Not that we are near the bottom, we are very near the top in some categories, and very much NOT in others. So why are we the best?
Economy
In 2006 "the United States shows the most pronounced drop, falling from first to sixth"
http://www.weforum.org/en/media/Latest%20Press%20Releases/GCRpressrelease06
US is number 8 of top ten livable countries
http://www.infoplease.com/toptens/mostlivablecountries.html
Life expectancy, US is 18th here
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0004393.html
Here we are even lower:
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0934746.html
Health care: The United States rated 24th under this system, or an average of 70.0 years of healthy life for babies born in 1999. ... "Basically, you die earlier and spend more time disabled if you’re an American rather than a member of most other advanced countries
http://home.earthlink.net/~acisney2/id30.html
(this site is not bipartisan, but the WHO is)
2007-01-23 08:35:54 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Well, nothing makes the US the greatest country. It doesn't have the strongest currency, that honour belongs to a country smaller than a single state. It has a piss poor health care system. Again, completely beaten out the water by a country smaller than a single state.
Basically the US sucks, but its important cause it has nukes and a relgious fundamentalist mad man with his finger on the button.
2007-01-23 08:41:45 · answer #1 · answered by v_mordecai_v 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
People who live there believe it is the best (many do at least). That does not mean that anyone in any other country believes that the US is number one. So I would say it is NOT the best country in the world. However, it is near the top, and I love visiting :) Ranking has very little effect on day to day life of the citizen. It doesnt matter if the US is number 1, or number 118. Life is still the same for the people there, and if they love it.. then great! Most people love where they live, it is part of the human condition.
Even if the US is not officially number one, the world would be much better off if more countries were similar as far as democracy, freedom (sort of lately), and opportunity.
#1, or #6... all the same really
and btw, the higher ranked countries (like my own) are higher taxed. Yes we have better services and schooling, but we pay more for it. It is all relative. Just enjoy where you live, no matter where that may be.
2007-01-23 08:44:04 · answer #2 · answered by artisticallyderanged 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For crying out loud, is it such a terriable thing to be proud of the country you live in? To think it actually is the best place to live cause if it isn't then why are you here? Why wouldn't you move to the place you consider 'best'?! You aren't going to find our freedoms anywhere else, and even our poorest can be richer than some in other countries. Very few people starve to death here or get taken out into the streets and tortured in front of family because you defied the goverment. Come on,show a little red, white, and blue!
2007-01-23 08:52:20 · answer #3 · answered by Brianne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Possibly because of the sheer level of variance in the united states- in terms of lifestyles, geography and socio-economic position. There are exceptionally wealthy groups in America, yet there are also some very poor people. There are schools decked out with the latest technology, and others struggling to cover the holes in their roofs. I htink that part of the answer lies in the fact that these statistics, I suspect, involve averages across a massive nation.
2007-01-23 08:41:39 · answer #4 · answered by Jim 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same reasons that San Diego is the greatest city the country...the people..the freedoms..the lifestyle! Also this country lets you come from nothing and rise to the top. I was born/raised dirt poor. I now, with years of hard work and risk, own my own businesses, homes, cars, boats, etc. there's not too many places in this world you can do that. I also tend to look for the positives in life and this country allows me to do that. Capitalism baby, Capitalism!
2007-01-23 08:52:46 · answer #5 · answered by kingchargerfan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even though it doesn't seem so at times, we can be a caring loving country, all those people against drugs, abortion, and alcohol may have ulterior agendas but still it is peoples best interest. And last time I checked we have freedoms no other country has, and people like you, who can't take pride in our country should realize, what people do reflects the person, not the country.
2007-01-23 08:41:23 · answer #6 · answered by msim225 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well stats dont decide the greatest nation, its actually, who wants to go there. and everyday our embassies are flooded with people wanting to emigrate, our border is constanltly being crossed and people are even being smuggled in.
the economy isnt 5th, Economic competetiveness is!
theres a difference, economy is the overall state of being of a country, competitiveness is different
2007-01-23 08:48:07 · answer #7 · answered by Indio 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's kind of like being a Cubs fan, you cheer for the home team even if they haven't done anything great in over 100 years.
2007-01-23 08:46:20 · answer #8 · answered by sprcpt 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
More people are trying to get into our country then trying to leave ... Why? Because dreams are achievable if one is willing to work for them... Only in America are you guaranteed Life,Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.. Imagine that !!! God Bless America the Greatest Nation on Earth !!!
2007-01-23 08:46:01 · answer #9 · answered by bereal1 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
would you like me to itemize for you?
1. abundant natural resourses
2. low population density
3. moderate climate and ample rainfall.
4. moderate population growth rate perhaps due to being non-Catholic for the most part.
5. business friendly government
6. a large country not a Denmark size country.
2007-01-23 08:48:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