How do Americans generally perceive Britain?
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jamie4br — 15 years ago(December 12, 2010 11:12 AM)
"Now I'm not saying EVERY anti-Obama person is a racist but to say prejudice and ignorant fear isn't there is apologizing for the racism that thrives and isn't decried enough amongst conservatives."
There are fringe groups in the right that claim these things, but no established conservative group has advocated racism. If you want to understand what non-racial criticisms the vast majority of conservatives have against Obama, then read National Review or something. Race is simply not a factor. Ideology and policy are far LARGER factors. You are buying into a false stereotype of conservatives created by the left. Put your thinking cap on and try again.
"Every time I ask that I get no answer from conservatives. You call him a socialist but can't think of any socialist policies"
It's not solely what he's done, it's what he wants to do. Look through Obama's personal relationships throughout his youth and adult life. There are a lot of self-declared socialists that he himself claims shaped his world-views. If a Republican had these ties to self-declared fascists (though one can argue that fascism is merely an ideological extension of socialism), you better believe that liberals would be up in arms. Socialism is the process of using government to "solve problems", yet this process almost always involves regulatory measures that reduce choice and individual assessment. Healthcare, cap & trade, nationalizing 2 of the three largest private auto-makers in the world, limited what salaries employees at private enterprises (banks) can earn, etc. All of his reforms almost always involve increasing the size and intrusiveness of the government, which is essentially what socialism does. He may not be a socialist in the truest ideological sense of the term, but when it comes to domestic policies, you can't miss it's influences.
As for foreign policy, he's largely continuing Bush's policies because (all of the rhetoric aside) they were largely effective. -
Dwf2112 — 15 years ago(December 14, 2010 01:56 AM)
Cap and trade was originally Bush (H, not W)'s idea. It's not socialist, it has its roots in the ideas of Milton Friedman who's as enthusiastic a defender of capitalism as there ever was.
His healthcare plan was almost exactly the same as the one proposed by Richard Nixon, and the one that Mitt Romney supported and passed in Massachusetts.
He "nationalized" 2 of the 3 largest auto-makers in the world, because the alternative was them going bankrupt. As with banks, the plan is to "sell" them back to private investors when it becomes profitable. This is what he recently did with citigroup, which is now a private company again and netted the government a 12 billion dollar profit. This is certainly preferable to having raised that same amount of money through income tax increases while letting citigroup fail and leaving investors and pensions out in the cold.
As for his foreign policy, I disagree that he's continuing Bush's policies because they were effective, but rather because he had no choice. Obama didn't think we should have been in Iraq in the first place, but he was smart enough to realize that he couldn't just pull the troops out once he got into office.
I agree with you that many people oppose Obama for ideological reasons, and not those of prejudice. But the conservative intellectual establishment, in my opinion, has not sufficiently distanced itself from the racist, lunatic fringe. 20% of people in this country believe Obama is a Muslim, and the response of most intelligent conservatives I know is to say "oh of course that's not true, but I understand why they think that, because his father is from Kenya and his middle name is Hussein, etc." The fact is, the number of people who think Obama is a Muslims has more than doubled in the last two years even though no evidence has come to light in that time. The Republican establishment, both political and intellectual, could put this to bed any time they want, but it's more convenient for them not to do so. That's why you have people like Mitch McConnel resorting to intellectual and moral cowardice by saying things like "I don't think he's a Muslim, but I'm not sure." McCain had the decency and honesty to correct people who spouted that sort of nonsense when he was running in '08, but it seems like he was the last man of integrity in the GOP. -
meddle712002 — 15 years ago(March 16, 2011 11:23 PM)
I never liked Bush. I have read, interesting conspiracy theories about Bush setting up the guidelines for Obama to follow. I sure as hell don't like the Clinton's either. Who knows? There's cheats on both sides. I don't trust any politician as far as I can throw em'.
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bombsniffingdog — 15 years ago(March 16, 2011 04:50 AM)
.Look up the % of Republicans who believe Obama is 1) a Muslim 2) an immigrant and tell me that race isn't playing a significant factor in his opposition. Now I'm not saying EVERY anti-Obama person is a racist but to say prejudice and ignorant fear isn't there is apologizing for the racism that thrives and isn't decried enough amongst conservatives.
