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People Are Revealing The Dark Side Of American Life, And Here Are 40 Honest Stories
Interview
The American dream is an idea that with enough hard work, courage, and sacrifice, anyone can lead a happy life. It’s an aspirational belief that all individuals, regardless of where they come from or what family they were born into, can reach success if they just put their mind to it.
Sure, the United States has plenty to be proud of—it’s the most powerful country in the world that has a well-deserved reputation in culture, innovation, and democracy. However, it also has its flaws, showing that the American way of life is not always exactly a dream.
Sometimes, when you’re scrolling through social media, you come across posts where many discuss the unhealthy work-life balance, complicated housing crisis, flawed healthcare system, overwhelming debt—you name it. Take a look at what people have shared on the internet, and let us know what you think of it in the comment section below.
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#1
Injustice In USA
Walking On Sunshine 2 years ago
Republicans are destroying our country. They are sick fascists.
RELATED:
We reached out to one of the users who shared a post about the difficulties of living in the US with fellow r/AntiWork community members. The author preferred to stay anonymous but was kind enough to share their thoughts with us. “The reason why I posted this on r/AntiWork was mainly to show people the ridiculous situation happening in the United States,” the user told Bored Panda.
They mentioned an example that a few weeks ago, several states passed laws that allowed 14-year-olds to work until 11 PM: “Many people were outraged because these companies would rather use ‘child labor’ instead of providing adults a ’living wage.’”
The author said that they can see the US as perhaps a great country to live in if you are a business owner: “Low regulations compared to other first-world nations—no required maternity/paternity leave, most states don’t mandate breaks/lunches for adults, low minimum wage, most states being at-will employment (so you can fire employees at will with little repercussions).”
#3
Uteruses Are Weapons Of Mass Destruction In The USA
#4
And That's Why USA Is Not Gonna Get Better. Americans Think That They Are Better Than Anybody In This World
Mazer 2 years ago (edited)
The aholes in the government want you to believe nothing you do will make a difference. They are wrong, it’s all propaganda. They want you uneducated, poor and too busy to care or pay attention, it’s evil, it makes the USA weak and vulnerable. It’s why the illicit drug scene is thriving. Watch some Robert Reich YouTube videos and hold onto whatever hope you can. Vote, write letters..do what you can to be a part of the solution not a part of the problem
They want to clarify that they disagree with all these regulations being acceptable in this country and feel all of them need to be addressed. However, “from a selfish standpoint, if you are rich, this really is probably a great place to live.”
“Your assets are basically stable, strong military prevents instability in the country financially, most of the politicians willingly support your causes and the public will even blindly support your causes even when it goes against their interest, etc.,” they mentioned.
“From what I can gather is that certain jobs in the USA pay much more than in other countries, like in the tech sector,” the user mentioned. “So unless you get a job in the tech sector here then maybe it is better than in other developed countries.”
#5
Let’s Face It USA
Walking On Sunshine 2 years ago
So true. All these bastards should be in jail, including the orange stain!
#6
Insulin Should Be Free!
According to Zippia, with around 12.2M tech industry workers, net tech employment accounts for 7.9% of the total U.S. workforce. However, they have a huge impact on the U.S. economy since tech employees make up to 85% more than those in other industries: “And this number becomes even more inflated in certain areas. For example, tech workers in San Jose, California, earn up to 507% more than the average area salary.”
Yet, those who are not employed in this sector are much more vulnerable: “Should something truly catastrophic happen, your ability to pay for healthcare, housing, food evaporates, and the public options in most of this country with their onerous red tape are designed to facilitate your death while you wait for them to kick in,” the author said.
