One added item of note from his provided information on why the U.S. Isn't rated far beyond all other listed countries for the Better Life Index. In his words:
"However, that's not really the problem with the US measurement. The main issue is that the US doesn't include most of the things it does to alleviate poverty in its measurement of poverty: and we do. So, the EITC (our working tax credits), Section 8 vouchers (housing benefit), Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps, which in reality work very like child benefit, they're very much more generous to those with children) don't get counted in measurements of US poverty."
I have heard of people not knowing they were poor until some government statistic said they were, as in a family of four is poor if they don't have a family income of at least whatever.
Another thing - we have the best dressed and best fed poor people in the world.
Interesting article. In reference to the writing style, I had forgotten how circuitous and given to allegoric embellishment the British could be in presenting their views. I kept looking for a quick wrap up, a conclusive summary if you will, but there are many, conclusions to ponder, not just one. I’ve often heard it said that what we call ‘poor’ in this country would be seen as highly privileged in most areas of the developed world.
It really depends on how you figure it.
Suppose a poor family receives $40K in medical care. All this means is that a bunch of doctors, who are in the top 10% in income, billed for their procedures at this rate. The poor family did not receive any cash income, and if they had been healthy they wouldn’t have needed any of this.
Before Obamacare, the U.S. spent a greater amount on socialized medical care, than Canada. People used to gasp in disbelief at that — but, it was true.
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bkmk
The article fails.
It alleges there is a country with a bigger social welfare system than the US. But a cursory glance (admittedly, cynwoody grows lazier with age) reveals no such country.
May God damn Progress and the Progressives!