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What other countries are looking at.

Americans uphold that we represent the free world. Yet, when I sit down and talk with students from "third world" countries. I find that these people see only isolation and imprisonment while visiting our country. I have heard from about three different students that it is weird for a country to call itself free when you have to have permission to do the things you want to do. (i.e. fishing license, drivers license, etc.) These students related to me how when they wanted to do something in their village, if they had the ability, and it did not harm someone else they did it. Now I'm not knocking america, I love this country. I'm a bit afraid for my country.

Now lets take a step back, and look at the example that we "the leaders of the free world" are giving.

1) Our human rights history is not that great, and while we have made some good steps I dare you to go onto youtube and do a search with the keywords cop taser... its not pretty. We still have a long way to go.

2) Our education system has been consistently getting worse. Yes, Bush definitely had a hand in this, but this was not his work alone. Colleges, Home-school Curriculum Vendors and Private Schools, have to do a good job. (i.e. critical thinking skills, practical job skills, challenging new ideas) If they do not they go out of business. Public schools... only have to make sure you can regurgitate information, and that your name is marked present to get their money. Where is the incentive in a government owned school? And are our politicians really trustworthy enough to decide which vocabulary words, and history lessons your child gets? From what I understand "1984" is being made into a movie, or you can always read the book.

3) Americans get less vacation time than any other country in the world. My parents both worked 2 to 3 jobs so that my family could have ends meat. At least in the feudal system while you were pretty much stuck in the family business... you got to know your family.

4) Our media is not trust-worthy. I'm not just talking about fox either. I have a friend that reads a lot of alternative journalism. Thanks to this friend I am on average at least anywhere from two days to two months ahead of the news.

5) We are seen as extremely close-minded. We try to make people listen to us, but do we even want to hear their side, or does that make us a sympathizer of terror?

6) Our military is in 130 countries. If China's military was in our country saying that they were here to make sure the common worker is treated well, or to ensure their business interests were protected, do you honestly think that we would react kindly?

7) Our economy is on the fritz. Socialists, and communists love this... nevermind that our financial setup is now closer to corporatism (Musolini's word for Fascism) than it is to capitalism.

Now, I love this country, and it is because I love this country that I'm listing this stuff. If we do not change the way we are leading, than we will never be effective in the promotion of freedom. Nothing short of a shining example that demonstrates everything that democracy can be will do. I propose that we stop trying to meddle with other countries, and focus on improving ourselves first. When others see american democracy and capitalism working than they will follow, but if we can't even make it work ourselves, than we have no right whatsoever to push it onto others.