Is America the Greatest Country in the World?
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I am not American.
I have been to the United States on three occasions (not counting the time I took a night train through Maine that dipped into New England travelling from eastern Canada to Montreal -- lots of nice, dark trees...): once to a youth congress in the tiny town of Macomb, Illinois, once when driving through northern Michigan, Duluth, Minnesota, and Grand Forks, North Dakota (again, en route from one part of Canada to another, taking the fastest route(!)), and in the summer of 2001 when I flew from London to Washington, and took the train up through to New York, and then on to Boston (eerily, about three months before the (second(!)) World Trade Center attacks).
I have, however, lived in a country 50% of whose population lives within 100 miles from the US border, and more than 50% of whose television is piped directly up from America, ie, Canada.
I have also lived in two other Western countries (Britain and Germany), and have travelled in the Middle-East (Israel and the Palestinian territories), Morocco (twice), West Africa, post-communist Eastern Europe, etc.
So, is America the greatest country in the world?
America Might be the Greatest Country in the World in Some Ways?
Of course the first thing to say is that a country is not its government.
America, much like all of the rest of the world, rarely has a particularly impressive government -- on the whole, usually governments everywhere are a mixture of the good and the bad (even Saddam Hussein's government gave its people free university tuition, and even extended this to foreign students; it was also religiously moderate and the place of women in Iraqi society was relatively modernized in general -- if one can talk in generalities about individual lives...).
A times American governments have acted heroically; usually, as with all governments everywhere, much of what is done is suspect or, at any rate, mediochre.
But a country is not its government, and so, as much as millions around the world feel slighted, bullied and ignored by the present Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld-Wolfowitz-etc oligarchy, these people are not America as a whole.
Extremists Who Attack America are Hypocrites
Of course, Osama bin Laden and those who are inspired by the Wahhabi sect that represents such a miniscule minority of the millions upon millions of sensible, peaceable, Muslims spread across the world, are at the pinnacle of hypocrisy to target innocent lives (not just American, but in Morocco, South Africa, Bali, Saudi Arabia, England and Spain) as a reaction to various acts peformed by various American administrations.
It may be, perhaps, an abomination for American troops to be stationed on holy Saudi soil (though in truth there is nothing holy about the Saudi regime itself in the first place, and US bases are far away from the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, at the other end of a country forged out of the desert in part from alliances with Western powers in the past), but it makes no sense to attack "America and her allies" in such a bloodthirsty manner, as a reaction to violence done to you. Indeed, it goes contrary to Islam, an important tenet of which is a ban on targeting innocents, and a general attempt to give people the benefit of the doubt where possible.
So, whether or not America is great or is the Great Satan, its people deserve to live in peace and dignity.
Do Americans live in Peace and Dignity?
And there are many ways in which Americans do live in peace and dignity.
As is the case for all of us lucky enough to live in constitutional democracies, there are rules about police and legal organs infringing upon us, there are rules about our ability to protest in public, to consume media and arts, to speak freely on any topic, to vote if we are over a certain age, to appeal to higher courts if we feel we are being discriminated against.
These things make America one of the best places in the world to live, and confer on its people a measure of peace and dignity envied by those not fortunate enough to live in Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and those other territories that uphold such ideals.
Many Countries are as Great as America
Of course there are lots of ways in which a country can be "great."
It is difficult to imagine rivaling the greatness of either India or China in terms of the breadth and length of cultural and religious history. Surely there is a sense in which these are the two greatest countries in the world.
Even in terms of modern definitions of social justice and fair governance, European countries, certain Asian countries, and parts of the Commonwealth, for example, show equal and perhaps superior "greatness."
Certainly, both Europeans and Canadians scratch their heads at the American attitude both to health insurance and guns.
Similarly, in countless countries across the world post-secondary education is free, both in parts of Europe but also in certain non-democratic nations.
Admittedly the American Revolution kicked off a form of government that was to be echoed in many parts of the world and, unlike in France or Russia, here it did not descend into tyranny after a few short years (or even months!).
But Athens had a form of democracy hundreds of years before Christ, and England had a formal parliamentary charter by the Middle Ages, in the Magna Carta. Similarly, both urbanized and rural societies around the world have had some sort of debate-based government -- it is not wholly an American invention by any means.
