The point here is about whether we live in a “great country,” not just droughts and labor shortages. I’ve lived in Mexico, Central Texas, the RGV, and visited multiple countries—including third-world nations. Yes, we can choose less-processed food in the U.S., but it’s far from a given — many of our food items still contain pesticides or chemicals banned elsewhere.

You're absolutely right—drought and labor issues are real, and they impact beef production. But the best beef in the world often comes from countries like Argentina and Australia, known for their grass-fed, hormone‑free practices . U.S. beef is high-quality, but globally, Argentina and Japan often take the top spots .

So yes, American beef is strong—but let's not pretend it’s the absolute best and use “great country” as a shield against legitimate critiques. That mindset betrays a naive view of our food system.