How Many Of You Hate America? | Teen Ink

How Many Of You Hate America?

August 21, 2009
By Eilina Sealtman SILVER, London, Other
Eilina Sealtman SILVER, London, Other
7 articles 0 photos 15 comments

The common view of things is often different from the reality. They can be twisted, beautiful images that shield us from the truth. Sometimes people should think of it not as a shield, but as a blindfold. Because a world superpower is taking steps too far. By consuming more fossil fuels than is necessary, by standing still and making no military progression when it was needed, and by waging war on a country and attacking soldier and civilians over a mere dispute for oil. This “great” country, is America.

Many people look to America and sigh with envy at “the American Dream” . However, that dream cannot last long, while America is guzzling up precious resources left on a rapidly crowding planet. These figures speak for themselves about the evident greed of America:



Coal > Production
531,822,000 ton


Coal consumption
1,060,000,000


Commercial energy use
8,148.38


Electric power consumption > kWh
3,920,613,000,000 kWh


Electricity > Consumption
3,892,000,000,000 kWh


Gasoline prices
0.77


Geothermal power use
5,640


Natural gas > Consumption
652,900,000,000 cu m


Natural Gasoline > Production
12,275,000 ton


Nuclear electricity generation
780.1 terawatt-hours


Nuclear energy consumption
821.1 terawatt-hours


Nuclear reactors operable
104


Oil > Consumption
20,680,000 bbl/day


Oil > Exports
1,165,000 bbl/day


Oil > Production
8,457,000 bbl/day


Oil imports > Net
10,400,000 barrels per day


Oil reserves
22,450,000,000 barrels


Usage per person
8.35 TOE per person


Wall plugs > Voltage
110 V


Wind energy installation
6,740 MW






These crimes are forgivable, as other nations are guilty of many similar crimes, such as Brazilians chopping down the Amazon. But global warming is not the most important aspect that we can hold against America. America has extorted countries beyond the point of recovery. Equador, for example, was reduced to a poor scrabbling wreck once America dealt out loans to them. Now Equador only has 5% of its national budget to spend on public services, whilst the rest of the money goes into paying off foreign aid, almost all of which goes to America. Is this right? Is it fair that Americans can bully nations? Furthermore. America threatens, assasinates, and then goes to war with the presidents of countries who refused to run their countries as they like. The war with Iraq is a simple example. America wanted oil. Iran refused to give for no good reason. Why should we just let them do this to us? Us as a world?
Oh yes, because they have guns!

The U.S.A government is a trigger-happy collection of murderous power figures, They do so much to the world, and yet they have nuclear arms and their military to point at other nations, and say “give me your money!” They succeeded for so long due to pure fear, but now other countries have the chance to strike back. America doesn't have all the power anymore. A single grain of rice can tip a scale. Somehow, America has set in a system which everybody likes. A system where people don't think. Where they impulsively buy items that will break very soon. In America, only 10% of items bought for a house are kept for more than a month, and only 5% of those remain for 6 months. America designs products to be made so they break as soon as possible, but will still leave the client with faith in the product, enough so to buy themselves more.

But who benefits from this system?

The aristocrats do. Right up in their trees, lording over us. There are bankers who awarded themselves millions of dollars in bonuses whilst creating a recession that would cripple thousands of struggling individuals around the world. This doesn't cause stress for people living on government benefits, but for the people who are just above the poverty line. America makes those people struggle and work every day. It does so by enforcing a system where the elite (namely money-posessing) people take hold. Can nothing be done to create a fair and happy world?

Well, there is something you can do. You can be fair. You can be smart, and you can think before reaching for your credit card while watching an auction channel. You can PAUSE and WAIT before buying that “wonderful new shave”. We have to know our limitations, and stretch them. Whoever is reading this, YOU are the workforce. You are the people economically enslaved. There is hope. You can work together towards goals such as Project Venus, Save The Forests, Oil Conservation, and Fairtrade. These small lifestyle changes will help you sleep at night. How can we sleep after reading this, knowing that we are only here through the turmoil and suffering of potentially hundreds of other men, women and children.

When a child reaches to the future, who will have the heart to say, “we've used it up, son.”


The author's comments:
Many of you will be enraged by this article. I mean no offence to any human being, merely a minority's actions. And if you can condemn a terrorist group, can you condemn a group of terrorist that don't use guns and use the American people to shield themselves?

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JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 392 comments.


on Jun. 11 2012 at 1:49 pm
mudnainah BRONZE, Barikville, Washington
3 articles 0 photos 16 comments

Favorite Quote:
it's not in everything that you find happiness, but in happiness you shall find everything.

