Can someone tell me why Americans think that America is the best country in the world? Aside from the massive propaganda machine of course

It seems like there's a lot that is not that great:

Poverty, poor education, expensive healthcare, massive rates of incarceration, rampant obesity, huge hard drug imports, incredible racial tension.
I mean, the US is a developed nation for crying out loud.

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originalGOS · 26-30, F

I think because of the freedom that we have, a lot of other countries lack.

MetalGreymon · 36-40, M

Not compared to most other developed nations.
I know "muh freedoms" is a big part of the propaganda, but are you really more free than Canada, Uk, Germany, Netherlands etc?

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

Like what?

All developed western countries have personal freedom and democracy.

originalGOS · 26-30, F

@UnparalleledMonster: Well, looking at it on a global scale, we still have a lot of freedoms.

Ynotisay · M

@gettingovershit: You are 100% correct. Far more people live under repressive governments than they do in free and open democracies.

MetalGreymon · 36-40, M

@gettingovershit:

Sure. But so do all those other countries. So what does that actually count for if you're comparing them?

originalGOS · 26-30, F

@UnparalleledMonster: Like someone already mentioned before, having patriotism isn't something unique to the US. Yes, I do agree, us Americans probably scream it the loudest, but again, it's not like people in Germany don't have the same patriotism.
We are aware of the issues we have here, but still love our country. I don't see the problem with that. Why are you so critical of the US anyway?

originalGOS · 26-30, F

No country is flawless.

MetalGreymon · 36-40, M

@gettingovershit:

You can still love your country. You should just have a realistic view of it.
I'm critical of it because as you say, america screams it the loudest.

originalGOS · 26-30, F

Did you apply for a visa and got denied?

MetalGreymon · 36-40, M

@gettingovershit:

Nope. I really don't want to live in the US. I live in the socialist republic of Canada lol

originalGOS · 26-30, F

@UnparalleledMonster: Great! So, why complain? :)

MetalGreymon · 36-40, M

@gettingovershit:

I just told you. Because of how loudly america trumpets its greatness.
It's like that douche who always tells everyone how great he is because he's rich even though he's a total scumbag.
lol a lot like Trump, now that i think of it

Ynotisay · M

@UnparalleledMonster: Out of curiosity, have you ever been to the U.S.? Did you have a particularly bad experience?

originalGOS · 26-30, F

@Ynotisay: That's what I'm trying to understand. Why all the hate?

Ynotisay · M

@gettingovershit: I can't say it's the case here but usually hate comes from things people fear or don't understand.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@Ynotisay: I'm a European and I've been to America a few times. I politically prefer Europe, culturally prefer America and the people are a mixed bag in both.

Inparralled Monster does have a point though. The American exceptionalism thing is a bit annoying and a lot you compatriots feel that way.

Ynotisay · M

@Burnley123: I'm not saying it isn't a valid point, and expressed my thoughts elsewhere in this thread, but we are talking about a nation of 320 million people, you know? The one size fits all argument doesn't quite fly for me.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@Ynotisay: Yeah it would have been a more technically accurate post if he's said "a lot of Americans" at the start.