Is America the greatest country in the world?

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

HesCalledDyer said:

I like this graphic.  It's a bit self-absorbed that we, citizens of these United States, simply refer to our nation as "America" when America is actually the name of the totality of the land consisting of the continents of North and South America.  We think we're so great that we just take the name and use it for ourselves exclusively, essentially excusing every other nation in the New World as if they're not Americans, too.

I don't like that graphic, just because it doesn't match reality. No North American other than those from the USA refer to themselves as American. In fact, most would be insulted if someone insisted on calling them American, just like an American wouldn't be cool with being called, say, Peruvian. I don't think of the term "American" as having been appropriated from the rest of us at all. I think it is just short for the United States of America". I totally don't think of it in terms of Americans thinking they're so great they can "steal" the term from everyone else in N and S America. I think we are all very happy having our own more unique national identities. I have absolutely no desire to be grouped into such a vague and undefined definition as American, in that context. It's a great name for those from the USA though. Very clean. Plus, if everyone in the Americas are American, wtf do we call Americans? United Statites? United States of Americans? Lol, it just don't role off the tongue.

I can't see the graphic at work (images are always blocked). But I still think it's odd that the US kind of appropriated it from everyone else, but at the same time, it makes no difference to me, as I don't want to be referred to as the Canadians of the Americas. 

you have to admit it makes little sense. 

you have North America. 
you have South America. 
you have America, which is one third of North America. 
What? but teacher, that doesn't make sense!
Shut up Johhny, that's just how it is. don't question it. 

I makes sense because the United States of America is the only country in North or South America with the word America right in its name.

yes, United States of America makes sense. or more, if it was called United States of the Americas, but either way, I'm saying calling it "America" outright is what doesn't make sense. Anyone from another planet learning about our geography would probably surmise that calling something "America" would be an area encompassing both North and South America, not being a part of one of them. The logical assumption, without seeing a map, but seeing the names on paper, would be "isn't North America where Minnesota is?". 

I understand your logic. I just don't agree. I think it makes sense in real life terms, which are really all that matter at the end of the day. I'm not too concerned about what aliens might think about it. The terms is now firmly rooted in the vernacular of North and South Americans, and I figure that is all that really counts. 

well of course it is. it's just a hypothetical discussion. it doesn't bother me on a day to day basis. 

no, I'm not concerned about what aliens might think about it. I was speaking in terms of a person who had no previous knowledge of our geography, but someone (not a child) who would have the aptitude to think critically about it. 

from now on I'm going to refer to Canada as the United Provinces of America.

And I figure they should change us on the west coast to British American, lol.

jeffbr said:

ledvedderman said:

Adult life isn't as easy as, "if you don't like it here, then move". There's aging family. There's children. Professions. Friends. It isn't as easy as you try to make it seem. America is a good place to live, but with all of our problems, I hope that this isn't the greatest because surely someplace is more together than us at the moment. 

Agreed. And you should also add immigration laws to your list above. Vancouver is a short distance from me, and I'd be more than happy to live and work in BC, but relocating is not an easy proposition unless I was independently wealthy or had some sort of specialized skill that was in demand. My grandmother was born in Sweden, and I always thought that would be an interesting and beautiful place to live, but again, I have no idea how I'd pull that off. So in many ways, we are born into our situation, and changing it isn't simply a matter of packing up and moving.

rustneversleeps said:

God Bless America

rustneversleeps said:

rgambs said:

http://www.yaggicheesehouse.com

its Yagi. get it right.

brianlux said:

OK, let's settle this once and for all.  First of all, there are only two countries, The Giant Cat and Australia.   The Cat has tormented Australia for centuries and yet, this marvelous country down under has persevered. 

Australia for the win!

rgambs said:

Annafalk said:

Isn't it a positive thing to sing the national anthem? Isn't it a good thing to be proud over your country? 

Mostly not.
Nationalism is always a part of the preparation for war, and it is divisive.  
It leads to all sorts of discrimination and ill feeling toward foreigners, and what good comes from it?