The greatest nation on earth

[georgwilhelm**]

Apparently, all US politicians, left or right, are unable to conclude a speech or political discussion of major relevance without referring to the US as "the greatest nation on earth". The omnipresence of this notion is stunning. Leaving out the superlative (and only speaking of a great nation or a nation to be proud of or a particularly great nation etc) seems to be suspect, its outright denial would probably not only end a political career but trigger a myriad of hate mail.

As I am not American I am genuinely interested: What is this claim based upon.

 

[Big Sissy]

The freedom our government pretends we have

 

[mrsinister]

Because America saved the world in WWII.

Without us we'd all be speaking German and at least half the planet would just be blue-eyed, blonde-haired assholes.

As payment, the rest of the world has to kiss our asses for at least another century.

 

[heavyarms21]

Because the US has the largest scope of influence , and lately to me it seems most people from outside the US either love or hate us

 

[Araz ParazIT]

Because America saved the world in WWII.

Without us we'd all be speaking German and at least half the planet would just be blue-eyed, blonde-haired assholes.

As payment, the rest of the world has to kiss our asses for at least another century.

hairy asshole sucks, it doesnt matter if they're blonde or otherwise...

 

[tkotom]

Because America saved the world in WWII.

Don't agree with this, never will.

It was a team effort. To claim the victory as your own is quite unbecoming.

 

[mrsinister]

Don't agree with this, never will.

It was a team effort. To claim the victory as your own is quite unbecoming.

We were the most important player, so we get most of the spoils. The other guys get some credit, too. That's why we let Britain and France have submarines.

 

[Son of Jamin]

Don't agree with this, never will.

It was a team effort. To claim the victory as your own is quite unbecoming.

Exactly, especially the UK and Russia have a big part in this.

Sadly, Sweden's efforts was mostly to aid Hitler, which according to some contributed to the prolonging of the war. :icon_sad:

 

[tkotom]

We were the most important player, so we get most of the spoils. The other guys get some credit, too. That's why we let Britain and France have submarines.

Um.. Soviet Union was clearly the most important player along with the British and US. Not sure where you learned your history but I suggest you read up on it. Russia took the brunt of the German elite and most of the other countries were in the war far longer than the US.

American played a large part but brushing off the other forces just sounds like you've been brainwashed or something.

 

[heavyarms21]

I think the most important part of the European Theater of the War was Russia holding Stalingrad , but on the other side of the world the US was the only country with the resources to take on Japan's Empire in the Pacific Island Hopping Campaign.

 

[PalharesIsHulk**]

Don't agree with this, never will.

It was a team effort. To claim the victory as your own is quite unbecoming.

Excellent post.

We were the most important player, so we get most of the spoils. The other guys get some credit, too. That's why we let Britain and France have submarines.

Educate yourself, you deluded bastard.

 

[Judo Thai Boxer]

Because America saved the world in WWII.

Without us we'd all be speaking German and at least half the planet would just be blue-eyed, blonde-haired assholes.

As payment, the rest of the world has to kiss our asses for at least another century.

The US did not save the world in WWII. If you'd had any history lessons in your life on the subject then you'd know that Germany would never be able to overcome Russia and would be swarmed by sheer numbers eventually. The US saved many lives and shortened the war but no way did they save the world.

 

[tkotom]

That's why we let Britain and France have submarines.

You wouldn't exist if it wasn't for the French. Some mutual respect is in order i'd say.

 

[mrsinister]

Um.. Russia was clearly the most important player. Not sure where you learned your history but I suggest you read up on it.

American played a large part but brushing off the other forces just sounds like you've been brainwashed or something.

Nope. Not even close. Russia lost the most casualties because it sucked. Doesn't make it the most important.

It's military production that made the difference, and the U.S. dwarfed everyone else.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_production_during_World_War_II

 

[tkotom]

Nope. Not even close. Russia lost the most casualties because it sucked. Doesn't make it the most important.

It's military production that made the difference, and the U.S. dwarfed everyone else.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_production_during_World_War_II

I'm not even gonna bother.

My comments end here.

 

[MortalWombat]

Politicians will politic.

Patriotism and nationalism are easy cards to play since they only really annoy foreigners, and are instant vote winners with some people.

What might annoy foreigners more is that it's actually arguably true in the case of the US. Economically, politically, culturally, it's been the clear prime force. No one gets offended when the Australian treasurer says that about Australia, they just think he's a dork or likes the beach and bbq's a lot. But when a US politician says it... It's okay to be great, but nobody likes a braggart.

 

[AgeofEmpires2**]

The nation that has the best government money can buy.

 

[MortalWombat]

Militarily too.

 

[Tyrannosaurus rex]

Politicians will politic.

Patriotism and nationalism are easy cards to play since they only really annoy foreigners, and are instant vote winners with some people.

What might annoy foreigners more is that it's actually arguably true in the case of the US. Economically, politically, culturally, it's been the clear prime force. No one gets offended when the Australian treasurer says that about Australia, they just think he's a dork or likes the beach and bbq's a lot. But when a US politician says it... It's okay to be great, but nobody likes a braggart.

Economically a prime force? The USA has a huge debt. And fairly high unemployment.
Culturally? Just a matter of opinion really. But the USA has huge crime rates, every moron can buy a gun. Those are things a lot of people dislike about the USA.

I'm not saying the USA isn't a great country, but let's not pretend it's the best place in the world to live, because it's not objectively true.

 

[Flash_Monsta]

Because America saved the world in WWII.

Without us we'd all be speaking German and at least half the planet would just be blue-eyed, blonde-haired assholes.

As payment, the rest of the world has to kiss our asses for at least another century.

Lol, not sure if serious.
Germany was spreading its forces to far and thin, and would have eventually lost the war. To claim the only reason why we won the war was because of the Americans is dumb.