Coloradomtnman
Rational and proud of it.
- Oct 1, 2008
- 4,445
- 935
What is Meant When Someone Uses the Words "Un-American" or "Anti-American" about another American?
Do they mean that the person wants to destroy the U.S. outright, not just the government but its citizens and culture?
Because I can't think of what else it might mean.
The terms seem to be used a lot more than is safe. I do remember my history lessons, and no body thinks what McCarthy did was a just thing.
I hear conservatives accusing the President of being un-American or anti-American and I would like to ask, "What exactly do you mean by that?"
If you mean that he is trying to cause the end of the United States as a nation, I have to disagree and wonder what could cause someone to react so vehemently to his political perspective. If they mean that he is attempting to destroy the American ideal, then I would like an explanation of what the American ideal is?
From my point of view the American ideal is a government which is a democratic republic, which is a government by the people for the people. I don't see how Obama isn't representing his consituency. I'm an American and he's doing (if not exactly what I would like) just fine by me. I could want him do more, and do things which are more to my liking(like a single payer system for health care - but at least we made the first step...), but I don't see how reacting as though he is trying to destroy us is valid.
I don't see how socialism and freedom are not synonymous (especially when I look at almost all other Western democracies...) unless one believes freedom means acquiring wealth and property. That's just how I see it. If you don't see it that way I don't think you're un-American or anti-American, its just how you see it. You believe that government shouldn't do all the things that I think it should. You don't think government is a tool for the people the way I believe it is. Ok. No big deal.
Pale Rider and I could hang out in a bar, drinking whiskey and telling stories. Perhaps if we started talking politics we'd come to blows (though I would hope not) - but otherwise we'd get along just fine. I don't think he's trying to harm people or is evil or is a traitor or is a bad person. The way he sees things is the way he sees things, and the way he believes is just the way he believes and the only thing that's gonna change him is him - not me. So I can get angry, call him names, get physical, and end up nothing to show for it but a new enemy - one who is one of my countrymen, an American. Just like I am.
Or we can talk about things, and maybe see the world in a broader frame of mind, become friends instead of enemies, and maybe even find a solution that works for both of us. And if it doesn't work perfectly, at least the compromise is better than nothing but potential hatred and violence from both sides. Take the the current health care reform, which IMHO, kinda sucks, but I do like it better than it was: no more pre-existing conditions, more purchasing power for small businesses, etc. And I don't know for a fact, but I could guess that Pale Rider doesn't like the new system either, but there must be something about that even he thinks ais an improvement on the old system.
So he and I could hate eachother because we don't like what the other wants, or we could think that its not all bad and at least we don't hate each other.
Because that's what I think someone means when they say "un-American" or "anti-American" - that they hate who it is they're accusing of such ambiguous, nebulous, and vaguely bad intentions or behavior - its no longer just disagreement.
You could just let it go and live for today.
Do they mean that the person wants to destroy the U.S. outright, not just the government but its citizens and culture?
Because I can't think of what else it might mean.
The terms seem to be used a lot more than is safe. I do remember my history lessons, and no body thinks what McCarthy did was a just thing.
I hear conservatives accusing the President of being un-American or anti-American and I would like to ask, "What exactly do you mean by that?"
If you mean that he is trying to cause the end of the United States as a nation, I have to disagree and wonder what could cause someone to react so vehemently to his political perspective. If they mean that he is attempting to destroy the American ideal, then I would like an explanation of what the American ideal is?
From my point of view the American ideal is a government which is a democratic republic, which is a government by the people for the people. I don't see how Obama isn't representing his consituency. I'm an American and he's doing (if not exactly what I would like) just fine by me. I could want him do more, and do things which are more to my liking(like a single payer system for health care - but at least we made the first step...), but I don't see how reacting as though he is trying to destroy us is valid.
I don't see how socialism and freedom are not synonymous (especially when I look at almost all other Western democracies...) unless one believes freedom means acquiring wealth and property. That's just how I see it. If you don't see it that way I don't think you're un-American or anti-American, its just how you see it. You believe that government shouldn't do all the things that I think it should. You don't think government is a tool for the people the way I believe it is. Ok. No big deal.
Pale Rider and I could hang out in a bar, drinking whiskey and telling stories. Perhaps if we started talking politics we'd come to blows (though I would hope not) - but otherwise we'd get along just fine. I don't think he's trying to harm people or is evil or is a traitor or is a bad person. The way he sees things is the way he sees things, and the way he believes is just the way he believes and the only thing that's gonna change him is him - not me. So I can get angry, call him names, get physical, and end up nothing to show for it but a new enemy - one who is one of my countrymen, an American. Just like I am.
Or we can talk about things, and maybe see the world in a broader frame of mind, become friends instead of enemies, and maybe even find a solution that works for both of us. And if it doesn't work perfectly, at least the compromise is better than nothing but potential hatred and violence from both sides. Take the the current health care reform, which IMHO, kinda sucks, but I do like it better than it was: no more pre-existing conditions, more purchasing power for small businesses, etc. And I don't know for a fact, but I could guess that Pale Rider doesn't like the new system either, but there must be something about that even he thinks ais an improvement on the old system.
So he and I could hate eachother because we don't like what the other wants, or we could think that its not all bad and at least we don't hate each other.
Because that's what I think someone means when they say "un-American" or "anti-American" - that they hate who it is they're accusing of such ambiguous, nebulous, and vaguely bad intentions or behavior - its no longer just disagreement.
You could just let it go and live for today.