#7
Wow, USA
Mazer 2 years ago
Had a huge debate with a nurse back in the 1980’s when the medical system changed from being compassionate snd having the patient be the main focus to having the guy who writes the checks be in charge of care. I said this is going to flat out till people, she disagreed. Sure enough within a year young poverty stricken kids with serious multiple medical problems began dying. Within another year free clinics were popping up to care for rural patients. One of the suits at Aetna insurance went to visit his father in rural Maine, read the paper advertising the free clinics, got up at 7am convincing himself nobody would show. The line had started forming at 5am and was a quarter mile long by 7am. Dude stayed all day, learning about how bad things are. He quit his job the next day, could not stand the contradictions of the opulence his company afforded him and those turned away from care fir “previously existing” issues or who lost everything due to outrageous billing practices.
#8
God Bless The USA
Serial pacifist 2 years ago
Don't forget the ultimate 'feat' of the 21 century - the Great Wall of Trumpia.
“Factor in cheaper rent [in other countries], cheaper transit, twice as much vacation time, etc., and the US advantages fade away real quick,” they continued. “No big difference in grocery costs, and other day-to-day expenses, much faster internet speeds, affordable and usable phone plans.”
The user added: “The only advantages in America for an employee are cheaper single-family homes if you live in such an area, cheaper gas prices (but CA gas prices are about halfway between the UK and the rest of US), and cheaper cars (new & used).”
They think that if you’re not employed in the tech sector, “aren’t born rich, and just want to live as an employee, EU countries give you a much better bang for buck.”
#9
What Passes For Christianity In The USA Is Anything But The Teachings Of Jesus
#10
God Bless The USA
#11
This Is USA
Ranch Dressing 2 years ago
So, these are apples that grow on peoples trees. Extra apples, you give them to your neighbours (or people walking past)
“Overall though, for the average person, I just don’t see the benefits,” the author said. “If one has any illness or health issues (chronic or otherwise), you are basically not guaranteed healthcare and could simply just go bankrupt with no assistance. The culture here is people worrying about petty things (religion and other things) over helping their fellow citizens get proper healthcare, etc.”
On a final note, having to deal with such issues daily puts a toll on people’s emotional well-being: “This is anecdotal but one of the worst things I have done for my mental health was learning how the USA truly operates. I’m sure that some people feel the same way.”
#12
My Sister Passed Away Today
#13
The USA Is Proof Propaganda Works
Mazer 2 years ago
Some Americans. Please don’t disregard those of us fighting every single dah to change things (it’s what many of us boomers are use to doing, and instead of acting like a Chandler Halderson by calling us names and acting like spoiled brats you millennials might want to pay more attention, many of us have been doing this for decades and know one thing is true about persistent common sense ideas and policies and getting things done, but we will keep that tidbit close to the vest until you learn to play nice together).
#14
Disabled People In The USA With Medicaid Are Not Allowed To Have More Than 2000 Dollars
Mazer 2 years ago
And yet people in America constantly trash struggling fellow Americans…the disabled, the poor, the mentally ill, homeless vets, as if those people wanted to be in those positions. Then they are victimized again for self medicating because in reality there is no access to effective affordable long term mental health professionals. Yet few complain about the BILLIONS of dollars going to Wall Street welfare or to the losses the 1% cost everyone in loss of taxes due to the hoarding of billions in off shore accounts
#15
A Human With More Power Had To Put Them There
#17
“I Pledge Allegiance To The Flag Of The USA… With Liberty For… Only The 1%, Apparently”
Foxxy (The Original) 2 years ago (edited)
I remember hearing about this years ago and was appalled at the injustice. I understand that the homeless man got more of a sentence because he was armed with some sort of weapon but he was desperate and needed the money to survive. Maybe if there were better services he wouldn't have had to make that choice. He even felt remorse and handed himself in. The CEO did it out of greed, tried covering it up and showed no remorse.
#18
Now That America Has Lost Yet A Nother Senseless War They Started Maybe It's Time To Learn A Lesson From This And Defund The Military And Instead Spend That Money Actually Taking Care Of The Needs Of The People Of The USA
Walking On Sunshine 2 years ago
Republicans are warmongers. Bush should be in jail for his WMD lie. Trump should be in jail for treason. It's bullshit.
