Good grief! It's too bad you weren't around to speak to the US's burgeoning immigrant (both legal and illegal) population. It would have saved them the effort and expense of a trip there.

Nevertheless, you do make some good points about the existence of poverty in the US, and the lack of an adequate social safety net.  Conditions are just much worse in other "third world" countries.  

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears