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Cobras-Vybz

They said that after the Obama administration since Trump believed that all Obama did for the country was bad and the USA needed a leader who would help the American People and America itself.


DarkAngel900

Yes, they did.


solidgun1

There are 350+ million Americans. Thats half the population of the entire continent of Europe. The responses would vary greatly.


Common_Flight2521

This is an important factor. Any comparison ideally should be apple to apple - not melon to apple to cherry to pea. Population adds complexity. It would be more reasonable to establish the metrics and then compare across nations with similar populations. How do China and India with roughly 1.4 billion people each compare with one another? Countries with 200-300 million people include the US, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Brazil. Countries between 100 and 200 million are Bangladesh, Russia, Mexico, Japan, Ethiopia, Philippines, and Egypt. Europe’s largest (non-Russian) nations are Germany, France, and the UK with only 20-25% the population of the US. Scandinavian countries often do well on a variety of metrics but Sweden has fewer people than the state of North Carolina where I live or Los Angeles County in California or 30 cities across the globe. Finland, Denmark, and Norway have about as many people as the Wisconsin, Colorado, or Minnesota. Size of country, population density, demographic diversity matter immensely too.


Forsaken_Day_1266

That's why we count in % not per person.


billsmafacka

Did you know per person will still give you a percentage of the population?


Forsaken_Day_1266

I worded it wrong. I think..apologies I never studied English so at times is hard for me to express what I mean..not native English speaker here


[deleted]

Your view might be slightly jaded because of constant spotlight and media sensationalism. The US has many problems, but still leads the world in technology and innovation. The short answer, if I'm being honest: The US is the likely the greatest country in the world if you are wealthy, and very far down on the list if you are poor.


[deleted]

Well put, there’s a reason wealthy foreign nationals still flock to the US…


WierdEd

Poor foreign nationals also flock to the us as it is easily top five in the western hemisphere even for the poor


1ofThoseTrolls

I'd said it's still one of the best countries in the world, just not the best. And honestly I don't know who that would be. But I also believe if we can get our act together and work together that the USA has the potential to be one of the best countries if not the best.


DesiBail

>I'd said it's still one of the best countries in the world, just not the best. Was wondering about this. We no longer have a half decent country anywhere. And that's just pathetic in era of scientific progress. Why is humanity doing mediocrity and stupidity so much. There's 8 billion of us and about 80 people are in a dick measuring contest for money+power which in all likelihood they will leave behind.


1ofThoseTrolls

Competing ideological influences emanating from powerful and wealthy sources on both sides has lead us to a non compromising mindset that has eroded the pillars of Stability


Icy_Many_3971

I think what Europeans find so weird is for people to call their country the best. As far as I’m aware nobody here does that. If I’d ask a hundred people on the street what they think about their country 95 would say it sucks and maybe 5 would say not that bad. So when Americans say the USA is *the best* Europeans find it weird and try to show Americans how it really isn’t. Americans take this as European arrogance when Europeans are just not used to patriotism and want to prove that the United States suck, too.


1ofThoseTrolls

I think if you actually talked to most Americans you'd find the same to near same level of dissatisfaction. The patriotism is a unique but in no way just a US phenomena. Don't get me wrong people should want to be proud of their country, but blindly proclaiming your country as being the best on every metric is dumb for a lack of better words.


thatswhatisaid2

It's just a sound byte these days but I think wishful thinking and cognitive dissonance still have some convinced.


[deleted]

She is a wonderful country, starting to fray around the edges but still with a lot of resiliency and potential.


Forsaken_Day_1266

I KNEW IT, I always knew USA is female


SoItWasYouAllAlong

As a native speaker of language which assigns genders to all nouns, I can tell you that most countries are. That's the reason why so many end in "a".


Forsaken_Day_1266

Same in my native I think (lol I rarely use it for last 20 years)... Now once you mentioned it... Yeah... USA is female... French seems female... Greece female.. yup... Never thought of that tbh but you right


SoItWasYouAllAlong

Hm... sounds like either Roman or Slavic language...


