I'm not saying the fact that human societies have historically been racist absolves the US, I'm saying it puts things in perspective (which you acknowledge is important).
In the world today the most racist nations are not the developed nations, but large parts of Southeast Asia, Africa and South America.
Good catch, you're right. I can sympathize with how you must feel, but more racial discrimination is not the answer. This is because it leads to an arms race of discrimination. And then society falls apart.
Americans are hurt by abuse of the H1B system. Companies will always hire inexpensive labor that they have leverage over and H1B gives them just that. It's necessary to put strict quotas on H1B because otherwise it will be abused, which is bad for both American and foreign workers.
Luckily the Trump administration is cracking down on H1B abuse.
What you are saying is true, which is why a single national language is important. People will naturally gravitate towards communities where their language is spoken, so we unify ourselves by ensuring that English is the common national language.
Except in the US, in spite of the historically large majority white demographic makeup of the country, we have done more to be welcoming to other groups in recent history than virtually any other country on Earth. Look at a chart listing salary in America by country of origin. That chart tells the story of a country that gives people from all over the world opportunity to succeed.
It's always funny when people criticize the state of American rail based on their preferences and hand wave a solution into existence, as if it's all that simple.
Cars are much more practical for travel in the US largely because the cost of fuel is much lower than in Europe, Canada, etc. Perhaps in Europe cars would be used more if they were a more affordable option.
2008 and the ensuing recession happened because of an actual event (Lehman) and a credit crisis. I'd say those are 1 in your model. We haven't had anything of that magnitude yet, so I disagree that in today's economy condition 1 is satisfied.
That said, panic is a real component of crises and Trump's ability to shift focus could actually be a real asset, though it will be many years before historians and economists recognize it.
In the world today the most racist nations are not the developed nations, but large parts of Southeast Asia, Africa and South America.