Nice essay.

I finished reading it, saw the review number, and went gaga. So I naturally had to read the reviews and see what everyone was talking about.

I seriously think the reviews here are more interesting than the essay. S.T. Lawrence was making some great points. Hallelujah! Finally someone who speaks sense! Thank you to all the reviewers, whether or not you're English Bloke, Australian Guy, or Kevin (was there a Kevin). It doesn't matter that I disagree with most of you. I just had so much fun reading all your debates ^^. Interesting seeing different people's views and points (or lack thereof).

Anyways, interesting essay. I wouldn't necessarily say that the U.S. is the best country, but I think people don't give it the credit it deserves. So much anti-American sentiment going on right now--which is understandable, given the current issues, but people don't investigate the issues enough. They just react.

Happy debating, everyone! (Assuming people are still reviewing--I didn't actually check when the last review was submitted) :)

You do have a point with there being a best. But's it's not forever. America's has it's time. What was the best country in the past. Once upon a time it was England. Once it was Germany. America may be in the spotlight now but who's to say that won't change. The same goes for the Pulitzer Prize winners. Yes, they won, yes they're the best. For now. See those are the key words. On comes along someone better the following year, and guess who it goes to next. There are MANY good countries, just like there are MANY Pulitzer Prize winners.
It's obvious that someone slipped a little too much patriotism into your sewage system. You can like your country, maybe even LOVE it but all your doing is shoving down our throats that it's the best and trying to validate it in every way possible by dumping on other countries. I mean, I like Canada. I think it's fine. I know it's not the best and even if it was in the running for being the best, I wouldn't be soo involved in convincing the world that is, in fact, THE best. You like it, I think it's fine. That's the way it is.

You have valid points but unless everyone stops hating America, you're not correct. Everyone can't possibly have blind hatred for your country, can they? There has to be SOMETHING they're resentful for. And until America can fix that, I and MANY others will remain unconvinced and it still won't be the best, as you say.

I kind of blanked out at the title and screamed WTF? But I will admit that it compelled me to look at this further. You seem to quote this D'Souza dude a lot. Maybe he is an immigrant living in America, maybe he does a have a nice good life and even enjoys living in the States... but, yes there's always a but, all of those things ring true for Canada. Where I'm from... We may not be involved in wars all that much but we do live for peace. Yes, the peaceful ones, that's us. Maybe that's why people like Canadians better?

I'd also like to add that, I think America's an ok place. I mean, I know I won't get shot up if I hop on over to the other side of the border. But I like Canada better, plus we have a free health system. Beat that!
And you mentioned Somalia! Yeah, my country has one word. It's true Jackson definitely wouldn't be wanted over there. In fact, I'm pretty sure he'd be shot down first thing. Since it is currently in a state of chaos. I guess certain types of people ARE safer there.

The United States is great enough country to influence everyone else in media, power and everything else basically. Yes, other countries 'copy' America. I'm still not convinced that it's the best country in the world.

Every country has flaws. But I'd say you guys have A LOT. I mean, going off to bomb "possible" enemies can hardly give the States a good name. Plus, all that babble about Muslims, it doesn't help us to believe we'd be safe there. By the way, D'Souza needs to learn a bit more about Islam, the veil was nor ever will be a requirement. So please, refrain from the "women are free here in the US" garbage.

I'm just glad Bush is out of the way, Obama certainly does sound a lot better. Let's hope he stays that way. The United States may be okay for your average ordinary person like me. But not for a lot of other people. Especially someone with the name... let's say Mohamed. Won't they check his luggage a few times over, maybe question him a minute or two?

You could be right. Just not now, maybe someday the States will reach it's full potential and manage world domination. For now though, I'm not entirely convinced "America IS the Greatest Country in the World."

=)

I wouldn't say that this essay is totally without flaws or imperfections, but then again, is there ever a political essay that is? I commend you for your patriotism and courage to write such a piece.
Yes, America has its faults. But which country doesn't? Let's give some credit to Her: I have no doubt that if other nations were placed in America's shoes, they themselves would be facing the same 'moral decline' and unavoidable criticism from their counterparts. No country is, or will ever be, a utopia. So I say we quit the blaming game; it brings nothing but discord and resentment among us. But this is not to say that we don't try to make the world a better place. Let's start by doing our part; for why do we complain of others' imperfections when they're very much the same as ours?

