The USA Rates Best in 20 Things?

[righteousdude2]

Okay! It is true that I did not have a chance to verify most of these claims, however, I found this list sad as well as a tremendous concern. I would hope as Americans, you too, are sad and concerned....:tear:

1. Most people in jail.

2. Most obese people.

3. Highest divorce rate.

4. Most hours of television watched.

5. Most number of people using illegal drugs.

6. Most car thefts.

7. Most rapes.

8. Most murders.

9. Most total crimes.

10. Most cops (by default-- most doughnuts eaten).

11. Highest healthcare costs.

12. Most prescription drugs.

13. Most women on anti-depressants.

14. Highest student loan debt ratio.

15. Most pornography.

16. Highest trade deficit.

17. Total military spending is 7 times more than than any other country in the world.

18. Most military bases in the world.

19. Most complicated tax system in the world (boy do I know that is a fact).

20. Largest national debt--and still gowing at $40,000 per second.

Think about it! Are you proud of any of these? :tear:

 

[Alive in Christ]

Okay! It is true that I did not have a chance to verify most of these claims, however, I found this list sad as well as a tremendous concern. I would hope as Americans, you too, are sad and concerned....

1. Most people in jail.

2. Most obese people.

3. Highest divorce rate.

4. Most hours of television watched.

5. Most number of people using illegal drugs.

6. Most car thefts.

7. Most rapes.

8. Most murders.

9. Most total crimes.

10. Most cops (by default-- most doughnuts eaten).

11. Highest healthcare costs.

12. Most prescription drugs.

13. Most women on anti-depressants.

14. Highest student loan debt ratio.

15. Most pornography.

16. Highest trade deficit.

17. Total military spending is 7 times more than than any other country in the world.

18. Most military bases in the world.

19. Most complicated tax system in the world (boy do I know that is a fact).

20. Largest national debt--and still gowing at $40,000 per second.

Think about it! Are you proud of any of these?

All of that might be true, and you could maybe add...Most babies murdered, and worst hedonism in the world.


But I still wouldnt want to live anywhere else that the good old USA.

 

[Melanie]

Bumpity, bump!

 

[righteousdude2]

I agree....

All of that might be true, and you could maybe add...Most babies murdered, and worst hedonism in the world.


But I still wouldnt want to live anywhere else that the good old USA.

... and like you, I wouldn't want to live in any country but the USA....

 

[David Lamb]

(snip) But I still wouldnt want to live anywhere else that the good old USA.

I would, and I do! But not because of the 20 claims, but because "the good old USA" is not my country.

I am rather surprised to find this thread on the "General Baptist Discussions" forum, though, which is described as being for "Baptist topics that don't fit in the forums below."

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

I would, and I do! But not because of the 20 claims, but because "the good old USA" is not my country.

I am rather surprised to find this thread on the "General Baptist Discussions" forum, though, which is described as being for "Baptist topics that don't fit in the forums below."

You have to remember David that in the States Americanism is one of the basic tenets of being a Baptist

 

[mandym]

You have to remember David that in the States Americanism is one of the basic tenets of being a Baptist

I wonder how this post squares with the following posting rule:

3. Show grace to the other posters. When someone disagrees with you, discuss it; but be slow to offend, and eager to get into the Word and find the answers. Remember, when discussing passionate issues, it is easy to go too far and offend.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

I wonder how this post squares with the following posting rule:

Report it and find out. If I have breached the rules I am more than willing to accept my post being deleted and any needed infraction points.

I contend that this is exactly the reason it was posted in the section dedicated to Baptist discussions - why else?

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Think about it! Are you proud of any of these? :tear:

Nope - and that is part of the reason I am convinced that American Christians in general, and American Baptists in particular, are far too concerned about nationalism and national identity.

 

[righteousdude2]

Please Tell Me>>>>

I wonder how this post squares with the following posting rule:

Please tell me how this list doesn't "Show grace to the other posters. When someone disagrees with you, discuss it; but be slow to offend, and eager to get into the Word and find the answers. Remember, when discussing passionate issues, it is easy to go too far and offend?"

It is making some factual points that we, as Christians can be involved in to bring about effective change!

