To All Non-Americans

Being an American myself .....

This is what I have to say to outsiders looking in.

1. We are not like our Government.
2. The majority of Americans are dumb and blind to what their own Gov is doing.
3. A small percentage of Americans are on ATS, are smart, want to go back to the constitution.

4. The majority of americans are dumb, overweight, watch TV all day, and have nothing intelligent to say. It is because the system has been set up that way to dumb everyone down, schools, tv, food .....etc.

Thank you OP for your thought full insight,

However, I like to point out few perspectives from a "non-American". I was born and raise in Persia (After revolution). I recall as a child in elementary school, every morning, all the kids would go to courtyard and stretch and warm up, etc... then every child had to say "I hate USA" about 10x, every single morning... sure the new government is trying to brain wash the young...

... here's a reality check though, about %90 of kids LOVE Americans, I remember when playing soccer or any game, and had to choose a country that would represent you, almost all kids would fight to have America, since they thought such high thoughts about what America represented.

Even today, most young folks (around 20-30) being %70 of Iran's population still support and have nothing but love for the American people, despite what your media shows you. We do NOT hate Americans, and NEVER have.... our Government does! Just like yours...

However, after Bush got voted, many people were bitter by his actions towards middle east and so he created many enemies, although I recall hearing from my family back home that people still cared for Americans and felt sympathetic towards their situation as they knew majority of Americans did not support Bush agenda!

After bush got voted back into the office again, that's when people started blaming the American people more for allowing him to be in the office, after what he had done to the people of the world... and Obama, no better then Bush has NOT improved the image America represents.

Most still support American people, less then they used to, but still bottom of their hearts, they FEEL for what you're going through and want change to your Government as much as our own. So there comes people like you, with such posts... shows that there still is a HOPE for a unity and peace among all humanity. People like you, give the rest of the world HOPE for a BETTER future for our children.

So thank you for your thoughts and you have my support and majority of my countries support, but ONLY if CHANGE happens via American people, not via Government! People want to see you STAND UP for you FREEDOM, and FIGHT to change for better.

I will guarantee you, if you start the change, the rest of the suppressed countries in a world, see you as an example and will do the same... the MASS corrupt systems of Governments will fall apart and the people will truly be FREE. America is an iconic figure in the world, and world is waiting for YOU to change the system, so the rest can stand up and change also.

Anyhow, went off topic a little, but Kudos on you and you have OUR support, as long as you're willing to change this image of your country, which you just started to!

"We are all living cells of GOD" Alex Grey

just kidding...

As a french canadian, I did a lot of trips to the USA, I know they're not all to blame.

I must say there is a lot of brainwashed people, but I think it's mostly the same thing everywhere. Only like 1 person on 10 is not sheeple or almost.

Can't put 300 milions people in the same boat...

My 2 cents.

I tell you what, as soon as you're done apologizing for our "leaders", pull yourself together and come up with a plan for us. How about you actually try to formulate a plan on gathering us together? That's ALL I'm waiting for... As soon as it's time to ride you'll catch me in the car.

reply to post by endtimer


Ihave to agree. I am no American. I just hate the government. Americans shall fight back for their country. Down with the feds and corporatism.

Originally posted by DaMod
You know, I've always wanted to go to Europe. You know check out the scene, pay a visit.

I am terrified to leave the country as an American citizen. Many Americans are under the impression that the world absolutely hates us. I'm one of them.

[edit on 12-8-2010 by DaMod]

Dear ATS friend! - My heart is now sad from reading this!

Please, don't be afraid and terrified of visiting Europe if you want to come here and check out Europe once in your lifetime!

Most sane Europeans don't hate the American people nor wish them any harm in any way.

Many Europeans don't agree with your Government's foreign policies ALL of the time, and some were quite baffled when Bush got elected for the second time - but that doesn't mean that we have some general hatred for Americans as a people in general.

That would be just ignorant and stupid!

Okey! just like anywhere else there are a few ignorant & loud drunken assholes, and if you (against most odds) have the bad luck and would run into any of them in some BAR/PUB/CLUB during a trip here - just be polite and buy them a drink or a beer and you'll hopefully be friends in no time.

