Why does America lead the world?

[Sum Guy]

I would agree that the USA was a leader, sadly, those events you mentioned happened decades ago.

Since then, it's been a downward spiral not only for the USA but for the rest of the world - yes - the USA now leads in bringing terrorism, economic meltdown, and oil prices in the UK at $10 per gallon etc. All because they voted in a religious freak dictator who thought he could rule the world.

It will take the USA decades to get back to the 'glory' days. Meanwhile they will continue to be the most hated country on the planet.

Col

If the US makes it back.
History has shown us that the hardest thing to do is to go from bad to good.
The easiest thing is to go from bad to worse.
The US economy has been booming for the past 10 years based (primarily) on cheap fuel and bargain basement interest rates.
Fuel is climbing like a skyrocket and the interest rates will probably be doubled by the end of the year.
What America does in 2009 will show what they're made of. It will also be "W";s legacy to his successor.

 

[Rich]

The odd thing is, in those days Britain could have easily afforded the Welfare State. They waited until they were practically bankrupt at the end of WWII to do it.
Strange.

We were only bankrupt then because the US took all our money for helping save the free world

 

[ColinEssex]

America is the action centre. Col and Rich blame the US of A for the world's problems which means they must think America leads the way.

I said that if you read my post - I'll quote it to help you.

yes - the USA now leads in bringing terrorism, economic meltdown, and oil prices in the UK at $10 per gallon etc. All because they voted in a religious freak dictator who thought he could rule the world.

Col

 

[ColinEssex]

Fuel is climbing like a skyrocket and the interest rates will probably be doubled by the end of the year.

How much are US petrol prices? - $3 a gallon? or not even that much? - Thats £1.50 (equivelant) per gallon - we pay nearly £1.20 ($2.40) per litre. (there are 4.5 litres per gallon)

Also, the US reserve has lowered US interest rates twice in the last 6 months, so doubling by year end seems unlikely.

Col

 

[Mike375]

How much are US petrol prices? - $3 a gallon? or not even that much? - Thats £1.50 (equivelant) per gallon - we pay nearly £1.20 ($2.40) per litre. (there are 4.5 litres per gallon)

Also, the US reserve has lowered US interest rates twice in the last 6 months, so doubling by year end seems unlikely.

Col

Australia is around $1.35US per litre. Why is England so expensive.

 

[Fifty2One]

The grass is always looks greener on the other side of the hill - and definately much greener over the cesspool. America only leads the way if they represent what you feel is your definition of utopia, other people have found Shangri-La in other locations around the globe.

 

[ColinEssex]

America only leads the way if they represent what you feel is your definition of utopia, other people have found Shangri-La in other locations around the globe.

The Shangri-La is one thing, but an arrogant aggressive country who thinks they know best and ride roughshod over other countries for their own end is another.

The USA is the latter by the way.

I know you'll say it's another USA bash, that's because you have no idea what is happening beyond the USA borders.

Col

 

[ajetrumpet]

Technology....man on the moon, Space Shuttle....the list of where they lead is endless.

That's a bunch of BS Mike. As far as "hi-tech" is concerned, Japan kicks the most a**. America doesn't even come close! NOW...if we're talking about useful hi-tech environments and gadgets, America leads the way, no questions asked!

There's a lot of nifty, unneeded BS technology out there, and most countries have an abundance of it.

 

[georgedwilkinson]

I know you'll say it's another USA bash, that's because you have no idea what is happening beyond the USA borders.

Not really, and most of us barely care, as evidenced by our voter turn out numbers.

I take it since you're so passionate in your bashing though that America has done some evil to you (other than some American on the forums reporting you) or yours. I take it things are pretty bad in Essex because of the supposed terribleness of America. Or are you just getting your information (Rich: that means "facts") from the "news?"

 

[statsman]

We were only bankrupt then because the US took all our money for helping save the free world

I think you'll find the final balance sheet shows the US gave Britain as much money and material as they took.

I think the point Sum Guy was getting at is that at the height of the British Empire, Britain could have easily afforded the welfare state.

 

[statsman]

How much are US petrol prices? - $3 a gallon? or not even that much? - Thats £1.50 (equivelant) per gallon - we pay nearly £1.20 ($2.40) per litre. (there are 4.5 litres per gallon)

Also, the US reserve has lowered US interest rates twice in the last 6 months, so doubling by year end seems unlikely.

Col

When the NEW president (whoever they may be) takes over in January, I think they'll find the cupboard is bare.
The US has been spending money hand over fist in Afganistan and Iraq (an occupying army is not a cheap item). Meanwhile taxes have not gone up in the US to pay for it and the Republicans have kept interest rates low to maintain the economic status quo.
While Iraqi oil revenue has certainly offset some of this, it hasn't covered everything.
I keep having this recurring dream of the conversation between the new prez and his Secretary of the Treasury the day after the Inauguration.
Prez: I want to do this, this and this.
Secretary: Sorry, we're broke.

