United States of America

Best country in the world. Fuck all the haters.

Too racist for my taste........... every one is race obssesed and segregated unoficially from every one who is not racially like them.

The average person is a fat uneducated moron without a clue of anything concerning anything at all if it has nothing to do with their lives.

most cities are a neverending suburbia nightmare without much to do, unless of course you're in a major city like NYC or LA or chicago.... but if you are in about 95% of the country then there is not much to do other than drive around to the mall, or go to the local steakhouse and watch tv and just...... drive? (oh i mentioned that one already)

most people are not interested enough to be approachable, every one is so inward looking and with their heads so stuck up their owns asses that they simply do not care about the other, the human connection doesnt exist much

lack of public transportation in about 95% of the cities........... u pretty much need a car if u wanna live and work there............ is not like u can just hop on a bus and chill and go to work, u need a car like it or not in pretty much most cities outside of boston, NYC or chicago.

a gigantic amount of poor uneducated immigrants from just about everywhere on this planet, the immigrant part is not bad, I like cosmopolitan....... the sucky part is their children (first generation americans who brag all damn day about how italian,mexican,irish,chinese,philipino,african,etc . etc) they are to the point of making you sick of them u'll wanna beat them up, the bad part is they are often uneducated and suffering from an identity crisis, become racist from living in once again a very segregated racial society.

too much violent agressive people

women are snobby on average and think they are god's gift to men, in reality most arent pretty, rather fat, loud, lazy and spoiled.... of course in america they think they are IT, outside of america in places like south america or europe, american girls sort of become secondary and they just step into the back aftrer seeing they cant compete with overseas females.

every one is obssesed with the mall

It is hard for me to judge this country as a whole on touristic terms, since I am not a tourist in the USA, Im merely a resident! That being said, if you have not been to the States, I can only ask why?!? What are you waiting for? It's the home of capitalism and the creators of most things, either good or bad....

I cant tolerate any more criticizing of America. We have done so much for many countries. If you hate the U.S. so much then leave.

America is my home and I my loyalties are clear.  However, I have to be honest when I say that outside of your cosmopolitan coastal cities on the northeast and west coasts and upper midwestern cities like Chicago, the Twin cities, and Denver, America is a cultural, political, and ass-backwards social wasteland filled with Walmarts and Bubbas. Whole regions are stuck in a virtual time warp such as The South and the Plains states.  Don't believe me, look at where your most progressive, liberal, and educated reside not to mention your most wealthy.  Statistics don't tell the whole story but statistics don't lie either!!! 

Update:  I stick by my original comments which will seem prophetic after November 4th, 2008. Instead of electing a leader who will take us into the 21st century by reinvesting in the infrastructure of this country both in civil works i.e. bridges, levees, educational infrastructure, healthcare infrastructure, and keeping jobs from being outsourced overseas we are going to elect a president who is reactionary and who has voted with the current president on over 90 percent of his failed policies. 

By all accounts, we should be the most enlightened society on the planet given all the information we have at our disposal however, we are not and there are still a large segment of this society stuck in the past in all aspects of life.  John McCain will win this upcoming election further exacerbating the decline of our society.  Get ready for a third war in Iran, a full blown recession/depression economically, no legitimate exploration of alternative sources of energy, and the further crumbling of our infrastructure.  My plea is to the young college educated innovative/creative class further your departure from these hyper conservative places where your just going to be frustrated and continue your move to the places I mentioned before in my previous post.  We may not be able to salvage the whole country but lets at least try and salvage parts of it!!

I live here, so my thoughts will be a bit biased. The USA has been called the land of opportunities/dreams, and I agree completely. It is easier than most countries to get a job in the USA. Even though the economy has suffered recently, if you have useful skills, you're likely to find a job somewhere.

I like the diversity of the country. There is no "typical American" as some may claim. Hispanics, Eastern Asians, South Asians, blacks, and whites all make up the various people. The freedoms offered to its people is pretty good, ranging from freedom of speech to religion.

