Maybe I’m seeing connections where there aren’t any but the recent demands for amnesty and in some instances citizenship during the pro-illegal migrant rallies at the struck me as being similar to the suggestions I heard from overseas during the 2004 election that the entire world should be allowed to vote in the U. S. elections.
This view of the United States as a sort of public utility puzzles me. Could someone explain to me the reasoning behind claiming these as rights? I mean, other than “I want it so I have a right to it”. I’m being sincere here: I’d really like to know.
The culture of free ridership.
While I should make clear that I don’t agree with the “give the world a vote” sentiment, I think I can explain where (some of it) is coming from. The most understandable reason seems to me to be based on the tremendous amount of influence that the US has over the rest of the world, and particularly the imbalance of power in our relations with smaller countries. This can be seen in things like unequal extradition treaties, or “free-trade” agreements. Another example is that we frequently demand/request that stronger IP laws be implemented, to approach the severity of our own. This has even been an issue with countries like Australia, and is also involved with things like drug patents.
Eh?
It strikes me you take some silly meaningless comments (re whole world, voting) rather more seriously than either meant or should be taken. Really now, even as a rhetorical point it’s foolish.
The sentiment (which I doubt has ever been meant or expressed seriously) however certainly comes from a sentiment that the Great Power throws its weight around without much regard to others.
Doubtless in part this is inevitable (the generation some resentment), an open question is to what extent.