What do you LIKE most about your country?

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A spin-off: since the other thread ended up mostly with Americans fighting amongst themselves, maybe we should all remember what we actually like about our countries.

I'm genuinely interested in what people enjoy and appreciate, no matter how many other complains they might have and what improvements they would want. Please refrain from nationalistic rants if possible and don't turn this into a pissing contest.

I'll start: from my native country I like the love and care many show towards nature and animals, the fact that people are raised to see daily physical activities as normal and enjoyable (nobody bats an eye at jogging 1 hour in sleet or snow), the relaxed and accepting attitude towards the human body and its natural functions, the fact that "uncomfortable silence" is basically an unknown term and generally people don't feel the need to yap incessantly or touch you when they talk.

For my adoptive country the list would be very long so I will mention only a few I consider specific to my beloved city in particular: the laid-back, tolerant and accepting attitude of almost any eccentricity, difference or lifestyle choice, the respect for boundaries and dislike for intrusive attitudes (add the complete absence of what I call "interrogation-style" introductions), the direct style of communication (seen as rude by some) and the unassuming and inclusive style of socialising: especially in larger or multi-national groups, I always see the natives moving around the table/group trying to engage those who look isolated or out of place instead of trying to steal the spotlight for themselves.

I might add later things that I particularly enjoyed in other places I've lived for at least one year.

Who wants to go next?

I feel like the United States was founded on a strong foundation---even though it was far from perfect, especially within the context of the 21st century.

It was actually founded almost as an "experiment" in republican, representative government.

I also admire the strict separation of religion and state which was a fundamental principle of the new country----but is now being tampered with by the "religious right."

I like the fact that I have the legal right to complain about how much I hate this country.

I mean, if this were a country like China, Russia, or North Korea... I think we all get the point.

I also like the state of Georgia (where I was born and raised) because people here for the most part are friendly . Also because we have pretty good food like boiled peanuts and mayhaw jelly (when you can find it these days) and lots of pretty wildlife and farm fields.

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We do have free healthcare and tight gun laws, I suppose.

I like the fact that each state is like a test tube. Independent of each other. If you don't approve of the way your state is run you can move to the neighboring state. Or simply travel there to purchase cheaper goods.

We live in PA near the NJ border, our gas is very expensive due to higher gas taxes. So we simply cross the border to purchase much cheaper gas in NJ where their general cost of living is much more expensive but their gas tax is a lot less. And they also have a person pump the gas into your vehicle whereas in PA you must pump your own.

I like how there's a suitable life path for any type of person and that at least a lot of people who won't judge you for who you are. Unless of course, you judge, because odds are people will judge you for that.

I like how people are so hypocritical.

I like how they say I can wear what I like and look how I like but then I'm discriminated against.

I love how I'm forced to work 60 hours a week just to pay for some lazy bastard to sit at home claiming all manner of benefits.

I just love how embarrassed I feel when I switch on the news and see the state of our government.

And I'm ecstatic every year when my energy bills go up by 10% but my wages don't.

Loo

I like the fact that no one cares for how much eye contact I make.
I like the not-really-capitalist, fluid society without rigid classes.
I like the space for diversity and tolerance for conflict or open disagreement instead of pretending not to see issues.
I admire the resourcefullness that in my lifetime raised the economy of this country from one of the poorest in the Eastern Block to fully Developed.

Thank you.

I wonder why I wrote "Loo" at the end of my post.

Maybe you were about to talk about "water closets", and changed your mind, and forgot to delete it.

"We are a country
that has never owned or tried to conquer another sovereign nation.
As a neutral country, Ireland has chosen to never be the aggressor." (Movie: Siege of Jadotville)
Although there are inaccuracies in the movie, I connected with those lines, it's something I do like about Ireland.

This is a great idea for a thread. Thanks for posting this, Bender. WP and the world at large needs more positive thinking.

As previously stated, I like that the U.S. is a republic made up of individual states and for the same reason previously given.

I also like that at least up to this point of my life I've been free to think what I want and free to go where I desire without having to seek permission or make any public display or pledge of allegiance to anyone. I don't even have to "virtue signal" to anyone. I'm not required to pay homage to any other person (e.g. dictator, etc) and for the most part, rules, regulations and laws haven't dictated or mandated how I choose to live my life day to day to such a degree that I've felt I've had to alter my life against my will or face punishment or consequences. I just want to be left alone.

We have an amazing road system that has tarmac on even country roads. We have streetlamps in towns. We have a good postal service. In my locality we can buy rissoles. We have nice fine grained sandy beaches where I live.

We are self correcting with our national flaws, extending civil rights to those who had been left out of the benefits promised to all citizens, whether they be racial or religious minorities, etc. That battle hasn't been won in its entirety, but we as a nation are striving to get there.

Beautiful scenery and nice people where I live.