Is America considered a Leader in the World Today?

[Bandit]

President Carter made an astute statement when he said "It isn't Leadership if no one follows" It is becoming apparent to me that no one is following America any longer. Is the EU taking on the role of World Leader now because of Bush* blunders?

[amber dog democrat]

1. More like a rogue empire than a leader

and god help anyone who gets in our way.

[jeff30997]

2. I'm afraid that America is now considered a big bully.

[brainshrub]

5. I second that.

[Tweed]

3. I believe there is a difference between a leader and a destroyer

and I think most people see it that way.

[tom_paine]

4. Amerika is a Leader like Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union were

Hated. Feared. Cowered before.

Every concession to bullying spun by Tyrants into "Another Great Victory for our Fuhrer/Premier/Emperor".

[BlueEyedSon]

6. Leader in:

Hubris
Official Lies
Gov't secrecy
Corruption
Compliant press
Torture
Consumption
Waste
Anti-environmentalism

[Crunchy Frog]

7. I believe that whoever wins (or steals) the election

the U.S. role as world leader is going to gradually diminish over the next few years and decades. Our role in the world is really an accident of history. It is not because we are better, or harder working, or have greater moral authority than the rest of humanity.

The rest of the world is learning just how unpredictable and dangerous our country can be, especially when it's power is so unchecked.

In the long run, these things have a way of correcting themselves, and I expect to see other countries and regions in the world become much more powerful and become counterweights to U.S. power. This will be especially true since many policies in this country are undercutting our own power, ie, running a very poor educational system, abandoning science, and outsourcing much of our industry. These trends will be slowed by a Kerry victory, but probably not stopped.

I believe that in the long run, the loss of our "leadership role in the world" will probably be for the best. It's not healthy for any country to have that kind of power, since power is almost inevitably abused.

[VOX]

8. It's a leader, but certainly not a role model...

Unless jackboot imperialism is a valued commodity.