#19
USA! USA!
#20
Every Other Developed Nation: Sick. Help! / USA: How We Gonna Pay For It?
Walking On Sunshine 2 years ago
I feel this. My husband had cancer. He was only 60 and it took him fast. Here I sit, still devastated, knowing I used all his life insurance to pay medical bills, and now I lose my house in June because I can't pay $4600 in property taxes. Is this the American dream? We both worked and paid taxes for over 30 years!
#21
The USA Spends 2 Trillion For Wars And Not Enough Money For Health Insurance
#22
Pictures Like This Makes Me Never Want To Visit USA
#23
Stay Strong USA
Michael Olsen 2 years ago
As a European we will take your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
#24
USA #1
#25
How Terrorists Are Defined In USA
#26
USA #1 Again
Lousha 2 years ago
Hungary should not be on this list either. We don't get automatic (mostly) free healthcare like in the UK. (Well children do.) If you're an adult, you have it as long as you're employed and the insurance pay is deducted from your salary, or you're self employed and you pay for it. When you lose your job you can still have it for a little while if you're a registered job seeker, but after a few months that's gone too. From that point when you have zero income you can only keep your access to healthcare if you pay the insurance rates. You know, out of your zero income. If you don't, you're not insured and you'll only be treated if it's a life threatening emergency. The pandemic took away lots of people's jobs and I'm sure not all of them had enough savings (Hungary is one of the worst when it comes to people having savings) to pay for a continued insurance, therefore saying 0 lost their coverage is just not true.
#27
Health Care In The USA
#28
The USA Is A Trip
#29
What Has USA Become?
NsG 2 years ago
If I recall correctly, weren't there several tweets and similar wondering why Obama didn't do more to prevent 9/11? That man hold so much real estate in their heads - amazing how threatened they feel by someone with more intelligence in his left foot than in their entire bodies. (And I'm not saying he was perfect, not by any stretch - he was just a well educated man sandwiched between an idiot and a moron)
#30
Fun Fact About The USA!
Walking On Sunshine 2 years ago
I never understood why they just don't cut out the interest. Apparently it pays more to service these loans every year than it is worth keeping them.
#31
Since We Postin School Lunches (USA)
#32
America Must Liberate The American People And End The Tyranny Of USA
#33
Losing A Job Is More Than Loss Of Income In The USA
#34
A One Month Supply Of My Son's New Cystic Fibrosis Medicine. At $24,000, It's The Most Expensive Thing I've Ever Held In One Hand
Michael Olsen 2 years ago
My cancer medicin is US$7.000 a month but I am a lucky to live in Denmark so I get it for free
#35
USA! USA! USA!
#36
Poverty
#37
How I Became A Homeowner In My 20s
#38
This Is A Real Text My Wife Received Yesterday In The USA. It Looks Like Cheap Electronics Aren’t The Only Thing To Save Up For On Black Friday!!
#39
We Did It, Everybody! USA! USA!
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What do you think ?
Anjelika 2 years ago
I'm not going to "attack" America each country has its pros and cons, I can give you a list of Spains' problems, but my heart just breaks for all the families that dread going to the hospital and receiving that bill at the end of it
Felix Feline 2 years ago
I'm a lawyer and my wife is a doctor and we have what is considered to be excellent insurance. We are both frightened what will happen to us if we end up with a serious illness, especially when we retire. Unless you have at least $10 million squirrelled away, a serious illness will drive you into extreme poverty in the USA.
Load More Replies...
Mart Se 2 years ago
And somehow US citizens are still so brainwashed that they believe that USA is the best country ever
Mary Bank 2 years ago
SO TRUE, I had no idea until I moved to Ontario 16 years ago how bad it really was there ( from Florida). It is so much better up here. Canada has a lot of issues as well but the states is a dumpster fire I never saw until I removed myself from it.
Load More Replies...
