Is America the best nation in the world?

[Greektim]

If you think so, then why?

if not... why not?

This video got me thinking about it

Aside: are you less of a Christian for believing that America is not the best (and even that it is not all that great)?

 

[Van]

Think about this, if America is not exceptional, why die for it? If all our representatives simply tell us what we want to hear, then funnel tax money to those sharing their agenda, why vote. The history is rewritten to make those that founded and shaped our country into deceitful men, hypocrites and reprobates. Hate-mongering, i.e. the 99% verses the 1%, against everything but bigger government. We have become a nation of "willing slaves" voting to enslave ourselves to the state over and over again.

When someone trashes America, remember that is exactly what the Communist soldiers taught the American prisoners of war. Disgruntled and distrustful soldiers need fewer guards. Disgruntled and distrustful voters are more easily manipulated. In California voters voted against 'big oil" but were in fact voting for "big unions." And the beat goes on.

 

[Crabtownboy]

Very broad question in the OP.

Best in what ways?

 

[Zaac]

Very broad question in the OP.

Best in what ways?

I agree with CTB. That question can be taken in so many different directions. :laugh:

But I must say that I'd, with all the warts and bruises, still rather live in the United States than any country in the world.

With the way the country is divided in so many different ways, that may soon change.:laugh:

 

[OldRegular]

Very broad question in the OP.

Best in what ways?

In any way you can imagine! But being a lefty you would not agree. Leftists have been ashamed of America ever since we became a superpower, especially since Reagan whupped up on the Soviet Union and freed millions from Communist dictatorship. If the leftists in the democrat party had their way the hammer and sickle would be flying over the country!

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Tell me Crabster....how is life in the Czech Republic these days & have you been to Poland? Those are supposed to be our 2 biggest allies in the Slavic countries.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

In any way you can imagine! But being a lefty you would not agree. Leftists have been ashamed of America ever since we became a superpower, especially since Reagan whupped up on the Soviet Union and freed millions from Communist dictatorship. If the leftists in the democrat party had their way the hammer and sickle would be flying over the country!

Wow, OR you dont like FDR, Lefties & Yankees..... guess what .....you fit the mold perfectly!:laugh:

 

[Gregory Perry Sr.]

I voted yes....but...

I voted yes to the OP but I will qualify that by saying I have never traveled outside of this country in the 58 years I have been alive other than by the means of media,TV,books. I've just never had the opportunities some have to do that for a variety of reasons. However, as a lifelong resident of this country I can definitely say that it is NOT the nation I grew up in. Things have changed and DEFINITELY not for the better. All the new technologies are nice and interesting but the moral, and spiritual roots of our nation have deteriorated steadily right before our eyes. I believe we all could share the blame for that. The rest of the world is no better. On a positive note...God's Word is still...and always has been true and God is working out His perfect plan and purpose RIGHT ON TIME and JUST AS HE WISHES. As Born Again believers we have great cause and reason to walk in hope. We need to get our eyes OFF of the cares of this world as much as possible and set our affection on things above (Col.3:1-4) This world will/is passing away. Nothing that happens in it should ever come as a surprize to a Bible Believer.
As for the here and now though....I still think the USA is STILL the best nation in the world to live in (though I would like to visit Switzerland:smilewinkgrin: and see the Alps)....and the Holy Land.

Bro.Greg:thumbsup:

 

[ashleysdad]

My initial, off the cuff response was to vote yes that we are the greatest country in the world, however, when I started to consider the question I realized that I am not sure that is what I believe. From a purely humanistic stand point I guess that you could say that we are the greatest country in the world but as Christians we are called to evaluate things from a moral and spiritual perspective. In that light I believe that America fails miserably with the claim to be the greatest country. We slaughter the unborn to the tune of 1.37 million per year (3700 per day). That is over fifty million babies killed since 1973. We (as a nation) champion and promote immoral lifestyles and denigrate Biblical morals. When we vote we vote for political gain and convenience not for moral reasons. We are the epitome of humanity shaking their fist in Gods face and essentially daring Him to respond. How, in light of all that can we even begin to make the claim of the "greatest country in the world"? We have the wrong definition of great and we fail to see that true greatness is measured by Gods standard not ours. Would I want to live anywhere else? No, I would not and I do very much love my country and would be proud to defend it if the need arises. Are we the greatest country in the world? No we are not we are a nation that desperately needs Jesus and an about face in our value system.

 

[ktn4eg]

I agree with CTB. That question can be taken in so many different directions. :laugh:

But I must say that I'd, with all the warts and bruises, still rather live in the United States than any country in the world.

With the way the country is divided in so many different ways, that may soon change.:laugh:

I voted YES, but, like my "lefty bud CTB," :laugh: I too would have to ask the question,"'Best' in what specific ways?"

IOW, "Define 'best!"

