The U.S. Has a $32 Trillion Economy but Ranks Dead Last in Fair Pay
We’re the richest nation in human history, but a new global study shows the country is basically running a supercar with a lawnmower engine when it comes to taking care of actual humans.
A new report by the Human Rights Measurement Initiative looked at how well rich countries convert their massive wealth into basic, decent lives for their citizens. Spoiler alert: the U.S. is absolutely terrible at it.
We have a massive $32 trillion economy, but when it comes to economic and social rights, the country has been failing for a quarter of a century. Let’s talk about work and pay. In terms of people actually earning enough to get by, the U.S. scores a pathetic 27% of what it *should* achieve given its wealth. That is the absolute worst score among all 38 rich countries in the OECD.
Health isn't much better. The country scores 80% on keeping people alive and well. Even Turkey and Hungary manage their resources better to keep their citizens healthy. Our education system has decent physical access, but when it comes to test scores, the quality sits at a failing grade of 61%. And on food security? The U.S. is 30th out of 37, meaning millions of Americans are literally going hungry while the GDP goes up.
The kicker is that this isn't because the money isn't there. It's because the safety net is actively being shredded. Policy choices, including cuts signed by Trump, are projected to strip healthcare and SNAP food benefits from millions more people over the coming decade.
It turns out "promoting the general welfare" was just a neat marketing slogan from 1787 that was never actually renewed.
Source: The Conversation
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