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adirondacker

(2,921 posts)
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 01:41 PM Oct 2014

Senator Bernie Sanders: "U.S. Headed Toward Becoming Third World Country"

"BURLINGTON, Vt. - U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said a new report that paychecks are shrinking and half of all workers in the United States made less than $28,031 last year is another sign of a 40-year trend which is moving the U.S. economy in the direction of a Third World country.

“The latest report from the Social Security Administration makes it clear that the American economy continues a 40-year trend of moving in the direction of becoming a Third World country where the vast majority of people are struggling to keep their heads above water while the richest people in the country have never had it so good,” Sanders said.

According to a recent report, released every year by the Social Security Administration, average wages for all workers went down last year compared to 2012, except for the 110 wealthiest Americans making over $50 million last year who received a $14.2 million increase in average pay.

“What this new report shows, and what many other studies have shown over the last 40 years, is that the United States is experiencing the kind of obscene levels of wealth and income inequality that are not unusual in impoverished third world countries. Since 1999, median income has gone down by nearly $5,000 and more Americans are working longer hours for lower wages.”

The report also shows that last year 39 percent of all American workers made less than $20,000 and more than 50 percent of all American workers made less than $30,000.

The median wage of $28,031 for American workers is lower today than it was in 1999, after adjusting for inflation.

Sanders concluded, “If we don’t act boldly to create millions of new jobs rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, increase the minimum wage to a living wage, and end our disastrous trade policies, the U.S. is on the verge of becoming a Third World economy,” said Sanders. “We have got to act with a fierce sense of urgency to rebuild the disappearing middle class.”

To reduce income and wealth inequality and rebuild the middle class, Sanders has called for the following:

Increasing the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to at least $10.10 an hour.
Investing $1 trillion in rebuilding our roads, bridges, airports, railways, dams, water systems, and culverts to create at least 13 million new jobs.
Rewriting our trade policies to make sure that American corporations invest in the U.S. and not in China.
Transforming our energy system away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy and energy efficiency to create millions of new jobs.

Read the report here.
http://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/netcomp.cgi?year=2013"

http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2014/10/30/us-headed-toward-becoming-third-world-country

