Is it morally wrong to think that another country (or countries) are better than the United States?

[Katzenjammer]

Meaning that some opinions can lead to something bad and you might regret it

That didn't help me much, I'm sorry. No worries, I'm old and I guess I'm a bit dense as well. Obviously some opinions can lead to bad things if acted upon, but I just found the statement on it's own to be confusing. Apologies and thank you for taking the time to try to help me understand what you meant! *hushes now*

 

[Mr_Persona]

That didn't help me much, I'm sorry. No worries, I'm old and I guess I'm a bit dense as well. Obviously some opinions can lead to bad things if acted upon, but I just found the statement on it's own to be confusing. Apologies and thank you for taking the time to try to help me understand what you meant! *hushes now*

ok then

 

[Katzenjammer]

ok then

I thought you meant not everyone should have or is entitled to an opinion when you said: "Everyone has opinions and that's okay...but not always." Sorry for being confused or misunderstanding.

 

[Jessi]

Nope, and you're not wrong with that statement. Even though I am very grateful to have the freedom I do, but America is not the best.

 

[visibleghost]

like just to be clear, america is not even close to being the best country on earth no matter what (positive) parameters you're going for

I don't think morals play into it. Just remember, nothing is ever, EVER free. Someone pays for it. There is no such thing as free Healthcare, free higher education...free tacos from Taco Bell. SOMEONE eats the cost, whether that's higher taxes to pay for everyone's free Healthcare or free education, or a company eating the cost of your free taco. It's never free.

idk what your point is here, like no one who advocates for government funded healthcare and social security networks thinks the money comes out of nowhere. It still has to be financially supported. The thing is that you have or could most likely easily acquire the money for it in the US, you just have leaders who don't think healthcare is a right worth enough to put a small dent in your military budget or tax the rich.

Healthcare is expensive but it's not as expensive as your health insurances or hospital bills make it out to be.

morals definitely play into it. healthcare is a human right (as are many things) and denying people that right because they cannot pay for it is oppressive and morally wrong.

 

[Miss Misty]

Yeah, I'm echoing the sentiment that there's nothing morally wrong with thinking the US - or any country - isn't perfect. I would go so far as to argue that it's more morally wrong to willingly turn a blind eye to the nation's faults, personally. Only through examination of practices that aren't working can positive change be made. Refusing to acknowledge those faults isn't patriotism, it's jingoism. Do you want to be North Korea? Because harshly punishing people who question anything about Dear Leader and His nation is how you get North Korea.

idk what your point is here, like no one who advocates for government funded healthcare and social security networks thinks the money comes out of nowhere. It still has to be financially supported. The thing is that you have or could most likely easily acquire the money for it in the US, you just have leaders who don't think healthcare is a right worth enough to put a small dent in your military budget or tax the rich.

Healthcare is expensive but it's not as expensive as your health insurances or hospital bills make it out to be.

morals definitely play into it. healthcare is a human right (as are many things) and denying people that right because they cannot pay for it is oppressive and morally wrong.

Agreed 100%.

1. A lot of people don't pay attention to how much of their paychecks get taken for insurance payments. For me it's $100 every paycheck. And if they do, they don't stop and consider that with universal healthcare, they get the option to take that money home instead of paying for private insurance. I think it was Bernie Sanders's plan that claimed Universal Healthcare could be had for a $750 increase in everyone's federal taxes per year. Now I'm no mathemagician, but I'm pretty sure that $2400 > $750. (Not saying Sanders's math was correct or true, I'm just using the number that I saw and comparing it with my own bloated healthcare costs)

2. No one looks at their hospital bills. Like no, you should not have to pay a doctor for an hour of his time because he poked his head into your room and had a vague idea of what you were in for. No, OTC tylenol that can be had for a nickel a pill from Walmart shouldn't cost $100 because a nurse brought it to you in one of those plastic airplane cups. A big part of the Universal Healthcare initiatives is bringing the cost down to be comparable with what other developed nations are paying for medical care and supplies.

 

[Stella-Io]

Nope def not wrong to think another country is better.

Yes, while a country might be better in some aspects compared to the United States, there will always be cons. These cons may not even be cons to other people, some are a matter of opinion.

However with the way 2020 was handled in the US, other developed first world countries are lookin a whole lot better now. Also I am not placing all the blame on one person, there are many people involved who have done wrong.

 

[oranje]

Oh for sure it's not morally wrong to think other countries are better than the United States. I honestly think people who do think the United States is the best either have a very idealized version of the United States or never have lived outside the United States for an extensive amount of time. I normally would say traveling helps but some vacations are very resort-y and insular rather than eye-opening to many Americans. Honestly if I had my way, I'd have all Americans live abroad, either via university or through public service programs like Peace Corps.

But also keep in mind, just because the United States has a lot of flaws, doesn't mean other countries don't. Xenophobia, homophobia, sexism, crime, corruption all happen to some degree in other countries, some less than the United States, some more. As a woman for example, there are a lot of countries I'd be scared to visit alone. On the other hand, there are also a lot of places in the United States I'd also be scared to go by myself. Personally, I'd like to try to make things better here in the United States. I don't have the privilege to live elsewhere and it's the same for millions of other Americans. There's a lot in the United States I don't like, but there's also a lot I do. Our National Park service, our wildlife, our diverse foods, our cultures, our welcoming of immigrants...those are the things I keep in mind whenever I feel down about the politics here.

 

[deleted]

Nothing wrong. You are entitled to your opinion as is everyone else in the world. You bring up some great points, too. If I had the money, I would travel outside of America just for a sample of different cultures/ways of life.

 

[amemome]

No way!!! The U.S. is not the best country by a long shot! There are pros and cons for every single country and it's not a morals thing to think other countries are better than the U.S.

Seeing the good of other countries doesn't necessarily mean you're less patriotic. You can only "be the best" country if your country strives to serve its people! And I think the U.S. doesn't always do that. Acknowledging this and also being happy about how much progress DOES get made? I think that's true patriotism.

I'm sorry your family is shaming you!!

 

[Mairen]

Dont let this get you down. I learned awhile ago that there are some conversations that are not wise to have with my parents, simple as that. Could be a generational thing. I could bring all the logic and facts I wanted to the table, but I learned there's no changing their views on certain topics, so I avoid those topics around them. Peace is better than us arguing in circles.

You are absolutely allowed to have a different opinion from your parents. You are absolutely allowed to feel that the US isnt the best country in the world (most people would agree these days)!

 

[princess.looking.for.frog]

Really it is up to personal experience and opinion. The only time when I feel very unsettled is when people think communist or socialist countries are better than the US (or democratic countries in that matter). Yes the US isn’t a perfect democracy, but it so much better than many many countries around the world in my opinion by government. Like, people saying Russia is the place to be makes me feel like they might not have a good outlook on what’s good and bad. From personal and family experience, Russia and Belarus are not good places either in government or rights in general. But it really boils down to personal opinion, and no one should be shaming anyone according to their opinion, even I wont shame people that think communism is a good thing (even though I hate it to my core). Even shaming people that like a certain politician over another (Liking Trump for example) is a bad and a not moral thing to do. You can say facts but jamming them with your opinion and forcing it on them is straight out mean and inconsiderate.

 

[LambdaDelta]

I want to frame these current poll results to highlight as an example that the world is pretty great, sometimes

 

[GothiqueBat]

I meaaan I agree with most people here but from another point of view, it's also is kinda sweet(?) your parents love your country so much. Does seem a bit like a cult but stiiiilll, good they're happy to live where they are?

Still sorry you got shamed for it, thats like not okay???

Here in the UK (at least with most people I know) it's almost the other way around, like yeah it's a nice place but would probably get weird looks if someone said it's the best. More often than not I hear people from here hating on ourselfs lol.

But this does just add up with all the stuff my american friends say about america- y'all crazy.

Post automatically merged: Nov 16, 2020

Russia and Belarus are not good places either in government or rights in general.

