Is America the greatest country in the world?

[Foxfyre]

By the way, 'greatest' is obviously defined in at least as many different ways as there are people posting on this thread. When expressing one's opinion via the poll, I presume that person is using their own definition of 'greatest'. For me, it is America's exceptionalism as designed by the Founders that made it and makes it the world's greatest nation. And in that regard, 'greatest' is incorporated into that exceptionalism allowing us to become the most free, most prosperous, most productive, most innovative, most creative, most prosperous, and most generous people the world has ever known.

And I fully appreciate that there are many who don't have a clue what that is, who can't wrap their indoctrinated minds around it even when it is explained to them, and those who reject it as pertinent.

 

[Swagger]

Link

Here's one for $45 per case:

Halliburton Watch

And $100 for a load of laundry.

Then there's this:

A press release put out by Duckworth and Webb asserts the following:

This fiscal year, Congress will appropriate about $116 billion to military operations - a 72 percent increase since 2004. The monthly "burn rate" of spending in Iraq and Afghanistan will average almost $10 billion this year - an 18 percent jump from last year. Much of this amount is attributed to the Pentagon's reliance on contracted services, especially those that resulted from non-competitive bids. As an example of the wasteful spending she witnessed, Duckworth recalled that the cooks in her National Guard Unit were not allowed to cook because a Halliburton subsidiary, KBR, had received the contract to provide food at $22 a meal while paying the foreign cooks it hired less than $10 a day. Likewise, soldiers weren't allowed to sandbag their own facilities because KBR had the sandbag contract, paying Iraqi workers five or ten cents per sandbag and pocketing the rest. Duckworth pointed out that at the same time these contractors were profiting handsomely from billions in taxpayer-financed contracts, U.S. troops faced deadly shortages in body-armor and equipment. "Someone should have to answer for the disparity between what the contractors received and what our Soldiers didn't. Someone should be holding those contractors accountable," she said.​

More:

Iraq for Sale: War profiteering facts and research


There are plenty of links out there, if you are interested in anything more than bashing messengers.

There is a cottage industry of leftists like Haliburton Watch and the insufferably hideous Sen. Schumer taking their shots.

Some of it might be very well justified.

But consider the source.

You choose to lap up their claims because it suits your partisan agenda. But you have ZERO basis of knowledge as to whether or not the claims are true or fair or supported or valid. And be honest: you don't give a shit.

Judging by the content of his contributions to this thread thus far, I'm inclined to agree. I suspect that Synthaholic is more than likely posting out of spite, and is only interested in trashing a patriotic concept/notion that he knows Foxfyre holds dear.

 

[Foxfyre]

Here's one for $45 per case:

Halliburton Watch

And $100 for a load of laundry.

Then there's this:

A press release put out by Duckworth and Webb asserts the following:

This fiscal year, Congress will appropriate about $116 billion to military operations - a 72 percent increase since 2004. The monthly "burn rate" of spending in Iraq and Afghanistan will average almost $10 billion this year - an 18 percent jump from last year. Much of this amount is attributed to the Pentagon's reliance on contracted services, especially those that resulted from non-competitive bids. As an example of the wasteful spending she witnessed, Duckworth recalled that the cooks in her National Guard Unit were not allowed to cook because a Halliburton subsidiary, KBR, had received the contract to provide food at $22 a meal while paying the foreign cooks it hired less than $10 a day. Likewise, soldiers weren't allowed to sandbag their own facilities because KBR had the sandbag contract, paying Iraqi workers five or ten cents per sandbag and pocketing the rest. Duckworth pointed out that at the same time these contractors were profiting handsomely from billions in taxpayer-financed contracts, U.S. troops faced deadly shortages in body-armor and equipment. "Someone should have to answer for the disparity between what the contractors received and what our Soldiers didn't. Someone should be holding those contractors accountable," she said.​

More:

Iraq for Sale: War profiteering facts and research


There are plenty of links out there, if you are interested in anything more than bashing messengers.

There is a cottage industry of leftists like Haliburton Watch and the insufferably hideous Sen. Schumer taking their shots.

Some of it might be very well justified.

But consider the source.

You choose to lap up their claims because it suits your partisan agenda. But you have ZERO basis of knowledge as to whether or not the claims are true or fair or supported or valid. And be honest: you don't give a shit.

