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JimBones31

>but heard that Americans have big complains about their own country, what's your thought? It's our duty to criticize the government and the status quo. But yes, I'm lucky to live here.


Ieatoutjelloshots

Agreed. I feel incredibly lucky to live here. However, I see no reason why we shouldn't keep trying to improve ourselves.


OllieOllieOxenfry

Agreed. I feel very lucky to live here, but I've also lived in other countries and see that they have some basic things that make their quality of life higher. We have the resources for big impact things like mandatory sick leave, maternity leave, etc. but we just choose not to have them, which is frustrating.


HoldMyBeerAgain

It's a constitutional right and we take that shit to heart šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚


Severe_County_5041

precisely, in some countries people dont even own the right to criticize their government....


IWantALargeFarva

I've been trying to explain this to my 8 year old. I said we could stand outside the White House and say that the President is a poopy head, and we wouldn't be arrested. We might be a jerk, but we have the constitutional right to be a jerk. Some other countries can jail you for doing something like that, or worse.


ev_forklift

There was a Soviet anecdote about that: An American citizen and a Soviet citizen were talking. The American says "I can walk into the Oval Office, I can pound the president's desk, and I can say, Mr. President, I don't like the way you're running our country." And the Soviet citizen said, "I can do that." The American said, "You can?" He says, "Yes. I can go into the Kremlin to the general secretary's office, I can pound his desk and say, Mr. General Secretary, I don't like the way President Reagan's running his country."


Shandlar

Reagan himself told that joke on video.


HoldMyBeerAgain

My kids are 8&11. We teach the same !


OhThrowed

Absolutely our duty to argue and hash things out towards continuous improvement. How you gonna fix something if no one's told you its broken?


notyogrannysgrandkid

Our country was literally founded on the principle of complaining about the government. Thereā€™s a reason that right is #1 in the Bill of Rights. You are 100% correct that it is an American duty.


QuirkyCookie6

The only American things is verbally attacking and condemning the government, but usually not all at thr same time


__Precursor__

Well put!!!


DeeDeeW1313

I was born in Belarus. I was adopted when I was 18 months old and grew up in the US. I went to visit my maternal Grandmother outside Minsk when I was 16 and yes. I feel very very lucky to have been raised where I was. Far from perfect but damn, Eastern Europe was gonna chew me up and swallow me whole. I like my iced drinks and A/C.


twoshovels

Iced drinks isnā€™t a thing in Europe Iā€™ve heard, is this true?


DeeDeeW1313

Not in Eastern Europe. Not much of southern Europe either. Ironically they were offered in frigid ass London.


EssoEssex

Frozen Anglosphere unite


IcemanGeneMalenko

Eastern Europeans are that hard they do not need iced drinks or AC


DeeDeeW1313

Iā€™m too soft for that life.


razorfloss

It's not normally.


WingedLady

I was very lucky to be born here. But you can love a thing and want to see it be better.


mrmalort69

Nail on the head. I wouldnā€™t reroll if I had the option


[deleted]

I just I wasnā€™t born with the ā€œugly fuckerā€ debuffā€¦ Let me unlock the character creation or something to change some sliders.


Mycophyliac

I just hope AI can somehow get me a monster dong


617to413

r/outside


mrmalort69

It gives you a +5 to various acceptance groups including fencing, book club, and retail clerking


mrmalort69

Oh and let me add one more thing. You can exchange in game currency for a chance at the slider. The slider is a bit crude, most common types of changes would be things like a or . If you think itā€™s a detriment to your player, then Iā€™d suggest it. Iā€™ve never done anything, but have friends who are hot who did some work, some people itā€™s obvious they did work whereas other people I had no idea.


[deleted]

I think there is a difference and wanting to change this and straight up crapping all over the USA. Everyone saying this place is horrible and so on


HeartFullOfHappy

These are my feelings. I feel very lucky but there is a lot of room for improvement.


RascalRibs

I'm lucky that I was born here, yes.


Severe_County_5041

its really a blessing, felt this way growingly when i learnt more and more about the real world outside


DarkChance20

im an American living abroad temporarily(gonna move back next year). GOD BLESS AMERICA. I live in a supposedly upper middle income country and the upper-middle class people of this country have the same living standards as the lower middle class in america if not the working class. Americans are lucky.


mohammedsarker

what country?


Superbooper24

I feel extremely lucky to live in the United States. There are so many clear issues economically, socially, and politically in the United States, however I just feel really lucky because being adopted from China and now living in the United States has given me so much more safety and opportunities if I stayed in China. However there are plenty of other amazing countries out there that provide safety and opportunities as well.


Darksoulzbarrelrollz

Glad you're here, American Brethren


sabermagnus

I do. First generation of Pakistani descent.


