Let's face it: America kind of sucks

[alang1216]

It WAS a great country. Now it’s a rapacious oligarchy run by corporate interests for the benefit of corporate interests.

The OP should stay and fix what is wrong. You seem to have given up on America and should consider leaving. Where you'd go is beyond me.

 

[Oddball]

Republicans like to pretend that the US is the best country in the world in every way because they cannot stand the thought of other countries doing something better than us. However, the main flaws the US has are much of less of issues in other first world countries.

1) Our healthcare system is garbage with or without ObamaCare.

Republicans like to harp on ObamaCare and pretend that it is rhe reason why our system sucks, but when you ask them the simple of question of "well, was our system good before ObamaCare?", they will refuse to answer. Secretly they know that our healthcare system has always sucked but they will not admit that out loud. But hell, at least ACA improved it to some degree. Republicans secretly like the idea of their healthcare coverage not being denied because of pre-existing conditions, but its another thing they will not admit out loud. Obama came up with it so the knee jerk reaction is that it is terrible.

I also want to point out the myth that republicans have about other first world healthcare systems. They pretend that wait lists run rampant for basic care and that these people suffer. That's of course not true. Systems in Western Europe, Australia, Japan, South Korea are all quite high functioning even if they are not perfect.

Here's all the ways comparable, first world national healthcare systems are superior to the US's:

A. Life expectancy is better
B. Premature death rates are lower.
C. Less suffering with long term chronic diseases
D. Healthcare quality and access is far better
E. Maternal morality rates are better.
G. Hospital rates are lower for chronic diseases.
H. Post-operative complications are lower in prevalence.
I. Medication and procedure errors are lower.

And oh yeah, this is thanks to socialized medicine rather than shitty for-profit healthcare very few people can afford.

Now you say that the US does have state of the art treatments in some examples, but this hardly matters if the large majority of the population does not have access to this ridiculously expensive care and the overall nation suffers in areas where it matters most.

How does the quality of the U.S. health system compare to other countries? - Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker

Despite spending more money per capita on healthcare than any similarly large and wealthy nation, the United States has a lower life expectancy than peer nations and has seen worsening health outcomes since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This chart collection combines various measures of...

www.healthsystemtracker.org

2. Infrastructure systems are better in comparable nations.

A. The US ranks 13th in infrastructure quality in the world.
B. Only 2% of our GDP spending goes to infrastructure.
C. Airports in other countries are better.
D. High speed rail in the US is half of the speed of comparable countries.
E. Internet connection is much better in other countries.
F. Our roads are shitty in comparison to these other nations. Traffic jams are less severe in such nations.

That's far from "American exceptionalism." Hell, Biden gets credit for at least passing a law making improvements even if it was not enough.



3. Gun violence in the US is far greater than in other countries like Australia, the UK, and Canada.

A. Mass shootings are far more common in the US than other politically stable countries.
B. Gun murders account for 79% of all murders in the US. In Canada it is 37%, Australia 13%, and the UK is 4%
C. Gun deaths per capita are FAR higher than in other countries.

Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

www.bloomberg.com

4) Wealth inequality is one of the worst in the world.

In 2020, the top 20% of the population earned 52.2% of all U.S. income. The median household income fell significantly for the first time since 2011 to $67,521. That's 2.9% down from 2019's number. The richest of the rich, the top 5%, earned 23% of all income.

The Cause of Income Inequality in America

U.S. income inequality has worsened significantly in the past 30 years. What does income inequality look like in the United States and what are the causes?

www.thebalance.com

5) Poverty rates are lower in other counties.

Denmark, Finland, and Sweden are proof that poverty in the US doesn't have to be this high

Vox is a general interest news site for the 21st century. Its mission: to help everyone understand our complicated world, so that we can all help shape it. In text, video and audio, our reporters explain politics, policy, world affairs, technology, culture, science, the climate crisis, money...

www.vox.com

Conclusion: America kind of sucks. I know inevitably the response I am going to get to this thread will be somewhere along the lines of "if you don't like it here, leave!" Well see the truth of the matter is that I think America is great in some ways and I would rather stay here and fix what is wrong with it.

GTFO

 

[Oddball]

I think America is great. I also think the OP had valid 4 points that I have yet to see discussed.

In every item on that short sniveling list, the gubmint is heavily involved and making things worse.

