"Number One"

[nadinbrzezinski]

How many times have you heard people say we are number one in (fill here).

This is part of the problem, an insular population that believes we're the best in anything and everything. Hence reforming things is like scary and shit. Not just because that means that things have to be done, but that we have to admit that perhaps we are NOT number one.

Health care is a good example. We have the best health care in the world... if you can pay for it. There is no doubt in my mind about that. But the access to that world class healhcare is not all across the board. Yet, those who need it the most... are afraid of the changes needed that would increase access and increase quality of care across the board.

Education is another one... between the traditional mistrust of "experts" going back a long time, the penchant for local (read political and at times religious control) and the fact that "we are number one" it is almost impossible to bring about the real changes... but in the meantime the crap (charter schools) is easier to push with propaganda.

There are many other examples of this. But until the country gets a lesson in humility and realizes that WE ARE NOT number one, and that yes, it would be nice to get there... forget it. That said, people KNOW there are problems with education and health care, but fear of change, insularity and that we are number one mentality gets in the damn way.

[Political Heretic]

1. We ARE #1 - at income inequality. We ARE #1 with top Poverty rate. We ARE #1 - in infant mortality

EDIT - number one compared to all of our industrialized peer nations. Yes, we're certainly not #1 when compared to Ruwanda.. if that somehow makes some of the people responding to my post feel better about themselves. :eyes:


We're #1 at a lot of things:

http://practical-vision.blogspot.com/2009/03/we-are-losing-america-right-before-our.html

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. On the bright side we are not number one in

obesity rates....

:-)

I know, but those are not the number ones people associate with the phrases... USA, USA... WE ARE NUMBER ONE.

Now if they knew what we are number one in, perhaps it would be a good thing. Somehow I don't think the evening news will lead with... "In today's news the rate of poverty in the US has risen to the point that we are the country with the highest income inequality of the Industrialized World." Oh and for the record a few developing economies are actually ahead of us in that one... but the OECD economies, absolutely and that is a damn shame.

[dmallind]

3. Well these are silly self-selected comparisons too

The US being "the worst".............(of 19 countries) is hardly being a negative #1

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Take into account those are the OECD economies

translation... DEVELOPED nations. It gets worst from there.

[dmallind]

14. So the US infant mortality rate of 180 and the EU of 183 are SO different how? NT

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. WOW you completely miss the point

Let me try this again... income inequality in the US is the HIGHEST in OECD economies.

And here is another one... according to the World Health Organization, you know those know nothings, the US has a LOWER vaccination rate than oh Cuba and Mexico... chew on that. (And I also know why, but let's not go there)

[dmallind]

27. Well to be fair I was responding to multiple points including the one I detailed

Look at the post I responded to. It does not give detailed emphasis thet "THE point" is only GINI and infant mortality is unimportant does it? It instead lists them with equal emphasis and space, right?

So how again did I "completely miss THE point" by picking one out of the four because it happened to be included in the "people" section of the World Factbook that was open at the time on my browser?

Vaccination rate? Sure I know that too - the wackjobs who think innoculation will turn their kids into mutants or whatever, plus the reduced cost of vaccinations in Cuba and Mexico.

What else does the WHO say about our health compared to other countries though?

Incidentally just in case (sincerely not assuming, just checking) you are one of the far too many DUers who somehow cannot comprehend any opinion between "we Americans are pathetic lowlife arrogant obese warmongering scum who hate our own population except the exact demographic that matches our own" and "we Americans are the absolute best that could be in every facet and nothing can be improved upon" be advised that not only is it possible, but that I reside in that space and vary between which pole is more proximal to my opinion based on the issue.

[nadinbrzezinski]

28. Opinions and facts are two damn different things

And no, the reason why vaccination rates are better has NUTHING to do with price of vaccine, or internet rumors. After all internet rumors are rife in Mexico too.

They have to do with NATIONAL VACCINATION CAMPAIGNS and these vaccines being oh like MANDATORY for school enrollment.

On a more general matter, the US is far from number one, and that is MY POINT.