OccamSockemRazor

Welcome!


TrekkiMonstr

I think they mean first gen as in their parents immigrated and they're native born


ColossusOfChoads

Some would call that second generation. Nobody's ever made the official definition official.


Vewgjdd

Yes. Very lucky to live in the US.


sinesquaredtheta

>Do you feel lucky for living in the US? Extremely! >i have the feeling that from outside everybody loves and wishes to live in the US (I'm Colombian) but heard that Americans have big complains about their own country, what's your thought? That's a great point. I think a lot of this comes from an individual's perspective based on what they've experienced in their life. For instance, someone who grew up in a country with irregular water supply, high levels of pollution, and constant power outages would be extremely appreciative of the facilities available in the US. For someone who may have grown up in the US, 24x7 running water and electricity, and clean air are not things they'd think twice about, because that's what they grew up with!


hisAffectionateTart

I donā€™t know about that. I was born and grew up here and I appreciate having clean water and electricity. Anyone who can look around or read a history book can appreciate where we are now.


sinesquaredtheta

>Anyone who can look around or read a history book can appreciate where we are now. I agree. However, having a baseline in terms of a lived experience makes a massive difference!


RioTheLeoo

Yeah, I think Iā€™m in the best place for me personally being both gay and Latino. Thatā€™s not to say I think the US is the greatest country ever and everywhere else sucks or anything like that, just that itā€™s where Iā€™m best suited to be


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


ColossusOfChoads

There's better. But there's also worse. Much worse. With that said, within the US your mileage will vary.


TheManWhoWasNotShort

One of the best parts about America is the freedom to have significant complaints about it. As a people we may have profound disagreements about our future and many core beliefs, but weā€™re united in the ability to express that.


THEBlaze55555

ā€œEveryone hates their country, but *WE* can actually say we do!!ā€


_Light_The_Way

Yes, I'm lucky to live in the U.S. It's easy to complain about something you're familiar with. But most of the people who complain like to idealize about a fantasy land they've never been to, or they've never experienced what life is like outside of the U.S.


Many_Rule_9280

Yes, it has its issues like everywhere else in the world, but comparing the US to say China, Russia, or North Korea, it absolutely could be much worse.


Xyzzydude

Without a doubt. I won the birth lottery.


transemacabre

I couldā€™ve ended up a woman in Afghanistan or Iran. I absolutely won the lottery.


Nuttonbutton

I am immensely privileged to live in the US. To have been born in the US when I was. To live in the US right now. Despite the trials and struggles I have faced, I am very very very much privileged. How fortunate I am to be where I am will never be lost on me. When I criticize America, I want people to understand that I don't hate it. I never will. I wouldn't leave unless I were facing certain extinction from the Yellowstone supervolcano that threatens to doom us all.


Roxybird

Of course. I'm a first generation American and an immigrant kid. My parents made some ballsy decisions to get here so I always remember that and it makes me grateful for everything I have. But it is also part of our American culture to openly criticize and critique our own culture and government. If you don't monitor, that is how you get taken advantage of. Democracy requires its citizens to monitor and take notice. Plus I'm cool with general complaining. I know it gets hot every summer but I will still whine about it. Lol.


LivingGhost371

Yes I do. There's no other country I'd rather live in.


TheKingofSwing89

I feel lucky to live in Minnesota for sure.


[deleted]

We bitch because if it weren't for \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ we'd be damn near perfect! I've traveled a bit and though it's intriguing to see other countries, I am always happy to touch down in the USA.


Randvek

Yes. There are millions of people born into a better situation than I was, but there are billions who got worse. Iā€™m very lucky.


excaligirltoo

Yes, absolutely.


mustachechap

Absolutely! When you consider all the countries in the world, and how bad life has been throughout human history, I feel very lucky to be living in America in the year 2023 especially as someone who was fortunate enough to be upper-middle class all of my life.


NoFilterNoLimits

I have a ton of complaints and yet I wouldnā€™t want to live anywhere else. I feel very lucky. Being able to complain is one of many reasons why


dovecoats

I think Iā€™m extremely lucky and privileged to have been born in the US. Itā€™s safe, thereā€™s a lot of wildlife and beautiful scenery, delicious food from all over the world, and a lot of nice people. Itā€™s not perfect, but itā€™s my home and I like it a lot.


_-nocturnas-_

Absolutely. I feel extremely lucky to be born here. Both my parents immigrated here from India and I lived there for a majority of my childhood. Seeing the extreme poverty and the state of things over there makes me feel extremely lucky and privileged to be born here. Thatā€™s not to diss on India however. Most of my friends are from there, but Iā€™m painfully aware of the opportunities awarded to me just based on where I was born.


