What Does It Really Mean to be the Richest Nation on Earth?

[Sunstone]

According to many measures, America is the richest nation on earth. But what does that really mean?

If America is the richest nation on earth, why are 1.5 milion American children homeless? And why do 2.3 to 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness each year?

If America is the richest nation on earth, why do about 45,000 Americans die each year because they lack health insurance?

If America is the richest nation on earth, why are the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer despite consistant gains in worker productivity?

If America is the richest nation on earth, why do more than seven million people use emergency food assistance every week?

Is America becoming a two class society, with a tiny minority of people who are very rich,a vast majority of people who are poor, and a dwindling middle class? Is that increasingly the class structure of the world's richest nation?

What, if anything, can be done about poverty in the world's richest nation?

 

[Darkness]

Can you please give sources for your information? It is interesting and I want it on record.

My answer to the question is that America is the richest in terms of overall economic strength compared to any single-nation. That is, our wealthy are so wealthy that their wealth raises the GDP (ppp) per capita [America: 46,716]. Socialist countries such as Sweden [37,383] have a fairer distribution of wealth amongst their population. Obviously, you realize which system I prefer.

 

[Just_me_Mike]

What, if anything, can be done about poverty in the world's richest nation?

If I may, the world would be better served, if you told us what you are doing in this apparent situation to make it better.

I say inspire by action, than others will follow, otherwise it is in one ear and out the other for most people that have to work like slaves.

 

[Sunstone]

If I may, the world would be better served, if you told us what you are doing in this apparent situation to make it better.

I say inspire by action, than others will follow, otherwise it is in one ear and out the other for most people that have to work like slaves.

I do what I can to help the homeless people here in town. It's not enough, but I still get out there and do it. Now, what do you do?

 

[Wandered Off]

I cringe whenever the US is called "rich". We have the largest debt in human history. You don't call someone who owes you tons of money rich, yet our politicians continue to pledge hundreds of millions toward this and billions toward that, saddling the unborn with a massive bill.

 

[Sunstone]

Can you please give sources for your information? It is interesting and I want it on record.

Sure...

http://www.homelesschildrenamerica.org/documents/rc_summary.pdf

Hunger in America: An In-Depth Look

Study links 45,000 U.S. deaths to lack of insurance | Reuters

 

[Darkness]

Sure...

http://www.homelesschildrenamerica.o...rc_summary.pdf

Hunger in America: An In-Depth Look

Study links 45,000 U.S. deaths to lack of insurance | Reuters

Thanks, Sunstone. I will look them over when I get enough free time. :yes:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE58G6W520090917

 

[Aquitaine]

According to many measures, America is the richest nation on earth. But what does that really mean?

If America is the richest nation on earth, why are 1.5 milion American children homeless? And why do 2.3 to 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness each year?

If America is the richest nation on earth, why do about 45,000 Americans die each year because they lack health insurance?

If America is the richest nation on earth, why are the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer despite consistant gains in worker productivity?

If America is the richest nation on earth, why do more than seven million people use emergency food assistance every week?

Is America becoming a two class society, with a tiny minority of people who are very rich,a vast majority of people who are poor, and a dwindling middle class? Is that increasingly the class structure of the world's richest nation?

What, if anything, can be done about poverty in the world's richest nation?

One thing I don't get (and no this isn't some jab at the United States, because my country is the same) is how can the United States be the richest nation on Earth when it is in debt? Especially to so much, I mean.... I've not yet been able to find any "official" source(s) but I've heard it was in the Trillions.



EDIT: This website says the total US (Public) debt alone is 12,097,698,782,543.93

 

[Tiapan]

It would be interesting to see how many Americans of the 300 million actually hold all this wealth. Most Americans I know are simple middle class battlers like myself, they certainly don't have it stashed under their mattresses. And I am still amazed that the richest nation on earth does not have free health for its tax paying citizens. Why do you pay tax in the first place?

Cheers

 

[YmirGF]

Why do you pay tax in the first place?

It's to bankroll political idiocy.

 

[Charity]

I believe that it would be better to say that at one time we were the richest nation. we use to be a nation that pulled together in a crisis now we have become a nation divided and headed by politicians that are self serving and could care less about the people. We settle for smoothing over the problem of today but never a thought about tomorrow. Well it's tomorrow and the problems look worse today than they did yesterday.....Richest nation....Ha Ha

 

[McBell]

What Does It Really Mean to be the Richest Nation on Earth?

Nothing.
It is merely another self serving bull **** story contrived to make people feel more noble.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

What, if anything, can be done about poverty in the world's richest nation?

