I'm thinking, we are a third world country?

[cameorose]

The political machine is broken. They work for themselves. They crave power, power over the little people. The flyover's. The homeless. Five blocks from the white house there are soup kitchens with lines of hungry american's. You know they see them as they drive by in their limos and free gas.
I am unemloyed, can't find a job, my husband works (when they have work). I can't get help, cause I have worked and paid for my house. That's an asset. We barely buy food. We bought an old woodstove, So we can heat with wood this year. We can't afford to run the furnace. Where does one go for help!! I am so worried!

[greenskeeper]

have you ever been to a 3rd world country for comparison?

Zambia, for example, has 4 roads leading out of the capitol.

They are North rd, South Rd, East Rd, and West Rd. Everything else is dirt paths.

Still think we are a 3rd world nation?

[krantcents]

Although I disagree with your 3rd world comparison, I agree that our government is broken! The people in Congress are not trying to solve this country's problems. The cure is pretty simple, we need jobs. I think Congress should work together to solve problems! If they want those solutions to reflect their various partisan philosophies they need to compromise.

[asmom]

We are so far from a third-world country, it's ridiculous. Times are frustrating because we are not as prosperous as we have become accustomed to but trust me, we are still extremely well off in this country.

As for Congress and the politicians, we got the government we wanted. So many people only care that their team is winning, they could care less if their policies and actions are good for the country as a whole. Now we all pay pay the price.

[photo]

Does your body resemble the ones who are starving in Somalia? You have access to a computer; those people would dearly love nothing more than a bowl of rice and clean water.

The US has many problems, however we're nowhere close to being a 3rd world country.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

A few of us were talking this evening about how so few have died in the heatwave in our city this summer--only about 15. I remembered that the day I moved here 30 years ago it was 107 F and 153 people died during that heatwave. What makes the difference is that almost everyone, poor included, now have at least one window air conditioner, if not central air.

I do think that it is hard to be at the bottom of US society, hard in ways in which even my friends who come from far poorer societies acknowledge. Hard in ways that are different from how it is hard in their home countries. But materially, mostly, I think the poor in the US are astonishingly well off...you know, as compared to those 3rd world countries, or even in comparison to kings and queens of old.

But I'll agree we are terribly out of balance, and I have a heart for the poor and the about to be poor.

[maat55]

Originally Posted by krantcents

Although I disagree with your 3rd world comparison, I agree that our government is broken! The people in Congress are not trying to solve this country's problems. The cure is pretty simple, we need jobs. I think Congress should work together to solve problems! If they want those solutions to reflect their various partisan philosophies they need to compromise.

Continued compromise seems to only lead to further delusion of freedom and self-reliance. It is not the duty of the government to provide jobs, it should start tearing down the barriers to private sector expansion.

One simple example is the fact that we purchase 900 billion dollars of foreign oil, yearly. That would make for good jobs in america.

[photo]

Originally Posted by maat55

It is not the duty of the government to provide jobs,

I disagree and think we should be responsible for ourselves. The more we look to government to provide for us, the less wealth, dignity, and drive we'll possess.

[maat55]

Originally Posted by photo

I disagree and think we should be responsible for ourselves. The more we look to government to provide for us, the less wealth, dignity, and drive we'll possess.

Maybe you should reread my post. I never claimed the government should provide for us anything.

[cameorose]

The third world post, is just a quote to get peoples attention! And it did! My meaning is this: Shouldn't we take care of our people first. Bring back our jobs and put people to work. Work=money=spending! So simple. People with money buy...Food,clothing,houses,cars,TV,etc...!
People with no jobs: no money=no spending.Reling on government handouts not handup's.Bankruptsy,forclosure,foodstamps,bad credit,homelessness. A child could figure this out. But it seem's to me, the politcal machine is in bed with the big business. Any thoughts on this??

[Frugal]

I agree with you. These times are hard, and it is not easy. Largely, I don't agree with the whole political-science designations of third, second-, or first-world nations. There are contradictions of wealth within each nation of the world, and it is hard to categorize. Do I think the U.S. is first-world right now, as the political scientists would categorize it? Hardly. Not with 30-40% of population in some states like Alabama (at 37%) on food stamps. Our nation has many hungry people, many poor, and many people laid off.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I hope your family finds satisfying and remunerative work soon.

[photo]

Originally Posted by maat55

Maybe you should reread my post. I never claimed the government should provide for us anything.

My apology. My mind read a non-existent "only" as in "it is not only the duty of the government to provide jobs...."