On Balance
On balance, then, we can say that America stands for and exercises a large number of hugely important principles, many of which support, uphold and encourage basic human rights. In many ways it is worthy of immense respect, though not, perhaps, more than is the case for, say, Australia, Belgium or South Korea. Of course many of these countries would lie under the yoke of tyranny were it not for the efforts of the allies during the Second World War (and arguably the Korean War also), and naturally the United States was a mighty, central and essential player in this combined effort. Similarly, the (perhaps self-interested) efforts of America to prop up economically and philosophically the fledgling democracies and recovering nations of Europe and Asia saved the world from a new Dark Ages.
And of course, without America, Stalin may well have succeeded where Hitler failed.
Two-sided
But like most questions, everything has two sides.
The involvement of American corporations in all sorts of atrocities does not make the United States stand out -- this sort of exploitation and oppression has been handed down by all sorts of nations, Western and non-Western alike: it does not, however, stand as an example of where Americans have refused to take part in a moral wrong, either...
Similarly, clearly Britain, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Portugal, Japan, China, the Greeks and the Romans have all been a party to the evils of colonialism and Empire -- here too, America is not a stand-alone, but has collaborated with colonizing nations or actively sought out colonies for herself.
In the End
In the end America is not THE greatest country in the world, though she does have some extremely admirable qualities -- in some senses she is definitely the "joint-best" country in the world.
But often such judgements depend on where you sit. For many, America continues to collude in all sorts of evils (the weapons trade, the tobacco industry), and its leadership has at times been lacking to the point of disaster.
Thus, while it is very important to remember that without America the world might well be a much darker place, there are other ways in which this great country does nothing to improve some dreadful things, and is often instigator or collaborator in such matters.
This is my opinion. I am not American. But I feel that all questions should be met with a mixed set of perspectives, and an eye for balance. The question of the greatness of a country is one such type of question.
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Comments
I like the hub. It showed good insight and lacked the usual hate associated with non-American opinions about our country. I also agree about the good and the bad of any country and its government. I think co-best is great; some very good points; all-in-all, I agree; America is great.
The Hamilton Post
www.thehamiltonpost.blogspot.com
Yes America has lots of fantastic points to it, but a lot of these points are exactly the same in many other countries -- Canada, many of the countries in Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, all of these places have strong, vibrant democracy, strong protection of freedom of speech and freedom to protest.
Also, it is worth mentioning that countries like India have democratic processes too, although, much like many places in the world, much of their economies were bled by (Western) colonial powers for so long, and now trade agreements make it difficult for some of these places to gain any stability...
Anyway, these things are complicated -- America is certainly the Beacon for Democracy, and for this reason the world owes it a great debt, but it was also one of the countries that got rich off of slavery, so it cannot be considered all good either.
Complicated, indeed. I suppose the most important thing is to recognize that all the worlds' people, in all countries everywhere, should be considered equals, and I am sure many of these (perhaps all people?) consider their own country to be the best -- maybe this is just a natural instinct, in fact...
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
greatest country is the one, where you feel great...
I would like to commend you for this post. I am American but unlike lots of other Americans I have lived in numerous countries and I can say for a fact that America is not the greatest country in the world. I would also like to comment about the election process here in the U.S. to the first poster - Tayler. You should go back and read your history books - the people do not elect the president in this country - it is the electoral college they just happen to go with the popular vote so they aren't removed from office in either the house or the senate.
Thank you all for your responses.
America, as I say, is extremely important as a symbol of democracy and, although it has witnessed some dreadful, dreadful things (slavery, the use of nuclear weapons, etc), over two hundred years it is the only prominent unified mass-democracy of those born since the 1700's to have survived with no interruptions for such an enormous length of time.
The ideals of democracy were not the creation only of Americans, but of people from many countries, but in Germany, France, Italy and Russia, for example, many false starts and human catastrophes mark these countries' progress towards the fulfillment of these ideals.
America, of course, had a searing Civil War, atrocious legal racism until abolition and beyond, women could not vote there until the 20th century, and even now, as always, there is a large difference between those who have money and power and those who don't.
On the other hand, many other countries have equally strong democratic systems and freedoms -- all of these, like America, are wrapped up, paradoxically, in processes which keep other nations' prosperity down, however, particularly in Africa.
