[blackguardx]

The US Census says the US has a literacy rate of 86%. This is a controversial metric, though. The CIA factbook defines literacy as having completed 5 years of schooling. By that definition, the US is at 97.9% literacy. Better than your 95% number, but not Nordic country levels.

Also, shantytowns aren't really allowed to exist in the US. They are becoming more common in progressive cities like San Francisco and Seattle, but even there the cops sweep through and make everyone leave every few months. There is no "bulldozing" because the structures are highly temporary, being made of old tents and tarps. You just don't see the multi-generational shantytowns common in developing nations.

Public benefits aren't very easy to get in the US. There is a lot of beaurocracy to work through and there really isn't any push to help people sign up.

[nandemo]

> Better than your 95% number, but not Nordic country levels.

People were talking about the US being "third world", you're clearly moving goalposts.

> Also, shantytowns aren't really allowed to exist in the US.

... so? You're essentially saying that the US government doesn't allow poverty to exist. Virtually all of the US lower class lives in places with a proper roof, proper running water and electricity. Might not sound much but the point is: there's no part of the US that is like a 3rd world country.

> Public benefits aren't very easy to get in the US.

21% of the US participates in governments assistance programs.

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-97....

[blackguardx]

There are no goalposts. I'm just trying to add nuance to the discussion.

Also, governmental assistance varies wildly in the US. I was part of the reduced price school lunch program, but my family never received raw cash like is often conjured up by the term "governmental assistance."