> Are things really as bad as everyone (especially us Americans)
> are making out? I think not, and certainly not in America.How do we know whether things are as bad as people make out? Much of what we hear are predictions about what will happen if we continue in a certain way. We are seeing symptoms and indications of problems, the real crisis may be yet to happen. Do you suggest that we ignore the indications, do nothing, and simply wait to confirm 100% that the predictions are correct by waiting for them to happen?
> The average lifespan continues to rise as infant mortality falls.
Really? I keep hearing this but I doubt it is a significant rise (I am speaking globally - not just the privileged minority). As for infant mortality - any idea why the USA ranks 25th in the world in regard to the highest infant mortality and yet is number one in the world in regard to per capita expenditure on medical care???
> Education is available to everyone.
Dream on. A full education is available only to those whos family are wealthy enough to lose a potential wage earner while they study. Many many people are forced to end their education prematurally in order to work for a living.
> We have the ability to travel around the globe.
The ability. But I notice that most Americans do not.
> Even the poorest among us can find food and get an education.
You are in a dream world (the American Dream?). If even the porest Americans can find food and get an education - why do people starve to death in the USA? Why are so many illitarate.
> Of course, America, or any society, isn't perfect. But while
> we decry the current state of affairs and debate the future,
> perhaps we should take a moment to reflect on how lucky we,
> Americans, are, when compared to the vast majority of people
> who have come before us.
Indeed. But don't fool youself into thinking that your privileged lifestyle is shared by all Americans.
None.
