NationStates Jolt Archive

I read in a newspaper that the next report from the United Nations Developement Programme to be released contends that certain areas of the US (namely Alabama, West Virginia and other states) have a level of human developement akin of some Third World countries. It also states that the life expectancy of the inhabitants of these states is in average smaller than the general US population´s. This seems to come in the wake of the recent New Orleans disaster, where the tv images were indeed reminiscent of Bangladesh. So, are there indeed two Americas?

I don't really trust anything the UN says, seeing as how they had no problem with letting Iraq remain a Third World country as long as their oil profits wern't cut off, but to avoid digression:

A lot of people are poor because of themselves, but others are because of the way the government has screwed up these areas. Our social programs have made these poor people in to slaves to welfare while we offer no kind of way for them to get off these programs, and so entire generations are being kept down by these poorly designed handouts. At the same time, there is a huge cultural apect that disparages education and work and is diretly tied to these welfare programs, and that is also keeping them in their current state.

Most Americans are middle class or better, but those who are poor are being kept there by our poorly managed social programs. It's not the economy, it's our government that's reduced these people to poverty. Unless we reform social programs and instill real accountability in education and government, nothing will change.

I read in a newspaper that the next report from the United Nations Developement Programme to be released contends that certain areas of the US (namely Alabama, West Virginia and other states) have a level of human developement akin of some Third World countries. It also states that the life expectancy of the inhabitants of these states is in average smaller than the general US population´s. This seems to come in the wake of the recent New Orleans disaster, where the tv images were indeed reminiscent of Bangladesh. So, are there indeed two Americas?
This is one of my main criticisms of US domestic policies. The US could institute make-work projects to give these people good paying jobs and at the same time strengthen the transportation and communications infrastructure that business depends on, but some people think a tax cut for a few wealthy people stimulates the economy more than well-paid jobs for many thousands of people, so we are gradually sliding toward a third world economic model.

This is one of my main criticisms of US domestic policies. The US could institute make-work projects to give these people good paying jobs and at the same time strengthen the transportation and communications infrastructure that business depends on, but some people think a tax cut for a few wealthy people stimulates the economy more than well-paid jobs for many thousands of people, so we are gradually sliding toward a third world economic model.


One of the reasons we call bush's party the Banana Republicans.

The US deserves to be criticized when it acts disgracefully, and this is simply bringing to light a national shame.

Ironic when you consider that John Bolton is doing his level best to mutilate the efforts of the UN to eradicate poverty.

In many ways it doesn't surprise me though. Modern economic models tend to be utterly unconcerned with unemployment, personally I suspect it would be far more efficient all-round if all unemployed (those unsupported by others, so 'stay-at-home wives' and the like are OK) people were given govt work to do (roads, police, streetsweepers, childcare etc)

Ironic when you consider that John Bolton is doing his level best to mutilate the efforts of the UN to eradicate poverty.

In many ways it doesn't surprise me though. Modern economic models tend to be utterly unconcerned with unemployment, personally I suspect it would be far more efficient all-round if all unemployed (those unsupported by others, so 'stay-at-home wives' and the like are OK) people were given govt work to do (roads, police, streetsweepers, childcare etc)


Sort of like how we beat the great depression ;)

This, coming from the UN? Ahahahahahahahha!!!
There's a report from the people in my brain that tells me the UN is the mother of all corrupt bureaucracies

This, coming from the UN? Ahahahahahahahha!!!
There's a report from the people in my brain that tells me the UN is the mother of all corrupt bureaucracies
Even the most corrupt can occasionally be right.

Most Americans are middle class or better, but those who are poor are being kept there by our poorly managed social programs.
I think it's more likely that most Americans like to think they're middle class or better.

Most Americans are middle class or better, but those who are poor are being kept there by our poorly managed social programs. It's not the economy, it's our government that's reduced these people to poverty. Unless we reform social programs and instill real accountability in education and government, nothing will change.
According to US census information from 2003, 12.5% of the population were living below the poverty line (35.9 million people). This is a significant number. And what is middle class anyway? It's so vague, class says nothing about income or expenditure. In Britain we have a huge middle class, but what it really means is the majority of people are deeply in debt and living beyond their means in order to have a middle class lifestyle.

But you're totally right about social reform, from what I've seen, your welfare situation is very different from ours. Very little practical help is given to those who need it.

The UN Human Development Report is wholly commendable. The millenium targets are a bold step in the right direction for the world. To those who have issues with the UN, leave your personal grudges at the door and look at all the UN is achieving.

Bush has made the US suckier than it was before.

Bush has made the US suckier than it was before.
Bumper sticker!!

The USofA -- Suck More Every Day (it rhymes!) <graphic = eagle getting sucked into jet engine?>