I asked me what changes in our feeling about the USA.

[BonjourUSA]

I got a beginning of answer with the Bush's speech : we don't have respect any more.

This speech is the absolute image of what the USA represent for world : a threat.

No other political idea than to be over all countries. Their power is the single object of their ambition. Already, this was noticeable a long time ago (except with Clinton. He wished to apear as a partner), but that's now clearest with Bush and his gang of bastards.

What's the difference between extremism muslim and American policy ? nothing, Except military means. Same speech, same target of spreading their faith all over the world, same need of sweeping the no-good-thinking governments, anathema and insults as style of discussion.

We are not in the same thinking way any more.

The true question : this difference will be change with a new Democrate administation ? When we saw the majority of Democrate leaders who had agreed with a war on Iraq, we can be septic.

[cherryperry]

1. No need to get septic over it...

eom

[Don_G]

2. Look At Who We've Had Lately

Regan and Bush I for 12 years, 8 years under the "nightmare of peace and prosperity" under Clinton and a selected Bush IIfor another 4.

The Republicans see a threat everywhere (especially to the money they try to accrue) and are not above doing anything in their power to amass more at any price.

I don't know if this will change automatically with a new administration. It will take a while to make changes and our country has yet to react to future events that will unfold.

[BonjourUSA]

6. We know no one of your Democrate candidates.

Except Clark who would seem suspect, we haven't any opinions about the other ones.

I have to say that French media don't speak about them. The domestic american policy isn't a French preoccupation yet, but It will be soon of course

[bearfartinthewoods]

18. really? how enlightened....................

[RichM]

3. Do you mean "skeptical?" If so, I think you're right. Most of the Democrat

leaders are pretty much the same as the Republicans. They have only superficial differences. They are controlled by similar social forces.

You have to understand that at this web site, DU, most people are not willing to admit that. They get very angry when someone says it. But it's unfortunately quite true.

MOST developed countries are like this -- there really isn't so much difference between the major parties. In Germany, for example, the SPD is supposed to be to the left of the CDU, but there isn't really much difference. A hundred years ago the SPD was really a workers' party, but today it's not. It's a big business party that is rebuilding the German military. Even the German Greens are like that now.

In France, isn't it basically true that Jospin lost the election last year, because his Socialist Party no longer really represented anything very different from Chirac?

In the USA, MOST (not all) Democrats support policy which is only modestly different from Bush. The Democratic presidential candidates Kucinich and Sharpton are seriously different from the others. But they will not be nominated. So when the election comes next year, the Democrat will only have modest-sized differences from Bush.

From YOUR point of view, it would be much better if any of the Democrats won, because they all will be more multilateral, & want to work cooperatively with Europe instead of treating them like enemies. But none of the leading Democrats will seriously change anything fundamental in the direction US society is moving.

[JCMach1]

4. Not superficial, but REAL differences

IF you mistake any of our candidates (with the possible exception of Lieberman) for a Repug, you need to seriously open your eyes.

[BonjourUSA]

5. Our opinion is starting to be more and more hard against America.

When we talk with friends, co-workers or family Bush always keeps the total responsibility. BUT, it would be wrong to say that we don't amalgamate Bush and american people more and more in these discussions.

That's a new behavior, something is changing.

"Skeptical" of course :)

[RichM]

7. Why did Jospin & the PS do so badly in the 2002 election, in your view?

Did you vote for them, or for Chirac-Raffarin?

[BonjourUSA]

11. I didn't vote for Jospin

because I think he was completely in "brain up-set". "À côté de ses pompes" as we say in France. "He was walking beside his shoes" in english

[Kathy in Cambridge]

16. I was in Paris during the election

I heard a lot of anti-Chirac sentiment, but a lot of people voted for him because they feared Le Pen.

[punpirate]

8. I hope this attitude does not prevail...

... because there are many of us here who are desperately hoping that the antagonism of the Bush administration is temporary (including me: http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/03/05/02_offshore.html )

Trust us--we're trying to make things better here--but, we're up against big odds. The power of corporations and the media is much greater here than in Europe, and that affects the ordinary person's attitudes and votes.

We know Bush and his friends are damaging our national reputation. We hate it, too.

Cheers.

[Don_G]

10. Responsibility Or Control?

Control and responsibility are two different things. Bush wants absolute control yet he does not accept responsibility for his actions by blaming others when things go wrong.

I hope that Europe understands that a lot of Americans are working to change things and don't want Bush speaking or acting for all of us.

[CJCRANE]

9. There's a big difference

Granted, global capitalism is gonna take over whoever's in power but there's a choice between a chaotic kind of gangster capitalism where only the rich get richer or one with more safeguards and benefits for the poor and middle-class.

Plus in terms of foreign policy there's a choice between saying whatever you feel like or real diplomacy.

