If not America, then what is the best country in the world to live in??? And Why??

I also think this country is the greatest country to live in, for all of your reasons and it is a stunningly beautiful country. Last February I finally had a chance to see the Pacific Ocean up close & personal, I was in awe.

I also believe the U.S. is the greatest country to be born in/live in.  I've lived in and visited many other nations and none of them compare (though I do like real German food in Germany).  I've enjoyed every country I've visited for a variety of reasons, but nothing is like home.

We are generally safe, our electoral process works, as you've stated above, even with a bad economy, I am still optimistic as these are generally cyclical.  There is always the things we need available-when living in Turkey, the water was shut off in the City of Izmir most of the day and night to conserve-generally you only see that in periods of severe drought, if at all, here.  Over there it was an 'all the time' thing.

Denmark. That's where legos come from. Plus, taxes are super high (average 49%) and it results in a higher GDP, better healthcare, and one of the highest tertiary-degree-holding populations in the world.

And legos.

I mean, sure: Everyone in Scandanavia kills themself, but every country has its quirks.

i'd rather be living in canada than the US. it's just like the US, but with better balance towards domestic policy rather than foreign policy, and a generally more flexible and tuned-in government.

one of the biggest problems with canada is that the US is constantly bullying it in terms of commerce.

you talking about an american that existed before bush.

We have a right to assemble, protest, and be heard.

from a cage miles from where we can be seen and heard.

A citizen can bring a grievance against a corporation, a president, and/or the government.

well still true but not as true as it used to be with so called "tort reform" and they want to make it even harder to sue companies or the gov. ANd when you sue the gov, the tax payers pay for it and the guy that caused the problem gets nothing.

A person, any person, can start with an idea and with drive, determination, belief in themselves, and with the passion to be successful; can make it into a business and be successful.

this has been proven not as true as it used to be and many other nations these days this is truier than the US. With corporate protectionism and things like walmart getting a 5 year tax break to move into my town to put me out of business doesnt exactly give weight to your "american dream"
in the past 20 years changing classes has been nearly non existant, when 40 years ago it was much more dynamic.

I believe America's greatness is our tolerance of others and their beliefs

not even close.. travel much?
gas you havent seen those gays dragged behind trucks or the arabs attacked in this country for looking muslim or the indiains attacked in this country for looking arab. Nah we are pretty intolerant of others ideas, even politically. And while not hte worse country, simple travel will show you we are no where near as "tollerant" as we pretend to be.

America is the greatest country in the cosmos. But it could and should and will be a lot better. Once we marginalize the nasty stingy corrupt rotten-to-the-core rightwing reactionaries from the halls of political-economic power.

Furthermore, I believe in Free Speech. But would like to see FCC regulations requiring Rush Limbaugh, Moron Glenn Beck Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly to wear clown suits. 24 hours a day...

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I think you can make home in most countries on this globe. Personally, I prefer Europe, which partly might be rooted in my nationality and partly in the fact that I de facto enjoy more freedoms here. I made a conscious choice to leave the US after 7 years and 3 states (military life does that to you) and have yet to regret it.

What I prefer in Europe:

• I feel safer due to less crime
• less religious influence
• less ignorance towards others
• more social justice

What I prefer in the US:

• more opportunities, such as buying a house, starting over a career in later age, if you have sufficient funding, ...
• less bureaucracy for some things

Neither the US nor Europe is better or worse than the other, they are simply different. I believe that the choice of preferring one or the other is solely based on what your focus is on for better living.

I would have said Japan, because they have hentai and probably teleporters, but I don't approve of eating octopus and whales (I don't like to eat anything that is better at math than I am).

America isn't a country, its a business.

A financial corporation.

I think if I had to move somewhere else - I'd pick Australia - Central to North Queensland.

No place else I'd rather be than here in the USA. It's not perfect but it's better than anywhere else.

       One of the benefits of travel is the perspective and appreciation you gain whether you're on vacation or serving your country you can't help notice how good we have it here.

America is the best place in the world to be...That said, if I were to go somewhere else it would be Campbell River, British Columbia.

I believe America's greatness is our tolerance of others and their beliefs. I can think of many many far more tolerant countries than the USA. Most of Northern Europe springs readily to mind, especially Holland and the U.K. Yes, we do argue and call each other names....but we do allow dissenting opinions. All other 1st world countries enjoy at least, at least as much freedom of speech as we do and with that of course also dissenting opinions.....no matter how crazy or loony we feel those opinions to be. Ever been to speakers corner in London or the house of commons in the British Parliament. far more freedom of speech.

