So we are still stuck at 41, eh?  Been there a few years.  The only difference is the first time we showed up at 41, we were tied with Cuba, which has since moved up. 

Much of this has been due to the successful 30 year war to destroy unions in the US led by Ronald Reagan.  No unions, no need for corporations to provide high quality health care.  So what if our manufacturing base was destroyed by exporting 3.5 million union jobs overseas to China, Mexico, Indonesia and Viet Nam? 

You can always be an “associate” at Wal-Mart working 1 hour less per week than you need for The Wally Dragon to legally have to offer benefits.

“We’re forty-one! We’re forty-one!”

(Just doesn’t ring like “We’re #1!”, does it?)

If the Republicans gain full control again we’ll move from #41 to #241—isn’t that where Zimbabwe and Somalia rank, somewhere down there?

Bill,

In ‘Waiting for the Barbarians’ Lewis Lapham writes, “Sallust’s description of Rome in 80 B.C. - a government controlled by wealth, a ruling-class numb to the repetitions of political scandal, a public diverted by chariot races and gladiatorial shows - stands as a fair summary of some of own circumstances.” He wrote that in 1998, a time when the United States looked to be on fairly solid footing nationally and internationally. It seems amazing to me just how far a country can fall in a mere 13 years. At any rate, your point (and Lapham’s, too) goes to the historical fragility of Empire, and to the sad inability of man to recognize this essential truth.

You wrote: “Its no surprise that the top 20 countries- in infant mortality, health care for all, public education,  literacy, and the social programs that make for civilized society, are all social democratic countries- Scandanavia, Europe, Canada, and others.” I lived for almost a decade in South Korea before returning to the US to study toward an advanced degree. It was appalling to see how socially backward this country has become. As you describe, in Korea my family and I had access to excellent health and child care, all provided at minimal cost to us through the national plan that even foreigners are encouraged to contribute to and take advantage of. I once required surgery of middling severity, an operation that required six days of hospitalization. For top-notch care at the best-rated clinic in my city, I paid just $250 for a procedure that would have cost upwards of $15000 in the US - unless, of course, I was one of the lucky few who had a “Cadillac” insurance plan. The moral of the story for me was, and is, ‘don’t get sick in the US’. You used the word “barbaric” and in that you’re spot on.

“My advice would be to get out if you can.  I’m so sorry for all your millions that deserve better. My best wishes to you and your family.”

When we came back to this country, we weren’t certain whether we’d be staying or not. Unfortunately, our experiences since returning have made our decision for us. We can see no benefit to staying here, aside from a closer connection to family. The thought of aging and growing old in this country terrifies me; I don’t honestly believe social security and medicare will still exist in 30 years. So, Bill, we’ll be taking your advice and looking to relocate elsewhere once my studies are finished.

Bill,

All true, I’m afraid. I’m with you on fading away, but I suspect that won’t be the case. Descents into full-fledged national hysteria seem more often accompanied by bangs, and not whimpers. Still, here’s to hoping.

“In the United States, the drop over the last 20 years was less than the average drop — 26 percent. And the United States dropped from No. 28 to No. 41 in the rankings of newborn death risk. It is now tied with Qatar, Croatia and United Arab Emirates. “

We are 37th world wide in providing health care to our citizens as well, if one wants more depressing statistics. While I personally know of no one who has read the complete version of the health care law commencing in 2014 far too many who claim to have done so called it a sellout to the Pharmaceutical and Health Care Industries. The best I hope for is some slight improvement in some areas.

I have a terrific health care plan, with dental and vision for which I do not pay one red cent in fact. A benefit of belonging to a strong union and working for a very large corporation which can afford such a benefit, though if they were not confronted by my union they would drop that care in a heartbeat..

But , as a concerned citizen of this nation I think of the 47 million of my fellow citizens without such care. I think that this nation , which squanders billions upon billions on destruction, which allows corporations to earn billions in profit and pay not one red cent in taxes, which allows hedge fund managers to earn half a billion a year ( some fifty or more did exactly that last year) and pay only fifteen percent, far less than that of a working family making a tenth of that fortune. It sickens me.