Does the US seem like it's becoming a third-world country?

Question

Sure the US is the richest country in the world, largely because of its "defense" spending and limited corporate control. Of all industrialized countries in the world, the US has the greatest gap between the rich and the poor. I think a primary reason for this gap is because we're also taxed the least compared to other first-world countries. So, do you believe the majority of Americans benefit from such concentrated wealth?

Having visited other countries like Canada, I felt a lot safer in downtown Vancouver than let's say, Los Angeles. Most of us are pretty aware of our crime and poverty-stricken areas surrounding us. I think it's time to increase social spending--something we could actually benefit from our taxes.

Answer 1

Not necessarily. Is U.S rich? Yes. Is the wealth fairly distributed? No. Also americans as a ppl are very divided in most topics. I second that L.A is a dangerous, tacky, polluted shitplace. & a disgrace for the U.S

Answer 2

To MadLib.... Yes, the health care in third world countries are free, but the medicine is often not. I know for a fact in Vietnam, many people can't afford the medicine, so they basically lay in a hospital bed to die. Don't let that documentary by Michael Moore totally fool you. Even though I liked the documentary, I also know that the hospital they went to were usually reserved for the political elite or foreigners.

Anyways, in any country, you have to use your head. I live in NYC and feel very safe here. You just have to use your brain and not go jogging in the park at midnight or walk down dark alley ways. I have lived all over the world (From Europe to Asia) and have found that to be generally true no matter where you are. Even in Canada they have their crime.

Answer 3

You clearly have never been to a third world country to even suppose that. Go to one and you will get down on your knees and thank God for having won the geographic birth lottery when you return to the US.

The reasons we have the biggest gap between the richest and poorest of "first world" countires (which i will assume you mean the G8 sans Russia, since they have a larger gap between the richest and poorest) is because our rich are the richest, and we have one of the larger populations (again of first world countries). As far as both mean and median income goes, we are also the top, meaning the average person is doing the best.

Answer 4

So let me get this straight, we are rich largely because of our 'defense spending", no we are rich because our country was founded on capitalistic ideals, not socialistic ideals.

We would not be the country we are today if we tried to TAX OURSELVES TO GREATNESS!!!

I have also visited European nations that now tax their WORKING citizens at 50%+ to maintain their idea of social norms, and I tell you this, they will never have the opportunities to reach a fraction of our potential in the medical, industriieal, or personal advancements.

If your criteria is safety, and you liked Vancouver, then move to Canada.

Answer 5

That you would even entertain the notion the US is on the verge of becoming a third world country indicates that you have never been to a third world country.
Go to one. When you get back, I will help you up after you're done kissing the ground.
If you consider a marginal place like Canada to be better than the US, you should get comfortable in those surroundings and apply for citizenship.

Answer 6

the US is not the richest country in the world per capita... but no citizens in general certainly do not benefit from the hoarding of wealth by a small few.

Answer 7

If we keep on allowing illegal criminals to cross our borders from third world countries, then yes, unfortunately we'll digress into a third world nation.

(Note: I'm not against immigration to America. I'm AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.

I'm pro- LEGAL IMMIGRATION where good people come to this country to contribute something positive to American society.

Answer 8

your right, there is no point in being the wealthiest country in the world if this does not improves the lifes of every citizen of that country.

Answer 9

BIG TIME! (complete with the obligatory Dictatorship and personality Cult)

Answer 10

Well canada doesn't have guns and they do a good job keeping out hard drug like cocaine and heroin. Move out of the city. It's better here. LA is a zoo.