The U.S. Isn’t The “Greatest” Nation 

April 12, 2021 – 6:30 pm ET
By Rich Weissman, Palm Springs, California (www.richweissman.com)

Is the U.S. the “greatest” nation in the world? I used to think it was, but now I don’t. Other nations have evolved and we are still stuck in a time that has long passed. For us to be the “greatest” we need to re-envision this nation as one that: 

Cherishes all life after birth; feeds the hungry; provides homes for the homeless; helps those with disabilities; values truth, facts, and character; provides inexpensive and accessible healthcare for all people; fights disease; gives women the right to be in control of their bodies; provides the ability to afford decent housing and ability to raise children in healthy environments for all; provides free/low cost quality education at all levels from pre-school through graduate school; treats all people of all races and backgrounds as equals in all areas of society; does not impose a specific religion or religion at all onto others, and keeps religion out of politics; values empathy, kindness, and compassion; treats women and people of different LGBTQ orientation or gender identity as equal; values science, education, and intellectual thinking; welcomes immigrants; ensures a minimum level of employment and annual pay for all people to provide for a decent standard of living; provides for the elderly so that they may live their senior years with dignity; ensures safety in products and services; ensures clean air, water, and streets; fights disease; provides policing that focuses on community and not on harm and discrimination; ensures that people are free from fear from guns and other forms of violence; treats animals humanely; cares about the environment and climate change; values the arts; taxes people and businesses fairly; provides equal justice to all, regardless of race, economic position, or other social status; diminishes the number of people imprisoned; cooperates with other nations for progress; provides mental health care to those who need it; provides quality public transportation, parks, and other public services; ensures that all citizens have equal and easy access to the ballot box; ensures that all children have what they need to thrive; shies away from conflict and war; represents the best democracy can offer. 

This is the kind of nation in which I want to live. When we can check-off each of these items, then we will be able to call ourselves the “greatest” nation, but not until.