This is a question for someone from Europe who has never been to America?

When you think of America what do you think it is like. I am so tired of hearing that the American people are wonderful it's the government that gives us a bad rap. I feel that the govenment is a direct reflection of it's people, I am a Republican and it has nothing to do with the war I voted for President Bush before the war we have many other issues besides the war, nobody likes war, everyone in America knows someone in the military. The Democrates are now in control in Washington and they do differ on the war in Iraq, and thats okay. The American people are more powerful than it's government. It's as simple as a vote, and many Americans don't vote, just complain. With 50 states thats alot of Government. I happen to live in Texas, but born and raised in NY, not much differant, a few differant laws some states have state income tax, Texas doesn't, law makers here can't change that law it can only be changed by a vote from it's citizans. I love America,

Public Comments

1. I live in the US but i can tell you what people think. American is way to materialistic, they dont value family compared to other countries. Yet everybody wants to be white because they think white is beautiful. They think the streets are made of gold and everybody is happy. Its so the opposite once you come here though
2. Rural America is great,the cities....well good for the people that live there.
3. Politics aside, a lot of Eurpoeans find Americans very arrogant, but usually too uninformed to back up any of their claims to superiority. A lot of Yankee tourists give us a bad name by going over there and complaining about everything, acting like any deviation from the American way must be wrong. It's insulting. Reading your post, all you're really saying is that America is a democracy. Well so are plenty of other countries- it's not unusual. And Europe is also full of "free countries" but you don't see them making a song and dance about it. This is the problem- Americans seem to be educated to think that all their good points are unique, when they often aren't, but most don't know about all the good things other countries have that America doesn't.
4. Wide open spaces as opposed to living in the Southeast of England where you can hear civilization wherever you go and no appreciation by the average American how big your country actually is. Too many religious God-fearing people. Doesn't surprise me though since your founding fathers were the religious zealots that Europe was happily rid off. Very biased media, from the little i have seen of it. More traditions than England (gonna get wacked for this probably ) but less culture. Mass consumerism with very little individuality. Dust bowls in you central regions where ignorant farming practices has left the land bare. And this thing with gas-guzzlers. Arnie might drive an LPG Hummer. But where does the LPG come from? One day there will be no more fossil fuels. It will turn the US into a giant scrap heap and you will wish you had converted just like the Brazilians all those years ago. And last but not least: 'Burning Man'.
5. My girlfriend lives in America and i go there several times each year. I love going there. The only thing that pisses me off about America is the uneducated elements that go on and on and on and on about the military...the freedom...the flag...the courage and the bravery...in short I get pissed off with the bullshit. I know your question is not actually for me to answer...and I apologise for doing so...but I want to like America so much...it's just that you allow your most ignorant people to represent what your country is...and as foreigner...I find that amazingly lazy.
6. I have never been to America and are never likely to go, considering my age. However I always had a positive attitude towards the Americans, due to the effort they did, both during and after WW2. I remember some neighbours emigrating to the States in the 1950's to start a new life and I'm sure that's how many still think about America, a land of opportunity and freedom. You have had a great influence on the World through media and commercialism (on good and bad), but as a super power you will always have a certain influence on the rest of the World as indeed Britain had during the Empire. Many criticise through ignorance. I don't agree with everything you do, but I think it's a question information and influence brought through media that has created the negative image of America to many people in the rest of the World. For me it seems that the you are divided on the War in Iraq. I'm glad that you love your country and are proud of it! Don't know if this was much help to you?