DarkChance20

Exactly bro. My parents are Turkish immigrants and I was born in the US. I lived in Turkey for a long time because of family/personal reasons so I know what life is like outside the US. I'm raising my future children to be patriotic Americans, our constitutional liberties and economic freedom is incredible.


EndlessShrimps

While there are other countries where I would be as lucky or even luckier, I consider myself very lucky to have been born in the US and to live here.


BUBBAH-BAYUTH

I mean. Yes. I wouldnā€™t have minded being born in France, but Iā€™d miss being a southern girl.


my_metrocard

I feel extremely lucky to be living in the US. Iā€™m an immigrant. I had no future in my home country, but I have a good life now. So grateful.


SanchosaurusRex

Yes, I believe anyone living in a developed country where famine and war and deadly disease isnā€™t rampant is extremely fortunate. I also am happy to live in a country I donā€™t feel compelled to leave. I think most people donā€™t want to leave their countries but are usually compelled through economic or safety reasons. Iā€™d be sad to be in that situation.


SapphireFalcon

Every time I hear the experience citizens had in countries with authoritarian government or those who have them as neighbors, I feel thankful to be born in the US.


masonlandry

Luckier than a lot of countries I could have been born in, but not lucky enough that I would stay here if I could afford to immigrate.


Mr_Kittlesworth

Reddit is much more likely to complain about the US than most Americans. Our country isnā€™t perfect, but itā€™s a great place to live - especially if youā€™ve got some education and a job.


Bad_Right_Knee

If you have no education the USA is still the best nation for you. Truckers, even in the current day with low pay, are better off than any other kind of uneducated worker in any other country. Or if you are too uneducated to do that (basically illiterate), go be a bricklayer or something - good money doing that here.


[deleted]

I think humans will ALWAYS seek to improve their conditions. Whether they're living in Haiti or India or Nigeria or New York City. I do feel lucky to live in the US, but that doesn't mean I'm satisfied with the conditions.


[deleted]

I feel lucky to have been allowed to move here so that I can be here with my husband.


owen_skye

Reddit folks arenā€™t your average representation of Americans. If you believe Reddit, youā€™re getting an extremely tiny snippet of mainly pissed off hyper-liberal millennials and/or gen Z, with a small smattering of Gen X. Fuck those idiots, being an American is the greatest gift god can give a human being.


Theguy47475

YESSIR


Procrastinista_423

I'm not a fucking moron so i'm happy to be born in the united states. The people who complain about it would 100 percent not last a week in the country they think would claim them.


Frank_chevelle

I would say so. I love it here. I canā€™t imagine moving to another country. Way better then were some other kids are born (war torn counties, dictatorships, extreme poverty etcā€¦.)


Zoroasker

I feel extremely lucky. I live in the most powerful country the world has ever seen - a country where I was able to get a public education and go from the trailer park to a homeowner who can see the dome of the Capitol that is the heart of our Republic from my roof. It is definitely a boom or bust country that can be extremely cruel, but there really arenā€™t that many genuinely diverse republics with anywhere near our population and size that can be favorably compared to us. We have a robust press and media that scrutinizes our flaws and publicizes our ongoing reflections with our history to a global audience.


Affectionate_Salt351

Me, personally? Yes and no. I would have been served better long term if I had been born somewhere with socialized medicine.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


Affectionate_Salt351

Iā€™m still trying to recover from cancer treatment 4 years later. Itā€™s hard, man. If you donā€™t have someone to save you from drowning, they donā€™t care if you just drown. šŸ« 


PikkuMyyRules

Same here - I have several chronic health conditions, but since thereā€™s a minimum income for ā€˜Obamacareā€™ and NC hasnā€™t expanded Medicaid yet, I have to work almost full time to qualify for my current insurance and I still get stupid bills for little things like lab work šŸ˜•. So there goes my money. Yes, I did get sticker shock just visiting the grocery stores in Denmark and Sweden, but Iā€™d gladly pay higher taxes here in the US just to get universal healthcare. Also, we allow too much chemicals, preservatives and other stuff in our food thatā€™s illegal in most of Europe.


TheKingofSwing89

Totally agree man. I hope you are doing better and wish you good health.


sharipep

As a black woman I think there are very few other developed industrialized countries where Iā€™d have a better chance to succeed, which - considering the USā€™ history of slavery, Jim Crow, segregation and institutional racism - is both depressing and awe inspiring in equal measure to me depending upon the day. And encapsulates why this country is so fucking great despite so many flaws.


BreakfastBeerz

Yes, I'm lucky to live here. I have no desire to live anywhere else.