And if someone would get annoying or overly drunk pestering your air in some place - just finish the conversation politely, say that you need to go! and walk away!

I have had some friends from the U.S visiting me here in Europe, and they have travelled all over Europe by themselves (two guys or two women or a couple travelling together) and none of them have ever had any serious problems in any of the Western European countries. They told me that they had mostly been treated very well, politely and with respect - and that most people had been very helpful and kind to them because they were first time visitors to Europe.

So we won't hunt you down in the streets with pitchforks & torches in Europe mate!

But I would maybe advise you strongly from taking the Metro/Subway out to the Projects/Ghetto suburbs of Paris on a Friday night running around drunk on the streets in the projects just wearing a U.S flag t-shirt screaming USA USA USA - USA F@#% YEAH!! LOL!

But other than that - you'll be fine, I promise! - It's like being tourist in the U.S - if you as a visitor and guest is friendly with the people, they are mostly friendly back and treat you nice!

Just don't visit some of the outer suburbs/projects in some major cities late at night as a tough guy asking for trouble, and everything will be O.K! - but why would anyone do anything that stupid as a tourist anyway? Death wish or some insane, crazy and awkward way of doing social studies? lol!

Just use common sense when you're travelling! - that's mostly the same for all of us Westerners, in all parts of the world.

Well, I don't know how the future will be? but now today I think you'll be just fine if you want to make a trip and visit us - at least here in Western Europe.

Welcome!

reply to post by endtimer


yes i believe you and those who are like you.

i for one never hated the people of america in fact i have been there many times in 80, 81, 82 & 97 , i loved it there and now that i have a grownup children wish to take them there , but it's as you said the problem is not the nation , it's the elites who separated us humans from each other to serve their greeds.

its them who separated all regions from each other , i just hope and its one of the best hopes that i have in my life to see them all fall in the dustbin of history , and only then we will live happily ever after.

im not talking only about your government , no sir , the corruption is all over the world and every single leader in this world that only cares for his chair of power.

may god free us all and units us all and remove those barriers that have been made by those elites .

believe me my friends its just a mater of time.

peace with you all.

Thank to everyone who posted positive replies and thanks to those
who posted negative. To those who have posted negatively, thank you
for opening my eyes to your views.

I am a retired citizen who has raised four kids, own property, worked
for the Corporate thieves who have treated everyone as just a number,
and served in Vietnam. My wife is a school teacher soon to retire also.
I am certainly set in my ways and have espoused my thoughts and views
on numerous threads on ATS. I have been extremely negative on some
posts and have lashed out at some folks when I didn't agree with their
reasoning. That again is probably just due to being an ornery 65 year
old guy who was born around the time dirt was formed.

I do apologize to those who I have lambasted and have been really
insensitive to. I promise to not be in that light ever again.

I understand what posters are saying about Americans. We ARE a nation
of fat, lazy, coddled, have-it-all, TV watching, popcorn chomping people
who think that the world somehow owes us. Now don't get mad at me
and say that we aren't ALL like that. I realize that. But the rest of the
world views us as that.

We all, and I mean all, even the poorer citizens, have all the latest
gadgets, gidgets, gizmos, thingies, goodies and stuff. We have our
homes and our garages overfilled and stacked to the ceiling with even
more stuff.

Yes, we are dumbed down to the last molecule in our brains. And we
have allowed it to happen. I remember growing up in the second half of
the 40's and then into the 50's. I remember things like Christmas time when
it was customary to give ONE or maybe two presents to each of our
family members. Starting in the mid 50's, that all seemed to change for
some reason. Our living room floors took up more space with presents
than the tree did. It was the start of buy, buy, buy and more buying.
We started getting into debt and demanded more things and stuff to make
our life cozier so we could all have these creature comforts that we
somehow suddenly needed and demanded.

Let me clear up one thing before I go on. I didn't mean to make it seem like
EVERYONE hated Americans. I don't feel sorry for myself or feel abused
by anyone. I didn't mean to make a blanket statement. I know a lot of non-
americans don't hate us. They realize the problems we are going through
because they too are experiencing the same life problems.

