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American Exceptionalism, etc. bother me too (an American), but it seems a bit incongruous to call it a failed state while simultaneously relating the story of someone desiring to immigrate to it so badly that they'd wait 14 months and get Congress to intervene. If it's so failed, your partner can leave and I'm sure someone else will be happy to come.

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Of course I am a hypocrite. My partner wants to visit the US; I would prefer to live elsewhere. But, sometimes compromise is needed in relationships.

'failed state' is certainly hyperbole here -- there are large elements of society which continue to function, despite the problems at the national government level. It would truly be a failed state if, for example, the national government's performance level were propagated to the whole society.

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