Wheelan gives us the reason why Americans are better off: "America is rich because Americans are productive. We are better off today than at any other point in the history of civilization because we are better at producing goods and services than we have ever been, including things like health care and entertainment"(136). I find this interesting due to the fact that many people in today's world are dissatisfied and annoyed and irritated with the way life is going in their chosen countries. It seems as though Americans on average think of the country as though it is sinking rapidly into the $17,500,190,524,912.56 and believing there is no hope as France and Zimbabwe both believe as well. A researcher by the name of Jean Lessalle travelled across the French nation to interview the people of the country and found the people in great despair and in lack of hope for their homeland. To summarize their views, they believe France is declining rapidly and they are extremely worried about the progression of their lives. The Zimbabwean, a news group stationed in Zimbabwe interviewed recent graduates about where they think their lives are headed. One person stated, "The government has let down the youths of this country for a very long time... It is ironic and a shame that political parties use young people and women to win elections but, after winning elections, they are discarded like a used condom"(Tsepiso Mpofu, Zimbabwe). Another stated, "I and other young MP's in parliament are going to fight for the rights of youths in parliament. We need jobs for our youths who are graduating from our colleges and universities. We are also going to advocate for a clear and effective government youth policy that is divorced from political parties"(Bekhithemba Nyathi-Mpopoma, Pelandaba Consitiuency MP). Americans are better off today than they were in the early 1900's and before. We have better work hours, better pay, better health care, and better lives in general. We compare ourselves to others in our own country rather than others in the world itself. Even the poorest person in the United States is wealthier than the average person in a place such as the Congo where two out of three women are raped. We do not realize how blessed we truly are until we take a step back and view the world through another's eyes.
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