World "Truth, Justice-and thankfully no longer "The American way!"

[Superman79]

The problem I have is the "American way" ad described in SUperman's little catchfrase is in no way exclusive to America. It's a set of ideas that was around long before America was a country and will exist long after the U.S. has melded into other cultures and no longer recognisable as it is now.

that's the thing...other cultures blended together is what makes the US...it's one of the only countries in the world comprised entirely of people and decendants of cultures from around the world

 

[The Question]

So? What does that have to do with the ideas of freedom and equality and all that stuff? Those ideas existed long bfore America and will exist long after it is unrecognisable as it is today.

 

[Superman79]

So? What does that have to do with the ideas of freedom and equality and all that stuff? Those ideas existed long bfore America and will exist long after it is unrecognisable as it is today.

yes, but no other country was expressly founded on such ideals as America was...

yes, they will continue to exist, but currently they are what America was founded upon so to say American Way can be construed as appropriate. That's all I'm saying.

 

[Fantasyartist]

Dear Superman79

Just WHAT is "The American Way"? (Truth and Justice need no explanation). To ask this is NOT "anti-American"( I have not just valued friends but also relatives living in the US)!

Terry

 

[Superman79]

Dear Superman79

Just WHAT is "The American Way"? (Truth and Justice need no explanation). To ask this is NOT "anti-American"( I have not just valued friends but also relatives living in the US)!

Terry

I realize to ask that question is not un-american...please don't take it that I think that way. Some of the things I say can be misconstrued if taken in the wrong tone (unfortunatley the "tones" of calm discussion have trouble being communicated in an online board )

Now let me say right now, that all references to America are not counting political ideologies that may be prevailent at any one time...


Personally, the way I see it (and this is just me mind you), is that the American Way is opportunity. This country was founded so that people could escape repression (religious and political) it was founded on the very fundamental ideas of freedom and self-determination. The founders no longer wanted a society where you were born into your station, they wanted a place where you could go from nothing to something.
(For examples please see: Ben Franklin, FDR, Gen. George Patton, Zell Miller, Ronald Reagan, Alberto Gonzalez, Frank Sinatra, and at least half of the musicians and actors currently performing). This is one of the basic principles America stands for. In addition to opportunity there is freedom. Freedom to pursue your dreams, to achieve them. Freedom from persecution, and Americans fight for that freedom regularly (ignoring the pro’s and cons of the present conflict for arguments sake) WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and Somalia are all examples. Not to mention the fact the US provides the most money and troops to the UN in an effort to protect freedom around the globe.

Like I said, the American Way is not politics, it is the ideals of hope, fairness, opportunity, and freedom...those are the American way. Yes, America does not have a monopoly on those ideas. But it is the only country in the world that was expressly founded on it:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed”-Declaration of Independence

America is not perfect by any means, but the core ideals it was founded upon are. Though they may get buried at times under political rhetoric, they are still there, and shall remain there for centuries to come.

And that’s what the American way is to me Charlie Brown...

Please feel free to ask for clarification or continue discussion as I’m sure I may have missed some things.

 

[CLARKY]

yes, but no other country was expressly founded on such ideals as America was...

yes there was : France (in my case) : Liberty, equality, fraternity.
Yes it's not exactly the same but those are what France "was expressly founded" .
And I'm sure that France is not the only one around the world.
Here in france we have a lot of people coming to find a job in our "golden land of france" but it doesn't mean because they are millions , our "ideals" exist or are proper to our country. Because be sure that a lot of them do not find a job and end in the street.
And to reduce the Superman's motivation to a mojo and the ideals of ONE country is IMO in contradiction with the character since there are great ideals ("expressly founding") in other countries.