There isn't one thing we as a country do better than any other country except build massive corporations that force continuity in every city all in the name of capitalism. Well, plus we make great movies. But seriously we don't make the best cars or electronics anymore, we don't pay the best wages to our employees. We have no mandatory pay for maternity leave (we are one of only four nations that don't). We have the option between overpriced, substandard or no health insurance. Our pharmeceutical companies charge hundreds of dollars for life dependent drugs. We have the worst crime rate of any first world nation. Don't get me wrong, I LIKE America and I like living here, but I've not disillusioned myself. Switzerland (for example) may be more expensive but I think I'd likely have a healthier, safer life if I lived there.
2007-01-02 08:25:13 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Oh, by the way, I know there are crappier countries to live in (like Afghanistan). I'm not saying America is the worst. I'm just saying it's not the best.
2007-01-02 08:26:22 · update #1
michele: I'd move in a heartbeat to another country if I had the money and could take my family with me. Not all of us have that luxury, dipshit.
2007-01-02 08:28:29 · update #2
NONAME: You are an utter moron. Quit breathing my air.
2007-01-02 08:29:19 · update #3
Thank you to the people that are actually answering my question and not just blindly insulting me. You are not going unnoticed.
2007-01-02 08:35:36 · update #4
michele: You're a riot. You write that 90% of the things you write here are in jest but when I read all of your other answers, you're rude to the questioners the majority of the time. Have you no ability to be introspective? Have you truly nothing better to do? In fact, you know what? I'm sorry I called you a name. It was small of me. I was mad that you insulted me and then I stooped to your level. That was very hypocritical of me. I just hope you don't say something nasty to someone else today. I hope my apology puts you in a better mood today, I truly do.
2007-01-02 09:01:08 · update #5
Peter Piper: I have been to other countries. I'm one of the (apparantly only) 7% of Americans who own a passport. It was visiting other countries that opened my eyes.
2007-01-02 09:03:16 · update #6
Private P: and I was so set to write you an email thanking you for your service to our country. Unfortunately your email was unverified so I was unable to do so.
2007-01-02 10:12:48 · update #7
Because some of us are arrogant and ignorant. There's plenty of other countries out there that are better than America. But the thing I like best about America is its diversity... but diversity doesn't really matter if we're all too ignorant to take advantage of each others culture... we can learn a lot from one another... there's still to much racism.
2007-01-02 08:26:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 5⤋
I forgot to answer your original question (good thing nobody reported me).
The answer to:
Why do Americans think they live in the greatest country?
Is:
Americans think they live in the greatest country because they do.
Switzerland has lots of problems to. It is also a completely homogenous country, so they can sidestep certain problems common to more diverse countries. You say you don't have enough money to move to another country, have you ever been to another country, and if so, for how long? How would you know that America isn't the best if you've never been anywhere? All you know about those countries is what your can glean from news and travel shows. I always think it's funny when someone I know comes back from a vacation in a 3rd world country and they go on about how nice everyone was. Of course they were nice to you, you had the money. The question is how do they treat each other when the paying foreigners aren't around?
Most socialist medical systems have problems of their own. We do not have the worst crime rate in the 1st world, though the murder rate may be highest, Scotland and some others are much worse for all other violent crimes.
Anyway, only an asshole doesn't represent where they're from.
2007-01-02 08:58:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was raised to believe I lived in the greatest country in the world.
always felt that way, we had diversity, we could own our own piece of land. Which in other countrys is unheard of. Work were we want to and do what job we wanted to.
We had freedom of religion and speach and of the press.
But as an adult I am starting to see things differently. If someone builds an empire at the expense of others using them as slaves.
Even though that pharoah had a great empire and the rich lived well and ate well. But they did it because of not caring for the weaker nations. But using them to further there goals.
Is it really success if your rich at the expense of others?
Isn't that what the pharoah in the bible did that God condemmed?
Most of the big corporations and the rich people who own them don't really care about people only how much money they make.
If they did would we have so many die in minds?
Or the ones dieing in Iraq? Or Afganistan?
