Are Americans kept in the dark

[merijan 0]

I was just wondering if those of you that come here from all over, what do you think about Americans as far as how we are informed? Do you think most Americans are clueless to the truth of our own politics, and the world politics? Do you think we are not as aware here of the world outside our own? Do you think that in other countries people are more aware of politics, issues in other places?

To me as an American who has many friends from different countries I see things I never knew before and have become aware of many things in our own politics and policies and so on that I never even considered. I was wondering in other countries do you feel people are more informed ? Are we the only ones with our head in the sand?

[NickD 202]

I was just wondering if those of you that come here from all over, what do you think about Americans as far as how we are informed? Do you think most Americans are clueless to the truth of our own politics, and the world politics? Do you think we are not as aware here of the world outside our own? Do you think that in other countries people are more aware of politics, issues in other places?

To me as an American who has many friends from different countries I see things I never knew before and have become aware of many things in our own politics and policies and so on that I never even considered. I was wondering in other countries do you feel people are more informed ? Are we the only ones with our head in the sand?

Since this country took six years of my life, I like to b!tch to my congressman about things I do not like, so easy now with the internet, don't even have to pay 43 cents for a stamp. They are there to represent us, but won't if you don't have a voice. We have a voice, so let them hear from you and everyone else.

[mawilson 2,133]

I was just wondering if those of you that come here from all over, what do you think about Americans as far as how we are informed? Do you think most Americans are clueless to the truth of our own politics, and the world politics? Do you think we are not as aware here of the world outside our own? Do you think that in other countries people are more aware of politics, issues in other places?

No, it's the foreigners that are clueless

[Niels Bohr 72]

As far as cultural diversity is concerned, those who have lived in the US since their infancy will probably be less informed or less interested in worldly events.

[Heracles 417]

I was just wondering if those of you that come here from all over, what do you think about Americans as far as how we are informed? Do you think most Americans are clueless to the truth of our own politics, and the world politics? Do you think we are not as aware here of the world outside our own? Do you think that in other countries people are more aware of politics, issues in other places?

To me as an American who has many friends from different countries I see things I never knew before and have become aware of many things in our own politics and policies and so on that I never even considered. I was wondering in other countries do you feel people are more informed ? Are we the only ones with our head in the sand?

What would you say is an example of this? I do see your point though. Hardly any Americans travel abroad. Around 20% of Americans had passports in 2003. In comparison Canadians, Britts and Aussies travel abroad a lot..

How many news channels here show what is going on in the rest of the world. Consequently Americans have very little knowledge of the rest of the world. People seem to be born and bread to believe that this country is the best in the world, without any evidence of this. Now I am not saying people should not have pride in their country but it starts to work against you when you believe, by default, you are number one. Much in the same way it worked against GM and Ford. It starts to work against you when people from abroad come and see how dilapidated the infrastructure is here when compared to their own countries.

Why would you bother improving when you have been made to believe you are number one and are apparently envied by the world. And that envy is the reason terrorists are attacking. Which is rubbish.

Edited November 13, 2008 by Aficionado

[LikeALadybug 2]

I believe Americans are kept in the dark to some extend. Like the previous poster pointed out, how many news channels deal with foreign news? Very few and if you do not have cable , you get very little information about the rest of the world.

Also, Americans travel very little, even with in their own country. It seems like that one Senior year Europe trio many students go on is enough for them and they now know everything there is to know about Europe -it seems to be one country to them too I noticed. In school they learn little about the rest of the world but really, the attitude is that the USA does things the best way, they are not open to change and really the rest of the world does not concern them I guess after living here for six years I can kinda understand this feeling just because so much goes in in the USA and because you suddenly don't have any close neighbors besides Canada and Mexico it feel a little like this is the world. I'm glad grew up in Europe with a more open mind towards other cultures and I still love to travel, it is just so hard to get time off from work here. They make it hard for Americans to show interest in the rest of the world.

Despite it all, I still love America.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Well, Americans are too busy working their ####### off. The average income for most Americans is about 22,000 dollars according to the IRS. They are poorer than their European counterparts. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[SteveLaura 0]

Being ignorant of foreign affairs doesn't rest entirely on the shoulders on the TV news channels, however ####### they are. NPR has good coverage of international events, and a good paper is only a few cents (or free at a library).

[Heracles 417]

Well, Americans are too busy working their ####### off. The average income for most Americans is about 22,000 dollars according to the IRS. They are poorer than their European counterparts. Correct me if I'm wrong.

The average wage in Aus is about $55K and they are also guaranteed 4 weeks annual leave. Unemployment rate is at 3.9%.

When will this country realize that working your employees to death and paying them peanuts does not equate to long term profitability or growth. I think companies like Google, Amazon, Apple, Zappos can vouch for this.

[LikeALadybug 2]

No, the TV is not the only source for the rest of the world but..true Americans (sorry, I'm gonna sound sterotypical) like to watch Tv...a lot...and how many really read the newspaper anymore, you can just go online and read it for free. It's not that the sources aren't available its just that they are not really raised to show interest in them and that is partly because of the TV. Now, newer generations have other sources like the net and maybe they'll show more interest but I highly doubt that. It's not the American way...

[TayRivers 4]

I think other posters have hit the nail on the head, I have found too that most american belive that America is the best country on the planet and that every other country wants to be just like America. They seem to have the idea that "The World" ends at their borders. You just have to look around at the infastructure and you can see a disaster just waiting to happen. I see people here who die because they cant get medical help or they have been made bankrupt because they became ill, people freeze to death on the streets every winter while most people continue to live their american dream oblivious to anything around them.

I live here and I will soon be a citizen but I cant help but get angry when I hear Americans talk about how wonderful their country is and how the World is just waiting to move to their country.

[LikeALadybug 2]

Are you sure the Americans are aware of these 4 years of guaranteed annual leave? I have never heard of that which doesn't mean it's not true....I just now from my work place you have to work here for a few years to get two weeks off...and try and ask for a week off with out pay so you can go on holiday. From what I understand I was lucky they allowed it and didn't fire me afterwards. They will work you to death...even if it means their employees are miserable. I too wish they would realize this it NOT the way to get productive workers, I think it creates un-loyal, bitter workers.

[anya-D 8]

To some extend..

But I can say that a lot of american think their way is the only way and if other countries do it diefferently, then they are wrong. Especially the ideas of democracy and free market.

Few people realized that different countries have its own coulture and resources and those concepts sre not one size fits all...

[LikeALadybug 2]

Ha, I'm so sorry , I just realized you wrote AUS, Not US!!! Sorry, and nerver mind. I was wondering what company you were working for over here!!!

[mawilson 2,133]

The average wage in Aus is about $55K and they are also guaranteed 4 weeks annual leave. Unemployment rate is at 3.9%.

From the Financial Times:

The global financial crisis has smashed a A$40bn ($27.7bn, £17bn, €21.4bn) hole in the

Australian government’s finances the country’s treasurer said on Wednesday, warning of

weaker economic growth and rising unemployment.

... Australia’s gross domestic product will drop to 1.5 per cent this fiscal year, with

unemployment rising to 5.5 per cent, half a percentage point higher than the government’s

latest estimate.