Why America is not the greatest country in the world anymore.

[Jax Vos]

This may or may not have been said, but we never were the "greatest country in the world". Our government just called us that to encourage patriotism, and then we got too much pride.

 

[Chairdor]

Well I would argue right after World War II when we were the only industrialized nation left unscathed by a brutal global war and had more economic and military might in our pinky then the rest of the world had as an entirety, then yes, we were the greatest country in the world. That was a long, long, time ago.

 

[Darth Tak]

I like America. >_>

It has something for many people, including myself (ironically, considering the UN considers the people of my country one of the happiest in the world), that our own home countries do not. Opportunity. :CScool

And then it called Australians the happiest.

 

[Endling vas Precious]

....I have an overwhelming urge to watch this show now.

Do you know why America isn't the greatest country in the world? It's quite simple, really.

You don't have Kinder (Kinder as in Kindergarten) Eggs.

Americans are always talking about freedom, but you don't really have freedom because your country has banned those little chocolately eggs of joy.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

The show is actually really hit and miss. When it’s really good then it’s really good, but on the whole it’s fairly mediocre. It’s also pretty sexist, with every female character basically showing that they can do nothing right, and each one generally being defined by the relationships they are or have been in.

There's a good show in there. This is the creator of The West Wing, after all. So far, though, that good show only shows itself every once and awhile.

 

[Endling vas Precious]

The show is actually really hit and miss. When it’s really good then it’s really good, but on the whole it’s fairly mediocre. It’s also pretty sexist, with every female character basically showing that they can do nothing right, and each one generally being defined by the relationships they are or have been in.

There's a good show in there. This is the creator of The West Wing, after all. So far, though, that good show only shows itself every once and awhile.

Good to know, I don't have HBO but I'll see if there's anywhere online that I can watch to judge for myself.

 

[BLADE]

It never was because no country or people are inherently great and encouraging that kind of towering arrogance literally does lead to Nazism (Godwin can collect his winnings at the front of the house.) Also The Newsroom sucks, The West Wing was overrated, and Sorkin is a hack who gets lucky/occasionally inspired. He's also sexist and smug and really should be a conservative, but isn't because he had the good sense to do some hard drugs in his youth (cocaine; I sorta recommend it!)

 

[OhNoesBunnies]

I do not disagree America is not the greatest nation in the world, but I do point out that 'great' is in the eye of the beholder.

1. The United States and its Economy... is still very strong. Despite false statistics, negative media, and a general panic of the less educated in the United States, America is not in threat of going bankrupt and falling into civil war. This is all overplayed by politics and negative media (most media is negative now a days, its all about a shock value). In fact, China could not (and will not as states in an address) collect on a debt to America because the United States is both it's largest and most fair trading partner. One of the most interest things people don't realize is that even though the United States is suffering from inflation on the dollar bill, Europe is actually in a currently worse position than the US itself.

2. The United States economy is set to eventually take a boost once Hydrogen fuel cells (something that's been being worked on for nearly 20+ years) and shale oil is taken advantage of. One the same note of having a strong economy and exports, at one point the United States used to be the biggest producer of wheat in the world, and this could likely all start up again with the initiative towards farming and renewable resources.

3. War across the world as a whole is the lowest it's been since ever. Yes, we hear about it more, see it more, but thanks to the media it's not something we can avoid. As far as war goes, the United States has actually been seeing less fighting, than it has in the past. While some people feel it doesn't belong in certain countries (you would be correct in mentioned Vietnam and Iraq, both wars we didn't belong, one of them illegal and proven in court), Syria has some very serious issues going on and it HAS been proven, by the UN itself, that gas attacks were used. There's a reason these weapons were banned. They're a terrible, horrifying way to die, far less humane than any bomb, grenade, or bullet.

4. The United States is a gigantic country. It's law enforcement is spread thin, and despite an actual (and incredible) decline in crime in the united states, considering it's wide spread population and (mostly unfortunate) focus on drugs over violent crimes, crime will always be 'statistically' high.

5. The United States does have an education problem, and this is something I cannot argue. High Schools are a prison system with an outdated system of rules, there's no motivation for education like in many other schools across the world (I mean, look at Sweden's motivations!).

6. The United States is the only advanced western civilization without universal healthcare; another problem I cannot argue. However, the implementation of Obamacare (while I support it) will put a lot of people temporarily out of jobs. This is the biggest fear of our capitalist economy. Anything free is scary.

7. The United States has the largest military budget in the world out of every nation. Combined. This is both a boon and a burden for the economy.

Really, the United States isn't as worse off as most people think. It's just the focus on the media and the negative stereotypes (I think obesity is one of the real, larger health concerns of our nation). Every country has patriotism. Every country. There's always going to be propaganda, and as it stands, the guy on top is always going to be hated (IE, in this case America is on top, though it's economy is set to be overcome by China unless everyone there gets eaten by giant sink holes because of how fast they're sucking up their resources).

 

[Horizon]

I mean, I like it when countries are incredibly patriotic. Just not when it leads to something bad.

As for my thoughts, he isn't wrong like Bac said.

 

[Livgardist]

And then it called Australians the happiest.

Actually, that was Denmark. I don't remember Australia's place on the list though. :CSly

 

[Darth Tak]

:CAbove Last time I checked, Australia was the happiest place annually 17 times in a row. Also, https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...firefox-a&gws_rd=cr&ei=mRY0UtepJuWUiAfxg4HACw

 

[Chairdor]

:CAbove Last time I checked, Australia was the happiest place annually 17 times in a row. Also, https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...firefox-a&gws_rd=cr&ei=mRY0UtepJuWUiAfxg4HACw

Last time I checked this said quite the opposite

 

[Darth Tak]

 

[Livgardist]

http://www.livescience.com/39489-the-happiest-countries.html

It doesn't really matter. I'm just posting this so you know where I got Denmark from. I think most northern and southern European countries are happy enough in their own way, regardless of whatever troubles their economy is in. The same could be said for many other countries, like Australia for example. Calling one country happier than another...eeh.

 

[Livgardist]

Edit: Stupid internet.

 

[Ush]

Has America ever won a war by itself? That thought just struck me. And no civil wars, that's just stupid.

 

[Sini]

Has America ever won a war by itself? That thought just struck me. And no civil wars, that's just stupid.

This. That's how they got a bigger chunk of Texas on their plate.

 

[Chairdor]

This. That's how they got a bigger chunk of Texas on their plate.

Good catch, I nearly forgot about that war.

And if you want to call them wars, we won every war against the Native tribes in the west by ourselves.

 

[Sini]

Good catch, I nearly forgot about that war.

<-- History major, that war was floating around in the back of my head :p. To be honest, I know of no other that would fit the bill.

 

[Wing]

Spanish-American War