It is very wide this debate and we do not know from where to start and where to finish. I will try to divide it in smaller parts and make our contribution easier.

1 The good and bad sides of USA
2 Elections in USA
3. war in Iraq and Afganistan
4. USA and its competitors
5 USA and Australia
6. USA Ekonomy
7. USA and UN

1. a) Good Sides USA is a democratic, high industrialized, civilized country with strong military forces.
b)Bad sides USA has a weak social and public health system, Its democracy suffer from the strong role of the mass media and the electoral system. Their freedom about the guns causes many problems in the country. In the name of terror threats USA last years limited the human and civil rights.
Although USA has a very strong economy, there are millions of people without enough food, homeless and without health cover.
Its military superpower is not used with the right way and it invades in other countries, or it is involved in the internal affairs of other countries. USA violates the International law and underestimate the International organizations. The Bush Government violated the International law and invaded to Iraq, did not sign the KYOTO Protocol about the environment, did not become member of the International Criminal Court and ignore its decisions, violate the human rights mainly for Guantanamo prisoners. USA is among a small number of Countries which continue the death penalty.
Antonios Symeonakis
Adelaide

When you look at the broader bilateral relationship, there is no doubt that Australia has a dynamic and diverse relationship with America. And the simplistic picture of our alliance does have powerful appeal at a time of great anxiety over the terrorist threat.

The alliance can be seen as a straight-out insurance policy for Australia. If we go along with whatever America wants in order to demonstrate our credentials as a friend, America will come to our aid in our time of need. Few are in doubt that Australia, like other Western countries, will face "a time of need" at some stage down the track.

The problem with this scenario, which was always put forward by the proponents of the Bush-Howard alliance, was that it carries a fundamental contradiction.

America styles itself as the global defender and exporter of democracy, the superpower that stands for liberty, and this is how many of its champions have supported the foray into Iraq.

Given America's much-vaunted respect for democracy and democracies, it is hard to see circumstances in which, if Australia took a slightly more independent stance and refused to automatically join every military adventure the White House embarked upon, it would sit there and leave us to our fate.

That seems a fantastic notion. Then again, we live in a time in which to even raise the mildest query about the wisdom of the Bush White House drew instant accusations of anti-Americanism.

Let us hope that there will be changes under the new administration, whoever they may be. Australia's vital security interest is concerned in the Indonesian archipelago... Perhaps it is about time that Australia took a new page out of the US book and began to see the world through the prism of Australian, not perceived American, national interests. The two nations' interests don't always necessarily coincide.

America is a great country, its just the big corporate greedy guts's which arn't :)

We can have an Anzus Alliance, but they want to evergreen the patents on medicine and kill many of us who can then not afford them...grrrrrrrrrr

Let's be honest about America. USA is a big democratic country with some weakness of cause but sure a big democratic country.
The problem with America is that it does not export genuine democracy or in some case it is the guard of brutal, undemocratic regimes. Saudi Arabian Monarchy is one from the worst political systems on our planet. Forget workers rights, women rights, civil rights, human rights, a stone age system. This system stand on Americans guns and support. American do not care at all for people's rights of this country but ONLY for their own benefits, for the black gold!! One day we must use our brain to understand why many Arabs and Muslims hate American. American supports many other dictators worldwide. This kind of behavior creates huge problems to American and other western countries, even when they really interested to create something good.
American is used to respect a democratic government if it follows their policy and obey to their orders if not or opposed the American policy then no problem to demolish the government or creates huge problems in the country.
American of cause their superiority in weapons not only ignores the rights from other countries but even they ignores the United Nations or other international bodies. Many times they violated the international law and act against the decisions from UN.
American use very often their forces world wide but they are not member of the International Criminal Court and they ignore its decisions. About 25% of environment pollution caused from America but it do not undertake its responsibilities to protect the environment and save our planet.
In few words I could describe America as a SELFISH IRRESPONSIBLE INTERNATIONAL BULLIER AND COWBOY!!
Antonis Symeonakis
Adelaid

In your post Foxy you highlight a difference between Australia and America.
We changed our path in the election, we no longer follow without thought you can bet we will not do so for some time.
The difference in my view is I do not think America will elect a government that will change the way America thinks and acts.
The same forces that drive some on one side of American politics drove our deposed government.
America is both good and bad, Democratic yet has one thousand Chile,s or such in its history.
Yes Saudi Arabia is not a success story, it is a shameful sham, that the land of the free could impose such a life on so many women is a crime against freedom.
That street people can be expected as normal in such numbers or that minimum wages still sees so many go hungry in such a rich country.
I will continue to be both concerned about America and hopeful they can elect a far better caring government.

Dear Belly,

Don't misunderstand me. America and Australia have remarkably similar characteristics and experiences that sustain their relations. They are both vibrant New World democracies - two of just a few countries in the world that sustained democratic political systems throughout the 20th century. Their central institutions are drawn from a common heritage, in particular the English language and the system of common law.

They both achieved independent nationhood under federal constitutions - indeed, the Fathers of Federation in Australia looked to the US Constitution for inspiration. Many features of their national government even the names of the two Houses in the Australian Federal Parliament - the Senate and the House of Representatives - reflect the American experience. They are both lands of opportunity. They have built up strong economies that provide high standards of living to our people.

They have welcomed millions of migrants, and migrant energy, dedication and diversity have enriched their societies.

They are both lands of freedom. They value freedom of speech, religion and association. They pursue free trade in the world at large. They are committed to the rule of law at home and abroad. Americans of course are familiar with what could be called the Paul Hogan or Steve Irwin outback adventurer stereotype. This reflects one aspect of modern Australia. However, it is only one, and a minor one at that.

Indeed, Australia is one of the most urbanized societies in the world, with a vibrant, diverse and cosmopolitan culture. Australians have been making their names internationally in diverse fields since the nineteenth century. They have their share, for example, of Nobel Prize laureates, such as Peter Doherty, now Professor of Biomedical Research and Chair of Immunology at St Jude's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

As we all know, there are many Australians working in the film industry - some of them household names in America - have been honored in the Academy Awards in Hollywood over many years.

No doubt Australia has a dynamic and diverse relationship with America.

But it should be an equal relationship - not one of infantile dependence.