But, at least in some sense, thank God for America -- thank God that it is not Stalinist Russia or Nazi Germany that dominates the world. Thank God that the country with the most muscle on earth upholds, at least theoretically, the ideas of freedom, human rights, and compassion. Often it acts very much to the contrary of these ideals, but, thank God, often it is a major force pushing and striving for the promotion of these things.
I am not American, but I thank God every day it is a country like America that holds the balance of power, rather than some of the dictatorships and tyrannies that could have risen up. For this reason, despite much of the damage caused by American governments at times, it is important to feel blessed that America is what she is.
I can see how the world might be a bit darker, but then again it is frustrating to watch the leaders of my country trample on the rights of others left and right, especially in the last 10 years or so. I think we;re looking at patriotism in a jingoistic fashion anymore, which does bother me tremednously. Still a good country, but the people have lost their identity and have traded it with amnesty for countless millions to incorporate their culture into what used to be our identity. America is even far too globalised to be considered a specific group of people anymore. I guess if I lived elsewhere for a decent period of time I'd return and see the benefits, but at the moment I only know what I've lived with all my life.
This was a well written article. I'm an American who has travelled extensively outside of the United States. I love my country, but it is no longer the greatest country in the world. It's filled with great people, who were sold out a long time ago by our government and big business. God help us!
To someone living in a country there is, or should be, available the full depth and breadth of that country's culture. America has a great deal to offer its citizens. However, to someone living elsewhere in the world, a country is defined by its foreign policy, and I'm sorry to say that in this respect America has gone down in the estimation of the world, through the acts and omissions of the present Administration. I hope it can be redeemed.
As a recent immigrant and a woman, I love living in this country. God bless America!
America is the greatest country because we ushered in the age of freedom and ended the age of empires where there freedom was restricted. We advanced the world and ended tranny in many countries. We have the greatest and most powerful modern miliatry and we have been great ever since the start. we also have God and have often protected small countries. we restored Israel which is Gods people and still continue to protect them. in our country everyone is free. Our soldiers protect us with their lives. we have never lost a war. America has also spread Christianity through the world. In God We Trust so then let God protect us and all free people forever. We will never let Empires return and we will always protect any free man because they have the right to make their own future.
Just FYI, America is not a country. is a Continent, and yes, is the best continent of the world. Now, If you are talking of the United States, indeed is a great country but I am not sure if is the best of the world.
Duh! America is the greatest country in the world and that's the truth
AMERICA WINS THE GAME.
IT ALSO WON YO MAMMA.- BLACK GUY
America is the greatest country in the world. God bless the USA!
Greetings from Germany
I dont really want to add my opinion to this thread, but i just would like to applaud the unbiased manner you approached this controversial topic. *clap* *clap*.
Thanks Chris, for your comment. As a non-American who has lived in 3 other countries on two continents (three different parts of the UK spanning over three decades, three different cities in different parts of both English and French Canada, also spanning three decades, plus three years in Germany), it is difficult for me NOT to be biased, as all these cultures have strong anti-American threads running through them...
That Americans are still fighting to get public health boggles my mind (and, no, public health care is not the same as "Socialism": even under Margaret Thatcher, Reagan's best conservative friend, Britain had public health care), as it does the millions and millions of people living in countries that do have it.
That there are thousands of gun homicides per year in the US, when in most countries with otherwise similar cultures there are less than a hundred, also boggles the minds of the rest of us...
Finally, that US governments have supported some of the most genocidal and homicidal maniacs on the planet, including Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden, is naturally very hard to swallow.
However, while it is COMPLETELY FALSE to say that Western Europeans, Australians, Canadians, etc., are less free than Americans, or poorer, it IS true, I think, that America was the first country in the world to set up a government that, on balance, and in principle, is a system worth emulating and modelling one's own country on. Of course, the fact that it took another century for blacks to have the vote, to say nothing of women, is hardly a mark in America's favour. But the basic framework that was set out by the Founding Father's represents a great leap forward in human progress, to be sure.
Let us also not forget that, even though the United States was very reluctant to join the war effort in the Second World War until the Japanese attacked Hawaii (itself arguably formerly "conquered" by the US), and did not join forces against Germany until Germany itself declared war on the United States, nevertheless the heroism of American soldiers, combined with that of British, Canadian, Russian, Indian, Chinese and many others, and their sacrifice, is the reason Britian, Japan, France, and so many others have ANY freedom at all!