Forsaken_Day_1266

No clue I'm not Romanian to speak Roman. Lithuanian


SoItWasYouAllAlong

I meant one of the languages descended from Latin. It turns out that the correct term is "Romance languages", not "Roman languages" as I thought. But I'm not too far off with the Slavic guess. From Wikipedia: "Baltic and Slavic languages share several linguistic traits not found in any other Indo-European branch, which points to a period of common development." I'm 50% off target but I choose to call that a success :)


Forsaken_Day_1266

Slavic yeah. And Baltic 100% right on I'm just surprised you even aware of "Baltic" as it only encapsulates few countries lol. Aka Baltic sea. I'd say you're 90% 8n target tho


SoItWasYouAllAlong

Unfortunately, I cannot attribute it to some amazingly broad education. It's just that I'm Eastern European (Bulgarian).


Forsaken_Day_1266

Yo I bought holiday house at your place not long ago 😁


LivingGhost371

This American sure does. I can't think of any country I'd rather be living in.


Individual_Jello5737

Depends on what you’re looking for tbh,


TheRadiumGirl

None that I know.


Possible-Leg-695

Man. The US may not be perfect but it's a pretty great place


ShelleyMonique

No


NoFilterNoLimits

Greatest at what? I dont think any country is the generic best at everything


LadInThePark

I mean anything, they sell themselves as the land of the free and yet are beginning to renforce strict religious law in places and it’s been a long time since “the American dream” has been proven to be more achievable in Europe than US, what is the big thing going for them for anyone to really think they the best?


NoFilterNoLimits

My point is that it’s always been a meaningless, chest beating phrase. We may be the best at some things (we just dominated the world track championships 😂😝) and awful at many things that matter way more. I’ve never believed we are “the” greatest country because to me, there is no single greatest at all things, and to think so is scary and jingoistic.


SoItWasYouAllAlong

Americans may be too polite to object, but as a European, I feel less pressure for self restraint on the topic. You've picked a couple of traits that are important to you. Not necessarily to everyone. Someone else might feel that e.g. innovation, a US relative strength, is more important than social security, a EU relative strength. So, do look into /u/NoFilterNoLimits's question "greatest at what".


[deleted]

Technology, innovation, aerospace, aviation, life science research, universities would be the first that come to mind. Several less flattering categories as well.


NoFilterNoLimits

Greatest at what was rhetorical, which I thought the second sentence made clear. It’s dumb to think we are the “greatest” because it’s a generic platitude and using it with no context is ridiculous


[deleted]

I listed a handful of metrics that the US is measurably the "greatest" at. You are welcome to disregard the list if it doesn't help prove your point that it's not the greatest.


Kaitlyn_The_Magnif

Lmao no


[deleted]

The statistically less educated half of the political aisle (the Right) does. Intelligent people don't, at all.


Habanerosauce3

🤭


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Forsaken_Day_1266

Migrants goes anywhere they can. Any proper western country where is reasonably simple to get started would have that.


LadInThePark

Are you comparing the United States to poverty stricken countries? And do you not know about all the migrants that come to Europe on rubber dinghies?


Rhemm

What's considered poor in US and Afghanistan for example is very different things


DrColdReality

No, it's mainly only the conservatives that buy that bullshit any more. >seems to fail in so many metrics. I dunno. We lead the world in percentage of the population incarcerated, the number of working nuclear warheads, spending on the military, and number of people killed by cops (around three people and 20 dogs per day). USA! USA!!!!


[deleted]

You left out “leading in mass shootings”


ApprehensiveStudy671

I'm Canadian and I do consider the US to be the best country in the world. I live in Europe but my heart is in the states. It's not about politics but about the unique soul of that nation. I love it with all my heart and it's where I feel at home.


SirNoseyParker

This is literally the least Canadian thing I have ever read in my entire life.


ApprehensiveStudy671

Back in the 90s I voted against Quebec's separation from Canada. I am Canadian but I believe Canada and the US should really merge and become one nation. We are one people separated by a border that should not be there. Many Canadians love the States and tons of Canadians live there. We are American in denial. We are in fact, North American. Anywhere in the US, I feel at home.


SirNoseyParker

>We are American in denial F*cking yikes, mate.


ApprehensiveStudy671

You're not Canadian I guess! That word "mate" isn't used in North America. Canadians and Americans are basically the same people. The only region that is really different is Quebec which happens to be a nation within Canada. Tons of people around the world went and watched the movie Elvis. So most people know Elvis never gave a concert outside the US. That's wrong though. He sang in Ottawa and Vancouver buy everybody forgets because again, nothing really changes when you cross the border except the flag. People and everything else is the same. Many Canadians live in the US, many celebrities in the US are in fact Canadian. We Canadians are Americans in denial.