Judging by the content of his contributions to this thread thus far, I'm inclined to agree. I suspect that Synthaholic is more than likely posting out of spite, and is only interested in trashing a patriotic concept/notion that he knows Foxfyre holds dear.

I am not so vain as to think Synthatholic gives a shit about Foxfyre or what she might call dear.

I do see the usual technical differences of opinion that is typical among conservsatives, and a huge disconnect between what those on the left and right see as important in evaluating what makes a nation "great" and what makes the USA "great".

The left seem to be pretty consistent to focus on past and present "sins" of America as the sum total of what America is, and/or they focus on specific persons or entitites that they hold up as the villains to be blamed for all of America's ills. They quickly try to divert attention from any in depth discussion of specific policies or issues that do not fit the politically correct positions of the more socialist America. Such seems to be the mndset of the left.

Those on the right are not entirely blameless in seeking to accuse or cast blame, but at least some of those on the right seem to grasp the concept of the OP and are at least able to follow the discussion and draw conclusions about why America is great. Or not.

 

[there4eyeM]

Stats: US not the greatest in world ranked health care.
US not the greatest vis-a-vis infant mortality.
US not the greatest in education.
US not the greatest in infrastructure.
US not the greatest with regards to poverty.
US not the greatest in respect for international law and order.
US the greatest in military spending.
US the greatest in energy consumption.
US (probably) the greatest emissions and pollution.

US history: mixed.
US government: held in contempt by a great part of the population and the international community.
US society: marked by violence, fear and suspicion.
US business: regarded as predatory.

Those who agreed with this list at the beginning still agree. Those whose minds were made up against it at the start, remain so.

 

[Synthaholic]

Link

Here's one for $45 per case:

Halliburton Watch

And $100 for a load of laundry.

Then there's this:

A press release put out by Duckworth and Webb asserts the following:

This fiscal year, Congress will appropriate about $116 billion to military operations - a 72 percent increase since 2004. The monthly "burn rate" of spending in Iraq and Afghanistan will average almost $10 billion this year - an 18 percent jump from last year. Much of this amount is attributed to the Pentagon's reliance on contracted services, especially those that resulted from non-competitive bids. As an example of the wasteful spending she witnessed, Duckworth recalled that the cooks in her National Guard Unit were not allowed to cook because a Halliburton subsidiary, KBR, had received the contract to provide food at $22 a meal while paying the foreign cooks it hired less than $10 a day. Likewise, soldiers weren't allowed to sandbag their own facilities because KBR had the sandbag contract, paying Iraqi workers five or ten cents per sandbag and pocketing the rest. Duckworth pointed out that at the same time these contractors were profiting handsomely from billions in taxpayer-financed contracts, U.S. troops faced deadly shortages in body-armor and equipment. "Someone should have to answer for the disparity between what the contractors received and what our Soldiers didn't. Someone should be holding those contractors accountable," she said.​

More:

Iraq for Sale: War profiteering facts and research


There are plenty of links out there, if you are interested in anything more than bashing messengers.

There is a cottage industry of leftists like Haliburton Watch and the insufferably hideous Sen. Schumer taking their shots.

Some of it might be very well justified.

But consider the source.

You choose to lap up their claims because it suits your partisan agenda. But you have ZERO basis of knowledge as to whether or not the claims are true or fair or supported or valid. And be honest: you don't give a shit.

So you would rather bash the messenger.

Why am I not surprised?

The fact is that all of these can be backed up.

But, since it's a Rightwing corporation, YOU don't care.

 

[Synthaholic]

Here's one for $45 per case:

Halliburton Watch

And $100 for a load of laundry.

Then there's this:

A press release put out by Duckworth and Webb asserts the following:

This fiscal year, Congress will appropriate about $116 billion to military operations - a 72 percent increase since 2004. The monthly "burn rate" of spending in Iraq and Afghanistan will average almost $10 billion this year - an 18 percent jump from last year. Much of this amount is attributed to the Pentagon's reliance on contracted services, especially those that resulted from non-competitive bids. As an example of the wasteful spending she witnessed, Duckworth recalled that the cooks in her National Guard Unit were not allowed to cook because a Halliburton subsidiary, KBR, had received the contract to provide food at $22 a meal while paying the foreign cooks it hired less than $10 a day. Likewise, soldiers weren't allowed to sandbag their own facilities because KBR had the sandbag contract, paying Iraqi workers five or ten cents per sandbag and pocketing the rest. Duckworth pointed out that at the same time these contractors were profiting handsomely from billions in taxpayer-financed contracts, U.S. troops faced deadly shortages in body-armor and equipment. "Someone should have to answer for the disparity between what the contractors received and what our Soldiers didn't. Someone should be holding those contractors accountable," she said.​

More:

Iraq for Sale: War profiteering facts and research


There are plenty of links out there, if you are interested in anything more than bashing messengers.