America is a great nation, and when it has problems, it's people work, should-to-shoulder to bring about change.

 

[Baptist Believer]

Okay! It is true that I did not have a chance to verify most of these claims...

I wish you would check out this stuff before you post it.

It’s really not hard to do.

...however, I found this list sad as well as a tremendous concern. I would hope as Americans, you too, are sad and concerned....:tear:

This list sounds like a preacher’s sermon illustration… that is, it is not based on facts, but it is designed to shock and shame to get an emotional reaction so the preacher can manipulate the audience.

If you want to look at real stats, check www.nationmaster.com.

1. Most people in jail.

Per capita, the US is #22. Maldives is #1. (FYI, Canada is #19)

By sheer numbers, the US is #1 (a little over 2 million) and China is #2 (a little over 1.5 million*).

*I wonder what China’s real numbers are? Does this take into account China’s labor and forced labor camps for political prisoners and dissidents?

2. Most obese people.

In sheer numbers, possibly. It depends on what figures you look at.

For instance, according to this article, as a percentage of the population, the US is third.

3. Highest divorce rate.

Per capita, Belgium is #1 (59.8 out of 100 marriages).

4. Most hours of television watched.

Perhaps, but I’m not sure how someone can accurately compile those figures from nation to nation. But since most of the rest of these “facts” are wrong or sketchy, I don’t have much faith in this one either.

5. Most number of people using illegal drugs.

As far as sheer numbers, perhaps. As far as a percentage of the population, I’m not so sure. Furthermore, it specifies “illegal” drugs, so that varies from nation to nation as well as state to state (thinking medical marijuana).

As far as amphetamine use, Australia is #1 and the UK is #2, while the US is #6.

Regarding cannabis, New Zealand is #1, Australia is #2, the US is #3 and the UK is #4.

6. Most car thefts.

Per capita, Australia is #1, the UK is #3 and the US is #9.

This is really very interesting since the US probably has more automobiles per capita than any other nation on earth.

7. Most rapes.

Per capita, the US is #9 (.3 per 1000 people). South Africa is #1 (1.195 per 1000 people).
As a statistic (I’m actually not sure how they are tallying it), New Zealand is #1 and the US is tied for #13 with Denmark. Austria, Finland, Sweden, Australia, the UK, Netherlands, Canada, Slovenia, France, Italy and Switzerland are worse than the US.

8. Most murders.

Nope. Per capita, Australia is #1, the UK is #3 and the US is #9. (It seems the lack of handguns by private citizens in the UK doesn’t keep citizens safer than in the US.)

9. Most total crimes.

Nope. Per capita, Dominica is #1, New Zealand is #2, the UK is #6 and the US is #8.

10. Most cops (by default-- most doughnuts eaten).

The doughnut comment is extremely disrespectful to police officers.

The stats I found are incomplete, but Argentina is listed as #1.

11. Highest healthcare costs.

This is actually true. Average cost for US citizens is $6096.20. However Luxembourg is $5904, Switzerland is $5571.90, Norway is 5404.70 and Monaco is $5329.50, so that US is not THAT much more expensive than some other Western nations.

12. Most prescription drugs.

As far as prescription drug access is concerned, the US is tied for #1 with 53 other nations, so I don’t think that you can call it a negative. I happen to think it is a good thing to have access to modern medication when you need it.

13. Most women on anti-depressants.

Don’t have any figures on this, but I tend to doubt it.

14. Highest student loan debt ratio.

Probably true. However, lots of students (at least until recently) could go to college and get a better-paying job which could be used to pay off the debt. In a normal economy, student loans (within reason) can make good economic sense in certain situations.

15. Most pornography.

Don’t know what this really means… Access to pornography is worldwide. Production of pornography is prolific throughout Asia, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

Given the very low costs to make videos and photos and then distribute them (internet), this is essentially an irrelevant statistic.

16. Highest trade deficit.

Perhaps.

17. Total military spending is 7 times more than any other country in the world.

In sheer dollars, maybe.

As a percentage of the GDP, North Korea is #1 and the US is #28.

18. Most military bases in the world.

Probably. So what?

The US is a superpower and has been since the end of WWII. You would expect that.