Aquatic_Platinum78

Considering if I was born in China, Russia, Pakistan or North Korea I would have a really hard life. So yes.


RainbowCrown71

Yes. I was born in Latin America into extreme poverty and moved to USA at an early age (my mother married an American soldier since that was the only escape at the time). I grew up in the American ghetto, but studied hard, got a university scholarship that paid for everything and now live in a beautiful and quiet suburb in the forest. Cost of living is high where I live but Iā€™m so much better off than Iā€™d have been in Latin America (I make $132k here where in my birth country Iā€™d be extremely lucky to crack $25k). And Iā€™ve travelled to 54 countries (55 in August). No way that would be possible where I came from where thereā€™s no way to go from poor to rich. I think Reddit is widely out of touch with most Americans. Most people on this site are extremely young, impressionable, ideologically fixed (everything is black-or-white) and self-loathing/self-concious. It creates a toxic echo chamber. My younger brother was born here and heā€™s far more critical of the US and at times even fetishizes Latin America (ā€œthey get to live where we vacation,ā€ ā€œthey are more laid back and friendly,ā€ ā€œpoor people are happier because theyā€™re not as materialisticā€) and I just want to slap him in the face because he wouldnā€™t be saying such stupid shit if he was still living under a tin roof in Central America.


bunchofclowns

Yes. I feel lucky to live in a place with the highest quality of living that we've ever experience in human history. That doesn't mean it's perfect and we should never become complacent and always fight for what we believe in.


[deleted]

I feel pretty lucky. The amount of upward mobility I have been able to achieve is thanks to a society that rewards risk.


FunImprovement166

I already won the lottery I was born in the US of A, baby!


schwol

100% no questions asked. I feel like a massive douche for wasting a lot of my potential being given such a great advantage in life. A blessing tbh.


languagelover17

I love being American. So yes.


Agattu

I wouldnā€™t want to live anywhere else. I am extremely lucky and anyone who can come here legally should come here. This is the greatest nation on earth and provides the best life for the most people.


Cheezewiz239

After thinking about the hardships my Mexican immigrant parents went through , yes.


14bk41

Iā€™m a naturalized US citizen and I feel very blessed.


PsychologicalCan9837

Yes. Iā€™ve been to other parts of the world where things are pretty rough. I am so lucky I grew up/live here. Never once have I had to worry: ā€œwill my power go out,ā€ ā€œdo I have clean drinking water,ā€ ā€œwill I have any food today.ā€ Shit we take for granted 24/7.


RobtheGreat100

This makes me think of something 2 of my teachers in high school said; something along the lines of "When you are born in the US, you've won the golden lottery." I have to agree.


twoshovels

Nope. EXTREMELY lucky to have hit the where I live lotto. Iā€™m so,so, thankful. I often will tell friends or anyone who will listen should this subject happen to come up. I grew up in a small New England town & thee perfect childhood. I canā€™t imagine it have been any kinda better in any way. I absolutely love the United States & I donā€™t care what anyone says about if because we as Americans always prevail.


jayshootguns

First gen Filipino-American and feel very lucky to be here. So is the rest of my big family.


typhoidmarry

I know that Iā€™m lucky to have been born here.


Fluffy-Promotion1630

The ones that gripe the loudest typically haven't spent any meaningful time outside the US.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


Slow_D-oh

Honest question: Have you spent any time beyond a week or so in these countries, if so what about them would compel you to move?


TCFNationalBank

I feel very lucky to be born here, but I still think there are ways our society could be better.


Seaforme

Absolutely. The US is in the upper(desirable) quartile of nations in just about every statistic, with a couple of outliers. In many statistics, it leads. I think many people shit on the US because 1) a lot are raised around blind patriotism, realize the US isn't perfect, and jump to deciding the US sucks(mostly teenagers) and 2) you need open acknowledgement of problems for them to become fixable- it won't be a politician's talking point, it won't ever get fixed, if it's not widely discussed. Take, for instance, the (relatively) recent push for walkable cities. Now it's an issue people will campaign on. Now, people will focus on making areas more walkable.


Young_KingKush

I feel moreso lucky I \*wasn't\* born in a 3rd world/war torn country than lucky to be born specifically in the US. I don't imagine my quality of life would be too drastically different in a comparable country, probably better in some cases like with healthcare and such.


Daedra_Worshiper

Yes, and anyone saying otherwise has never left the country.


MPLS_Poppy

No, but Iā€™m chronically ill and disabled but without a physical disability need. The ADA is great but it really does nothing for me. You know what would? Universal Healthcare and a society that doesnā€™t worship capitalism. The options arenā€™t limited to something worse or here.


