The United States is fast becoming "a poverty-stricken 3rd world country", thanks to the recent administrations. What GW Bush started, Zero has continued. Bush2 was the highest spending Admin and Zero has doubled (nay, quadrupled) down.
I moved to the Philippines in February, 2013. First in Leyte, then moved to Davao City in October, 2013, where I live now. Lat night, I had a retired USArmy friend and his wife here, and we were talking about "back home". Both of us agreed (as do our other American friends) that this is a much more desirable place to live.
This "third world country" allows it's children to play outside, without fear of some pedophile taking them away. The present government here is advancing the education possibilities, and bringing real change and hope to the citizenry. As to the future, it look considerably brighter here than in Amerika. Is it "poverty stricken"?
Yes, there are poor people here, but I see plenty of signs that not everybody has been struck. There are gas stations under construction everywhere, to respond to the additional cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles. There are construction projects everywhere, and many of those home owners are enlarging and modernizing their homes and businesses.
It's easy to sit in front of your computer and fling feces at the wall, when you don't know feces about the subject, isn't it?
Good luck with that "hope and change" thing back in America. I doubt I will ever live there again. Most of my American friends here agree with that sentiment.
I have a good dentist, a couple of good doctors, and plenty of business friends here.
I came here for three reasons.
1. exchange rate. (45 PhPesos to $1US, presently)
2. English speakers (I can even converse with most of the children here!
3. Christian nation (though mainly Roman Catholic, Christians are advancing the Gospel here, and Roman Catholicism is being seen as the cult it is!)
But, since being here, I have found lots more reasons, not the least of which is a sweet Filipina to share my life...
Three Americans, Three Filipinas! USAF retied, UsArmy retired, me USN (66-68 VN Vet)