It is all about economics. While the Republicans say look how great the economy is! With very little regard for the people dieing in Iraq. Actually they don't care anything at all about them.
I think the young people who has been viewed as expendable are not proud of this country anymore. I know I'm not.
2007-01-02 08:47:28 · answer #3 · answered by Ruth 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
America is the best at many things. It doesn't have to be the best at everything to be the best. Go live somewhere else (i don't mean it like that). I mean go live somewhere else and really take a look around and you will see that if you take enough factors into consideration there are very few (maybe not none) but very few places that afford the liberty, opportunity, diversity, culture, etc that exists in this country. Some of it also depends on how your approach your analysis. There are more countries that would beat out the US if you accept the lower highs, this country has great highs but also lower lows than many countries.
2007-01-02 14:45:18 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Don't get me wrong,, I love my country,,I am a very proud Veteran.
That being said; we think it is the best because that is what we are taught from birth. Not unlike any other random country in the world, besides the "greatest" is a subjective term. We have with out a doubt the most powerful army in the world, we also have a relatively high standard of living compared to most.
The problem is the rich are getting richer, the poor getting poorer, and the government has lost all touch with the common man (or woman). We have no choice but to pay loads of money for medical care, car insurance and taxes, yet see very little in return. (taxation without representation? YOU BET)
Our politicians are all over-the-hill ultra wealthy white men with no clue of how hard it is to carve out a living without a silver spoon in your mouth. And they are the ones who make policy for the rest of us.
The whole thing will come to a head sooner than any of us realize and the news will not report it until after the fact. After all they are owned by the ultra wealthy corporations and see the world through THEIR eyes not ours.
2007-01-02 08:46:08 · answer #5 · answered by landerscott 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Look at Sam Walton. He was just a guy that came from almost nothing and made a huge mega empire. We all have that same opportunity. He didn't fill a need - he created it. There are so many Americans that are self-made millionaires. You couldn't do that in Switzerland.
Apart from being able to make money, we are able to own land. In most countries, you cannot actually own the land you live on. Our health care system doesn't provide very well for us, but is that how we measure how great a country is?
We are free to do and say mostly whatever we want as long as it doesn't infringe on someone else's freedom to do so. You may not like the President, but if you speak out against him, you don't have to worry about having your tongue cut out or your family murdered. This freedom was paid for by our forefathers and squandered by us.
2007-01-02 08:30:41 · answer #6 · answered by DA 5 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Most people in the world think that their country is the greatest country in the world because that is where they are and most people never travel out of their country to see other countries.
Also, even if they do travel to other countries, they might not be used to the customs of the other countries and think of them negative because of that difference.
I like America. Of course other countries are great too. I like quite a few countries. And there are things about America that I don't like, as with other countries.
I imagine you feel the same way.
2007-01-02 08:31:50 · answer #7 · answered by Alan Turing 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I agree with you. America is still a good place to live, but it used to be alot better. We'll get better, its just going to take a good president, and we havent had one in awhile. Our health care really stinks though. I really feel for all the people in the U.S. that cant get insurance or help from the government. Hopefully things will turn around soon.
2007-01-02 08:31:26 · answer #8 · answered by pebbles 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I agree we Americans have gotten lazy as far as our work ethic and rather "superior" in our mentality but I think that because of the competition and negative and tragic world events that we are pulling together and improving...every time I travel to another country I realize how lucky I AM TO BE AN AMERICAN-esp. an American woman-I am educated and free from male dominance...and can wear what I please and marry whom I please...we should have a website for ways to remind us each day to help make it better and to be thankful! concentrate on the positive!() Oh yea, and we can have a website like this that you can express your opinion about your country...
2007-01-02 08:34:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
You REALLY need to whip out that passport you are so proud of, and leave, If you don't like it here, go away to one of those countries that you say is so much better, but you do not name. Git along, traitor, and take your kids with you, perhaps you wont have to boo hoo about not having enough money there in happy land. You sound like you are jealous of those who have more than you, or that the world owes you a living..wallowing in self-pity any way you slice it...disgusting!!
2007-01-02 09:14:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