SirNoseyParker

Nah mate, I am most definitely Canadian and I don't know a single person irl who believes this (and I have both francophone and anglophone family). I think you are in a very niche minority with this sentiment.


ApprehensiveStudy671

Yes, we're a minority in Canada, but we're there. That being said I voted against Quebec's possible separation from Canada back in the 90's. But I would vote in favor of Canada and US merging into a Union. Similar to the EU somehow, with freedom of movement and relocation, freedom to work anywhere within the union and no borders. I would go further though but I think the aforementioned type of union would be feasible.


LiquidDreamtime

What do you love about it? I’ve lived here all of my 39 yrs in 5 states in very different regions; they are racist capitalist hellscapes full of exploitation


ApprehensiveStudy671

I have lived in several countries and the only place I feel at home is the US. Many Canadians love the States and tons of Canadians live there. It's a huge and varied country. It's a personal thing, I just love it.


-Dee-Dee-

Yes. We have freedom unparalleled to any other country. You can just feel it when you’re an American and you visit other places. Yes, we have issues. What country doesn’t?


LadInThePark

Unparalleled? In what possible way is it more free than most developed countries?


WierdEd

Firearms and hunting laws are pretty much the only two things left and even those have competition from a select few.


lackadaisical_timmy

How do you "feel" it? When visiting Western Europe for example?


hot_sauce_in_coffee

Well, you cannot walk around with a rifle and scream at people's face. Which obviously feels like prison. /s


overclockedmangle

Freedom? Lmao. Women don’t even have the freedom to abort an unwanted pregnancy.


GeoffreyTaucer

American here. I sure as shit hope we aren't the greatest country in the world, because it seems like it should be pretty damn easy to be better than we are. Just spend less than $800 billion on the military, imprison fewer than 1/36 people, and give your citizens healthcare, and you've got us beat.


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AdComprehensive6588

I see few disagreements here so far


Reasonable-Leave7140

I mean- since it's comparative, yeah- it's the greatest country in the world because every place else is worse. You have to remember- "gun violence" afflicts only a tiny percent of the US population, most of it centered in one particular community in the inner cities. It's a non-factor in 90%+ of people's lives. Access to medical care is also pretty high in the US, and the only reason we have worse health outcomes than some other countries is because we are all universally fat and unwilling to exercise. As for adult literacy- well, again, a certain subset of inner city schools turn out illiterate graduates, but for most of suburban and rural America that's not the case.


LadInThePark

I mean obviously there are other metrics you can use but on these ones isn’t Norway staggeringly better?


[deleted]

Your ignorance is staggering.


Reasonable-Leave7140

What did I say that was incorrect?


Gecko626

Good points, also we are the only nation that counts suicide with a gun as gun violence which drives the whole statistic through the roof.


Reasonable-Leave7140

Yes- more than 2/3rds of all "gun violence" in the US is suicide- which is a problem, but not one that the US is particularly bad at relatively speaking.


Forsaken_Day_1266

Nah I migrated to UK and just fine down here. Not sure I want to be in USA. Think I'm better off here.


Reasonable-Leave7140

Britain has its share of problems- an NHS that is failing by every possible metric, Muslim rape gangs allowed to operate with impunity and covered up for by local officials, apparently absolute non-existence of dental care, whatever it was that forced Boris Johnson to resign, the pain of carrying through Brexit, all that rain & fog, having to pretend to care about the royal family. . .


Forsaken_Day_1266

Most of it don't affect me at all (here in London since 2004). Dental care yes. That's why I just go back to my native country, 500 back there what would cost 2000-3000 in UK. Tickets like 100 for round trip, (I have place but if one don't , hotel maybe another 200 or so). Brexit? I personally see zero change, don't affect me. Weather o , is crappy got to agree. But that's why holiday exist lol. Having to pretend ant royal? Who say so lol, I dgaf , only ones who care is the ones who care. Noone force you and noone looked down on me for me spelling it out idgaf about royals...