Blaming the entire nation for the actions of a relative few do-gooder know-nothings fucking up the works is hardly the basis for any kind of rational discussion....Indeed, it's just more leftist sniveling.

 

[alang1216]

In every item on that short sniveling list, the gubmint is heavily involved and making things worse.

Blaming the entire nation for the actions of a relative few do-gooder know-nothings fucking up the works is hardly the basis for any kind of rational discussion....Indeed, it's just more leftist sniveling.

I'm not sure how the gov't is to blame for wealth inequality? Are you satisfied with our healthcare system?

 

[Oddball]

I'm not sure how the gov't is to blame for wealth inequality?

The Federal Reserve.

Are you satisfied with our healthcare system?

No....That's why I'd abolish Medicare, Medicaid, Ovomitcare, the FDA, and every other federal intervention n the system, which does nothing but drive up costs and interferes with the doctor-patient relationship.

 

[Correll]

I think America is great. I also think the OP had valid 4 points that I have yet to see discussed.

But, you disagree with his conclusion, but you don't want to discuss that disagreement, you want to discuss his points, which you agree with .


What an odd position.

 

[B. Kidd]

Great, how about all you far left cult members leave and take your politicians with you!

And they won't be allowed back in because our borders will be secured!!

 

[BS Filter]

Means nothing.

Shut off the tv.

Typical leftist response. Why do you support this administration?

 

[gipper]

The OP should stay and fix what is wrong. You seem to have given up on America and should consider leaving. Where you'd go is beyond me.

You think the people have a say? How cute. Terribly naive though.

 

[BackAgain]

You think the people have a say? How cute. Terribly naive though.

Typical libtard thinking. According to the pretzel logic (offered by gimp), the people have “no say.” But, nevertheless, there is no chance of an election getting rigged or stolen.

 

[gipper]

Typical leftist response. Why do you support this administration?

Lol. I’m not a leftist you goofball, but cons always resort to that when contested. They only see the world through the duopoly lens.

How could you miss all my post criticizing old demented Joe?

 

[alang1216]

But, you disagree with his conclusion, but you don't want to discuss that disagreement,

What's to discuss? It is my values not being the same as his values. Period.

you want to discuss his points, which you agree with .

His points were supported by facts. Facts are different than values. Values are subjective and are never either right or wrong. Facts are just the opposite.

What an odd position.

That you want to discuss his values and ignore his facts? An odd position indeed.

 

[BackAgain]

Lol. I’m not a leftist

Uh huh. Sure.

 

[Flash]

The things that makes America suck are caused by the agenda of the Left to make the once great country a Socialist shithole.

Leftism destroys everything.

 

[BluesLegend]

Do I need to use smaller words?

Yes words you understand, professional help and meds.

 

[BackAgain]

The things that makes America suck are caused by the agenda of the Left to make the once great country a Socialist shithole.

Leftism destroys everything.

Opposition to much most of all of the Leftist Agenda is a defense of liberty, freedom and rationality.

 

[alang1216]

The Federal Reserve.

Cheap scapegoat. The Fed was created in 1913 and has been run by both parties. If you don't like such a fundamental part of America I'd be tempted to think you believe America sucks.

No....That's why I'd abolish Medicare, Medicaid, Ovomitcare, the FDA, and every other federal intervention n the system, which does nothing but drive up costs and interferes with the doctor-patient relationship.

So if you can't afford health insurance or doctor/hospital care, you're on your own. Got it. At least the rich will get cheap healthcare. Healthcare would only suck for the poor, got it.

 

[gipper]

The things that makes America suck are caused by the agenda of the Left to make the once great country a Socialist shithole.

Leftism destroys everything.

Dumb con cliches.

 

[Oddball]

Cheap scapegoat. The Fed was created in 1913 and has been run by both parties. If you don't like such a fundamental part of America I'd be tempted to think you believe America sucks.

Not a cheap scapegoat....You obviously know absolutely nothing about the history of worthless fiat currencies in general, and the Fed in particular.

So if you can't afford health insurance or doctor/hospital care, you're on your own. Got it. At least the rich will get cheap healthcare. Healthcare would only suck for the poor, got it.

Begging the question isn't an argument.

 

[gipper]

Opposition to much most of all of the Leftist Agenda is a defense of liberty, freedom and rationality.

Speaking of dumb con.