Poverty in the United States

Several major problems in the United States now:

1) Citizens United - a Supreme Court ruling that allows corporations and special interest groups to pour millions+ into the coffers of politicians (mostly Republican candidates), without disclosure. When Al Capone tried to do that, they called him a gangster.

2) Right-wing mass media (not just Fox News): Anyone who writes a post like your OP would be cast out as a socialist promoting class warfare. You have a good chunk of the U.S. population brainwashed by a media empire that sued for its right to lie to Americans (Fox News) and people constantly voting against their interests, including places like rural Missouri and Arkansas (depicted in the film). Because they've been brainwashed into thinking tax breaks for the top 2% are critical, unnecesary wars are valid, removing all regulations that protect the environment, our water supply, our air, trees and wildlife, and our food supply is essential to allow corporations to run wild, and the middle and lower classes (of which they are part of) cannot receive universal health care or MedicAid because they're lazy welfare moochers.

Add to the above 2 points this epidemic of the Evangelical movement, yearning to shut down all forms of artistic expression and opposing voices, claiming the current POTUS is out to take their guns away, and denying science at every turn.


Got 13 Channels of $hit on the TV to Choose From

I have family who lives in poverty like the people in this movie and they have welfare. Someone like Ree family could EASILY get welfare if they wanted. Some people don't want welfare. You obviously don't know much about our welfare system. Not everybody in the country lives this way either. Not all poor people or people in Ozarks are miserable or abusive. Why are you basing your opinion on a movie anyway?

You really can't compare Sweden to the U.S. Many people who came to the U.S. came here because they couldn't make it in their home countries. The people who stayed in their home countries (like Sweden) were the "winners" of society, and had no problem taking care of themselves. The U.S. just got everyone's trash. And yes, I suppose that includes myself as well.

Take a look at internet entries on race and intelligence. You may not want to admit it, but the proof is there. Study after study has shown this. Sweden and other Scandinavian countries are very "pure", and they have, and always will blow away Americans on the intelligence scale. The only race that can beat you guys is East Asians. And the sad fact is, in a capitalist society, intelligence is how you succeed. I didn't go from poor to upper middle class through hard work (although I did work really hard in the Navy), I did it because I am intelligent, and have good financial discipline. Capitalism rewards intelligent people. Where as socialism rewards lazy people. They both have their pros and cons, I won't get into a Capitalism and Socialism argument here except to say Sweden's system will not work in the U.S. because the U.S. has far more lazy people than Sweden. People who would not work, and would just take advantage of the system (which doesn't happen often in Sweden).

And regardless, we actually have quite an extensive welfare system in place already. You can get thousands of dollars from the government if you choose. As a post above mentions, many people choose not to take money from the government out of pride.

I am just saying there is upward mobility in the U.S. if you are smart. I am proof of this. But if you lack intelligence, you are unlikely to ever get out of poverty.

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Everything that is f'ed up economically and socially in the Unites States can be traced back to stupid, destructive leftist legislation and leftist politicians, going back to the 1960s. As long as people keep voting for Democrats and their lunatic policies, the problems will not only persist but will increase.