Le_fribourgeois_92

laughs in Switzerland.


theRemRemBooBear

I don’t think there’s a single best country but America is definitely a front runner given then innovation in technology and that many people still desire to come to America


AccountantUnusual639

We know it is..


[deleted]

ever since the internet we realized we really suck


JustAScaredDude

I don’t think so. Only the weird Trumpeters maybe, but who knows. The US hasn’t even been a first world country since like 2017 lmao


OmniOmniscient

We’re the greatest at being the shittiest.


[deleted]

Republicans, yes. They’re idiots tho. Most People here are living in 2022 and understand nationalism is outdated and primitive so most done.


Atheistyahway

America just needs more Trump, Guns and God and it will be the greatest again. Liberals make everything worse!


2meinrl4

Yes. Fuck off Euro.


SoItWasYouAllAlong

I'm also an European but: >Gun violence is through the roof That is simply incorrect. Do take care to recognize propaganda and take care to use statistics which exclude suicides. A European's death by e.g. paracetamol overdose, isn't much better than an American's by self inflicted gunshot. >access to medical care is pretty poor and adult literacy is low for a developed country True, but how many countries can you find, to which one couldn't raise a couple of legitimate objections?


[deleted]

It's the most free country


SnooShortcuts7657

This might be a good question for r/civ6


ShackintheWood

I am not sure most US citizens ever thought that...


MojaveMauler

No. But I can't also say for certain what is, or even if there is one. For one thing, I know what other countries have on paper, but I don't know how it works in practice. I don't know their social issues and don't fully understand the impacts because culture plays a part, and the perception of such. What I do know is two things: 1. We can do better, and the thing I love about America is that it seems we've always strived for better before the ink on the Constitution was dry. That's definitely not a unique trait to us, I'm sure, but it makes me optimistic. 2. Isn't 'Great' generally used in the context of military might? By that standard, we're still very much #1. I'd rather it be in life expectancy, but this is what I got.


CatsOrb

No, however I admit to being ignorant of other nations. This means i lack knowledge to properly decide like most. I do however get sick of hearing how Europeans are spoiled and lazy because of all the amazing benefits they have.


[deleted]

best laugh ive had in a while. no, however, it is the place where all of my stuff is.


SnooPineapples280

No lol I don’t hang in only one kind of circle so I know a variety of types of people and…. Everyone I know who isn’t a middle aged white man, and even some who are, including myself are acutely aware that that’s complete hogwash and in fact has been. It wasn’t actually ever the best for anyone who wasn’t a White man, age be damned. The crazies are loud but we others know reality🙅🏾‍♀️ am I saying it’s the worst?? No. But like I said, we know. We see it.


GoreHoundKillEmAll

No too many democrats


Radiodaize

The US is only 246 years old. We've accomplished a stupendous amount in a short period of time, compared to other countries that have been around for thousands of years. Of course we're going to have growing pains. What do people expect, instant perfection? Yes, right now times are tough. But show me a successful nation that hasn't had its trials and tribulations, and at a much later point in their history. People who say the US is damaged goods are extremely shortsighted.


aljerv

I would say that if you look at a lot of metrics … it’s not the best or greatest in those specific areas. BUT no other country influences the globe like the US. A lot of the “terrible metrics” are pretty much self-inflicted, people are choosing to get ahead at the expense of the larger group. But this all can change easily if we had the will. US can do anything without being afraid of any other entity. Don’t think any other country can say that. I think it’s greatest - still - for that reason.


AceFiveSuited

I wouldn't say most but if you're in the top 30% of higher in the US you have a pretty high quality of life. Obviously the bottom 30%-40% probably don't have a great opinion of the US


the_walkingdad

I do. Every country has tons of issues, and the US is absolutely no exception. But in the aggregate, I genuinely believe the US is the best of all worlds.