Jo Choto 2 years ago
I have lived in many different countries on three different continents. I have seen the best and the worst in different places. I am a US citizen, having lived there for over 20 years. What galls me the most, and why I am so vocal against so many US policies is because America is one of the richest countries in the world. The government *could* do SO many things to improve the lives of its citizens, to improve health, education, freedoms, but they choose not to because it's more profitable not to.
Michael Se 2 years ago
Hmm... it's like... if working-class Republicans and working-class Democrats realized our common enemy is the rich.......... but no... one side's working class has been brainwashed, and the other side's working class is just voting for the less evil option.
Troux 2 years ago
They are both claiming that the other side has all "the elites".
Load More Replies... 
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
I did the math. Actually sat down and worked it out. Twenty-five years ago. Again this past weekend. IF we paid more in taxes on our gross income, and took into account that we'd no longer need to pay out of our earnings for healthcare? We end up not only with national healthcare for all, but with a bit more take-home pay. Now, take out of that for education, and people might grasp the math of how this is a really stupid system where they whinge that nationalized healthcare is "taking gtheir money" but they aren't considering that they'd not have to pay for health insurance....
Walking On Sunshine 2 years ago
As an American, who is fixing to lose her home because of this, I just can't read anymore.
LynzCatastrophe 2 years ago
I don't know if you like hugs, but I'm sending you a virtual hug anyways.
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
We are not all evil and wasteful and stupid. The local stores and orchards give their surplus to the elderly and those in shelters or on assistance. The fruit and vegetables are still fresh, btw, and the bread is only a day old. We work in a pandemic for nothing. (Literally zero in my case.) We reduce, re-use, recycle, and protest. The problem is, we're up against tens of millions who think greed is good. :-(
Heather G 2 years ago
I really hate these. I'm not saying America doesn't have issues. It does. Definitely. But so does every other country. There is no such thing as a perfect country. I have been to around 27 countries. I've lived in 9. I have yet to be in a country that is perfect.
Ray Martin 2 years ago
Well, that's a nice wishy-washy response, Heather. Who's mentioning perfection, other than you? So, let me see if I understand your point... nowhere is perfect, so the U.S is just fine as it is and doesn't have to do anything, right? No need for improvement? You acknowledge that America has issues, but you're avoiding the point that it has some really awful ones that no other country on the planet does.
Load More Replies...
Amie Redman 2 years ago
I am so sick of seeing my fellow people in America struggling. I am sick of gun violence and racial injustice. Everyone should be able to afford their necessary medicine and have somewhere safe to sleep, food to eat. There are thousands of empty buildings that can be converted for those on the streets. There is food thrown out every day, food that is edible and safe. Pharmaceutical companies make billions, why can’t they help? It disgusts me.
none yabuisness 2 years ago
As has been mentioned, it is pretty bad here. From someone who lives here and is growing up here, the political climate, the poverty, the racism, the horrible healthcare, the covid policys and the recent rollbacks of women’s rights all affect my life, and they suck. We may have been a great country once, I know my parents think that we were. But I am not old enough to remember that. I became aware of politics when Trump was elected. My only experience with the “American Dream” has been that it doesn’t exist. I live in a red state. I do not feel safe at school. Only a couple hours away was a shooting last month. Our Covid protocol is atrocious. 15% of students out and 20% of teachers, and my school is actually on the good end of this. I have friends in other states who have classes being subbed by the janitors and even older students. I do not like it here. I want to move out as soon as I can. And this is coming from someone who is very privileged. Attack America as much as you want.
Meami 2 years ago
I hope that most people reading this don't believe that most of us think our country is the best. Many of us are frustrated and embarrassed. We do our best to promote caring for others and vote for the people that we hope will enact laws to benefit everyone but at a grassroots level, it is hard to fight the large PACs that finance the crazies in government. Many of us would love to see universal medicine, free or reduced higher education, free or subsidized daycare, and a living wage for everyone. (And that's just to name a few things.) I would love to see stricter gun laws, for example, but that has become a huge hot-button political issue. No one needs an assault rifle for personal use.
