Throughout the last couple of years, the attitudes
towards the US have changed; it is not as positive as it used to be. There are
several reasons for this. For instance, the attitudes towards the US in the
Muslim world remain negative. However, some have different opinions and support
the democracy.
Additionally, the view on the US pretty much
got destroyed after Bush became president. He started the war in Afghanistan because he
wanted to achieve peace, but instead he made everything worse and the countries
that were involved almost got entirely destroyed. After this most people
changed their opinion about the US and today I believe many people have
negative opinions about the US.
The picture symbolizes how the US is today. We
see two children, one holding a kinder chocolate egg and the other one is
holding a weapon. The picture says: “One child is holding
something that’s been banned in America to protect them. Guess which one.”
Today, the kinder chocolate is banned because
of the toys inside. They are afraid that the children could become choked by
the toys because many children usually put toys in their mouths. The gun on the
other hand is not illegal, and causes more than 12,000 deaths a year in the US.
Everyone can get a hold of a license as well as a gun. Normal citizens keep
military weapons on their property, and children aren’t allowed to eat kinder
chocolate? This tells us a lot about the American attitude when it comes to
weapons. Even though a weapon is far more dangerous than a toy, the toy gets
banned and not the weapon.
Personally my opinions about the US are both
positive and negative. I believe that the citizens are accommodating and
outgoing unlike people in many other countries. I find Americans nicer and more
welcoming than Norwegians actually, and I think that this is something we can
learn for the Americans. On the other
hand, the difference between rich and poor are huge, and I do not like for
example the medical system they have. This is something I believe should change
as soon as possible not only because it will make the US emerge as a better
country, but also to improve the citizens’ living conditions.
Sources:
Pewglobal.org, "Global opinions of Obama slips, International policies slips" http://www.pewglobal.org/2012/06/13/chapter-2-attitudes-toward-american-culture-and-ideas/ (downloaded: 13.05.13)
Pewglobal.org, "U.S. image up slightly, but still negative"
http://www.pewglobal.org/2005/06/23/us-image-up-slightly-but-still-negative/ (downloaded: 13.05.13)