19. Most complicated tax system in the world (boy do I know that is a fact).

This is more of an opinion and I doubt there is a way to adequately measure this across nations.

20. Largest national debt--and still growing at $40,000 per second.

Possibly true. However, per capita, places like Greece and many African countries are likely in a much worse situation than the US.

 

[John Toppass]

Very interesting in deed. Thanks, for the run-down on facts BB.
I figured they should have had a stat on most gullible voters but then I realize at least we can vote and we are citizens and not subjects.

So I truly appreciate being a US citizen and if someone thinks that is being too nationalized then they are welcome to their wrong opinion.

 

[righteousdude2]

And What Did You Find Out?

I wish you would check out this stuff before you post it. QUOTE]

Like I said, I didn't track down the validity of all of these, but as you have shown, a good portion of these facts is probable (prehaps), like I found them to be.

Others were factual (as you arguably admit) , and in humility, I apologize to police for the donuts comment. I thought I deleted that comment. You may not know this but I worked with law enforcement (DOJ) and would not mean to demean my brothers and sisters in that field of work.

Your efforts didn't make or break this post, it only showed what I found, and admitted to at the beginning of the post, that most of these things were either true, or perhaps true (quoting you). :sleep:

I don't mean to punch a hole in your balloon, but the facts presented here are for shock purposes. Hopefully, they'll shock each of us, and light a fire under those in the church who attend only to warm a pew. The church needs to get out of the church and into their neighborhoods in order to preach the Gospel to a lost nation.

I think we can both agree that a good portion of this country is not following Jesus. :tear:

 

[Sapper Woody]

I hope this doesn't offend, but just because something is there for shock value doesn't mean it doesn't have to be verified. Untruth is untruth, no matter what purpose it's being used for.

as you have shown, a good portion of these facts is probable

it only showed what I found, and admitted to at the beginning of the post, that most of these things were either true, or perhaps true

According to the facts that BB posted, 10 out of 20 were shown to be outright false. 2 were unmeasurable, 1 was opinion, and on 1 we were tied with 53 other nations. This leaves 6 out of 20 that *may* be true. This is definitely not what I would consider "most" or "a good portion".

I understand the need to "light a fire", but surely there is a way to do it without resorting to unchecked "facts"?

 

[righteousdude2]

You Can't Offend Me...

I hope this doesn't offend

Thanks for jumping in. I see your photo is in military dress. I salute you and your service to the nation.

I would disagree with you on what you present. I don't see 10 "completely false facts. I see two "nope(s)" and a lot of perhaps. The perhaps are those that I found also, on different sites, and it was a draw as to the factual side of the issue.

Again, you don't offend me. I do not stand on these facts. I only found them interesting, and "sad" if true, or even close to being true. Our nation should be a lot better than this, and you must admit that there are a number of facts presents in that list that should be of concern. We can't make like some animals, and bury our head in the sand. Burying our head in the sand is the reason our nation is either near, or at, being the leader in some of these categories.

We need to do better than this if we expect to remain the national power on this planet.

There is way too much corruption in this nation. From politicians to clergy, to teachers, to the neighbors next door and the local business and banker. We see a definite downturn in morals and integrity practically everywhere we look, and this is what I believed this list intended to show.

As I said, I knew there were points on the list that were not able to be verified, but the fact that we are even in the top ten, or five in some of these things, is still a sad thing to have on our resume as the greatest nation ever.

What's more interesting than someone trying to punch holes in the things on this list is that I NEVER said these things were fact. I only posted a list that someone else took time to put on line. In fact my title even ends with a question (????) mark! No where do I say that these are fact. Just that it was "sad and of tremendous concern" to think that we are even mentioned in these areas of crime and corruption. The ex-governor of California fathered a baby with his maid. Senator Weiner posted deplorable phootos on his cell phone to women he didn't even know. And the list goes on. Even a mother in Florida, and a super star NFL (OJ) have beaten the jury system in this country. I don't have enough room to list all of the sensational stories going on around this nation. :tear:

Hey, Rome did fall, and they fell for many of the same reasons that have been noted on this list. The time to wake up is now, not when each of these things can be verified as 100% true.

