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>>I think once you start refining these arbitrary measures (greatness and historical period) then you will find that the US is great in some areas, greatest ever in others, less great in others again, not great at all in still other areas. The claim of greatness is too broad and without proper definition.
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>I agree. Other civilizations were great in their day. We live in this day and the advances of technology have largely occured in the US. Our country has conquered other countries, then turned around and helped the people of that country rebuild. I know several countries helped rebuild after WWI and WWII, but I don't think it has happened when one country had to go in and remove a terrorist dictator. (I could be wrong, and would hope I am). At any rate, if the US isn't the greatest ever, what country is? By my definition - totality of circumstances, the US is the greatest country yet.

I don't know what "totality of circumstances" means. Greatest country in what way specifically? In some defintions of greatness the US will be. In others, she won't be.