I try not to get involved in politics, nevermind politics of a completely different country. It would appear American politics matters everywhere. Not just to the Americans. Hardly surprising is it really, considering the size, and wealth of America. The politics of America will end up having a knock on effect everywhere else. That's just the way things work. When British people demonstrated Bush's state visit last year. Our Prime minister in his infinite wisdom, presumed we were anti-America. They were not protesting against America, but against a President they do not trust. He isn't our President, but as I mentioned, that power seems to have a knock on effect. America is our biggest Ally; we have profound bonds of history and culture. Not to mention a shared sacrifice in two world wars. We believe as America does that the worlds sole superpower is a democracy and not - as it might have been had the Soviet Union "won" the Cold War - a tyranny.
At this time of the visit there were alot of Polls done, just to see where the british public stood on President Bush. Lets explain the surveys which simultaneously show great affection for the US, even as they record intense suspicion towards Bush? Pick up one poll and it finds that half the public reckons Blair's closeness to Bush is bad for Britain. Pick up another and it reveals the US is still the place where most Britons want to go on holiday, and even where one in five of us would like to live.
We are in awe of America, no doubt. We follow their films, and books. We follow their fashion, what they have to say to the world. We know they are a super power, and we try to be like them. We also see their Politics. The words Bush says, you are either with us, or against us. We see him manipulate the american Public. His inflated claims of weapons of Mass destruction. Where does it all stop.
We all know Americans are very proud of their country. They are also unsure of Bush though. Just look at all the people that voted against him in 2000. They are not anti-America. Far from it. They love their country. With an intense love, that has simply grown since the tragic events of 9/11. They would die for their country, that doesn't mean they have to have faith in their President.
Tony Blair seems to be of the opinion, to accept america, we have to accept Bush. Not the case. We can accept America, and still not agree with their leader. We can respect everything America stands for, but see they were lead to places they may not have wished to go. We can stand by a nation, but not agree with the direction they always go. I personally am not anti-Bush. I am not with him either. I just want the less of two evils. Here I am explaining the British view, Bush is not popular here. America already knows that though.