Victoria Renee 2 years ago
so excited to be growing up in this country!!! i cant wait to be an adult!!! pls help lmao
humdrum 2 years ago
Take German classes! Germany has a lot of free higher education and Berlin is a great place to live. https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/studium/studienangebot/english/index.html
Load More Replies... Bernd Herbert 2 years ago
These are all a reasons why I declined a job in the US and stayed in Europe
Caroline Driver 2 years ago
This thread has made me realise I can never go back to America. I should have gone whilst Obama was still in power. Now I will not recognise the place I visited 40 years ago, it has gone.
Ka Se 2 years ago (edited)
After reading this I feel somehow sick. I know every country has its problems. I feel that everyone, especially the poor sick and crazy should have at least a minimum of help for free. (Basic health care, somewhere decent & safe to stay at night and some food). I hope this will get better.
humdrum 2 years ago
Look up "Residence based on the Dutch American Friendship Treaty".
Load More Replies...
Damon 2 years ago (edited)
All Americans seem to due is tweet about how bad things are. Get organised and effect change.
ZAPanda 2 years ago (edited)
Absolutely. But if you are voting for the devil or beelzebub, which choice do you think will actually cause a change? IMHO USA needs at least two or three new political parties, e.g. a green party, a fascist party, a socialist party. That way, the fascists can leave and join their own crowd (and stop pushing the republicans even further right), and the socialists (Bernie and others) can get a shot at controlling the country.
Load More Replies...
Anjelika 2 years ago
I'm not going to "attack" America each country has its pros and cons, I can give you a list of Spains' problems, but my heart just breaks for all the families that dread going to the hospital and receiving that bill at the end of it
Felix Feline 2 years ago
I'm a lawyer and my wife is a doctor and we have what is considered to be excellent insurance. We are both frightened what will happen to us if we end up with a serious illness, especially when we retire. Unless you have at least $10 million squirrelled away, a serious illness will drive you into extreme poverty in the USA.
Load More Replies... Mart Se 2 years ago
And somehow US citizens are still so brainwashed that they believe that USA is the best country ever
Mary Bank 2 years ago
SO TRUE, I had no idea until I moved to Ontario 16 years ago how bad it really was there ( from Florida). It is so much better up here. Canada has a lot of issues as well but the states is a dumpster fire I never saw until I removed myself from it.
Load More Replies... Jo Choto 2 years ago
I have lived in many different countries on three different continents. I have seen the best and the worst in different places. I am a US citizen, having lived there for over 20 years. What galls me the most, and why I am so vocal against so many US policies is because America is one of the richest countries in the world. The government *could* do SO many things to improve the lives of its citizens, to improve health, education, freedoms, but they choose not to because it's more profitable not to.
Michael Se 2 years ago
Hmm... it's like... if working-class Republicans and working-class Democrats realized our common enemy is the rich.......... but no... one side's working class has been brainwashed, and the other side's working class is just voting for the less evil option.
Troux 2 years ago
They are both claiming that the other side has all "the elites".
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
I did the math. Actually sat down and worked it out. Twenty-five years ago. Again this past weekend. IF we paid more in taxes on our gross income, and took into account that we'd no longer need to pay out of our earnings for healthcare? We end up not only with national healthcare for all, but with a bit more take-home pay. Now, take out of that for education, and people might grasp the math of how this is a really stupid system where they whinge that nationalized healthcare is "taking gtheir money" but they aren't considering that they'd not have to pay for health insurance....
Walking On Sunshine 2 years ago
As an American, who is fixing to lose her home because of this, I just can't read anymore.
LynzCatastrophe 2 years ago
I don't know if you like hugs, but I'm sending you a virtual hug anyways.
