It seems like not too long ago, America was the place where everyone wanted to live and work, but this is no longer the case in the modern-day world. We are going to cover 18 reasons why America is no longer considered the world’s greatest country.
Political Gridlock
The political system is almost paralyzed, leading to even basic legislation struggling to be passed through, as stated by Pew Research Center. The inability for lawmakers to find common ground on multiple issues has led to the creation of frustration among the citizens.
Political Corruption
The influence of money in politics has reached an all-time high, with wealthy donors seemingly being able to buy the favor in the political process. According to the Washington Post, this serves to undermine the trust that the public has in the political system and how it works.
Income Inequality
The gap that exists in the United States between the rich and the poor only continues to get bigger and bigger. Whilst the wealthy can live a great life, the average American citizen is finding it increasingly more difficult to make ends meet.
Opioid Epidemic
The widespread availability and overprescription of opioid painkillers, combined with their addictiveness, has led to a dramatic rise in addiction and overdoses in the U.S. (more than 100 people die per day from overdoses, according to More Powerful NC.) The lack of regulation of these drugs in the United States has led to a crisis that has had a devastating impact on communities and families alike.
Healthcare Crisis
Even though America spends a huge chunk of its GDP on healthcare, it still continues to struggle to make sure that every citizen has access to it. This results in millions of people being uninsured or even underinsured. This when paired with the soaring costs of medical care puts the most needed at risk.
Gun Violence Epidemic
Mass shootings have become something that is now thought of when America is mentioned. These tragic events claim thousands of lives each year. The political gridlock surrounding the right to bear arms has left Americans feeling unsafe and unprotected within their own communities.
Racial Injustice
Whilst America does seem to be making slow progress towards equality, systemic racism still continues to haunt the society. People of color still face discrimination, a higher chance of being in poverty, and police violence. High-profile cases of police violence only serve to highlight this fact.
Climate Change Denial
Even though there is mounting evidence in favor of climate change, there is still a significant percentage of the American population that refuses to believe in it. It is this denial that has led to a lack of action when it comes to reducing a person’s carbon footprint, putting not only the U.S. in danger, but the entire planet.
Erosion of Civil Liberties
Whilst using “national security” as an excuse, the American government has increasingly breached the civil liberties of its citizens. Surveillance programs and wiretapping, to name a few, have made people wary of the government and more protective of their constitutional rights.
Education Crisis
After years and years of the government not funding the educational system enough, the signs are starting to show. Unsafe buildings, overcrowded classrooms and staff shortages make it almost impossible for a student to get a quality level of education. No longer can someone start from the bottom and work their way up if they come from a particularly underfunded school.
Decline in Global Influence
Once upon a time, America was a powerful world superpower and the dream of many. Nowadays, the same can’t be said. Now facing emerging economies and having withdrawn itself from the world’s stage, America is finding that its role in global affairs has now been reduced dramatically.
Infrastructure Neglect
While America may be considered good in regard to modern design, it has not maintained the condition of its old infrastructure. This has led to aging and decaying infrastructure, posing a serious threat to America’s public safety. Political gridlock makes investing government funds into infrastructure maintenance a difficult task.
Student Debt Crisis
In America, the cost of education just keeps on increasing, leaving millions of young Americans in a state of debt and financial instability. Not only does this lead to the current population being in a constant cycle of debt, but it also puts off those from other countries considering studying in the United States.
Homelessness Crisis
Whilst it feels that homelessness has increased globally, it is especially present in the United States. Rising housing costs, stagnant wages, and a lack of affordable housing have only served to make the problem worse. The failure of the government to address the root causes of this issue has only led to it getting worse.
Corporate Greed
America has always prided itself on the idea that you can be as rich as long as you work hard, but now, thanks to corporate greed, this ideal now seems outdated. Companies that are only looking to increase their profit margins have done so at the expense of the workers. Leading to exploitative working conditions and economic inequality.
Militarization of Police
Over the passage of time, law enforcement agencies in America have become more militarized, resulting in escalated tensions between the police and the communities that they serve. The more military-grade equipment paired with the lack of accountability for police misconduct has completely destroyed the trust that their communities once had in them.
Endless Wars
After decades of military intervention abroad, American resources have been depleted along with a substantial loss of life, without providing lasting stability in those countries, states Big Think. It is due to these constant wars that America has gained a reputation for “saving the day” and has provoked many anti-American feelings worldwide.
Decline in Social Mobility
The United States is home to the American dream, where anyone can be whoever they want if they work hard enough. However, persistent inequality and a lack of opportunities threaten this core belief. The concentration of wealth among a select few only serves to widen the gap between the rich and the poor, making it harder for people to achieve their American dream.
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