It certainly is beautiful and I love it! But behind that Beauty lays an ugly lie :( ... 

on Jun. 11 2012 at 1:46 pm
mudnainah BRONZE, Barikville, Washington
3 articles 0 photos 16 comments

Favorite Quote:
it's not in everything that you find happiness, but in happiness you shall find everything.

This reminds me, I believe this is how Muslims feel when they are being criticized and called terrorists. You are talking about a mere Country and look how people have labeled aq whole religion. Smh!! 

Logicoverall said...
on May. 29 2012 at 11:05 pm
...Prove that...
What about countries like Sweden and Norway? They are considerably better then the U.S. on any of their days. The best or the worst.

on May. 27 2012 at 1:34 pm
Tongue_Blep PLATINUM, ????, Ohio
40 articles 1 photo 769 comments

America has had their downs. But we have still had our up as well.

 

America is an amazing place, and we are our OWN country, of a wide varity of people. So basically, your kind of critsizing the whole world.

 

I don't agree. America rocks! :)(:


Indilove GOLD said...
on May. 10 2012 at 7:58 am
Indilove GOLD, Kenockee, Michigan
17 articles 0 photos 71 comments

Favorite Quote:
No one is your strength or guidance. If life is what you wish to live then do not bind your soul to something unreal. The creater nor the keeper can heal you for it is blind faith that leads you.

To 'Don't Hate':

Very nicly said, you obviously know what it is ur trying to say. I also picked up up on several flaws in this essay but you already had them pinpointed. You're a good critic.

To the author:

I see what it is that you're trying to get across to people and I'm not enraged by what you had to say. My only advice is that you should re read this yourself and perhaps create a better one? Many could be enlightened by what you have to say if you get it across correctly. Several sources are required for a piece such as this.

First taking a look at this essay, it's a rough draft. If you wish to get anywhere with the power of persuasion in this topic you have to make it perfect. 

American's, I can tell you because I'm one of them, arenot all perfect. Of course we have our flaws. Especially our government, but is that the people's fault? 'Don't Hate' was correct in saying that you seem to be targeting American individuals throughout this whole piece. Is that really fair?

So my simple advice, if you wish to pursue this topic, is to do tons of research. You need proof, facts. And to turn this rough draft into a final one. Fix your grammar, your fragmants, make it proffessional looking.

Don't be discouraged though, you have a talent, it just needs adjusting. This is a very broad topic and you'll always get nasty responses. If you want to get people listening and thinking about your opinion you have to give the effort.

good luck and keep writing


KelliB GOLD said...
on May. 9 2012 at 12:09 pm
KelliB GOLD, Amarillo, Texas
15 articles 1 photo 55 comments

Favorite Quote:
Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.<br /> - Bill Cosby

This does make a lot of sense to the above author

dusty said...
on May. 3 2012 at 1:57 pm
U.K. is even worse.

on Mar. 27 2012 at 10:58 am
xflighty_firex BRONZE, Clarity, Other
3 articles 1 photo 6 comments

Your right. We're not perfect.

People- I know a lot- are greedy. We end up doing wrong things. And our 'American Dream' isn't exactly black and white. But then again, nothing is.

But I don't think it's fair to judge all of us. I'm American, first generation from a third-world country.

I can't honestly judge you. I can't insult you back. I don't think I can change your mind. But remember, it's not fair to judge a freck'n 1 BILLION POPULATION by their crappy goverment & political leaders.


Don't hate said...
on Mar. 25 2012 at 9:01 pm

To begin with, America is not perfect. It is completely childish to point out all of America’s flaws and none of her beauties. This type of strategy suggests that one is trying to escape criticism themselves. I will admit that SOME people spend too much or pollute etc. Furthermore, America is a free country with good people in it, just like everywhere else. In the past few years alone, entire debates have been brought up about issues not only like financial/health care but even about animal rights and college tuition/scholarships. How can you say that people are ignorant, simple-minded, and gullible when there is so much competition to get into American colleges of prestige and creative/open-minded activists working day and night to change the world? This author brings up our supposed ignorance yet when I read this essay, I find countless grammar mistakes, fragments, scattered thoughts, contradictions, and plenty of over-generalizations about the people of America as a whole even though she states her essay is targeted toward the corrupt politicians, businessmen, and others like them.

