America The Greatest Country?

Just watched the film SICKO and it kinda makes me think America has a lot to learn (granted its 5 years old and there may have been some positive changes)

People always say down with America, but what i think they don't understand is that by saying that they are saying down with over 150 nations. If America stopped exporting food most of the world nations would instantly starve.

Find me something other than defense spending as a % of GDP that we are #1 on the list of...other than maybe Gini coefficient (income inequality) among the more prominently-developed countries. Till then...no we are not the best. Middle of the pack.

Best GDP per capita? Luxembourg (~$90k per capita)
Best GNI (Gross National Income) per capita? Monaco
Literacy? 3 way tie between Luxembourg, Finland, Greenland (supposedly 100%, obviously these are statistical estimates)
Cleanest? Mostly smaller Scandanavian-area countries, but France is the most notable at #7.

The list goes on, but you would be hard-pressed to find any list that the US is on top of...maybe overall GDP but that's because they spend more money on defense (with no-bid contracts btw, so we're not getting the best price on a lot of it) than the rest of the world combined. I live here and can't really complain...but our freedom is not total. Most of us are slaves to an alarm clock and a boss. They just call it "freedom" because its not dictatorial. Our president has the right to assassinate any citizen or lock them up in jail for being a "spy" (Obama's excessive use of the Espionage Act of 1917, ie free Bradley Manning) and it can be argued that the legislative representation we fought so hard for in the Revolutionary War has been stripped away as evidenced by the 2000 election which was basically a coup d'état (I'm looking at you, Jeb and George W Bush).

I think the US anthem is one of the best. BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR! /tear

Isn't everyone a slave to an alarm clock and a boss?

Lol I did say MAY HAVE BEEN SOME, in any case it was a pretty shocking film

But do you like it enough that it is on your iPod?

You mean the freedoms slowly being taken away because the average American does not give time to pay attention to the people elected into office?

That video is spot on for most intents and purposes though. Except it being the fault of the current generation because America has been decaying for decades while people just stood there and let it happen. No one passed on the importance of morals and this is why we have ten-year-old kids talking to their parents like dirt. People always want the easiest way out for short-term gain, but neglect to realize that easy ways out come with long-term consequences. Look at food and how much garbage is in a majority of it that is actually very detrimental to your health by causing diseases and cancers.

There is really so much to be said, but I think it's wasted breath, (or typing rather), because no one gives a damn until it starts affecting them and they cannot ignore it any more at that point.

Not I sir. Not I.

Do you have some kind of income that is not provided by the government? Or are you your own boss?

I get away with doing more or less w/e the *** I want.

I haven't missed any deadlines either though, meh.

I own you and your desk... and don't you forget that...

right. I was deluded there for a moment. I'll get back to work.

(on that note, for anyone who used to listen to "love line" back in the day, adam carolla & dr. drew are doing that show again, in podcast form, making work fun the last few days. just a heads up for peps)

Contractor so self employed. Anyhow, I frankly believe it feels good to get up early and get some good hard work under your belt by days end. Either way everyone has a boss, contracts weather residential or commercial providing a service to appease the client who pay me therefore they are my bosses.

maybe you need some pepto...

This seems a little trivial to me, don't you think? Our world is a myriad collection of options and opportunity, regardless of the specific country you're looking at. I suppose I'm very gently trying to throw out the old "Don't like it? Don't live here" quote.

At the risk of stereotyping... is your hair dyed black or is your wallet attached to your pants by an extremely long chain? Does your wardrobe include anything with safety pins?

This is more accurate.

I prefer the club remix, "Star-Spangled Banner ft. Rihanna".

So basically if you critique America, get out?

Can't be that pessimistic if you still think you have a chance at getting laid...

more like if you hate it so much that it makes you sick and you talk about slitting your wrists why do you even want to live here?

Cause getting laid isn't a credit card swipe away.

Cmon, people act like if you really wanted to get laid there aren't avenues available for that kinda thing.

If he really wanted to slit his wrists well... we'd get some reading material in some far corner of the newspaper.

I guess if he wanted to make a statement he could drape himself in an American flag and set himself on fire. That'll get you national attention.

The point of the video is that things in America currently suck and chest thumping that "we're the best" is as dumb as saying "all is lost". Wanna fix the problem? Recognize we have one.