Does constant criticism and scrutiny toward our great country prove that America is still the greatest?

Question

It's nice to be on top, thoughts?

Answer 1

You can't buy or impose Respect, you should deserve it by your acts.

For example, I wouldn't be so proud of that whole issue about stripping Churandy Martina of his Silver on 200m run. Just to name one.

Answer 2

Does constant criticism and scrutiny of China prove that it is the greatest?

You're not on top anymore!!! :-P

And you even started the scrutiny on China!!!

China has had the most criticism and bad accusations? Does that prove something? Hate is not a measure of success!

Answer 3

No, most of us rank USA very low, lower than even some Middle Eastern countries.

Answer 4

America is the greatest nation on earth, and it has been for a very long time. Those who deny it and who rank us low are the first ones to look to us to save them when they're being oppressed. As for those Americans who apologize for our existence, perhaps they should try living somewhere else so that they can gain a little perspective.

As far as the games are concerned, the medal count only proves America's athletic depth ~ nothing more. Naturally we take pride in this, as would any nation. This doesn't mean that we don't recognize and appreciate the ability of all the other great athletes in the world ~ including those who beat us.  

Answer 5

Yea, it's great isn't it

Answer 6

Iceland is the best country (was Norway for six years running). It's official.

No the reason for the criticism and scrutiny is because there's a lot to criticise and scrutinise. That's obvious isn't it?

Answer 7

It is a good thing to be proud of your country.  However, I am assuming that you are referring to the medal count when you talk about being "on top" given the topic this question was posted in.  

Unfortunately the US is the only country where the widely publicised ranks in the medal tally are awarded on total medals, not numbers of gold medals.  In addition to this, it is also reasonable to expect a wealthy, highly populated country, to place higher than a poorer, smaller country.  In some nations, simply staying alive precludes any leisure time to devote to sport.

As a number of posters have pointed out, perhaps gold medals or even any medals per head of population, or compared to gross domestic product might be a more true measure of a country's sporting prowess.

More to the point, perhaps to be truly "on top" is really only demonstrated by those athletes/countries who constantly demonstrate true sportsmanship no matter what their situation is.  A person is only truly as great as their character.  While we may admire sporting prowess, it is much more admirable to overcome adversity or be a gracious loser than a self satisfied pompous winner, no matter how fast or strong you may be.

As far as other measures of greatness go, perhaps more Americans should remove their rose coloured glasses, and realise that they often portray themselves as arrogant and patronising towards other nations.  Military might and wealth are not a true measure of greatness, nor is any culture that worships celebrity above all else. In any nation.

Answer 8

If this weren't posted in the "Sports - Olympics" category I'd probably agree with you, but sports competition shows nothing about the quality of nations.

Answer 9

no. the real medal table proves that you are not the greatest,

Answer 10

You're not.

Answer 11

It's actually not the greatest, and I'm being objective. I'm American. The Olympics are hardly indicative of how create a country is.

Answer 12

What exactly are you referring to the USA as being on top of?

As this was an Olympics placed query I assume you are referring to the Olympics or the sporting prowess a high populated, developed country like America can afford to develop.

So I guess USA is - at these Olympics- best at coming in second place- and third place... And dropping battons in relays...

But in terms of whose won the most events and is therefore leading the Beijing games- sorry- that's China.

Kudos for your national pride though.

In terms of criticism and scrutiny- huh? How does this "prove" someone is the greatest- especially when pretty much every country gets criticised and scrutinised at various points- probably again- China has been the most criticised and scrutinised during the current games- does this something 'prove' they are 'the greatest'. Don't follow that train of thought at all. Maybe the national pride has slipped into arrogance??

Answer 13

well people do hate who is on top

Answer 14

Where does it say your "on top"?  

Answer 15

I don't constantly criticise the US but I think it is a little pathetic to change the way you rank countries in the medal table just so you can be on top. Makes your population look a little emotionally fragile to NEED to be winning so much.

Every other nation ranks countries according to the gold tally.

Answer 16

America is the greatest - no way no how does anyone 'measure up' to us!!