jpv

Because Russian wrestlers, like almost any other group of people from any other country, believe their country is the best. Oh, and they can get a LOT more money wrestling in Russia than they can in the States.

You know Russians are always asking me to make empirical statements about which country is better. I refuse to answer them, just give what I think are the comparisons and contrasts of the two countries.

However, I do feel there is a strong inferiority complex here about the USA. Part of that, of course, is that they are inundated with media from America and whatnot (most of it the worst the US has to offer, not the best). Part of it is the result of the Cold War.

Evgeni, I believe you might show signs of this complex as well, hm?

Big

Yeah I am inundated with American propaganda here as well.

Zapp Brannigan

Big thinks Russia is better then America, he just mysteriously won't leave

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Big

I think various things are better at diffferent countries for different people. You can't generalize.

Many people think other countries are better than theirs yet continue to live in their countres for various reasons. I am simply afraid of change or else I would leave now.

jpv

Why are you afraid of change? Russia is a "land of opportunity" right now. With your local knowledge (namely the language) combined with having lived in the US (I forgot what your history is), you should be able to make MAD cash here. Seriously.

ban basketball

Bravo! Fine words to live by.

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My ignore list: Cyclone85; skipster; tight-waist; Ignatius J. Reilly.

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.....

Big

Who is risking lives to come here? Cubans and Mexicans for the most part. Both starved by American oppression.

America is efficient? Give me a break. WWII destruction and immigration of low wage workers is what holds America together. America was a piece of $hit before WWII.

When the whole world beat itself up during WWII America conviniently gave out hefty loans to all the victims. That is your current American dream.

Zapp Brannigan

Yeah it really sucks here. You should go to one of those better places to live.

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"I've made it with a woman. Inform the men."

sgallan

Although the US is split on who is the right person to run this country, most of us will agree that America is the best country in the world!

We are a strong country.

We are a beautiful country.

Our military can kick butt.

We are economically propsperous and compared to most of the world have a high standard of living.

On the otherhand....

We lock up more of our citizens than any other industrialized world with a lock them up and throw away the key mentality.

We are a harsh and brutish nation - epsecially to the minorites and those without.

We are a nation that just blinks at 40 million uninsured - many of them children.

Bottomline is; We are a great country. A powerful country. A beautiful country. But best? That depends on how one defines basic humanity. If you want to do that.... then we are only the country with the biggest penus.

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