What makes USA the best country EVER?

Question

Many countries have more rights (such as the right to social security and free education), many countries are richer, many countries have higher standards of living, many countries populations score higher in academic tests than american citizens, many countries have better freedoms, many countries have a better humanitarian record... So what really makes it the best? Since it is such a commonly held view, there has to be something behind it?

What? You mean, USA is on top of all those mentioned? Surely Saudi Arabia is richer, Surely Sweden has a better Humanitarian record than USA, surely Japan and Finland are better educated, surely the France have higher living standards and so forth? I'd like to ask where you get your facts?

Most Nordic countries offer free education up to all levels, even adult re-education.
I have heard that the "Bill of Rights" is being bypassed by the government, and some points in it are not valid. And it still isn't as comprehensive as other countries, who for example guarantee the right to integrity.

USA's humanitarian record is flawed. When the domino theory was popular policy, foreign peoples' democratic rights were undercut and dictatorships were established instead with the support of the government of USA, to stop the spread of communism.
As for peacekeeping, Finland has the most peacekeepers out there relative to its population.

Hmm, I'm willing to admit to making a mistake with France. I didn't want to over-use the Nordic Countries... They have a lot of benefits compared to the USA with their welfare state model.
Finland, though apparantly having a slow bureocracy (never been a victim of it myself), is still the least corrupted nation in the world.
True, the wages up north are really similar (not much chance of "getting ahead"), and the gap between rich and poor... is really non-existant.

It's a valid question as pertaining to the opinion of a government, specifically the government of USA.
*shrug* Joke, or not, lot of people say "America is the Greatest" but, never back it up intelligently. I was curious if there was a reason behind it all, even if I admit I was biased to the contrary before ever posting this question.

Answer 1

It is all a matter of opinion. I believe you are correct in your "betters" list except standard of living and France...

However...

I've lived in many countries and seen how people conduct their daily lives...what they have to do to accomplish their goals. The difference I've noticed is the level and type of difficulty they have with respect to laws, government, bureaucracy, social pressure, and even how they are "expected" to spend their time.

Building a house, for example. While there is a fair amount of bureaucratic paperwork required in the US, there is nowhere near the corruption I've seen in Japan, Spain, Thailand; nowhere near the stifling bureaucracy of Finland and the nordic, France., etc.

What I'm saying is that there is greater transparency and it is easier to get ahead in the US. When people as about the old "land of opportunity" catch-phrase, this is what I usually tell them about.

---

BTW, it isn't quite fair to compare the "human rights" record of the US as a super power against say Sweden. The latter has a better human rights record simply because it DOES NOTHING, whereas the US has been quite active around the globe...annoying locals to no end. As a metric of quality, "human rights" is of almost no value for this reason.

Answer 2

You have a lousy human rights record. Afro-Americans are still subjected to discrimination, as are Hispanics and aborigines. Where did you get the idea that the USA is the best country ever? This is only a commonly held view in the USA (and I'm not too sure about that at the moment (that's 'at this moment in time' in US English).
The only thing behind this is the arrogance of the US.
Your Government's annual Report on Human Rights abuses is excellent, but there is an English saying, 'It takes one to know one.' And now we know why it's so good!

Answer 3

we have social security and free education (those are called public schools), maybe the EU as a whole and some middle eastern countries are richer (but you loose a lot of rights there), yeah - US kids are getting dumb, what better freedoms? i'm living in germany right now and you don't even have the right to remain silent!, and who has a better humanitarian record? you are making blanket statements and not backing them. given that the US has not been around long and we have become a superpower, one of the richest, and still are willing to lend a hand when it is needed is what makes us the best country ever... so far.

Answer 4

It's about pride for one's country. Usa being the best is really a metter of opinion. Someone from England will most likely say that England is the best country. It's a matter of patriotism and pride. I don't think America is the best country in the world and I don't think it's the worst. Countries aren't rated by a list.

Answer 5

No other country has a better humanitarian record. The US directly or indirectly supports the majority of the world.

But weather its the best country ever? Thats subjective, of course, and opinion only, there are no ratings.

But freedom sure is nice.

Answer 6

It allows the Far Left Wing Liberal ACLU Adoring Democrats, Muslims whose religion teaches destruction, mayhem, murder, death, hate and the grave for all Non-Muslims even Liberals to live and prosper side by side while neither would ever lift a finger to support the values that make the USA as noble as it is.

We commit troops to the God forsaken Middle East to fight Islamic dogs and at the same time give them a home to practice their "religion" here!!

That is either true greatness or lunacy to some... I believe it is Greatness with a capital "G"!

Answer 7

truth is USA doesn't really have to offer that much, -ecxept Hollywood and that because of Johnny- but seriously, it's really hard for everyone to watch USA destroy everyone around them just for money. forget everything else, u guys think you are the best because of vanity, in reality you're not. Probably China someday will tell u guys what to do.

Answer 8

The sense of humor, how many countries' presidents do you know would say this in the middle of a UN security council meeting, ""I think I may need a bathroom break. Is this possible?"

Answer 9

Weapons and involvements in other countries' politics.

Answer 10

Is this a joke? You should post it in another category!