64 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Senator Bernie Sanders: "U.S. Headed Toward Becoming Third World Country" (Original Post) adirondacker Oct 2014 OP
One of the few times I disagree with Bernie.... daleanime Oct 2014 #1
s/b "has arrived, by design." [n/t] Maedhros Oct 2014 #2
Exactly. The natural adversary of the rich is the middle class. Jerry442 Oct 2014 #19
YUP! FiveGoodMen Oct 2014 #22
I'm with you on that. adirondacker Oct 2014 #4
Go visit a third world country. Drunken Irishman Oct 2014 #24
Yeeeaaaahhhh!!! daleanime Oct 2014 #34
Wake me up when most of America has no electricity or running water. Drunken Irishman Oct 2014 #36
That strange, your the one saying it... daleanime Oct 2014 #37
Uh no. Drunken Irishman Oct 2014 #38
ZERO restrictions - TBF Oct 2014 #44
I have been around in the world and in every state except AK... adirondacker Nov 2014 #48
Never been to Appalachia or parts of the rural Deep South, I take it? Odin2005 Nov 2014 #62
It's Called "Free Market Capitalism" mckara Oct 2014 #8
Oh, that trillion dollars will be allotted for infrastructure - as soon as the 1% have nailed down djean111 Oct 2014 #3
Recommend. n/t Jefferson23 Oct 2014 #5
Stating the obvious and recommending common sense solutions ... Martin Eden Oct 2014 #6
Anti-intellectualism is promoted by the neo-feudalists of course AZ Progressive Oct 2014 #12
They keep repeating the mantra that "Bernie Can't Win" Maedhros Oct 2014 #21
"They" manufacture public perception Martin Eden Oct 2014 #23
It is a time-honored tradition to paint opponents of Beltway cronyism as "radical" or "wacky" Maedhros Oct 2014 #31
"mental health in establishment Democratic circles" Martin Eden Oct 2014 #43
Know your bff's adirondacker Nov 2014 #49
That would go well with the pic of Bush smooching up to (literally) the House of Saud. nt Erich Bloodaxe BSN Nov 2014 #51
Capitalist Cultural Hegemony Odin2005 Nov 2014 #64
Classic case of what we Marxists call Cultural Hegemony. Odin2005 Nov 2014 #63
Kicked and recommended a whole bunch! Enthusiast Oct 2014 #7
K & R !!! WillyT Oct 2014 #9
K&R!!! He also supports publicly funded elections to bring Representative Democracy back! Dustlawyer Oct 2014 #10
Heard Sanders say yesterday that he'll only run if he thinks he can win... polichick Oct 2014 #11
Hear ! Hear! But we also need: vkkv Oct 2014 #13
It already is 3rd world... RoccoR5955 Oct 2014 #14
Have you ever been to a third world country? Drunken Irishman Oct 2014 #25
Whoa! 3rd World doesnt refer only to economics... randys1 Oct 2014 #26
No definition anyone can give would make the U.S. a third world nation. Drunken Irishman Oct 2014 #27
Civil rights..voter suppression, income inequality, wait, Bernie says it much better randys1 Oct 2014 #28
None of that is third world. Drunken Irishman Oct 2014 #29
All of it is 3rd world...of course it is - not our level of it but as conditions and issues randys1 Oct 2014 #30
LOL Drunken Irishman Oct 2014 #32
I meant the issues, that the lack of civil rights is one of the things that makes you 3rd world randys1 Oct 2014 #33
The lack of civil rights is subjective... Drunken Irishman Oct 2014 #35
All true...But, the United States has lost ground in all areas of qualify of life for the average randys1 Oct 2014 #39
Not denying they've lost ground (tho, made up ground in some areas). Drunken Irishman Oct 2014 #40
and no better person to do that than Bernie...even though he wouldnt be my first choice, he is randys1 Oct 2014 #41
I'd vote for Bernie. Drunken Irishman Oct 2014 #42
given the current culture of greed heaven05 Oct 2014 #15
Stagnating compensation is a serious problem Fred Friendlier Oct 2014 #16
When, or if, labor lives again as if "an injury to one is an injury to all", it will get better. n/t jtuck004 Oct 2014 #20
Solidarity Forever Fred Friendlier Nov 2014 #58
Too late. Already is for a fair number. n/t jtuck004 Oct 2014 #17
And that's just the way the Third Way wants it. blkmusclmachine Oct 2014 #18
I love Bernie, how can you not love a Sanders, but his hyperbole is often way out there. I have Fred Sanders Oct 2014 #45
Sanders doesn't waste a syllable! Bernie, please run for president, we need you. TheNutcracker Oct 2014 #46
Basic truths must be our building blocks (K&R) (nt) Babel_17 Nov 2014 #47
Good article outlining "The Why?" .... N_E_1 for Tennis Nov 2014 #50
2nd world, not 3rd BrotherIvan Nov 2014 #52
Er, 2nd world is communist countries. area51 Nov 2014 #56
From your link BrotherIvan Nov 2014 #57
The Third World Comparison is apt . . FairWinds Nov 2014 #53
I agree, we need to look at what's working in the world. My Good Babushka Nov 2014 #54
But, this IS their plan, Bernie... world wide wally Nov 2014 #55
you might be interested in the book: "Third World America" by Ariana Huffington Bill USA Nov 2014 #59
you might be interested in the book: "Third World America" by Ariana Huffington Bill USA Nov 2014 #60
Gawwwd Will Provide Old Nick Nov 2014 #61

Jerry442

(1,265 posts)
19. Exactly. The natural adversary of the rich is the middle class.
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 04:14 PM
Oct 2014

The poor are simply too overwhelmed by the demands of trying to get through each day to engage in any kind of activism. By eliminating almost all of the middle class, the positions of the rich will be secure.

adirondacker

(2,921 posts)
4. I'm with you on that.
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 02:29 PM
Oct 2014

I drove from houston to ny to jacksonville last spring for a job and I can report that the only stretch of roads that resembled anything near a first world country were in Virginia and around the DC corridor. Even the roads that were in recent repair were done so half assed that I felt like I was driving in Eastern Europe the entire time. (Efficiency of private companies and a government system so strangled by austerity and run by a bunch of Bush lackies I would suspect is the blame)

That's just the road system...

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
24. Go visit a third world country.
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 04:42 PM
Oct 2014

There may be small pockets of the U.S. that look rundown - but on the whole, there isn't anything that resembles this:













Let's stop the hyperbole. The U.S. is nowhere near a third world country.

