What's so great about America?
Can someone give me some bullet points on what's so great about America so I could write my essay for my English class?
13 Answers
This is small portion of a blog from Campbell Vertesi that I thought really hit a good point about America.
America is the first - and only - nation in the world to be founded on a philosophy rather than a bloodline. What identifies a person as American is very different than what makes one, say, French or German or Russian. Where other nationalities are defined by birthright, to be American means "one who believes in individual freedom." In 1776 it was an enormous experiment, to see if a population unrestrained by rulers could create a coherent country. To see if a collection of individuals, acting only for their individual benefit, could become anything more than a chaotic rabble. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights were established as a way to limit the powers of leadership to a very narrow sphere - individuals would run this country. By and large, it worked.
I decided to post this here as well (it was just a comment before.
The USA is still a social experiment - the aims of the founding fathers have not yet been fullfilled or prooved. It is a "work in progress".
So was the USSR until it collapsed.
For the first time in my life, this last year I was confronted in my Spanish class in Madrid, Spain with this philosophy about "America" being not the U.S. but all of North and South America.
I understand the point, but people from the U.S. still refer to themselves as Americans and the U.S. as America. It may be factually incorrect, but until you straighten out every last U.S. citizen and get them to see it your way, you're fighting an uphill battle on the colloquial use of "America."
That said, one the the things I think is great about the U.S. is that it is still the land of opportunity. The economy is terrible right now, but we don't have an aristocracy in the rigid way that it exists in Europe. People who are smart and hard working, really can get ahead in the U.S. Maybe not so much as first generation immigrants (it's always a struggle to be an immigrant), but definitely gains are made in the second generation. This is not the same in other countries.
Since September 11th the U.S. has taken a beating in the area of civil liberties and human rights, so I won't talk about how great our constitution is and all it protects. Lately, it only seems to be protecting the corporate interests.
However, when U.S. citizens are local citizen activists, and our system does accommodate that reasonably well at the local political level, you would be amazed at the impact a single individual (or that person and their friends and neighbors) can have on their community.
The United States, as most countries do, has a very complex history. We've done tremendous good in the world (see WWI and WWII, and uncounted financial support in response to disasters natural and otherwise). We also have our scars - a too-long history of slavery and discrimination to name a few. (I am one of those crazy Americans who believe that it is actually patriotic to point out our flaws in the hopes of fixing them).
Marshall Amps gave a great answer. I would add one more thought to his: we are also one of the few (the only?) countries who has never "kept" a country that it conquered in war. Germany, Japan, Italy were all allowed to continue to be governed by their own people. That says a lot about the values and philosophy that Marshall so eloquently described.
Spanishlearn I think you should jump back in and clarify the region of the Americas that you're referring to. If you look at this site you will get an idea of the can of worms you have opened up here and it is just one of many similar threads. Personally, my guess is you meant the US but one never knows. It is also a subject in which no real answer will ever be found.
I would say that every country has its "greatness" and to Amyfreelance I'm sure even the Welsh have something worth talking about. As I pointed out earlier in this thread it is my opinion (and will remain until told otherwise by the author) that the question is about the U S A. We are a great country in a number of ways, and I believe that our government, although it has its faults, is still the best basic idea. I still think the question should be rephrased but as it stands I'll just take that as a slam against my country. It's unfortunate you feel that way but perhaps you can open up a thread on how great Wales is and enlighten us, or at least me anyway.
OK, here is a little more to add to a thread which hasn't really been defined as about the US or the Americas in general. First I won't claim to be proud of being an American, I was born here, that makes me a citizen of a country I had no part in shaping so what exactly would I have to be proud of. I take pride in my work and my creations. Pride goes deeper than being born into something but that's a different matter. As for the greatness of the United States, DR and MarshallAmps had good remarks but so did Ian-Hill. Not only did we take land from Mexico but let's not forget our own indigenous peoples. I love the fact that I live in this free and, yes, great country and I am grateful, but that doesn't change the fact that it is not free of guilt. I think one of the reasons so many people hate the US is because many of its citizens think the country is so squeaky clean of wrongdoings in the past.
In geography... the extension of the continent, the variety of climates, in America is the southest city in the world (Ushuaia)... the cultural diversity....
I desagree with a concept you have: for me, America is a continent, and your country is the United States of America.... Latinoamérica, or Sudamérica, are also part of América.
Can someone give me some bullet points on what's so great about America so I could write my essay for my English class?
Look carefully at the use of "so". "What's so great about..." usually carries the nuance of some kind of critical response. It's a bit like the Monty Python bit on "What did the Romans do for us?"
As for "What's great about America?" . If I understand you you mean "What's so great about the USA?" America is a continent, it has a geographical connotation. If you mean the USA, say USA, if you mean "America" let us discuss Columbia, Brazil, Mexico and ... the USA to name but a few members of the continent.
The response depends on whether they are bombing you or trying to sell you stuff. The latter may appear to be the more desirable, at least civilians and buildings remain standing.
I apologise to the sensitive in advance for this realistic response 
Do ask an Iraqi or an Afghan this question. It will fly and fly in Pakistan as well.
Probably disappear in a minute, ho hum.
Happy New Year!! pip pip!!
When you ask for bullet points in the plural I wonder if you have any ideas of your own. I don't think it's realistic to expect to be able to write an essay from borrowed opinions without at least a few of your own.
nothing!
Rather than repeat them here, I recommend you go to Dennis Prager.com. Click on the option Dennis Prager University and then choose the lesson which he thinks answers this important question.