Now you are cordially invited to removed your head from your ass. Obama, by his own admission, IS a muslim. If he isn't an immigrant then why does he have a Kenyan birth certificate? Why are his birth records sealed? One does not seal records unless there is something to hide. The DOJ, under Obamas thumb, refused to prosecute the BLACK panthers who engaged in WHITE-voter intimidation. He claimed, without checking the FACTS, a WHITE officer "acted stupidly" when doing the job he is paid to do because another whiney black man whined and cried "racism". His entire presidential career is dotted with incidents like this and you have the temerity to call Republicans "racist"? The democrats are the ones that still tell blacks they are inferior by supporting Affirmative Action. They encourage slave labor by keeping our borders wide open. All dems are good for is decrying racism out one side of their mouths yet encouraging racism with their pandering social policies. Friggin' hypocrites all. -
activista — 13 years ago(June 17, 2012 09:47 PM)
@bombsniffingdog
Seriously, you're a stunted-brain beep idiot, and practically EVERYTHING you're said has been disproved over the past year-apparently you're one of there right-wing nuts who can't think for themselves and believe everything they see on FOX News. These are ALL FOX News talking points, and they're ALL bull****. Especially the Black Panther case,which was basically overblown by a government Republican lawyer who just wanted something to throw at Obama and possibly make a name for himself. The case was never really pursued because no one ever made a complaint FOR the case to be pursued, because the Panthers in this case never actually harmed anyone. YOU'RE the one who needs to check YOUR facts next time you want to throw up some bulls*** like these so-called facts you threw out there! -
meddle712002 — 15 years ago(March 16, 2011 11:18 PM)
Yeah and Schwarzenegger is an Austrian immigrant and a Hitler admirer. So people are bothered by Obama's alleged birth place,and his religion. Islam, is getting more of a foothold in this country as the days go on while Christianity is getting to be more of a no no. I bet those leftists, would have a field day if Regan's family were Nazi sympathizers along with being Xstian.
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meddle712002 — 14 years ago(April 06, 2011 03:59 PM)
Lets see, proposing to close down a couple of military bases here, in the U.S. kissing ass of every country he has visited. Why should he aplogize for the bad ol' U.S.A.? Now he backs off on closing Guatanamo, remember when he promised that one? Cracking down on Arizona, for cracking down on illegal immigration, Hiliary whining to the U.N. and the Lawsuits on Arizona? Not only is he socialist minded he's an ass. Mao on the White House XMAS tree?Socialist gits in his cabinet and staff? Anita(I LOVE MAO) Dunn, ring a bell? Tongue wagging twit. Don't go thinking that I adored Bush, either.Just because I don't worship Obama, I'm no fan of Bush. I DIDN'T VOTE FOR HIM.Regardless of who is responsible for the cap n' trade, and carbon credits. I think it's stupid.Still the same, money for those in power, while the little guy gets it through the a s s. Also, I don't place much stock in either party, I'm more about the individual. You sound like one of those socialists who needs to take his or her blinders off.If you rooted for Obama you got just what you deserved. My problem wasn't that he was elected, pal. It was all that "HOPE N' CHANGE", drivel. I didn't believe for a second that the middle east war, would be over. We're still there, just like I knew, we would be. I'm not surprised that Obama, is sending drones at suspected terrorists. Health Care option? HA HA! Remember, "we won't know, what's in this bill, until it's passed!"? Now, you tell me, why on earth I should support a statement like that? Health Care option, my ass.Affordable Health Care? Take a look at California,San Francisco, in particular.They're broke.Pelosi is nuts.All that Botox, is making her nuts.She broke California, She can't trust her face, so why should I trust her? Yeah, she's a minor power now, but I still think she is in, no matter what. If you don't think Obama and his cronies aren't socialist(Marxist) then you need to look again.Yes, I see socialism as Marxist. I don't care what the hippies call it.From the regulating or all together banning certain foods, and offending condiments, to going after FOX NEWS, to educaton, union thuggery, climate change, to our daily lives. It is socialism, and it's going to get worse.
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activista — 13 years ago(June 17, 2012 09:17 PM)
@meddle712002
Oh.pleaseyou sound like a damn loon and one of these paranoid right-wing nuts who really dosen't understand what socialism islook it up online, please. You don't speak for ALL Americans either, so don't act like you do, because you damn sure as hell don't represent me. Also, I have some issues and problems with Obama too, but to sit there and claim that all these harangues against him by the right have nothing to do with his being black is total BSsince when has ANY sitting U.S. president EVER being asked to show his birth certificate to prove that he's a citizen? I mean, get realthe reality is you just don't know how to deal with CHANGE, and your rants sound like they're coming from someone who's old,bitter and decrepit and going insane after they got drunk as hell one night. So go scream this nonsense to other nuts like you who actually give a damn about what BS you're spouting! -
PippinInOz — 15 years ago(December 17, 2010 11:47 PM)
Well said evanmang87. I am English, living in Australia. George Orwell (I know it's a long time ago, but still valid) argued that Flag Waving was un-English and feel this is still the case. Yeah I know during sporting events (like The World Cup and the Euro's) the old flags come out, but otherwise all that overt flag waving, hand on heart national anthem singing in schools just isn't part of the culture. While John Howard was the prime minister of Australia there was a revolting rise in 'Nationalism' in Australia which is still around. Seems to be wearing off a bit now, but still there. Aussie flags outside houses for example - what's up? Can't you remember where you live or something? It appears to me that when there is insecurity about national identity, out come the flags and with it fear of 'foreigners' who are 'invading' - oh the irony. White fellas whose ancestors invaded this continent with a flag flying, talk about being 'invaded'!!
