Why America is NOT the Greatest Country in the World
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This past weekend, Fox “news” took offense at how few American athletes participating in the Olympics are draping themselves with the American flag. One of Fox’s hostesses, Alisyn Camerata and guest, Tea Partier David Webb, bemoaned the apparent lack of patriotism on display in England by American athletes, in particular, Gabby Douglas.
Ms. Camerota began her segment by congratulating Gabby Douglas on her gold medal, but Camerota’s tone did not sound enthused. Ms. Camerota and Mr. Webb then spent the next few minutes crowing about how proud they are to be Americans. I was waiting for one or both of them to jump up onto the desk and begin shouting “We’re number one!”
Forget for a moment that wearing the image of the American flag violates flag code. (From section 176: Respect for the flag: “d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.” You’re welcome.) Let’s look at some of the things where America is at the top of the list.
1) Obesity
2) Divorces
3) Prisoners
4) Defense spending
5) School shootings
6) Child abuse
7) Gun violence
8) Student loan debt
9) Pornography
10) Fast food sales
Yeehah?
Now here are two lists we should dominate, but don’t:
Education: According to a report from July of this year by Harvard University’s Program on Education Policy and Governance, American students rank 25th in math, 17th in science and 14th in reading. Number one? Shanghai.
Health care: Although the U.S. spends twice as much on health care as any other nation, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the United States ranks 50th in life expectancy and 39th on the overall health status of its citizens worldwide.
So, while Fox “news” whines that Olympic athletes aren’t violating the flag code, we slip further and further into the breach. More prisons, more obesity, more crime, less educated children, poor health care. We have some odd priorities.
Below is a clip from Aaron Sorkin’s new show, “The Newsroom.” Neither Jeff Daniels’ character, or Aaron Sorkin, or millions of people who recognize that these are facts hate America. We just want to be number one on the good lists again.
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Ah yet another gem. While true America is not what it once was, but then again the world is not what it once was. All over our planet there is economic and personal deprivation, as well as moral and societal collapse. God rules the uneducated and the gun does not discriminate. It will take a cataclysmic event to change who we are and that is coming in the form of drastic and sooner than later climate upheaval. For better or worse it is coming….Very nice Erin Nanasi.
Erin, you might want to add people sentenced to death. I do tend to agree that America is not the greatest country on earth but not necessarily for the things that you list. America hasn’t existed long enough to develop its own true culture yet. In its youth it is still struggling and bumbling around the world to find where it really finds much like every country did at one time or another. What we are going through right now is a challenge to our people and our government and we are failing miserably by any measure used. Some of the principles of the grand experiment are really being tested at this time. Will we truly emerge as a country that is not ruled by a particular religious dogma or will there, at some point be an insistence that everyone believe that there is a single God that must be worshiped. Personally as a scientist, I truly have not decided on my beliefs, but while really believe in the right of choice to believe or not believe, how much longer will that right exist in this experimental government.
This country was born of violence much like many of the countries of Europe 1500 years ago. It took them a thousand of those years to tire of the violence and the killing to the point where there levels of violence is much lower than ours. Will it take us that long, or perhaps even longer because of our arrogance. Right now I can’t tell if we are still 2 year olds pitching temper tantrums or confused teenagers trying to figure out who we are and what we are going to be when we grow up.
Don’t forget as #11 – ‘ Most Christian religious sects who disagree and can’t stand each other.’
We’re just lucky that all the various Christian denominations hate each other even more than they hate non-Christians. If they ever got their shit together, smoothed over their differences and started acting in unison, we’d be in real trouble. Fortunately, I don’t expect to see that happen.
Not only is the flag not to be worn, but §8(i) specifies that “The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.”
This means that postage stamps imprinted with the flag are also against code (can you think of anything that is more intended for “temporary use and discard” than a stamp – other than, maybe, toilet paper?).
And §8(g) also specifies that “The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.”
Which means that every super-patriotic politician who has autographed a flag is guilty of desecration.
But Mr. Thorkelson comments on the “We’re #1” mentality far, far better than I ever could:
That’s the best part of the “rant.” America does need our help, but as long as we have Fox news and the rest of them trumpeting that education is indoctrination and we need more guns and less government, and the poor are the problem and we’re a Christian nation, we will never get back on any of the good lists.
Sorry, went to get coffee and remembered Peter Thorkelson was in the Monkees. Too much in my head, not enough caffeine!