          Second, in the first paragraph, she states that America makes “no military progression” but exactly afterwards declares “waging war on a country... dispute.” Obviously, the writer herself does not know what she is talking about. She is like a child who doesn’t know what she wants or what to complain about. Is she mad about America’s inactivity or hyperactivity? She brings up multiple times that other countries are bad too. This shows us that she is pessimistic, snobby, and judgmental because of the way she thinks no country is “good enough.” I agree that all countries have some flaws, but raging against everyone is not going to mean that your country is any better.

          Later on, the author says that Ecuador is worse off because America gave them too many loans. No one can predict the future, and it suited both countries interests at the time to have such a transaction. It was NOT a case of America stealing money. At least half the blame should fall on Ecuador for getting themselves into such a mess. After all, if a person trips on the sidewalk, is it the property’s owner’s fault for not noticing that blemish, or is it the fault of the person for not looking where they were going?

          Next, the author tries to make America out as a bully with nuclear weapons and armies. I would like to make the case that America is not the only country with nuclear weapons, so how could that have affected the other country’s decision? If anything, America’s wars were brought about because other countries would not be “bossed around.” In fact, the author states in paragraph 3, “The war with Iraq is a simple example… Iran refused to…” Believe it or not, both countries are mentioned in the same breath. This shows the author’s contempt seeing as she cannot even distinguish between the two or which one is going to be talked about. The terrible grammar makes it even more difficult to read.

          My final and perhaps most important point is that there are no sources for ANYTHING in this article. I cannot bring myself to believe in simply the words of an over-enthusiast and biased author. Without sources, I will not and cannot accept her facts. I have a personal grudge against her statistic that “only 10% of items bought for a house are kept for more than a month.” I am certain there are no statistics even existing that could back this up. Also, I would like to make the point that since this author does not live in America, she would not be able to know this or anything about the way anyone lives. Expanding upon that, she declares that America’s products break easily. This is absolutely not okay. I myself know that if I pick up nearly anything in a house supply store, it will read “Made in China” or “Made in Taiwan” on it. When I buy anything that says “Made in USA” I keep it for years before it wears out.


on Mar. 12 2012 at 3:19 pm
simplyfeel SILVER, Peachtree City, Georgia
5 articles 0 photos 9 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;If we admit that human life can be ruled by reason, then all possibility of life is destroyed. &quot;<br /> Christopher McCandless &quot;Into the Wild&quot;

I do agree that we use an insane amount of energy sources. I also do agree that politicians are exceptionally greedy in this nation. However, to say America is solely a bully is wrong. We do try to help people. We almost always end up doing it the wrong way though. We end up making them hate us. For example, Iraq and Afghanistan. America originally invaded those countries for possibly oil reasons and suspicions of terrorist organizations living there. Eventually, it turned into trying to grant more freedom to the people and helping them embrace democracy. Oil became a secondary reason. However, it's quite evident that our efforts to help the people have turned against us and many of them just plain ol' don't like us. We tried to help Vietnam in the same way from a cruel dictatorship. Everyone knows that didn't work out.

What I believe is that America is an extremely flawed nation, but I do not think it is as foul as you perceive it to be. I just gave you one example with the whole "trying to save a country from oppressive rule" spiel. To say the people of America are as wrecked as the government is wrong. The normal folk, or as some call them the 99%, just want jobs and a stable home life. That's just like everyone else in every part of the world. The qualifications that you listed out that make us a bad nation most people know nothing about. The average joe would know nothing about how much energy resources we use. The average joe would not know about the situation in Ecuador. We are more guilty of ignorance than arrogance. Because of our ignorance of the dirty things the U.S government has done, we are lead to be ensured in the propaganda that we are the greatest nation on Earth -- with some flaws of course. The average joe does have a suspicion we entered the Middle East for gas and know politicians are only out for themselves. So to bash the entire nation, I feel, is wrong.

Aside from all that, your piece was well written and thought out. Interesting read.

on Mar. 12 2012 at 3:17 pm
simplyfeel SILVER, Peachtree City, Georgia
5 articles 0 photos 9 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;If we admit that human life can be ruled by reason, then all possibility of life is destroyed. &quot;<br /> Christopher McCandless &quot;Into the Wild&quot;

I do agree that we use an insane amount of energy sources. I also do agree that politicans are exceptionally greedy in this nation. However, to say America is soley a bully is wrong. We do try to help people. We almost always end up doing it the wrong way though. We end up making them hate us. For example, Iraq and Afghanistan. America originally invaded those countries for possibly oil reasons and suspicions of terrorist organizations living there. Eventually, it turned into trying to grant more freedom to the people and helpng them embrace democracy. Oil became a secondary reason. However, it's quite evident that our efforts to help the people have turned against us and many of them just plain ol' don't like us. We tried to help Vietnam in the same way from a cruel dictatorship. Everyone knows that didn't work out.

