History Main / OnlyInAmerica

* Highest absolute but not relative crime rate for first world [[note]] Has 1/4 of First World's population to itself, so no surprise there. Ranks 22nd, below Germany and France, for crimes-per-person. Violent Crime rate decreasing, as throughout First World (even the UK!), but still twice that of the average. Leads in firearms-deaths, though, with more firearms-deaths (c.31 000 p.a.) than the rest of the First World put together (c.20 000?).[[/note]] - ''perception'', as throughout First World, is that crime is on the rise thanks to sensationalist media reporting.

* Highest absolute, but not relative crime rate for first world [[note]] Has 1/4 of first world's population to itself, so no surprise there. Violent Crime rate decreasing, as throughout First World (even the UK!), but still twice that of the average. Leads in firearms-deaths, though, with more firearms-deaths (c.31 000 p.a.) than the rest of the First World put together (c.20 000?).[[/note]].

* Population of over 312 million, the fourth-largest in the world, and largest first world country.
* Largest state-economy in the world since about 1915. One of the most well-developed economies in the world.
* Lot of media coverage as a result of this level of development.
* World's least-taxed[[note]] c.20% of income, versus first-world average of 50-70% [[/note]] and most powerful Upper Class[[note]] c.65% of country's total wealth owned by wealthiest 16 million, less than 1% of wealth owned by poorest 125 million. Richest 2000 own more than poorest 250 million. [[/note]].
* Relatively weak government, inc. relative to Upper Class[[note]] Only c.42% of GDP mobilised by the Gov't and c.5% of GDP associated with military spending - first-world average of c.50% and c.3% respectively. Very little money for education, no government-provided healthcare. [[/note]].
* Most militarised first-world country.[[note]] c. 0.7% of population employed by military and c.20% of entire country armed - first-world average c. 0.2% and, where firearms are legal, c.5%[[/note]].
* Most imprisoned first-world country. [[note]] c.2% of population imprisoned - first-world average less than 1%. Prison population used as source of labour, produces c.90% of infantry equipment, e.g. body armour, uniforms. Prison work not subject to usual regulations for safety, working hours, pay. Where available, prison education and counselling frequently below first-world average.[[/note]]
* Sickest first-world country, largest medical and medical insurance sectors[[note]] C.15% of GDP in medical industry, first-world average 10%. No free or discounted (by government) healthcare, insurance consequently more important.[[/note]].
* Highest absolute and relative crime rates for first world [[note]] inc. c.90% of first-world murder, with less than 1/3 of first world's population[[/note]].

* Population of over 312 million, the fourth-largest in the world, and largest first world nation.

* World's least-taxed[[note]] c.20% of income, versus first-world average of 50-70% [[/note]] and most powerful Upper Class[[note]] 1/5 of the country's material wealth in the hands of 2k people [[/note]].
* Relatively weak government, inc. relative to Upper Class[[note]] Only c.40% of GDP mobilised by the Gov't and c.20% of GDP associated with military spending - first-world average of c.50-60% and c.10% respectively. No government-owned armaments industry, fully privatised. Very little money for education, no government-provided healthcare. [[/note]].
* Most militarised first-world country.[[note]] c.3% of population employed by military and c.20% of entire country armed - first-world average c.1% and, where firearms are legal, c.5%[[/note]].

* Sickest first-world country, largest medical sector[[note]] C.15% of GDP in medical industry, first-wolrd average 10%[[/note]].

* Relatively weak government, inc. relative to Upper Class[[note]] Only c.40% of GDP mobilised by the Gov't and c.20% of GDP associated with military spending - first-world average of c.50-60% and c.10% respectively. Very little money for education, no government-provided healthcare. [[/note]].

* Most militarised first-world country. C.3% of population employed by military, c.20% of entire country armed.
* Most imprisoned first-world country. C.2% of population imprisoned, emphasis also being on punishment and use for cheap labour[[note]] Produce c.90% of infantry equipment, e.g. body armour, uniforms. Prison work not subject to usual regulations for safety, working hours, pay. [[/note]] rather than education and counselling.

* Highest absolute and relative crime rates for first world. Accounts for c.9/10 of all murder in the first world, despite having less than 1/3 of first world's population.

* Upper Class with a huge amount of political power[[note]] 1/5 of the country's material wealth in the hands of 2k people [[/note]].
* Relatively weak government increases the power of the above[[note]] Only c.40% of GDP mobilised by the Gov't and c.20% of GDp associated with military spending - contrast first-world average of c.50-60% and c.10% respectively.[[/note]].
* Following on from above, strong national belief in personal freedom - encourages idiots to do whatever they want.

* Highest absolute and relative crime rates for first world. Accounts for 9/10 of all murder in the first world, despite having less than 1/3 of first world's population.

* The US has a population of over 300 million, the third largest in the world, and largest first world nation.
* It has the strongest economy in the world.
* It has (had) far more media covering it than anywhere else.
* Strong national belief in personal freedom, which has the unfortunate side-effect of encouraging idiots to do whatever they want.

