The US government used to pass consumer protections, worker protections, environmental protections, etc. to the point of being a leader in many ways for other parts of the world.

And then Reagan happened.

I would thunk a good portion of you have a good standard of living but quite possibly a majority basically live in 3rd world poverty conditions and constant debt, stress, and exposure to violence.

There's just enough Americans living in decent to good conditions to make it look like the American dream is alive, since the cameras don't focus on the less fortunate.

I live in Canada and we have pretty good standards of living here. Up to and including not going financially bankrupt if we get sick or injured.

My partner broke their leg last year. Between the 6-8 hospital visits, xrays, two casts, and an air boot, we paid a grand total of around $120. Less than $20 for paid parking (I'm lazy and it was like $2 a day) and $100 for the boot of which I got $85 from my work insurance. Everything else was completely covered by our provincial care.