As to the poles... well here is a little thing... in some things the US does very well, in others the US does lousy... and that is a damn fact. In major economic indicators the US is not doing well compared to OECD economies, never mind people think (aka they have the opinion) that things are much better... Ah US American Exceptionalism at it's best.

[hfojvt]

5. according to that link we are only last

compared to 19 other 'advanced' countries. Which means what - Europe, Canada, Japan, and Australia are all ahead of us in many metrics. That doesn't really make us Bangladesh, or even India.

[Political Heretic]

6. If you think that somehow stands as some sort of strong defense

To the disgracefulness of those numbers, you're insane.

And I'm very aware of what the numbers say and me. I wrote the blog post.

And if you think coming in dead last on such critical indicators when compared to basically all industrialized peers doesn't pretty much speak for itself, then I can't help you.

I didn't have room in the title to say "We're #1 (in paired examples with economic peer nations).... but that doesn't name the numbers any less embarrassing and terrible.

[CrispyQ]

11. And we are #1 by a fucking mile in military spending.

:grr: :grr: :grr:

[Uncle Joe]

7. We are number one as a direct result of

"Trickle Down Economics" aka; The Golden Shower, I believe number 2 is poo.

Thanks for the thread, nadinbrzezinski.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. You welcome

and you reminded me of the other saying... don't tell me it is raining when you are pissing on me

[Uncle Joe]

9. I believe if they remake this classic from 1933 to describe

the Trickle Down Era, it should be titled "Urine the Money."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJOjTNuuEVw

[arbusto_baboso]

10. I think you just outlined the difference between true patriotism and mere nationalism.

Nationalists are the "we're #1" crowd. True patriots want our country to be the best it can be, and wish to make it better than it is.

The nationalists will never understand the difference, even after having it explained to them in single-syllable words.

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. That is actually part of it

but it is more complex than that. A large percentage of our population also distrusts oh experts... I mean egg heads don't have any "common man" common sense, so what would they know? And since people in the US (in general) cannot read statistics, see our number one educational system that is failing, IMHO by design, and you got an explosive situation.

[tblue37]

12. I believe we are #1 in terms of the percentage of our citizens

that are imprisoned in our country.

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. We are, ain't that a happy thought?

[Greyhound]

25. And in raw numbers as well. n/t

[maryf]

13. Actually we are # 37 in health care...

good rant though, K&R

Its all propaganda! we're "number 2" in far too many ways...

[TexasObserver]

15. "We're Number #37!!" and "U.S. - eh?! U.S. - eh?!"

Limping in far back in the pack, the USA has the most profitable health care system.

[nadinbrzezinski]

22. I know, outside the OECD range

but you will see people claiming we are number one. That said, IF you can pay for it, and see the right specialists, we have world class health care... alas most of the people in this country don't have access to that level of care.

[bertman]

16. I agree wholeheartedly. Rec. nt

[seg]

17. That American exceptionalism...

stuff is b.s. It's a shame so many people buy into it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

23. Welcome to DU

:hi:

[depakid]

18. America is #1 in citizens incarcerated

both per capita and in terms of raw numbers.

Some states now spend more on jails and prisons than higher education.

Now there's a recipe for future success!

[nadinbrzezinski]

24. Hmm see California

which used to have a world class University System (in the process of being partially privatized, a story most people are unaware off, but the Master Plan is all but dead), and now is crushing under the weight of the prison system. Of course it is not just the prisons vs the Master Plan... but it is emblematic.

But we do love us some good ol' tax cuts... and now that the chickens are coming home to roost... people are still stuck in the shall we pay lower taxes?

That said, personal experience does not help. If you call 9.11 in the City of Cleveland, that ambulance ride will not be charged... silly taxes. If I call 9.11 (we did) in San Diego, that BLS run ran 1200 buckaroos. I know the true cost of equipment, training and all that it was around 3K, (having done the work myself and having to watch them pennies)... but for the average Joe who pays taxes... to be charged... well then, where are my damn taxes going to? Oh and did I mention San Diego has the lowest paid Emergency Services Personnel in the state? Oh and they have cut their pay already a few times and will start ahem... dismissing people due to lack of money... but hey taxes are like too high and stuff... let's cut taxes some more.

[Echo In Light]

26. +1