Reply #22: yes, the mythology

[ithacan]

that Americans are imbued with is very strong.

We are good, everything we do is good, we have only the best of intentions, we are a good people, we are not bad, we only want to help others.

When things go wrong, it's not our fault, it's their fault. They are ungrateful. They are not ready for democracy or civilization. They are backwards and primitive, their culture is messed up.

This is a worldview that Americans are fed from birth. Some question it and see beyond the koolaid, others never question it, even when presented with evidence to the contrary. It is the latter who would not understand your point, Q, or who would accuse you of being a commie/terraist/whatever.

The Achilles heel of the US is exactly this arrogant self-perception. It will be the downfall of the US, unless people start to wake up and think in the terms you have laid out here.