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Americans are pompous, unaware and insular, but so are people from other countries. We are all the same at the end of the day.

European countries are smaller in size and population. Does the world really want to wake up and know the top stories in Belgium or Austria? I don't think so, unless it affects the entire world or individuals who have a particular interest. Well, American issues, problems, big business, globalization, inventions, colleges, politics, Hollywood and street fashion do affect the entire world in different ways. America is on stage and because of this, America and Americans are up for critique.

The Rodney King incident was big news in Europe, but idiotic futbol riots in Europe never hit our press. Our government's treatment of illegal immigrants are world headlines, but do Americans ever hear of the treatment Albanians get in Italy? The US denial of Cuban and Mexican illegal entrance into the States is looked down upon in Spain, but nobody talks about the mal-treatment of the Moroccans rafting to the coast of Spain.

Whether in Asia, Africa or Europe, I have discussed and debated both the positive and negatives of America. When I have questioned the issues of other countries, I find people fall into denial, like negatives do not exist. "Not in our country!" Well, I find it interesting that European countries, like Britain are European when they want to be and British when they want to be. The Spanish will never admit alcoholism is a problem in Spain. For them, the problem is really the tourists that travel to Spain. Tourism supports the Spanish economy. In my opinion, China without a doubt is more aware of America than America is aware of America, but the Chinese are more racist than America. American globalization can be eliminated, if the rest of the world stops buying our product. So stop buying it and stop complaining. Medical insurance is insane in the States, but if I need treatment, I would rather get it in the States, than British NHS care.

I think my point is that closed-minded people exist all over the world. This mentality sets up a pompous and prejudice attitude towards the rest of the world. The more positive press Americans get about the rest of the world, the more we will open up.

As far as Americans are concerned, please do not think that we are the only country with free-press. Think about it! While our press is being censored and our elections altered, other press around the world is telling it like it is. People can openly debate in a public forum without being sued or expected to be politically correct. When Americans talk about the rest of the world, I think we should specify which country we are talking about. This leaves no room for generalization. We should also stop saying "World Champs," unless we are talking about the world cup! The rest of the world can beat us in basketball, anyway.

Learn more about this author, Salvatore Oliva.
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