The US is the most powerful and richest country in the world, one which many people automatically associate with wealth, justice, democracy, might and stability yet they resorted to arrogant, deceptive, and unjust actions to carry out their war against terror in Iraq. On the other side, many people (including me) like to criticize America and many people openly hate America to the point of cheering and exulting when it suffers terrible tragedies like the celebrations in some countries after the 9/11 attacks, and proclaiming America as the 'Great Satan'.
In countries everywhere from France to Iraq to South Korea, people have passionately protested against American hegemony (rule by one nation/state) and influence. Politicians and clerics alike regularly denounce American policies and actions as arrogant, criminal and evil.

Yet I wonder what would this world be like without the United States?? Specifically without the might and influence of the US and its ideals of democracy, free trade and freedom of speech and thought. This world would be even worse if men like Saddam, Gaddafi, Kim Young II, and the like were free to do whatever they want such as forcing their injustice and evil onto other people (actually, Saddam did try to do that) that they inflict on their own people.
America has indeed been guilty of a LOT of things. They have screwed up many times, they have a materialistic culture and they have acted arrogantly, unustly and hypocritical at times. Yet look at Vietnam after the North conquered the South, look at Cuba, look at the Soviet Union during the cold war. In all cases you have people who living under socialist/ communist/ dictatorial rule who desire western ideals and lifestyles. Think of yourself and your life, and think whether you would rather be from another country, where society is not under western/American influence - Cuba, Sub-saharan Africa, Communist China, Iraq etc.