But I must admit it can get a bit boring sometimes. I would love to travel around the world more to become more worldly. If I were to point out a weakness of the USA, it would be that its people are a bit egotistical in the fact that news stations often focus on domestic issues and less about the world. Nevertheless, I acknowledge my luckiness of being a citizen here. I wouldn't give it up for anything.

THE best country on EARTH- home..

Born and raised and for all its problems it is still the best place in the world

America will fall in no more than 50 years due to the same reasons Rome and most countries fall. Greed, corruption, the erosion of the middle class, enormous debt, illegal immigrants flooding the streets, etc. Folks if you're considering getting a tattoo might I suggest not anything patriotic to this dying empire because it will look very dated when foreign countries buy this country out due to it's enormous debt. They own enough of this country already.

Don't like all of the people but it's okay.

BEST PLACE EVER

BEST DAMN COUNTRY EVER

I'm sorta biased, since I've lived here all my life, but I love America with all my heart. Eff the haters.

YEA YEA BOI!!!!

As a destination, its a little large to easily define. We are, as Flick points out, discussing it as a place to visit. One of the most diverse countries on the planet, with a host of experiences, both good and bad to sample. 

My personal experiences have given me fond memories of places like the Oregon Coast, Big Sur, the Tamiani Trail, US 1, Monument Valley, and cities like Chicago, Portland, New York, San Francisco and New Orleans. 

Its also given me memories of ugliness, in places like Butte, Houston, parts of west Texas, Orlando and Cheyenne. 

As a Canadian, I've seen a lot of the U.S., either travelling for work or pleasure, and generally I like the country and the people.  Like my own homeland, there are places I love, and also like my own country there are places you'd have to kidnap me to get me to visit again.

People will have their own perspective on how this country is (and/or how it is doing). However, in any case, I think the only thing we should all agree on is having the right to agree to disagree- and respect what others say despite sometimes heated disagreements. But from my perspective, for all the flaws this country has (and there are many of them), the United States IS still the greatest country in the world. The United States has always been the beacon of individual freedoms and liberties, for which many from other nations could only dream of having. The rights to free speech, to practice religion, press and other liberties notwithstanding- this country has always been the beacon for freedoms without the threat of persecution (ie: Venezuela and North Korea). Many who came to this country, like my parents, didn't make a mistake in making the choice they made in coming here to help not only themselves, but also for their families- and made this great sacrifice to better themselves. And I, along with many are eternally grateful, to them, and I will not forget. The United States IS still the greatest nation (to me), and I hope people can at least respect that.

The USA is #1. There are many countries who hate us, many who envy us and some who love us. There is NO place I would rather be. Many who live here complain about this country but do nothing to help improve it, they just complain. Many complain about the police but would never dream about actually being a police officer. Many complain about the fire department but would never dream about actually being a firefighter. Many complain about the military but would never dream about actually being enlisted. Many complain about politics but would never dream about actually running for an elected office. Do you get the picture? If you just want to complain, well the USA allows you to do that, so complain away... what??? You're still not happy? Imagine that!

ms-126025607 is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!!! I cant wait till i turn 23 to get the hell out of thius country.. i am american but let me tell you ...... George Bush was the master planner of this 9?11 attack!! then he puts on his fckn retarded ass face when he recieves the news like nothing ever happens.... he know what he did.... 3000 people is nothing to kill... he just wanted the petroleam over there in the middle east.... anyways if anyone is planning on moving here DONT!!.... this country is going down the drain soon!!!!!!!!

Lots of scenery, beautiful countryside, and history (dating to the 1600's anyway).  We have adopted different cultures/cusines and welcome any foreigner.  Winters are usually very cold, and summers too hot.  Northern California is very beautiful, with lots of vineyards and valleys.  It would be best to explore the areas untouched by civilization to get a good view/opinion.  Once Bush is out of office, I hope that our next president does a good job at cleaning up the mess he left behind and at least improves our world image some.