 

[Rich]

I think you'll find the final balance sheet shows the US gave Britain as much money and material as they took.

.

they didn'y "give" us anything, they supplied us with what we needed, at a price

 

[Fifty2One]

The Shangri-La is one thing, but an arrogant aggressive country who thinks they know best and ride roughshod over other countries for their own end is another.

The USA is the latter by the way.

I know you'll say it's another USA bash, that's because you have no idea what is happening beyond the USA borders.

Col

Col I did point out that the grass is much greener over the cesspool

 

[ColinEssex]

Not really, and most of us barely care,

And that nicely sums up the average Americans attitude to the current affairs of the rest of the world.

As I suspected - Americans care nothing for anybody except Americans - thanks for confirming this. I can't possibly imagine how the average American can be so insular.

As long as they can carry a gun and kill anything that breathes, they are happy.

Col

 

[georgedwilkinson]

And that nicely sums up the average Americans attitude to the current affairs of the rest of the world.

Typical response.

As I suspected - Americans care nothing for anybody except Americans - thanks for confirming this. I can't possibly imagine how the average American can be so insular.

I didn't say "the average American"...I said "most of us." And you need to realize that this is my opinion and doesn't necessarily reflect that of the average American...I personally care very little about the rest of the world's hate for me, especially the way you portray it. I might be more interested in civil dialog with someone who has a legitimate gripe that I can do something about.

As long as they can carry a gun and kill anything that breathes,

BTW, I don't own, want to own, or want to spend time with anyone who does own a gun. And I definitely don't want to kill anything larger than a rat (even then I'd probably hire someone else to do it for me).

they are happy.

Unlikely, Americans are just as miserable as you. Being oblivious, carrying a gun, being American, reporting you on the forums, and voting do not bring any real pleasure for most of them (again, my opinion...not necessarily the thoughts of the average American).

 

[statsman]

they didn'y "give" us anything, they supplied us with what we needed, at a price

Rich...you really must read more history.

Until 1940, the US Neutrality Act called on any country at war to purchase materials and take them away, literally cash and carry.

In that year FDR passed the Lend Lease Act. Countries at war (that the US approved of) were given tanks guns etc free of charge.

The result, by 1944 the British Armour Corp was made up 90% of US Sherman tanks, RAF Coastal Command was made up 80% of US Liberator bombers. Several groups of RAF Bomber Command were made up of US Flying Fortresses. The British merchant ships that had been lost to U Boats were replaced by US Liberty ships. This just scratches the surface.
This is in addition to the material the US gave to the Soviets and other Allied powers.

ALL OF IT FREE OF CHARGE

We'll cover the benefits to Britain from the post-war US Marshall Plan in our next lesson.

Neither the US or Britain could have won the war without the other. Of course both of them would have totally screwed without Canada.

If you want to get on someones back, try Russia. They didn't declare war on Japan until the day after the Hiroshima bomb.

 

[statsman]

And that nicely sums up the average Americans attitude to the current affairs of the rest of the world.

As I suspected - Americans care nothing for anybody except Americans - thanks for confirming this. I can't possibly imagine how the average American can be so insular.

As long as they can carry a gun and kill anything that breathes, they are happy.

Col

Yes Col, most Americans care very little about the rest of the world. But then so do most Brits, Americans, Australians or Indians.
Whats happening next door is always more important than whats happening half a world away.
When push comes to shove however, Americans are generally far more generous than most other countries (aid supplied to Myanmar for example).
There is a reason why in most newspapers the local and national news are given more space than the international news.

This is not an invitation for a debate on how Britain's per capita foreign aid contributions are higher than Country X's.

 

[Mike375]

The reason so many people dislike America is because America is the leader.

I think the internet and cable TV has built up this "dislike" because international news will be dominated by America.

There are two elections I watch, the Australian and American elections as they are the two whose outcome impacts on me. What happens in England or Norway etc is of no interest to me. Likewise, I don't expect Americans or the English to have much interest in an Australian election.

I think English people tend to be anti American because not only are the English non players in the world scene (as compared to America) but in addition their block of land is not much bigger than a hobby farm in Australia.

 

[georgedwilkinson]

Actually, I am interested in the British elections because I do think it impacts me a small amount.

And, in my mind, I had always thought of Australia and the UK as friendly to America/Americans...until I joined this forum. I had no idea there was so much frothing hate toward us (me?). And the interesting thing about it is, I still don't care very much. I still see Australia and the UK as friendly to America, in policy. And I've always thought of Australia as a country full of great folk.

I'm just kinda amazed that certain (vocal) people are such haters. The only person I know in America who even acts like they hate America is our Democratic presidential candidate and the people he surrounds himself with, so it's unusual to me. But still of little real consequence in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Mike375]

As long as they can carry a gun and kill anything that breathes, they are happy.

Col

The anti gun movement in the US is very large, if it was not so large the NRA would not be so big.

Firearm ownership per capita is much larger in Switzerland than in the US.