There is a cottage industry of leftists like Haliburton Watch and the insufferably hideous Sen. Schumer taking their shots.

Some of it might be very well justified.

But consider the source.

You choose to lap up their claims because it suits your partisan agenda. But you have ZERO basis of knowledge as to whether or not the claims are true or fair or supported or valid. And be honest: you don't give a shit.

Judging by the content of his contributions to this thread thus far, I'm inclined to agree. I suspect that Synthaholic is more than likely posting out of spite, and is only interested in trashing a patriotic concept/notion that he knows Foxfyre holds dear.

Yup! Facts are spiteful!

 

[Foxfyre]

Stats: US not the greatest in world ranked health care.
US not the greatest vis-a-vis infant mortality.
US not the greatest in education.
US not the greatest in infrastructure.
US not the greatest with regards to poverty.
US not the greatest in respect for international law and order.
US the greatest in military spending.
US the greatest in energy consumption.
US (probably) the greatest emissions and pollution.

US history: mixed.
US government: held in contempt by a great part of the population and the international community.
US society: marked by violence, fear and suspicion.
US business: regarded as predatory.

Those who agreed with this list at the beginning still agree. Those whose minds were made up against it at the start, remain so.

Now compare the USA to those countries with populations as large and/or as diverse as ours and see how well we stack up.

 

[NLT]

When I was in the Navy I got to see Europe, Africa, the middle east, Asia, the carribean and south America. Hands down, no question, the USA is the best place to achieve your dreams...for now. Another four years under the current administration...not so much.

 

[Foxfyre]

When I was in the Navy I got to see Europe, Africa, the middle east, Asia, the carribean and south America. Hands down, no question, the USA is the best place to achieve your dreams...for now. Another four years under the current administration...not so much.

I agree another four years with the current Administration is a really REALLY grim prospect, but I don't think we can lay it all at the feet of the current Administration. The current Administration is a child of a deeper cancer within society, one trained and indoctrinated and yes, ultimately brainwashed, in the Alinsky model committed to change the USA into something the Founders risked their blood and fortunes to free us from. It has been coming upon us for decades now. Part of that includes the reference with which some of our friends regard the European and Asian models and how deeply they want the USA to emulate them.

Freedom loving people look instead for others to emulate us.

 

[Synthaholic]

When I was in the Navy I got to see Europe, Africa, the middle east, Asia, the carribean and south America. Hands down, no question, the USA is the best place to achieve your dreams...for now. Another four years under the current administration...not so much.

I agree another four years with the current Administration is a really REALLY grim prospect,

but I don't think we can lay it all at the feet of the current Administration. The current Administration is a child of a deeper cancer within society, one trained and indoctrinated and yes, ultimately brainwashed, in the Alinsky model committed to change the USA into something the Founders risked their blood and fortunes to free us from. It has been coming upon us for decades now. Part of that includes the reference with which some of our friends regard the European and Asian models and how deeply they want the USA to emulate them.

Freedom loving people look instead for others to emulate us.

It's clear that you don't have a clue what you are talking about or who Alinsky was, or why you even think he was so bad for America. You're just regurgitating Sean Hannity.

 

[Foxfyre]

When I was in the Navy I got to see Europe, Africa, the middle east, Asia, the carribean and south America. Hands down, no question, the USA is the best place to achieve your dreams...for now. Another four years under the current administration...not so much.

I agree another four years with the current Administration is a really REALLY grim prospect,

but I don't think we can lay it all at the feet of the current Administration. The current Administration is a child of a deeper cancer within society, one trained and indoctrinated and yes, ultimately brainwashed, in the Alinsky model committed to change the USA into something the Founders risked their blood and fortunes to free us from. It has been coming upon us for decades now. Part of that includes the reference with which some of our friends regard the European and Asian models and how deeply they want the USA to emulate them.