The US Politically Fucks Up So many defenseless poor countries economies and people. You think they would honestly attack Sweden, England, Canada, Japan? NO WAY! Are You Dumb? They Could Attack Back, SO they suck what little money some of the poorest people in the world have, theyve killed millions, you only have to look it up on the internet... PANAMA.. .NICARAGUA... IRAN... IRAQ... ECUADOR.. VIETNAM INDONESIA... .its all there... When the fuck are they gon leave they dumbass policies and stop this massacres! They say they stand for freedom, for democracy, for human rights? If this is what freedom is then them gringos can keep their motherfucking "freedom" for themselves because we dont want it! You fuck up families, leave 12 yr old girls prostituting themselves on the streets of quito and fund a war in Iran for $2.4billion when half of that monet would be enough to provide clean food and water for every poor person on the damn planet. These dumb motherfuckers tried to charge bolivian peasents money they couldnt even afford in order to collect RAINWATER wtf. The US even cheats and trick its own people into becoming ignorant of what theyre goverment is doing around the world, its unbelievable that mos americans are glued to their TVs content watching goverment selcted media about Paris Hilton and Michael Jackson, when every day 240,000 people die because of the actions of the US admninstration. And u moan when u loose 3000 people on 9\11 (Dont get me wrong its sad but it just shows what people dont realize) because terrorists attack, well look what ur doing to everyone US dont u expect to be attacked??? Anyway it was the US who fucking funded the terrorist groups in their first place simply so that they could get easy oil deals from Saudi Arabia! Yeah I could go on writing forever u know but u know what just: Fuck u Gringos!

With the USA I have similar feelings as I do for China, if for very different reasons. Both countries have many trully amazing sights to visit and being the third and fourth largest in the world a wide variety of regions. In the US there is the amazing sight that is the Manhattan skyline, such profoundly agreeable cities as Boston, Chicago and San Francisco - but at the same time there are trully terrible places like Los Angeles and the mind-bogglingly dull cities of the mid-west. Also even in the best cities there seem to be extensive slum areas that ruin the otherwise positive view one might take. Most American people are very nice and welcoming, but there are an unusually large minority of ignorant, bigoted and jingoistic types who ruin the image of the rest and leave a somewhat sour taste for the visitor. At the end of the day, as in the case of China, the good and the bad balance out.

This country was created with great intentions, having freedom being one of them but what this country was built on is deteriorating very quickly. The U.S.A has shipped most of American factories to other countries so they can build stuff for americans for nearly 2 cents an hour, this is a big deal most other countries have no environmental laws so a lot of pollution is caused, china is the most polluting country but they are because of us. We really need to change are ways, we are becoming less free everyday, if you want to live in a country that is truly free move to Amsterdam, everyday it seems we are making something illegal, and thats not freedom. Pushing supposed freedom on other countries is not freedom. If this country were free we wouldn't have the highest jail rate in the world, we would see people smoking in bars, the police wouldn't arrest people to meet there quota, companies would want to benefit the customer as much as possible.

  Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind. Nationalism, in my opinion, is nothing more than an idealistic rationalization for militarism and aggression. Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism -- how passionately I hate them!

-- Albert Einstein

Best entertainment in the world
Mostly cool and awesome people
Best fast-food and good steaks
Shittiest government in the universe

America rules and most americans arent arrogant, you're just jealous.

America still is some kind of promised land. Anybody with a good attitude and work ethics can still start over and make it pretty good.  It has some of the most spectacular scenery in world,  friendly people but one messed up government. As their dollar is crumbling fast, it will be more affordable than ever pretty soon!