Well, I'm sorry for being half Chinese.

America is not the greatest country in the world, I am sorry to say. America is filled with drug addicts and hit and run drivers, but I guess everywhere has it. We are one of the most powerful countries in the world, I must say, but what the heck? America is living high and mighty, and guess what? People in Africa are suffering from a genocide, aka another Holocaust. And what is America doing? Making news out of stupid celebrities who are breaking up and doing inappropriate acts. How can you say that an ignorant and materialistic country is the greatest civilization out there? And this comes from someone who is born and raised an American.

Good on the US for responding to a disaster. I agree, the problems with DART were very embarasing! The Canadian Military is too inefficient.

Here's something about the World Bank and The International Monetary Fund, part of the agreement with countries is that they open their borders to foreign goods. This means that when American (or Canadian or British, etc.) companies have surplusses of goods (like coffee or beans) they can dump them into those countries. This means that they undersell local producers of those goods and drive the local growers out of buisness. Even is the disire to help is real, loans from the IMF or the World Bank usually end up destroying the local ecconomy. For more information see http://w.makepovertyhistory.org/

Defeating the Soviet Union? When was there a defeat? The cold war wasn't a real war, it refers to a period of tension. The USSR fell because of internal problems and the work of people like Pope John-Paul II. America, although a major player in opposing (not fighting) the Soviet Union, outlasted more then defeated the USSR.

Interesting ending... poweful if crude.

Well, I can't say that I'm not glad that I finished reading this essay. You should be proud, this essay (the first chapter specifically) is the target (not normally the word I'd use but it fits here) of my longest review. Although your pride should be checked by the fact that it is long because of the flaws in your essay.

In all honesty, you've given me things to think about. I pray that you'll be able to say the same of me.

Goodday,

The-Duke-of-Charles

Note to self... don't jump from 100 stories up. Got it.

Moving on.

I get it, you can prove things just with information. OK. If you read my last two reviews I've pointed out many many (I think I'll add another) many places where your information is incomplete or incorect.

It's funny, when dismissing the "anybody can claim their country is best" argument you dismiss the idea of a relative or personal idea of best saying that their is ultimatly one definative best. You, however, seem to have no objection to personal or relative bests when they prove your point: you mention that the best car is based on tastes meaning that there is a best car for everybody and not one BEST CAR period; you mention the best book, a subjective point; the best school, subjective (best academically, athleticly, artistically, socialy, geographically) each of your points in the early part of this chapter deals with a relative best, then, in the middle of the chapter, you dismiss relative bests. Please, for the purposes of writing an essay, try to make a consistant point.

Correction, the purpose of this essay is not to " determine which country that is through Observation and Study" it is to find points that back-up the decision that you've already made.

I have been presenting counterpoints and corrections of false information, not what you would call "stupid arguments."

Just thought I'd assure you that there are quite valad reasons why your essay's theis is incorrect.

No one's asking you to appologise for being american. I would accept it if you did though!

Please let me ask a question. Canada is a free nation, how does it owe that freedom to the United States? The last action the United States took to shape Canadian freedom was in 1812 when they declared war! Canada then defeated the United States. To be quite honest, Britian has had much more influence shaping Canada than the US.

Oh dear! another problem... Canada also labours to bring people here when they need medical treatment (for example many children from Afganistan [a country the US is not helping to rebuild] have been brought here for treatemnt), just for the record, just because you havn't heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

And what, are you bashing socialised medicare? Your suggesting that making sure EVERYONE has access to health care is a bad thing. Not forcing people who can't affort treatment suffer is no longer a good thing? Oh, and for the record, a recent study showed that the Canadian medicare systems (for about the same cost) was more efficient than the American system.

I'll close with a question: is it too much to ask that you base your oppinions and essays on facts?

I'm gald to hear that you support pride in your nation, that's good! I'm Canadian and very proud of my country.Here's the thing. We all love our country (well, most of us). Its important to value your country and its values, but to say that we're 'the best in the world' is far to much of a blanket statment. You can be the best in certain areas but you're not the best at everything. Just something to consider.

Now on to the details (I love rebutles):Social Mobilities? Good point! Only, not quite. Sure you can advance in society but that's not unique. Advancement (And the ability to become a Tycoon as you seem to thing is a great thing) is not a unique thing, its more or less the same in western culture. How is the United State's advancment oppertunities different than Canada or England?