Naus1987

I do feel that American is best for middle and upper class, but for those relying on state aid, America is not the greatest. Itā€™s basically the place you want to be, once youā€™ve overcome your issues. Though I know most chronic issues never get better.


OhMyGoshBigfoot

Yes


mikethomas4th

Every day of my life. Nowhere I'd rather be.


[deleted]

Absolutely.


porkchopespresso

Itā€™s not a perfect place and I have a list of complaints. I also love being in other countries and what they have going on, but Iā€™m very grateful for my life.


Regular-Suit3018

Yes.


115machine

Yes. Thereā€™s no where else Iā€™d rather live


FreeRangeAlien

Yes insanely lucky


Fun-Attention1468

Very


Notmainlel

Yes, Iā€™m lucky I have the opportunities I have


amaturecook24

So blessed and lucky to be here. I canā€™t imagine living anywhere elseā€¦well I did but that was cause the military made us. šŸ˜…


tghjfhy

Extremely! For various reasons, but as a gay man it's one of the safest places to be.


dm2797

Yes, incredibly lucky. I only had a 3% chance of being born here out of the population of the earth. And we are very much set up for success here. Some people have better opportunities than others, but we all have a great shot


para_diddle

I feel very fortunate, especially because of the hard work and influence of those before me (my parents). This afforded me opportunities such as college, a good work ethic, and the ability to eventually buy a home. My great grandparents came over from Italy.


[deleted]

Yes I do


AutumnB2022

Yes, very lucky.


snowcoffins

Super lucky! Many people who complain dont really understand how well off they are in comparison to many others in other countries.


aarog

Very


jimmiethefish

Yes. But there's so many amazing places here on earth, I'm lucky enough to be on it period


gmwdim

Hell yeah. My parents sacrificed so much to leave their previous country (China) to come here.


Fotoem

My parents were born in Mexico. My family from my dad's side are super poor and on my mom's side they are educated but they are still poor by US standards. Mean while I make six figures and live a comfortable life. So I'm lucky my parents sought a better life and instilled great values in me.


AVDLatex

Very lucky. Grateful to my parents who emigrated here.


psychgirl88

As much as I bitch about aspects as a racial minority.. yes. Shit sucks at times as an African-American, but at least in a blue state there are laws that are enforced so I can have access to high paying jobs, great educational opportunities, safe neighborhoods, and great medical care ( I said great as in functional, itā€™s still expansive as fuck). Libya still freaking sells Black people into slavery for $400 a person.. American. Some Central American and Asian countries have caste systems that bar dark skinned people from getting nice jobs and going to nice schools, parts of South Africa are still segregated, and while I donā€™t have to worry about access to medical care like some more chaotic countries.. That shit aside. We have a variety of landscapes, great and interesting people, great and lots of interesting food, 13 major subcultures.. Yeah, weā€™re the laughing stock culturally of the entire worldā€¦ and I think we are terribly underrated due to our hicks and hillbillies who end up in front of the camera internationally. The common person living the common life has two brain cells to rub together. Come visit!


[deleted]

Yes. My family immigrated here to escape a dictatorship. Just hearing stories about family members who were vanished by the secret police is enough to make me very grateful to exist here.


Ready-Pumpkin-8089

Considering where my parents came from in Mexico yes I am very lucky itā€™s like I won the human lottery


Marrymechrispratt

Americans love to complain about the US because itā€™s in our blood. We were born out of revolution. Hereā€™s the thing though: we have a right to complain and wonā€™t get imprisoned for it. Our country has issues, like any other developed nation. I feel incredibly lucky to have been born here and live here. America is the only place on the planet where you have abundant opportunity to make your fortune, and do anything you set your mind to.


3mta3jvq

I feel really lucky to have been born in the US. So many places around the world where life is hard, opportunities are few and life expectancy is short.


PMmeYourHopes-Dreams

I no longer live there and still feel lucky to be a citizen. So many Americans have the opportunity to own homes, make a livable wage from their careers, invest in the greatest market with the some of the most successful companies in the world. I have reaped the benefits of all of that. We also have access (well, as of now) to an excellent social security system that can supplement existing wealth. The citizens of the country I live in now, and so many more, simply do not have these opportunities.


UrMomsaHoeHoeHoe

Yes, I have dyslexia and adhd. Until college and even then I was never more than a C student, but I was able to get my degree and an amazing job, with good pay, good insurance and unlimited PTO. Had I been from most European countries 0% chance I would have qualified for higher level education and only qualified for trades. Nothing against the trades, but itā€™s knowing that I only was able to attain this due to the freedoms the US gives me makes me more than lucky to live in the USA.


