Living in the U.S since 2015 has got me thinking, what criteria does a nation have to meet for it to be defined as an advanced society. Many Americans like to think that they’re living in the best nation on earth, simply for the fact they are the richest and most powerful. However, money and military might doesn’t exactly buy you a free and fair society.
The following is a questionnaire to ascertain whether or not you live in a country that has a basic tendency for compassion and uses its wealth for the greater good. If you answer yes to all five of the following questions, then I’m sad to announce that you will be denied membership to the advanced nations club.
Does you country lack universal health coverage, i.e. is healthcare a privilege not a right?
Does your country still use the death penalty? (Reminder to Americans, even though some states have abolished this barbaric practice, it still remains mandated at the federal level)
Does your country have a reputation for mass incarceration?
Does your country have a death by firearms epidemic?
Does your country have an infant mortality rate on par with underdeveloped nations?
Note: If I answer these questions by personal experience I will have a glowing report card on America (I for one leave my door unlocked and go out all hours without any fear), but I know full well that I’m one of the lucky ones largely due to life’s lottery. Many in this country still incur many hardships due to being brainwashed by the American Dream, which is a false promise peddled by the wealthiest 1%. If you haven’t figured out already, the U.S. is the only advanced nation on earth that answers yes to all of the above. if you need further evidence, just take one look at the Global Livability index, no American city ranks in the top 30.
Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Western Europe (places that can actually answer no to all five questions, or at least get 4 no’s) are well informed on America’s shortcomings, which brings me to my next point. There’s a favorite pastime among civilized nations to laugh at America as a basket case, mainly due to the fact of its arrogance at thumbing its nose at others and boasting about its wealth. You’d think you wouldn’t need America in your life, after all, it isn’t doing a good job at acting like an advanced nation, yet everyone (not only the aforementioned places) is glued to one form of American product/service on a daily basis. Look around, chances are you’re at McDonald’s staring at your iphone while scrolling through facebook, twitter, checking gmail, streaming on youtube and shopping on amazon. If you’re one of the billions worldwide addicted to American brands, then congratulations, you’ve just become an accomplice in making Americans think they are all that.
Here’s a suggestion for the civilized world, start boycotting all things from a nation that is anything but a first world nation, maybe then Americans might understand that just because American influence is everywhere doesn’t mean their lives are all that. In fact, American brands might gain five star adulation overseas, but their populace is living anything but a five star lifestyle. Who knows, one day Americans might tick the no box in answer to one of the above questions, which is still not good enough, but a start. The odds are still in favor of pigs flying before Uncle Sam ever answers no to all five questions.
Once we get all this sorted, Americans can finally back-up their claims for being the be-all and end-all, and non-Americans can finally use American brands knowing that it comes from a nation that lives up to its billing as a global superpower. We’ll never see this in our lifetime, but wouldn’t it be great if one day those outside the U.S. didn’t spew hatred towards America via American products, and if Americans stopped boasting about themselves while simultaneously being oblivious to the world around them.
