Why do Americans say that America is the greatest country in the world?

Greek Freak wrote:

When it is actually the third best country in north America

-Largest economy in world history

-Wealthiest large country in history per capita(no, Norway isn't large)

-Enormous physical size with rich natural resources

-Largely a meritocracy where anyone with talent and drive can become extremely wealthy( however if you're lazy or untalented good luck)

-The world's sole military superpower with complete control over the seas

-Massive influence on global geopolitics and culture

7th, 8th & 9th or 19th ... wrote: Have you noticed it is rare for French and/or German citizens to move to U.S. over past 60 years?

Point taken; however, countries that will disappear (as we know them, IMO) over the NEXT 60 years due to low birth rate, invasion, and resistance to emigration: France (on its way out), Germany (self-annihilating), UK (already gone), Europe generally, Japan...

It is a silly statement that may be true or false, depending on the definition of "greatest".

If it is defined as "best country to live in", I don't think it would rank top-ten. Besides for the very rich, the awful health care, rampant gun violence, terrible infrastructure and very low social mobility would drag it down in any ranking. In my personal ranking of the countries I have been living in for more than a year, it ranks fourth, above Thailand and below Switzerland, Australia and France.

Mid D guy wrote:

In my personal ranking of the countries I have been living in for more than a year, it ranks fourth, above Thailand and below Switzerland, Australia and France.

Not disputing your personal experience, but try becoming a citizen of Switzerland.

Australia pretty awesome (IMO); France sucks, though (IMO), although I hear country villas are going for cheap.

Except our government is falling apart daily with the president's way of ignoring truth and justice.

geographer wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMqcLUqYqrs

Came to post this...great show

geographer wrote:

Convexity wrote:

I moved here from another country.

On balance, America is the best country in the world.

Why?

Healthcare? Higher education? The debt incurred from either?

Opioid and drug epidemics?

Homelessness? Poverty?

Availability of guns? Violence? School shootings?

Racism? Bigotry?

Religious beliefs? Number of churches on every main street?

Defense spending? National debt?

Number of people in prison?

Current immigration policies?

The president?

Why are you so concerned with absolutes and messing with my free will?

I don't care what you think!

The problem with "We're Number One" is it's fine until you actually start believing it. History is full of empires that were Number One but now no longer exist. On a more recent level the corporate world is full on world dominating companies that either no longer exist, or are a shadow of their former selves, Pan Am, Kodak, Woolworth, Compaq, Blockbuster, Blackberry. The demise of Nortel was succinctly summarized as the executives started believing their own press releases.

Whether you are Number One or not you are better off believing you are Number Five and then work your butt off to become Number One.

hoo-ah wrote:

"An estimated 40.3 million people were victims of modern slavery in 2016. Modern slavery occurred in every region of the world. Modern slavery was most prevalent in Africa, followed by Asia and the Pacific, then Europe and Central Asia." Which country is NOT LISTED?

TOP 10 countries with the highest prevalence of modern slavery: North Korea, Eritrea, Burundi, Central African Republic, Afghanistan, Mauritania [outlawed slavery in... 1981(!)], South Sudan, Pakistan, Cambodia, Iran.

Top ABSOLUTE number of slaves: India, China, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Nigeria...

Top two countries sending the most missionaries: United States, South Korea.

A) Unfortunately, there's a healthy slave/human trafficking trade going in in the United States.

B) How does leading the world in missionaries make the United States great?

Convexity wrote:

geographer wrote:

Why?

Healthcare? Higher education? The debt incurred from either?

Opioid and drug epidemics?

Homelessness? Poverty?

Availability of guns? Violence? School shootings?

Racism? Bigotry?

Religious beliefs? Number of churches on every main street?

Defense spending? National debt?

Number of people in prison?

Current immigration policies?

The president?

Why are you so concerned with absolutes and messing with my free will?

I don't care what you think!

Don’t understand why you lumped religion in there with the rest of those things. Religious freedom is one of the things that makes this country great. Just because you don’t believe in a higher power doesn’t mean that all churches have to be eliminated.

hoo-ah wrote:

7th, 8th & 9th or 19th ... wrote: Have you noticed it is rare for French and/or German citizens to move to U.S. over past 60 years?

Point taken; however, countries that will disappear (as we know them, IMO) over the NEXT 60 years due to low birth rate, invasion, and resistance to emigration: France (on its way out), Germany (self-annihilating), UK (already gone), Europe generally, Japan...

Are you engaging in a birth rate discussion? In developed nations, a birth rate of app. 2.15 per woman is needed to maintain population. In underdeveloped nations, a birth rate of app. 2.45 per woman is needed to maintain population.

It would have been more efficient ( Economy of Scale) for European Union to be a full United States of Europe than a half way European Union. In U.S., we do not pay attention to how backwards and lagging are most southern states due to United States of America. U.S. first with your borderless idea. I agree it would be efficient. U.S. needs to set an example with a united North America. If those in U.S. and Mexico could be on Canadian healthcare and if those in U.S. & Canada could buy real estate in Mexico with no restrictions we in North America could lead by example for Europe. As of now, France and Germany are leading by example.

electron1661 wrote: Except our government is falling apart daily with the president's way of ignoring truth and justice.

How, exactly? Could you be specific? Is gov't decay showing up in the failing economy? The downturn in US industry? The debunking of “Two percent real GDP growth [rounded UP from "the quoted one's" 1.6%] is the new normal for the U.S. economy.” Lowest AA unemployment in history? Lowest teen AA unemployment in history? Lowest Hispanic unemployment in history? The super-low unemployment generally? The declining freedom? Int'l relations? Military engagement? 'Cause I'm not seeing it; indeed, I'm seeing unending anger and violence from... the more leftish among us. Perhaps it's a political bias on your part?

(Personal note: All I cared about in the last election were two issues--the federal and Supreme courts, and ANYBODY but Hillary Clinton--thus I, for one, do not see this "government falling apart" of which you speak.)

I keep hearing how our country is being destroyed, but I just don't see it. Indeed, most trends one could point to are merely extensions of what has been going on for decades.

Mid D guy wrote:

It is a silly statement that may be true or false, depending on the definition of "greatest".

If it is defined as "best country to live in", I don't think it would rank top-ten. Besides for the very rich, the awful health care, rampant gun violence, terrible infrastructure and very low social mobility would drag it down in any ranking. In my personal ranking of the countries I have been living in for more than a year, it ranks fourth, above Thailand and below Switzerland, Australia and France.

Rampant gun violence isn't a reality for most people. The rest of your argument is horrid, as well.

it is the greatest country in the world

Yooh ess ay wrote:

Only country to have put men on the moon.

I always love that argument. Without the German rocket scientists they offered a new living in the US, they wouldn't have made it too the moon. The success of the US is based on immigrants, period.

Two reasons : 1. grade school education continually indoctrinates kids that the USA is the greatest country in the world .

2. Few Americans ever travel out of the country

America is a third world country. Most Americans feel they need to always carry a gun to be safe. Healthcare is barely adequate and only for the rich. Schools are overpriced and subpar. Racism is openly ongoing.

The myth that America was great was just propaganda perpetuated by the government and propped up by Hollywood.

America has the most and the best freedoms that is why we are the greatest country in the world and thats why so many people around the world want to come here. This is the land of opportunity. The land of the free and the home of the brave. USA!

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