America - not the greates country in the world?

I think we went over this a few months back. I brought-up that the dumb and dumber guy did a good job espousing the opinions of the writer Aaron Sorkin which is an ironic set of opinions since they're both part of the organization that has shaped this country the most in the last 30 years (entertainment/media/hollywood). 

So what they're speaking against is the culture they created themselves at a generation they created themselves.  

I personally have a lot of respect for the younger generations.  They're gonna surprise us.  Anyone who's been in combat with the young (college age - 30yo) generation would tell you these kids are smart, they're problem-solvers, and they want to DO stuff.  They just need some direction and leadership from the next generation up (30-40) and they can solve just about any problem.

Every time I see this clip I have to watch the entire thing because it's so true.  But, unfortunately, we as Americans refuse to believe it or do something meaningful about it.

Newsroom is a great show

I could think of a number of Canadians I would prefer to take before we let you live here!!! 

I am not sure why people need to think their country is the greatest of all, or the best in the world, that doesn't really make sense to me.  Does it make someone feel better?

On the flip side, does it make someone feel better to say it's not the greatest country?

I haven't lived everywhere (although I've been to quite a few countries), I have no way of saying whether America is the best, or third best, or worst country (although I highly doubt it's the latter.....)

America is I think a great country.  America has a lot of problems.  America has a lot of good things going for it.

One of the best things, I think, is that people can say "here's the problems with america, let's fix them" without being killed/kidnapped/put in jail etc.

What country doesn't have problems?

I think it's a weird combination of self-loathing and condescension.

Is there another country in modern history that would have more of a negative impact on this world if it never existed? 

For all of America's flaws this world is a much better place because we are here. I would argue no other nation would come close.

I think it is in response to some members of the GOP's rantings about how awesome we are and how we are responsible to impose our ideals on the rest of the world no matter what the cost to us.

We've done some pretty atrocious things in our history as a country to go along with what we've done well.  Some people in the world are better off because of us, some aren't.  So it's sort of a wash on how good or bad the world would be if we didn't exist.

Not sure if there is a realistic way to measure it, but my take would be that as a whole, there has been more good than bad.

Yup, that's what I said.

Maybe we aren't, maybe we are - It's hard to tell I think. 

I have only lived in America, but I can think of several countries that I would be happy to live in as well. 

I think it has more to do with other countries maintaining the same standard of living that we have come to expect in America, them becoming more equal.

There are definitely worse places to live that's for sure.  Sure we have our problems, but overall I think that we have a great life compared to many others around the world (both in standards of living and freedoms we enjoy).

I don't know how to respond to this other than I feel sad that you have such a poor opinion on the quality of humans that are your countrymen/women. 

huh?

How is this a poor opinion on your fellow countrymen/women?  It is the truth. There are people in this world that are worse off because of us.  I think it is more shameful to not admit this.  It is something that I think as being a great country that we could improve upon.

Who?  I see this alot, but nobody names them....who are they? (I'm not saying there isn't or there is, I'm asking you to name them).

I'm hopeful about the next generation of Americans. But recently I watched a Ted Talk from the author of the book

Dr. Leonard Sax: Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men.

I look at my nephews and see many of those factors in their lives. Specially the video/online gaming and the lack of decent male role models.  

My neices are far outpacing them in pursuit of meaningful career and life choices. 

If you think it's a wash, you have not taken a single history course or read a book.  

I'm not being sarcastic either.  You really need to read a book.

Sweatshop workers that produce our Wallmart crap.  They may make a wage, but are they really better off?  In the long run I would say no.

Lives that have been destroyed by our military actions in other countries.  I'm not trying to start a we should have / should not have had military action in (insert country here) rant here, but I think it is naive to say that lives have not been ruined because of our actions.

Even people in our own country, whose jobs have been outsourced. 

Non fair trade farmers who are sell their products cheap so we can have a $.99 1L cup of coffee.  (I don't know enough about this topic - it's something that I hear about though. )

I would like to clarify though, that we have done wrong in this world, we have done a lot of good things in this world.  I do think that we have also done a lot more good then bad in this world.    I was just trying to say that I disagree that it is sad to admit your flaws, I think it shows great strength.

I would equate this to the Pax Romana concept.  A citizen of the Roman Empire could make the same statement. Rome brough about 400 years of relative peace, stability and good standard of living - to Rome and its territories.  Providing you were a Roman, or one of their friends life was good. But those that did not wish to be under Roman control, those that resisted the Roman expansionism and culture paid a bloody and heavy price.