Too often these days we read how other major powers are taking over, surpassing us in so many areas, and eating our lunch. There is some truth that China, in particular, is seemingly making great strides in replacing the U.S. as the “go-to” country, and challenging the worldwide dominance we have enjoyed since the fall of the USSR in 1991.
But lest we forget – – –
No other country comes close to rivaling us in so many areas. The U.S. is, by far, the most secure country in the world. Our East and West flanks are protected by vast oceans, our North and South are occupied by major friends and trading partners but also protected by a large desert in the south and rugged terrain and giant lakes in the north. Here in the U.S. we have thousands of miles of navigable rivers and lakes crisscrossing the country, and tens of thousands of miles of interstate highways, an air traffic system reaching far and isolated regions, and a rail system, long neglected, but having great potential. All giving us unique and efficient transportation and communication channels. We have varied and ideal temperate climates and vast arable lands capable of feeding our entire country, and friends and neighbors to boot. Even the jet stream blows to our advantage. We are self sufficient in energy fuels and blest with large deposits of essential minerals and critical raw materials. We have major industrial clout and top notch institutions of higher learning. We have a large, diverse and skilled population and, unlike so many industrialized nations, our age distribution is not foreseen as a critical or unmanageable concern. We have demonstrated in two world wars the ability to rapidly marshal our resources to meet and defeat any military challenge to ourself or to our allies. Our world class navy protects our shores and provides security at sea for the world over. We are a moral country with high values, enviable freedoms, a durable constitution and an honored rule of law.
We are still the world’s greatest nation- – – – and our greatest potential lies ahead. Sometimes we forget how blest we really are, how much we can do, what difference we can make in the world – – – if we put our mind and energy into it.
And yes, many of us are less than happy about our leadership today which seems to have turned political sparing with one another into a national sport, giving short change to the rebuilding we need domestically and the challenges we face globally. Too many rely on our government for needs they can provide for themselves. Too many are eroding the hard-working American value tradition that made this country the envy it is the world over. Too much attention is placed on obsessing with past wrongs instead of planning and preparing for a brighter future. Too much time is spent on divisive issues best handled by the family, the church and the doctor.
Only we, the people, can remedy all these things – – – at the ballot box.
Our chance will come in 2024.
– – – – -Just the view of a common man
Views of a Common Man 
I was impressed with Ollie’s optimism on America. We often need to be
reminded that despite our many downfalls and problems, there is still no
better place on this Earth to live than the good old USA. And that is also
one of our biggest problems. There are many who want to strip us of what
we have. The top dog is always under attack, and we are by far the biggest
target around.
We certainly are not perfect. Statistics themselves are extremely reliable;
however, it’s their interpretation that can be flawed. Nevertheless the
following statistics are offered confirming that we do have some issues that
need to be resolved. For example, America’s health care costs are the
highest out of 48 countries. Life expectancy in the United States ranks 46th
out of 193. In student math performance, America comes in at number 39
out of 71 countries. In reading, the United States ranks 24th out of 71 countries.
In obesity, the U.S. rank is 35th out of 44 countries. The percentage of people
living in poverty puts America at number 127 out of 172. It is really an enigma
why we even have people who are homeless or go hungry in this country.
Without minimizing the poverty and homeless issues or how many poor and
underprivileged there are in this country, realistically the poor in the US are
richer than the poor of just about any country. They are actually richer than
the rich in some countries.
On the other hand, in median household income America ranks fourth out of
36 countries. As for doctorates per capita, its rank is fourth of 35 countries.
The country ranks 12th out of 180 in terms of internet speed. The country does
rank second out of 154 countries in international patent applications. In terms
of happiness, America’s rank is 24th out of 95.
We are great for many reasons: Our constitution, our freedom, our people,
and our opportunities.
The First Amendment of our Constitution and Freedom:
In many countries, speaking out against the government, or even writing blog
posts such as this one, are cause enough for imprisonment at best and death at
worst. We can protest peacefully with signs in the street, and even publicly
write an opinion about how we think that our leaders are dirtbags or criminals.
More importantly we still have the freedom to practice our religious beliefs. The
First Amendment to our Constitution guarantees these rights. It is arguably the
greatest contribution to freedom in the history of the world since the Magna
Carta was signed.
The Second Amendment of our Constitution and People
Tradition holds that Japan’s Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto said during WWII, “You
cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every
blade of grass.” Whether the quote is accurate or not, the idea is still true to an
extent today. It’s estimated that one in three households in the USA has guns.
Most Americans are eager to help their neighbor, and are excellent ambassadors
for this land of the free. We are passionate about our patriotism, and even though
many of us differ in ideology, we want America to be the best version of herself
possible. We want America to be the vibrant, charming beauty that we know her
to be.
Our Land
Ollie is correct. There is no other country on the face of the Earth with the natural
resources and variety of climates and land types that we have. Not only do we have
this vast and beautiful land, but we can travel freely to any of them without passports,
papers or any other restrictions. As far as natural resources, no other landmass, let
alone country, on the planet compares in the slightest to what we have here. We sit
on top of the largest deposits of oil and natural gas anywhere. Our timber is practically
unrivaled. The list goes on and on.
Opportunity
In many countries, the caste or social status you are born into is where you will remain
for life. America, though, is the land of opportunity. You can still go from rags to riches
in the USA if you have the desire and drive to do so.
Again, we are not perfect, but as Franklin Roosevelt said, “The greatness of America
lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to
repair her faults”.
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Thanks Jeanette, You add so much to any subject and it is really appreciated. I
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