Do you believe you live in the greatest country in the world?

@scitrus (131)
United States
January 10, 2007 3:34pm CST
I always hear people say "America is the greatest country in the world!" Really? And how many countries have you lived in? How is it determined who is the greatest country? Perhaps because we have so much money, or so much debt! Is it our freedom to do whatever you like with your life, as long as you aren't a minority? Is it our political system, where we decide every country's business is our business? Is it our family structure, where we put the fun in dysfunction? What makes your country great? What makes you ashamed of it?
7 people like this
70 responses
@not4me (1711)
• United States
11 Jan 07
I have lived in both the US and Japan. While both are free countries I prefer being in Japan because the people are so much nicer! With the US I'm embarrassed about how rude people are on a daily basis and I also despise the politics and our government. I don't think it is fair to say any one country is the greatest in the world.
3 people like this
@scitrus (131)
• United States
11 Jan 07
I'll hopefully be moving to Japan next year. My husband took some college over there and came back so very healthy. He walked almost everywhere, took public transportation, ate reasonable portions of sushi, sashimi, bento, ramen, etc. He never saw a child throwing a tantrum. He never felt unsafe. People were so polite to him, in Japanese and English. (He does speak the language) People told him "We don't like Americans, but we like you". I think attitude has everything to do with it. He didn't go over there with the mindset that I see too often. Are we glad to be American? Sure. Is it the be-all and end-all? Nope. Good comments so far people, I'm rating and reading up a storm.
@not4me (1711)
• United States
20 Jan 07
You're right. There were plenty of loud-mouthed young Americans over there and the Japanese despise that attitude, not even because they are Americans but because that behavior is just considered rude. I too felt very safe. There were reports of rape but I've never heard of an American woman getting raped over there. And besides from that I just felt safe and everyone made me feel at home. I too learned the language and it helped tons! I hope you get to move over there because it's just an amazing place.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
11 Jan 07
I live in the small Island of Malta and I am proud that I am Maltese because despite bing small in size we have our own language which is unique, culture, history, traditions.
@intech (16)
• India
11 Jan 07
yes i belive in this evrybody belive that they are living iun the greatest country of the world where eber a person is born that his country there is his likig i am born in india i am proud of its culture and the religion i belivbe and thegods i pray so every person belives his country is the best
2 people like this
@soumodeep (944)
• India
11 Jan 07
I think the place or country where people has lived, will be their best place to live. Unless they have experienced staying in some other places. I have stayed at many other places and I would say that for me and in my opinion India is one of the best place to live in the world because i got all my friends in there and I am more familiar with the place.
2 people like this
@mjalingo (169)
• Nigeria
11 Jan 07
I love my country Nigeria, but then I hate my country for it reputation all over the world. It is a known fact that Nigeria is the giant of African, But to get a visa to a neighboring country is a battle. We are one of the member s of the oil producing country, but you have to spent three days before getting gasoline at the official price. But when it comes to Law and order my country is the only place that laws are never respected. So, I don't thing I Nigeria is the greatest country in this world neither the giant of Africa although I have never been to other countries
• Romania
11 Jan 07
I still can't understand why you or anybody else would say America (actually the United States) is the best country in the world. Thank God, I am not a US citizen, I live very well in Romania and would never ever under any circumstance think about moving to the US. My first reason for saying that is pretty much obvious once you take a look at some of the stuff on YouTube which reflects the great intellect some rednecks have (just make a search about "Chasers War on Everything - Americans" on YouTube). I made a huge mistake and soon after watching that, I saw the movie Idiocracy, probably the saddest and scariest comedy I've ever seen. Anyway, the combination is lethal for anyone that might consider ever requesting for immigration in the US. So... greatest country in the world? It's definitely not Romania, but it sure as hell isn't the US either!
@Angelwriter (1954)
• United States
10 Jan 07
No, I don't believe I live in the greatest country. I'm an American, for the record. I look at it like you do. I really can't make an assessment since this is the only country I've lived in. I don't really think one country is the best. I'm sure there are countries that I might consider worse, but I feel it's likely that America may come out on top in some aspects, but other countries might have different advantages. I wouldn't call any country the all out best.
2 people like this
@cblackink (969)
• United States
11 Jan 07
I've never lived anywhere except the U.S. so I don't know if this is the greatest country or not. I guess if you're just measuring it in terms of money and military might, we probably are. I'm sure we've probably got enough nukes locked up somewhere to blow half the planet away. I don't know how great that is.
