World opinion of the United States

Much has been written lately in the U.S. press concerning how the world looks at the United States. Some say we are a bully, some say we are egotistical, and others say we are not doing enough to help the world (as in we have more than our fair share and should give more to others).

1. My first response is that the U.S. is factually the most generous country that ever existed on the fact of the earth. The Unites States is the largest contributor to the United Nations, which is remarkable since the United Nations has latest not been an actual or verbal supporter of the United States.
2. When there is a disaster anywhere in the world, who is the first to respond with substantial assistance. You guessed it, the United States.
3. Many polls taken in countries around the world show that the dislike of the United States is growing, but when asked if the United States should "take their ball and go home" the resounding answer is no!
4. I will paraphrase former Prime Minister Blair in a statement which was a reply to the question of what he thought about the United States. He stated that he likes to measure a country by how many individuals want to get in verses how many want to get out. This is a rather profound way of looking at things.
5. The idea of placing an extreme emphasis on how the world views the United States most certainly should be tempered by knowing who it is that respond unfavorably. If the countries who respond unfavorably are dictatorships, socialists, communist, or any other 'ists', we as a country should be proud that they don't approve.

Should the United States be concerned about the opinion of other countries of the world? Perhaps interested, but certainly not concerned. I think instead we should be concerned about what is driving our own citizens to have an overwhelming need to be 'liked' by the world.

Datadiver