Maybe Motorhead gave us some good advice. If we eat the rich, then their funds will be open for the poor, and then we can feed more people, get more people in homes, give people better educations, and give everyone health insurance.
Well, we can't really eat the rich but I do believe the only thing that can make America better is we did elect someone as President who wouldn't mind being hated by doing such things like establishing a maximum yearly wage cap (for any job/position), and then force the extra money to go back to the workers and society. But in the long run, I'm sure such a president would be viewed as a savior.

 

[Reverend Rick]

It would be interesting to see how many Americans of the 300 million actually hold all this wealth. Most Americans I know are simple middle class battlers like myself, they certainly don't have it stashed under their mattresses. And I am still amazed that the richest nation on earth does not have free health for its tax paying citizens. Why do you pay tax in the first place?

Cheers

You assume that ALL Americans pay taxes. Just less than half of Americans have no tax liability at all. Not everyone is rowing the boat mate.

The thing is, the majority of Americans do not want changes made to their health care. They like thing as they are. I have a feeling that this is the same majority who stroke a check to the government each year.

 

[Reverend Rick]

I do believe the only thing that can make America better is we did elect someone as President who wouldn't mind being hated

You just described George W. Bush. He did what he thought was right and was not worried about public opinion.

 

[Just_me_Mike]

You just described George W. Bush. He did what he thought was right and was not worried about public opinion.

Wow what a laugh!
He did what he thought would fill his pockets and those of his party.

He knew for certain it wasn't right, but he doesn't care.

I am not complaining, I am just saying call a spade a spade.

 

[Darkness]

The thing is, the majority of Americans do not want changes made to their health care. They like thing as they are. I have a feeling that this is the same majority who stroke a check to the government each year.

Tyranny of the Majority anyone?

I love how the opposition party plays the "it's not the will of the people card" when a policy decision is made by the majority party.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

You just described George W. Bush. He did what he thought was right and was not worried about public opinion.

What Bush done wasn't for the better of the nation. Tax cuts for the rich is absurd. Trillions have been wasted in Iraq. The No Kids Left Behind is a failure. And Bush won't be remembered as a savior for the nation. He didn't fix anything, he just worsened it. And his approval of so called "enhanced interrogation" will ensure he will likely be remembered as a villain in history.

The thing is, the majority of Americans do not want changes made to their health care. They like thing as they are. I have a feeling that this is the same majority who stroke a check to the government each year.

The thing is, the majority of Americans are mindless sheep and don't know what they really want, need, or even believe. Most people may not want it, and you may say don't fix something that isn't broke, but our health care system is broken, and does need fixed. We over pay, have too many uninsured, and far too many people die because they are uninsured. And then their is the issue of how corrupted the health insurance companies are.

 

[Skeptisch]

Here some more info about the “Richest Nation on Earth”!

http://www.usdebtclock.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_current_account_balance

 

[Mr Cheese]

Next Thursday you're invited to watch Rising Tide's live coverage
of a gala tribute in salute to Ronald Reagan.
Host Haley Barbour joins special guest lady Margaret
Thatcher in celebrating the former president's 83 birthday.
Ticket's are 1000 Dollars a plate but you can see the event free on GOP TV.

Images of perfection, suntan and napalm
Grenada - Haiti - Poland - Nicaragua
Who shall we choose for our morality
I'm thinking right now of Hollywood tragedy

Big mac: smack: phoenix r: please smile y'all
Cuba, Mexico can't cauterize our discipline
Your idols speak so much of the abyss
Yet your morals only run as deep as the surface

Cool - groovy - morning - fine
(If white)
Tipper Gore was a friend of mine
(America)
I love a free country
(told the truth)
The stars and stripes and an apple for mommy
(for one day)

Conservative say: there ain't no black in the union jack
Democrat say: there ain't enough white in the stars and stripes

Compton - Harlem - a pimp fudgeed a priest
The white man has just found a new moral saviour
Vital stats - how white was their skin
Unimportant - just another inner-city drive-by thing

Morning - fine - serve your first coffee of the day
Real privilege, it will take your problems all away
Number one - the best - no excuse from me
I am here to serve the moral majority

Cool - groovy - morning - fine
(If white)
Tipper Gore was a friend of mine
(America)
I love a free country
(told the truth)
The stars and stripes and an apple for mommy
(for one day)

Zapruder the first to masturbate
The world's first taste of crucified grace
And we say: there's not enough black in the union jack
And we say: there's too much white in the stars and stripes

Fudge the Brady bill
Fudge the Brady bill
If God made man they say
Sam Colt made him equal



--Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayitsworldwouldfallapart (Manic Street Preachers)