I've only lived in one country, America, and I really can't say I'd rather live anywhere else. To expand on my intial blurb, my reasoning is this and it is my inherent human right to feel this way:

1.) With regard to standard of living, America is one of a handful of countries that has the ability to provide an environment for its citizens that allows for unlimited growth potential. How many other countries do you know, other than similar democratic models like the US, Canada and Great Britain that allows its citizens to amass more wealth than the countries 'leader'? Certainly not a "third-world" country, in which they are so far below the poverty level that even the countries leaders have to lie, cheat and steal to feed themselves and their families. Not because they necessarily want to, but because they have to for survival. And in most dictatorships, you are forbidden to amass any wealth that is not first checked and approved or denied by the governing body.

2.) Well, quality of life, that's pretty much redundant between topic #1, topic #2, topic #3 and topic #4. QoL is determined by such a large number of variable factors that even my opinion has an opinion and its opinion's opinion has an opinion, if you catch my drift. Personally though, having only lived in the continental United States, I am of course a proponent of this land of mine. I'm very sure when I say that other countries can probably measure up to the United States in terms of quality of living, don't you agree? It all comes down to what you think is comfortable living and if the country you live in, can provide that, inherently. There's no utopian society, despite what you've heard in myths and legends. My reasoning for this is that I believe perfection is not meant to be known by human beings. Whatever faith you hold, or if you don't hold one at all, many scholars on this topic have realized that 'perfection' or a 'utopian society' does not exist and probably has not existed on this planet or in this world. The major faiths of Christianty, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, etc... beieve perfection comes only after we have expired in this life and meet our maker (so to speak) in the next life. There I go getting sidetracked by relationship/religion again, forgive me.

3.) With regard to beauty, I've ventured across a sizable expanse of this nation. From Pennsylvania to California, from New York to Florida, etc.. and all by the age of 22. Not many people in other countries have this freedom of movement and ability and I'm proud that my country has no restriction over my movements. A ten year old can travel on a plane or a train alone. An adult can travel to all 50 contiguous states without the need of "papers" or identification.. No need to identify yourself at sporadic checkpoints.

4.) A well run government? I'm stumped. The beauty of this land, as ironic as it may be, is freedom. Ironic because of the way this land was taken from its native inhabitants, but look at history and you will see that there isn't a model of a perfect society except in myths and legends, and even still.. which is also ironic, in our inperfect existance, even our depiction of "perfection" or "utopian" is flawed.

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Well, another spark in the debate, someone posted on the poll the following:

"i just think it's wacked how many people i talk to, they've never been out of their little city, and yet they talk like they've been to every corner of the globe to judge and critique them. and then come bakc, and say, yep, this is the best place in the world"

My response is this:

Well hmm, love for one's own country, that's called nationalism and over the course of my brief, but eventive 22 years, I've observed it to be a natural occurance. Only a self-deprecating weenie would hate the country in which they live, that is, unless it's so completely corrupt, condemning and malign that it has become a liability to your personal growth. However, if that country protects (or allows them a means to pursue) your inherent human rights, religion, relationship and economic/financial/professional goals I think you should be obligated to promote and support that existence.

America as a representative democracy differs most to dictatorships in that it doesn't direct anyone or a group of people into a way of life, but allows them to choose for themselves. That's the main reason why there was an American Revolution, Civil War, WWI and WWII. To protect these inherent civil-liberties for all nations that wanted them.

However, it is true that there are some instances where the nation of America, when lead by unrighteous representation, has either slacked in upholding the fundamental laws of the nation, or have distorted them for their own, personal gain. Yet and still, that's pretty much universal across all governments and cultures, and unfortunate to say the least.

Also, to touch on the first sentence of your last paragraph. The fundamental nature of BOOKS and VIDEO and this newfangled technology called the internet, allows people to immerse themselves with information, expand knowledge and stimulate their sensory nodes, without actually having to travel. I wouldn't knock anyone who hasn't left their country for loving their country. And I wouldn't assume prematurely that they're unknowledgable about other 'corners of the globe' either.