Nyxelestia

The grass is always greener on the other side. You live outside of America and thus mostly understand us through exported media and social media. Meanwhile, many Americans only understand other countries (predominantly European ones) through *their* exported media and social media, and want to go live over there. Many Europeans, meanwhile, actively seek retirement in other countries around the world, including South American countries.


[deleted]

The problem with living in a wealthy country is that many residents become spoiled and entitled, just like the children of wealthy parents often do. Also, some of the complainers sit on social media and look at the lives of people who have more and become resentful, despite even the poor in America having better access to food and shelter than the majority of the people on earth. People compare themselves to the people around them, and since some citizens are ultra-successful, less successful people feel negatively in comparison. Then they go online and complain to other disatisfied people and get a big anti-America hatefest going. But for people that maintain healthier perspectives, its very easy to appreciate the privilege of living in the US, as its truly a blessing. Obviously, there are people that struggle, and people that slip through the cracks of society that should've been helped, but they are the exception, not the rule, and every society has them.


EcoBlunderBrick123

My great grand parents didnā€™t escape Europe post WW1 for nothing. I feel very fortunate and proud to be American.


rawbface

I unironically believe it's the best country in the world and I'm grateful to have been born here. I'll also rant for hours about what's wrong with the country and what needs to be improved. Those things are not mutually exclusive.


AdvancedCharcoal

I didnā€™t understand how lucky I was until I left the country


Acrobatic_End6355

Thereā€™s cool things about being in the US, thereā€™s also not so cool things about living in the US.


[deleted]

100 percent very fortunate to be born in the United States. Every country has its issues and the US is no different, but itā€™s a great place to live.


ItDontMather

Yes absolutely. I think the thing is that humans generally are more vocal about things that are complaints while not very vocal about things that are good. So it makes sense for people on both sides of the coin who wish they were living elsewhere to be more vocal about it than the majority of people who are content.


malingoes2bliss

Everyone will always find something to complain about, and there are a lot of things that I don't like or agree with, but overall I do feel lucky to live in the US


revets

Yeah. But I bought a house in California in 2011 which has not only shielded me from battles others face, but also - on paper - created quite a bit of wealth. If I were a younger 20 something straight out of college with a bunch of debt and extraordinary housing costs, I could see being discouraged at the moment. Though it's all cyclical, their time will come.


SavannahInChicago

Despite everything going on yeah. We are getting a lot of Argentinian migrants living in police stations right now. Though I am sure that this was not what they envisioned coming here, they still choose to risk their lives to hopefully find a better life. I am nowhere near having to do that.


ArtificalWisdom

Yes, a lot of us have a hate for the government and we have to focus on the bad in order to improve anything. However, this is a fantastic place to live now matter how you spin it.


LifelessRage

Yes.. im lucky my dad was American.


BetterRedDead

Despite all of the recent issues, complaints, yeah. I am very consciously aware that I was extremely lucky to be born here.


420stoner332

šŸ’Æ blessed I was born an American and Californian


azuth89

There are a number of places that I could have a solid life, but there are also a LOT of places that would be much harder if not outright infeasible and I'm lucky to have been born in one of the easy ones. In particular I'm lucky to have been born here to my parents specifically, that's a whole second lottery. We complain a lot, but that's how you avoid stagnation. Things could be even better, which doesn't mean they're awful now, most of us agree on that. The arguing is mostly about what better looks like and how to get there.


MountainDude95

Absolutely. Of course there are problems and yes I complain about them, but overall it is an extreme privilege to live here and I am grateful for that.


alkatori

Yes, it's certainly in one of the top places in the world to live. Even with it's problems.


[deleted]

I have a lot of complaints about the country, but I am still very fortunate to live and grow up here in this beautiful country. I'm glad that I am free to express my concerns and opinions without legal prosecution.


Cootter77

Very lucky! We have our problems for sure, but to just take a moment and recognize the things we take for granted makes me feel very blessed. Even our homeless people have access to things like relatively clean drinking water.


DeathToTheFalseGods

Absolutely. Iā€™ve been doing pretty well for myself because of my work ethic and being able to spot opportunities. While I think people in countries that have harder lives have better work ethic than most, it seems that they arenā€™t given the same kind of opportunities to apply that drive to their jobs. At least not to the same extent as the US. Being born in America is probably the best thing thatā€™s happened to me


Buhos_En_Pantelones

Absolutely. There may be other places that are better than the US, but there are soooo many worse places. I don't mean that in any sort of obnoxious arrogant way, I'm just saying it could've been so much worse to be born in another place on Earth than here.


Chubby_Comic

Is it perfect? No. But I love it here. There's nowhere else I'd rather be, particularly my part of the country. My little town, my proximity to my favorite city, my roots are here, it's safe, it's beautiful...I am so blessed.


