Q~ To the American majority on this site: People in my country, and others around the world (including yours, I'm sure) were utterly confused by your re-election of Bush in 2004. Anti-American sentiments have intensified in recent years, all over the world. That said - you got it right in 2008! Subsequently, the international community are bound to re-think their opinions of America and its people. Is this important to you?

Of course. I tried to explain to my parents that Obama as president would send a positive message to a lot of countries, especially those who don't like us very much right now. But, as usual, in one ear out the other. But I'm hopefully for the view of Americans changing internationally.

I do to an extent, but really I am more concerned with what we're doing here.

Do you care what other countries think of Australia?

I totally forgot you were NZ and not an Aussie.

I think we feel like that more on a state by state basis, as far as image goes. Personally, I don't really feel like Americans CAN really unify the way some do in other countries, because there are so many different regions with so many different people. Some people take pride in sweet home Alabama, some people take pride in their liberal utopia of The Bay.

I definitely don't like being judged by what my government does or by what some rude (and most likely more wealthy) American does in another country, and if that's the way someone in another country wants to see all of us, their opinion doesn't matter much to me.

I feel bad for my little sisters. They live in Sweden and they get teased for being American.

I mean, to be teased by a Swede. That hurts.

They were all super nice to me though and kept asking if I had ever met Britney Spears or any other celebrity.

I think it is very important. It's hard enough to talk to my mom's side of the family (the Filipinos) and have them not give me shit about being a spoiled American as it is. Having Bush in office didn't help because they hate the way he has run things. I'm hoping that they will lighten up now.

To not care how the world views us would be to our own detriment and make us???......French!

I cared more than usual because I'm anticipating a month long trip to Austria, Hungary and Italy this winter. I was really afraid to how I would be received as an American citizen if McCain won. Now I can travel proudly and not feel apologetic for my nation. Sure, America still has a lot of problems that need fixed, but at least with the election of Obama I won't have to hold my head down. Not that I was gonna go over there an blast that I'm an American in the first place, but ya know.