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firstwinsgop — 15 years ago(August 27, 2010 01:06 PM)
Most educated, worldly Americans understand Britain has descended in to near third world status. The people that still think of it as jolly old England are the types who don't travel or care much about anything outside America and similarly think most Dutch wear wooden shoes and that Germans goose step around in lederhosen.
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pubcrawler13 — 15 years ago(August 31, 2010 12:32 PM)
I can understand that to a certain extent, but at the same time, I hardly think that we as a society can be held responsible for the particular aspects of our culture that other countries choose to embrace. It's true that we do hold something of a monopoly on pop culture, such as it is, but at the same time, I'm not so sure that we can be held responsible for residents of other countries thinking "hey, that's cool" and voluntarily hopping on the bandwagon. Especially today, when anything and everything entertainment-related is readily available with a few mouse-clicks and a PayPal account (or completely free, as the case may be), people have the freedom to be as discriminating as they want to be.
Likewise, I can count on probably one hand the number of authentic depictions of Americans I've seen in foreign films; more often that not, if you're American, you're a gun-totin', cowboy-hat-wearin', drawl-slurrin' good ol' boy riding his horse to the supermarket, a greasy, cutthroat Wall Street type or an Italian-American mafioso. Not 100% of the time, of course, but I honestly think it would be disingenuous to say that we're the stereotypers more often than the stereotypees.
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everlone_2000 — 15 years ago(September 02, 2010 08:47 AM)
Most educated, worldly Americans understand Britain has descended in to near third world status.
Probably not accurate to describe Britain as 'near third world status'. For eg, most third world countries don't have problems stemming from wipespread personal debt, or over-inflated house prices. They don't have funding problems on their national health services because they don't
have
national health services. They don't have Britain's problems with schools because they don't take education as a 'right' as we do here. They don't have the same issues with immigration because no-one emigrates to a third world country. People emigrate to countries like Britain because they are
nothing like third-world countries
. -
peachiega3 — 15 years ago(September 07, 2010 12:37 AM)
to jump in on this, i'm from america (half jordanian) i lived in england. a small village of 300. i never noticed any huge problems, people treated me right. i guess it's an economic class thing all in allwith all countries. but to me, an american who's been around the world, it shocks the hell outa me about the flag. in america we would never EVER put up with government telling us to not raise our flag because it would not be PC. i figure i like a lot of things about america, and one thing is how we accept different people but at same time we have basic rights we never give up, like our flag and our history. we defend freedom of speech more than a lot of places i've been. idk details about uk and freedom of speech though.
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everlone_2000 — 15 years ago(September 14, 2010 01:28 AM)
in america we would never EVER put up with government telling us to not raise our flag because it would not be PC. i figure i like a lot of things about america, and one thing is how we accept different people but at same time we have basic rights we never give up, like our flag and our history. we defend freedom of speech more than a lot of places i've been. idk details about uk and freedom of speech though.
Well, you have to bear in mind that alot of the time what you hear is a hysterical over-reaction from people who are wrongly convinced they are being maligned. The UK government would
never
tell a UK citizen not to raise the Union flag, and as someone else pointed out when there's an international rugby or football tournament the St George Cross is
everywhere
.
So when people say "You can't even raise the flag in this country anymore" what they mean is "You
can
raise the flag, but if you do people might assume certain things about you". Which is fair enough, in my opinion, because raising the flag is a symbolic gesture - the only reason you would want to do it is to demonstrate something. Throughout history the flag has been associated with some seriously questionable acts and therefore its symbolism has developed. All that happens if someone raises the flag is that people are like "What's your point with that?". So there's an engagement there with what the flag means (inevitably as I say, because a flag is a symbol) and frequently what it 'means' is not always pleasant. As well as being a symbol of unity and defiance, the Union flag has been used by violent racists, jingoistic armies, amoral businesses among throughout its history and these uses are what taint its display for some people.
If someone complains that they can't raise the flag because of political correctness, then they're wrong. If they feel uncomfortable raising the flag, its because of
violent racists
who used the flag as a rallying symbol. Either way, the Government's not going to stop you. The only thing stopping you is that somewhere deep in your heart you know that it might make some people uncomfortable, and that's probably not what you want. -
Sheriff_Of_Nottingham — 15 years ago(October 10, 2010 03:51 AM)
"The Union flag has been used by violent racists, jingoistic armies, amoral businesses throughout its history and these uses are what taint its display for some people."
This can be said of all flags throughout the globe. Many more so than the Union Jack.