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
36. Wake me up when most of America has no electricity or running water.
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 05:37 PM
Oct 2014

I laugh when people, sitting in their home surfing the internet, hop on a message board with ZERO restrictions on what you can view, and say, "the U.S. is a third world country."

LOL

daleanime

(17,796 posts)
37. That strange, your the one saying it...
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 05:48 PM
Oct 2014

every one else is talking about our direction, what are we working toward. I suppose it makes no difference to you if things are improving or getting worse?




Well, enjoy your laugh, (backs away from Drunken Irishman slowly while maintaining eye contact. Closes door quickly, locks it, then starts running.)

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
38. Uh no.
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 05:59 PM
Oct 2014

I'm referencing this:

One of the few times I disagree with Bernie....

"headed?"


Implying it's already there.

You said it. Not me.

adirondacker

(2,921 posts)
48. I have been around in the world and in every state except AK...
Sat Nov 1, 2014, 12:22 PM
Nov 2014

house in Detroit


"Kenya Jones fills a bucket with water at a vacant house in her east side Detroit neighborhood. Jones has been without water at home for a month because her landlord has not paid the bill."


Silicon Valley Tent city


Home in Applachia

"According to a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 49 million people in the United States lived in households struggling to find enough food to eat. Nearly 16 million are children, who are far more likely to have limited access to sufficient food than the general population. While 15.9% of Americans lived in food-insecure households, 21.6% of children had uncertain access to food."
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/04/27/states-where-children-hungry/8151905/







Odin2005

(53,521 posts)
62. Never been to Appalachia or parts of the rural Deep South, I take it?
Wed Nov 5, 2014, 12:30 PM
Nov 2014

For the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, I take it?

 

djean111

(14,255 posts)
3. Oh, that trillion dollars will be allotted for infrastructure - as soon as the 1% have nailed down
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 02:16 PM
Oct 2014

how they are going to grab the contracts, hire workers from other countries, and over-bill. It will just be the MIC in another costume, I fear.
Also, I believe the TPP has restrictions against Buying American, and I would not be surprised if there were restrictions against hiring American.

Martin Eden

(12,801 posts)
6. Stating the obvious and recommending common sense solutions ...
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 03:19 PM
Oct 2014

... puts Bernie Sanders on the radical fringe of American politics
(and says a lot about American politics)

 

Maedhros

(10,007 posts)
21. They keep repeating the mantra that "Bernie Can't Win"
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 04:20 PM
Oct 2014

so that we are required to buy into the "Lesser of Two Evils" doctrine and vote against our interests.

 

Maedhros

(10,007 posts)
31. It is a time-honored tradition to paint opponents of Beltway cronyism as "radical" or "wacky"
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 05:07 PM
Oct 2014

In Bernie's case, he's "unelectable" because he's "too far left." It's all part of the oligarchy's unrelenting campaign to stifle dissent and progress. They regularly savaged Kucinich from both sides of the political divide, presumably for his "wackiness," while at the same time expecting us to swallow truly insane behavior as somehow sage and effective:

http://www.salon.com/2012/03/10/dennis_kucinich_and_wackiness/

So let’s recap the state of mental health in establishment Democratic circles: the President who claims (and exercises) the power to target American citizens for execution-by-CIA in total secrecy and with no charges — as well as those who dutifully follow him — are sane, sober and Serious, meriting great respect. By contrast, one of the very few members of Congress who stands up and vehemently objects to this most radical power — “The idea that the United States has the ability to summarily execute a US citizen ought to send chills racing up and down the spines of every person of conscience” — is a total wackjob, meriting patronizing mockery.

Martin Eden

(12,801 posts)
43. "mental health in establishment Democratic circles"
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 07:07 PM
Oct 2014

Reminds me of the following quote: "It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it!"

Follow the money. The Democratic establishment may be more afflicted with corruption than mental illness.

At least Dennis Kucinich is still alive (unlike Paul Wellstone).

Odin2005

(53,521 posts)
63. Classic case of what we Marxists call Cultural Hegemony.
Wed Nov 5, 2014, 12:35 PM
Nov 2014

The ruling class determines the boundaries of what is socially acceptable to think or say any anyone outside those boundaries are "crazy".