2 people like this
@Bhutto (741)
• India
11 Jan 07
Let us not be carried away by the Americans.They consider them selves to a great country have you come across other countries which are far better than America.It is one of the biggest terrorist country, the are leaders in terrorism.As far as i an concernedevery country is great in itself.So be pround of your country no matter even if it is poor but taking care of its people irrespective of religion,cast and colour.
2 people like this
@forjosie (1544)
• Indonesia
11 Jan 07
I lived in Indonesia. There're many thing that I proud to live in Indonesia. There're many2 culture lived in there and beautifful geographic, forest, island, montain....etc. But something that I ashamed with my country. I think you've heard many thing about Indonesia. But I loved my country and I proud be an Indonesian...
2 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
11 Jan 07
Greatest country? I don't know if I'd describe the USA as that. Yes I love my country and I'm very patriotic but I don't have blinders on because of it. Yes it has it's flaws, nothing is really perfect in this world. I think though it is one of the better nations in the world. After many things I've heard and seen from online to in the real world I would have to say we aren't that bad. Our country could be far worse. COuld it be better? Sure it could, anything can be improved on and a country is no different. That being said though I think I'll stay here and see how we do over the rest of my life span.
• United States
11 Jan 07
I'm an American and I've lived elsewhere. I have to say, we have some of the greatest opportunities here, but we are definately not the greatest country in the world. There are far better places to live, when you look at the standard of living in other countries.
@andaismu (70)
• Indonesia
11 Jan 07
For me Indonesia is the greatest country, even politic and economy make us a little bit down but besides that I love Indonesia, with 5 different religion and belief, a lot of island, different custom and many complex thing but they all come into one nation "INDONESIA" I never shamed be an indonesian even there are a lot of corruptor live in it, a lot of intrique in politic system, and many kind bad things but still Indonesia is the greatest
2 people like this
• Philippines
11 Jan 07
My answer is a big YES. Only if we dont have a bunch of corrupt government officials whom i believe is the reason why we cannot cope up with the economy. This country is i believe very famous because of its values from family, to food and traditions. may we all not stop in pursuing to be the best and be of great help to our beloved country
2 people like this
@sunrisekn (1466)
• United States
11 Jan 07
America is a great country but there are aspects of it that truly need to be improved. I have lived in France and Italy, and there are considerable differences between Europe and America. I think most people think the country that they live in is great. There are many things that stick out in my mind that I don't like about the United States, one is the lack of a uniformed health care. There are millions of children and adults out there that have no health insurance and can't afford to go to the doctor.
@jricbt (1454)
• Brazil
11 Jan 07
Since I don't know enough of US to comment I will not talk about wheter your country is the greatest or not. But I will answer what makes my country great and what makes me ashamed of it. I live in Brazil. The only thing that makes my country great is its nature, its natural characteristics, the beautiful places that we have. I feel ashamed of the politics of Brazil, we could be great, they make us little and poor. I feel ashamed of 95% of brazilian population that elects and supports these politics. They make me feel ashamed of being brazilian.
1 person likes this
11 Jan 07
I live in the UK and don't believe it's the greatest country in the world, nor do i think that the USA is. We are going to have to face the fact that there is not a country which is better than all the others. All countries have their positive and negative points. If i had to choose the best country i would pick Australia or New Zealand. You don't see them starting as many wars and we so called "super powers".
1 person likes this
@suedarr (2382)
• Canada
11 Jan 07
I'm Canadian, and I love Canada and would not want to live elsewhere. But just like everybody else we have our own problems too. I travelled a bit through Europe and the United States, & Mexico, have met some terrific people and see the good things that other countries have to offer. I like learning about other cultures, and people. Cheers!
1 person likes this
@nuffsed (1271)
11 Jan 07
My friends and I were discussing this issue recently. More and more we see countries adopting similar policies. Similar housing and shopping centre designs. The individuality of countries is being watered down. It is a slow process, but inevitable in the face of Corporate expansion throughout the globe. Countries are becoming less able to resist the Corporate identity that seeks to employ at minimum rates. Perhaps the newly free Socialist States in South America will show another model. Who knows?
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
10 Jan 07
I've never lived outside the USA, but in things that I hear, read and/or see, I learn some things. We are definitely the land of oppportunity. We don't seem to have the best healthcare though, and I hate that the most. That is the only time that I don't think it's so great. That, and when we keep sticking our noses into everyone else's problem. Other than that, I don't see why not!