Originally posted by: Arkaign
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: shira
Originally posted by: Vic
As for myself, I think that the US is the greatest nation in the world. Because of its free people. And for no other reason.
But Vic, there are lots of nations with "free people," and the United States in generally NOT considered the freest.
FreedomHouse freedom ranking
For just economic freedom, the U.S. isn't rated first, either:
Heritage Foundation's ratings of economic freedom
So again, why is the U.S. "the greatest?"
Comparing the economic freedom of the US with HK and Singapore is ridiculous. Break off Las Vegas from the Union and it would be more comparable to HK and Singapore.
Most countries in those rankings are homogeneous and are incomparable. Inject diversity into any of those countries and it will be the fall of them. America is the greatest because of the diversity of people that live here are able to live in peace and freedom.
That is a good general observation, and one that I agree with the sentiment overall, but to say that America is the greatest purely for that reason doesn't make any sense to me. Even the term 'greatest' is open to vast interpretation, depending upon personal values, priorities, perspective, etc.
Look around you man, illegals drive around in SUVs, their children have cell phones. Poor people can enjoy dollar menus at mcdonalds. OUR POOR ARE OBESE. I mean, our standard of living is fucking ridiculous. People here can choose to be poor, middle class, or rich. Go to almost any country, you are stuck where you are and you can't move up no matter hard you try.