The Devolution of America

While the current administration in the US is ostensibly on the path to make the country great again it is, in fact, devolving into the territory of a Third World country. The Cold War definition of "Third World" which pertained to non-aligned countries has changed to one reflective of modern geo-political and economic circumstances. Modern usage of the term focuses on low levels of economic development, high poverty, low life expectancy, high rates of disease as well as economic and political instability. Often, such conditions also parallel a very small, authoritarian ruling elite with well feathered nests - and a low appreciation for the rule of law.

When my family and I lived in Los Angeles County in the late 80's to early 90's what I observed all around us was more like a Second World country, rather than, in an economic sense, a First World country. The "haves" lived in walled and security fenced compounds or in neighbourhoods where every lawn was staked with a sign announcing "Armed Response". Whereas in the other "hoods" great swaths of the population lived in massive crime ridden boroughs of poverty, deprived of basic services and protection. These enclaves still exist.

My travels through just about every other American city revealed a similar pattern, not on the scale of Los Angeles Country, but clear and stark divisions between the haves and have nots. According to data gathered by the World Bank and the OECD, the US currently ranks at 18.1% of the population living below the national poverty line, after countries like Indonesia and Laos. This equates to over 61 million people. Canada in a much better position, among the best with only New Zealand, Australia and Israel (as at 2024) in a better position.

While poverty measures are only one indication of a nation's economic well-being, as we look further and consider the modern definitions of 1st, 2nd and 3rd world countries, I am hard pressed to place the United States in the first category let alone the second.

As one case in point may demonstrate, when the current leader of the Department of Health downplays vaccinations and regularly mouths conspiratorial anti-science diatribes, any appreciable time line with these types of "leaders" will result in a declining life expectancy and increasing rates of disease and yet another indicator of a Third World country.

More importantly, as the onslaught against every pillar of democracy continues at a rapid pace, no part of society is left unscathed. The scalping and stacking of the judicial system, the gutting of its well regarded and world class government institutions, the entrenchment of immoral leadership - makes it abundantly clear the gangster style politics propels the country toward Third World status. 

While we in Canada are no where near perfect, the differentiation between ourselves and our neighbour have never been greater. Our mission to improve ourselves, our institutions, our services and our security must be pursued with a vigour rivaling and outdistancing our efforts during WW II, no matter who or which party controls the politics of the United States of America.