I'm ignoring the illiberal policies of the Bush administration and going on to more generic and less polemic things...
1. Racism
Indirect or otherwise, segregation is everywhere and you have to remind yourself how recent it is that the civil rights movement was busy changing the legislative landscape.
2. Homophobia
Gay is cool with Graham Norton and Queer Eye, but it’s still pretty much in the closet – look at the fuss Clinton had with the military, it’s a basic human rights issue and one which Americans don’t seem to be able to deal with.
3. Price of petrol
Yes it’s cheap and so I love it because of that, but at the same time I know it encourages excessive consumption, and I know that’s also a ‘bad thing’.
4. Small mindedness
Most Americans don’t have a passport or leave the State in which they were born. Tells you all you need to know about how the majority view the world and their desire to explore it. Hard to imagine George W ever been elected in any other G8 country (okay except Russia when he could buy his way to power).
5. TV
It takes me about 10 mins to work my way through all the channels, by which point I’ve probably missed the first ten mins of something I wanted to watch. Oh and whilst I’ve got used to the ad breaks now their propensity still winds me up.
6. The food
Emphasis always appears to be on quantity not quality. So I tend to stuff my face, but not enjoy it that much J
7. Distance
Such a big place – it takes ages to get anywhere. We Brits are just not used to that.
8. Fast Food
I’m lovin’ it – but sometimes, especially when I’m on the road, it would be nice to eat something a little more wholesome and a little less full of sugar, sodium and E-numbers.
9. Extent of economic inequalities
It’s the richest country in the world, but healthcare, housing, pay scales and general quality of life issues vary greatly. Wonder how many Americans would class themselves as socialists? I love the can do attitude, but that doesn’t mean you don’t provide an adequate safety net for those who cannot.
10. Scary truck drivers
Late night interstate driving anywhere in the South is not to be recommended. Why do the trucks with their headlights on look so menacing? Perhaps it’s the tailgating or perhaps it’s the fact that they really might be transformers, ‘trucks in disguise’.
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