Why does the USA feel the need to get involved in other countries politics and even wars?
84344
The US is one of the most powerfull contries in the world. And with great power comes great responsibliy. The USA is just trying to make the world a better place, and they want to spread demcracy. The US does not mean any harm, there just trying to prevent nuclear war.
1097460
Hey gokart.  The reason why America is expected to solve Mexico's and everybody else's problems is simply because, for better or worse,  we've been sending economic aid to nations throughout the globe since the end of WWII and the world has become dependent on us to continue to do so because they have neither the ability or desire to solve the problems of their own citizens. Also, since the US has always been so generous by allowing tens/hundreds of thousands of people to immigrate here legally each year, leaders of other nations have relied (and continue to rely on)on the US as a convenient way to rid themselves of many of their most economically and politically desperate citizens who, often, would become the greatest threat to the control and power enjoyed by these leaders. While the US was left largely unscathed at the end of the war, and emerged as the great economic and political superpower and as a beacon of freedom and prosperity, the economies of both our former enemies and allies alike were left crippled.  Rather than allow the economies of other nations to suffer as they had after the first world war, America felt it was politically, morally and economically critical to help both former friend and foe to rebuild (just look at Japan and Germany) in order to break the cycle of global economic depression which helped push the Germans to support Hitler and into war.  In addition, when the Soviet Union rose as a political/economic/military rival following the war, the US(and their democratic allies) also thought it critical to provide economic support to various third world nations that preached democracy (although many of these nations were, in fact, ruled as dictatorships) in order to fight the spread of communism/socialism which was pereived as a grave threat to democratically elected governments.  Since the Soviet Union disintegrated and left the US as the only (current) superpower remaining, many of our former allies who depended on us for military and economic support now regard us as imperialistic bullies now that the Soviet political threat has vanished; with the current political vacuum of no American rival (although China is clearly getting there quickly), it is now almost universally en vogue to claim American imperialism and to be anti-American even among many of our closest former allies who were dependent on us to help them re-build their countries (France? Germany?).  Even now, though we certainly aren't required to and many of our political motivations for doing so are gone,and despite hostility abroad, the US still tries to be a beacon of morality by offering economic aid to nations across the globe and we are rewarded with increasing anti-American sentiment.  Latin American nations and Mexico, in particular, present a unique set of relationships.  As said previously, the US supported many third world Latin American nations(Panama, Nicaragua) militarily, economically and politically without any accountability by the leaders we aided following WWII due to the great fear Americans had that communism would spread to their hemisphere and their backdoor (look at Cuba); many of the nations/leaders we supported in third world countries across the world were nothing more than military strong men/dictators who took our aid and did nothing to benefit their people and these nations are still suffering and blame the US as a result.  Mexico, on the other hand, never was involved in WWII and, like the US, emerged unscathed - however decades of corruption and mismanagement by their political leaders and wealthy elite has also put economic pressure on the average Mexican citizen.  Rather than demand and fight for political and economic reform in their homelands, many Latinos simply found it easier to go to the US-whether its through legal immigration channels or not-for better economic, political and social conditions.  The people trying to come to the US have no will or ability to demand changes at home;
866339
i will let you know something that a few usa citizens know,you are asking that from an usa perpective,because if you go around the world you will understand that in the usa the media is not bringing international information very well,so the most of the time you see everything thinking that the earth is spinning around only one country,big mistake,the opposite ,the usa needs of the rest of the world like the countries with a thought of freedom need the usa,right now bush is searching for support outside did you know that?like the leftist parties(communists) are winning more countries around the world?why?the politic of bush and the republicans,the world not, the usa, is moving into a change,i agreed about safety measurements but i do not agreed about the way that they are dealing with the inter. relations,they are losting friends countries.
390631
Religion used to be the number one cause, but now I think it's more likely National interest, i.e. protecting ones resources (oil etc), or political reasons, or simply a desire to divert attention from problems at home - a successful war will always instill a sense of national pride e.g. the UK went to war with Argentina in the 1980's and that created an immense sense of National Pride and won an election for the Conservatives, while at home unemployment was rising etc.
1117546
Motivated self-interest.  The US does what is perceived to be in the US national interests at any particular time.  Every other country does the same, vis-vis their own national interests.  That the US has the ability to project its power more than other nations just makes it easier for the US to meddle more effectively than others.
263320
That is a good question.  If you look at American history you can see that from the Spanish American war to now, the US has no inhibitions against using military force to support its vested interests whether they are the United Fruit company in the Central American nations, colonial commerce in China, or suppressing resistance to American occupation in the Phillipines.  After WWII, under the doctrines of Cold War\nidiology there wasn't a year we were not engaged in undermining countries with political leaders we did not like\n( Domincan Republic, Chile, Indonesia, Congo,) or creating puppet governments and fomenting civil war, ( Vietnam ).\n\nAs an American I am NOT in support of these actions,\n\nDuring the Reagan Admin, the US supported dictators such as  Park, ( S Korea), Marcos, ( Phillipines ), Botha,( S.Africa), Pinochet, ( Chile), and others that oppressed their own citizens.  This was fine as long at they opposed communism. \n\nI don't doubt in this current crusade to maintain access to oil in the Middle East, we are behaving like the Roman Empire and supporting governments that support our aims, no matter how badly they treat their citizens. \n\nI don't think Americans in general support these actions.\nTo a great extent we are goverened by corporations, big business, idiology, short term economic policy and now, \nNEOCON doctrine, wars are inevitable and beyond our ability to prevent.\n\nIn earlier history, we had a civil war over soveignity and slavery as well an on ongoing genocide of the indigenious\ninhabitants. Americans execute more people than any other country in the world except for China.  We are a violent society.\n\n  When I travel abroad, I tell people I am a Canadian.
