For the first time in my life, I do not feel like I live in a rich country.

No matter how hard I try, I can't find work. I've almost given up on trying. How can I? I'm a 19 year old kid with almost no experience going against people who have lost their six-figure jobs and are looking for peanuts to feed their families.

Has America become a second-world country?

I am 17 also have been unable to find a job. The number of unemployed people in the U.S. is just staggering. What exactly make a first world country though?

The sad thing is that you think this is bad right now just wait or go visit a real 2nd world or even 3rd world country. We are living like kings compared to them, and that includes our poor and out of work.

Your 19 and have no job yet on a computer, that puts you well ahead of the curve right there.

If your 19 with no education and no experience, what makes you think that you would be able to get a good job anyways? Even in the early 2000's and late 90's you wouldnt have been able to find a much better job than sales or Wal-mart....

So sorry to hear about your job situation, Donnie.... Looks like you are in the same boat as the rest of us. The options at this point, are work for yourself.... or join the rest of us in going to school.

Really though, I do a bit of both. It's fun!

As for the 'rich country' part, I have felt for a while now that we are simply neutralizing with the poor world. It will take some time, but this 'depression' may end up being for the long haul.

Shame that. I really enjoyed my collections, jobs, easy money, and meals out. It was good while it lasted. Our children and their children will never know the childhood we had, I feel.

Of course its a first would country..

The average income per capita is over $20 - 25k in developed countries as far as I know.

Isn't the US something like 35k or 40k or something?? Obviously a bit less now after the recession and the substantial debt but the infrastructure is still there and the fiscal debt is shared through generations.

There are plenty of richer countries per capita with a lot less debt but the US is not like China or Russia.. they are emerging, almost first world.

Edit to add:

Sorry to hear about the Job thing.

I have a lot of friends around that age that cant get work here because the bottom has also fallen out of my country.. but the government will pay for them to live and push them through various education schemes, certificates, degree's etc in order to ensure they get the best job possible when the economy turns back around... then tax the crap out of them to get the money back.

I know I know.. We're "Socialist"


[edit on 18/6/09 by Dermo]

Originally posted by octotom

The average dwelling of the American poor person has more square footage than the average overall residence in every European nation except Luxembourg.

Not to mention that every person in America has a cell phone, flat screen TV, car, etc.

Ah yea, but have you ever been to Europe? The older city streets have been there for hundreds and hundreds of years and are very narrow which in turn lead to small dwellings. Also, suburban houses are mainly brick built, therefore smaller because of expense if you know what i mean..? When I was first in the states, i was shocked at spaces between buildings in city centres..

We all have mobile phones, plasma screens and cars as well.. we just keep them in our smaller, better built houses

America is still a 1st-world country. I say this because, despite the economic problems that we are having right now, many people are generally as well off as they have been for quite a few years. I feel that we're in a most definite decline at the present, but things seem to be pretty stagnant right now and I personally feel that it's just a matter of time before they get worse. However, considering that the next economic meltdown hasn't hit yet, the average American is likely living just as they have for at least a decade or so now.

I definitely feel that our 1st-world status will be challenged over the next few years, as our leaderships' decisions concerning all of the recent economic crises finally take their toll on the dollar etc.