America is not an Empire, and acserts no control over a lot of countries (they do try though, bless them) as for the highest standard of living, that's pure arrogance and ignorance talking. The best places in the world to live right now are New Zealand, Canada or several Scandinavian countries. They rate higher than America in all the major factors of living. You're a typical 'Muricanite who knows nothing of the global world. Go traveling, live in other countries, expand your closed mind... also, do somw historical research before you start a poll based thread regarding historical empires.