What I believe is that America is an extremely flawed nation, but I do not think it is as foul as you precieve it to be. I just gave you one example with the whole "trying to save a country from oppressive rule" spiel. To say the people of America are as wrecked as the government is wrong. The normal folk, or as some call them the 99%, just want jobs and a stable home life. That's just like everyone else in every part of the world. The qualifications that you listed out that make us a bad nation most people know nothing about.  The average joe would know nothing about how much energy resources we use. The average joe would not know about the situation in Ecudar. We are more guilty of ignorance than arrogance. Because of our ignorance of the dirty things the U.S government has done, we are lead to be ensured in the propaganda that we are the greatest nation on Earth -- with some flaws of course. The average joe does have a suspicion we entered the Middle East for gas and know polticains are only out for themselves. So to bash the entire nation, I feel, is wrong.

Aside from all that, your piece was well written and thought out. Interesting read. 

on Mar. 5 2012 at 11:22 pm
Just look at how America has treated the Native Americans.

on Mar. 5 2012 at 11:09 pm
Maybe Imperfectly Beautiful cares enough about America to be able to see its flaws but still want to stay and help it ,like I do.

on Mar. 5 2012 at 11:04 pm
i think you are missing the point 

on Mar. 3 2012 at 1:11 pm
TheLiberalist BRONZE, Briarcliff Manor, New York
1 article 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;A man who does not think for himself does not think at all&quot; -Oscar Wilde

Please write more! This is exactly correct! I wouldn't even go as far to say it's an OPINION article, which many might, because everything is completely correct. America needs to remember what it truely means to be "by the people for the people"

on Feb. 28 2012 at 11:00 am
thelogicoflove SILVER, Camden, South Carolina
7 articles 0 photos 15 comments

I don't understand why you use 'fat and ignorant' in the same phrase. Is being fat relative to being illiterate? Are you actually comparing being overweight to being imprudent, homophobic, discriminatory, and shallow?

Anyway, I partially agree with the rest of your post, despite the bigoted comment above. I just don't understand why you are still in America if you think all these awful things about it.


wi234 said...
on Feb. 24 2012 at 11:31 pm
wi234, Boston, Massachusetts
0 articles 0 photos 18 comments

great article! 

 


on Feb. 19 2012 at 7:18 pm
DivingForRoses, Dickson, Tennessee
0 articles 0 photos 6 comments
She clearly stated in her article that her remarks were aimed not at Americans, but at the corrupt members of our government. She was not being hateful in any way, but was criticizing the U.S. government for things we're openly guilty of doing. She never once said that all Americans are evil, nor did she say that our country lacks any form of qualities that redeem us. Her article was meant to stimulate change, not incite anger. Please realize that.

on Feb. 19 2012 at 7:11 pm
DivingForRoses, Dickson, Tennessee
0 articles 0 photos 6 comments
Unlike many of the other readers of your article, I found it informative and strong. Your status as a foreigner to America does not change the fact that a few key members of the government are guilty of greed and stepping on developing countries in order to acheive their own selfish means. In our brief history, the U.S. has not only affected Ecuador, but also Guam (1945- infested the island with snakes, resulting in loss of several species of exotic bird), Iran (1954- restored the shah to power after citizens had removed him from office) and Nicaragua (1986- Contragate). We may not be the only guilty party in the history of civilization, but that doesn't lessen the U.S. impact on other people everywhere. In addition, you made it quite clear that your article was not an attack or accusation of wrong-doing aimed toward all Americans, but toward the few that even Americans accuse of greed and unethical behavior. Thank you for posting.

RosySea SILVER said...
on Feb. 5 2012 at 2:39 pm
RosySea SILVER, Port Hadlock, Washington
5 articles 0 photos 6 comments
While I agree that America has done quite a few awful things,it is unfair to blame and hate an entire country for things the common citizens don't necessarily have a say in. Just because SOME Americans are greedy and selfish doesn't mean all of us are. Everyone needs to take a look at the big picture before deciding an entire country is foul. Also, I just have to say that hating us won't change a thing. Everyone all over the world hates everyone else plenty, and our generation doesn't need to add to that. We need to learn to create awareness and FIX our problems, not just blame them all on someone else and make them fix everything. If we blame, blame, blame, we may as well go back to preschool!