Difference btwn "blaming" and "taking responsibility"?

Question

I'm wondering if Republicans know the difference between "blaming America" for this or that problem, versus "taking responsibility" for past mistakes.

Republicans, do you think America is perfect? Is it "unpatriotic" to acknowledge our mistakes, our failed policies, and the negative consequences of our bad policy choices?

Are we supposed to just wave our flags and recite pledges and sing Anthems and use bald eagles as our Yahoo! avatars and believe that this is all it takes to make us good Americans?

Answer 1

If anything, I think that it is patriotic to be able to acknowledge our mistakes so that we can learn from them and avoid repeating them down the road.



When parents scold their children for doing something wrong, they do it because they care. They don't want to see their children make that same mistake again and then end up paying a price for that mistake. Similarly, taking responsibility for our mistakes and pledging to learn from those mistakes so that we can grow and become an even better country than we already are is the right thing to do.



Unfortunately, I think some folks have blurred the line between nationalism and patriotism. Nationalists refuse to admit that we are capable of making mistakes, and, in the process, make it impossible to learn from those mistakes so that we don't make them again. Nationalism is not a healthy thing, IMO.



I also think it is interesting that some of the people who are complaining about Obama owning up to our mistakes in front of a foreign audience are some of the same people who applauded George Bush for going in front of the Israeli Knesset and talking badly about many anti-war Americans.

Answer 2

This is the third instance I can think of where Obama apologizes for his country. Here is the problem. He is basically pinning the world's problems on the United States. We did not create all the world's problems. I have no problem with the idea that we have made mistakes because we have. However, as the President you do not go out and prostrate yourself and your country before the world. You do not bow down to foreign monarchs. It is okay to say that mistakes have been made and that we should work to resolve differences. It is not okay to shame your country outwardly. I know Obama supporters have a hard time understanding the difference. One promotes the idea that you are willing to work together diplomatically. The other promotes the idea that you are weak and lack true leadership. No other President in the history of the nation has ever acted so shamefully towards his country, or his predecessors and it was a sad day for the United States.

Answer 3

I think it is fairly obvious to all that both side of the 'elected' and appointed political leaders are guilty of mismanagement and downright poor leadership.





Taking responsibility.... it has not happened in a very long time. What is going on now is not 'taking responsibility' Those in office are simply claiming 'they inherited' all problems. Funny, they were in office during the time 'this current' financial crisis was brewed. None of it is inherited.



It was earned by all of them through greed and corruption.

Answer 4

Oh I know the difference.



What has Obama been preaching says day one.

We inherited this mess. The former administration is to blame. America has been arrogant and not appreciative to the contributions of Europe.

We are not at war with Islam.



Lest he forget who came to the aid of Europe in 2 World Wars. Who put their wealth in rebuilding Europe after the WWII. Who came to the aid of the Muslims in Europe to stop the genocide.



No it isn't unpatriotic to acknowledge our mistakes but it is a blame when you go around submitting to Saudi Arabia's king.



We give more aid than any of the European country both in private and public funds.



We do have our faults not tell the rest of Europe even is willing to say thank you for what we have done.



BTW: We ended our slavery a while back and we apologized for it. So when are the Muslim countries going to stop their slave traffic and apologize to the world?

Answer 5

Thank you Nicole, great question. Stitchin Witch doesn't understand that there is no home and no abroad anymore, everything that happens is broadcast world wide.\within the hour. Our country is one of the best in the world but we have a long way to go to achieve perfection.

Too many of us don't realize or admit the first step to knowledge is the admission of ignorance. We are ignorant in many aspects of life and government.

Answer 6

I don't think any of us would disagree that America hasn't made mistakes. If you are trying to justify your president going to Europe and bad mouthing us give it up ! There is no excuse for his treason ! If he want to whine about the past administrations (which he has been doing for months now) he should do it at home not abroad to other nations ! It is rather obvious that you really don't know what a good American is if you think is behavior was okay !

Answer 7

I would venture to say that almost all people know the difference between blaming and taking responsibility.



I have no idea why you are asking this question, nor directing it to "Republicans", although you seem VERY defensive about something.

Answer 8

The party of personal responsibility are always blaming the Democrats.

Answer 9

what