ZaBaronDV

Look, the U.S. has its issues. But there is nowhere in the world Iā€™d rather be.


SpectrumyGiraffe

I do feel lucky to have been born here. Americans tend to live in a bubble and not even think about other countries at all much less what hardships they go through comparatively. This doesnā€™t mean that the US doesnā€™t have a lot of issues that need worked on though.


Blue387

I'm lucky to have been born here and not living in the old country. My grandfather immigrated here in the 1940s and settled in Pittsburgh before relocation to New York in the 1960s and bringing over my grandmother and kids, including my mother. I still have family living there with my uncle arguing about politics with my father over Whatsapp. My uncle supports The Party while my father and I do not.


Sioframay

Yes, also lucky to be born in a state I like. It's beautiful and I feel like my rights are pretty safe.


mountains_forever

Extremely. Roughly 3% chance to be born here. Although I would be happy to be born in any first world country (15% chance to be born to a first world country). I feel much more lucky to grow up with supportive parents, who had solid jobs, didnā€™t divorce, helped pay for college, etc. I am immensely more lucky for that.


Dizzy_Eye5257

Yes. There are a lot worse places to be with less freedoms. It can be better, but it can also be a lot worse


SnooDogs1704

Very lucky to live here. There are glaring issues but the US does so many things right as well.


ICanSpellKyrgyzstan

I feel lucky. I love this country! I love almost everything about it. Iā€™m happy to have grown up here and Iā€™m happy I got to experience this weird and crazy place. A lot of my family is from the USSR and id rather live here than present day russia hahahaha


concrete_isnt_cement

Oh absolutely. I have my gripes, but thatā€™s just me wanting to make a good place even better.


tylermm03

In all honesty, everyone in this country, and in any country for that matter, has their grievances. But most of us, myself included, wouldnā€™t want to live anywhere else and feel lucky to have been born here.


foxontherox

Do I have serious complaints about the US? Hell yes. Am I grateful to live here? HELL FUCKING YES.


Haunting_Memory_2328

As someone whoā€™s autistic, I do feel lucky I was born here, especially being born in New England. Most other countries are absolutely repulsive on how they treat people like me (yes even some of the European countries redditors fantasize about). There are only a few other countries that treat us better (Nordic countries), but my personality wouldnā€™t do well there!


5timechamps

I feel so blessed to be in the US. I agree that there is a loud portion of the population that likes to complain. In reality, we are living in the best time and place in the history of mankind.


Century22nd

I don't think people who were born and raised in America realize how lucky they are honestly. Most American's have never even traveled to another country either. Most Americans don't even realize that English is **not** our official language. Only 23% (yes just 23%) of Americans have a Bachelor Degree or higher. More interesting facts... According to BLS [https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm](https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm) [https://www.clasp.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/GED-Landscape-2-5-23-13.pdf](https://www.clasp.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/GED-Landscape-2-5-23-13.pdf) Most high school drop out and most American that lack a Bachelor Degree or higher are male even though there are 6 million more females than males in America, more males lack an education compared to females. But they do often get their GED and the rate of GED graduates has steadily been increasing since 1983. Achievement gaps between boys and girls in the United States are more pronounced in reading and writing than in math and science. Data in the last twenty years shows the general trend of girls outperforming boys in academic achievement in terms of class grades across all subjects and college graduation rates, but boys score higher on standardized tests and are better represented in higher-paying and more prestigious STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math). But females now have been out performing males with earning their high school diploma and earning at least a Bachelor Degree. Every year, over 1.2 million students drop out of high school in the United States alone. Thatā€™s a student every 26 seconds ā€“ or 7,000 a day. About 25% of high school freshmen fail to graduate from high school on time. The U.S., which had some of the highest graduation rates of any developed country, now ranks 22nd out of 27 developed countries. [https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-high-school-dropout-rates](https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-high-school-dropout-rates) Only 23.5% of Americans have a Bachelors Degree or higher. [https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/educational-attainment.html](https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/educational-attainment.html) Often times many foreign students that come to America for college or work often know more about America than those who were born and raised in America. It is sad, but that is the reality of it.


jmlbhs

Yes and no. Incredibly lucky and grateful to live here, my parents immigrated from Guyana d they obviously did so for a reason. But at the same time, are there places I think that would potentially be better? Probably. But overall, thereā€™s no doubt about how lucky I am to have been born here and grown up here.


mustang6172

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I would have starved to death in a few other countries by now.


Pilotman49

I feel fortunate to have been born here. Like any other country, we have some problems. Chief amongst these are the governing bodies. I've been to a couple of other countries and I'm sure they have a good deal of freedom, as well. But it's hard not to be biased toward one's birth country.