Most of us know what our government is doing and NOT doing.
We have elections over and over and over. We listen to these power
hungry liars on a grand scale. They promise us the moon and half the
galaxy if we just vote for them. They stand on stage day after day and
tell us what we need, what we need, what we need. As soon as these
thugs are voted in, the so-called needs are soon forgotten.

I wish there was a way to vote in honest, truly caring politicians.
How do we do that? We listen to the never ending promises and get
nothing but lies and deceipt, promises of change that no one needs, or
it never occurs. I think I alluded to the fact that we are at least getting
fired up in this country and are soon to dust off the chairs of congress
and get some new heinies to fill them. Americans are getting the word out
in full force that we are going to change a lot of things here. It will take an
effort on everyone's behalf to start cleansing this nation.

These never ending wars are draining this countries money and
resources. I tell you "what we need". We need to bring our troops home
and stay out of policing the entire earth. We Americans don't own it.
I think that almost everyone on earth can protect and police their own
countries. We don't have to spend trillions of dollars on killing and forcing
our beliefs and democracy and way of life down the throats of everyone
who wants a little different way of living. So what if a country has a
different style of life and government than us? We don't have any right
to tell anyone on earth how to exist. I am so sick of this as an American
that I will probably be upchucking my morning biscuit very soon.

I just want to retire in peace and not have to listen to killing and wars and
hunger and famine and hatred and who's color or religion or language is
different than mine. I believe that this coming November will be the start
of something newer and hopefully better for all of us here in America.
We will soon find out who is lieing to us in great detail. I also believe we
will get a lot of change that we can be thankful for, and that hopefully we
will be put in a different light to the rest of the world.

Peace to all brothers and sisters on earth.

I've got to catch up on this thread, but wanted to add a few thoughts while they are in mind. There's no anger towards the average American by most thinking people, that would be the very same as playing a race card. There are swell Americans and rotten ones; on par I've met and talked to mostly great people across the border. When we put politics in perspective, any great blame or smears that might be perceived (in your minds) is only false guilt for you. Government actions and military directives weren't your fault, so stop worrying! Addressing soldiers is a bit different, but it depends on the individual scenarios, and what we know or don't know about the issues first-hand.

All this is assuming we are judgemental towards you at all in the first place.

Change will not arrive this coming November in America; no November election will ever change anything, truly. This is true because of one fundamental flaw in our system: an honest person with integrity and altruism CANNOT SUCCEED AND THRIVE IN WASHINGTON D.C.

A politician must compromise in DC. To pass any legislation, there is *always* some deal being made (you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours). DC is an exercise in double-dealings and compromise. Any person with honor, integrity and altruism won't succeed unless he/she enters into SHADES OF GRAY.

Once that happens, then he/she has become "one of them." They compromise to the point of blending themselves right in with everyone and everything else. IF they do not, then no one else cooperates with he/she and that person does NOT get re-elected. To remain in power, to get reelected, a person has to become a part of the system, they have to PLAY THE GAME. If not, they are out of office.

Therefore, even a good person is forced to ask themselves whether or not they can compromise and STILL DO SOME GOOD for the country, for surely upon their departure someone else will sit in that office, so why not themselves? Then, their goal is re-election. A person cannot get re-elected without the support (and money) from people who have it.

Does the *average* American contribute. Probably, but not much, especially in this economic climate. How can you contribute to a campaign when you have no job and there is no job on the horizon? The family needs to be fed. So, who does the politician turn to for money?

Big Business, Big Corporations. Lobbies. Special Interest. They give money, and lots of it. And for what? A favor, perhaps, a month or year or decade down the line they want something in return.

This is how a good person in office becomes "one of them." After so many years of THE GOOD LIFE, they lose touch in shades of gray and after a career in politics, a different person stares at them in the mirror than the one who began the journey.

I imagine there are similarities to this in other countries. In fact, in other countries there are outright dictatorships. Either way, my point is that the average citizen in any country really wants the basics: some freedom, some safety, some security, some hope for their kids. No matter what country. Americans, Canadians, Brits, Australians, Iranians, Thai, Chinese... etc.

Sure, there are bad aspects about Americans. There are good ones too. We can each try to have more good qualities than bad.