Dustlawyer

(10,493 posts)
10. K&R!!! He also supports publicly funded elections to bring Representative Democracy back!
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 03:32 PM
Oct 2014

This is who AMERICANS should get behind, not some two faced politician that will throw us a few bones and screw us over in favor of the 1% on everything else!

polichick

(37,152 posts)
11. Heard Sanders say yesterday that he'll only run if he thinks he can win...
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 03:38 PM
Oct 2014

so people need to let him know they're with him.

k&r for truth telling.

 

vkkv

(3,384 posts)
13. Hear ! Hear! But we also need:
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 03:45 PM
Oct 2014

Publicly financed elections with NO OUTSIDE, CORPORATE or LOBBYIST BRIBES.

Leaders need to work for the people - not their election financiers.

 

RoccoR5955

(12,471 posts)
14. It already is 3rd world...
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 03:53 PM
Oct 2014

I just came back from 2 1/2 weeks in the Netherlands, and I can tell you that their roads, public transportation, social programs, and general attitude of the people are much much better than in the US.
I may just retire there.

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
25. Have you ever been to a third world country?
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 04:44 PM
Oct 2014

If you have, you'd know the U.S. isn't remotely at that level. The Netherlands is also one of the most homogeneous countries in the world, as well as far smaller, so of course it's going to be different. The biggest issue with the U.S., as is the case with any major country in terms of population, is that it's so diverse - both economically and culturally - that comparing it to smaller countries is useless.

randys1

(16,286 posts)
26. Whoa! 3rd World doesnt refer only to economics...
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 04:48 PM
Oct 2014

There is much more to it than that, so showing those pics is not showing the whole picture.

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
27. No definition anyone can give would make the U.S. a third world nation.
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 04:55 PM
Oct 2014

Economically militarily or other.

randys1

(16,286 posts)
28. Civil rights..voter suppression, income inequality, wait, Bernie says it much better
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 04:57 PM
Oct 2014

link later, too busy right now


There is a gap between what America is and what a 3rd world is, sure...but we are now in that gap, didnt used to be

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
29. None of that is third world.
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 05:01 PM
Oct 2014

It might not be on the level of a handful of nations - but that doesn't make it third world.

Also, I'd wager of the largest countries, the United States is by far the most balanced of any - including China, Russia and India. Population-wise, it does little to compare the U.S. to, say, Sweden.

randys1

(16,286 posts)
30. All of it is 3rd world...of course it is - not our level of it but as conditions and issues
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 05:03 PM
Oct 2014
http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/third_world.htm


Third World Countries in terms of political rights and civil liberties.

The most repressive regimes in the world.
 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
32. LOL
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 05:12 PM
Oct 2014

No it isn't. C'mon now. You can make the point that the United States is bad without comparing it to the third world.

There is nothing third world about the United States.

randys1

(16,286 posts)
33. I meant the issues, that the lack of civil rights is one of the things that makes you 3rd world
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 05:14 PM
Oct 2014

or not, voter suppression is part of that, income inequality is part of your point about economics.

Many issues go into what makes a 3rd world a 3rd world, is the US at that level yet, of course not, but we also are NO longer in the condition we once were compared to other countries, we have slipped DRAMATICALLY

If Bernie said "america has slipped dramatically out of position as compared to blah blah blah" people would tune him out, he has to use these terms to get people's attention...

His point is valid just not to that extreme, yet.

Would you rather he not be pointing out the DRASTIC downgrading the American people have experienced as to income inequality, being overworked, etc.?

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
35. The lack of civil rights is subjective...
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 05:35 PM
Oct 2014

Just ask North Koreans. There are more gays in America who have the right to marry now than in any nation on this earth. In many nations, you don't even have the right to vote at all and while we throw up walls here - the election system still generally works (just ask Obama). In Saudi Arabia, women can't even drive. In some nations, women are stoned to death if they're raped. We have our issues, but it trivializes the plight of the truly unfortunate when we say the issues here in America are similar to the issues in Africa, the Middle East or some Asian countries.

randys1

(16,286 posts)
39. All true...But, the United States has lost ground in all areas of qualify of life for the average
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 06:13 PM
Oct 2014

American and not in small ways, big ways.

And no, we should not trivialize the plight of others, and Bernie wouldnt do that nor would I.

But, since Reagan, the harm to our middle class and since Newt and Clinton and Reagan as well as W, the harm to our poor has been overwhelming.

I mention Clinton because of his damage to Welfare...

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
40. Not denying they've lost ground (tho, made up ground in some areas).
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 06:26 PM
Oct 2014

Still, we're nowhere near the dystopian levels of many third world nations where you can't vote and are put to death or imprisoned for being gay.

