I’m back in the states for holidays but this time it was such a shock to realize everything looks so old, like from the airport to the convenience stores, malls, gas stations, etc. Why does everything look like it hasn’t changed from the 90s? And I was out just for a couple of months but things look newer and shinier in Panama and El Salvador compared to here. I cannot even imagine what some of you coming back from east Asia must feel. Did our country peak in the 90s and other countries are going through their renaissance? I love the convenience of the US where everything is open 24 hrs and you can get things delivered to your door basically overnight if you pay the price but I feel like we’re stuck with very old and boring infrastructure, makes me feel almost the same way I felt when I went to eastern Europe

  • I_will_in_me_ArsenalB
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    We spent 20 plus years since 9/11 putting our money to war. So we had none left over to actually improve our country. We also privatized everything so corporations have an incentive to use infrastructure until it crumbles. Especially if they have a monopoly like our utilities. Finally we decided to allow billionaires to not pay any tax. We allow social media to distract everyone from actually getting organized and fight out oppressors. Etc etc etc.

  • newmesB
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Dunno where you went in Panama but everything there looks old/grey to me. Nice parts of USA look 100x better. Perhaps you’re in a not-so-nice part of USA?

  • ForeverAsleep13B
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    U.S Prioritized foreign wars,corruption/mishandled and embezzled tax dollars along side putting their citizens last in terms of health and happiness. This is much deserved for the U.S in my opinion - I’m glad i got my second citizenship when I did because I feel no love or patriotism toward this country after how they treat the general public.

  • rarsamxB
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    US culture has swong even harder to the right, where taxes and public services are seen as a bad thing. It is “each for their own”. That is reflected in the infrastructure and common areas.

    So, it is either a bad thing, if you are used to a different kind of society, or a good thing if you prefer low taxes.

  • coniunctisumusB
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Infrastructure in the US should have been updated decades ago.

    Finally, the mood shifted economically-politically. Now there are huge sums of money going into building next generation infrastructure, manufacturing facilities, etc. in the last 2-3 years alone.

    Check the news, it might surprise you. The US is in the midst of a big transformation. So is Mexico, since we’re talking about it.

    It’ll take 5–10 years to really see it, but it’s happening…

  • MrJim911B
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Republicans don’t spend money on important things like infrastructure. They are busy redrawing voting maps and taking away woman’s rights and other marginalized people’s rights. And blocking improvements from passing in congress.

    If democrats can win the presidency and get a majority in the house and senate you’ll see improvements happen pretty fast. If drumpie gets elected, just sit back and watch the collapse happen all the faster.