Why do you think the US is the greatest nation?

[Laughing Cow]

This is for the US-Members of the Board.

Tell us NON-US Peeps why the USA is the greatest.

Don't worry, no posts from me on this one.

[Merryprankster]

In-N-Out Burgers

Jack in the Box bacon double ultimate cheeseburger

Pit Barbecue

Louisiana Cooking

We don't eat like the British, the list goes on...

[shaolin kungfu]

hatred of the french is what makes this country great

[Souljah]

but everyone hates the french!

[Merryprankster]

Amen to hating the French!

Seriously though? Why do I think the U.S. is one of the greatest nation-states throughout history? I'll give you two primary reasons:

1. Never before in history has such an imbalance of power been wielded with as light a hand. I'm not saying that abuses of that power don't take place from time to time. But can you imagine what Mao, Stalin, Hitler, most of the Roman emperors or Genghis Khan would have done with that much power? I shudder to think. The European empires were certainly not precisely altruistic (not that I would expect all actions to be altruistic). It is true that part of that is a reflection upon the world as it is today, vs. the values held in the past. However, the concept of individual rights is predicated on the assumption that each individual has value. While it is true that this is not a uniquely American concept, it is something that collectively, we tend to believe at the very core of our beings. Because of this we have a tendency to resist hegemony even though it's close to feasible.

2. Paraphrasing Winston Churchill here, I think, but he basically said of the American people something along the lines of "Americans will always do the right thing--after they've exhausted all possible alternatives." And I happen to think that's a brilliant insight into how we operate. We have a tendency to muddle through things and somehow, we generally collectively act for the greater good. I think Churchill chose those words carefully. I realize he was bombastic and "bull in a china shop," but his facility with words was not unlike Theodore Roosevelts, and they both chose what they said VERY carefully. I do not believe he would have used the word "always," if he meant "generally." He would have said it. I hesitate to use always, but I believe he captures it nicely.

[Repulsive Monkey]

Maybe we ought to start hating those who hate the French?
By the way there are no great nations, and therefore amongst those that believe they are they isn't one who is the greatest. Why are you not asking non-US to participate?

[Liokault]

Can we hate the french canadians as well?

I do not think that America is the greatest nation but I do not deny that it is by far the most powerfull, if that is what we are taking for greatness now.


I just hope that you can do as much with your power as Britain did with hers when we were top dog.


By the way I have my money on China being the next "greatest nation" in the not so distant future.

[Laughing Cow]

Originally posted by Repulsive Monkey
Maybe we ought to start hating those who hate the French?
By the way there are no great nations, and therefore amongst those that believe they are they isn't one who is the greatest. Why are you not asking non-US to participate?

Because, I don't want this to turn political, or it turns into another flame-fest of US vs non-US guys.

I startd this thread to make up for mucking up Joedoe's original one.


cheers:

P.s.: Can't hate the French myself as I am 1/4 French, but otherwise agree with your and Liokaults observation.

[Liokault]

Laughing Cow

Because, I don't want this to turn political, or it turns into another flame-fest of US vs non-US guys.

Then your thread should have been called- Why killing fluffy kittens is bad.


Ok how threads on this forum go.

they start out on topic

they turn into an argument with no one changing their opinion (or i think reading the other guys point of view).

they end by asking for a bacon sammich.

[Laughing Cow]

Originally posted by Liokault
Laughing Cow

Then your thread should have been called- Why killing fluffy kittens is bad.

Prefer requirements for joining Al Qaeda:
Kill 3 Amercians and 1 Puppy.

Ok how threads on this forum go.

they start out on topic

they turn into an argument with no one changing their opinion (or i think reading the other guys point of view).

Go for it than.

they end by asking for a bacon sammich.

Yummy, but the Bacon has to be crispy so it shatters when you bite into it.

Cheers.

[Radhnoti]

I love the U.S. because it is a republic, meaning (in theory) the rights of a minority is as protected as the majority.
I love the inalienable rights guaranteed me by birth...a few of which are mentioned in our Constitution (though some seem to believe those mentioned are ALL).
I love how my country can reward individual merit, hard work and uniqueness. I love the ethnic diversity of our populace...for an example, just look at the astronauts of Columbia.
The land is beautiful and abundant with natural resources, and we have people that know how to use and protect it.
For every organization/ideal there is a counter organization/ideal, it's like systems of checks and balances are ingrained in our souls.
We are capitalists, the opposite of socialists. Capitalism (in my opinion...supported by history thus far) is a system that encourages citizens to reach their maximum potential.
We are a fairly rich country (see the capitalism and resources mentioned earlier for a partial reason why), and anyone willing to work can be assured a relatively nice life.
We have a strong military willing to defend my way of life and to dissuade those foolish enough to call the U.S. their enemy. We owe those willing to serve in our military our most sincere praise and thanks.

Any U.S. citizen willing to honestly sit down and think about it could offer up these reasons and/or more, but don't interpret that as though I'm trying to speak for eulerfan as she is quite opinionated and doesn't agree with me.

This is cool, like an alternate universe where you have an idea about what MIGHT happen since you've lived through it once...but you changed something just a little...so it might be better. Or worse.

[Repulsive Monkey]

I don't thinkits America you're living in but a dream world, I mean how dillussional can you get.

[eulerfan]

Originally posted by Radhnoti

Any U.S. citizen willing to honestly sit down and think about it could offer up these reasons and/or more, but don't interpret that as though I'm trying to speak for eulerfan as she is quite opinionated and doesn't agree with me.

I continue to have sat down and thought about it. I continue to be unable to offer up those reasons. You, sir, are incorrect. Cept'n for the part about me being opinionated. And not agreeing with you. And you loving all those things about America.

[eulerfan]

Originally posted by Laughing Cow
This is for the US-Members of the Board.

Tell us NON-US Peeps why the USA is the greatest.

Don't worry, no posts from me on this one.

What I love about the USA is that, being an American, I won't turn into some weird troll who has this strange, compulsive need to make Americans feel bad about having the rather natural inclination to love their mother land.

As an American, I am far less likely to be that species of dipsh!t.

I'm grateful for that.

[rogue]

The only thing I can add to MPs second post is Jack-n-the-Box Tacos.

MP summed up alot of what makes the US a great country. I was just watching SoS Powell on TV and thinking about what black folks had to put up not too long ago. We're certainly not perfect and still have a lot of road to travel, but we're on the right track.

I look at how Europe treated Germany after WWI and how we did after WWII and I think that tells you something about what the US is about.