Why do *you* hate America?

[leftofthedial]

for our "freedoms"?

for our fascism?

for our out-of-control consumerism?

Why do *you* hate America?

[Der Blaue Engel]

1. Who is this question aimed at?

Cheney? Bush? Gonzales? Why does who hate America?

[leftofthedial]

4. they and their repuke minion obviously hate everything about America

except for its money and it's flag lapel pins

but why do *you* hate America?

[Der Blaue Engel]

14. I don't

:shrug:

I'm weird that way.

But I do hate clowns. And tapioca.

[leftofthedial]

17. good answers

all of 'em.


:patriot:

[Swamp Rat]

2. Bushler hates America and Freedom

[GreenTea]

3. Because it breeds fascist imperialist, stupid greedy lying evil people like Bush

and the idiot sheep who actually vote for him, believe every lie they are fed by other republican liars like Limbaugh Fox news, Hannity, etc....who do I despise more Bush or the sheep....But it's not America I hate...it's these fucks who are part of America!

[dorkulon]

5. Let's ask Noam Chomsky!

http://buffalobeast.com/113/Noam2.htm

Why do you hate America?

I realize that the question is not intended seriously. However, there is a serious point lurking behind it. A crucial totalitarian principle is that the state is identified with the people, the culture, the society. For those who adopt that principle, criticism of the state is hatred of the country. In the old Soviet Union, for example, dissidents were condemned as “anti-Soviet” or “haters of Russia,” because they condemned policies of the Holy State. We, however, rightly regarded them as the people most dedicated to the welfare of the Russian people. The concept has biblical origins. King Ahab, the epitome of evil in the Bible, condemned the Prophet Elijah as a hater of Israel because he denounced the crimes of the evil king, who, like all totalitarians, identified state power—himself—with the society and people. Where there is a democratic culture, such a notion would be ridiculed. In Italy, for example, if someone were to publish a book called “the Anti-Italians,” denouncing people who dare to criticize government policy, people would collapse with ridicule. It is rather striking that in the US, such a book (of course full of outlandish lies) is reviewed seriously and treated with respect. The US is alone, to my knowledge, outside of totalitarian states, in that concepts like “hate America” or “anti-American” are adopted in the style of King Ahab and his totalitarian successors. That should trouble us.

[Arugula Latte]

6. Because of Reba McIntyre

x(

[SayWhatYo]

7. I love America...

Why? Because it allows you to talk about why you might hate America. Although, I suppose you could go to Iran, North Korea, China and whatnot, and say how much you hate the US too... ;)

Sure the US has issues, but why hate the US? Hate the people in charge, hate certain policies, but hating the US as a whole is pretty damn lame. Honestly, if you hate the US then change it so that you don't hate it...

[MedleyMisty]

10. Because it's so easy to change an entire culture?

[SayWhatYo]

16. Of course not.

However, I think you have a very simplistic view of the US and it's culture. As a whole, I do not dislike American culture. In fact, I would say many around the world seem to enjoy emulating American culture. I am sure there are many here at DU who do not dislike American culture either. However, like me, they have an issue with certain policies, especially this current administration policies.

Then again, I may be wrong and I might be the odd man out...

[leftofthedial]

18. "change it"

great advice.

:patriot:

[ThatsMyBarack]

8. We can't elect a president anymore.

He who is $$$$ gets appointed. Money talks, nobody walks.

[leftofthedial]

19. in these latter-day capitalist times,

money is ALL that matters. Period.

[shield20]

9. Love our country!

Just hate what is happening to it! Unconstitutional acts and legislation, a real lack of self-responsibility, a HUGE government no longer controlled by the people, no way to change the system, a dangerous 50/50 split on most major issues, too many "entitlement" folks, representatives who answer to corporations, represenatives who will say ANYthing to get elected - no matter what, immigration laws that are not enforced, more and more govt involvment in ALL issues - at our expense, selfish bastards who are generous as hell - with other's people money, violent criminals that are not dealt with effectively, activists re-defining laws as they see fit, an agenda-driven media, constant attempts to concentrate power in the "state", lack of real security at the borders, smug elitists who have no idea of what life is like down here with the rest of us, child molesters and rapists set loose on the streets,...

OK - maybe I DON'T love it anymore.

[leftofthedial]

20. you didn't leave much out of your list

and most of us could probably add to it . . .


:-(

[Richard Steele]

11. Because it claims the atrocities it perpetrates are committed IN MY NAME.

That lie cannot be allowed to stand.

[leftofthedial]

22. I thought gawdalmightyjeezis his own self made them do it

and all this time it was dicksteele . . . hmmmm . . .


Seriously, I am ashamed and at a loss to discuss recent history with my European and Middle Eastern friends.

[Richard Steele]

29. I don't think Jesus is any happier about it than I am. nm

[treestar]

12. The complacency of a large majority

And their mindless consumerism.

[BuyingThyme]

13. Because the word no longer applies to the people, but only to the

rulers.

If you support the people, you are a traitor. If you support the rulers, you are an American.

Fuck it.

