We Americans need to face the fact that we will always be loathed and hated by those who cannot possibly measure up to us.
For the same reason, many unsuccessful and jealous people hate corporate giants like Microsoft, Wal-Mart and McDonalds. They hate them for doing what they do so well and efficiently that they drive lesser competitors out of business.
Of course, our capitalist system rewards those who perform well in the marketplace. But they are quick to punish those who get complacent and "lose their edge." Hence, witness the rapid decline of such corporations as K-Mart, Eastern Airlines and Wang Computers.
Nations get complacent and "lose their edge" as well. France is one of them. The Roman Empire is another if you want to go back a few thousand years.
As it is, as it was and as it always shall be. Winners rule and losers drool.
"We Americans need to face the fact that we will always be loathed and hated by those who cannot possibly measure up to us."
I disagree in part because they CAN measure up to us if they're willing to make the necessary changes. That's what makes it so sad and frustrating. Japan measures up to us to a some degree, at least economically; and they could militarily if they wanted to, but for better or worse they trust us to protect them.
America is a nation not only of laws and ideals but of IDEAS, not of ubermen who have some sort of special DNA that allows us to do things no-one else can. ANY nation that pursues this same combination of ideals and ideas will meet with the very same type and degree of success.
And that's what pisses me off about France & Co. If they really couldn't help it, it would be unfair for us to be angry with them.