United States Ranks 41st In Life Expectancy

While Americans are living longer, they are not living as long as people in 40 other countries, according to a this article by the Associated Press. The article is based on statistics that are obtained from the Census Bureau. This quote is from the article:

For decades, the United States has been slipping in international rankings of life expectancy, as other countries improve health care, nutrition and lifestyles. Countries that surpass the U.S. include Japan and most of Europe, as well as Jordan, Guam and the Cayman Islands

There are several causes, but this one is particularly shocking: A relatively high percentage of babies born in the U.S. die before their first birthday, compared with other industrialized nations.

It is also interesting what one expert sees as a reason for America's decline in international health rankings:

Murray, from the University of Washington, said improved access to health insurance could increase life expectancy. But, he predicted, the U.S. won't move up in the world rankings as long as the health care debate is limited to insurance.

So when a politician, like Rudy Giuliani, speaks out against the United States government providing access to health care for all Americans by calling it "socialized medicine" he is really advocating allowing babies to die at a higher rate in this country than in other countries. This coming from a member of a political party that presumes to lecture Democrats on "family values."

Advice to Progressives: Dream Bigger Dreams!

Katha Pollitt of the Nation magazine has advice for liberals: dream bigger dreams! Advocate universal healthcare for all, cheap or free higher education, and a minimum wage of $9.00 an hour and indexed for inflation. Build a movement and stop worrying about finding a leader. If you have the right movement, leaders will emerge and come to you. It is a provocative article and can be read by clicking on the link in the title heading.