Yep, the US is good for respecting workers. Thats why Wal Mart opens up to beat small buisness out and then closes at the slightest hint of the formation of a Union. Sorry, you're right. As a society (not corporations mind you) workers are valued. Canada is the same. I hate to say it, but Canada and the US are very similar. You aren't the only nation on the continent (not to accuse you personally of anything).

If the rich guy isn't different in any fundamental sense, why have you made such a big deal about the oppurtunity to become rich?

Yep, the US does have a long life expectancy (77.85 years acording to the CIA world fact book). Yet Canada, the UK, and France (the latter two being *gasp* europian nations) have longer life expectancies, 80.22, 78.85 and 79.73 years respectivly. Again, your good but by no means are you the only ones who enjoy a long life expectancy.

You're fighting racism, yes and that's very good. You realised the error of your ways and are reversing them. Excellent. What about homophobia? How about putting that on the agenda for ellimination?

I'm sorry, I need to pause. So far, I've thought that you made some very interesting points but you've just officially offended me. I just read your comments on how "We've savedthe world from Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan and Soviet totalitarianism." Excuse me, but it was Germany fighting the allies, not the US. The US was part of the allies (ONLY AFTER THEY WERE ATTACKED, STAYING OUT OF THE WAR FOR 2 FULL YEARS BEFORE JOINING). Other allied countries included England, Canada, Russia (Yes, communist Russia) and several others. Let me say this, the United States has no right to say that they "saved the world from Nazi Germany" they participated and did great things but DO NOT EVER credit the United States with being the ONLY ones who fought in World War Two.

OK, I'm calm again. I've braced myself for more.

OK, this point made me think. The point about abstaining is a good one. America doesn't collonize. That's true. But to claim that they go to war over morality as opposed to self interest is going a bit to far. If the US is truly out to stop tyrannical dictatorships and halt human rights abuses then why aren't American forces in North Korea, Haiti and other countries around the world? Morality is not pick-and-choose. You can't claim to be acting for the good of humanity when it only applies to parts of humanity.

Let me make myself clear. The United States is NOT alone in this. This is an international problem. I don't claim that Canada or any other nation on earth is doing this. I'm not claiming suppiriority, I'm saying that you're in no way suppirior. We SHOULD be doing this but aren't; this is a matter of international concern.

America was very good about supplying food to Afghan civilians while they were bombing. Very true. Yet US forces left shorly after they had defeated the Taliban regime. They went to go fight in Iraq, leaving it to other nations to save the Afghan people from starvation and the war-lords that American forces hadn't removed. The US left years ago. Al-qaeda is still attacking International forces. The US did not even manage to rid Afghanistan of Al-qeada, let alone the rest of the world. My point is that the US is not a nation that lasts things out. It may attack for good reasongs (I don't think it does but it could) but it doesn't finish the job.

I'm glad that you feel strongly about your country. I ask, however, that you don't simply dismiss my comments as those of some stupid Candaian hippie. Please give my coments thought (feel free to contact me and discuss this).

Also, my advice would be to quote more than one source in future, it stregnthens your case.

Keep writing, and keep thinking (wheter I agree with your thoughts or not, at least you [unlike many in the world] are writing essays and expressing your oppinon)!

-The-Duke-of-Charles

History check: the first republics was not America, it was Rome and Greece! England had a civil war in the 1640s and became a republic and the Netherlands were also a republic before America!

Well, I agree completely with what you say in this essay. Even though I am a american citizen and ardent patriot doesn't make me biased, because I know when I am reading something that the author really knows what he is writing about. You present amazing points, and you should not take most of the crap that you are getting for reviews. Stick to your beliefs, not the ignorant beliefs of others. Bravo admiral, I salute you.

Awesome essay. That's the only way to describe it. When I looked at this, I thought it would be a rant about how America is better than any other country because our Army can whoop them or something of the sort.

Instead, I found something pleasant. You not only stated that America is the best country, but you also stated that it has its flaws, and you supported everything with opinions of an immigrant, which makes you think deeper about the words than if it had been simply stated by a red-blooded American.

We have so much more than people in other parts of the world do. In fact, I would go so far to say that we live a life of luxery. It's a shame that nobody is thankful for what they have.

Beautifully written, and very convincing. There may be some things spotty about America, but it's still a great nation.

Cool way of making people write you reviews XDD But you put a lot of effort behind it...