A Comfortable Lifestyle They Won't Give Up

[jy00]

Many people say their anti-American. They angry about sports. They are angry about their culture being threatened by American culture. They dislike the fact America has the world's top economy and they don't. They don't really like war mongering policies of George W. Bush. They are sick of US soldiers commiting unpunished crimes and being stationed in their nations.

I am a socialist. However, I will take an opposing viewpoint. I will play the devil's advocate.


The people of these countries (I am mainly referring to 1st and 2nd world nations) do not want to give up their comfortable lifestyles. However, to keep thier way of life they must submit to America. They will whine and complain but they won't take any real action. It's like a child who hates his teacher but ultimately says "Yes Sir" because the adult is an authority figure. Or you could use a prisoner and a prison guard or warden as an example. Another example, would be a bunch of kids who would show respect to a teacher or drill seargent. But when that person turned thier head they would say among themselves "What a *&%%"!!, man, I really hate that guy.

So, in a sense, the right wing argument that non-Americans are jealous of America holds some truth. The people's of these countries could take a revolutionary stand against the USA. But they don't want to. They want some kind of soft capitalism without USA dominanace. However, it doesn't exist.

I am not saying I support the USA as a parental figure. However, people in many nations submit to the USA as parental figure despite thier real hatred. For example, a leader in China (I forgot which one) liked to watch the 9/11 tower destruction video. He would laugh at the attack of such an "arrogant power". However, China's economy is too dependent on America. I'm sure he would never show Bush the video on a state visit. He would never criticize the USA in front of any Americans

When I was in school people would say "Why don't you say it to my face you %%$$$". In other words, kids would call people names but would not say it to the target persons face.

My personal opinon is that people don't want to destroy their comfortable lifestyle. But their is no soft capitalism alternative. Or maybe not? At least the USA will not allow a soft capitalism. Also who knows? Maybe some of these Anti-Americans want to replace American imperalism with the imperalism of their country.

What is your opinion? I would like to hear opinions from both sides.

[Janus]

However, to keep thier way of life they must submit to America.
You mean participate in the capitalist system. Someone in the UK does not have to submit to the US to stay wealthy.


The people of these countries (I am mainly referring to 1st and 2nd world nations) do not want to give up their comfortable lifestyles
Comfortable compared to other nations but still decreasing.


So, in a sense, the right wing argument that non-Americans are jealous of America holds some truth. The people's of these countries could take a revolutionary stand against the USA. But they don't want to.
People are making a stand against imperialist hegemony all over the world.


For example, a leader in China (I forgot which one) liked to watch the 9/11 tower destruction video. He would laugh at the attack of such an "arrogant power". However, he would not criticize the USA.
Where did you get this?


His economy is too dependent on America.
And vice versa.


My personal opinon is that people don't want to destroy their comfortable lifestyle
Right but there will not be much to salvage after the system which has supported this lifestyle collapses.

[godisdead]

to my knowledge the only remaining 2nd world nations are cuba and north korea and both have stood against the US.

as far as the 1st world i couldnt agree more, their governments and even a large section of thier ppl vocally denounce the US but in action stand behind US actions and reap the benefits. to be fair all these nations are capitalists and love the market system, so it isnt like their going against the US in ne significant way. for ex. france seems to complain endlessly about US "wars" and "US power" but wont do ne thing, seriously, about it.

as far as the regular ppl r concerned, its important to remember the role media and propaganda play in keeping ppl afraid of change and in love with excess.

[jy00]

You mean participate in the capitalist system. Someone in the UK does not have to submit to the US to stay wealthy.

A individual Brit doen't have to submit to the US. However, the UK government has to submit. If they didn't have to submit they wouldn't. Probably the UK would like to be a world power now. The bottom line is that Brits like capitalism.
However, they don't like USA hegemony. That is real jealousy.
No offense to any real left wing Brits on this forum.



Where did you get this? (about china's 9/11 remarks)

I'm not sure I will do some research.



Comfortable compared to other nations but still decreasing.
(1st and 2nd world lifestyles)

Yes, your right.



His economy is too dependent on America. (China's economy)

We will cooperate with America to benefit China. But privately we will hate America. A real definition of a user. These people are not heroes.
The world is full of them. No offense to real lefties. But real lefties are not users.



to my knowledge the only remaining 2nd world nations are cuba and north korea and both have stood against the US.

I was referring to the Republic of Korea, Canada, Taiwan, Portugal etc..

They are rich but not as rich as Japan, USA, Western Europe. However, it could be argued that sections of the US are like Canada or Portugal. For example, Appalachia, inner cities, and some Indian reservations.

Actually I'm from Appalachia and South Korea did not seem poor to me. It seemed to be economically at the same level as my hometown. So the extreme sense of anti-Japan, USA feeling was interesting to me. I thought "What were these people complaining about?". For example, I never rode a subway until I was in Seoul. I was looking up at the place not down. English teaching jobs were (and are now) a dime a dozen. Alot more opportunity than in my hometown.



as far as the regular ppl r concerned, its important to remember the role media and propaganda play in keeping ppl afraid of change and in love with excess.

True, but does that make the people truly innocent?


as far as the 1st world i couldnt agree more, their governments and even a large section of thier ppl vocally denounce the US but in action stand behind US actions and reap the benefits. to be fair all these nations are capitalists and love the market system, so it isnt like their going against the US in ne significant way. for ex. france seems to complain endlessly about US "wars" and "US power" but wont do ne thing, seriously, about it.

Your right on the money! So I will pretend I'm a capitalist for a second.

I will say. Oh yeah, you don't like the USA? What are you going to do about it ??
That's what I thought. So now, why don't you just shut the f&%k up!!

Yes, I sound like a prick. But I think what I say makes sense to both the left and right. It's the cold hard truth. If you don't like America then don't kiss America's %ss. Take a real stand for what you believe in. But not against American civilians (unless you know where they stand). Take a stand against your own prostitute government and local economic system.

[Janus]

However, the UK government has to submit
Imperialism is a shaky venture and the partakers have to be sure to avoid war at all costs.


We will cooperate with America to benefit China. But privately we will hate America. A real definition of a user.
The PRC was never exactly on the best of terms with the US. However, this can be put aside when there are lucrative deals to be made. The same can be said of any capitalist nation.