By and large the population of the United States are immigrants or descendants of immigrants. So, in the melting pot of the country in spite of all the ethnic differences we have a large percentage of people with the "enough of this crap" gene. Historically, we have strong leanings toward isolationism. The United States never became a "Super Power" until our hand was forced. Historians may argue all they want if the force was internal or external but it doesn't matter. The result, as Yammamoto said, "I'm afraid we have awakened a sleeping giant". So, when the “enough of this crap” gene is awakened our unity is overpowering. Since that time our military might has dwarfed that of other nations and with that might comes responsibility. When we taken active responses, proactive or reactive we are seen as bullies forcing our colonial ways on the rest of the world. When we have tried to ignore the tripe of world discourse the world looks to us with a "why won't they do something" attitude. By and large the world would love to be able to choose when and how we react, telling us what our reaction should be to world events. They would prefer to be able to choose when and how the United States spends it's wealth and the blood of it's military, not letting us have say in it. But there are still too many of us with the “enough of this crap” gene. So, I for one would prefer our nation to be admired, yet on the other hand, I've had "enough of this crap". Let them think what they like.