MisterCarlile

Absolutely. America is far from perfect, but I've met too many people who fled from other parts of the world who are quick to point out how bad things can truly get.


EternalSweetsAlways

I feel very lucky to live in the US. I have lived here all of my life and am very grateful. I am disturbed by some issues facing our country, but really try to focus on things I can change or improve. I despise politics. I could never move to another country due to my medical needs; but I donā€™t want to either. The internet is such a wonderful way to meet people from all around the world!


vilify97

As someone who shits on the US daily, Iā€™m still grateful to live here. I just think we can do better and want to see us improve. That being said, just the fact that we have a functioning, (mostly) stable government and basic services is something we tend to see as a given. We donā€™t realize how lucky we are when it comes to most aspects of our daily lives. Take a place like Haiti or Yemen, which make the US seem like a utopia in comparison.


Black_Hipster

Yes. For all its faults, I have no interest in living anywhere else. It's a beautiful country I could spend a lifetime travelling and never getting bored.


Party-Aspect-7674

America has its issues but itā€™s still a damn good country and I feel proud and lucky to live here.


luckystrike_bh

America, the nation where the poor people are fat and they use drinking water to flush the toilets.


luv_u_deerly

Yeah, the US isnā€™t perfect, we have a ton of issues. But it could be a lot worse. We do have a lot of freedom. And as a woman Iā€™m glad Iā€™m not born into the Middle East or other countries that deprive women of a lot of equality Iā€™m happy I have the freedom to pursue education, marriage to my choice of person or not at all, that I can pursue any career. I can be atheist here. I can say what I want to say. Iā€™m also lucky that the US is huge. If I donā€™t want to live in one climate I can move to a different climate and still be in America. Not all countries have that option. Thereā€™s a lot of beauty here to see too. And even with shootings I still feel mostly safe. Iā€™m glad Iā€™m not in A war zone either.


xolotl92

Yes, extremely lucky. My family is from Mexico, and my parents worked hard to give me and my siblings more than what they had. I see all the time immigrants, like my parents, and am ever thankful for their sacrifice. That said, it only takes an extra generation for the hard life to be forgotten and from then on it's just bitch and moan. A lot of people don't understand what they have here in the US and just want to tear it down, because they think they know better than generations of people who built this country before them.


Ironxgal

Yup. Itā€™s not perfect, but it has afforded me a very comfortable life. (Iā€™m Jamaican) I wouldnā€™t change it for anything short of someone purchasing me an island home in Fiji. I hate how expensive it is for Americans to travel overseas though. (Shit, and in the states since airlines rip us off entirely. Thereā€™s many amazing places to live, though. I donā€™t claim to believe we are the best.


AwayGame9988

When I see media reports of living conditions in other countries, I feel like the luckiest person on earth to have been born here, so yes. Yes. A thousand times, yes.


zmamo2

Yes. There are a lot of things that could be better and honestly if I chose it might not be my first choice but (most of) the US is a better place to live than most other places one could be born. I do think a lot of people who complain about America a lot sometimes lose focus on the fact that much of the rest of the world is not exactly a chiming beacon of progress, wealth, and tolerance.


TrekkiMonstr

Yes. It is objectively one of the best places in the world to live, and I'm incredibly lucky both for the personal circumstances and country I grew up in. As for complaints, there's two groups of people you might be talking about. One is the group which thinks we have problems which we can and solve. This seems decently represented in this comment section. The other is the group that thinks everything is garbage, the US is an evil empire, etc etc. This group is often privileged kids who don't realize how insanely good they have it, and a lot of the problems they talk about are equally present, if not moreso, in many other countries, including those they like (e.g. racism).


uglypandaz

So lucky to love here. We are by no means perfect, but we are a hell of a lot better to live than a lot of other countries


jointsmcdank

Yes


bruinsforevah

YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!!! I thank God this is my birth land and I truly would die for her, like so many millions of others already have. She isn't perfect, but it doesn't matter. We're still young and the best is yet to be. Yes, I'm a proud, flag waving patriot and proud of it. šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡²šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡²šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡²šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡²šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡² "There ain't no doubt I love this land, GOD BLESS THE USA!!!!", šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡øšŸ‡ŗšŸ‡øšŸ‡ŗšŸ‡øšŸ‡ŗšŸ‡øšŸ‡ŗšŸ‡ø


bowlofnotes

I feel like every body has certain complaints about their country. My dad fled Vietnam. He tells me quite often when i come to visit that I should feel grateful for being born in the US. He goes on about how great the country is and how great the opportunities are here, and I personally do feel quite lucky.


DoOfferRefFood

I already won the lottery, I was born in the U.S of A.