Although I am a Canadian I must say, America is much better then Canada.  I enjoy myself every time I go to America, as the people there are much friendlier then here falsifying the stereotype that Americans are ignorant and rude.  For the most part, the people are not stuck up and will talk to you and even go out of their way to help you.  For instance, I was in NYC and just looking at a subway map and an American asked me if I needed directions.  You would never see that in the city I live in, dumpy Toronto.  The only drawback I can find with being an American would be the lack of social programs that Canadians enjoy such as healthcare, tuition partly funded by the government, etc.  USA USA USA!

I will say this: I am proud to be an American.

Alright country, but most American people are very arrogant and mainly stupid. They seem to think they run the world.

America has alot of problems, but America is not the problem!  I am tired of the blame America crowd! If America was such a terrible place why are so many trying to come here?

Louie....Amen to that!  Sick of the blame-America-first crowd as well.

I was not born in the US, but the state I live in is great. I have the mountains to the west, plains to the east and a city that thrives!!! The people in Colorado are on most accounts some of the most wonderful people I have met and they are very kind and approachable. The America I live in is superb and I'm grateful that I have been allowed to stay here with my family. I have one thing that I must say I don't like; most Americans do live in a bubble. This in no way puts down Americans, but I believe this is why people have found it hard to get on with this nation; this I feel is very sad. In general I would say that most American people are pleasant, honest and very welcoming.

most powerful nation on earth? yes The richest nation on earth? yes. but it's defiantly NOT the best country on the planet. Just like every country america has its postives and it's negatives and the negatives nearly outhweigh the postives. Americans completely ignore the fact that America is responsible for making racism so corrupt(im not saying america started racism but it sure as hell did make it way worse) back in the 1900s america was utterly ridiculous the way this country contradicted itself. And it's a mystery why there is homeless people in the richest nation on earth.

The United States of America are certainly the best country on this planet.There is one of the lowest unemployment in the world compared to other civilised countrys.There is a high level of Technology and that is important for the future.Yes there are racists and xenophobics,yes all the people are not Angels but thanks to God it's a minority of people.I pray and i hope this country will become better in the future because i love this country.

America is for the privileged and the favored. It ignores the plight of mentally ill people and thinks of retardation as a disease. It treats black citizens well at times and others not. It treats Jews better than the blacks as well. The Jews are able to tell people what to do in this country and the blacks are always lower, even than intelligent mentally ill people. Hollywood is a standard of America and this standard reflects that America will allow anything to take place.

There are two hundred and twenty-three reviews on the US. Yet all but a handful fall into one of two categories: brain-dead jingoism or anti-American screeds. The US is an extraordinarily complex country, and entire libraries have been written about its history, culture and politics. The most accurate explanation of American exceptionalism, IMO, is that of sociologist/historian Perry Anderson:

"A large literature has been spent on the American exception. But the only exceptionality that really matterssince all nations are in their way sui generisis the configuration that has founded its global hegemony. How is this best expressed? It lies in the virtually perfect fit the country offers between optimal geographical and optimal social conditions for capitalist development. That is: a continental scale of territory, resources and market, protected by two oceans, that no other nation-state comes near to possessing; and a settler-immigrant population forming a society with virtually no pre-capitalist past, apart from its local inhabitants, slaves and religious creeds, and bound only by the abstractions of a democratic ideology. Here are to be found all the requirements for spectacular economic growth, military power and cultural penetration. Politically, since capital has always lorded it over labour to an extent unknown in other advanced-industrial societies, the result is a domestic landscape well to the right of them..."

Update: The 223 comments here might be a record for RIA categories. Most are unbalanced and few are worth reading, though Abiachara is a voice of reason in the moronic inferno, and SZinHonshu makes some interesting points in his usual tactless manner. Genghis notes that most of the anti-American comments are Canadian, with a few Latin Americans and Greeks too.

