Politicians Claim: “America is the Greatest Country in the World,” But the People Say ‘Bullshit’

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart

 

Let’s take an honest look at America in the 21^st century. Where do you think our nation stands on issues which are most important, and where do you think one-half of our dysfunctional government stands? This rating includes 15 nations included in an overall rating of quality of life. Here’s a clue; the United States does not rate first in any category. Inf fact, we are last in the group at number 15.

However, in the free world America is ranked 23^rd in healthcare. Only wealthy Americans receive the finest care because only the wealthy can afford the most expensive medical services and personnel available. Even for working class men and women who have healthcare plans at their place of employment, co-pays create hardships for millions of our nation’s people. Our failed healthcare system has become the most expensive and inefficient in the world. I, personally, had two friends die in a hospital after being misdiagnosed. America is the only nation in the world without universal healthcare for all.

Women’s rights are a critical issue. Although America’s women outnumber men, more women are registered to vote than men, and more women are enrolled in our colleges and universities than men, women’s rights in our country rank 46^th out of 146 nations.

The United States is nowhere in the top ten ratings related to income equality. One-half of all Americans live in the low-income and poverty level. Fewer than 10 percent of Americans control more than 90 percent of the wealth. The “American Dream” is available for about five percent of all our nation’s people.

The most important guarantee in the First Amendment is the right to vote. However in “red” states, legislatures continue to suppress the rights of minorities and low-income Americans in an effort to lower the turnout and increase opportunities for right-wing politicians to win elections.

It is fair to say that the United States of America was founded on freedom of religion. Our Founding Fathers made their decision to leave England after King George III declared that the Anglican Church was the British Empire’s one, true religion. Over the last 42 years many Washington politicians, including four Republican presidents, have attempted to make America a “Christian’s only nation.”

America’s greatest problem has always been and continues to be an atmosphere of pervasive racism. Our country ranks below the top ten nations in support for minorities. Hate crimes in the United States have increased by 800 percent since Trump was nominated in 2016, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. The number of mass shootings, mostly based on support for or against “hot button” issues, outnumber days on the calendar. FBI Director Christopher Wray declared that “domestic terrorism is the greatest threat to the American people.”

It is a fact that our military, law enforcement, judicial system, and one political party are composed of large numbers of racists and bigots. Members of our military and law enforcement, current and past, participated in the January 6, 2021 attempted coup.

America is a “hot mess.” We are more divided than during the first Civil War because our population is much larger, and both the mainstream and social media misinformation and conspiracy theories faster than the truth can reach a newspaper.

Ignorance infiltrates the human mind in three ways: lack of facts, choice, or brainwashing by outside sources. I claim that America is the most ignorant nation in the world. We have become the least informed and obese nation in the world because we are lazy. Most Americans claim to be busy, too busy to cook our own meals, care for our own families, and become informed about the actions of our failed government. It is our fault that the nation of our Founding Fathers is in decline and will soon be extinct. Corrupt and self-serving politicians have lied to us constantly. Hitler had a premise that if the people are lied to often enough, they will begin to believe those lies. Americans are fools and fodder for those who would use them as puppets to achieve their personal goals.

I no longer believe that every American has the right to vote or that anyone can run for political office. Stupidity and chosen ignorance  are dangerous and can become destructive. In America, anyone can buy any type of gun, even if they have been diagnosed with mental illness. In America, anyone can vote even if they have been brainwashed.

Our country is dying and no one in power cares.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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