Dutch Uncle
* Tertia Optio * Defend the Constitution
I'm not sure it's an effective argument to measure our standard of living vs. other countries. In fact, it feels like an act of avoidance and cowardice.
Like, we have structural issues that you avoid addressing by saying "well, it's worse in X country". It's a tactic meant to sidetrack the conversation from our country's own vulnerabilities.
You asked me a question and now you're pissed off at the answer? WTF?
In his book "Leviathan", Thomas Hobbes describes the natural state humankind would be in, were it not for political community:
In such condition, there is no place for industry; because the fruit thereof is uncertain: and consequently no culture of the earth; no navigation, nor use of the commodities that may be imported by sea; no commodious building; no instruments of moving, and removing, such things as require much force; no knowledge of the face of the earth; no account of time; no arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.
The problem I pointed out is that, with our community, our people become "spoiled". They've become Eloi, in a world full of Morlocks.