Why do americans think they are the best?

When they have so many internal issues of their own, are one of the top 3 polluters on this planet and own more WMD's than Iraq ever didn't have..etc etc

It is plain nationalism. Most people's love of their country, history, and traditions makes them favor theirs above all others. To a certain extent this sort of pride is natural and even desireable.

Nationalism at a certain point becomes dangerous. Fascism in Itally started from extreme nationalists wanting to relive the days of the Roman empire. Nazisim in Germany started from their belief that ethnic Germans were the master race and superior to all others.

In America, Manifest Destiny gave us a mission to expand our country all the way to the Pacific ocean. The fact that we had to kill and subjugate the native population wasn't even a consideration.

Today dangerous forms of nationalism are springing up all over the world. There are lots of problems in the world and the most natural thing for man to do is to blame its problems on foreigners.

For decades I've heard American leaders refer to America as God's chosen nation. Speeches make references to America being the right hand of God and being protected under his aegis. To me this is the most dangerous form of nationalism. To equate your nation's actions to the will of God gives us license to do anything because we are doing God's will and only answer to him..

Like I said, to a certain point nationalism isn't a bad thing. It is good to be proud of your country, its customs, its heritage, and its institutions. Such pride inspires us to be better citizens. Fanning the flames of nationalism can lead to the same sort of bigotry seen in other 'isms like racism and sexism.

I'm a proud American but I'm a human beling first. When my nation does something that goes against my other core values I'll oppose my country's policies. It is when someone raises their national identity above everything else that leads to dangerous exercise of nationalism.

because we are the best.

You are making generalizations. That in itself is the WORST...

Sorry - I won't join your Bashing-America Bandwagon - that country has done too many good things and No country is perfect.

Yea... your missing all the good stuff that America did. and the WMD's are due to the fact that we have money, money=good. Also, you say that as if we go around attacking other countries with them. We don't do it at random and we hardly do it at all. Just because we have them doesn't mean we're using them wrongly/at all. And for the polution? We might be in the top three, but we're also in the top three for solving world pollution problems which, in the long run, will help a hella lot more than we're hurting.

Let's face it, America is the best.

Im not from america but from britain...I dont think that its america itself who think they're the best but rather george bush!!! America aint all bad...its just one of the most well known, richest countries in the world. I've been to america before its a pretty kool place. Its just what you hear in the media and you asume that their so big-headed about their country but there not - there pretty laid back actually. I bet if you ask the population of america most of them would disagree with the war in iraq. so how can they be all bad Its all that idiots fault george bush-nearly all the britz hate him and tony blair (he's resigned now because of the stupid mistake he made following his steps).

We think we are the best because we are. . . . I would want to live anywhere else. We have more cellphones than any other country. We have a media full of Morons yes and a congress run by self serving idiots ( not all of them just most of them.) We have Hollywood and the NFL and WE are the most powerful country on the face of the planet. God blesses us. . . . .

Yep...those were the answers I expected. Power, money, cellphones?, Hollywood? gods chosen nation...??? Don't get me wrong I'm sure there is a lot of good, it's just the ego that drives me up the wall. One day...it's gunna kick you in the rear, and you won't know what hit you. Good luck.

highly doubt it, at least not anytime in this lifetime

It already has...or did you miss something?

So you started this thread, just to bash the Yanks? Oh, nice display of class there, Dundee...

No, we mustn't pick on the poor old US, how distasteful of me...I don't know what I was thinking. I bow down to your overwhelming authority over the rest of the world...

Thats Mr. Dundee to you...captian...my hero

Good. Now go to your room, and 'think' about what you've said...

So, GENERALLY you DON'T think Americans consider themselves the best? You seem unable to answer the question at hand. If your not here to answer my question, but keep venturing to this spot merely to comment on my class, etc, etc. I must have struck a nerve in your well-educated soul...that in itself indicates to me that you see yourself as some kind of Sheriff, trying to educate the rest me about political correctness...Just answer the question and move on. I wanted to see how people would react, Thankyou for showing your true colours...

1737 answers...you obviously use your time effectively

*Shakes head*

Captain political correct? Now that is funny. . . .

We are all human and we all have flaws. Not all Americans think they are the best... but some of us are proud. I have two brothers in the U.S. Army, one in the Marines, and one in the Air Force. They have all been to Iraq and Afghanastan... and yeah we may not all be as smart as you, and our pride in our country may upset you... but I am proud of my brothers... I am not saying I am pro war but I am pro soldier. I'm not saying it was a good idea for bush to send our men and women over there..so as far as thinking america is better then everyone else... I don't know about that... but we are blessed and most of us are thankful... as I'm sure you have some over patriotic australians. And if you don't like our kiss my butt attitude... Nobody is asking you to cross the water so stay home.

Don't worry I intend on staying right here...I intended on ruffling some feathers with this question...

I'm just glad countries like China North Korea aren't into preemptive actions...YET

And if you don't like our kiss my butt attitude...

That kind of sums it up for me...

Hmm. . . . He likes communist. . . . And he deleted his account. . . .

Yeah, I was wondering why the name pic suddenly changed... but who cares. It was an invalid sweeping question anyway.

***I'm just glad countries like China North Korea aren't into preemptive actions...YET***

If they WERE... then YOU'D be screwed...