[cherryperry]

24. Yes, Rich, just look at the first response to your post!

I knew I recognized a kindred spirit, looked up your profile, and there, in all its glory: a man in Berkeley! You are so right about DU...are you supporting DK or AS and, if (ha ha) neither one is nominated, what do you intend to do? I fear I may not be as pure as you because I will have to go the ABB route...so, I am very interested to learn of your thoughts on this.

Many thanks!

[Cheswick2.0]

12. I am a sceptic too, good post

BTW, the title should have been "I asked myself"

[BonjourUSA]

13. Thank you

Each time I write a post I have my tongue on the desk.

But I hope when I will have written over two thousand posts I'll be better in english :-)

[Kathy in Cambridge]

17. Bush and Republicans = Le Pen

their fascism is barely cloaked, but it is the same mindset.

[spooky3]

15. thank you, Bonjour USA, but please don't give up on us

The Republicans are more than half in the Congress, and they hold the presidency. They thus control most of our government's actions. The Democrats and the American public were lied to about the threats to the country. I don't mean to make an excuse for the Democrats in Congress but the combination of their being in the minority, their being lied to about the imminent threat, and their believing that most Americans wanted them to support the war (because they were also lied to) accounts for some of their behavior, I believe.

The polls show that we are now back to 50-50. If events continue as they have been recently, I believe that we will have a shift in this country back to an era more like that of Clinton on foreign policy. But there is a big mess to get through first, sadly.

[izzie]

14. I think you may be right on the gov part.

Since the gov seems to be in control of the nea-cons and the extremish christians. Us reg. Am are in the back ground. I thought they were a small group but they do seem to have a lot of power. Let extremist have power always gets you a change for good or bad is unclear. Our founding fathers were extremist in their days. They did seem to want a better world where these now seem to wish gold, power and to cram their beliefs into us. And that is just what the extremish Muslim wish to do. Cram their belifs into us and have us stay out of their countries. What do you think these christians going into Iraq will do to all this? They are there to convert the people. Start looking for that in the news.

[laura888]

19. I am as dumbfounded as you!

I agree with the changes you listed. In fact, I feel the U.S. is in more danger of being attacked than ever before because of its new hawkish stance.

I am as dumbfounded as you as to the U.S. new aggressive nature - and greatly saddened.

[BonjourUSA]

20. I remenber what Gorbachev said to Bush 1st

"We're going to make you a bad joke, to delete your enemy".

[Kathy in Cambridge]

21. BonjourUSA: Do you think Bush is like Le Pen?

What is your opinion?

[BonjourUSA]

22. I think : yes

Xenophobe
miltarist
Financial opportunist
A white christian worldview
adept of the plot theory
to have a cop behind each citizen would be a great political success

in a word : facist

But Le Pen doesn't erode his knees with prayers

[Deja Q]

23. But a bigger, more devestating question remains

Is America reliable as a friend anymore?

For 4 or 8 years, it's going to be a friend.

Then someone different gets elected or selected. Especially if they're on the "other" political party, expect it to no longer be a friend though you're still supposed to support them.

I wouldn't find America reliable.

Its greatest strength is now its most embarrassing weakness. :-(

But don't fret, I expect the repigs to somehow prevent the 2004 election from happening. Sadly, the US won't be anybody's friend again any time soon, though we'll still want our oil and we still want you to buy from our corporations. This is what the US wants the world to do.

Sad, isn't it?

[Isere]

25. Salut, Bonjour!

Don't worry. Ne t'en fais pas! No Democrat in the current field of candidates, whether they voted for the war resolution or not, will have as small-minded a view of the world as G.W.B.

They are all ashamed of his high-handed, arrogant approach to foreign affairs and would all try to rekindle our friendships around the world.

Diane Johnson, an American novelist living in France, has an interview in Newsweek about French-American relations that blames most of the problem on Bush.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/972606.asp?0cv=KB20
"And you weren’t seeing a reciprocal reaction from French people?
        Not at all. People went out of their way to be nice, actually. To say, “We know it’s not your fault. You know, it’s just your president and we know he’s crazy. We know you didn’t elect him.” They were very charitable about this … And they were sort of treating us like we were sort of prisoners of the situation, too … So I have the feeling that the French people are rather moderate and thoughtful, not really anti-American, and once the administration changes, everything will be fine."

[Kemet]

26. Salut aussi

:hi:
Very interesting thread BonjourUSA. I keep wondering what is the general feeling back home about US policy, the american people and where the country is heading (i have not been back in over 2 years). In truth I don't really trust the french news to give me a real account of it. I can easily understand that only politicaly savy news junky will have an outlook on how the opposition is shaping up here. Being here and seeing it grow keeps me optimistic however. I admit that living in an area where progressive thinking is more obvious helps and i really hope that american people will always be welcome back home; not once have i met aggressive reactions because of my nationality.
I'll read your posts with great interest.
Merci