** In other countries, you will see American TV shows along with locally produced TV shows. In America, you see American TV shows. Or sometimes [[BritishSeries British TV shows]], if you watch Creator/{{PBS}} or BBC America. Or an occasional -- i.e., rare -- [[CanadianSeries Canadian TV show]] in the summer when nobody is watching. TV shows from other countries? Forget about it.

--> ''Literature/AndHeBuiltACrookedHouse'', '''Creator/RobertAHeinlein'''

They will usually concede a basis for the accusation but point to UsefulNotes/{{California}} as the focus of the infection. Californians stoutly maintain that their bad reputation is derived solely from the acts of the inhabitants of UsefulNotes/LosAngeles County. Angelenos will, when pressed, admit the charge but explain hastily, 'It's {{Hollywood}}. It's not our fault, we didn't ask for it; Hollywood just grew.'\\

[[IThoughtItMeant Nor does it refer to]] LarryTheCableGuy's television series of the same name.

* It has far more media covering it than anywhere else.

* It's one of the richest countries in the world.

Often used [[AccentuateTheNegative negatively]] as a NoTrueScotsman fallacy, in which someone says something negative "can only be done in America", [[{{Hypocrite}} regardless if any other part of the world]] [[NotSoDifferent can or has been subjected to it]].

''[[WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries ...In AMERICA!]]''[[note]]Actually, I'm Canadian.[[/note]]

A lot of weird news stories seem to take place in the [[UsefulNotes/TheUnitedStates United States of America]], giving a misleading impression that the place has more weirdness than average.

They will usually concede a basis for the accusation but point to {{California}} as the focus of the infection. Californians stoutly maintain that their bad reputation is derived solely from the acts of the inhabitants of UsefulNotes/LosAngeles County. Angelenos will, when pressed, admit the charge but explain hastily, 'It's {{Hollywood}}. It's not our fault, we didn't ask for it; Hollywood just grew.'\\

Compare with VocalMinority, MisBlamed, DoubleStandard[[hottip:* :in which a non American country or group that does something wrong will not be as vilified]]. See OnlyInFlorida and OnlyInMiami as a subset. See {{Eagleland}} for the unfortunate image that results.

** Unlike European countries where you can receive radio and TV shows from other countries over the air, many Americans live out their entire lives without visiting another country, learning a foreign language or seeing foreign media.

** Averted with American programming based around compiling "wacky" commercials, soap opera clips, internet videos, etc. from Around the World. ex: TheSoup, [[Tosh0]]

** In other countries, you will see American TV shows along with locally produced TV shows. In America, you see American TV shows. Or sometimes [[BritishSeries British TV shows]], if you watch {{PBS}} or BBC America. Or an occasional -- i.e., rare -- [[CanadianSeries Canadian TV show]] in the summer when nobody is watching. TV shows from other countries? Forget about it.

They will usually concede a basis for the accusation but point to {{California}} as the focus of the infection. Californians stoutly maintain that their bad reputation is derived solely from the acts of the inhabitants of LosAngeles County. Angelenos will, when pressed, admit the charge but explain hastily, 'It's {{Hollywood}}. It's not our fault, we didn't ask for it; Hollywood just grew.'\\

''[[WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries ...In AMERICA!]]''[[hottip:*:Actually, I'm Canadian.]]

--> --''AndHeBuiltACrookedHouse'', '''Creator/RobertAHeinlein'''

They will usually concede a basis for the accusation but point to {{California}} as the focus of the infection. Californians stoutly maintain that their bad reputation is derived solely from the acts of the inhabitants of {{Los Angeles}} County. Angelenos will, when pressed, admit the charge but explain hastily, 'It's {{Hollywood}}. It's not our fault, we didn't ask for it; Hollywood just grew.'\\

--> --''AndHeBuiltACrookedHouse'', '''RobertAHeinlein'''

** Averted with American programming based around compiling "wacky" commercials, soap opera clips, internet videos, etc. from Around the World. ex: [[TheSoup The Soup]], [[Tosh0]]

Often used [[AccentuateTheNegative negatively]] as a NoTrueScotsman fallacy, in which someone says something negative "can only be done in America", [[{{Hypocrite}} regardless if any other part of the world]] [[NotSoDifferent can or has been subjected to it]].

* It's the world's richest country.

** Unlike European countries where you can receive radio and TV shows from other countries over the air, many Americans live out their entire lives without visiting another country, learning a foreign language or seeing foreign media.
*** It's possible that some Americans wonder if there really is a world full of inconsequential non-Americans beyond the borders of the US, or if it's all just a myth that those crazy people in NewYorkCity, LosAngeles and WashingtonDC invented to perturb them.
*** Yet many of these same people will complain that those same crazy people in New York, Los Angeles and Washington DC treat their wonderful corner of the world as "FlyoverCountry."

* The US has a population of over 300 million, the third largest in the world.
* It's a rich country.