I disagree. I do not exist to “do for my country.”
Precisely! As I said, I don’t see how any American can find the idea of American greatness offensive. What we do is internally look to our own idea of greatness and compare it to others ideas, and then we look at if or how the people we elect are working to carry out our vision.
I believe, once upon a time, Americans had many ideas of greatness in terms of socially, economically and militarily that were very similar. Republicans and Democrats had much more in common. Today, we are so different, we can hardly be civil and work together on anything. We are divided into smaller and smaller groups and sub groups to the point that violence comes about over things like the hat that someone wears. We are not getting more kind, tolerant and loving of our fellow man, but less so.
These divisions only diminish any greatness we have, had or can achieve…
Can you have all three at the same time?
To do for your country, I believe, is part of an attitude of service, not the entirety. An attitude of service, whether to family, friends, an employer, church, charity or strangers is really what I mean by “doing for your country.” It is values like service, charity, hard work, personal responsibility and self reliance that contribute to the greatness of a nation. By believing and doing these, you are doing for your country. At least, in my opinion.
I believe these values are disappearing in America. Self service has replaced them.
Yes, I believe it’s possible. Not likely at this point, but possible.
You do not exist to do for your country.
But, if one were to judge how good a citizen you were, how great an American you are, one would look at what you have done for your country.
And, from what I see from your posts, you are not the kind to ask what your country can do for you without also asking what you can do for your country.
Well that may be. But I doubt that has anything to do with whether or not people think America is great.
You’re probably right, but to my thinking, you can’t have greatness in a nation if the people have little or no character, no vision, no common sense, no determination or the other things I mentioned.
Are the ideas and issues we are divided on today going to make, or keep us great?
I disagree. And even if it is possible, is it sustainable?
They are going to keep us from defining “great”.
I understand, I just think it’s very subjective.
F.e. right now I bet most Trump supporters think America is pretty great - but it’d be even greater if all the libs shut shut up and went away 
And take Trump with them.
I’m a firm believer that the strategy of divide and conquer is in full play in America, and the rest of the world too for that matter. Ignorance and distraction make a people easier to manage. Not to mention taking away their guns- but there are plenty of threads on that subject.
Strategy ? It’s how WE live. WE do it to ourselves, nobody else is responsible.
. There are things Trump is doing I like and things I don’t. As I said, the Democrats, and outright socialists will gain the White House and the country as whole in the near future because they have control of the schools and media. The Republicans of today are not the same as they used to be either, they are going more and more to the left as well. It’s just a matter of time…
And then I bet the liberals will think the country is pretty great again - but it’d be even greater if all the cons shut shut up and went away 
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The whole world is going in the same direction we are, just at a different place. How do you explain that?
No, any greatness we had, have or achieve again is not sustainable or we would have been the ones to do it.
That’s because they don’t know any better!! And they won’t until they bring their vision about. Never could understand people who can’t learn from others mistakes and yet many here can’t wait for socialism to arrive.
Dividing things and constantly valuing our experience is a distinct trait of a human ego and we’ve all been doing since beginning of our time on this planet.
Objective speaking though, there’s never been a calmer and safer time in history of our species.
Don’t complain about a “divide and conquer” mentality when you simply write off your entire political opposition as naive and ignorant.
