U.S.
I found that many thoughtful South East Asians and some foreigners living there now think the U.S. ruling class is neither respectable nor trustworthy. They are not unusual in such thinking Many Europeans and others have similar thoughts. They think that that actions of the U. S. government are too often ignorant and not very honorable. I try to explain that this is much do to the refusal of American citizens to govern. They say that does not account for the stupidity of those in power.
They see U. S. powers as forcing inequitable trade on others, as careless of the causes of "terrorism," as very ready to try to set up and support autocratic regimes, as willing to break their own laws, as seemingly unable to understand legal sanctions and diplomacy, as having little practical understanding of other people.
Those we have left to handle our foreign policies are as seen powerless, uninterested in justice, and uninterested in human rights excepts as they effect the profits of certain persons. They are often see as fronts for espionage activities. They are seen as willing to talk about environmental problems, but prepared to do nothing. They are seen as related to experts in the manipulation of media for the benefit of few. They are seen as related to those who have developed crowd control weapons and strategies which seem inhuman. They are sometimes seen as related to those who are careless of who sees our work at regime changes which were once done with some secrecy|. That is they acted as that it were the natural right of the US to destroy the governments of others.
People of Southeast Asia
The people of SEA often see good government as rare. For example, they have seen the Chinese as careless of genocide and cultural extinction of others within their boarders. But of course also see what the US does beyond its boarders. They also see happenings in their own countries. Their is one in which many thought that thought the rule of its king was better than that of their constitutional government. They sometimes have little of the experience of republicanism found in some parts of the world.
SEA people often had a liking for citizens of the US and some respect,
But sometimes saw them as having misplaced their dignity.
I would like for us to have more appreciation for us and our mode of governance. I would also like to see American citizens take more responsibility for their own governance.
The people, countries, and cultures vary greatly. They are wonderous, beautiful, and well worth experiencing in person.
Thank you for reading,
R. C. Sheehan