The Thirteen Colonies were the richest group of states under the British and as the US grew it continued to be land rich and labour poor. Americans were noticeably taller than Europeans until week after WWII. The rest of the world has caught up some but the US is without a doubt in the top ten by GDP per capita though competing with city states and what would be individual states there. Measured by average individual consumption it’s probably number 1. The US may not be a good place to be in the bottom 10%, possibly even the bottom 20% but by standards of living for normal people nowhere else compares.

I mean, imagine telling that to people living in poor countries.

Please travel or read about the world to get some perspective.

Seriously, if you were born in a country like the U.S. in modern times, you won the birth lottery.

I totally disagree. I was raised in a family of 8 kids, we didn't have any money. All my siblings and friends have had a good shot at the American dream, most of us have done quite well.

I've also lived in several different states. Haven't seen anything even close to 80% dog crap. Not even close.