Is America living beyond its means?
151597
The reason the US consumes a disproportionate share of the world's resources is not because we're wasteful, but simply because we have the biggest economy in the world.  Consider the fact that economies of scale also make the US economy one of the most EFFICIENT in the world, in terms of resource input per unit of economic output.\nThe fact that the American economy is so large and so efficient also has beneficial effects on other countries; in other words, we tend to spread the wealth.  Chances are that whatever is manufactured, grown, mined, or designed in the country where you live is exported to the US.\nFeel free to disparage the US and Americans all you please - we don't issue fatwas against everyone who hurts our feelings - but you cannot ignore the facts.\nIf you were to postulate that Americans are living beyond their means by running up incredible, unsustainable amounts of personal, corporate, and government debt, then I would completely agree with you.
686740
It looks like. In my opinion America is asking for more trouble, as if it hadn't enough. America has abused its freedom and its resources to the extend that the developing nations have started hating its dominating attitude. It's already on "war" with Iran and things are hotting up to a final nuclear holocaust.
653368
Good explanation on it. It is true that America might as well could be faucist but then again we are capitolist so that's one MAJOR difference.
365787
America stands for freedom.  However freedom doesn't come free.
243385
Yeah, but we're the richest and most powerful country in the world, so the rules don't REALLY apply when they're not convienent, do they?  We're not worried about being MORAL, just as long as we can wage unilateral war to make OTHERS moral.\n\nWe're America, we don't have to worry about being hypocrites.
1143404
American society?\nIgnorance, intolerance, arrogance, wastefulness and greed.
412999
I believe it is. America is the richest, most successful country the world has ever known. Everyone envies our freedom and way of life. Every third-world country that doesn't understand the value of life, or the contribution that the individual can make, given the freedom to do it, hates our way of life. That's why all of the oil money in the middle east si so scary. Here are people that are barely out of the stone age, with enough money to purchase whatever they want. Including nuclear weapons. \nI think America, and other like-minded democracies around the world are the only salvation for this world. They have the power, and the STABILITY to keep the nut jobs from blowing us all up!
49946
I see very little outside of the United States, so I will limit my remarks to my country.  Our culture has become very diverse.  As a consequence, there seems to be a wider span of beliefs and thoughts about the proper and socially acceptable behavior.\nOn one hand are those who are steeped in traditional moral value, but have been lead to believe that military action in the middle east is acceptable behavior.  On the other hand are the rising minorities who are coming to the realization that the “American Dream” may remain just a dream for them.\nToo far?  We, as a society, are too divided to solve our own problems.  We are rapidly building walls between ourselves and each other as well as the rest of the world.  We seem to have forgotten tolerance in favor of getting “in each other’s face.”  The seeds that we sow now shall be reaped at some future time, perhaps when our national debt is owed to the rest of the world.
13591
Most Americans have great respect for everyone who is rational, productive, and self-sufficient. This also means anyone who does you harm should be served justice in the interest of protecting free principles.\n\nThe problem is that everyone BUT Americans seem to eat up whatever the media says, or they lack the education to realize that Americans are like any other human being. We live for our happiness and productive achievement, and we highly value our liberty and security.\n\nAny actions we take are a result of that love for freedom and that moral pursuit. We do not tolerate socialism, facism, or totalitarianism, but rather open and mutually beneficial relationships and trade.
71977
"American Exceptionalism" is at worse a facade and at best a very poor interpretation of our "purpose" as a nation. The founding fathers that argued for the constitution argued that yes the US needed to be a superpower to have domestic and foreign security, but an economic superpower not a military superpower. The United States does differ "qualitatively from other developed nations, because of its unique origins, national credo, historical evolution etc, but our founding fathers aruged that we should not be a force to interfere with other nations affairs. The intent of the Union was . . . is to preserve all of our values within our boundries not spread it across the world. One could argue that Iran or North Korea might not have technology that potentially threatens us if we had not invented such technology in the first place. The United States origianlly had no responsibility to anyone but itself. However, in a age where warfare is mobile and long reaching, and that capitalism has developed into the battled prize among everyone the US needs to (all though one could debate it) a strong foriegn force to defend its economy which equates to defending our unique rights of self determination through liberty, freedom etc, so in the end being the world's policemen which is needed by our system is contradictive to the purpose of the US originally.
708474
no im not living the american dream. only few people actually live it thats why its called a dream. life is an ongoing struggle for me and about 250 million americans. what needs to be changed is definitely the heathcare, and welfare system. the military budget also needs to be reduced from $400 billion to about $40 billion. spend $360 on healthcare and welfare. people will be better taken care of. food in the u.s. is great though. dont change that. i love american buffets and taco bell. i also like how people trust each other in the states. in a lot of countries people dont trust each other and that is sad. i also like how americans are much friendlier than other countries. thats one thing americans can teach others. and also the food as well. im not talking about mcdonalds coz thats rubish. but like american buffets. even steak, ribs, and chicken wings. other countries have taught me tolerance. many countries are real good at accepting people of different religious groups, backgrounds, gays, poor people, etc. we are all people, and sometimes thats hard to understand in the states because you have to fit into this mold on what a person should be.
648316
Americans are a beautiful people, and America a beautiful country. However, The USA is a young country, not even 250 years old, and yet it demands respect and control that it has not earned. The education system is far too introspective, leading to an extrodanary national ego and encouraging xenophobia and far-right fundementalism. Seperation of the state and religion has not been achieved which goes to further this 'us and them' situation. By forcing the country to progress and develop at an unnatural level to catch up and compete with European and Asian countries; the USA has been left with overwhelming political and social problems, and a lack of identity and confidence that has manifested itself in a self-defensive 'better than you' and 'you must be like us or want to be like us because we are the best' attitude. It's kind of imperialism without the empire. , I love every American I've ever met and I have travelled extensivly in the States and adore the country. There is always room for improvement in every country.
795655
The USA, but it's not true.
124338
I think there is a combination of socialism and democracy that has yet to be realized. As for America, you alsom must realize that all empires eventually fall. Be it in 100 years or 1000. Nothing lasts forever.
50437
In my not-so-humble opinion, I see the standard of living in the USA taking a dump.  Look at the actual quality of life, the hours spent in a commute, the elimination of affordable housing.  In this age of online degrees, imported doctors, and idiotic health care, duplicitous Enron executives, can the system still function when more and more people are added?  To be frank--my concern is that America is becomming 2nd world.  Our time has come and gone.  I guess it will be interesting to see what happens in China....\n\nNot to mention places like Africa, where HIV has made such an impact.  How is the world going to care for all those people? Or will the suffering continue????\n\nMy theory is things never get better until they hit absolute rock-bottom.  Nature will have to step in and trim the trees so to speak.  We will never, as a race of beings, voluntarily reduce population.  Humping is just too darn fun and easy....\n\nI guess to summarize, I think the resources are not enough to maintain the standard of living we have.  The more and more people that are added, the lower and lower the living standard goes.  You will end up with an elite rich class which owns everything, the middle class will be abolished, and everyone else will be scraping by.
434827
no.  that one answer was ridiculous.  America isnt *just* restricting people from financially poor countries.  People from China and Japan have just as much trouble.
944422
We are a freedom loving nation that was founded on morals and uses that base to help the rest of the world out of problems. The government is strong and is decided by its people. We have resolved many conflicts around the world without them escalating and give billions of dollars and aid to almost any country that asks for it. My short answer, based on those facts, is yes, The United States of America is the greatest country on earth and I am proud to live and serve such a nation.