There is a rising tide of general annoyance with US web users. (not only because the US is still spam central at 86% although this doesn't help, I'm sure.) For a single (new) reason - the US Elections.

The general feeling among non-US users (who make up more than 60% of web users) is that the level of mention of that which is arguably an internal affair has now reached the point that can be called abuse. (I have to admit that I find the focus on US elections in slashdot news irritating as a non-US human.)

But this is simply a symptom of a much wider problem that can be embodied by the phrase: "I hate the US!". However, this goes way beyond a few irrational and nasty terrorists with a preference for blowing things up. It is focused strongly in Europe where, (with the man on the street), the general feeling is that it is safer to fight against the US in a war than with them as they tend to only shoot thier own guys. The average European citizen can be heard to exclaim at least once a week "What do you expect - they're Americans!" in the same condescending tones we tend to save for talking about naughty children. The UK, for example, has a wealth of amusing "In America they..." style stories and the "Arrogant American" has now surpassed the "foolish Irishman" in the general humour of pub jokes.

This feeling has led to a UK best seller
"Why Do People Hate America?"

The Independent (UK national newspaper) calls it "required reading." which is generally taken as an indicator of national opinion. while Noam Chomsky is quoted as saying it "contains valuable information that we should know, over here, for our own good, and the world's."

This brings us full circle back to the question of how exactly are Americans helping their national image with the current torrent of political debate that can be fairly repetitive. What do you slashdotters think about this potential world-wide PR disaster for America?