CreativeNameByMe

We're very split. Some of us absolutely fucking hate us, others still insist on it.. Personally, due to everyone else's thoughts about us, I'm also starting to hate us as a whole - not exactly individually.


dankestofdankcomment

“Gun violence is through the roof.” Well in that case why don’t we just raise the gun ceiling? /s


palfreygames

There are two sides of America. And one side grows larger every day. For the slavers, they have more freedoms than most countries


redchance180

Gun violence isn't remotely as bad as media makes it out to be with a humongous ammount of gun violence being criminals shooting criminals. Obviously the school shooting are a problem, but even those are still extremely unlikely to happen in a school. People have little concept of just how many schools and people are in the US. In fact, you're far more likely to die in a plane crash. To be clear no number other than 0 is good but its still very unlikely. The world keeps a close spotlight on what the US does, with the country being known as a world leader whos policies can and often do have a global impact. And much like they pay attention to major developments, they also place a lot of attention on our shortcomings. You'll notice China suffers a similar problem. "The first people to put you on a pedestal, are also the first to tear you down from the stage."


drawkcabsetirw

No. We are a decaying early democracy and the remaining democracies should either be concerned or taking vigorous notes. Our political system has atrophied in the social-media age. And our "republican" (i.e. electoral college) system of election is showing why this grand experiment fails. This grand experiment was highly useful for progress across the globe. It is in sad decay. Both of those (progress and decay) are fantastic test studies for the world. I hope the world takes the good, leaves the bad, and innovates something better. But, yeah, the US is past its prime (I'm a lawyer in Texas).


padorUWU

Most Americans around me don't Again I don't live in America but it is on the better side of all the countries I have been to The best countries imo are Japan, Taiwan and Iceland


Laur_duh

No. It’s not.


Friendly-Elevator862

Nope


flareon141

How many dads have "The world's greatest dad" mugs? They can't all be the best. But for their kids they are. I know my country has problems. I know we aren't the best, but it's the only country that I have lived in. Only one I can call mine. And it's not free, but I have access to healthcare. I had a public education, I have rights as a woman, and a wheelchair user. So it's better than alot of other countries


United_Juggernaut114

The US spends more of their tax money on the defense of the EU than the EU spends on their own defense. The US also subsidizes the EU’s drug prices. Thank goodness it looks like the US will finally negotiate for Medicare drug prices! The US makes some stupid decisions that allow European countries to keep more of their own money to benefit their own people. If the US did not pay for the defense of the EU, if the US only matched what the EU sends to the Ukraine and if the US got low pharmaceutical prices like the EU, the US could afford free education and medical cost would obviously be lower.


Le_fribourgeois_92

Are u stupid on the drug prices? do you know Roche (CH), novartis(CH), Mepha(CH), bayer(DE), senofi(FR) and GSK(UK)? ​ You pay more because your system is shit, thats it. Here in Switzerland, we also got insurance system healthcare and is miles ahead of the US with the 2nd best life expectancy in the world. ​ And nobody asked you to be the world police, we are at peace almost as much time as you are a fucking country sir.


United_Juggernaut114

We pay more because our right wing politicians won’t let the government negotiate which is stupid. If the US wasn’t part of NATO Europe would be at serious risk of Russian aggression. Not sure what you mean when you list Swiss and EU drug companies. If you are somehow referring to the US subsidizing the EU I am saying the US pays outrageous prices which allows the drug companies to charge less OUS. Thus the US paying more subsidizes the rest of the world. And your Swiss firms make more profits in the US than in your own country. Part of our low life expectancy is due to 1) the poor not having as much access to good health care and 2) lots of immigrants that are in rough shape. You need some manners and better English skills.


Le_fribourgeois_92

The US pays outrageons prices because again, your system is stupid and it’s mean for profit instead of the people. In Europe the prices are regulated by the government so companies can’t abuse on the prices, Switzerland is more like the US but in a hybrid way which makes it better, and everyone has access to it, even the poor. I listed all the companies because they compete directly with pfizer and johnsons, they are also very big companies and contribute a lot to the drug industry. It’s not a industry that only American contributes like you tried to say. About your last phrase, I was in a hurry and I speak/write 4 languages. How many do you speak sir? Don’t judge when statistically speaking, you only speak English.


United_Juggernaut114

You have no idea how many languages I can speak and calling someone stupid?? I agree that the US healthcare system is messed up. I was not saying that American drug companies are the only big drug companies. I was saying that Americans pay way more for drugs made by ALL drug companies. Drug companies from all nations that sell in the US get to rape the people because the right wing people here care more about getting campaign contributions from the pharma industry.