UK commentator GuavaMonkey's post, lost in the elctronic clutter, is the best of the lot, and as he has left RIA I will reproduce it here:
5 stars for: New Orleans, those parts that Bush & his pals in the oil and timber industries havent yet destroyed, some music (jazz/bluegrass/70s funk/hard rock), some TV shows (Seinfeld, Frasier, Cheers, Simpsons, Northern Exposure, Buffy),Alaska, the Grand Canyon, Giant Redwoods, Chicago, Harley Davidsons, some writers (John Steinbeck, Michael Moore, Raymond Chandler), many movies of the 50s and 60s

1 star for: corporate America, fast food culture, Budweiser, sports no one else plays, other music (rap, metal,r n b), MTV, 'surfer dude' talk, TV (all teen sitcoms like 'Saved by the Bell', all police and hospital dramas, all sitcoms set outside NYC, Frasier excepted), most cities (all look identical when approaching from the freeway, NYC, Chicago, San Fran, New Orleans excepted), for inventing supermarkets and shopping malls, gas guzzling motor cars, politicians, general standard of TV, most movies of the 70s to present day, general ignorance and arrogance among most Yanks about rest of the world.

Is this the best country in the world? I don't hope so. This country doesn't take care of its poor or weak. It's just as racist as any other country with a mixed population. Sure, you have the freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Enjoy it, while you re collecting your foodstamps. Yes, you can study and work to succeed and become someone very important. You may even win the lottery. America is a myth. America home of the working poor. Yes, unemployment is everywhere. But in Western Europe you don't have to work 2 jobs to pay for housing and food. Not yet at least. In America people love God. And it's religious leaders love drugs and anal sex. They care more about unborn children than they do about born children. I love America, I just don't think it's the best. Judge a country by how they treat their poor and weak, and not by their military power and bible thumping. God bless and protect the world (from the USA). Good luck at Burger King, Khalid!

What can you say about the USA? Born in Montreal, unlike most my friends, I grew up fantasizing about New York City. Not becuase I thought it was an ultra-rich place at all or even the center of the universe, as many Americans like to think the world thinks. In fact, the stereotype in Canada is that America is generally a crass society filled with simple people who are for lack of a better word, 'unsophisticated'. New York is considered cool but in a sort of 'backwards' kind of way. Neverthess, I thought NY was going to be "it". More becuase I thought all the cool graffiti, hip-hop, writers and directors were from NY, so naturally, I went to live there for a while. And NY was somewhat cool but also ghastly overrated. The place was so race-obsessed, ("black" and "white" anything is debated) and very blindly-pro-capitalist. But I appreciated NY becuase it taught me to love Canada. I realized we had even cooler underground scenes in Toronto/Montreal and NY maybe only garnered a rep, mostly becuase they had more money to funnel through, maybe some more business-savvy, a bigger population, all the incredible creative power of black America and a group of journalists/audiences unwilling to respect anyone, unless they pretended they were from NY. So, the crowd there was cool, laidback and freindly, but also seemed somewhat arrogant. They were walking around like they were famous but 99.99% of them were just walking 'around' famous people. San Fransisco was also a cool city, but without all the hype. Everywhere else (accept a few exceptions) seemed sort of boring and monotonous - Walmarts, Home Depots, Best Buys etc and of course, the regular 'bragging' everyday Americans. Y'know, Americans are sort of likable people but unfortunately, so many Americans (i'd say 50%) are so disgustingly conforming, ignorant, proud and bigoted people. There is no respect for anything but their own country, their own achievements. They take credit for every other country's achievement too, saying that 'indirectly' it was them too. There is also just an overall 'trashiness' to America and American culture which is simply hard to describe, but any visitor knows what I mean. And when you criticize USA? We all know what they say, almost un unison. "You are jealous". Well, as an American green-card holder, I will tell you, I'm not. Even more, as a Canadian, well, there is nothing more priceless than having some 400-pound American woman, living in what might be described as a fancy aluminum-siding trailer-park, tell you that "Everyone in Canada is jealous and America is the richest country in the world etc." Hey, if it helps, keep holding on to that theory, honey. Just please do not move up here.