I've traveled to Spain, England, Korea, Canada, Japan and the Azores. I'm not the most traveled person obviously, but I've been around to a few places. I LOVE experiencing the people, culture cuisine and architecture of other countries. Pretty much love experiencing life *somewhere else.*

But, I always love coming home to the US even more. --That is not saying anything bad about the other countries. It's just my way of saying There's no place like home. One day, perhaps, we'll visit other planets and return to EARTH, and feel the same way:

"There's no place like Earth, HOME."

Perhaps the New World Order will somehow unify Earth under a single, shining umbrella. --Just kidding about the NWO. Just wanted to keep you on your toes with that one! LOL But seriously, maybe one day we might all feel at home with our differences because they might be outweighed by our similarities.

reply to post by dominicus

4. The majority of americans are dumb, overweight, watch TV all day, and have nothing intelligent to say. It is because the system has been set up that way to dumb everyone down, schools, tv, food .....etc

Don't sell out the average American citizen, the fact is they are working their butts off trying to feed their families and pay their bills, that is of course if they still have a job. Mass media is selling you a bill of goods, they want everyone to think we are all sitting around watching TV, gaining weight and don't care, I am not buying into that propaganda.

Originally posted by endtimer
Thanks for the replies. It is true that there are quite a few war-mongers,
racists and hateful people here in the US, but I am talking about the
vast majority of us who aren't. There are really bad people in literally
every country on earth, but I am talking in generalities. Most of us are
fed up with what is going on in this country and I was only trying to
ask the rest of the planet to not be so harsh on the average Joe who
is having to put up with all the crap happening. If it were up to the average
citizen, there wouldn't be wars, hunger, and racism. But in the interim,
we are mostly bashed about from a lot of non-Americans. Not all of
course, but people seem to feel it is the citizens who are in control of
all the bad things going on. We just want to be left alone and have peace
for once.

I would love to be able to come to England and Ireland and lots of other
neat places in Europe and Asia, but most people here in the US are very
afraid to venture overseas because we have all been stereotyped as
bad people. It is not safe at all for Americans to travel much nowadays.

Don't come to the UK, apart from some old buildings it's over-rated and socialised to the hilt.
Take it from a UK denizen.

reply to post by endtimer


Note: I am a moderate and rat on both liberals and conservatives in this.

I completely agree. I would go so far as to issue a cry for help to other countries to liberate us from our suppressors if things get too bad, and I'm serious. You have to live here to know how things work.

I can give you a few examples, I suppose. Family structures are failing in America, and I think there is a liberal agenda to do that on purpose in order to make it easier to control the average citizen. I think the same is true about religion.

In America, religion is considered satan. There is a completely convoluted view that religions cause war and are about hating your neighbor. Then, the same liberals who say this, demonstrate through their lives that THEY don't care about their neighbors, or even themselves enough to promote good, healthy life experiences.

I am not a religious person, but I believe that both families and positive philosophies (of any sort) are important to protect against a nationalist dictatorship. I also believe that living a healthy life is a cultural skill that is passed on, and that liberals are busy trying to hack away at that. Why? Because they HAVE AN AGENDA THAT WILL NOT BE FUN FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON ONCE THOSE CULTURAL KINKS ARE OUT OF THE WAY.

Conservatives, on the other hand, are interested in suppressive wars, leaving the weak in the dust, complete moral control.

Both are interested in promoting a society where the average person has no say in his or her life, and it is illigal to be independent, with heavy survailence.

The liberals are interested in laws to the point of people being micro-managed.

With the way the system works, guess what succeeds every time? Whoever is in charge is only successful at pushing the agenda that goes against the people.

*****MOST IMPORTANTLY*****

There IS NOT PARTY that is interested in healthy living, families, promoting freedom while still maintaining good life choices (for example, gays are okay, but their lives will be better without multiple partners, so provide married gays or committed gays with benefits), promoting individualism, stripping down surveilance tactics, promoting a school system with good critical thinking skills, holding back on suppressive wars, believing in science AND healthy life experiences, that religion is okay and respectable but there is no official religion, that the weak should be helped, that people should not be micro-managed but free to forge their own lives.

