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Mr. B at USC

Is America the Greatest Country in the World?

Freedom is a wonderful thing, but upon reflecting on this question, I thought about this question: Is The United States the Greatest Country in the World? I encourage comments and discussion as long as it is kept civil.

Mr. B
1–2 minutes
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What does freedom mean to you?

Freedom means self-determination to me. Freedom means that we are free to succeed and also free to fail. You are free to stay, free to go, free to vote, or free to not.

U.S. Constitution


“You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make a good use of it.”

John Adams

We give up certain amounts of freedom for protection. This protection is then provided by the governmemt. When government works well, it infringes least on individual freedoms.

“A general Dissolution of Principles & Manners will more surely overthrow the Liberties of America than the whole Force of the Common Enemy.”

Samuel Adams

Statue of Samuel Adams

Anyone up for a political discussion?

America is not the greatest country in the world speech from The Newsroom

What do you think of my definition of freedom? How does it fit with your definition? Is America the greatest country in the world? Agree or disagree?

27 responses to “Is America the Greatest Country in the World?”

  1. pghjoseph Avatar
    pghjoseph

    Very nice blog post! Please keep up the good work.

    Reply
  2. Susan Taylor Avatar
    Susan Taylor

    I wonder if there might be an even better question: Is the USA all it can be? After all, deciding which is the greatest country is going to be very subjective. But asking how we can be the best version of the USA? That inspires me to think creatively. Might even write a post about it. Thanks for asking the question.

    Reply
    1. Mr. B Avatar
      Mr. B

      That is a great question! I suppose your answer would depend on your viewpoint and experience. Be sure to share a link on this thread with what you write! I am glad I was able to inspire you!

      Reply
  3. I.V. Greco Avatar
    I.V. Greco

    Powerful video. How does one measure greatness in a country? Even when the gentleman said it used to be great, maybe he was being nostalgic for a simpler time. But was it great? Remember until the 1960’s minorities and women were not treated equally to white men and there is still progress to be made in that regard. Despite what we hear, there was and still is a lot of poverty. But if greatness means opportunity, then it is up there among other democratic nations. All nations have their problems, but what makes them great or the greatest? I think the values and ideals the country stands for and the U.S. does have those but those values and ideals need to be guarded and lived up to.

    Reply
    1. Mr. B Avatar
      Mr. B

      After World War II geopolitically there was no one close to us economically, militarily as a nation. To me that is what he is speaking of, but even then as you point out, it certainly left much to be desired in regards to Civil Rights at home. I also like how you have deepened the discussion with the idea of what makes a nation great as a somewhat subjective criteria. Thanks for the thoughtful comment.

      Reply
      1. I.V. Greco Avatar
        I.V. Greco

        Maybe the word should be the most “powerful” nation? A good discussion and glad to have a say.

      2. Mr. B Avatar
        Mr. B

        I thought it would make for some good food for thought. We will see if it picks up some steam.

  4. I.V. Greco Avatar
    I.V. Greco

    Good post.

    Reply
    1. Mr. B Avatar
      Mr. B

      Thanks!

      Reply
      1. I.V. Greco Avatar
        I.V. Greco

        You’re welcome.

  5. ordinarilyjustme Avatar
    ordinarilyjustme

    I really enjoyed that clip by Jeff Daniels. It is so accurate!

    Reply
    1. Mr. B Avatar
      Mr. B

      Thanks! When you dig into the numbers, it can be quite eye opening. I think the geography, opportunity, and diversity of the U.S. is difficult to match in any other country regardless of economic statistics, but when people don’t go to the doctor because it is too expensive in the richest country in the world…..many apt students do not go to college because of the cost…..daycare expenses are more than a mortgage….it makes it hard to say definitively the U.S.A. is the best country in the world.

      Reply
      1. ordinarilyjustme Avatar
        ordinarilyjustme

        So very true. Then there is the question of who is actually running the country, big pharma, or big corporations like Amazon, especially when we look at those aforementioned services.

      2. Mr. B Avatar
        Mr. B

        In a lot of ways, we are victims of our own success. The founders of the Constitution could not have imagined the country would become what it is today economically and technologically. The wealthy and elites still dominated government during that time, but they could only reach so far. Now, there really is not limit to how much influence the wealthy and corporations can wield over government. They have become one in the same for better or worse. Thanks for the comment 🙂

  6. GP Avatar
    GP

    USA is the best. When you consider the alternatives.

    Reply
    1. Mr. B Avatar
      Mr. B

      What would you say makes the U.S.A. the greatest country in the world? In my heart, I agree with that statement, but when one looks at the quality of life index, U.S.A. is not #1 in many categories (https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/rankings/quality-of-life).

      Reply
      1. GP Avatar
        GP

        Our country has the best and easiest way to make change – sometimes that’s not so smart – but we try. Besides it is beautiful, truly from sea to shining sea.

      2. Mr. B Avatar
        Mr. B

        I think the geography is second to none. Sweden may have better health care, but they don’t have California sunny beaches and relatively temperate winters and summers.

        I think our system of governmemt is too easily corrupted given the current wealth gaps. A billionaire can donate so much more to a political campaign than a worker. I see this as our central problem and the checks and balances from 1788 may mot be enough to hold such massive wealth in check. As John Brennan said, “The greatest threat to Anerican security is the three miles sureounding the capitol.”

      3. GP Avatar
        GP

        Oh, I agree. D.C. needs a good cleaning!!

      4. Mr. B Avatar
        Mr. B

        It’s as bad as the Gilded Age 🙂

  7. rebuilding rob Avatar
    rebuilding rob

    That clip from The Newsroom should be shown in every civics, every social studies, every political science, every US history and every US government class taught in the United States. Forever.

    Reply
    1. Mr. B Avatar
      Mr. B

      Agreed, if more voters had a better command of these realities, it might lead to better voting outcomes and a more realistic view of the countries identity. I know of one social studies teacher who shows it every class, every year😉

      Reply
      1. rebuilding rob Avatar
        rebuilding rob

        Glad to hear it!

      2. Mr. B Avatar
        Mr. B

        You know!

  8. williams25nicola Avatar
    williams25nicola

    🤔🤔

    Reply
  9. someonelikeyou52 Avatar
    someonelikeyou52

    A cosmopolitan response to Mr B:
    https://someonelikeyou52.wordpress.com/2024/05/28/is-america-the-greatest-country-in-the-worldo-elo/

    Reply
    1. Mr. B Avatar
      Mr. B

      Indeed… very cosmopolitan😁

      Reply

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