The United States Vs. The World

[johnny]

Originally posted by AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe: why do you think America really sends money overseas, to help other countries? Absolutely not!! They send money over there strictly to protect their financial, political, or economic prosperity. Don't be deluded into thinking that America really cares about other countries' welfare. America cares about America and America will do whatever it think neccesary to protect American intersts, plain and simple.

Sounds pretty normal to me. Doesn't everyone think of their own interrests first ? Or do you believe in angels ?

[Suzaku]

I personally believe in helping in those that "need" as compared to what one "wants". The filthy rich are always more stingy about their cash compared to the the lower middle classes...

Keep in mind the difficulty about US not helping the Middle East is to maintain the best of their tried relationship with Saudi Arabia to keep their oil source non-hostile. That's really about it. Plus to help the democratic Israel.

[Sir Taliesin]

Originally posted by AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe: why do you think America really sends money overseas, to help other countries? Absolutely not!! They send money over there strictly to protect their financial, political, or economic prosperity. Don't be deluded into thinking that America really cares about other countries' welfare. America cares about America and America will do whatever it think neccesary to protect American intersts, plain and simple.

I agree with part of this. Those are all reasons for the US to give aid, but the US also gives a lot of aid to countries that really don't mean squat to us. Check out this website http://www.usaid.gov/about/

Take Africa for example. There are a lot of countries in Africa that recieve American Aid of one sort or another. For the most part we don't get anything in return. What do we gain for example from Sudan, Uganda, Rowanda or Somilia? If you look at Asia, what do we recieve from Bangladish? We gave more aid to Ahganistan than any other country before the war. What did we get from them, besides Al Quida?

Yes, the US give aid to protect our financial, political, or economic prosperity, but alot of the time we give aid because there is a need for it and no one else is going to step to the plate, the way we can.

While researching this, I also saw that 75% of the countries that recieve aid from us, vote against us at the UN most of the time. Why is that?

[The Cavalier]

When you are one of the world's biggest superpowers, sometimes you have to step up to the plate and be a leader, even if your choice is not a popular one. Iraq is a danger to everybody, not just the U.S., but mostly the U.S.

[khazadman]

The problem here is that the US is hated for making the decisions the others either will not, or can not make. But if we didn't do so we would still be reviled by the same people.

And the UN is a joke. I mean, they put Libya in charge of human rights! Libya!

[ElricMorlockin]

Originally posted by Sir Taliesin: Quite possibly I am! I do tend to tire of all the accusations that we seem to have to endure from our "friends" around the world. I hasten to add that this sentiment doesn't apply here at IW. I just get really tired of the critisim that is heaped on us by so-called experts in the news media around the globe. It also seemed like a good topic to start up!

You're not alone.

[Sir Taliesin]

Originally posted by khazadman: The problem here is that the US is hated for making the decisions the others either will not, or can not make. But if we didn't do so we would still be reviled by the same people. And the UN is a joke. I mean, they put Libya in charge of human rights! Libya!

That's like putting the fox in charge of the hen house! Actually, as I recall when it was decided that Libya would lead the UN Human Rights Commission, it was supposed to be a slap in the face to the United States. Personally, I think it was petty jealousy!!!

[ElricMorlockin]

Originally posted by Sir Taliesin: That's like putting the fox in charge of the hen house!

Yes indeed it is! You reap what you sew, is it any mystery why we dont see the UN as anything larger than a laughing stock?

Actually, as I recall when it was decided that Libya would lead the UN Human Rights Commission, it was supposed to be a slap in the face to the United States.

Yes of course, the reason for doing anything in the UN, these days. Why they were at it, why not allow the Serbians to preach to us all about human rights and the decent treatment of civilians in a war zone? They are just as expert at the topic of human rights arent they? [img]graemlins/laughsaywhat.gif[/img] We are of course, not supposed to be sitting here scratching our heads right now ya know! Is really any wonder why the movement to leave the UN is gaining momentum? [img]graemlins/laugh3.gif[/img]
Hey! While on the subject, what is your guys take on the latest security council fiasco involving Iraq? More specifically, what kind of bribery will be needed this time around, to get everyone on board. Its more than obvious, IMO, that is what its going to take... just like last time. People obviously have very short memories about their own *ahem* *resolutions*.... [img]graemlins/laugh3.gif[/img] Thank God I dont do business with anyone who thinks like these people do!

[Sir Taliesin]

I think after the War (if we go to war), they should put the French and Russians in charge of Iraq. The only reason they are balking is because they are afraid they will be squezzed out of any deal the new Iraqi government will make. Right now, if the sanctions get lifted, both the French and the Russian stand to make a lot of money. That's the reason they want to see a DICTATOR like Saddam remain in power. The French Government has been trying for years to get sanctions lifted. Neither could care less what is happening to the Iraqi people.

[Bardan the Slayer]

Originally posted by Sir Taliesin: Quote: Originally posted by khazadman: The problem here is that the US is hated for making the decisions the others either will not, or can not make. But if we didn't do so we would still be reviled by the same people. And the UN is a joke. I mean, they put Libya in charge of human rights! Libya!

That's like putting the fox in charge of the hen house! Actually, as I recall when it was decided that Libya would lead the UN Human Rights Commission, it was supposed to be a slap in the face to the United States. Personally, I think it was petty jealousy!!![/QUOTE]It isn't only in the US that you have these problems. Last I heard, the European Union was considering letting Turkey apply for entry into said body. Turkey, for christ's sakes! A less than shining economy and a human rights record that would make Pol Pot blush. Oh, add to this the fact that they hate and despise most of us, and only want EU entry to take massive amounts of money from other EU countries! Sheesh!

It's not only the UN that makes bad decisions that people disagree with. The UN has no teeth. The EU is expanding too far. The USA elected GWB. Many many people have problems with all of these things and more. No big system/organisation is without problems. It's just a sad fact that we rely on them so much, or the world would go all to hell.

And I think people from the USA are too quick to assume jealousy is a main cause of actions around the globe. One problem that *alot* of civilised countries have with the US is that we consider the death penalty to be a barbaric system that is an appaling breach of human rights. Naturally, the US can do what it wants in it's own borders, but believe me - for all the good it does and all of the advances in our worldwide civilization that are down to the US, we're not all green with envy all over the rest of the globe. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 02-08-2003, 10:21 PM: Message edited by: Bardan the Slayer ]