Freedom loving people look instead for others to emulate us.

It's clear that you don't have a clue what you are talking about or who Alinsky was, or why you even think he was so bad for America. You're just regurgitating Sean Hannity.

I don't watch Hannity all that much, but I don't recall him ever mentioning Alinsky. Alinksy was required reading in college though.

 

[Dr Grump]

Part of that includes the reference with which some of our friends regard the European and Asian models and how deeply they want the USA to emulate them.

Freedom loving people look instead for others to emulate us.

Maybe because others don't see the US as that much of a freedom-loving place. I mean, on paper it is, but reality is another beast altogether....

 

[Synthaholic]

In Japan, if you feel that you need some codeine for your really bad flu, you have the freedom to walk into any pharmacy and buy it.

In the Netherlands, if you want to smoke marijuana, you have the freedom to do so.

In Germany, if you want to drive 100 mph on the highway, you have the freedom to do so.

That's just three...

 

[Foxfyre]

Part of that includes the reference with which some of our friends regard the European and Asian models and how deeply they want the USA to emulate them.

Freedom loving people look instead for others to emulate us.

Maybe because others don't see the US as that much of a freedom-loving place. I mean, on paper it is, but reality is another beast altogether....

Perhaps that is why so many have checked "No, but it could be again" in the poll choices. The more authority and power we allow the central government, the less freedom we have. Freedom loving people want only as much government as is necessary to secure our rights and then we will take it from there. But many Americans no longer understand that concept and look to government to provide them what they cannot or do not wish to provide for themselves.

 

[Foxfyre]

In Japan, if you feel that you need some codeine for your really bad flu, you have the freedom to walk into any pharmacy and buy it.

In the Netherlands, if you want to smoke marijuana, you have the freedom to do so.

In Germany, if you want to drive 100 mph on the highway, you have the freedom to do so.

That's just three...

If that is your definition of what makes a nation great. . . .

 

[Truthseeker420]

yes... but i'm shooting for greatest country in the universe.

 

[there4eyeM]

America is a great country, and almost no one would seriously dispute that statement. It is also true that many in the world would love to at least visit. The possibility has always been there for the US to be magnificent. Perhaps that is why some of us are hard on it, out of disappointment. I was raised with a tremendously overblown belief in the nation, a faith that suffered severely over Vietnam, Nixon and many other issues. Though some things have changed for the better since then (race relations, the place of women, sexual-choice liberty), some things are perplexing in their stupidity. What keeps the electorate from throwing out the scoundrels, or from voting at all, for example? How is it that the worst examples of consumption and egocentrism have become the standard?
In any case, 'the greatest' is probably unachievable in a truly objective fashion since there are just too many variables that are too personal.

 

[Dr Grump]

Part of that includes the reference with which some of our friends regard the European and Asian models and how deeply they want the USA to emulate them.

Freedom loving people look instead for others to emulate us.

Maybe because others don't see the US as that much of a freedom-loving place. I mean, on paper it is, but reality is another beast altogether....

Perhaps that is why so many have checked "No, but it could be again" in the poll choices. The more authority and power we allow the central government, the less freedom we have. Freedom loving people want only as much government as is necessary to secure our rights and then we will take it from there. But many Americans no longer understand that concept and look to government to provide them what they cannot or do not wish to provide for themselves.

The dichotomy is not lost on me that the very things that purport to make it great are also its Achille's heel. I think the belief that there is this generation of millions of people sucking off the govt teat is not warranted and overblown as to the cause of the US losing its place in the world as a country others aspire to emulate. To be honest, most other western countries I have visited have never aspired to be like the US including GB, France, Germany, Oz and NZ.

 

[Indofred]

In Japan, if you feel that you need some codeine for your really bad flu, you have the freedom to walk into any pharmacy and buy it.

In the Netherlands, if you want to smoke marijuana, you have the freedom to do so.

In Germany, if you want to drive 100 mph on the highway, you have the freedom to do so.

That's just three...

If that is your definition of what makes a nation great. . . .

Maybe.
The US is the greatest hard drug importer in the world.

 

[editec]

Define your definition of "greatest"

The USA is certainly "greatest" in some aspects.

It has the "greatest" military for example and it still has the largest economy.

IN terms of size and population it's not the "greatest".