Tracking Our Downward Spiral: the Ways in Which America Still 'Leads' the World

[Donnachaidh]

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Tracking-Our-Downward-Spir-by-Richard-Clark-110326-133.html

According to Yes Magazine, amongst 20 of the world's wealthiest countries, America now has:

* the highest poverty rate, both generally and for children;



* the greatest inequality of incomes;



* the smallest amount of government spending (as a percentage of GDP) on social programs for the disadvantaged;

Much more at the link --

[zorahopkins]

1. More People In Prisons

I think the US has more people (mostly poor and people of color) in prison than any other country.

And, of course, no other country holds people in prison in Guantanamo.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. Per capita. nt

[2gabby]

3. Believe its the most people in prison by all measures, of all other nations

I don't have a link handy, but unless I'm badly mistaken, for years now the US has had more people in prison than any other nation, as counted by the total number of prisoners and as well as per capita, a percentage of our population. It's a money making business, and business is booming and of course its why we fight a drug war we never win.

[zorahopkins]

4. And It Keeps People Of Color

All of what you say (money-making business, etc.) is true.

The other thing that happens is that it keeps the people of color in prisons and "in their place".

[2gabby]

5. absolutely

The racism goes a long way toward making this extreme situation possible.