The US does lead in some areas: software (although the Chinese are pretty good now), space technology (although they're still dependent on Russia for ISS journeys, more lack of foresight than ability), pharmaceuticals (Europe including the UK is pretty good as well, though), etc. Many of us only visit the business and tourist centres - NY, San Francisco, Seattle, Miami, the Keys, Chicago - to name a few but you don't have to stray far in Florida or LA to see extreme poverty. I've not been there personally but I'm told by US friends the mid west is comp!etely different: poorer than what we usually see on our short trips and often dominated by evangelistic religion with creationism ofte being seen as a valid option to science. Also, even if one has good health insurance it often doesn't cover the full costs and it's very disjointed: no GP overseeing everything and coordinating treatment, mistakes often happen; probably better if one can afford a personal physician. And I'm told, Florida has more power cuts than London does. Sadly, I'm won't surprised if they're spoon fed Trumps alternative facts by Fox, social media and others that he may well be reelected. One wonders if the TV and social media supply most news and entertainment if many in the US fail to distinguish between fact and friction: does the White House and Trump's hiring and firing just seem like an extension of The Apprentice?
Michael Ixer ● 2406d