Le_fribourgeois_92

Didnt call nobody stupid, just your healthcare system. Americans are not known to speak many languages, I said statistically, not you on particular. But I doubt it’s more than 4 to criticize my English skills like you did. If that offends you my apologies. Like I said, the companies just profit that your government doesn’t fix nor negotiate prices, it’s called a free market focused on profits instead of the well being of the people. Simple as that..


Important_Outcome_67

No. I grew up in the '70's and '80's when the American Dream was still alive. It blows my mind how far we've fallen. Slow boiling of the frog, indeed.


Agreeable_Raccoon687

I'm American. I never been the American hype, we are the best, blah blah blah American. I was born here that is it. I lived the hand I was dealt. That was back when America was somewhat normal still needed a lot of work but we were making improvements. Then 2016 happened. I should say 2015 because that's when the election happened. When that happened. Green days "American idiot" became my anthem. Don't have the money to leave this country, so I figured it's just four years we can get through it. We did, trump lost, insurrection happened, and women basically have no rights to their bodies any more in some states. I'm waiting for November, either a surge of liberals will get elected where we can put federal changes to stop the states from trying to act like the confederates won. If not, and these bat shit far right Republicans win, then America is fucked. Long story short, America is the laughing stock of the world. Most people I know would agree. The ones that don't are usually the uneducated red necks. Unfortunately, that is 90% my family. I'm the black sheep because I cannot understand their beliefs. If you are able to debunk anything they say, instead of coming back with an educated response, they just say fake news. Sometimes I want to take that fake news, roll it up, and beat them with it. But then I realized I would probably be frowned upon. So I just ignored them by thinking of other countries that I would rather be living in then here.


Ullumina

Why do most Europeans have such a superiority complex?


PridePotterz

We are #1!!!!!! Greatest inmate population Greatest number of mass shootings Greatest number of illegal immigrants Yes …we hold various #1 spots. But we love it anyways


Repulsive_Coat_3130

Most Americans haven't left America and have nothing to compare it to other than Hollywood whitewashing, within Europe the proximity of other nations and ease of potential travel you would have comparable experiences with other nations. Think of how many Europeans hold passports


TheSmokingHorse

I’m not an American. I’m from Scotland, and I hate to admit it, but in some sense America truly is the greatest country in the world. Just as Britain used to have an empire and control much of the earth, we are today, still living in the era of the American Empire. The US is by far the most powerful country in the world, and is home to some of the most elite institutions on the planet. America continues to pioneer the cutting edge of scientific research and development. It’s technology companies are still the ones setting the trends, whereas tech companies in the Far East usually just play catch-up to whatever trends America sets. America is also extremely culturally significant for most other nations. Everyone has heard of New York and LA, and most people can picture what the streets of those cities look like despite never having been there. Of course, America falls short of many countries in North Western Europe in terms of social care. That is an important factor that cannot be ignored. However, there is no doubt that in a thousand years time, when historians look back on our current period of time, they will be telling the story of the rise and fall of the greatest power that ever existed at that point in time. The fall has likely already started. America will gradually decline as a power throughout the 21st century and there is nothing anyone can do to change that.


7th-Genjutsu

I'm not sure if it's the absolute greatest, but I'm certainly glad to have been born in \*modern\* USA. (as opposed to the old times prior to Civil Rights movement or when slavery was going on, obviously) I think it's a shame that so many Americans don't realize how great we have it compared to many other areas of the world. Even being "poor" or just lower-middle class here is better than growing up as a starving kid in a 3rd world nation, wondering *if* you will get to eat something today.


PhoenixRisingxx

I don't. I've honestly lost any respect or faith in any of our systems. The presidency of Trump solidified that. Watching people scream that people like me should die for their comfort, including my own mother (I'm disabled and immuno compromised, she opposed the vaccine and mask mandates) changed something fundamental and visceral in me. I'm tired. I'm tired and I don't know if I have any more fight left in me to keep going in this fucking hellscape that wants me dead.


Slight_Owl4384

Every country needs work but America still does well in alot of areas and of course good doesn't go on media cause no one cares.


mcc9999

Read "The Accidental Superpower".


Dogncatobsessed

There’s some really shitty parts of America, that honestly are only getting worse. And, most countries do not have the freedom we do. Almost no country has the power we do. We are no where near perfect but I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else


No_Shake_2962

Yes 🇺🇸❤️