AlterNet: Five Things That Put America to Shame

AlterNet.org, the leading online newletter, published this chilling piece, listing the five things that hurts this great nation. The increasing inequality between the rich and poor may inevitably lead to greater demands for reform.

1. We're Near the Bottom of the Developed World in Children's Health and Safety.
   
   
2. We've Betrayed the Young People Who Were Advised to Stay in School.
   
   
3. The Main Source of Middle-Class Wealth Has Been Largely Wiped Out.
   
   
4. We Give Prison Sentences for Smoking Marijuana, but Not for Billion-Dollar Fraud.
   
   
5. You Can Have Health Care, If You Pay for It.
   

The article concludes with this statement:

Privatization simply hasn't worked for health care, mortgage banking, higher education, or prison management. There is little incentive for profit-motivated firms to invest in disadvantaged or underemployed Americans. That's why taxes are necessary - to provide for the common good, and to return some of the gains from 60 years of productivity to the great majority of Americans who contributed to our growth. Unfortunately, the golden door on the Statue of Liberty seems to have an invisible hand holding it shut.