Now I don't have a complete understanding of how these words work other than the surface connotations. First world = successful country, third world = lots of poverty.
But with widespread poverty across the country, especially middle America and red states, on top of poverty wages, unsocialized medicine, and staggering homelessness for years, how are we not considered second-to-third world?
My family immigrated to this country for better opportunities compared to where we came from (Philippines, 2nd world). Even at $50/hr. he's still a struggling American with a family of five.