I agree with you and am sure your experience is different, but for another point of view on this particular subject, I recently was speaking to a neighbor who moved from Belarus who did not understand why the media was saying it was so bad. She did agree the rights were an issue but her view was something along the lines of **everyone** has a house, a job, has food on the table and are warm. Can you say the same of the UK or America? I have no idea about stats but here in London there homeless people (or at least sleeping on the street) literally everywhere. Her view made it sound like it was not the case there.

 

[Manah]

I'm not one to declare one country "better" than the others, because that's vague and doesn't take into account that nothing is perfect and every place has its good and bad aspects.

And that is the point - you look at actual reality to come to a nuanced understanding of why something is good or bad. How your country works does not have much to do with your personal morality. That determines who you vote for at most. And a few universal concepts aside, morality is individual. Citing such a nebulous concept withut arguments rooted in reality is sidestepping the need to take facts into account.

If the USA (though you can apply this to anything you want) are really that great, surely those people can tell you what makes them so great and, more specifially, greater than others? Ask that question and they'll get angry, because it's not about finding out whether they're right or wrong. They are right, in their mind, and they twit and tweak reality until it suits them. If reality cannot be warped enough? They pretend reality works according to their own made-up rules - in other words, "I'm right because I say so."

 

[lemoncrossing]

It's not morally wrong, it's called an opinion. Americans are wack though, I don't know why we always assume we're the best because it's literally so far from the truth

 

[Belle T]

I meaaan I agree with most people here but from another point of view, it's also is kinda sweet(?) your parents love your country so much. Does seem a bit like a cult but stiiiilll, good they're happy to live where they are?

With all due respect, though, that's kind of naively conflicting misguided optimism with vocal hostility. If I'm understanding the OP's situation correctly, their parents aren't people who are overflowing with love and enthusiasm for the place they call home to the point where it may occassionaly cloud their judgment; rather, they're so prejudiced and dogmatically loyal to the point that it borders on bigotry. As an analogy (note: purely an analogy, not an assessment of character), we wouldn't call racists sweet because they love white people so much, because the defining characteristic of a racist is their hatred of other races.

If it were really such a case of someone being naively ignorant or just zealously passionate about their country, I don't think the idea that anyone else would have equal enthusiasm for another country would be an issue to them.

For that reason, I would also argue that their being "happy to live where they are" is probably more "complacent with where they are." While I'm not saying the OP's family is on the top of the food chain so to speak--I'm sure they have their issues as well--they probably actually benefit from the genuine good things that America has to offer. And to be reminded that not everyone is afforded that luxury--often as a result of the same systematic functions that grants them said luxury in the first place--probably makes them uncomfortable. And the idea that they could also be in an even better position if the country were to adopt a radical new position, particularly those by other countries that excel in areas where America falters, presents something equally uncomfortable: A challenge.

In short, it's not "I love my country and I will defend her from all forms of heresy," as much as "Please do not say things I don't wish to hear."

Of course, I am not the OP nor their family, so do forgive me if I am putting words in anyone's mouth. Moreover, I fear even this assessment probably assumes a higher moral compass and thus doesn't account for the possibility of indoctrination, selective exposure, or even just plain being a brute. But my point is that the issue here is not of love for one's country, but of prejudice and complacency under the thin veil of patriotism. At least--again--assuming I'm understanding this thread's purpose correctly.

 

[nintendofan85]

Yeah, I'm echoing the sentiment that there's nothing morally wrong with thinking the US - or any country - isn't perfect. I would go so far as to argue that it's more morally wrong to willingly turn a blind eye to the nation's faults, personally. Only through examination of practices that aren't working can positive change be made. Refusing to acknowledge those faults isn't patriotism, it's jingoism. Do you want to be North Korea? Because harshly punishing people who question anything about Dear Leader and His nation is how you get North Korea.


Agreed 100%.

