I obviously disagree that everything they teach all 330 million Americans is a lie. I do believe that people should be cynical about what they are told though (that includes books that Green One is reading). I certainly am. I am to some degree cynical about everything I see on the news and am told by my government. But I am cynical about what I see and am told by any other government as well (or orginization or individual for that matter), including ones not in the U.S. In my opinion, that\'s all anyone can do.
I certainly love my country, and sometimes I disagree with what it does, but conversly, I do actually agree with what it does alot of the time too. I do believe we should listen to the rest of the world, but whose to say what they say is correct either. To be honest, only history tells what was right, and sometimes history is written wrong too. The U.S. (or any other country), can only do what it thinks is right at the time. Hindsight is 20/20.
Now, for what I said before: the U.S. GDP, which is the best indicator of the size of an economy (and to some degree strength), is about 12.5 trillion dollars, and we have 330 million people here, and a growing economy. The next biggest is China, with a GDP of about 7 trillion dollars, and they have 1.3 billion people there (alot less money for 4 times the people). The entire EUs GDP is about 12 trillion, and Canada\'s is a little over 1 trillion. These numbers could be a little off, but are basically correct, and are freely available, and not just put out by the U.S., but are internationally verifiable. There are other types of strength as well. The U.S. military budget for 2005 was about 400 billion dollars, while Russia with the next largest was about 65 billion. Certainly there are other strengths, such as culture, etc.. but they cannot really be quantified. Basically the point is, what I said earlier is verifiable, and not just \"American Lies\".
Some people may not care about America bashing, and I don\'t either usually (I just attribute it to difference of opinion, jealousy, or ignorance, or all three sometimes). Sometimes though I just get a little sick of it, and want to defend my country. Just like many other people around the world probably do, I think my country is not perfect, but it is the best in the world, and don\'t like hearing it insulted constantly without anyone coming to it\'s defense or the defense of it\'s people. I look at the U.S. not only as the government, but the people as well.
Anyway that\'s all I have to say about it. I think it\'s kind of stupid to argue back and forth about politics, religion, etc.. over the internet, when I don\'t know the backround or education level of who I\'m talking to.
Sorry for the rant, hope I haven\'t angered anyone.