[Madspirit]

15. A lot

I still wouldn't live anywhere else. ...and there is a lot I love about America.

I hate that we are controlled by fundies.
I hate that we are war-mongers and liars about our reasons.
I hate homophobia.
I hate the violence, with murder rates surpassed no where else on the globe.
I hate the death penalty.
I hate that we walk right over the homeless and that they are as unseen by Democrats as they are by Republicans.
I hate the lack of health care.
I hate that often our mentally ill end up in the streets.
I hate that I cannot marry my SO even though we've been together for 15 frakking years and ergo I cannot get on her insurance.
I hate our self-righteous sense of entitlement.
I hate that we destroy the environment.

Shall I go on?
Lee

[Cobalt Violet]

21. We have a gulag industry growing and growing and who cares.

I don't like it.

[Colobo]

23. I LOVE the USA

And, because of my love to this great nation, I want leadership change SOON!

[mvd]

24. I like America, but I despise Bush and the neo-cons

The neo-cons are influenced by Leo Strauss, who was influenced by Nazi thinking. Leo Strauss thought that there should be constant violence and killing so that people can maintain their "humanity." The neo-cons are crazy and are anything but American in their thinking.

[nemo137]

25. Paris Hilton and MTV's "My Super Sweet Sixteen"

I mean, the civil liberties are cool and everything, but seriously, when we've descended this far, what is there left for us?

[ellisonz]

26. I hate our Puritanism.

[misanthrope]

27. Because it borrowed my car and wrecked it, then slept with my wife**nm

**

[leftofthedial]

34. yeah, but *everybody* did that.

um, borrowed your car, I mean.

[misanthrope]

39. LOL!!**nm

**

[NuttyFluffers]

28. because we're not on metric.

increments of ten people, simple round whole bunches of TEN! what's so bad about calculating increments in a deliciously easy and standardized manner!?

none of that "12 of these makes 1 of that, and 3 of those makes 1 of these, and 1760 of this new thing makes 1 of these big ol' things..." nonsense. and don't get me started on the crap "8 of these makes 1 of those, but only if it's a liquid, because if it's a solid it'll take 16 to make this other thing..." aaaaaah! make it stop! *throws shoe*

[bryant69]

30. I love America

For our Crispy Creams and REMs and Ed Woods and Miles Davis.

Screw anybody who hates America.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Madspirit]

36. snort

"Screw anybody who hates America."

How American of you.
Lee

[qwlauren35]

31. I don't think I'd put it that way.

I am very, very disappointed in the current American government for a number of reasons.
1.) Choosing not to prevent 9/11.
2.) Allowing the deficit to spiral out of control.
3.) Deciding to wage war with Iraq on bullsh*t premises.
4.) Deciding to EXTEND the war without covering the "damage" costs, such as wounded veterans.
5.) Creating a prescription plan that benefits the pharmaceutical companies more than our senior citizens.
6.) Failing to initiate a health care system that would offer universal coverage.
7.) Failing to encourage businesses to keep jobs in the US; and condoning corporate exploitation of 3rd world countries.
8.) Enabling companies like Halliburton to get rich from an unnecessary war.
9.) Failing to develop significant energy alternatives, OR to encourage American citizens to conserve energy by changing car choices and driving patterns.

I am also EXTREMELY disappointed in the American people for electing our current president instead of purging the current government, with turnover of 50% or more - in fact, I'm extremely embarrassed to think that 30% of the US population STILL supports our incumbent executive branch. I am embarrassed by our short-term memories and our energy greed that allowed too many of us to accept the "message" of Iraq as a threat because deep down, we treasure our oil more than we believe in humanitarianism. In fact, our energy greed embarrasses me beyond words.

Some days, I am just plain embarrassed by our hypocrisy around all things related to sex and relationships. I am embarrassed every time we use religion to wage wars of intolerance.

The list is long.

But I do appreciate the things we do to support the poor and the elderly, to conserve our parks, to keep our air transit safe. I appreciate American generosity and philanthropy, from the richest to the poorest among us - we support charities at an amazing level. Every time we actually do good in the world, going in to address rampant health and hunger issues, or attempting to establish peace amidst civil war, I am proud.

So, I don't hate America. I just find myself embarrassed and disappointed a bit more than I'd like to be.

I am embarrassed at ho

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

32. America stole my woman...

nt

[LeftishBrit]

33. I don't - I just hate the Bush/Cheney government!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

35. The opposite of both love and hate is indifference.

Or, if you prefer, detachment.

The concept of "America" as something to love or hate doesn't really make sense.

It's kind of like loving or hating your bathtub or pomegranates.

"Patriotism is the most foolish of passions, and the passion of fools."

[Madspirit]

37. The Patriot Game

I personally like this best sung by Judy Collins:

The Patriot Game
(Dominic Behan)

Come all ye young rebels, and list while I sing,
For the love of one's country is a terrible thing.
It banishes fear with the speed of a flame,
And it makes us all part of the patriot game.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

38. One of the reasons my grandmothrer fled Ireland was because of "The Patriot Game".

Plus, as she told when I asked her about Ireland, "It's a beautiful place to starve."