We have work to do in progressing this country forward - namely when it comes to racial inequality and economic inequality.

randys1

(16,286 posts)
41. and no better person to do that than Bernie...even though he wouldnt be my first choice, he is
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 06:29 PM
Oct 2014

positioned to do so

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
42. I'd vote for Bernie.
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 06:34 PM
Oct 2014

But I think it'll take more than Bernie or any president. Bernie is only as good as the congress he works with.

And I agree about Clinton. Not just welfare reform - but NAFTA.

 

heaven05

(18,124 posts)
15. given the current culture of greed
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 03:59 PM
Oct 2014

racism, misogyny and homophobia that has run rampant in this land since the political theft of the century in 2000, I'm not surprised at all. I also take exception to the word "headed". Just look at the voting restrictions, the lies and idiocy of the RW in this country, if bundy not third world character, I don't know who is. But Bernie always nails it.

 

Fred Friendlier

(81 posts)
16. Stagnating compensation is a serious problem
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 04:00 PM
Oct 2014

No surprise that Sanders is on top of this as Vermont reverted to third world status long ago. The tough question is what are we going to do about it, as the relative decline of labor v capital has been relatively constant regardless of who is running the government, except for a modest blip while Clinton was in the White House.

All in all a horribly unsatisfactory state of affairs.

 

jtuck004

(15,882 posts)
20. When, or if, labor lives again as if "an injury to one is an injury to all", it will get better. n/t
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 04:14 PM
Oct 2014

Fred Sanders

(23,946 posts)
45. I love Bernie, how can you not love a Sanders, but his hyperbole is often way out there. I have
Fri Oct 31, 2014, 11:01 PM
Oct 2014

lived in third world countries, one hell of a long fall for America to get there.

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)
52. 2nd world, not 3rd
Sat Nov 1, 2014, 01:32 PM
Nov 2014

I have travelled more outside of the US, but when I see some areas that are crumbling and stricken with poverty in this country, I almost can't believe it. Bernie is doing a great job talking about it and I hope more people listen. Too bad the moment is over when a Republican, McCain, would accept public financing for the general because that was the last chance we had for someone like Bernie to have a fair fight. Between EW talking about the middle class and Bernie talking about inequality, I hope some people learn something.

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)
57. From your link
Tue Nov 4, 2014, 01:54 PM
Nov 2014
Along with "First World" and "Third World", the term was used to divide the states of Earth into three broad categories. In other words, the concept of "Second World" was a construct of the Cold War and the term has largely fallen out of use since the revolutions of 1989, though it is still used to describe countries that are in between poverty and prosperity, many of which are now capitalist states. Subsequently, the actual meaning of the terms "First World", "Second World" and "Third World" changed from being based on political ideology to an economic definition.[1]
 

FairWinds

(1,717 posts)
53. The Third World Comparison is apt . .
Sat Nov 1, 2014, 01:34 PM
Nov 2014

for many communities in the US. A former student of mine at Ohio Univ. (in Athens county) recently
helped lead a tour of Cuba. She took along a public health nurse from the Athens area. When the
tour was over, the nurse declared that "the average person in Cuba lives better than the average
person in Athen county, Ohio.

And we hear this bogus argument all the time -
"The biggest issue with the U.S., as is the case with any major country in terms of population, is that it's so diverse - both economically and culturally - that comparing it to smaller countries is useless."

As if nation-states, cities and communities cannot learn from each other becuase they are "different".
Where do you think the US "learned" social security? (Germany)
Likewise child labor laws, retirement systems, were ALL influenced by other countries.
When I visit Canada, I'm always learning about single payer health care . .
Guess what, Canada is MORE DIVERSE THAN THE US.

My Good Babushka

(2,710 posts)
54. I agree, we need to look at what's working in the world.
Sat Nov 1, 2014, 03:29 PM
Nov 2014

The argument that we're "too diverse" is usually a Republican code for "I don't want people who aren't like me to benefit". Human needs aren't diverse. They are pretty much the same.

world wide wally

(21,718 posts)
55. But, this IS their plan, Bernie...
Sat Nov 1, 2014, 04:46 PM
Nov 2014

They have no intention of solving any economic problems for the American people. They are working very diligently toward eliminating any middle class, and establishing an aristocracy and a working class...ie Charles Dickens style

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