In the year following our victory in the Persian Gulf and thecollapse of communism, the "We're Number One!" ethos hasbeen born again in America. President George Bush assures uswe are the "undisputed leader of the world." "Still No. 1," saysThe New York Times. First in overall standard of living, trumpetsMoney magazine. Even ascendant Germany and Japan seem tohave been eclipsed.

   Introduction

   Author's Note

CHRONIC DISORDER:

   Health and Medical Care

   Life Expectancy. Spending and Coverage. Contracep-

   tion, Pregnancy, and Abortion · Infant and Child Health ·

   AIDS and Cancer · Malpractice · Diet · Doctors

PIETIES AND PRIORITIES:

   Family, Religion, Sex, Sports, and Vice

   Marriage and Divorce · Authority · Belief in God · The

   Meaning of Life · Smoking and Drinking · Marital,

   Premarital, and Extramarital Sex · Sports

READING, WRITING, AND IGNORANCE:

   Education and Achievement

   Spending · Compulsory Education · Enrollment · Teach-

   ers · Math and Science · Geography · Work Habits

DEBT ON ARRIVAL:

   The Economy

   Wealth and.Poverty · Spending, Saving, and Debt · Trade

   · Finance · Work and Productivity · Salaries and Vacations

DEMOCRACY'S BUREAUCRACIES:

   Politics

   Voting · Diversity · Government Efficiency · Women ·

   International

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS:

   Crime and the Legal System

   Victimization · Murder and Death · Rape · Drugs and

   Drunk Driving · Theft · Guns · Lawyers and Litigation ·

   Behind Bars

GLUTTONS GALORE:

   The Environment, Energy, and Transportation

   The Greenhouse Effect · Air and Atmosphere · Water ·

   Consumption, Waste, and Recycling · Nuclear Energy ·

   Gas and Oil · Cars, Roads, and Railways

FAX AT OUR FINGERTIPS:

   Media, Arts, and Technology

   Daily News · Big Screens, Little Screens · The Printed

   Word · Culture High and Low

   Conclusion

   Notes

   Acknowledgments