Are Americans too selfish?

Question

Are Americans too selfish?

Answer 1

it depends

Answer 2

Generally, Americans have no problem with charity when we feel that the money is actually doing some good.

The fact of the matter is that most of the reasons for poverty in the world are not going to be solved by giving the people money.  Poverty is caused by political and social issues that must be resolved before charity can have any real effect.

Answer 3

For the most part, yes.

Answer 4

In the main....YES!

Answer 5

i think so, selfish and apathetic consumers,,,, that mow their pretty little lawns and go to football games while people live on the street and beg, (in the other side of town of course)...

these same people believe america is a wonderful and giving people..... and help all the poor little nations,,,,,

what a load of simpleminded delusion,,,,,

how did that democracy uprising in Burma go?

Or Darfur?

Answer 6

Yes and no, we want everything now but then we are the most giving country in the world.

Answer 7

No.  

We don't give our life savings away, but we're not selfish.  As a nation, whatever we have its because we've earned.  As individuals, some may live beyond their income.  Some may do terrible things just to get rich.  We live in a society where we would rather see our kid become the next hip hop star than to be the first to land on Mars.  Some are, yes, but most are not.

America has one of the most professional armies of the world.  They don't join to get rich.  Neither do teachers, policemen or firemen.  

Some say we don't give enough.  Well maybe not in money.  What about this:

Lightning rod - Ben Franklin

Airplane - Wright bros

Helicopter - Igor Sikorsky

DNA fingerprinting

Computer

Radio

Light bulb

Satellite

GPS

Countless innovations in medicine

How many lives have we saved, criminals put to justice and technological advances developed.  We've contributed more than anyone else in history.  That's not to say we can't do more.  But anyone asking for more than we've already given is the real selfish one.

Answer 8

and ignorant

Answer 9

Americans must share their wealth to those who are suffering of hunger in Africa instead of staging lavish baseball games, Hollywood brouhaha and expensive elections.

Answer 10

yes

Answer 11

idk...if i say anything u wont be able to see me again because the government stole me and is now torturing me :D

Answer 12

Yes ! you are the most giving! most giving arms to Taliban; most giving to all dictators of the world; most giving to all fanatical Christian groups who don't know what Christianity is. And who can forget the biggest giving of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the fields of Vietnam. may be you should have kept all these to yourself and been more selfish.

Answer 13

No. The U.S. gives more foreign aid than any two countries combined.

Also, the U.S. also allows other countries to use its inventions to make money. China is only doing well because it is making U.S. designed products. And it is using U.S. designed machines to make steel, computer chips, etc...

Have You Ever Noticed, Most Countries Make Money From Copying U.S. Inventions?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

This is the book recommended below by "Open Thoughts":

http://books.google.com/books?id=reVeBAA...

Answer 14

Are you kidding?  We are the most giving nation on the planet.  Both as a nation, and individual.

Now, if you want to know who is the most giving IN AMERICA, read a book called "Who Really Cares"  It is a great eye opener for most people.

zoodiot...you are full of c**p.  We are the most giving per capita, we are the most giving in total.  We are the most giving in EVERY WAY!

You people who claim that we are not generous would not say that we are until we give so much that we are eating scraps while others eat the lobster we gave them.

Tell me which is more greedy...a man who only takes what he needs and gives the rest to charity, or someone who invests WHILE giving to others, and later in life can give far more in one year than the first person gave in his life?  My charitable donations this year were 6 figures.  Does the fact that it was only 20% of my income make me greedy?  I used to only be able to afford to give 10%

Answer 15

You shouldn't measure how much we give by simple amounts, you should measure it by percentages of the GDP.  In that sense we don't give nearly as much as other countries when it comes to economic aid.

As far as selfish goes it's human nature.  Like the Australian said, that's in every part of the world.

Answer 16

You would think so. All this 'I' and not  enough 'we' in my  humble  opinion. We have too much. There  isn't enough raw metal on this planet to build a car for every Chinese much less every Indian on our earth. Yet we have fostered this lifestyle  that the rest of the planet lusts for now.

Answer 17

If I understand you correctly, you are asking me to judge whether the actions of Americans is "too selfish."  Everyone no matter the country, to a certain extent, acts in their self interest.  On the other hand, there are certainly people in America who are very unselfish.  I suggest re-framing your question.  Ask yourself what specifically has led you to ask your original question.  Example:  "When I hear or read that Americans --your observation here--, I feel we are not acting as if we're a part of a global community.  Do you feel this way too?"

    

Hope this helps.

Answer 18

unequivocally.

I'm American.

And people please stop saying that we give the most, we give alot less than other nations per capita that have alot less than we have.

edit: open thoughts, i cede to you your point, not because of your investment strategy to give more to charity, that seems noble, but because we don't compare that unfavorably with other nations on per capita charts.

However if you consider the immense wealth that this nation has compiled and then compare that with the rest of the world, there is no argument or excuse. Wealth is not some measure of the fittest or the smartest, its a combination of means and luck, which the majority of the world have little of. In that way Americans are certainly selfish. Living ridiculously charmed lives that we did not earn, while others are mired in hunger, disease, wars and death; most of which we could prevent.

Answer 19

As a whole yes, don't generalize but yes in most cases we are...

IE: Oil

Answer 20

Most people are selfish; it's human nature to be greedy. I would say most people are selfish not just Americans. I am an Australian, let me just say I know plenty of people here who are self-centred. So am I at times everyone has their moments.

Answer 21

women mainly

Answer 22

Oh, No, Americans are not too selfish. I understand Americans as americam citizens ,intellectual community but not the american Goverment. Americans belong to generally a multi-ethnic community with multi race, religion and culture. It is perfect replica of a mini world. People are spirited, jovial and think for others also. They raise voice whenever they witness any violation or humilation of human rights either in their own country or any other countries in the World. They are truely democratic and they like to see democracy in all other countries. It is good gesture and they do so because they feel for others and world humanity in general. I had the opportunity to visit USA once and found people are very courtious, humorous and tolerant to people from other communities and countries. They are more honest and benevolent. So, I cannot rate the Americans as selfish.

Answer 23

Yes, they can be.  But selfishness is not necessarily an American trait.  People are selfish everywhere.

Answer 24

They certainly can be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 25

Are you talking about individually or as a country. Individually all people of all nations can be selfish. It is human nature. If you are talking about as a nation. No, America is one the first to come to the aid of other countries with food, medicine, clothing and shelter in times of catastrophe.

Answer 26

too bloody right they are. I was born an american, then immigrated to england for 10 years in my early 20s. Come back with a british husband to find that this the most self centred country in the world.

I'm not talking about giving to charity or giving more to the poor. The poor can work harder to earn their own money. And charitys are a scam.

Americans live beyond their means, then steal to get more.

Since coming back to this country, i've been robbed by my own family and had my name dug into the dirt and experience ss fraud. By my own family. You can't trust your family in this country???

I've not made any american friends in the year i've been back. Not bloody 1. They're all from europe. americans don't know how to have a lasting friendship. They don't know what it means. Their too worried about money money money... their big car they can't afford. Or whatever lives up their bum!

My sister doesn't care about the environment they leave to their kids, or the teaches of dept they're giving to them. She says she'll be dead before she sees any hard.

This country sucks!!!