As I read this piece, I am reminded of a recent discussion I had with a friend who is attending law school. He proclaimed that the U.S. had the best criminal justice system in the world. My simple question to him was “how do you know”? “Can you tell me anything about the criminal justice system in any other country”? Crickets. “How about Canada, Mexico, any Western European nation or any of the nearly 200 nations around the world”? More crickets. While I accept the First Lady’s comment as nothing more than political rhetoric, I cringe each time I hear similar statements from lay persons. If we’re the best, why change? Why try to improve? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Don’t even attempt to fix it. We’re number one.

I have been fortunate to have been able to travel to many places around the globe. I am keenly aware that my travel is a privilege, since I am a citizen of a nation where the majority of my fellow citizens don’t hold a passport. Therefore, have no firsthand knowledge of life nor people outside the borders of this wonderful nation. In all my travels, rarely have I been unable to uncover something that the U.S. could benefit from if copied.