Is the United States the greatest nation on earth?? Well, personally, I certainly think so. Of course, that is only my opinion. And, because I think so, doesn't necessarily make it true, does it now?? I have my own personal reasons and feelings for believing that America is greater and better than any other nation on the face of the earth. But, they are just my personal reasons and feelings...and nothing more.
For me to be able to state that America is the greatest nation on earth as a fact, however, I must be able to prove that such a statement is the absolute truth. And to be able to prove it, I must put forth evidence and data that verifies this truth. Is it possible to do that?? And, if it is, what kind of evidence and data do I need to produce to prove it to be true??
Is the U.S. the greatest economically?? Is it the greatest provider of freedom?? Is it the greatest producer of goods?? Has it developed the greatest amount of new invention and technology?? Is it the greatest military power in the world?? See what I mean?? When we use the term "greatest nation" we must specify what it is the "greatest" at being. Because it may be the greatest nation in the world at some things, but not at others.
And does being the greatest at something necessarily make that nation "better" than any other nation in the world?? Or does being "less great" than another nation necessarily make it worse than any other nation?? Because, in order to explore these ideas, we must define what we mean by "great" or "greater" or "greatest" (or, for that matter, even "greatness").
Is the United States the greatest nation in the world at some things, but not at others?? What are those things?? Which countries are greater at some things than the United States?? And, in turn, which things are the United States greater at than any other nation on earth?? Can the United States still be called the Leader of the World?? Is this nation still the greatest single influence upon the rest of the globe??
Do you think that the United States is still the "greatest nation on earth"?? If so, what makes you think it is?? If not, why do you believe it is not?? Which nations are greater than the United States and which nations are "less great"??
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Comments: 56
Yes, of course. We have the greatest country in the world.
People can cite issues, but that wasn't the question. Yes, we have issues; so does that mean someone else doesn't? Does that mean our system of reaching resolutions isn't still the best around?
I'm proud to be an American!
I trust their rational and objective analysis (its blurb is "In a world where opinion, propaganda and inaccuracy are frequently put forward as fact, The Statesman's Yearbook remains the first point of reference for anyone needing reliable, concise information on any country in the world.").
The ranking is determined by using the Human Development Index (HDI) which goes about "measuring progress in countries in longevity, knowledge and standard of living".
The Top 10 Countries in the World in 2005 were:
1. Norway
2. Iceland
3. Sweden
4. Australia - YEAH!
5. Netherlands
6. Belgium
7. United States of America
8. Canada
9. Japan
10. Switzerland
It is an interesting book - it's in most libraries. There is a 2008 version out but I haven't got access to it.
Their website is:
http://www.statesmansyearbook.com/public/
America is beyond a doubt the greatest nation on earth because of her boundless capacity to grow and change. Because of her open armed compassion for all people; because of her sincere desire to be ever better and make the world a better place. Besides this is my home. I may fight with my brothers and sisters, but that doesn't give anybody else leave to fight with my siblings. If you get my drift?
America is a two-faced, double-dealing tyrannt, anything but great, because of her stubborn refusal to face and resolve the race and gender issues that have festered throught her history. Because of her continuing ability to commit acts of gross neglect and over terrorism on her own citizens. Human experimentation in Alabama to poison mobile homes on the gulf coast, America sanctioned American murder. Because illegal immigrant and Mexican are now interchanable. Because while America boasts her ability to make the world a better place, children in Dallas went to bed hungry, in Denver too many are sleeping in the street, in Dayton Johnny, Janie and many of their classmates can't read. Swallow a camel and choke on a gnat.
America, America God shed His grace on thee and we're no where close to living up to our purpose or our promise.
Marilyn: If the U.S. is so bad LEAVE!!
But I can't help feeling that we used to be so much more than we are today. I also hope that we get back on the path that made us great, that we have stumbled on in recent years.
but all from Gather I know of one thing Great in being Frank and
free loving people are always great !!!
Keynes; the economist said we all die; referring to businesses. I think the same thought applies to nations and governments. History bears this out.
We all die, even nations. The U.S is great; so what. Christianity teaches our true citizenship is ultimately with God through Christ. That is if we accept this citizenship and this alliance. This is the only citizenship I have ultimate confidence in.
The US is my country and I'm fond of it, just as I am of each of my children. But I feel about the question, "Is the US the greatest nation?" just about the same as I would if asked "Which of your children is the best?"
Personally, I am very thankful to be living in the United States. Our nation is great. It is not perfect, but I'd rather work to make a difference than simply leave.
We all have a choice in this wonderful Country we live in and for that we should be forever grateful. I am!
I believe that when America began, we started with wonderful ideals and perhaps were more moral in some ways, although we were definitely cruel and inhuman to the Native Americans, the Blacks (then called Negroes), and anyone not white and male. Now, though, even though it is the era of civil rights, equal rights, for blacks, for Latinos, for Asians, for women, for gays, etc. we have lost our morality.
I don't mean to sound like a stereotypical conservative here. And when I say as I do now, we need change, I don't mean to sound like a stereotypical liberal. Because in some ways, okay many ways, we have lost our morality and sense of ethics that used to define us as a nation and set us apart. We do need to change, but not at the cost of our morality. We do need to change, but not at the cost of human lives.
So. America may indeed be the greatest country in the world. But at the same time it is the worst nation because we have acted hypocritically-not that we cannot make mistakes-but we continually repeat the same mistakes, apologize without any sincerity, and many times deny we were wrong over and over again! And then we repeat the mistake.
Please do not get me wrong here. I do not hate America. I would not consider myself an America-basher. But I cannot be proud of our country. We may be the best there is, but there is still room for improvement. Much of it. I love my country: the ideas our founding fathers (and mothers) had, the fact that our country wants to be Under God but retain separation of church and state...But not what we have done. I can never love what we have done.
It is like a father. Do you have children? If so, you know you love them enough where if they are on a self-destructive path, an immoral path, then you will love them so much you will want to correct them. This is exactly what Sandy and I are saying. It is because we love our nation that we remain with her in her troubled time and attempt to steer her back to a more ethical path.
Is the United States the greatest country on earth? That's a loaded question. On the whole, I would say yes, but we must acknowledge the fact that there are problems here that require our attention. We cannot afford to be smug when health care and education are still deficient here, when poverty and homelessness are still facts of life, when there are still issues that require our attention that other nations have managed to address and resolve. We may have a society that offers a better quality of life overall, but we can make it even better if we pay close attention to the points in which we are weak -- and it is not a shame to acknowledge that we can still improve.