I always loved the people that complain all the time about the U.S. and they live here. They complain then go home and spend five hours on their computer. If you lived in a lot of other countries you wouldn't even have a computer, or you would be imprisoned just for talking down on your leader and country. We may have our problems as a country but what country doesn't. All I know is that I'm damn proud of all those that fight for our country and proud to be an American.

Kingdom of the brain dead!

Comments of the type " USA is the greatest, if you don't love it too then you must be a muslim terrorist/homosexual/basket case/Canadian/the spawn of satan/a communist/jealous of not being American/French" explain why many people around the world do hate the USA/Americans.

Putting Bush, geopolitics, corporate America and a widespread ignorance among Americans about the rest of the world (often combined with a staggering level of arrogance) aside for a minute, as a place to visit the USA is more than OK.

While many of the best known man-made tourist destinations are often a bit underwhelming, the natural attractions are generally stunning (well, they were when I was last there in '92). I have to say I was disappointed by NYC and LA but more than pleasantly surprised by Chicago, Frisco and Seattle.

I will say that in some parts the people were welcoming, friendly and very hospitable. In other parts they were downright hostile, bigoted and threatening.

Heh, I was giving the USA, a 4 star rating, really out of sympathy, but then, after reading Arizona Bird's ridiculous assertions, arrogance and ignorance, particularly, that comment that Canada "envies" the USA, I have to demote that. From "SouthWestern USA", you say ? Well, it shows. Sure, Canada has plenty of famous actors/musicians who coddle up with their American counterparts. But, any astute global person is well aware that Canadians hardly 'envy' Americans (In fact, more often than not, America is probably ridiculed in Canada). Growing up in Canada, the USA is generally refered to as a country that is so helplessly backwards, I was surprised to visit the USA and find that some of the stereotypes were not true: You can actually walk down the street without being malled by criminals; There are skinny people; Everyone is not necessarily 'uncultured' and ignorant; Everyone does not live in trailor-park with an American flag; Some cities are actually clean and livable. But 'envious'? Are you freakin' nuts? You'd be wise to read some history. Canadians, after all, are the original anti-Americans. We are quite happy here. Thank you for reminding me, just how dumb and 'full-of-hot-air' Americans can be.

I live in the southwestern part of America. But to me and to alot of other people..it does not matter if you live in the Southwest,the South,the Southeast,the Northwest,the Mid Atlantic states(such as New York),New England,or the Heartland States(the Midwest)we are Americans. And the country herself is great.We have the Constitution(thank God). We have the strongest army in the world. We are a smart nation..new things are invented most of the time(most likely everyday). Many countrys envy us(Canada comes to my mind when that is said). The familys, the Corporations..that have looked to America for a spot..are countless. Right now many Americans are upset about many things. I don't think Americans should be mad at everything about this country..no...just be mad at the noddle head President that is trying to run this country. This pityful guy should have never been President. He waged war with Iraq and he does not even have an exit strategy(maybe his brain can't produce enough energy to think of one). I once heard that the dumbest people are the most paranoid..well that can easily be applied to George Bush(junior). HIM AND HIS FREINDS HAVE BEEN WATCHING US. Well I don't know about the rest of you all but...when I go home I expect PRIVACY! I hope the the next President will have a brain that is the size of his head. But no matter who the President is... America will continue to be the Platinum Country of the World(and feel..that will be so for a long time). There. This comment is my last one before my semi-retirement from Rate it All. I will only make short comments on certain subjects from time to time. From reviews on Entertainment to the American Motors to the Generation Gap to the teens of today(My idea for teenagers today is not that they get into trouble but stand up for what they believe in and for what they would like to see changed in the world). It has been a pretty nice amazing journey with this rate it blog. Thank You. Arizona Bird landed and then flew away.

