According to Wikipedia, the term “third world” originally described countries that did not align themselves with either the capitalist USA or the communist USSR. As time has marched on and the Soviet Union has disappeared, the definition has changed.
This is a definition that seems to describe the modern definition of third-world countries:
… nations which struggle to compete because of a lack of one or more of the following: health, education, employment, resources, money, and other various factors. Many are also hampered by corrupt governments who have long ago given up on looking after their own people and use funds to fatten their own wallets while their citizens are starving in the streets. Some are hampered by war or out of control epidemics such as AIDS. These factors make it next to impossible for them to compete in any real way with the industrialized nations.
Sound like anyone you know, America?
We have no guaranteed health insurance, and if you can manage to get covered the cost is skyrocketing. Our nation is struggling because of a lack of health care. (The health care world map can be found at this link.)
Our education system is hampered by the disastrous “no child left behind” policy of the previous administration. “No child left behind” taught kids how to pass tests but not how to think or learn. Our nation is struggling because of a lack of education.
The U.S. has incredible natural resources which we are despoiling for short-term gains. Meanwhile we are squandering the precious resource of our minds with a mass media that does not promote critical thinking or scientific fact. Our nation is struggling because of a lack of resources.
Money? Oh yeah, we have issues with that too.
America is also struggling because of various other factors. We are hampered by a corrupt government that long ago gave up on looking after our own people. Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky is a perfect example of how congress members fatten their own wallets while their citizens are starving in the streets. After he leaves his Senate seat, let’s just see how long it takes him to take that job lobbying for Northrup-Grumman. I’m betting it takes him one month to make the announcement.
We are conducting two wars that we know about, and countless wars we don’t know about. Our nation is struggling because we are hampered by war.
As the definition concludes, “These factors make it next to impossible for them to compete in any real way with the industrialized nations.” America cannot compete in any real way with industrialized nations – you know, like China. What is made in America any more — I mean, besides excuses and credulity?
America, we are a third world country.
I realized recently just how far behind the curve America really is. I like to try to make political and/or sociological points using goofy songs and cartoons and such, and I started to make a virtual Sarah Palin paper doll using fashions worn by women who are politically powerful. As I began research I was surprised to learn that women are running countries all over the world – from Iceland to Australia to the Philippines to the outgoing president of Chile. And yet we keep hearing “America isn’t ready for a woman president,” and there is data to support that belief.
America desperately needs a lifeline. We are not an emerging nation; we are a submerging nation.
Dear America,
Hope you’re enjoying the process of becoming a banana republic.
If you’re one of the naifs who voted for Barack Obama, you might hear the term “banana republic” and think I’m talking about a fascist clothing store where capitalist fat cats sell garments made in Chinese sweat shops to spoiled American suburbanites.
There’s another kind of banana republic. “Banana republic” is a pejorative term that is used to refer to a country that is politically unstable, and dependent on limited resources (e.g. bananas).
In their haste to seize control of a huge portion of America’s economy (one that is as large as the entire nation of Great Britain), Barry, Harry and Nancy are setting precedents that will undermine the stability of the political framework of los Estados Unidos.
Congress and the president have dismissed the concerns of the great majority of American voters. The Constitution, the very document from which “leaders” in Washington derive their power, has been brushed aside.
The U.S. Government is on the precipice…entertaining bold plans to amend a law that doesn’t exist yet by passing a bill without voting on it. This law is unpopular and unconstitutional. It is packed with bribes and built on a foundation of lies and broken promises. The inevitable outcome will be one of dependency, helplessness and crony capitalism.
ObamaCare reeks of sulfur. The product of one-party rule, it’s full of sleazy accounting tricks. The Democrats’ health care bill is one big gimmick wrapped in deceit and shrouded with chicanery.
I, for one, look forward to the rise of America’s new health care overlords. The day ObamaCare passes will be a great day in the history of banana republics.
Sincerely,
Hugo Chavez
Wikipedia’s definition of banana republic points out that banana republics are run by corrupt governments who have long ago given up on looking out for the interests of their people and instead have used their government positions to fatten their wallets. Such abuse tends to trash the nation’s economy and waste resources.
Since most of banana republics are democratic republics with elections and a court system, like the U.S., how do those who govern such countries get away with abusing their power and impoverishing their people? Could this be happening right here is the good old U.S.A.?
As the rulers of the banana republic pillage their country and impoverish their people, some people tend to speak out against them and try to expose corruption, but such voices tend to disappear, and naturally, the press usually is afraid to seriously question the government. Instead, the press just ignores some issues and regurgitates propaganda as directed by the rulers. What happens to whistleblowers in the U.S.?
Also, since most people are not really stupid, the people tend to want to vote out the corrupt rulers, but sometimes they just can’t and other times, the new rulers seem to continue right down the same path as the old rulers. Over a period of time, the government becomes so corrupt, intrusive, abusive and unjust that more and more people dissent, and of course, the government becomes less tolerant and less kind to dissenters. Does this seem familiar?
If you want to see proof that elections have been stolen, if you wonder why the government passes laws that virtually everyone opposes, like the bank bailout, or if you wonder why the government refuses to investigate and prosecute obvious crimes, like torture and murder, check out Why Does the Government Ignore Our Wishes? at http://dailycensored.com/2009/09/11/why-does-the-government-ignore-our-wishes/ and don’t miss my 18 minute speech.
If you take a look, you’ll learn why they get away with horrible crimes. My article on torture includes a link to the U.S. Supreme Court case which explains how one of our stolen rights makes the difference between justice and injustice, between freedom and slavery.