What is the #1 problem in America Today?

[PoliticalDJ101]

Other - Democrats

Democrats are the cause of most problems today. From schools, to taxes, to spending, to international strife...Democrats are the base cause for just about every problem.

I actually agree with this. Spending needs to go way down and most of what the Democrats advocate for these days seems to be bad. But healthcare should be more accessible for the Everyman and this likely is best managed at a state level with more privatized services.

 

[PoliticalDJ101]

The number 1 problem is Too Much Government. Whether it is Republicans banning abortions or Democrats banning guns, both sides think getting elected means getting to shove your programs down everybody else's throat. There is no moderation. There is no thought of managing the people's business in a businesslike manner, as economically as possible. Let alone any thought of the government having a light footprint, so that people are not aware of it every day. People run for office in order the kick other people around, Not to serve the interests of the people.

How do we solve this? Reduce terms for politicians and reduce politicians ability to receive money from lobbyists?

 

[ralfy]

Capitalism is probably the only thing saving us right now. Check out how Sweden merged capitalistic and socialistic policies to better help the Everyman. All societies that have ditched capitalism, have failed (usually resulting in dictatorships and impoverishment). You can't share a cake if there's no one there to bake it.

FWIW, I can't think of any country that ditched it, as countries like North Korea and Cuba employ state capitalism.

Most, though, are mixed economies, i.e., combining private and state capitalism.

 

[BabaVoss]

This list is a mix of two different things, in my view. It contains significant ‘problems’ as well as significant ‘threats’. Here’s what I mean;

PROBLEMS

The PROBLEMS we have are things that are currently causing us significant trouble. I would put these in the problem category;

• Economy

By most any metric, the economy is currently much improved; inflation and unemployment are down considerably. Markets are up, business overall is pretty good. The problem I see is that too many Americans are at the bottom of the economic ladder, and the barriers to moving up are significant. We need to level this out by coming up with ways to lift these people up. As they move up, they engage more in the overall economy; they spend more, they improve their lives and the gains for all become self-fulfilling.

• Inflation / High Cost of Living

Improving, but not enough for those at the bottom. We need to expand the middle class.

• Healthcare

It should be obvious that we need a universal health care system. Too often, Americans who lived responsible lives and id all the right things end up in dire straights because of a single illness. That should not happen.

• Education

Our education system is struggling. School systems are underfunded, professional educators are underpaid and undervalued. School safety continues to be an issue. The controversy over vouchers and school choice is an ongoing problem. Poverty makes school attendance difficult for many.

• Social Security

SS and its looming shortfalls is a problem that must be addressed. It has been fixed before, and can certainly be fixed again, a large number of Americans will depend on its future. It is a looking problem, but will become a threat if not addressed.

• Immigration

Our immigration system is clearly broken. We need immigrants, companies need workers, and it behooves us to remember our country was built by immigrants. It is currently abused as a political issue, but good, acceptable solutions are not currently in play.


THREATS

I define THREATS here as things that can cause us damage and instill fear, but actually don’t have a huge impact. (Different form existential threats) I would put these things in the threat category;

• Terrorism

We have enemies and the threat of terrorism will remain. Terrorists can be foreign as well as domestic.

• Government corruption

Corruption in government is always a concern, and we should always be looking for it and looking for ways to limit it. We have witnessed and upturn in highly visible examples of this with Clarance Thomas accepting lavish gifts, and Donald Trump enabling his hotel business as a means of foreigners gaining favor. They both showed very poor judgement. My concern is that in both cases there seem to be no consequences, which will only encourage more corruption. Those are not the only examples. If this goes unchecked, it could quickly be moved into the problem category.

I left abortion off the list because it is neither a problem of a threat.

 

[Nickyjo]

Other - Democrats

Democrats are the cause of most problems today. From schools, to taxes, to spending, to international strife...Democrats are the base cause for just about every problem.

I know. I resent Social Security and Medicare. My wife is apoplectic that the ACA mandates coverage despite her history of cancer. My son complains constantly about the burdens of a 40-hour week, overtime and safety rules on the job. Our friends in LA long for the smoggier times of decades past. I despair at the cleaner streams I fly fish in. When will the misrule end?

 

[BabaVoss]

As far as threats to our way of life, there are currently three;
- Donald trumpy
- MAGA nuttery
- Christian nationalist fever

 

[ralfy]

After that, the threats will involve the opposite.

 

[uptower]

Inequality. It's the root of many of the other problems anyway.

 

[ralfy]

With 10 pct of Americans controlling 70 pct of the country's wealth.