Why Does There Have to Be a No. 1?
RECEIVED Tue., Feb. 8, 2005
Dear Editor,
I have an answer (not necessarily Michael Ventura's, but mine) for those who wonder who the No. 1 country in the world is [“Letters at 3AM,” Jan. 21]. Why does there have to be any? I believe there are a number of No. 1 countries, depending on what category you are discussing. Basically, there are a number of pretty much equally good countries, each better in some ways and worse in some ways. The question really is, why do Americans place so much value on being No. 1 in everything and have to insist that we are? The world would be a much better place if they could get over that.
I have an answer (not necessarily Michael Ventura's, but mine) for those who wonder who the No. 1 country in the world is [“Letters at 3AM,” Jan. 21]. Why does there have to be any? I believe there are a number of No. 1 countries, depending on what category you are discussing. Basically, there are a number of pretty much equally good countries, each better in some ways and worse in some ways. The question really is, why do Americans place so much value on being No. 1 in everything and have to insist that we are? The world would be a much better place if they could get over that.
Elaine Blodgett
