Is America a third world country?

[Been There]

We have several podcasters, mostly political podcasters, that have become millionaires. I really don’t know how the monetization works, but I heard podcasters get paid from YouTube on the number of subscribers, hits on their video and likes that are check marked, plus anyone watching their podcast can also donate any amount they like to the podcaster.

I was stunned at first when I learned some of these podcasters are even multimillionaires. When I watched a few if them, I noticed they use a lot of clips from other YouTube videos from CNN, MSNBC, FOX and other podcasters. It almost seems like a racket.

 

[Rich]

The U.S. taxpayer shoulders the expenses of several different categories, including undocumented aliens, for which we have no such category. Because the U.S. has many enemies and adversaries, it’s super important to keep our military strong by keeping our equipment and ordinances in ready shape. We must supply our ground troops with the very best equipment. For this reason, a lot of money is necessary.

Thankfully, our recruitment is back on track in all branches with recruitment back up in 2025 I learned a few months ago that the female recruitment into the Army has exceeded their goal. Although the females have surpassed their goals, our male recruits into the Army are slightly behind their goal. The other branches are doing ok. The Army missed their numbers by about 25% during COVID and a few years afterward.

As to having the very best equipment, may I suggest you do a Google search concerning where the government is sourcing $900 million to convert the Qatari 747 into an additional Air Force One? I dare not say more to prevent violating the ban on political posts.

 

[Flarbalard]

We have several podcasters, mostly political podcasters, that have become millionaires. I really don’t know how the monetization works, but I heard podcasters get paid from YouTube on the number of subscribers, hits on their video and likes that are check marked, plus anyone watching their podcast can also donate any amount they like to the podcaster.

I was stunned at first when I learned some of these podcasters are even multimillionaires. When I watched a few if them, I noticed they use a lot of clips from other YouTube videos from CNN, MSNBC, FOX and other podcasters. It almost seems like a racket.

IMO, it is a racket, but you know one really cares what I think. All I can add is, don't watch them. ASIDE: I lost interest looking for the right emoji--use what ever pops into mind.

 

[againstthegrain]

The U.S. taxpayer shoulders the expenses of several different categories, including undocumented aliens, for which we have no such category. Because the U.S. has many enemies and adversaries,

I am praying the academies have done the job over the decades and that we have a well-trained bench of talent that is leadership ready.

 

[OldOld]

That is what churches and charities are for

Please go tell the churches and charities, and see if they care. These days, the churches and charities are not really vwhat you think they should be.

 

[VaughanJB]

You mentioned keeping your wallet on a sturdy chain. So, out of curiosity, did you ever actually have a problem in Thailand? Because I haven’t, and neither has anyone I know here.

There are plenty of ex-pats on Youtube telling their horror stories. I've not read the entire thread, but I assume you're not suggesting Thailand is a crime-free panacea. Wherever there is poverty, there is crime. And then, when the richest places are drowning in foreigners, resentment builds. It's not unique to Thailand, of course.

 

[Rakaia]

@VaughanJB
The brother of my daughter's friend got fatally stabbed in Phuket by another foreigner a couple of years ago so I guess that Thailand is not much different from anywhere else on the crime score.

 

[Warrigal]

There is no answer to this question because there are poor people and there are rich people. However, the fact is that the upper 2 or 3 % are getting richer, the middle class is disappearing and the lower class, well, they are getting more and more despair. I have spent time in Texas and there sure are a lot of gated communities. The rich are afraid to let the riff raff in.

I have never liked the idea of gated communities and would not want to live in one. It offends my sense of egalitarianism. I don't even have a front fence, let alone a locked gate.

 

[VaughanJB]

@VaughanJB
The brother of my daughter's friend got fatally stabbed in Phuket by another foreigner a couple of years ago so I guess that Thailand is not much different from anywhere else on the crime score.

I am sorry to hear that. Even crime stats are misleading. I mean, apparently violent crime is "relatively low" in Thailand, but that's no comfort to those affected by it. The only way to avoid such crime is to live away from other humans. It's also worth remembering that in a survey in 2017, 4 out of 5 Thai believed the Police were corrupt. If true, it's safe to assume an under-reporting of crime in general.

 

[VaughanJB]

I have never liked the idea of gated communities and would not want to live in one. It offends my sense of egalitarianism. I don't even have a front fence, let alone a locked gate.

When I was looking to buy my house in Houston, I visited the Police to get advice. Meaning, I asked them where the crime hotspots were, where the places to avoid where, etc. They were very happy to help.

 

[gruntlabor]

I have never liked the idea of gated communities and would not want to live in one. It offends my sense of egalitarianism. I don't even have a front fence, let alone a locked gate.

I'm glad you're not suggesting that I should not lock my gate.

 

[oslooskar]

There are plenty of ex-pats on Youtube telling their horror stories. I've not read the entire thread, but I assume you're not suggesting Thailand is a crime-free panacea. Wherever there is poverty, there is crime. And then, when the richest places are drowning in foreigners, resentment builds. It's not unique to Thailand, of course.

Those so-called "horror stories" usually come from the same expats who spend their time in the sleaziest nightlife areas with bar girls and ladyboys. Hardly a representative picture of daily life here. Most of those YouTube expats just need something to whine about to get attention. In reality, San Francisco has a far higher crime rate than Rayong, and unlike back home, I can walk here without constantly being on guard.

 

[taliovelez]

Shoot first, fast and furious then call 9-1-1.

 

[oslooskar]

It's also worth remembering that in a survey in 2017, 4 out of 5 Thai believed the Police were corrupt. If true, it's safe to assume an under-reporting of crime in general.

Corruption isn’t unique to Thailand. In the U.S. the police routinely enforce unconstitutional laws and violate the rights of private citizens with impunity. In fact, the courts very often look the other way, and politicians actively enable it, which makes the corruption systemic rather than isolated. When the Bill of Rights is treated as optional depending on convenience, that’s corruption every bit as real as anything here, it's just cloaked in legality. Anyway, I'll stop here as we are not to get into political discussions.