1095564
No, the worlds gov's don't "serve" the USA, more like take every advantage of the USA. If you look at the United Nations for instance, ninety +% of the nations we provide billions of $$$ in aid to every year vote AGAINST us more than 60% of the time on resolutions. So, no, we are not the puppet master, or we would not have the issues in the middle east that we now face. Not to mention the rest of the world.
483624
Propaganda films were used to show how bad the situation were in the other countries and the need for the USA to get involved to help stop the killing and suffering people from the other nations.
126476
Because actually they make you think that we help other countries but in reality we take advantage of other countries by helping them. Like for example, you think we are helping Iraqis but in reality we are interested in the oil. Maybe in the process we do help Iraqis but the main purpose was the oil. We help other countries, but we help them because there is something in return. It's not totally free you know.
25463
During the Cold War, many countries relied on the protective umbrella offered by the US which included troops on the ground to ensure a commitment to defend our friends if attacked.  It did keep the peace.  Now that that particular threat is over it is not surprising that many countries wish to be far more independent.  Perhaps they had to like or lump US foreign policy then, but not now.  Only time will tell whether the world is really less dangerous, especially if there is little protective cooperation against terrorism.  I believe the US has that right.
858886
US foregion policy lacks common sense, we armed many people we now combat or later did, Castro was armed by us, Iran, with the Shaw, Hussien was pu tinto power by us to combat the Aiyloitlla, Pineapple face Noregia, the list goes on. Its because we are the worlds bully, the tough kid who believes we rule. We need to revert back to the days of allowing people to handle their own affairs, supsope that France, Germany, and Russia had joined with England in combatting the terrorists known as the American Revolutionaries? You'd be singing God Save The Queen
232308
A better question would be to ask why the government of the United States sends the US military into other countries in peacekeeping roles (Bosnia, for example) while the countries in the area - who's own best interests would be served by not having their neighbor self-destruct - do nothing.
146152
it is because of the following.\n\n1. AMERICA thinks that they own the world\n2. They have the money and they ABUSE it\n3. They are miserable and AFRAID\n\nWell before you judge me of my answers let me explain\nTo let you know I live in Asia, the Philippines.\nAmerica thinks they own the world... -> This is true, you can se this on TV, hear it on radios.. America doing business all over the world. I mean it is not bad but because they are in the pinnacle of power they abuse it. they think they know each country, each culture. they think they are superior because they are first world, they're democratic and they are rich. But it is not all about the money or the power. Each country has its culture and its people. I can tell you that democracy is not always the best option of government. \n\nAmerica is also afraid that over the course of time, these regimes or budding power will destroy them. So what do they do?, they take actions while a growing country is still young and take them on their necks.\n\nSAD to say but its true. How you can prove it?, take away the comforts that you are in now, visit a third world country (like the Philippines, Cuba, Africa), live it, feel the culture the people and know firsthand how AMERICA destroys.
401841
This is an unfortunate question. The USA is a country of opportunity and freedom. It may not be 'perfect' and our situation with the War in Iraq has cost us some allies however, compare us to Ethiopia, Haiti, or countries in the middle east and we have more freedom and more opportunity than any of them. Our government affords us the lifestyles we choose and the political freedom to voice our opinions.
619273
The US has a bad foreign policy at least in the middle east Sorry to all US citizens but that's the truth the rest of the world has judged it and they are in the majority. \n\nThe US haven't always had such a bad one a string of presidents during the cold war got it right. Why now because of 9/11 the US feels the most threatened country on Earth the American public needed to see Bush doing something so he attacked Afghanistan. Iraq is a mistake the true reason for the invasion is still unclear. The US however in their heightened sense of paranoia tend to see threats everywhere from anyone. \n\nThey aren't the only country being attacked in Iraq and tehy aren't the only country to have suffered devastating terrorist attacks so don't forget it. \nBritain suffers to for following the US into Iraq and Afghanistan. Israel suffers daily suicide bomber's. Countries in Africa suffer famine, tribal conflict, genocide and all the US can do sat high on its pedestal is announce plans to stop attacks on the US. \nGlobal peace is something we all strive for but it won't happen whilst tribal conflict, the need for revenge, different religions and differing ideas exist. It also won't happen whilst one nation thinks it has the right to do anything and everyhting in another persons country. \n\nThe US should open its eyes and realise whilst its economy affects the world globally it is becoming overshadowed by other countries and its continued military actions and the threat of military actions are infuriating the world. Americans still wonder why they are attacked by suicide bombers and roadside bombs in Iraq. Cover ups and covert operations are mounted to get rid of the people they dislike. The evidence is all around you America until you see it you will continue to be attacked until the world slaps you in the face and tells you in overwhelming numbers to get lost and look after your own country. \n\nStop thinking the US is the greatest nation on earth it isn't. It interferes too much with other countries which should be left to the U.N that's what its there for.\n\nLike I said the Americans have got it right in the past they should do so again. America has done good in the world and by listening to the worlds problems and sorting them out through organisations desgined for that purpose they can do even more. America will continue to lose power and respect on a global scale if its current foreign policy continues.
956033
the US has a history of trying to be the healer of the world.\nbut there is a line between helping and supporting.\nthere is a bigger line between supporting and suppling weapons to people
38696
look, its simple...if you dont like to get hurt then dont hurt other people in the first place....the americans are ones who always attack other countries....there is SO many countries i can name like iraq,japan ,veitnam,afghanistan,and the list goes on,...i hope one day some powerful country will invade america and we'll see if they enjoy being occupied and attacked.