In the end, in the old joke, if you hadn't leant a hand, I think I'd have to say, we Europeans "would all be speaking German now."
This is very true. I thank any American reading this from the bottom of my heart.
I'm American and I'd have to agree with you.
America is relatively new and has been tested a good deal on the battlefield. Our system does go crazy with the election of a crazy presidfent, but the system does right itself, eventually. It's not great in some ways but is still evolving.
Other countries are following America's lead. the system works and it works well sometimes.. It was designed for the rich. Oddly enough, democracy seemed to grow with the rhetoric of our landed and ruling class.
Haveing been around, I like our money, entertainment, supermarkets, universities,the striving for equality, and especially free speech. Though sometimes there is a price to b e paid if one is too blunt with the truth.
History is under constant assessment and revised for the schools and for the sake of truth. It's amazing what has happened since 1960. when I was a kid the word f---was empowered with so much authority it could get a student expelled, a prisoner beat up, a husband divorced, a child traumatized for life.
Lenny Bruce and the free spedech movement changed it. George Carlin made it funny, and richard Nixon taped it in the oval office for private use later.
we need more emphasis on higher education. that's how you beat China, India, and Russia. Not by keeping the $10.00 an hour jobs in the U.S.. .
I like your very balanced response solarcaptain. I am sure there are millions of Americans like you in your country, even when the stereotype we receive is one of a nation of uneducated ignoramouses (I have found this stereotype of Americans rampant in both Canada and Britain, all of my life). Clearly this can't be right; I mean, how do you develop so many scientific and technological breakthroughs as the US does if noone there is smart (of course, key to this is FUNDING science, as well as the arts, which spill over into increased intelligence, generally speaking; both are connected to HIGH LEVELS OF FUNDING FOR EDUCATION...).
I hope you do not want to "beat" the Chinese, Indians or Russians. That is not how progress plays out: instead, cooperation, in business, technology, etc., is key. For example, it is pointless if Obama's America succeeds in developing green technologies, if these are not then shared with China or India, who produce mountains of pollution (I'm not talking global warming here, I'm talking ruining the atmosphere and habitat of all human beings through pollution).
As for Russia, it is beating itself: there is so much corruption, and so little in the way of public infrastructure funding, that many pine for the former Soviet Union. Imagine: things have to be bad if people want a return to being afraid to speak to their neighbours about the wrong topics, for fear of disappearing in the night...
Lolz America Smells Bad.
45 million without health insurance and climbing. An american education costs more than a moderately sized home. Food production has been steadily decreasing since the 60s. Manufacturing is all but out-sourced. Personal rights are cast aside by power-mongering police. More people are in jail than other country besides china. The list goes on.......
Hi Strategies, coming from Canada I can understand why you would be confused about somethings that make us American. You said you can't understand why Americans would not want Universal health care. Simple, we are Americans and our history is to "want" as little gov't intervention in our lives as possible. We have a great health care delivery system now. We have one of the highest mortality rates and birth mortality rates in the world too. We consider birth mortality from the min. the birth takes place, most countries only factor in birth deaths that occur 24 to 48 hrs. after birth. People come from all over the world to the US for care.Including the wealthy Saudi king, who could go anywhere. Many people come here from Canada because of the wait time for service.
In addition, our country's solution for paying for this is to punish people earning $280,000. with an est 52% tax rate. In America we believe in equality, if you earn 100,000 you should pay 30%, if you earn 280,000 you should pay 30%. You pay the same rate but more dollars by income amount.
As for your comment about us accepting "free" public education, nothing could be further than the truth. There are many US citizens, myself included, that did not send my child to a Government School for a whole host of reasons. One a superior education in a private school. But that "free" education you spoke about cost me twice!! My property tax, yhea we have that to, is $10,000! that's to support the govt schools. I didn't get a rebate for paying to send my kid to private schools. So the govt doesn't give you much of a choice there. If after paying your prop. tax to pay for other's kids to attend "free" school and you don't have enough to pay for private your stuck sending your kid the "free" govt school. So much for free schools, the same thing will happen with health care.
