But I think thats just it. People are using "greatest" and "best" interchangeably...and in this situation I wouldn't.
Obviously no country is perfect, for a perfect country would be impossible to achieve. But few can argue that the US is the most influential nation in the world, therefore it is the greatest. No, not "best"..but objectively the greatest. How influential a nation can be isn't subjective.
If you are talking about the UK, it was not them I was basing this on. The UK is far worse than we are on Government encroachment. But if you look at countries like Norway, Sweden or even Canada (In some areas) there is a lot less restrictions on individual freedoms and more restrictions on the police and the government. In Canada, the police are not even allowed to harass it's citizens the way cops here in the US do.
None of these countries surpass us in all areas but in some ways they do.
People considered to be living in "poverty" in the US live like kings compared to most of the people living in "poverty" on that list. Cable television is considered a necessity in the US, that should say something.
BurnItDwn
Lifer
- Oct 10, 1999
- 26,355
- 1,867
- 126
We may be #1 in electrcity overall, but if you look at it "per capita" you'll see per person, we are #8. Also, most of the world's population lives much closer to the equator than the average American. Thus, by default, there will be more energy usage just for the sake of heating.
Sure we are wasteful, but as a people, we are less wastefull then places like Qatar or Luxembourg ...
In other words .... the stats that you linked are generally made to look like the US is bad, however, when put into prospective, things aren't as bad as they are initially made out to be.
Sure we are wasteful, but as a people, we are less wastefull then places like Qatar or Luxembourg ...
In other words .... the stats that you linked are generally made to look like the US is bad, however, when put into prospective, things aren't as bad as they are initially made out to be.
Having been out of the U.S. for going on three months now, I think it's a good place to live, but perhaps not the best place. The great thing about America IMO is the cultural diversity in the big cities. I miss that aspect the most while living abroad. Things I don't miss are the overly censored and P.C. culture, the legal system in general and the self-entitlement many Americans display. Every day I read the U.S. news and the issues in some of the top stories seem stupid and trite (e.g., student being tasered at my alma mater, UF).
meltdown75
Lifer
- Nov 17, 2004
- 37,548
- 7
- 81
I don't feel harassed. *shrug*
Canada and the US are both great to live in. I live near the border and let me assure you that it truly is the best of both worlds. :heart:
Now if we could only do something about all these Mexicans coming to Windsor claiming refugee status...
Canada and the US are both great to live in. I live near the border and let me assure you that it truly is the best of both worlds. :heart:
Now if we could only do something about all these Mexicans coming to Windsor claiming refugee status...
America! Only country in the world where we heat up our hot water!
Now if you'll excuse me I need to go put some toast in the toaster.
Queasy
Moderator<br>Console Gaming
- Aug 24, 2001
- 31,796
- 2
- 0
That's the way it works. Word gets out that that X city will provide abundant social services (whether true or not) and the illegals and others flock to it to take advantage. There was a town in the northeast (name escapes me) that had a similar problem with Somalis. Word was passed around the Somali community of this town's generous social services and the over ran the town.
meltdown75
Lifer
- Nov 17, 2004
- 37,548
- 7
- 81
Right. Everyone's looking for their own piece of freedom or dreams or whatever... and you can't really blame them for seeking it out... I guess it is just strange how they are claiming refugee status because of the illegal immigrant crackdown... they are being forced out of the US, but "refugee" just sounds weird when you think about it. Who knows how long they have been in the US. Would they even be able to go back to Mexico, ie. would the Mexican government just be like, "hey... welcome back... sorry you got booted out of the promised land... now here's a burrito..."
meltdown75
Lifer
- Nov 17, 2004
- 37,548
- 7
- 81
Which is why social services should be restricted to only citizens or legal immigrants. Even Mexico will not allow non-Mexicans to attend school, free access to healthcare and property rights.
Why go back to extreme poverty and corruption when you get handed to you the riches of the US or Canada?
meltdown75
Lifer
- Nov 17, 2004
- 37,548
- 7
- 81
This city apparently gets reimbursed 80% of the housing and food costs for the refugee families here... but there are thousands more (allegedly) on the way and it is uncertain how long they will be here.