Therefore, I very much agree with you.

[photo]

Originally Posted by Frugal

Not with 30-40% of population in some states like Alabama (at 37%) on food stamps. Our nation has many hungry people, many poor, and many people laid off.

I've been to Africa and have seen first-hand what extreme poverty is. Although many people have it rough right now in the US, it is completely unlike 3rd world countries, where even the absolute necessities are absent. To my knowledge, not many Americans are living in mud huts with no clean water and are literally starving to death. We have to put situations in perspective.

[snafu]

The jobs that are gone will not return. The strength of the USA was always new ideas and innovation which created jobs. The education system was the envy of the world but it is being eroded. The rest of the world is trying to improve their education system even though only those whose parents can pay get to go. If you want to do something to improve your country make sure your children fully understand how important it is to do well in school. It's their 'job' to be excellent students which is not the story they get from the media.

[photo]

Originally Posted by snafu

The strength of the USA was always new ideas and innovation which created jobs.

Very true. With the government providing for so many, we have no reason to be innovative. That's a bit of an exaggeration perhaps, but I sincerely feel that more and more dependence on the government is cheating us all.

The education system was the envy of the world but it is being eroded.

My personal opinion is that we've gone away from academics to telling children they are special, which is somehow magically supposed to increase their self-esteems so that they'll study harder. Self-esteem comes from facing a challenge and working very hard to achieve it. That self-esteem is highly earned and no one can take it away.

[PetMom]

When we were told by the President to contact our officials about the financial logjam - I commented to one of mine that 'we would become a third world country' if something was not
done budget wise.

The jaunty answer I got? We already are a third world country! (this official is not up for reelection so flip answers like that can go over ok).

Maybe we are just a little above a third world country with our basic amenities - but these basics are becoming more expensive. Water, food, electricity. Even air conditioners (and guess what - people have to fence and lock their outdoor central units or they get stolen for the metals).

Oh and healthcare and medicine.

Big Pharma, big business and big govt. with all the power and money getting richer.

And what about our literally crumbling infrastructure.

The uncontrolled borders?

The drug cartels moving on in from Mexico with their armed gangs running roughshod (just like in thrid world countries).

Our education being cut to nothing, just like in thrid world countries.

We are not one, but we are not a first world country like we used to be.

And now our national credit rating, just like a third world country.

[photo]

Originally Posted by PetMom

And now our national credit rating, just like a third world country.

We dropped down a notch, but there are several notches below us.


From S & P's website


S&P | Ratings Credit Ratings Definitions & FAQs | Americas


‘AAA’—Extremely strong capacity to meet financial commitments. Highest Rating.
‘AA’—Very strong capacity to meet financial commitments.
‘A’—Strong capacity to meet financial commitments, but somewhat susceptible to adverse economic conditions and changes in circumstances.
‘BBB’—Adequate capacity to meet financial commitments, but more subject to adverse economic conditions.
‘BBB-‘—Considered lowest investment grade by market participants.
‘BB+’—Considered highest speculative grade by market participants.
‘BB’—Less vulnerable in the near-term but faces major ongoing uncertainties to adverse business, financial and economic conditions.
‘B’—More vulnerable to adverse business, financial and economic conditions but currently has the capacity to meet financial commitments.
‘CCC’—Currently vulnerable and dependent on favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet financial commitments.
‘CC’—Currently highly vulnerable.
‘C’—Currently highly vulnerable obligations and other defined circumstances.
‘D’—Payment default on financial commitments.

[PetMom]

Should have worded that: and now our credit rating going down and there is nothing we can do about it, just like a third world country. Except just accept the new limitations, higher interest, lower ranking, etc...just as you or any of us would be concerned about our CR taking a step down we should be as a nation.

[Snodog]

Originally Posted by cameorose

The third world post, is just a quote to get peoples attention! And it did! My meaning is this: Shouldn't we take care of our people first. Bring back our jobs and put people to work. Work=money=spending! So simple. People with money buy...Food,clothing,houses,cars,TV,etc...!
People with no jobs: no money=no spending.Reling on government handouts not handup's.Bankruptsy,forclosure,foodstamps,bad credit,homelessness. A child could figure this out. But it seem's to me, the politcal machine is in bed with the big business. Any thoughts on this??

I agree with you 100% it is simple. We(the people)could fix this economy in a matter of months with the correct policies(it ain't rocket surgery). But like you said there is so much corruption and probably nothing will change until people hit the streets.