The article below discusses how for all of the power and wealth that the United States has we are ranked 16th in the Social Progress Index. Our impressive military and economic strengths do not translate well for our health, ecosystem sustainability, basic education, personal safety and much more.

http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/04/should-the-united-states-care-that-its-not-no-1/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=1&