Now, if you're talking about overall physical/secular things, I'd say probably YES, but, OTOH, I'd also ask for the disclaimer---"Compared to what other nation(s)??"

No one nation on earth is/always was/always will be, 24/7/365, 110% PERFECT in absolutely every concievable way known to mankind.

BUT, to paraphrase Sir Winston Churchill (whose mother, BTW, was a US citizen):

"The USA is the most poorly governed, the most inequitable, the most hostile, unfrendly, and the most prone to cause international turmoil whenever it feels the need to do so!

"It's absolutely, without exception, the WORST NATION ON THIS PLANET!!!

.............Except for all the others!" :thumbs:

 

[Arbo]

Greektim, Your location is listed as Honduras. If you don't mind, are you asking as an American or as a Honduran? What's your answer to the question you pose?

It's not uncommon for people to have a measure of nationalistic pride and claim that their country is the greatest.

Personally, I believe that America is exceptional. I chose and still choose to make this my home.

 

[saturneptune]

The United States of America is the best nation to date in the history of man. For all its faults, we have an exceptional form of government, freedom, liberty, a Bill of Rights unparalleled anywhere else, and a vastly superior opportunity to pursue our dreams. He have the right to worship as we please, and it is protected by the Constititution. Some mentioned they have never traveled outside the United States. I have, to some destitute countries. Our poorest citizens are better off than the middle class and some considered rich in other nations.

As part of everyone's freedom, one has the right to choose whether to serve or not. Back in the 1960s, that right did not exist. I also have my right to an opinion. It seems to me, that those who post thread after thread about things wrong with this nation, such as the most recent fad, General Petraeus, that hundreds of thousands were out serving, some in foreign lands, risking their lives, and seperated from their families, while others were at college having a good old time, or in seminary in the safety of a campus pursuing their career.

I would really like to know, what gives anyone who did not serve the right to criticize anyone who did, such as General Petraeus, when they contributed nothing to the freedom and liberty of this nation. It mimics all of those who criticized Billy Graham, and probably they could count the people they have told about the Lord on two hands. Someone was out dying, being wounded, and defending freedom while others were learning Greek and Hebrew so they could put brilliant posts on Baptist Board.

Another thing one gets tired of hearing is how much the military is getting paid, and military retirement pay, and the burden on the US taxpayer. If one is a pastor, one is depending on the earnings of others on the membership roll to earn a living. Instead of gripeing about raising taxes to cover the cost of defending the nation, one preaches sermons about tithing and robbing God when the church revenue falls. Christian pastors in Eastern Europe, Russia, and the former Soviet states are concerned about their jobs, their families, and their very lives to preach the Gospel. Here, pastors are worried about Calvinism, Bible versions, if the air conditioner works, and the next pot luck.

The United States of America is the greatest nation ever. If you do not agree, I believe there are 187 different independent nations that one can become a citizen of.

 

[Greektim]

Greektim, Your location is listed as Honduras. If you don't mind, are you asking as an American or as a Honduran? What's your answer to the question you pose?

It's not uncommon for people to have a measure of nationalistic pride and claim that their country is the greatest.

Personally, I believe that America is exceptional. I chose and still choose to make this my home.

I am still a citizen of the states. But I more or less use it the same way Paul used his roman citizenship.

I don't think there is anything in the US itself that sets it apart from other nations very similar. Did you watch the video i posted in the OP??? That is one way to sum up the issue. Not in agreement w/ the political views of that show, but some good points were made.

 

[Greektim]

The United States of America is the best nation to date in the history of man. For all its faults, we have an exceptional form of government, freedom, liberty, a Bill of Rights unparalleled anywhere else, and a vastly superior opportunity to pursue our dreams. He have the right to worship as we please, and it is protected by the Constititution. Some mentioned they have never traveled outside the United States. I have, to some destitute countries. Our poorest citizens are better off than the middle class and some considered rich in other nations.

As part of everyone's freedom, one has the right to choose whether to serve or not. Back in the 1960s, that right did not exist. I also have my right to an opinion. It seems to me, that those who post thread after thread about things wrong with this nation, such as the most recent fad, General Petraeus, that hundreds of thousands were out serving, some in foreign lands, risking their lives, and seperated from their families, while others were at college having a good old time, or in seminary in the safety of a campus pursuing their career.

I would really like to know, what gives anyone who did not serve the right to criticize anyone who did, such as General Petraeus, when they contributed nothing to the freedom and liberty of this nation. It mimics all of those who criticized Billy Graham, and probably they could count the people they have told about the Lord on two hands. Someone was out dying, being wounded, and defending freedom while others were learning Greek and Hebrew so they could put brilliant posts on Baptist Board.

