Welcome to Gaia! ::

I used to hold those same views. I was tired of the U.S. being labeled as a self-loving douche, and tired of people proving the world right. I was tired of people hating the rest of the world in order to feed their love for America. I was tired of the flaws that no die-hard patriot would dare point out, like the crappy educational system, the so-called equality, the cracking economy, and the freedom to create hateful and violent groups.
But then I looked at the castes in India, the religious slavery in China, the religious wars in the Middle East, and the drug wars in Latin America.

I got over it.

This hasn't been my experience.

1 person, even 1 + plus your personal experiences doesn't mean it's a sound line of thought. Most of the people I know who say that are internationally traveled people who serve our country- all of whom have about that level of education.

You seem like you pride yourself on reason- remember that reason says a limited sample and personal experiences aren't enough to make a fact. If they were- I could say most men in the US are racist jerks. I don't think that's true- but even friends of mine have said some pretty racist BS. But letting that small number of people speak for the whole isn't accurate or logical.

When people say this nation is the best or that one is- they have sound arguments based on principles- some of these principles are universal, so even if they're wrong, trying to debate which is the best or not just means they need better research and definitions- not that it's "folly" to even try.

I'm not American, and I find that Canadians maybe are less likely to refer to themselves as "patriotic" (at least, I hear the term thrown around more by Americans), but that doesn't mean we aren't proud of our country. There isn't anything wrong with that, so long as you are willing to acknowledge the negative aspects of your country as well.

I feel very fortunate to live here, and I am happy for my country's achievements. I am proud of certain aspects of Canadian culture, but I can also think of plenty of things about my country that I'm ashamed of.

While we tend to roll our eyes and sigh at the Real 'Muricans (™) among our neighbours to the South, we're aware that they are just a loud, obnoxious minority who don't represent Americans as a whole. I think that might be what annoys people the most about the overzealous "patriots"; they appear to be completely blind to their country's failings and weaknesses. Nobody likes arrogance.

Here in Canada, we have our own group of people who rant and rave about protecting "traditional Canadian culture", whatever that is. The tirades are pretty transparent, and are usually an excuse for individuals to spew thinly-veiled bigotry, either against atheists, immigrants, or gays. Luckily, they too are just an obnoxious, vocal minority.

The United States is an amazing country. I may not own a U.S. flag myself, but I live here and there is no country on earth that compares to the United States. Not to offend! (;

It's funny this comes up now because just yesterday I was riding home from school in the bus and I was looking outside my window admiring the country. I've criticized patriots and U.S. fanatics before, but I came to an epiphany yesterday! What don't Americans see when they look outside there windows. They don't see bombs going off. They don't see dictators. They don't see "resistance" to so said dictators. All you see is peace. People drive to and from places not even worrying about being attacked by whatever evil forces lurk around the corner (though I do admit, it does happen sometimes). Practically a walking distance away from my city is Cuidad Juarez, Mexico. About eight people die every day over there due to all the drug cartels. There's one substitute teacher who frequents my school who's of Hispanic descent that always tells everyone, "Don't go to Juarez! Don't go to Juarez! I want to see you again, ok?" right when class ends. We're so close to the most dangerous city in the world, we're practically touching! You can see Juarez clearly if you go downtown. Then we were ranked the safest city in America not too long ago. Hardly any murders over here on this side.

Here in America, I'm safe from all the violence in Juarez. I eat not worrying about hunger and if there's more food for tomorrow. I'm sheltered and pampered with a free education. My dad works as a police sergeant and owns a house. Compared to almost every country in the world, that's RICH. In many places people are lucky to have a bed to sleep on. I'm college bound and will have the opportunity to pursue doing something I love. Then I can earn even more money and become "rich" like my dad as well. I'm protected by the law and can walk to church every Sunday safely without being persecuted. I can be gay and be accepted and even have a boyfriend if I like.

We have streets. Sidewalks. Various trees. Large houses. Malls. Amusement parks. Parks. Grocery Stores. Fast food restaurants. Soup kitchens. Government-provided housing. America is a great country. GREAT. It's not perfect, but no country is. People who say otherwise, or dislike the United States, need to stop taking these things for granted. If you don't like having all these things, go to some third-world country and see how you like it there. Someone will be MORE than glad to take your place living here. neutral

And nationalism was the cause of our wars?
WWI - Germans were attacking our ships, we had to defend our citizens.
WW2 - Japan kind of attacked Pearl Harbor?
Vietnam - We were trying to stop Communism - human rights
Iraq - overthrew a dictator and searched for possible WMDs that could've killed millions of Americans. + human rights

Maybe you should be a teeny bit more thankful that we get to be having this exact discussion right now. O:

Why do you feel that your country doesn't have a culture?

becuase there isn't any. If you go to France, Japan, or South Korea, you see culture, but when you take a look at the US, you don't see ANY culture.