Business pressures, peer pressures, etc .... Then again, I ask, Why does America sell land and businesses to other countries, and why do we have warehouses in Mexico, which caused so many in our border cities to lose their jobs? It's all about $$ - nothing to do w/being a good Samaritan.
