How great is the US of A

[sgeeeee]

By special request.

 

[HFWR]

Is this a trick question?

 

[maddythebeagle]

It would be better if we could get the greenhouse effect working better (it was too cold last weekend).

 

[JPatrick]

Well I'm pleased to have been the first to select the "Greatest" option. 8) 8)

 

[Martha]

Greg says: "Chevys rule"

 

[justin]

Voted greatest country on earth. I guess I don't have a desire to move anywhere else, assuming I could get citizenship anywhere. For job opportunities and overall quality of life, I like where I am at now. A lot of that is the city and state I live in, so I guess it would depend on exactly where in the U.S. one lives.

I might be persuaded to move to the Vatican City if I were to be elected Pope. Probably won't happen since I'm not Catholic and I know very little Latin.

I still have a number of years of working before FIRE. When I get ready to retire, I may think a country other than the US is the greatest on Earth (for socialized healthcare or other reasons).

 

[JPatrick]

I might be persuaded to move to the Vatican City if I were to be elected Pope.  Probably won't happen since I'm not Catholic and I know very little Latin.

Yup, that is one job they seem serious about qualifications.
We may be able to work you into the Director of FEMA slot though.

 

[ladelfina]

I might be persuaded to move to the Vatican City if I were to be elected Pope.

What, are you jealous of the red Prada shoes? I should think the life of a Pope isn't all it's cracked up to be... Just that interminable service where he has to do the Christmas greetings in umpteen million languages.. arrrgh!

Plus you have to worry about someone trying to bump you off if you actually try to do anything constructive. (And you thought your cubicle neighbors were vicious..)

--
Though I live abroad, I voted pretty darn good. Watch out, though, America! Your freedoms are being eroded day by day: http://tinyurl.com/dd5xx

 

[SteveR]

Every country has good and bad elements. I have lived in a couple of other countries and still prefer to live in the US of A. There are tons of issues that if changed would make it better and others that would make it worse. My family line goes way back to before the Indian wars in NY and we have had someone in the family fight in every war before Viet Nam. My roots are deep in this country and I shall live and die here.

Other places are nice to visit and to live for a while but I like it here....it is my home.

 

[justin]

What, are you jealous of the red Prada shoes? I should think the life of a Pope isn't all it's cracked up to be... Just that interminable service where he has to do the Christmas greetings in umpteen million languages.. arrrgh!

It's not the shoes that I envy. It's the hat. That sucker is sweet. Plus, I'd get driven around in the pope-mobile.

 

[Arif]

Plus, I'd get driven around in the pope-mobile.

Gotta put some 24" spinners on it though

 

[Arif]

Great country to make money. Much better places to spend it though.

 

[uncledrz]

I think that this is the greatest country on the earth, without doubt. But I voted pretty d@arn good, just because I don't want to every forget that we, We the People, are what makes is great and that its up to us to keep it great.

Uncledrz

 

[Zipper]

I kinda' like Canada.

Been here for 62 years, except for a year in Australia on a teacher exchange in 1978.

Been to Florida a few times.

Canada #1, Australia #2, USA #3 in my humble opinion.

 

[riskadverse]

I lived in Switzerland for a couple of years in my youth. There nothing like living in a foreign country for a good period of time to allow you to see your native country from a different perspective. Your memory tend to forget the negatives and remember only the positives. Of course now I only remember the positives of Switzerland. Both rate pretty damn great with me.

 

[bpp]

It's ok in short doses. After about a week my blood pressure starts climbing ("they're still arguing about that?"), and I always find myself somewhat relieved to leave again. Maybe it's true that you can't go home again.

Exception: I could probably live in Hawaii again. One of the sanest spots on the planet.

Bpp

 

[Eagle43]

I've always thought we were the greatest. Doesn't mean we don't have problems. Everybody does!

 

[Nords]

"Greatest country on earth."

Some readers will think that's a compliment!

 

[Cool Dood]

A+

 

[sgeeeee]

I guess you were right, Martha. And Greg was too.

 

[Maximillion]

It depends upon what you mean by Great??

If you are talking about the current state of economic affairs, the U..S.A is right behind some LA Countries, too much debt, too much Governmnet Spending, a politicial environment that has set the US back 30 years.?

If you are talking about geography, there are some areas that are totally spectacular, inspite of the attempts of commercialisation to ruin it?

If you are talking cities and everyday living, there are some areas that are great, others, if you are there at the wrong time, you will die??

If the question is, on balance, in so far as a societies responsibilty to provide Health and Safety and a means to live comfortable, the US would probably get a C+?

I am European by Birth, Canadian by choice, have been around the world, on balance, for the average person who wants to raise their kids in a safe, health conscious society, and not bankrupt them selves by College Fees, as well as minimal Racism, then it has to be Sweden.

Canada I would give a B+ to, its'major failing is in extending the Safety Net of Socialism and in its' overt reverance of Political Correctness, it has failed to meet many of the needs of its' population.

Canadians now have a sense of entitlement, i should have this just because I am in this group, i have the right to have a child and Society has the Responsibilty to raise it.

Harper, an Intelligent Right Leaning PM, should help correct the swing of the pendulum.

The fact that Canada gets some winter months is an opportunity to play a whole bunch of new sports,and if you don't like the cold, you can drive to Mexico or Florida in a day.

The fact that Americans need to constanttly remind them selves or be reminded of how great they are is a clear indicator that they realise that things are not that good and that improvemnets are necessary.

 

[justin]

The fact that Canada gets some winter months is an opportunity to play a whole bunch of new sports,and if you don't like the cold, you can drive to Mexico or Florida in a day.

That would be a long drive. Have you actually done this drive?

 

[brewer12345]

Who cares? This sort of thing always puts me off. I just don't understand the need to onstantly stroke one's country as the greatest whatever. There are lots of good things about most countries. And there are lots of bad things about most countries.

 

[Maximillion]

brewer, you are totally correct and Justin, Yes I have done this drive and will do it again this weekend as we are going to FLA for a month.

My Dad is 87 , lives there for 6 months with his Girl Friend, he has just stopped driving it, albeit, he would take 2 1/2 days, Central not south FLA.

 

[Honkie]

How great is the US of A ??

An international view - from the outside looking in......

Used to be considered great. Observations lately are not so good and getting worse.

On the evidence of the past few years, the downhill trend is accelerating and recent events have only increased the pace.