That America is dead. Never to rise again, unless there is help.

*****AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY*****

The system is set up so that people are stuck. They have to rent apartments, and are not able to afford money to put into a house. They have to work long hours JUST TO SURVIVE and are not able to make progress. I think it is set up this way on purpose. Liberals at the moment even seem to be against making personal progress, like it is somehow evil.

Without a family to support you, without any resources of your own, in America you are at everyone else's mercy and do not have free speech because you do not have the resources to go back to the home you own, with the money you have in the bank, and say "F# you." There is constant fear.

And there is no moving forward. And there is little chance to start a movement against the current government because people's values are shattered all over the place and banding together is hard. A lot of people are not happy, but watch TV and rot their brains because it is all they know. The education system has not promoted critical thinking, in fact, THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM HERE ACTIVELY PUNISHES FREE THOUGHT.

To make a difference will definitely take some skill. A lot of skill. I would like to one day.


[edit on 12-8-2010 by darkbake]

I agree with the premise of your post. However, I take issue with a few things that I think could be added in here:

For starters, why is it we don't get out in the streets and protest if we are so angry about this? Not fake protesting, like attacking/supporting hot-button non-issues like gay marriage, abortion and a mosque "at" ground zero.

Why are we so "baffled"? Sounds like someone (actually a LOT of someones) has been watching the boob tube a little too much. I understand; there ARE 999 channels of lulling laugh-tracks, false-hope infomercials and scripted reality. TV is perhaps the biggest drug this nation is on and I think it's high time we turn it off, read a few books, even fiction if need be and do a few more things in the public space.

As Americans, stuck with the TV all these generations, we've essentially given up our ownership of public space. Public space has become less and less of a community space and more and more like a collective of individualized marketing spaces.

In reclaiming public space, perhaps protesting will feel more natural and then maybe we could get the ball rolling on that "cleaning up Washington" maneuver. I am reluctant to say that the November elections will have any result on the make-up of our political system. If Obama didn't work from the "left" then I seriously doubt Glenn Beck/Palin/Dick Armey will work from the "right".

It can't be a left/right thing, because that is a TV-created and -fueled illusion. It has to be a populous thing.

Then maybe the other countries' citizens will support us more.

reply to post by Aquarius1

Don't sell out the average American citizen, the fact is they are working their butts off trying to feed their families and pay their bills, that is of course if they still have a job. Mass media is selling you a bill of goods, they want everyone to think we are all sitting around watching TV, gaining weight and don't care, I am not buying into that propaganda.

Sorry Aquarius1,
But this is in my experience of everyone I know and their families over a hundred people, their families, friends, coworkers ....99% of them dumbed down ...just working to feed their families and that is all.

Non of them can carry an intelligent conversation ......of that 99% I know 1 extremely bright and intelligent soul who actually brings up that we should question the system and question reality ......and most people answer to him "I don't want to ...I just want to go to work and come home and relax and have my fast food."

Thats the same thing in my case. I have lost friends and family members dont come around because I threaten their belief systems and comforts. We're pretending everything is ok but its not ...people are starving and dying all around the world, corruption everywhere, destruction of this country and no one gives a Sh#!.

Our schools are dumbed down, our colleges are equal to middle school educations in Japan and Europe. I would be willing to bet everything I own and my own life for the sake that the majority of Americans are a bunch of fat, dumbed down, ignorant idiots.

Its truly sad to be surrounded by zombies .....fortunately I have compassion and love for all the sleepwalkers out there and try my darnest to upset the status quo.

Originally posted by Illusionsaregrander

Originally posted by intrepid
I do not blame the Americans for anything.

Spend a little time in the South eastern part of the US. And while you are down here, be sure to discuss some liberal topics, like ending the war, or whatever.

I grew up and spent the majority of my life in parts of the US that were much like you describe. I too would have thought it was some twisted myth that Americans are foaming at the mouth war mongers. And then I moved to Tennessee.

