Arrested in Iran

[rruff]

And yet by any measure our economy is the best in the world. By far.

That's untrue, unless you have very odd definitions for "any measure" and "best".

 

[deserteagle56]

I have no sympathy for those people at all. They were warned and chose to ignore the warnings. They assumed that everyone in this world is good, kind and forgiving. Now they know different. And no, the government shouldn't have to work at getting them released. Don't enable those who would use innocent people as political pawns!

 

[Gravelette]

That's untrue, unless you have very odd definitions for "any measure" and "best".

I'm open to correction.

 

[rruff]

Tell me first what criteria you used.

 

[Gravelette]

GDP is the low hanging fruit. Seriously, if there is a country with a better economy I'm fine with being wrong. Share, please.

 

[rruff]

GDP is the low hanging fruit. Seriously, if there is a country with a better economy I'm fine with being wrong. Share, please.

GDP/capita is the only way that would make sense. The US ranks 6th according to the World Bank, and 7th according to the United Nations:

List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

But the US also has higher wealth and income disparity than other developed countries, so for most citizens it would be further down. I probably could adjust that using the Gini coefficient and PPP, but I'm not feeling that ambitious...

Another viable adjustment would be the egregious cost of our HC for worse performance. We spend ~8% more of our GDP than comparable countries. For an average person that's about $7k in after tax income.

Health spending as percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by country - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[ThundahBeagle]

I have no sympathy for those people at all. They were warned and chose to ignore the warnings. They assumed that everyone in this world is good, kind and forgiving. Now they know different. And no, the government shouldn't have to work at getting them released. Don't enable those who would use innocent people as political pawns!

You know, I'm not si sure they really think everyone in this world is good, kind and forgiving unless they willfully ignored all the news over the years of Iran and other countries taking hostages.

I may be wrong, but I feel like that's just what they said and wrote in order to justify willful ignorance and hubris.

 

[Gravelette]

GDP/capita is the only way that would make sense. The US ranks 6th according to the World Bank, and 7th according to the United Nations:

List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

But the US also has higher wealth and income disparity than other developed countries, so for most citizens it would be further down. I probably could adjust that using the Gini coefficient and PPP, but I'm not feeling that ambitious...

Another viable adjustment would be the egregious cost of our HC for worse performance. We spend ~8% more of our GDP than comparable countries. For an average person that's about $7k in after tax income.

Health spending as percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by country - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I agree. Probably I should have said "strongest" rather than "best." No argument that the average working guy has it better in a number of other advanced countries. Unfortunately no movement in the right direction can be expected anytime soon.

 

[Kingsize24]

I think about this every day. I am not rich, nor am I even considered well off. I have to work 20 more years and I'm in my 50's. Making ends meet is tough, and takes the both of us working together here.

However:

I live in a log cabin on a wooded acre. I work in technology. I have a long drive to work and I make that drive in a full size pickup with heated leather seats. Maybe a Subaru next year. For part of that ride, I get to drive through Concord and West Concord where the small family farms are bucolic, and where the history of the American Revolution is rampant. Large stone walls of 200 and 300years ago, still standing and separating plots and properties. Tree lined streets where the trees are 200 years old on either side. Houses built any time from 1699 to 1870's - its beautiful. And it is all still here because of the relative strength and stability this nation has carved out for itself. And not by accident.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

I agree. Probably I should have said "strongest" rather than "best." No argument that the average working guy has it better in a number of other advanced countries. Unfortunately no movement in the right direction can be expected anytime soon.

In either your or @rruff scenarios, nothing says it hasnt been better in the not too distant past. Just as an anecdote, $2.75/ gallon gas back in 2020, vs $2.99 to $3.40 locally isnt terrible compared to what it was at the inset of the Russia-Ukraine invasion when things went haywire. If I can find gas at 3 bucks, I'm feeling pretty good about that

 

[Gravelette]

Yeah, gas is so variable. Ours has been under $3 for quite awhile. Best price today is $2.65 at our Flying J. Gas prices don't tell us much, they are so arbitrary and aren't really linked to anything else. The producers figure what they can get away with and run with it. No rhyme or reason. Be interesting to see if Russia taking over Ukraine has any effect.

 

[rruff]

I agree. Probably I should have said "strongest" rather than "best."

Our military budget is more than the next 8 countries combined. 💪

8.4x Russia's even with them fighting Ukraine. Of course that one is costing us a bit as well...

If I can find gas at 3 bucks, I'm feeling pretty good about that

 

[rruff]

Also, we produce so much crude now that we export more than we import! But prices are set by international markets, and the US has little control over that.