I think there's room somewhere on the west end for a Mexican town
I think there's room somewhere on the west end for a Mexican town
m1ldslide1
Platinum Member
- Feb 20, 2006
- 2,321
- 0
- 0
By your logic, Iraq must be the greatest country of all time since the US felt the need to swoop in there and fix their problems.
AMCRambler
Diamond Member
- Jan 23, 2001
- 7,715
- 31
- 91
What are you nuts? Half those reasons you listed are why we are the greatest nation on earth!
Poverty? Look at all the countries above us on that list you link? Holy smokes! The US is nearly at the bottom. ????
#38 in life expectancy? Because we're all dying of heart disease and cancer because of the rich foods we can afford and all the tobacco we smoke, chew, snort whatever!
Debt, well you've got us there. The people of the US have a big problem spending more money than they have. But why the hell do the foreign investors keep giving us this massive line of credit? They must eventually think they will get they're money back.
Highest electricity consumption? Haha, since when is electricity consumption a bad thing? We are a highly technological nation. Massive server farms, huge oil refineries, massive industrial corporations. They all use electricity. It's just another indicator of the wealth of our nation. Electric services to houses in the US have grown over the years too now that things that were once luxuries are now affordable everyday appliances. Air coniditioning being one of the biggest of these.
#1 in oil consumption? We've got the money to afford big old SUV's and Cadillacs so that's what we drive. Fuel efficiency has meant nothing to this nation until recently as gas was so affordable we didn't care how inefficient our vehicles were. Europe has been paying high gas prices for a long time now. Just another indicator of the wealth of our country.
#1 in millitary spending? Exactly! No one screws with the US because we've got the most technologically advanced millitary on the face of the planet. Yeah you're going to say well terrorists have been taking shots at us. They're the only ones who can with a reasonable hope of survival(well not the suicide bombers) and we're rapidly learning how to fight them better. You will never see another war like WWI or WWII because of our millitary. Their's always nuclear annihilation I guess, but what would be the point? Everybody would go down with us!
#1 in CO2 emissions? Because we're all so damn stinking rich we can afford big honking V8 luxury cars that have no fuel efficiency.
I could go on. But really, all these number you point to do not indicate that we're not the greatest, they indicate we are one of the wealthiest. Now if by great you mean ethical, well then you may have a point. Last time I checked though, money is power, not ethics. The countries with the biggest check books and the most powerful millitaries have been the ones to write the history books.
Poverty? Look at all the countries above us on that list you link? Holy smokes! The US is nearly at the bottom. ????
#38 in life expectancy? Because we're all dying of heart disease and cancer because of the rich foods we can afford and all the tobacco we smoke, chew, snort whatever!
Debt, well you've got us there. The people of the US have a big problem spending more money than they have. But why the hell do the foreign investors keep giving us this massive line of credit? They must eventually think they will get they're money back.
Highest electricity consumption? Haha, since when is electricity consumption a bad thing? We are a highly technological nation. Massive server farms, huge oil refineries, massive industrial corporations. They all use electricity. It's just another indicator of the wealth of our nation. Electric services to houses in the US have grown over the years too now that things that were once luxuries are now affordable everyday appliances. Air coniditioning being one of the biggest of these.
#1 in oil consumption? We've got the money to afford big old SUV's and Cadillacs so that's what we drive. Fuel efficiency has meant nothing to this nation until recently as gas was so affordable we didn't care how inefficient our vehicles were. Europe has been paying high gas prices for a long time now. Just another indicator of the wealth of our country.
#1 in millitary spending? Exactly! No one screws with the US because we've got the most technologically advanced millitary on the face of the planet. Yeah you're going to say well terrorists have been taking shots at us. They're the only ones who can with a reasonable hope of survival(well not the suicide bombers) and we're rapidly learning how to fight them better. You will never see another war like WWI or WWII because of our millitary. Their's always nuclear annihilation I guess, but what would be the point? Everybody would go down with us!
#1 in CO2 emissions? Because we're all so damn stinking rich we can afford big honking V8 luxury cars that have no fuel efficiency.
