If the US is the best country on Earth then why... is it number 8 on the HDI (human development index)?
I'm NOT saying that I hate the US. I like it, that's why I live here. But I hate the attitude of SOME Americans that is "We are better than you. We are smarter, better looking, and the only free country on Earth."
America is number 8 on the Human Development Index list. That's high, but not PERFECT so why do SOME (not all) Americans insist on having that attitude.
1 Norway 0.965
2 Iceland 0.960
3 Australia 0.957
4 Ireland 0.956
5 Sweden 0.951
6 Canada 0.950
7 Japan 0.949
8 United States 0.948
2006-12-16 15:53:52 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_Human_Development_Index
2006-12-16 15:58:09 · update #1
It's nice to see that that "man" guy hasn't shown up yet... maybe he got suspended...
2006-12-16 16:00:31 · update #2
Actually, I am not an American YET and won't be one for about 3 and a half more years.
2006-12-16 16:06:06 · update #3
It's just an arrogance thing.
Most of Europe beats us in every category.
Hell, in education we rank dead, absolute last out of all the 1rst world countries.
2006-12-16 16:03:31 · answer #1 · answered by anonymous w 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
This is precisely the reason why so many people around the
globe dislike americans. This so called ranking stuff is alot
of baloney. People are only as good as they can get along with
each other with out murder mayhem & destruction. Alot of these
foreign countries also resent the fact of america butting into
thier affairs or policing the world. We have enough problems
in this country without having to overstretch our boundries around
the globe. If people want U.S. power to help they can always ask.
There are other free countries on earth, U just don't here about them as much as U.S. becasue we are the leader in televising.
2006-12-17 00:14:51 · answer #2 · answered by Rusty Jones 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
First, don't you think you should explain the factors involved in establishing the HDI?
Do any of the countries you listed have a Bill of Rights to protect their citizens against government?
Are there arrogant Americans, yes, but please don't slander the country without explaining the entire basis for your complaint. Have you been to those countries, if not, are you sure the evaluation by someone's index is accurate and the lifestyle they used is the lifestyle suitable for you?
Did you know, for example, that in Japan, a police officer can enter your house at anytime for any reason without a warrant?
2006-12-17 00:01:56 · answer #3 · answered by jack w 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
There are many reasons for the US being No. 8, but all of them pertain to the fact that America is not a welfare state as are the ones above us on the scale. The scale itself is biased toward Socialist styles of government.
2006-12-17 00:10:03 · answer #4 · answered by Sophist 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The last time I checked, a lot of us americans are dissing our own country for the crap that is piling up in our government/society. Our stupid federal government isnt doing a damn thing about the illegal immigrants coming in, and our President is acting like a complete moron...so, whatever americans you are talking to dont know much about the crap going on in our country right now.
2006-12-16 23:57:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
the average person makes more money in the US than in most of those countries. Taxes are lower and poverty.
Denmark is the happiest and Japan comes in really low on that list.
If you look at all these lists, money/environment/poverty line/crime/HDI/etc/ America comes out pretty high.
2006-12-17 00:04:18 · answer #6 · answered by Voodoo Experience 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The best,great all these will be there for only some time, then other country will become best country. It is not permanent that any country can be best for long time.
2006-12-17 00:03:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
American chauvinism, at its finest. It's called nationalism, and it can happen anywhere. Just that you hear it from the US more because it's powerful economically speaking.
And I guess some people take the term "superpower" to mean that it is a nation full of superhumans, who knows.
Point is, nationalism isn't based off of statistics.
2006-12-17 00:01:13 · answer #8 · answered by Neil-Rob 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
That index is a judgment of someone or more than one based on their criteria and how they look at it. Given how it is popular to dislike the US these days, I'm surprised we didn't do worse! People can skew data in any number of ways to make it come out the way the want. The US is the best, regardless!
2006-12-17 00:03:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
i don't think the us is the best country for several reasons:
the pollution-the us consumes the most petrol
their attitude towards people-you are expected to tip!tiping is meant to be optional.
the health care stuff-unless its life threating,the government won't assist you
and everything is so expensive!
2006-12-17 00:09:04 · answer #10 · answered by mylostpets 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