And then there's this

[windelina]

Again, from Salon:
Last week, War Room reported that more than 80 percent of the citizens of Germany and France favored John Kerry in the November election. A poll released today by the University of Maryland in conjunction with an international survey company called Globescan shows support for Kerry all over the globe. The people of 35 nations favor Kerry by more than a 2-to-1 margin, according to the survey. "Asked how the foreign policy of President Bush has affected their feelings toward the US, in 30 countries a majority or plurality said it made them feel 'worse' about America."

The list of countries that disapprove of how America currently handles its foreign affairs is too long to print in full, and ranges from China to Britain to Argentina to Kazakhstan. Globescan's president notes that "perhaps most sobering for Americans is the strength of the view that US foreign policy is on the wrong track, even in countries contributing troops in Iraq."

Opposition to the Bush administration was not unanimous, however. Should Bush take a long vacation in January, the poll identifies three countries in which he can expect a moderately warm welcome: The Philippines, Poland and Nigeria

* * * * *

I think this should be sobering to any American citizen.
This is not a poll of global leaders - this is a poll of the people of the world.
Like it or not, we are a part of the world and as Iraq has shown - going it alone doesn't work so well. (Please do not even bother to bring up the "Coalition of the Willing" which should be retitled the "Coalition of Countries willing to take US money but not willing to commit more than a token military force".)

Comments

[purplesquirrel.livejournal.com]

It's frightening that so many Americans don't see what is so obvious to us and the rest of the world. They're blinded by their religion I suppose.

The world...

[vackovich.livejournal.com]

It's a good thing people who live in other countries and no little or nothing about America cannot vote in the election. Otherwise it would be clear win for Nader!

Seriously, what do people in other countries know what it is like living in America? Why do you think their opinion even counts? What does anyone know on this board about the lifestyles Germany, France, South Korea, Japan, Canada, and the Middle East for that matter? We only know about other countries based on how the media portrays them to us and they never go into any positive detail.

I could care less what people living in other countries think about the American government as a whole, regardless of who the president is at that current time. Their opinion is moot.

When did the world ever like the USA? Am I missing some history on when world opinion changed?

The American Image

[gunthar.livejournal.com]

Is it important to be liked by other countries?

Not practical in every case, though good allies help support American goals around the world.

It is important to be respected around the world?

Again, you can't make everybody treat your government and business representives with polite cooperation, but there are definite advantages to pursuing that goal.

It is important to be seen as honorable by other nations?

Yes. Simply, yes. You can argue this if you wish--I think the Patriot Act still allows you that priviledge. But I think the effort necessary to form an argument against it would be better spent trying to grow up.

[lio.livejournal.com]

My opinion of American politics tends to side with the foreigners. Then again, I don't really like ANY politics. If I didn't seriously love the freedoms this country enjoys, I'd consider moving to someplace in Europe.