The Delusion Behind “America Is the Greatest Country on Earth” A deep dive into the question: If America is so great, why

[CraigM]

Yes. Many places have prioblems. But it takes a certain kind of hypocrisy to claim "America is the greatest" while living somewhere else.

A hypocrite calling out others for hypocrisy is often a self-serving mechanism designed to boost one’s own moral superiority, create a deflection, or mask similar behaviors. This act, which is essentially the "pot calling the kettle black," can be motivated by a subconscious need for power or a desire to deflect criticism from oneself.

That was an AI search which we all know is evidence around here 🙂

 

[LongIslander]

☝️That☝️is the meaning of "delusional." Thinking “America Is the Greatest Country on Earth” is just an opinion. If opinions like that, which have no bearing in your life, triggers you so much... You're lucky to be in a country with the most psychologists per capita.

Fortunately there are excellent psychologists in BA!

A hypocrite calling out others for hypocrisy is often a self-serving mechanism designed to boost one’s own moral superiority, create a deflection, or mask similar behaviors. This act, which is essentially the "pot calling the kettle black," can be motivated by a subconscious need for power or a desire to deflect criticism from oneself.

That was an AI search which we all know is evidence around here 🙂

What I don't understand is someone so triggered by the thought that America is one of the best countries in the world. Our maid in the US is from Guatemala. She struggled to get to the US. Our landscaper is Mexican and similar story. They tell me how thankful they are to be in America. Almost every person that we know feels very fortunate to have made it to America and while some are still struggling financially they tell me over and over how they feel lucky to be in America. One of my neighbors is Persian from Iran and has family stuff in Iran.

Not for financial reasons but for safety, avoiding problems in their country so the fact that you use lack of human rights.

 

[earlyretirement]

Fortunately there are excellent psychologists in BA!

What I don't understand is someone so triggered by the thought that America is one of the best countries in the world. Our maid in the US is from Guatemala. She struggled to get to the US. Our landscaper is Mexican and similar story. They tell me how thankful they are to be in America. Almost every person that we know feels very fortunate to have made it to America and while some are still struggling financially they tell me over and over how they feel lucky to be in America. One of my neighbors is Persian from Iran and has family stuff in Iran.

Not for financial reasons but for safety, avoiding problems in their country so the fact that you use lack of human rights.

I won't begrudge anyone that wants to leave the USA. It's not perfect. No country is. The vast majority of people that I know that left to live in Latin America was simply because they couldn't afford to retire in America on their savings/SS payments. I'm not saying this is @Content Provider as I have no idea but I have met some people that get bitter because they can't afford to stay in the USA.

@LongIslander I know many, many people with similar stories. My landscape guy also is Mexican and he came to the US illegally first but he got legal. He tells me everything he did for his kids. He had NOTHING when he first arrived here 30 years ago. When I moved to San Diego 15 years ago I met him and he only had a few clients. I'm really active with my community and was on the BOD for my country club. He is a great guy so I started referring him out. He was alone 15 years ago when I met him. Now he has 20 guys working for him! He got legal and a thriving business. His kids graduated from great schools and he has a great life. Just talking to him and how thankful he is to be in the best country in the world.

My maid is also from Mexico. Her 2 kids were born here but she and her husband aren't legal. Her husband got swept up with ICE a few years ago. Great people that are hard workers and love the USA. She was so heart broken when he got deported to Mexico. Well, I ended up loaning her $5,000 as she didn't have enough to live. Later, she recounted that they used that money to pay coyotes to get back across the border. She didn't talk to him for 2 days thinking maybe he died. I guess the coyotes don't allow them to have phones.

You hear stories like that and you can't convince me the USA isn't the best country. Many immigrants of people that really have problems will tell you how fortunate they are to call the USA home.

 

[CraigM]

I won't begrudge anyone that wants to leave the USA. It's not perfect. No country is. The vast majority of people that I know that left to live in Latin America was simply because they couldn't afford to retire in America on their savings/SS payments. I'm not saying this is @Content Provider as I have no idea but I have met some people that get bitter because they can't afford to stay in the USA.

@LongIslander I know many, many people with similar stories. My landscape guy also is Mexican and he came to the US illegally first but he got legal. He tells me everything he did for his kids. He had NOTHING when he first arrived here 30 years ago. When I moved to San Diego 15 years ago I met him and he only had a few clients. I'm really active with my community and was on the BOD for my country club. He is a great guy so I started referring him out. He was alone 15 years ago when I met him. Now he has 20 guys working for him! He got legal and a thriving business. His kids graduated from great schools and he has a great life. Just talking to him and how thankful he is to be in the best country in the world.

My maid is also from Mexico. Her 2 kids were born here but she and her husband aren't legal. Her husband got swept up with ICE a few years ago. Great people that are hard workers and love the USA. She was so heart broken when he got deported to Mexico. Well, I ended up loaning her $5,000 as she didn't have enough to live. Later, she recounted that they used that money to pay coyotes to get back across the border. She didn't talk to him for 2 days thinking maybe he died. I guess the coyotes don't allow them to have phones.

You hear stories like that and you can't convince me the USA isn't the best country. Many immigrants of people that really have problems will tell you how fortunate they are to call the USA home.

Amen Mike. If you've lived in California or Texas long enough you've heard plenty of these stories. I'm guessing CP is trying to make a buck off this 'America in decline' genre, maybe it plays with a certain expat crowd, makes them feel better or something. I was in a bar in Recoleta next to a group of these guys, their immaturity was just embarrassing. A bunch of grown up babies living in retirement on US benefits, just bitching and complaining. The bartender spoke English and I could tell he wasn't loving it either.

 

[Jenn]

Amen Mike. If you've lived in California or Texas long enough you've heard plenty of these stories. I'm guessing CP is trying to make a buck off this 'America in decline' genre, maybe it plays with a certain expat crowd, makes them feel better or something. I was in a bar in Recoleta next to a group of these guys, their immaturity was just embarrassing. A bunch of grown up babies living in retirement on US benefits, just bitching and complaining. The bartender spoke English and I could tell he wasn't loving it either.

I run into these types in Spain all the time. They love to complain. They complain about anything and everything. In my building there is a bar at the corner that a lot of us expats go to. And everyone calls these group of Americans "chicken little" because they keep saying the USA is going to collapse.

The surprising thing is 3 of them are very young. I guess they were in the military and claim they are on disability and living on payments from VA. Supposedly they can't walk and get checks but they are playing volleyball, swimming, surfing and nothing wrong. Yet they are saying how the US is terrible.

I never understand this. I am also American and love going back home each time. I love seeing and exploring the world while I am young.