so my question is why is it that we as nigerians continue to look up to this nation as one to be emulated?

yeswecan:

We have so many things in common, supposed system of government and all that.

Firstly, I don't agree with your assumption that Nigerians look up to America. Then, assuming you were correct

BellaRouge:

Firstly, I don't agree with your assumption that Nigerians look up to America. Then, assuming you were correct, all you've done in your post is make a list of claims based on your interpretation of America's actions, not facts. Lastly, as humans, when we hold someone in high esteem, we generally don't admire them for their negative qualities but their positive qualities and actions. After all, no one's perfect. Despite your list of America's "faults", America is a nation that has undoubtedly accomplished a lot of things.

Epiphany:

Dude, ALMOST ALL countries look up to America. . . or did so at one time or the other. I dont think it is only Nigerians that look up to America.

Epiphany:

With respect to the ordinary man on the road looking up to the US. . . who else can he look up to? We all wear designs from american designers, watch american movies on tv, read american books and comics, recently - drive american (spec) cars (or cars imported from America) and to a large extent, want to live the american dream. We (or they) all believe that on reaching America, life will be good, so the aspiration of everyone is to do anything to get to america.

MandingoII:

It is not just Nigerians.  Everybody outside of the U.S. and Europe WHO HAVE BEEN BOMBARDED WITH AMERICAN MEDIA [/b]wants to live the "so-called American lifestyle"



[b]Unfortunately, when they get here and get settled into the "rat race" they find that it was NOT what they thought it would be, YET, a HELLUVA lot bettter than where they came from.

Its a catch 22.

and YES America did all those things Cap 22 posted.

The ONLY REASON America did not aid in COLONIZING Africa was because America had its own problems with taking the American Indians land and the African American situation.

@mandingo II i agree the american media is a formidable propaganda machine - i think this is why many americans are so ignorant - they completely buy into the fairy stories that are churned out by all their outlets of misinformation - i think the worst culprit is fox whose main objective is not to inform but to mislead and misinform. Also media outlets like BET are doing a terrible job as they serve only to corrupt and pollute the minds of our black youth. When was the last time you watched anything remotely educational on that channel. I thing that they are singlehandedly colluding with white america to keep blacks ignorant by churning out programmes that are light on substance and heavy on garbage. i think a channel who aims not to educate blacks but simply keep them constantly titillated is doing a gross disservice to future generations.

the worst thing about it is ive noticed that the nigerian channels are falling over themselves to emulate this garbage with non stop mimicking of african american videos (BEN,AIT) and tacky substance free reality shows (Koko mansion)

at the time europe was colonising africa (1800's) - america and europe's relationship was regulated by the monroe doctrine which prevented europe and america from invading each others territories. the doctrine stipulated that any encroachment by europe into american territory would be regarded as an act of aggression and vice versa. i think now britain and america are in the process of forming an anglo american alliance whose main aim is to create a one world government with america as the senior partner running the show.

Black people in USA no better off now than before dis big attorney save us from Bush. He talk so sweet nobody listen to what he say.

Billygoat:

Hey, not to worry there, Cap28. America's time is done and it is rapidly turning into a third world shit hole. All the good jobs went overseas, car makers are going broke, Banks are going broke, Obama is turning into the black George Bush.

All Bush policys being continued. Wiretaps on US citizens, war still going on, Gitmo still going strong, OH, Wait, No more torture, right? Yeah, we still do renditions. That mean we send our torture overseas like our industry.

Black people in USA no better off now than before dis big attorney save us from Bush. He talk so sweet nobody listen to what he say.

yeah i know what you mean, i think black people the world over have been hoodwinked into beleiving that Obama will actually bring about change, the truth of the matter is that he is merely a puppet, a front man for the real power brokers who definitely do not have the interest of the poor and minorities at heart. You only have to look at members of his cabinet to see what his administration's agenda is - his chief of staff rahm emmanuel is a staunch zionist who supported preemptive strikes against iraq under bush, emmanuel is also a former investment banker(gives you an idea as to where his loyalties lie) , also vice president joe biden is another staunch supporter of the continuation of the war in iraq, other appointees served under the clinton administration and instigated much of the economic crisis that we're dealing with now.

Even his policies seem to be morphing into his predecessor's ie no withdrawal date for troops in iraq and afghanistan, healthcare - favouring private insurance companies over universal health care system.

i think he won mainly because of the black and hispanic vote, and the disilusionment about the state of the economy by white america.

on a positive note at least he has made history. i like the fact that at least he's married to a black woman and didnt sell out in that respect but with regard to policies its become clearer whose side he's really on.

obama is an intelligent man and he must have known the score before he took the job so i can only assume that the reason he took the job in the first place was to go down in history as the first (and probably only) african american president. the last US president who tried to bring about positive change (removal of troops from vietnam, disbanding of the CIA, enfranchisement of blacks, removal of the federal reserve's powers ) was jfk and despite being a member of the elite was still eliminated.

MandingoII:

are you sure you live in the U.K.?