Cyclone85

I don't think we're talking 'I', 'you', and 'me' being better; we're all just people. We're talking about systems here imo. In the same way that all religions are not equal, not all countries are equal because the underlying system of governance may be deeply flawed. The United States is a really a new country in historical terms being only a 232 years old. St. Peter's Basilica in Rome began construction 270 years before the United States of America was a twinkle in Washington's eye. The founding fathers of this country were very intelligent men and well educated to boot. They knew what failed in the past, and knew what 'kind of' worked. They got it 'right' with the U.S., and to date -- it has not been duplicated in any country so far as I know.

We're still the envy of the world with a unique system of governance, a powerful and resilient economy (though weakened with $125 oil and a burdensome welfare state), resources galore, religious freedom, other individual freedoms guaranteed by the founding documents, and a modern military. We're also a good people; nobody is more generous than the United States. When viewed from this angle, the United States could be viewed as 'better' because of its underlying principles, individual freedoms, and reasonable laws, rules, and regulations. Nothing else can explain what has been accomplished here in 232 years. The list of achievements is too many to write down here, though it is safe to say we have no equal in this regard. The people are not better, however, our freedom and system of rules permits people to be more efficient, creative, and productive. We have the most efficient and productive economy the world has ever seen. U.S. productivity figures are off the charts; we're a nation of very hard and smart workers.

I know Big doesn't agree with any of this, however, there is a reason why people are risking life and limb to get here. I'm not ashamed to say I believe we are the greatest country on earth. Have we made mistakes? Yep. But we're learning.....