1. A lot of people don't pay attention to how much of their paychecks get taken for insurance payments. For me it's $100 every paycheck. And if they do, they don't stop and consider that with universal healthcare, they get the option to take that money home instead of paying for private insurance. I think it was Bernie Sanders's plan that claimed Universal Healthcare could be had for a $750 increase in everyone's federal taxes per year. Now I'm no mathemagician, but I'm pretty sure that $2400 > $750. (Not saying Sanders's math was correct or true, I'm just using the number that I saw and comparing it with my own bloated healthcare costs)

2. No one looks at their hospital bills. Like no, you should not have to pay a doctor for an hour of his time because he poked his head into your room and had a vague idea of what you were in for. No, OTC tylenol that can be had for a nickel a pill from Walmart shouldn't cost $100 because a nurse brought it to you in one of those plastic airplane cups. A big part of the Universal Healthcare initiatives is bringing the cost down to be comparable with what other developed nations are paying for medical care and supplies.

I won't lie, I had been skeptical of single payer healthcare myself (OP here), but this is quite a convincing argument...

Post automatically merged: Nov 16, 2020

Oh for sure it's not morally wrong to think other countries are better than the United States. I honestly think people who do think the United States is the best either have a very idealized version of the United States or never have lived outside the United States for an extensive amount of time. I normally would say traveling helps but some vacations are very resort-y and insular rather than eye-opening to many Americans. Honestly if I had my way, I'd have all Americans live abroad, either via university or through public service programs like Peace Corps.

But also keep in mind, just because the United States has a lot of flaws, doesn't mean other countries don't. Xenophobia, homophobia, sexism, crime, corruption all happen to some degree in other countries, some less than the United States, some more. As a woman for example, there are a lot of countries I'd be scared to visit alone. On the other hand, there are also a lot of places in the United States I'd also be scared to go by myself. Personally, I'd like to try to make things better here in the United States. I don't have the privilege to live elsewhere and it's the same for millions of other Americans. There's a lot in the United States I don't like, but there's also a lot I do. Our National Park service, our wildlife, our diverse foods, our cultures, our welcoming of immigrants...those are the things I keep in mind whenever I feel down about the politics here.

Sadly, Americans are some of the least traveled to foreign nations when it comes to people from developed nations... And the country has a low overall passport ownership rate.

Post automatically merged: Nov 16, 2020

With all due respect, though, that's kind of naively conflicting misguided optimism with vocal hostility. If I'm understanding the OP's situation correctly, their parents aren't people who are overflowing with love and enthusiasm for the place they call home to the point where it may occassionaly cloud their judgment; rather, they're so prejudiced and dogmatically loyal to the point that it borders on bigotry. As an analogy (note: purely an analogy, not an assessment of character), we wouldn't call racists sweet because they love white people so much, because the defining characteristic of a racist is their hatred of other races.

This is very accurate.

 

[Katzenjammer]

My answer would be first, I don't see how this is a moral issue, and second, no, its not at all wrong to think that. No one country is the best or better than everyone else, they're just different, imo. Most countries and governments have both good and bad things about them, though usually the bad outweighs the good just by nature. There's nothing wrong having your own opinion, though.

 

[trashpedia]

Really it is up to personal experience and opinion. The only time when I feel very unsettled is when people think communist or socialist countries are better than the US (or democratic countries in that matter). Yes the US isn’t a perfect democracy, but it so much better than many many countries around the world in my opinion by government. Like, people saying Russia is the place to be makes me feel like they might not have a good outlook on what’s good and bad. From personal and family experience, Russia and Belarus are not good places either in government or rights in general. But it really boils down to personal opinion, and no one should be shaming anyone according to their opinion, even I wont shame people that think communism is a good thing (even though I hate it to my core). Even shaming people that like a certain politician over another (Liking Trump for example) is a bad and a not moral thing to do. You can say facts but jamming them with your opinion and forcing it on them is straight out mean and inconsiderate.

Me and my family are from Vietnam (which is considered a communist government, but this is arguable to some people. For the sake of this, I'm going to consider it communist for now) and whenever I hear someone say that I kinda roll my eyes and say "yeah suuure you would". I've gone to Vietnam before many times to see my family and it's an amazing place I would love to visit more often, but I highly doubt it's a place where westerners (especially from first world countries) would want to stay there for too long, let alone live there for the rest of their lives and face the true reality of living there. I grew up with some collectivist values and understand the everyday culture of Vietnam from my parents, so I can imagine myself living there for a while, but not forever.