Thanks for your feedback, and again, thanks for your service and dedication to America. :wavey:

Pastor Paul

 

[John Toppass]

Are you saying that since this was repeated for the "shock factor" it is ok to spread untruths?
After this was thread was proven to be a continued spread of gossip and untruths it should have been closed!

The attempt to justify is weak at best. I know that the original OP was not originally intended to malign and spread this many untruths but please do not try to justify the action by claiming a few might be right.

 

[HAMel]

I have never seen so many touch-feelie people in my life.

Why don't you all gather together and under the cloak of darkness go burn down one of his barns. That should teach righteousdude2 a thing or two. Yes indeed.

I have seen that list before and while some of it might not be specifically correct to the letter there really isn't much wrong with it. De nile ain't a river. The truth is....

This nation is corrupt to the core! Yes, in my opinion this nation, my nation, my beautiful America for which our Lord abundantly blessed from sea to shining sea is corrupt to the core. This nation for which I took an oath to defend over 40 years ago is absolutely destroyed..., and for why? Because good people have sat back and done nothing.

Our enemy (Satan) has breached our walls all the while our Churches continue Sunday after Sunday to feed their flocks with little sermonetts so as not to offend anyone. To keep everyone feeling good about themselves. To keep the money coming in. To keep sister Matilda happy 'cause her husband helped lay the corner stone for the church building back in '42.

Get yourself a copy of the Marketing of Evil, by David Kupelian, and see how our youth are being corrupted. Then, understand that snoopes is NOT the final authority on all things proper. In fact, the ones behind that website are screaming liberals.

righteousdude2, perhaps not spot on, on every count but I do appreciate you bringing light to this topic. Those conditions are very serious and need to be considered by all. This nation is in trouble.

 

[Bob Alkire]

...The doughnut comment is extremely disrespectful to police officers...

Might be, might not be. I know when in LA at two till about six in the morning if I was having a hard time finding my consignee's place of business, I would look for a Winchell's doughnut shop or a Spears restaurant. I would always find three are more police cars in the lot and three to six officers or more inside drinking coffee and maybe having something to eat.
From driving coast to coast for years if you need help from police hunt for places where they can eat or drink something. In small towns look for convenience stores, that is where eat and drink are.
When I started driving cross country in about 1964 a police officer in NY City told me, if you will hunt for places where an officer can get coffee and a doughnut you will find officers almost 24 hours a day. Some places it is a diner, a deli, convenience stores and yes a doughnut shop. I have went by that advice for almost fifty years and it has served me well. Hunting for directions from an officer look for a place where officer's can eat and drink, looking for a Baptist Church look for one that has Baptist in its name, you will be about 80 percent correct hunt for any church with out Baptist in its name and you might be one to five percent correct, as you can see both work rather well.

 

[Sapper Woody]

Why don't you all gather together and under the cloak of darkness go burn down one of his barns. That should teach righteousdude2 a thing or two. Yes indeed.

I hold righteousdude2 no ill-will whatsoever. I do feel that what he posted was a misrepresentation; however I do not believe it was his intent to deceive.

This nation is corrupt to the core! Yes, in my opinion this nation, my nation, my beautiful America for which our Lord abundantly blessed from sea to shining sea is corrupt to the core. This nation for which I took an oath to defend over 40 years ago is absolutely destroyed...,

I refuse to believe that. If that were true, that means there is no hope for America, and we might as well give up. While there is some corruption in the government, at the core I believe that America is still a good nation. Everywhere you look outside of government, there is a large faction of people that at least give lip-service to God. In the music industry, in the sports industry, etc. Perhaps they're not born-again, but they profess to follow God. This shows me that there is at least hope.

 

[HAMel]

If that were true, that means there is no hope for America, and we might as well give up.

To quote Sir Winston Churchill..., "Never, never, never, never give up".

NAFTA is but one way America sold it's soul to the highest bidder. There are a thousand other ways.

Outside of government is 100% correct but government is encroaching on us citizens every day of every week. Some communities are so strapped for cash it's not safe to drive on the roads as their militarized police are writing tickets for everything. Not just the usual speeding but for everything.