How do you explain the excesses in affluence of the US in terms of the poverty of third world countries?

The reason for the success of the US and other western countries is that we have adopted a system of government which allows for free enterprise and equality. A generous welfare system cares for most of the needy. We are allowed to suceed and excel. We also donate generously to the third world.

In third world countries politics and corruption and dictatorial governments repress freedoms and try to control and restrict free enterprise. NGOs with idealistic delusions of the 'noble savage' attempt to block useful new technologies from entering third world countries in an attempt to maintain them as some kind of museum of the past. Third world countries that have adopted our system of government are the ones which are making the most progress, yet even these countries are still beset by rampant corruption and nepotism which strangles incentive and achievement.

Supply and demand, and the growth of monetary exchange for goods and services.

Few third world countries utilize currency to the extent that industrialized nations do, exchange being accomplished more through barter of goods and services. It is only when the societal underpinnings are such, that goods and services are available to large numbers of peoples, that the need for a monetary exchange arises. Once established, simple supply/demand will dictate the accumulation of wealth. The US has, since it's colonization, been a vast source of various means of wealth, which has led to vast accumulations of financial wealth, which, in return, encourages consumerism. That such consumerism is based upon a "shill game" of trade balance or imbalances with nations such as China (which deliberately skews the value of their currency), and third world nations, which create products for very low cost, allows an ever greater base of affluence within the US, which has a tax system that is designed to encourage business and growth, so that more money is accumulated. Combined with less (obvious) loss due to corruption and theft, unlike many other nations in the world (third or first...), this allows for more investment in business and new technology, rather than graft, thereby increasing production, profits, payrolls, and consumerism for all the nifty things available at Wal-mart for low, low, prices.

That is why a days's work in the US can get you a pair of fancy sneakers, while in a third world country, it MIGHT get you enough food for a day...

Sweetie I can't even explain the excess of affluence in the US in relationship to the poverty of the many in the US.. Good luck

Unfortunately we are indeed a throw-away society. In the "old days" when people did not have as much we were much more in tune with our resources. Third world countries are in the same boat. Limited resources and exploding population. We would be true to ourselves by giving the money spent on the Iraqi war instead to Bangladesh.

People in the U. S. Have more money which is why they have an excess of affluence

The government in the US is far less corrupt. The leaders in third world countries are more interested in their Swiss bank accounts.

Education is the biggest reason. Education supports democracy and free market societies. People forget that most impoverished nations have enormous natural resources that they have yet to tap into.

We are smarter, we eat what is available instead of praying to it to bring us food; we just kill it and take it.

lol