America,love us or hate us?

No i think hollywood damaged your reputation long before bush as american war films make it seem like the us won the second world war by themselves. By the way i think the us is a great place i have visited several times and wholeheartedly beleive in the special us-uk relationship.

Well, Barry, there are 2 sides to every coin. Some would have us believe that the U.S. is hated because of our freedoms and democracy, which I believe is utter BS. I'm an American, by the way. I live in Argentina. I would have to say that we were "loved, respected and admired" for various reasons. We were viewed as the "heroes" in a lot of ways. Coming to the rescue of nations in need. Being pioneers of invention throughout history. Admired for our way of life and the perceived freedom it gives. Our decline has been happening slowly over the years. Our meddling where we don't belong, such as in the middle east hasn't helped. Living here in Argentina, I am often asked why the U.S. is always getting involved. I shrug my shoulders. I know what I'm supposed to say as a patriotic American but I just don't agree with it. We've gone into several countries under the pretense of "helping" or "bringing democracy" when in reality our purposes were quite different. The growth of capitalism has overtaken democracy as a way of life. Everything is driven by money. Here in Argentina, the U.S. has been perceived as a big bully forcing it's ideals on others. I'm talking about normal, everyday people. I'm not talking politicians. The U.S. is no longer the first choice of Argentines as a vacation destination. Europe is. Why? Do you have any idea what it takes to get a visa to get into the U.S.??? A mound of paperwork and a bankroll. A few years ago, it wasn't like that. There was a visa waiver agreement that allowed citizens to visit for up to 90 days without need of a visa. As far as I know, there have never been any "terrorists" from Argentina entering the U.S. Nothing has changed in relations that would warrant this change in entry requirements. And, just for the record, this happened BEFORE the events of Sept. 11 so that can't be the reason. This is just one reason I can cite. I won't take up any more of your discussion space and let somebody else give their 2cents. Personally, we (the U.S.) have been the last of the world's "superpowers" for quite a while now and things change. The world is changing.

No there have always been mixed feelings. People Love or Hate us. People hate our freedoms, find us arrogant. Other people love us, the fact that you can pursue your dreams. Truly, if everybody else hated us, why are there about 27 million people per year coming here?

It's cool to hate America, even if you've never been there, know nothing about it, and have never met an American. I chalk it up to envy...or stupidity.

Well, it's easy to hate the most powerful nation in the world. You know the saying "everybody hates a winner" well it applies here. It wasn't Bush, it has to do with our capitalist system and the wealth that the country has acquired. Each individual region has their reasons, some of them legitimate and some of them not (i.e. Europe).

I didn't vote for Bush, but I am so over blaming Bush for everything...including a so-called damaged reputation. I think the posters, above, are probably more on the right track than another Bush bashing.