Now dont get me wrong. A lot of the people here are incredibly friendly. Really, really nice people. I do not want to paint Tennessee with a broad brush. But I have heard the N-word spoken in a racist way more since I have been here than I have in my entire life to this point, including movies. I have met people who turn red when discussing evolution, and who believe in religion taking over the government. I have seen someone literally foam at the mouth, (real foam people) talking about homosexuality, and seen someone almost have a heart attack they got so angry at someone criticizing the war.

Yes, the ugly American is alive and well. You just have to know where to find them.



[edit on 11-8-2010 by Illusionsaregrander]

As a Tennesseean, I just HAD to log in and respond to this post and represent those of us who DO NOT act that way. LOL Even though I know lots of people who do act like that, they are mostly elderly people and/or the uneducated. I despise people who act like that and will not tolerate them in my home or anywhere around me. Sorry that you had a bad experience. There are good, open-minded, progressive people here. Trust me. Like good people anywhere in the world, you just have to find them.

Originally posted by KingDoey
Well said, I must admit that a lot of people i know feel a lot of resentment towards America (me included) but as you say, it is not the average citizen who is to blame, it is the leaders.

That could be said for a lot of countries though i think.

Why not become a British Citizen? Just about anyone can these days, and you don't even have to have any working skills or speak English.

@ the OP - good post and good point.

@ King - I spent some time in the UK, and I really liked the ppl
especially the Irish and the Scots, no offense to the Brits they
were just generally not as lively and I can't blame them.

I have a few big problems with moving to the UK...

1) Job situation worse than it is here.

2) Sharia Law spreading there.

3) It is illegal to defend yourself in your own home.

4) Higher taxes there which is REALLY hard to believe.

5) The cost of living there is about double to triple where I am now.

6) Ppl from the US get a VERY bad welcome from some there.

7) I think I got better odds of survival here if we hit a global
depression which looks likely, engineered or not.

8) I do a VERY bad Theo van Gogh Impersonation, didn't happen
in the UK but if he lived there it would have.

www.buzztab.com...

9) Ppl in the UK risk fines and jail to run farm diesel in their cars
to avoid the huge fuel taxes, and I'd likely be one of them.
They have not cracked down on bio-diesel here yet.

10) I have friends and family here, and it would take one hell of
a job to get me to leave the US for the 5th time.

I'd be ok with Oz if I could live in the outback and had at least a
part time job, and could keep my long guns.

Good Luck to you all in the UK and the rest of the world
for that matter !



[edit on 12-8-2010 by Ex_MislTech]

SNAFU38,
Yes quite a few americans are like the example you gave. Unfortunatly you have to explain every detail when you ask a question like that to ordinary Americans. Our education system gets worse and worse.
Example in Texas there is not school class that focus on world geography. Education is now focused on students passing standardized test for the No-Child Left Behind Act.
People of the World please realize that a majority of America voters didn't want
1. Health Care Takeover
2. $1 Trillion bail-outs
3. Open borders
Actually I want to come to OZ.

reply to post by GhostLancer

With respect I think you have it wrong. The problem is not that compromise is necessary. I'm a 50+ year old American, and I remember when I was young that much of the compromise in DC seemed more reasonable. We can all understand the need to compromise, Americans and everyone else too.

But what's been happening recently is that we have no decent choices. The Democrat is a sicko criminal and so is the Republican. It does not matter how we vote. And if someone important is in danger of losing to a public "uprising", it won't happen. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, one of the most worthless of all Senators, lost the Dem. primary in Connecticut but he won the general election as an independent! Funny vote counting? I don't know, all I know is we were not permitted to get rid of him.

I don't have a solution to offer, other than to listen to one's higher guidance, and maybe we can spread some light and muck up the expectations of our "leadership." It's too complex for me to understand. I have to ask for guidance step by step.

A few quick thoughts, then I'll shut up

- If America is so horrible, then why are so many people trying so desperately to come here?

- Whenever anyone needs help with food, militarily, with a natural disaster, etc,etc who does everyone always come running to? AMERICA. And guess what? We never, EVER say "No!"

- And lastly, to all of you who don't even live here and are chastising us for not "doing anything"- there is a vibe starting in this country that civil war or revolution or whatever name you want to call it may very well be coming very soon- so you might get your wish- unfortunately it will be at the cost of many lives.....