I'm truly blessed to have been born here, I hate the moral decay and the dumbing down of our students on all levels, the Anti Christ Lawyers Union (ACLU) If we can all look at each other as being created in the image of God, and that God cares very much what we do to his image we would be lightyears ahead in morals. If you gave a friend a photo of yourself as a keepsake only to find it tacked up on a wall and used as a dart board, what would you think of your so-called friend? Not much I think! There is a cry entering into the ears of the Lord of Hosts, when will he say I've heard enough?

I like how most of the people who "live" here rate it one star. i know it's an old expression, but get out if you don't like it. It's the one of the most geographically and culturally diverse countries in the world, which makes it an A in my book. Life wouldn't be life w/out differences and that's what the USA is tolerant of. It's true we should have universal health care, for example, but nothing is perfect.

Freedom. We are the best. We live in a Democracy. How ever, culture in the U.S. is not good.

This message is dedicated to everyone who rated America as "terrible." I admit that we do have our problems but it is far more preferable to anywhere that I can think of. If you have ever had to live in a 3rd world country and see how common people live, you will change your mind.
If you don't like it here, get out. I forgot, most countries have zero tolerance for illegal immigrants. Try waving the American flag and refusing to assimilate anywhere else.

It's sad. I was born and raised here, but I'm not often treated as or seen as an American. I get looked at as if I don't belong here or as if I'm going to mug them. Now with all this rigmarole about the illegal immigrants, I get looked at as if I'm one. And I dread traveling overseas. Why? Because everytime I come back (to my own country) I'm always cross-examined and treated with suspicion. I honestly don't know how some people say there's no racism in this country. And don't even get me started on the moral hypocrisy of the general population (shooting, maiming and blood OK, bare boobs, NO WAY) I'm seriously considering moving. If I'm to have children one day, I don't want them to become like typical Americans: Corporate Slaves.

America is WAY WAY overrated! I'm American and I say this! * high crime and astronomical incarceration rate * mental illness and depression at record levels * 50 MILLION with NO needed Healthcare Insurance. Disgraceful! * huge companies and their lobbyists are running things here * overly religious hateful fundamentalist zealots abound * our once sustaining industrial base is dying fast, with jobs being offshored to other countries in record numbers * millions of households need 2 incomes now to make ends meet; personal savings at an all time low * everything is Made In China now * 'captains of industry' have lost moral compass...witness Enron, WorldComm, Adelphia, Tyco fiascos. Lies abound in politics and biz. * public education failing millions... teacher and materials cutbacks are rampant, as already impoverished families are rejecting passage of school levy's in many urban and rural communities * much of our infrastructure is falling apart... orange barrels everywhere on roads... bridge repairs at all time high... urban blight getting worse * our News media are increasinlgy becoming like 'The National Enquirer', feeding us safe and filtered 'soft news' with less and less good investigative or truthful journalism You get the picture!

This is my home at the moment, and I love the place. The people are, in my experience, very hospitable and welcoming, and the natural beauty of the country is absolutely stunning in places. If you are visiting, try out the National Parks, and beautiful highways of course, but also experiment with the mundane and the offbeat things that you will only see in America - shopping in a big grocery store, where the staff are so insanely friendly that you would think they were on drugs if you encountered it in mainland Europe, chit-chatting with a small-town diner proprietor, or maybe watching a gay rodeo, where you will never see neater cowboys and not a beer belly in sight, or welcoming a door-to-door visit from a Mormon missionary. Immerse yourself in it - enjoy it. I have and continue to. The USA offers many work-related opportunities once you are a citizen or a permanent resident. On the downside, healthcare is very costly in comparison to other western countries. Like virtually all countries, many here are susceptible to the empty-headed and irritating jingoism that involves praising one's own country to the detriment of all others, without knowing any other countries in any detail, but, again like most countries, there are those who encourage their compatriots to cast a more critical eye on their society and goverment, in the interest of improving their society. And these people have a freer hand to do that here than in most societies. So, in the words of Public Enemy, a great American band, 'Don't believe the hype' - positive or negative - try it out for yourself.