That's why nobody wants to come to USA any more.
I have to respectfully disagree. The amount of people (mainly Europeans) I meet who tell me they want to move to the US is still very substantial. In my experience, the perception of the American dream is still very real in a large portion of the world's eyes.
As long as America continues to present it's theater politics through it's media outlets, people won't know what actually happens.
You're American, I presume? I will also assume that, being on Hacker News, you're in the computer field? If that's the case, of course most Europeans you talk to want to move to the US. California (possibly New York) is kind of appealing like that. But as a non-American, I can tell you that very few people I meet believe America is where it's at, mainly because of social policies like this one.
As a counterpoint I'll offer that I'm from Europe, lived in the States, came back home, and have no wish to return stateside (not really even for a visit). I can work remotely.
Yes, I'm American and I live in Europe. The people I'm referring to are not in the software field. For example, the number of women I meet who say they want to move to NYC is astounding. These are generally women in all fields.
They want to move into USA for whatever reason, but the process is getting there isn't very fun, so I've heard.
Also, sometimes people have to move into USA, instead of "want".
Also, if we're talking about software developers and startup founders, you can't bullshit this kind of people for a long period of time. They'd figure it out. Well, they did.
As long as America continues to present it's theater politics through it's media outlets, people won't know what actually happens.