All this anti american bashing is sooo typical. I'm sure there is "some"
justicfication for it. But I have lived in _Germany as an american *all*
my life and I know that Europe is not that much better. All the wealth
here is concentrated with the former blue bloods ( the Von's, and Zu's)
-the rest are licky to have an 80 m� apartment (most rent, they don't own!).
Also, the US didn't create the third world. That's just ridiculous. I
know people that work in the government and the IMF and they try VERY
hard to balance helping poorer countries with the US's own needs. The
reality is that there are other reasons for poverty in this world.
They'd be poor no matter what. Why do people so often think that america
can/is influence(ing) EVERYTHING? Are you all paranoid? It's just not
the case! I even see people in Germany who are desinterested in progress
("in the old days everything was better"). You don't create wealth and
food without a basic desire to grow.
The biggest fault the US has is that they are so sure of themselves and
become arrogant and pushy (it's that darwinian thing). Fortunately, they
are usually fair and right about what they do.
I think most people feel threatened by the US's power (understandable),
but also the US's progres in many areas of human development. I have
seen MANY people in Europ who are afraid and unwilling to expand their
emotional horizon. Behaviour patterns here are quite well defined, and
they involve a LOT of rationality and conformity (not just Germany - ALL
of Europe).
I get really tired of the European holier-than-thow attitude. All the
cliche's: americans are fat, americans are dumb and uninformed, etc ad
nauseum. Well, just one example: In Germany, crappy old McDonalds has
become a booming business, while the *much better* Wendies and Burger
King have gone broke. So much for american's bad taste compared to the
"gourmet" Europeans. Yeah right. OK, I'm done now.
I enjoy a nice rant in the morning. ;
--
Regards,
Peter Lairo