So after paying property taxes, then 6.25% state income tax, then15% social security tax, then 1% medicare tax, then 30% federal income tax---then all the "hidden taxes, state and fed gas tax totaling .42/gal connection tax for land and cell phones. excise tax for cars, home heating fuel tax, elec transmission tax, investment tax, (sec), Insurance premium tax on life, home and car, (not disclosed in bill), state sales tax 6.25%, meals tax 8%,, 12% alcohol tax, tobacco tax 20%. I'm probably missing a few.----------------
But how much more do you want from us?? We don't want to be Canada, Briitan, France, Holland or any other country we are America and some of us would like to keep it that way.
The Shark---trying to keep America from becoming Europe---the place we fought a war to get away from.
This is a fantastic hub. Very well thought out and unbiased. Shark, you give Americans a bad name. YOU don't speak for ALL Americans. And you are ... excuse me for saying this... wrong about having the lowest mortality rate (although you say you have the highest mortality rate, I'm sure you meant lowest). Sorry.
Do you know what America has risked to keep this world safe. Everyone always points out the faults of America and what they have done wrong, but you don't know what they've done right. America created a whole new world. A world where freedom was created and Kings and Queens cease to exist. Soon the idea of freedom inspired a world and they took action. America ended the age of Empires and Emperors. America stopped one of the Greatest Superpowers ever, twice when we just came into existence. America saved Europe and the world from total destruction, twice. We saved the Jews who being obliterated. We toppled Hitler and the Nazis where others failed. America crushed a freedom threatening Imperialistic Japan who wanted the world and attacked and killed innocent people. America faced the evil empire of the USSR. For 46 years America risked its country for the hope of everlasting freedom not just for us, but for the whole world. Even when America was outnumbered during the Cold War they prevailed. In 1991 America saw victory and the Soviets collapsed and freedom was preserved for all of time. America promised its country to hunt down and kill the terrorists who killed thousands of not just its people, but the worlds. That’s what America did for the world. That’s why they are the greatest country in history. They saved the world countless times and if you refuse to acknowledge that then you don't deserve to be free cause without America you would be nothing.
in last 50 years most civilians innocent people were killed by usa.
Hi there.
A quick response to 008hc. Indeed, those of us who are Europeans owe a debt of gratitude to those many American servicemen who lay down their lives in Europe to help defeat Hitler. Of course they were not the only ones to do so: Canadians, Indians, Australians, New Zealanders, and many more from outside Europe came to help in our defence, and perhaps most predominantly, the sacrifice of the Russians (though of course, Hitler forced their hand by invading them), was crucial also...
We also owe a debt of gratitude for the money and infrastructure that you pumped into Europe after the war was over, and of course if it wasn't for the United States, then there is a good chance that Stalin would have kept on going right into Western Europe. So thank you, sincerely. I would not have wanted to be born into either a fascist or a communist regime, and you helped prevent either of these things from happening.
On the other hand, the next comment, below yours, is also probably true: innocent civilians across the world have died, if not always at the hand of the US, then at the hand of armies and dictatorships supported by the US.
For this reason, can we not, while saying that we are thankful for America's hand in stopping both Germany and Japan, and also for keeping Stalin at bay, agree that any country is complex: all of the great powers (including my own country, Great Britain, and even the one I now live in, Canada), have perpetrated great atrocities over the years. The glaring horror in America is perhaps the long period of slavery and discrimination for black Americans, for example.
Countries can be great in many ways, but still have an evil side...
I think to decide if America is the greatest country in the world or not... one must look at the fruit it has brought forth.
Like all country's, The United States of America has many flaws. Some are TERRIBLE to the degree that its painful... yet America truly offers freedom to those who truly seek it. This country has been a beacon to the world since its foundation. The founding fathers of the United States were truly some of the greatest men that ever lived.
having said that, I would like to make a point that I am a proud member of the National Guard. I have served in Afghanistan as an airborne infantry soldier, and I have seen my fare share of bloodshed. I have come to realize that even though America has its problems... we still spend billions of dollars, give our own boys lives, resources aid and other such things to countries all over the world. America is inherently a good country. We try to spread freedom to the world, even it it means our own have to die... and I think that is the ulitmate statement.
God bless the greatest country in the history of the world... The United States of America!
Hoorah!
There seem to be so many things wrong with the United States. I've been going from site to site trying to find something descent about the United States. It depresses me.
