To celebrate the New Year, the ten greatest things about America

Unparalleled in their uniqueness, greatness, and/or originality:

1 - the Grand Canyon: the most astounding, breathtaking thing you'll ever see. There are other natural wonders across the world, but while Victoria Falls has its Niagara and Kilimanjaro its Fuji there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that rivals the Grand Canyon.

2- New York City: Paris might be the world's greatest city for historic and romantic reasons, but it's not the best. I haven't been everywhere, but it's hard to imagine a more exciting and fun place than NYC. The night life, the theaters, Central Park, the restaurants, the shopping... all the best anywhere. In other countries the best city is usually their capital. In our country, the best city is the capital of the universe.

3- Our universities: the envy of the world. Every ambitious student the world over wants to come here for the education, research, and career opportunities.

4- the Declaration of Independence: a watershed in history and America's greatest gift to the world.
By redefining the role of government to of, by, and for the people it changed human perceptions of their rightful place in the world.

5- Our movie industry: the astounding array of product, from super modern technological computer graphics to the simple weird storytelling of the Coen Brothers... makes one wish there were more hours in the night.

6- the Bill of Rights: I'd rank it higher except for the poorly worded Second Amendment that confused its real intent, but a list of explicit citizen protections against his/her government was a novel and valuable tool of governance.

7- College and pro football: the rest of the world doesn't know what it's missing. Our own favorite sport has tactical complexities and moments of drama, frustration, and momentum that the others fundamentally lack.

8. Our diversity: Our society is deliberately one of inclusion and will always be, and the most ethnically diverse. We are, indeed, all created equal.

9. the Statue of Liberty: The most recognizable monument in the world, and its most symbolic. While other statues, obelisks, spires, etc., honor doctrines and memorialize people, ours is an embodiment of eternal principle... and principle is more important than doctrine.

10. Our American economy and spirit of entrepreneurship, upon whose success the rest of the world depends. If we can imagine it we can build it.