Thank you very much for your elucidating and friendly words:-)
Unfortunately, most Germans have, as you implied, but a dim idea of the US, her political system or her history and her self-image derived from both.
Thus, they somehow always seem to hold Americans against their ideals.
Some of these Germans really should remember that politics is the ‘art of the possible’, e. g. one should not expect the impossible, such as conforming 100% to one’s ideals.
After all, we are only human :-)
Unfortunately, most Americans have but a dim idea of the US, her political system or her history and her self-image derived from both.
I lived in a small town on the Mosel River for 3 years during my tour in Germany. During the 1980 elections, my neighbors pleaded with me to vote for Carter, as they were certain that Reagan would start WWIII.
My German at that time was quite good, as I was ending my 4th year in country. At my neighborhood gasthaus, I gave my neighbors a better understanding of American history and politics. In short, I brought them down off the ledge, but it took a couple of months.
The deal was sealed on Reagan's inauguration day, when the hostages were released. Shortly after, I was invited to sit at the stammtisch, a privilege not accorded to many foreigners.
It didn't hurt that I was one of their best customers. ;)