Another thing one gets tired of hearing is how much the military is getting paid, and military retirement pay, and the burden on the US taxpayer. If one is a pastor, one is depending on the earnings of others on the membership roll to earn a living. Instead of gripeing about raising taxes to cover the cost of defending the nation, one preaches sermons about tithing and robbing God when the church revenue falls. Christian pastors in Eastern Europe, Russia, and the former Soviet states are concerned about their jobs, their families, and their very lives to preach the Gospel. Here, pastors are worried about Calvinism, Bible versions, if the air conditioner works, and the next pot luck.

The United States of America is the greatest nation ever. If you do not agree, I believe there are 187 different independent nations that one can become a citizen of.

W/ a post like this, one may wonder why God chose Israel and not America. And if you talk about Israel being chosen b/c it was not great, then the lack of greatness is a virtue to be commended, which is the opposite of what you are claiming for the US.

And here is a textbook case of irony. You ask who has the right to criticize at the same time you are talking about how free we are in the states (you would call that rights would you not?). Is this not contradictory?

 

[Arbo]

Good rant, SN.:thumbs:

 

[Revmitchell]

W/ a post like this, one may wonder why God chose Israel and not America.

No they shouldn't. The issues are not even related and the question is weird.

 

[saturneptune]

W/ a post like this, one may wonder why God chose Israel and not America. And if you talk about Israel being chosen b/c it was not great, then the lack of greatness is a virtue to be commended, which is the opposite of what you are claiming for the US.

And here is a textbook case of irony. You ask who has the right to criticize at the same time you are talking about how free we are in the states (you would call that rights would you not?). Is this not contradictory?

It is like any local church, a nation is. Some pitch in and help, and some do not. It is irony in this respect. Everyone has the freedom to criticize, without penalty, by the Bill of Rights. However, some preserved that freedom, and if you will notice, the ones that did are the quietest. It is indeed an irony that those with the loudest mouths do the least. Think of a local church. Some will not attend, pray, give, or participate in the ministry, but will certainly show up to a pot luck, or a business meeting when a vital issue comes up like changing the carpet in the sanctuary.

 

[Humblesmith]

After this last election, I'm convinced we've turned a corner. We now have more people wanting to get paid by the government than people who are ashamed of such a thought.

As quality of life, yes, we're greatest.....the middle class lives like kings compared to 99% of all the people who ever lived in the history of the world. But in the things that count, we're horrible.

I have no more hope in America. I've lost all hope that it will get better. Sure, God can save a few while the country is slowly sinking....that's a good thing.

I cannot answer whether we are greatest. I'm looking for one that is better.

 

[OldRegular]

Wow, OR you dont like FDR, Lefties & Yankees..... guess what .....you fit the mold perfectly!:laugh:

Actually I do like some Yankees: You, kyredneck, S/N, Tom Butler, convicted1 even if he is a democrat, etc, etc!

 

[OldRegular]

The United States of America is the best nation to date in the history of man. For all its faults, we have an exceptional form of government, freedom, liberty, a Bill of Rights unparalleled anywhere else, and a vastly superior opportunity to pursue our dreams. He have the right to worship as we please, and it is protected by the Constititution. Some mentioned they have never traveled outside the United States. I have, to some destitute countries. Our poorest citizens are better off than the middle class and some considered rich in other nations.

As part of everyone's freedom, one has the right to choose whether to serve or not. Back in the 1960s, that right did not exist. I also have my right to an opinion. It seems to me, that those who post thread after thread about things wrong with this nation, such as the most recent fad, General Petraeus, that hundreds of thousands were out serving, some in foreign lands, risking their lives, and seperated from their families, while others were at college having a good old time, or in seminary in the safety of a campus pursuing their career.

I would really like to know, what gives anyone who did not serve the right to criticize anyone who did, such as General Petraeus, when they contributed nothing to the freedom and liberty of this nation. It mimics all of those who criticized Billy Graham, and probably they could count the people they have told about the Lord on two hands. Someone was out dying, being wounded, and defending freedom while others were learning Greek and Hebrew so they could put brilliant posts on Baptist Board.

Well said S/N!

Another thing one gets tired of hearing is how much the military is getting paid, and military retirement pay, and the burden on the US taxpayer. If one is a pastor, one is depending on the earnings of others on the membership roll to earn a living. Instead of gripeing about raising taxes to cover the cost of defending the nation, one preaches sermons about tithing and robbing God when the church revenue falls. Christian pastors in Eastern Europe, Russia, and the former Soviet states are concerned about their jobs, their families, and their very lives to preach the Gospel. Here, pastors are worried about Calvinism, Bible versions, if the air conditioner works, and the next pot luck

In my opinion the Churches would be better off if pastors worked for a living. This would eliminate the mega churches and people would be unable to hide in them..

The United States of America is the greatest nation ever. If you do not agree, I believe there are 187 different independent nations that one can become a citizen of.

I hereby invite all radical leftists who are ashamed of America to take a hike, especially those overpaid ???????????????? in hollywood!