Actually, the US isn't all that big on having to be #1 at stuff historically. Most of that comes from the competition with USSR.
Prior to that we were just fine going along on our own path. We also, historically, dont like keeping a large standing military. That's another result of standing off against the USSR for so long.
What the US (and most Americans) do enjoy and respond well to is challenge. We like competition. Its when we are not challenged by competition that we tend to let things get slack and slow down.
Actually, the US isn't all that big on having to be #1 at stuff historically. Most of that comes from the competition with USSR.
Prior to that we were just fine going along on our own path. We also, historically, dont like keeping a large standing military. That's another result of standing off against the USSR for so long.
What the US (and most Americans) do enjoy and respond well to is challenge. We like competition. Its when we are not challenged by competition that we tend to let things get slack and slow down.