There seem to be so many things wrong with the United States. I've been going from site to site trying to find something descent about the United States. It depresses me.
go fuck yourself and learn german....mind i remind you the us saved your europe ass from speaking german....fuck you.....you are so disrespectful you should spend a night in a nazi concentration camp because you deserve it....know what the us did for you ....you suck ....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eoKJ-Zr6Rc&feature thats not enough maybe we should wipe you off the face of the earth ....germany sux asss.....fuck you pice of shit....bring it on.....we would kill you....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSWuA-RttGU
to be honest america is one of the worst countries in the world, and has probably the world's worst history.
gay and lesbian rights are limited, they are very conservative and stupid, the literacy rate is very low, they do not look after their poor, they know virtually nothing of the outside world (as we can see from previous posts), they have dictators, and they are very corrup, they do not look after their people or the environment, and they are failing economically.
people in cuba live longer than they do.
Mmmm, In response to Maxim, I have to say that, while I do not think America is the "best" country in the world (though in some ways it is, I would think), it is definitely NOT the worst country in the world.
For example, despite attempts by various individuals in government to manipulate the system, the system itself has remained intact for two centuries: there are all kinds of checks and balances, federal versus state power, executive versus legislature, courts, appeals courts, a welfare net of some kind, certification standards, scientific research, and, most importantly, while certain players in American society show shockingly low moral standards, the IDEALS espoused by America, even if often dragged in the mud, are EXTREMELY praiseworthy.
This does not mean that I agree with large sections of American foreign policy, or their approach to health care, for example, but to say America is the worst country in the world is CRAZY.
Try living in North Korea. Try living in Russia. Try living in sub-Saharan Africa. Seriously, America has many dark side, but it remains a beacon and a standard on so many other planes.
No, there is no greatest country in the world. Every country has done great things, some more than others.
hasn't the US influenced other countries with crime, drugs, erotica & fast food ?
Yes Nice Article and its true every country around the world has great things in every aspects
In terms of foreign policy the US only steps in to help when it has something to gain. The US even benefits economically from the 0.01% of total GDP it donates to middle income countries, authoritarian regimes, and Israel.
I've lived in the states and I can say that Americans are NOT free at all. They are completely controlled by consumer culture and the biased corporate media. Who cares about freedom if you can't take advantage of it.
However, I agree that Americans and America are inherently good and that maybe cheaper, more accessible higher education could change things.
Also, I think that America is definitely one of the best countries in the world when it comes to things like freedom of association,speech, it's toleration of counter-cultures- as long as you aren't compromising any major corporate or political interests.
But no way is the best country in the world, i thought the only people who believed that were rednecks and people without passports.
I am glad to hear how you really feel about America. And some other countries too. I think that we should keep our money home, and our resources and stop trying to help other countries who do not appreciate the American Way. There were slaves back in the Bible Day. There are still slaves in other parts of the world. It sounds like you are extremely bitter. You do in this country have freedom of speech. We as Americans need to stay home and keep our money at home. Our main fault is trying to sell democracy to other nations, and they do not want democracy. Keep our billions of dollars (tax payers) at home. Leave other people alone, we are constantly trying to HELP.
I think you are absolutely right. America needs to leave everyone alone. Guess what? Much of the world would be able to survive easily without US AID if America would also stop exploiting these countries economically and robbing their local economies from having any sort of potential to grow. But then again, that would damage your own economy and you couldn't have that now could you. In America, the economy comes first, even before the values and well-being of its people.
America is wonderful for many many reasons, and I am also thankful everyday that this country is the global power instead of Nazi Germany or Stalin's Russia, but US policy has a dark side too. Right now it's causing more problems in the world with it's intervention than solving. That is why few people can "appreciate the American Way" right now.
I don't know what you mean by how "i feel about other countries"...how could you possibly know that? and you should look up how the US also benefits from the slave trade, along with drug cartels and totalitarianism.
Tater2tot says:
17 months ago
I have to disagree with you. I think the United States is the best country ever. Of course I am a little bias since I live here... I think we are very fortunate to vote for whom we want and to have free speech and free protest. We do have our problems as you pointed out but I love being American. And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Good hub. You had me going that you were going to say yes it was but than you said no. LOL.
Tayler!