The values Americans live by

Would I be making myself enemies if I gave my direct opinion on why Unitedstatesians act the way they do based on the points that are mentioned by L. Robert Kohls, PhD? Probably, yes, and I don't even have a B.A. yet, but here goes anyway...

People from the US try to show how unconventional they are, but frankly they are as scared of being different as anything. They fear that other countries will over-run them with culture and so they act the way they do to try to preserve their young nation. Democracy is their biggest asset and argument. All the values mentioned in the article have their basis in the freedoms that they are (rightly) proud of and will go to war over if threatened. From time control, competition, and equality to efficiency and materialism, each one shows their fear of someday not being able to do what they want; whereas other cultures show more confidence in themselves by accepting that each country has their own way of doing things.

I once saw a bumper sticker referring to the USA that said: DO AS WE SAY OR WE WILL BRING DEMOCRACY TO YOUR COUNTRY!
The fact is, however, that they don't want to be different and that they want others to be more like them. Choose for yourself, but there are things about my culture and the countries I've lived in that I like the way they are, thank you very much! I think it's fine to take two hours for lunch, instead of running in and out of McDonnald's because you have to be back at your desk in 30 minutes.

So they make up for it by trying to be alternative. A friend from the US spent a whole hour trying to convince me that the best culinary combination he ever experienced was when (by accident) he combined chocolate milkshake with french fries. He thought no one had ever considered consuming both at the same time. He had no clue of what the French are able to put together, and sincerely thought he was being revolutionary.

Or what about this author's name: L. Robert Kohls? Did his mum call him "L". Why switch it around just to look special? If you don't like your first name because it's "Leslie" or "Lyman" or whatever, then leave it off and we'll call you Robert. If you do like it, use it.

STOP.
I love the United States of America. It's the best place to be to achieve your goals. No one will try to stop you or tell you you're nuts for trying. But I do want to keep my eyes and heart open to other people's feelings and other country's cultures. After all America wouldn't have the culture it has now if others hadn't brought it there in the first place.

What about the American Dream then, that has created these values they now live by? I'll tell you. I don't dream the American Dream, because I am awake!