Hyperbole is on both sides of the aisle. But when someone is saying "America is ruined" they're talking in general (which is still incorrect) and not making a factually incorrect statement like "infrastructure is third world".
What I have noticed infrastructure wise (and other domains as well) is that anything that is left to the states is mostly a disaster but for example the federal highway system is mostly in great shape. Others Public Education Water Police Local infrastructure (airports, local roads and bridges, etc) - already listed But this could just be my blindside.
Then I'm not surprised by your viewpoint. With all the tolls Illinois collects on it's roads, you'd think they could do better. But fiscally speaking, Illinois is one of the worst states in the nation. That they can't keep up with upkeep is not surprising. Still, it is most certainly not third world. I lived in the third world for years, believe me, I know what I'm talking about. Here in Florida, the roads are awesome. Bridges are nice, schools, etc. Sure, there are exceptions to the rule, but there's obviously better fiscal management.
No, the toll roads are fine. It is the streets that are a disaster. Ohare is also in great shape and so is Midway. Public schools are a disaster, not just the education, but even the buildings can't afford air conditioning or simple things like overhead projectors. The police has huge problems. In any event, I am not talking about Illinois in particular. I am talking on average as a nation. I have seen every state in the US, and in addition, I can keep up with the statistics that doesn't need me to visit every state to get information, e.g., https://www.usa.gov/statistics
Fine. If you agree with the writer that the infrastructure of the United States is third world, then you - too - are an idiot.
Not all infrastructure of the US is third world. Much of the infrastructure of the US is in massive need of repair, to the tune of probably close to a trillion dollars to bring it to first world standards, and probably to the tune of hundreds of billions just to make much of it safe. Things don't happen in this country until really bad things happen because there is no political will to do the right thing. Or maybe because we are broke. It used to be that fiscal transfers from rich states to poor states helped. But now the money is being used immorally, for lack of a better word.
The issues facing the next president of the United States of America. To make it whole or great again. Most except one are domestic issues, as it should be. I fear neither Trump nor Clinton are up to the task. Bernie maybe, but it is a tall order. Would Obama be up to the task if running again? I say sadly, no, although God knows he tried. Is our infrastructure third world? Are states after state broke to the point they can't even keep schools open? Are vet suicide rates so high? Are there so many disenfranchised people that can't hope to find work? Is the government locked to the point nothing ever happens? Higher education costs accelerated many times the inflation rate? Are there so many divisions in this country that every single day people are killing each other over nothing? The wage and ownership gap the worst it has ever been? Continued massive illegal immigration that is driving wages lower here? Health care costs continue to sky rocket out of control? Government pandering to lobbies whose interests are in direct contradiction to the american citizens? Drug abuse so high that entire states are at epidemic levels? $17 Trillion in debt with nothing to show for it? Government so corrupt and out of touch they can't even guarantee safe drinking water? Trillions of dollars spent on endless wars, for what exactly again?
I defy anyone to come to Washington, Dc and say the infrastructure is in good shape. We have bridges all over the country literally falling down. The interstate road system may be in generally good repair in most places but it is inadequate. Driving on I-95 is an adventure. One accident or road repair job and you can have hours long delays.