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Do US Americans really think it would have been terrible if the British Empire had remained in control and their country turned out like Canada, Australia or Ne

by drone 14y ago

Do US Americans really think it would have been terrible if the British Empire had remained in control and their country turned out like Canada, Australia or New Zealand? Absolutely. We didn't then want to bow before your King then, and we do not wish to bow before your Queen today. We did not wish to put down as poor and malnourished servants as you did with Ireland, nor did we wish to be slaughtered en masse, or divvied up and split like you did with India. We choose to lead ourselves, to make our own decisions, come good or bad. And, last I checked, we've faired better historically from an economic standpoint than all of the other former colonies of Britain, and even Great Britain its self - all of which took great instruction from the lessons we taught on self-governance. I find it shockingly surprising that someone would come and defend any of the European colonies as being good for the rest of the world.

tome 14y ago
I appreciate your response, and I also appreciate the wonderful spirit of freedom embodied in American culture. However, I can't help but find it ironic that the United States' celebration of freedom harks back so strongly to a war with a country that has been its closest ally for the best part of a century.
- drone 14y ago
  Not a problem, and I do apologize if my tone was a bit strong there, I've often found that Europeans (not all, but some) look down their noses at Americans as if we were in need of their salvation. When, our history often guides us to be both helpful to and suspicious of Europe and its goals. Most Americans have no particular issue with the UK or Great Britain, we simply recall our history as having been formed to offer an alternative to Monarchy. We do often feel that in the 20th century, we have given more than we have received. (Right or wrong.) While some far-left-leaning Americans may long for a country more like those of Europe and the UK, the majority, in my experience, prefer things as they are. Notably, our culture may seem aggressive, dangerous, and out of control to you - but to us, we see a stark difference between what we see as "Liberty," and what Europeans tend to call "Freedom." That is to say, it often seems to me that in the US, the concept is "Free to," whereas in Europe it appears to be "Free of." I do recognize that such a view may not be wholly truthful, but it is how many of us approach the issue here. Notably, while some in our society would prefer to regulate the behavior of others through the threat of state violence (as is done in Europe to prevent unwelcome speech, or religious display), this tyranny of the masses is often held in check in the U.S. by the guiding principles which may seem absurd to you, but have proven to be effective throughout the course of our personal history. There are many of us who find those principles very much instructive, especially because of the discomfort they cause.
  - tome 14y ago
    A very well presented explanation. thank you.

by drone 14y ago

tome 14y ago

I appreciate your response, and I also appreciate the wonderful spirit of freedom embodied in American culture. However, I can't help but find it ironic that the United States' celebration of freedom harks back so strongly to a war with a country that has been its closest ally for the best part of a century.

drone 14y ago
Not a problem, and I do apologize if my tone was a bit strong there, I've often found that Europeans (not all, but some) look down their noses at Americans as if we were in need of their salvation. When, our history often guides us to be both helpful to and suspicious of Europe and its goals. Most Americans have no particular issue with the UK or Great Britain, we simply recall our history as having been formed to offer an alternative to Monarchy. We do often feel that in the 20th century, we have given more than we have received. (Right or wrong.) While some far-left-leaning Americans may long for a country more like those of Europe and the UK, the majority, in my experience, prefer things as they are. Notably, our culture may seem aggressive, dangerous, and out of control to you - but to us, we see a stark difference between what we see as "Liberty," and what Europeans tend to call "Freedom." That is to say, it often seems to me that in the US, the concept is "Free to," whereas in Europe it appears to be "Free of." I do recognize that such a view may not be wholly truthful, but it is how many of us approach the issue here. Notably, while some in our society would prefer to regulate the behavior of others through the threat of state violence (as is done in Europe to prevent unwelcome speech, or religious display), this tyranny of the masses is often held in check in the U.S. by the guiding principles which may seem absurd to you, but have proven to be effective throughout the course of our personal history. There are many of us who find those principles very much instructive, especially because of the discomfort they cause.
- tome 14y ago
  A very well presented explanation. thank you.