We have elections, and yes there have been some problems. So does the rest of the 1st world, and most are far more democratic because they have proportional representation which by it's very nature is more democratic......but the military did not seize power, soldiers of the ruling party did not open fire on opposition members, nor did they round up and imprison the opposing party's leadership, while executing people in the streets and burning down the opposition's headquarters. That happens in no other comparable (1st world country) either. Your comparisons so far have been with 2nd. and 3rd. world countries.

A citizen can bring a grievance against a corporation, a president, and/or the government.

Thay can in every 1st world country. Did you forget that you should be comparing the USA to other 1st world countries not 2nd. and 3rd. world. Compare apples to apples.

We have a right to assemble, protest, and be heard. Same as the previous comment.

A person, any person, can start with an idea and with drive, determination, belief in themselves, and with the passion to be successful; can make it into a business and be successful. It is easier in Europe to start your own business. The big reason being you do not have to worry about the cost of health care covereage for your employees or yourself. We are actually at a huge disadvantage to other 1st world contries on this one. Apples to apples.

There are many flaws, but to me there are far more many advantages to living in America.

What advantages would you have over someone from the EU? We have far less vacation time, we earn less per capita, we have far higher poverty rates, a far far higher murder rate, 47 million people or 17% of the population has no health care covereage and lacks proper access to health care, we have the highest teen pregnancy rate, we have the least educated populace, we have the highest obesity, diabetes, heart disease rates (All of these are when compared to other 1st world countries) We stack up very poorly in almost every areas of quality of life to other 1st world countries. We stack up very well against 3rd. world countries, which it seems is what you have used for your comparisons. Apples to apples.

That's my opinion. What is yours? None of what I have said is opinion. Everything I have said is just fact. Opinion shouldn't come into it. Be objective and make apples to apples comparions.

What is the greatest country to live in, and why?

There are several countries that tie for best country in the world to live in. Norway, Australia, Canada come out tops. All other 1st world countries are better places to live than the USA, for the reasons given in the comparisons.

But the three mentioned above get top marks for:

Access to quality education, Access to quality Healthcare, Low property crime rates, low murder rates (about 30 times lowers than ours), Better infant mortality, much much lower prison populations, much higher pay, especially in Norway (most people from the EU earn more than the mean American income) At least 10 hours less in a work week, unlimited or plentiful paid sick days, an average of 6 weeks vacation time, more tolerant populace, real social net (you won't lose you home if you lose your job), more freedom of speech, more freedom of action, very high or no speed limits on freeways, motorways, Snellwegs, Autobahns, workers rights and protections, the list goes on and on and on. Like I said we compare very favorably with all our neighbors to the south of us, but we can not let us believe that it doesn't get any better than this, because it does, it most certainly does, much much better.

As always; subject to your review and comments

I love my country, but there don't seem to be any opportunities left for a 55-year-old Ph.D. here. I have two choices in mind that I would find appealing: Woolongong, Australia, and/or Royan, France. Both smallish, seaside, with a mild climate and access to larger cities. Since I am not wealthy, however, neither is in my immediate plans.

Sigh

I'm in favor of any country that doesn't spout the "f-bomb" with every other word and has more adequate gun control. I'd rather be surrounded by a language I cannot decipher than to continue to subject myself to "Ima shoot that *G-D* *F-ing* idiot!" even one more time. A country that has successfully instilled a respect for elders would be nice. Medical care is purely impossible in America, so a country that is more supportive of its' people would certainly draw my interest.

I'm not wealthy, either, but being poor here seems to be just as damning as being poor elsewhere.

Is America the best country in the world to live in? Now there's something only a person who hadn't done much travelling would ask. It's not even in my top 5 that I've visited, and I'm not what I would consider to be well travelled.

It would be hard for me to rank them, but here are my top picks:

Australia simply for the natural environment it offers.

The Philippines, because the people there have such a beautiful spirit.

Ireland, talk about beautiful, but only in the summer, I don't like that much cold in the winter, but it does make the summer that much sweeter.

Canada, for their social programs and healthcare, but same goes for Canada as goes for Ireland about the winters.

I guess the U.S. would actually come next in my list, if it's Hawaii we're talking about... nowhere else in the states though.

PS - all the "advantages" of the U.S. listed in the author's article also go for all that I have listed.