Re: America -- Bully of the World?
 

of the world? no, of the middle-east? sure.

Re: America -- Bully of the World?
 

America is only the bully of the world, when it's not giving money out. All other times, the world likes the US until it gets money.

Re: America -- Bully of the World?
 

Well, of cousre. Everyone loves money.

Re: America -- Bully of the World?
 

Well, China and Cuba and North Korea are all going to go the way of Russia. Communist countries are simply not self-sustaining. China's powerhouse economy is based on foreign investment and military spending. The first is unreliable and the second is only a short-term fix with long-term negative effects. Its vast army is an army of conscripts and 1960s tech. Its nukes are insignificant compared to America's vast arsenal. China, in no way, compares to the U.S. or any developed nation in terms of overall economic health. America has a more powerful military, a (in the long term) healthier economy, and a more progressive government. For these three reasons, China is no threat.

Re: America -- Bully of the World?
 

The boxer thing was a terrific metaphor.

As you may guess from the SN, I am American. I feel that my nation is a fighting nation, and it fights on the right side: we are by no means "Invincible in war" but we are damn close! However, there is less need for us when our rivals fall. America will forever be a military superpower: nothing more, nothing less. I despise both Bush and Kerry, but am proud to be in a place I do not need to fear for my well-being.

Here is something that MAY help someone understand America's situation:

The UK, the US's closest ally and, ironically, the nation with just about as much power, is not much more liked in the world as the US. I'll give an example: In 1916, there was an uprising in Dublin, Ireland. After a week of extreme bravery on both sides, the rising was crushed and Dublin was in ashes. From these ashes rose Micheal Collins and his IRA. They started a war that rages to this day, one that once assisted in nearly ending Britains run as a superpower: the world thought it was overeacting to the IRA and being needlessly ruthless, when in fact, they were trying to defend themselves. Until the Second World War began, Britain was consistently losing favor because of this war and a few other instances like it. After the war, they started regaining their reputation and are now as great as they ever were.

I am afraid that Iraq will be my country's Easter Rising: We are being seen as psychos overeacting to a minor situation. We will not get out of this hell any time soon, but when we do, we will be in the same posistion we once were. Of course, by then, someone would have risen up to have more political or economical power then us. My bets on Germany.

Re: America -- Bully of the World?
 

I think that no other country shall ever has as powerful of a military of the United States. But sure, they could beat us in economical power. I do think this iraq conflict was an important one, first of all to get a horrible ruler out of power. I think that the United States helps other countrys.

Re: America -- Bully of the World?
 

Man, your just a trouble maker. This is a stupid question. Ya were the bully of hte world. HAH. There's so many country's out there that are 10x worse then the US for both the people and the goverment that runs it. Get a grip, were not the nazi's.

Re: America -- Bully of the World?
 

I see the government's been working it's magic on you... I'll bet somebody said that about Britain a hundred and fifty years ago!

I don't think that's entirely it. America's always seems to have religiously fought against an enemy, be it the British, the Native Americans, Germany, communism, terrorism... I probably missed a few. To an outsider, it almost looks as though America needs an enemy.

Re: America -- Bully of the World?
 

Lol, you do realise you need an economy to stay a military superpower?

Re: America -- Bully of the World?
 

Yes, you need an economy, but not necessarily the best one around. I also said "A military superpower", not THE military superpower. Britiain never really fell, it just got less powerful gradually in the years between the two big wars.