I could go on. But really, all these number you point to do not indicate that we're not the greatest, they indicate we are one of the wealthiest. Now if by great you mean ethical, well then you may have a point. Last time I checked though, money is power, not ethics. The countries with the biggest check books and the most powerful millitaries have been the ones to write the history books.
This is definitely a great country, but far from perfect. Like everyone and everything, improvements can always be made. I don't always agree with our government, but that's just because the government isn't always doing what's best for this nation. I think what makes those the most American are those who critique this government and criticize on its failures. Why? Because it's more important to fix the failures than to promote the good that's been done.
meltdown75
Lifer
- Nov 17, 2004
- 37,548
- 7
- 81
That IQ thing is retarded. Everyone takes a different test depending on their country. I took an IQ test and got like a 130.
The point is that the US has had the most number of USEFUL inventions by American inventors, the US has had the most important
geniuses, the US has the highest GDP by almost 2x 2nd place (Japan). Heck, California would be in the G8 if it was its own country.
There might be lots of poverty, but you can still achieve the American Dream (especially in Las Vegas - lots of open jobs, low mortgages, good school system, etc.)
You just have to try hard to become happy
IT'S ALL THE CHOICES THAT AMERICANS MAKE THAT CAUSE THEIR UNHAPPINESS
38th lowest life expectancy - Many Americans become fat and fugly by eating badly which leads to a crap load of medical problems that nothing but diet and exercise can stop after a certain point (The ones that DO eat and exercise are usually happier with themselves)
Highest Debt - USA because of poor choices made by Mr. President
Highest Electricity Consumption - So what? It's part of the American Dream.
Oil Consumption - Because we like to live the American Dream by having nice and fast cars unlike Europeans who have to worry about space / traffic. Thus, they wouldn't find a good purpose for having a sports car if they could have a SMARTCAR. (I personally believe that Americans should start using less gas-guzzlers but that's just me)
Highest Military Spending - Who cares? We're in a war. We have to have troops stationed all over the world (ie: South Korea, Japan, etc.)
Highest in CO2 Emissions - Idiot - It might be the current situation but China is increasing at a HIGH POSITIVE rate while the US is actually going at a LOW NEGATIVE rate. At least we're doing something about it. Also, what need did China have of any CO2 emitting things until recently? We are LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM
13th in Beer Consumption - Ever notice that the top 12 are almost all from European nations or close descendants of them? (ie: Australia ----> UK)
The point is that the US has had the most number of USEFUL inventions by American inventors, the US has had the most important
geniuses, the US has the highest GDP by almost 2x 2nd place (Japan). Heck, California would be in the G8 if it was its own country.
There might be lots of poverty, but you can still achieve the American Dream (especially in Las Vegas - lots of open jobs, low mortgages, good school system, etc.)
You just have to try hard to become happy
IT'S ALL THE CHOICES THAT AMERICANS MAKE THAT CAUSE THEIR UNHAPPINESS
38th lowest life expectancy - Many Americans become fat and fugly by eating badly which leads to a crap load of medical problems that nothing but diet and exercise can stop after a certain point (The ones that DO eat and exercise are usually happier with themselves)
Highest Debt - USA because of poor choices made by Mr. President
Highest Electricity Consumption - So what? It's part of the American Dream.
Oil Consumption - Because we like to live the American Dream by having nice and fast cars unlike Europeans who have to worry about space / traffic. Thus, they wouldn't find a good purpose for having a sports car if they could have a SMARTCAR. (I personally believe that Americans should start using less gas-guzzlers but that's just me)
Highest Military Spending - Who cares? We're in a war. We have to have troops stationed all over the world (ie: South Korea, Japan, etc.)
Highest in CO2 Emissions - Idiot - It might be the current situation but China is increasing at a HIGH POSITIVE rate while the US is actually going at a LOW NEGATIVE rate. At least we're doing something about it. Also, what need did China have of any CO2 emitting things until recently? We are LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM
13th in Beer Consumption - Ever notice that the top 12 are almost all from European nations or close descendants of them? (ie: Australia ----> UK)
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