http://m.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/07/03/the-u-s-soccer-team-is-not-no-1-and-neither-is-the-united-states-according-to-amerbicans/?tid=pm_politics_pop
This post leads to an interesting point. Fewer people believe that the United States is number one.
There are a few different ways to take this.
United States is number one...as in superior to all others? Well, that makes us sound like we're telling other countries we're better than them. We're taught that people are equal, and all people should be afforded the respect owed for being a person. It suggests we have a moral high ground. It suggests we're conceited and others are lesser. Who wants to spout that? Does that mean we don't appreciate our country? No...we just don't want to be disrespectful or pompous.
United States is number one...in intelligence? Haha, don't make us laugh. We have the opportunity to learn a great deal and be as educated as we choose. However, our academic ranking is sadly lacking compared to other countries.
We have the opportunity to grow and accomplish much if we work hard. At least according to the American Dream...I'm not so sure that's completely true anymore. However that was the idea of our country when our forefathers collaborated. I, however, do not believe that the government works for the people anymore. They overtax everyone and then throw our tax money away for things we never wanted. They overspend. They keep the individual down best they can to keep us dependent on them. The government is no better now than the "repressive tax-crazed Britains" were when we fought for our independence. Maybe it's a cynical worldview of my nation. I'm thankful for so much about living in the United States...but it's far from the utopia that people paint. It's not perfect. Nothing is perfect that is ran by greedy people...
What the United States does have going for it is the freedoms we have obtained through our independence. We are, perhaps, the most free. What other country could I be allowed to say this without repercussions?
What I don't believe in is our government that desires nothing more than to control everything. Through my education I was taught to question authority and fight for what I believe in.
I'm thankful to be a part of this nation. I believe in the potential. I believe in the hope for a truly remarkable education system. I believe in the military who fight to keep us safe and a free nation. I believe that sometimes fighting is necessary to keep freedoms. And I believe that we have the potential and capacity to help others that need and ask for help. I believe that in order to truly believe in our great nation (which it is, though perhaps not superior) we must help and show affection for our fellow peoples.
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