Tim Knowles
Aug 9, 2017 · 2 min read

Thanks, that is a well reasoned and valuable addition to the conversation.

I do apologize for using Progressive as a pejorative. Much that is progressive is good, valuable and appropriate.

I don’t know that I said “Best Country Ever” I think I said “Greatest Country Ever”, referring to the on balance positive affects its influence and power the has had on the course of world events and I don’t limit it to the works of the Government but all the persons of the U.S.A. Admittedly, all these good works could be undone. “one awe shit, wipes out all atta-boys.” and what have you done for me lately is in play right now.

As far as the Quality of Life in the U.S.A., like the other two world powers we are a less developed but large country, China, Russia, U.S.A. are not as good a place to live as say Korea, Japan, Germany, France, Norway………Each of the States in the U.S.A. is just that a different State with a different standard of living. Some States and Cities in the U.S.A. are very developed are some of the best places to live in the world. Some States and Cities are pretty depressing.

As far as the Vietnam and subsequent military actions by the U.S.A. I would only be proud of the First Gulf War. The rest including the current activities in the Middle East are embarrassing.

As far as Americans being exceptional, I do think that there may have been a favorable selection process in the populating of the U.S.A. that could have and may still be having a positive effect but it is probably small. I think it is more a culture of achievement and personal responsibility along with the size and physical isolation that Made America Great and it will be America’s Great Power that would make us Evil but than can be resisted, must be resisted.

No way, no how do I think America's “foreign policies, based on an exceptionalist premise which leads to the feeling that America’s always right, everyone else is always wrong and so America has the moral, almost religious mandate to do whatever they want, wherever they want, with no consequences.” Despite America being exceptional we have had a run of poor leadership and we have created an environment where our best people avoid political office and tend to act through others and organizations.

Things could be a lot better, even for the Greatest Country Ever.

TEK

    Tim Knowles

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    Worked in our nations space programs for more than 35 years