Cost of Living
The cost of living in America is outrageous. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the average American household spends over $60,000 per year on housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other necessities. This is significantly higher than the cost of living in other developed countries.
For example, the average American household spends over twice as much on healthcare as the average Canadian household. And the average American household spends over three times as much on housing as the average Mexican household.
Healthcare
The American healthcare system is a mess. It is expensive, inefficient, and often inaccessible. According to the Commonwealth Fund, the United States spends more on healthcare than any other country in the world, yet it has some of the worst health outcomes.
For example, the United States has a higher infant mortality rate than most other developed countries. And the United States has a lower life expectancy than most other developed countries.
Education
The American education system is also in need of serious reform. It is underfunded, overcrowded, and often ineffective. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the United States spends less on education than most other developed countries.
For example, the United States spends about $13,000 per student per year, while Switzerland spends about $22,000 per student per year. And the United States has a higher dropout rate than most other developed countries.
Income Inequality
Income inequality in America is rampant. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the top 1% of Americans earn more than 20% of all income, while the bottom 50% of Americans earn less than 13% of all income.
This income inequality is reflected in the fact that the average American household has a net worth of about $120,000, while the average American millionaire has a net worth of over $10 million.
Political Polarization
Political polarization is a major problem in America. The two major political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, are increasingly divided on a wide range of issues. This polarization makes it difficult to get anything done in Washington, D.C.
For example, the Democrats and Republicans have been unable to agree on a budget for the past several years. And the Democrats and Republicans have been unable to agree on immigration reform for the past several decades.
Gun Violence
Gun violence is a serious problem in America. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were over 45,000 gun deaths in the United States in 2020. This is more than the number of gun deaths in any other developed country.
For example, the United States has a gun homicide rate that is 25 times higher than the gun homicide rate in Canada. And the United States has a gun homicide rate that is 100 times higher than the gun homicide rate in Japan.
Racism
Racism is a persistent problem in America. According to the Pew Research Center, a majority of Americans believe that there is a lot of discrimination against Black people in the United States.
For example, Black people are more likely to be stopped by the police, arrested, and convicted of crimes than white people. And Black people are more likely to live in poverty and to have less access to healthcare and education than white people.
Conclusion
I hate living in America. The cost of living is outrageous, the healthcare system is a mess, the education system is in need of serious reform, income inequality is rampant, political polarization is a major problem, gun violence is a serious problem, and racism is a persistent problem.
I am not the only one who feels this way. According to a recent poll by the Gallup Organization, only 38% of Americans are satisfied with the way things are going in the country. This is the lowest level of satisfaction since Gallup began asking this question in 1979.
I believe that it is time for a change. We need to elect leaders who are committed to addressing the problems that I have outlined in this article. We need to demand better from our government. And we need to work together to build a better future for all Americans.