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
We are not all evil and wasteful and stupid. The local stores and orchards give their surplus to the elderly and those in shelters or on assistance. The fruit and vegetables are still fresh, btw, and the bread is only a day old. We work in a pandemic for nothing. (Literally zero in my case.) We reduce, re-use, recycle, and protest. The problem is, we're up against tens of millions who think greed is good. :-(
Heather G 2 years ago
I really hate these. I'm not saying America doesn't have issues. It does. Definitely. But so does every other country. There is no such thing as a perfect country. I have been to around 27 countries. I've lived in 9. I have yet to be in a country that is perfect.
Ray Martin 2 years ago
Well, that's a nice wishy-washy response, Heather. Who's mentioning perfection, other than you? So, let me see if I understand your point... nowhere is perfect, so the U.S is just fine as it is and doesn't have to do anything, right? No need for improvement? You acknowledge that America has issues, but you're avoiding the point that it has some really awful ones that no other country on the planet does.
Load More Replies... Amie Redman 2 years ago
I am so sick of seeing my fellow people in America struggling. I am sick of gun violence and racial injustice. Everyone should be able to afford their necessary medicine and have somewhere safe to sleep, food to eat. There are thousands of empty buildings that can be converted for those on the streets. There is food thrown out every day, food that is edible and safe. Pharmaceutical companies make billions, why can’t they help? It disgusts me.
none yabuisness 2 years ago
As has been mentioned, it is pretty bad here. From someone who lives here and is growing up here, the political climate, the poverty, the racism, the horrible healthcare, the covid policys and the recent rollbacks of women’s rights all affect my life, and they suck. We may have been a great country once, I know my parents think that we were. But I am not old enough to remember that. I became aware of politics when Trump was elected. My only experience with the “American Dream” has been that it doesn’t exist. I live in a red state. I do not feel safe at school. Only a couple hours away was a shooting last month. Our Covid protocol is atrocious. 15% of students out and 20% of teachers, and my school is actually on the good end of this. I have friends in other states who have classes being subbed by the janitors and even older students. I do not like it here. I want to move out as soon as I can. And this is coming from someone who is very privileged. Attack America as much as you want.
Meami 2 years ago
I hope that most people reading this don't believe that most of us think our country is the best. Many of us are frustrated and embarrassed. We do our best to promote caring for others and vote for the people that we hope will enact laws to benefit everyone but at a grassroots level, it is hard to fight the large PACs that finance the crazies in government. Many of us would love to see universal medicine, free or reduced higher education, free or subsidized daycare, and a living wage for everyone. (And that's just to name a few things.) I would love to see stricter gun laws, for example, but that has become a huge hot-button political issue. No one needs an assault rifle for personal use.
Victoria Renee 2 years ago
so excited to be growing up in this country!!! i cant wait to be an adult!!! pls help lmao
humdrum 2 years ago
Take German classes! Germany has a lot of free higher education and Berlin is a great place to live. https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/studium/studienangebot/english/index.html
Load More Replies... Bernd Herbert 2 years ago
These are all a reasons why I declined a job in the US and stayed in Europe
Caroline Driver 2 years ago
This thread has made me realise I can never go back to America. I should have gone whilst Obama was still in power. Now I will not recognise the place I visited 40 years ago, it has gone.
Ka Se 2 years ago (edited)
After reading this I feel somehow sick. I know every country has its problems. I feel that everyone, especially the poor sick and crazy should have at least a minimum of help for free. (Basic health care, somewhere decent & safe to stay at night and some food). I hope this will get better.
humdrum 2 years ago
Look up "Residence based on the Dutch American Friendship Treaty".
Load More Replies... Damon 2 years ago (edited)
All Americans seem to due is tweet about how bad things are. Get organised and effect change.
ZAPanda 2 years ago (edited)
Absolutely. But if you are voting for the devil or beelzebub, which choice do you think will actually cause a change? IMHO USA needs at least two or three new political parties, e.g. a green party, a fascist party, a socialist party. That way, the fascists can leave and join their own crowd (and stop pushing the republicans even further right), and the socialists (Bernie and others) can get a shot at controlling the country.
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