How about if we start with violent crime per 1000 citizens and check the comparative chart ( per capita rapes is the one I just viewed). Would that be a good one? What is your definition of "light years" anyway? My position would be the United States leads in a great number of areas. However, the United States is not the leader of the world in all areas, nor is it "light years ahead of anyplace else." That is just a foolish assertion and academic facts do not bear it out, whether we are Americans or not for that matter.
The United States is the greatest country that has ever existed. By any reasonable measurement, it is responsible for doing more good in the world than any other country that has ever existed. Do you dispute that fact?