Why are other countries so far ahead of us?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

Yes; I know - that's really a rhetorical question and the answer starts with "T." But more specifically, I just read that Norway, a country with a population of only a little over five million, has tested some 10,500 people (compared to about 7,000 in the US), and they just acquired equipment from Germany that will allow the testing of 2800 people per day. https://www.aftenposten.no/norge/i/BR1njE/ny-koronatest-til-norge-aapner-for-massetesting-av-2800-personer-hver-dag.

I guess having a government that's not run by Trump and his GOP lickspittles gives even a small country a huge advantage over The Greatest Country On Earth, yeah?

[sandensea]

1. Because since Reagan, US public policy has mostly centered on military spnding & tax cuts for the 1%

Everything else, we've shortchanged - with rare exceptions like Obama's 2009 stimulus.

[liberal N proud]

5. THIS

[LonePirate]

2. Other countries have governments and leaders who actually care about their people.

Our leader and his lackeys in the Senate only care about the leader and keeping him in power.

[renate]

3. I think the GOP and most voters have literally forgotten what the government's actual job is

Not spinning bad news, lying on Fox, and getting away with saving their own asses. We’re so used to being pawns in their competitive games that we’ve forgotten that when they don’t do what’s in OUR best interests, rather than staying in office by any means necessary, they are not doing what they are there to do. The GOP treats governing like a high school popularity contest and nothing more.

[marble falls]

4. In a word: Trump.

[GusBob]

6. With respects to taiwan, singapore and all

They dealt with SARS and had a proactive plan in place which they implemented right away

Last time I checked, Taiwan had 50 cases and one death

[Hermit-The-Prog]

7. Trump and GOP are concerned with money and power, not lives.

[Baitball Blogger]

8. This is what happens when you alienate your allies.

[Caliman73]

9. It isn't rhetorical and it isn't just Trump. That is too easy.

It is in the way that we as a nation relate to Capitalism, and government.

In most European countries since the late 1800's there has been a strain of socialism and left wing politics that has pushed for universal basic human rights. Most have socialist parties that while they do not dominate, they are viable. Especially after WWII, there was a push to help to keep people from the desperation that lead to the rise of dictators. Most European countries have shown an understanding that reducing poverty and taking care of basic human needs is important to a functioning society.

The US, regardless of who is in the White House, maintains this idea that the individual and their freedom to pursue becoming rich, is the way that we should be organized. We have had better Presidents and bad ones, but we as a society maintain this idea that "too much government" is bad, even though WE make up the government. We want government to do things for us, but the way we want it and not encroaching on any of our "freedoms". Plus, the wealthiest people in America basically get 90%+ of what they ask for while the rest of us fight for 10% of the policies we need.

Trump is particularly bad, but he is bad because he is highlighting the WORST of American society and public policy, which has always lurked beneath the surface and in the shadows but is not on full display.

[Caliman73]

14. Thanks. We really have a weird relationship to money in the US.

I think that we get ahead of ourselves sometimes in the US. Our ideals are wonderful and we have done great good in the world. We do however, often fail to live up to those ideals, especially when it comes to marginalized groups including women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and the poor.

I think that is why Eugene Debs' message resonated with people, why Bernie Sanders' and Elizabeth Warren's messages stoke up energy (even though it didn't translate into being viable candidates). That is the dilemma that we face here. People want government to work equitably. I don't think that people want special treatment of unfair advantages. They just want to be able to live in a decent home, have work or something meaningful to do, be able to eat and know where the next meal is coming from, be able to enjoy some leisure time, get an education, etc... all things that FDR proposed in his "Second Bill of Rights". We have all also been taught that we are responsible for our successes and failures.

I was taught that if I worked hard and made good choices, that I would be "successful". For the most part I am. I went to school, have multiple degrees, have a great family, and have been able to buy a home. I also had the privilege of having two parents that worked, were fortunate, had good jobs, and were able to send me to good schools and in a safe neighborhood. I am in a lot of debt from school because education is not a right, but a commodity, an investment. I got some scholarships, but did not qualify for any grants because my parents made too much money. If I wanted to pay for school I had to take out loans, or not go. We are sold higher education as a tool to advance, not as something necessary for the advancement of society. You get paid more with a Bachelor's, or Master's, or Doctorate, but you pay for the privilege and if you don't have the money, then you go into debt thinking that you may be able to pay back with your new, fancy salary. Problem is that the rules favor the Banks and things can get away from you. But, it was your choice, so it is your fault, even though the system is geared to beat you. "You went into the Casino and put your bet down sir, it isn't our fault that the game is geared to taking your money". It is the problem of the pie, where the richest people have 9 tenths of the pie, and tell you that "those other people are stealing your piece". We fight each other for the one piece instead of asking why a fe

A lot of countries educate their citizens in exchange for a commitment to work for a brief time, with underprivileged people. In the US however, it is about making money to repay debt or to buy the latest car, or a house, or whatever. A lot of things in the US are commodities, whereas other countries see them as rights, or necessities that do not have a value as a commodity.

[MerryBlooms]

13. rec.

[gibraltar72]

12. Minimally functioning governments.

would be my guess.

[JCMach1]

15. Hard experience in Asia.

Singapore was hit early, as one of China’s key trading partners. Within a few weeks of the first official notice of “Wuhan flu,” it had a dozen cases. But it very quickly realized that this was more than the seasonal flu, and took rapid action. Primed by experience with the SARS virus of 2002-3, Singapore began carefully tracking cases to find the commonalities that linked them. Within a day, sometimes two, of a new case being detected, the authorities were able to piece together the complex chain of transmission from one person to another, like Sherlock Holmes with a database. As of February, everyone entering a government or corporate building in Singapore had to provide contact details to expedite the process... https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615353/singapore-is-the-model-for-how-to-handle-the-coronavirus/