Every day since the Declaration of Independence was written, Americans have been consumed  with the mindset that we are the “best” country in the world.  However, we as a society are not being open-minded and looking at the world around us, because honestly our time has come and gone.

At the end of World War II, America viewed itself as the powerful leader of the world and the most important military power.  This got into people’s heads and has now become a thing we tell our children, but really, we have no evidence to prove that we are the greatest country in the world.

The U.S.  is a powerful country, but only in the areas that don’t really matter, such as the  military. If we don’t have the proper education and “brain power,” then were not going to thrive as a country. We will never develop beyond our present standards, adventuring into the unknown world of knowledge and technology.

Let’s just state the facts. Worldwide the US ranks 17^th in math, 21^st in science and 17^th in reading. Also, we are the most in debt country with over $20 trillion in debt.  Just because we spend 3 times more on military than the next 26 countries combined, doesn’t make us great.  We are 49^th in life expectancy, 179^th in infant mortality, 3^rd in household income, and 4^th in labor force and exports. We only lead in two categories:  the number of incarcerated citizens and defense spending.

Most people say, “at least we have freedom.” Actually, hundreds of countries have freedom.  In fact, 108 of 195 countries in the world have freedom.  And some of even allow women to be equal as men. Also, this country doesn’t have the decency to let in refugees and people from struggling countries seeking asylum and safety.

The United States is the most racist country in the world, which must be why Donald Trump is still running for president. We judge other people based on color and race, not accepting that every person is different and if we stopped being racist and judgmental, we could work together and stand as a whole country not separated from each other.

It’s also worth pointing out that in the United States, we are 10 times more likely to get killed by guns than in any other country, and we still don’t have strict gun laws which shows where the countries priorities stand. Lawmakers and the president don’t care about the people they care about what will benefit them and who it will affect.

America needs to refocus because there are bigger priorities and we need to stop being so arrogant.  It’s time to open our eyes; we cannot succeed as a country if we keep following down this path. America will be corrupt if we don’t change, re-develop, and advance our country. Step up and be a change.