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An average American lives unbelievably rich, safe life by the standards of pretty much any major country that has ever existed or currently exists (yes, includi
by sershe 4y ago
An average American lives unbelievably rich, safe life by the standards of pretty much any major country that has ever existed or currently exists (yes, including Europe - see e.g. disposable income, debt etc. here - https://data.oecd.org/hha/household-disposable-income.htm https://data.oecd.org/hha/household-disposable-income.htm).
An average American is indeed saddled by a healthcare system distorted by misaligned incentives (tax-free benefits), tons of regulation and government ineptitude, corporate lobbyists abusing regulation and government ineptitude, and self-serving unions (AMA). However, the probabilistic impact of medical bills is basically non-existent on an average American. This is kinda like car crashes vs plane crashes - one is actually a cause for concern, the other makes good news stories.
The biggest difference between median and average, for Americans, is the amount of whining - while a median American seems pretty ok, the average is driven up by super-whiners who tend to either live in a crappy, expensive city for no reason; have a useless humanities degree; or think that luxury is a human right. Or some combination of the three :)
- ncmncm 4y agoAmerica is a rich country. But the overwhelming bulk of its property and income is concentrated in the upper class. They drop crumbs for the rest of us. Sweden, e.g., is much less rich, but its regular citizens get a decent cut. So they are mostly a little better off than the typical American. That word "whining" is an effective trick. It distracts attention very conveniently.
- sershe 4y agoIf you look at the actual data, it's simply not true. Per capita disposable income in the US is 40% higher than Sweden. Housing spending as % of income is somewhat higher in Sweden. Household debt as %% of income is twice as high in Sweden (I was actually surprised by that). Net worth in Sweden is somewhat lower as %% of income, I guess it would make it a bit higher in absolute terms? Tax burden in Sweden is much higher for middle class. I mean it looks like my wife, who is a school teacher in the US, would be taxed at marginal 53%, not counting the VAT of 25%, that is insane. That sure is a "decent cut", just not the right way ;) What exactly does this "decent cut" translate into?