[throwaway2037]

    > The majority of American households in the poorest US states are doing better than the majority of Europeans.

I'm so tired of this trope on HN. It comes up over and over again, but never considers non-economic quality of life issues. Take for example public schools: They are awful in poor US states, and good-to-excellent in most highly developed European nations.

[tokioyoyo]

I swear, none of these people have been to Louisiana, West Virginia, or any of the empty-looking cities that used to be lively 50 years ago. And I’m saying this as a person who isn’t American, but wanted to check it out myself before I made assumptions about the world.

[throwawayq3423]

Also GPD per capita is a terrible measure of standard of life considering 40k in Louisiana when you need to pay for most of health care education etc. isn't that much.

The average life in these countries is undeniably better, even if poorer on paper.

[selimthegrim]

Living in New Orleans right now I concur.