Why are many of the programs considered unncessary by American repubs, considered great in most other nations?
Considered necessary and even great in many of developed countries. These are the top 10 most livable countries in the world, according to the UN: Norway Australia Iceland Canada Ireland Netherlands Sweden France Switzerland Japan in the order listed, and almost all of them make use of programs that Conservatives consider so-called "entitlements". America, oddly enough, despite having a GDP higher than most other industrialized nations, spends more on building it's arsenal and staging wars abroad, than in providing those same funds to programs like healthcare & education. If America spent half as much money on social programs, as it did it's military and invading the 30 countries it has since 1950, it would have an unparralled healthcare & education system, instead Neo-Cons have found a way to convince the public that the poor deserve to be poor, the rich deserve to be richer, and if you don't like it get the f___ out. Now this would normally be simply a discussion of ideology , except for the fact that it has resulted in an American citizenry that , as a whole, cannot cope academically in the 21st century with most other countries, that is rife with poverty, and teetering off the edge of a cliff from which there is no return. In Norway, all citizens get free education & healthcare from kindergarten to University, the same applies to smaller or lesser degrees with almost all 10 countries, and each of these has a LOWER overall GDP per capita than America, but a higher standard of living, and higher educated & healthier citizenry America is ranked 13th in standard of living (and dropping), and 30th in overall education ( & dropping) For those suggesting why not move to one of those countries. I am not American (thank God) and i would never want to be. I do have friends & relatives who are Americans and i pity them tremendously, i am Candian By the way, Canada was the first country to bounce back from the recession; the U.S. still hasn't recovered.
Politics - 13 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Why haven't you applied for asylum in one of those countries?
2 :
Perhaps you should move to one of those countries. You all think it's wrong to be patriotic, yet you put other countries on a pedestal. Now, would our standard of living be declining as a direct result of crime? How much of that crime is committed by the illegals you think we should keep? How much is due to a very, very bad economy? And why don't our liberal politicians admit that they've had a huge hand in this mess? edit: Ugh! Canadian? What makes you think you have a right to comment on policies that only affect us in the first place? If Canadians hate America so much, why do so many drive across the bridge every day to work here?
3 :
Not to be too pithy....... We have the Consitution, they don't. The U.S. allows you all the freedoms in the world which includes the freedom to move anytime you want.
4 :
Yeap its a crying shame what the libs have done to this nation, but then you support that fool in office now, so I'm sure you'er ok with it. You might also want to see what the average person pays in taxes over in those nations you so happy with, then to make everyone happy, chose one and move.
5 :
and tell me who considers these things, common in all the listed countries "un-American:" -homogeneous culture -single national language -mandatory national service -state-controlled access to university-level education -restrictive immigration policies -benefit/property restrictions on foreigners -education system based on "the basics" rather than "building self-esteem" Why do people from all your "most livable" countries still come here year after year? Could it be that they recognize that economic control often requires a good deal of cultural control? Could it be that some people still see the U.S. as more "free" in many important ways? I for one would love to live in a system as stable as Norway....but as an American, I'm not comfortable am not willing to give up our superior diversity in terms of culture and simple life choices...
6 :
I noticed that GREECE wasn't on your list... There's a reason for that... Greece is the first RED FLAG that you can't have the people who WANT your money and the people who MAKE the money - not be the same group of people. As the socialism continues - the RECIPIENT will "vote themselves" ever increasing "stuff" that they have not contributed to providing... in ever increasing levels. This continues - until you run out of all the RICH GUYS money - then you spend money that you haven't MADE yet. Our GRAND KIDS will be OPPRESSED/ENSLAVED by OBAMA'S STIMULUS... which almost could be justified, at least SHORT TERM - if it worked. You would THINK a BLACK GUY - of all people, would KNOW BETTER. I bet he does... he just doesn't CARE.
7 :
I'm always glad to see Democrats PROVE they prefer using force to make everyone government PROPERTY instead of being Americans.
8 :
They're socialist countries; we are not and never have been. They also pay over 75% in taxes. I hate to break your bias bubble but not all Republicans are rich and not all Democrat liberals are poor. In fact, it's more to the contrary. Further, you've never met any of those poor who expect things to be given housing and food and medical care yet have $200 sneakers and the latest cell phone. I have. If you want to move to Norway, enjoy yourself. I prefer this country and the ability to make my own way. The reason our education system is so poor, is because you liberals decided that teachers needed to do more about false self-esteem rather than teach. That teachers don't deserve to be paid for what they do and that the responsibility of education is on them and not students to put in the effort of learning. You've taken discipline out of the classroom. It's your fault the educational system is bad in this country. You wouldn't find the types of things you insist on in the classroom in Norway. (England's education system isn't a whole lot better.) Interesting you didn't mention that you weren't an American until now. If you aren't an American, then I suggest you MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. It's of no concern of yours. And you know you pay much more in taxes than we do. Typical liberal: a liar.
9 :
A government, which robs Peter to pay Paul, can always depend on the support of Paul. -- George Bernard Shaw The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903) . A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have. -- Thomas Jefferson
10 :
I'd like it to work, but we have a larger population than these guys individual (and several of them put together). We also have a greater divide between the rich and the poor, even though most of our poor would be considered wealthy in most of the world. I just don't think it's feasible here.
11 :
So you are a Canadian? Do you have a JOB?? Do you know how much taxes do you pay? For me, I would rather IT IS ME who spends my hard earned money!
12 :
So why is the economy of many of those countries tanking? In point of fact, "livable" is a very subjective term. Sure as a typically oblivious individual, I'd love to have the government give me everything I need and that would certainly color my PERSONAL perception of the country. But if the country ultimately can't SURVIVE because of all of these entitlement program, how is the best interests of the citizens ULTIMATELY being served? PS: I find your comments about education VERY interesting. We spend MORE on educating our kids than any other major country... and yet we are 30th overall. So OBVIOUSLY entitlement programs really aren't the answer to a country's quality-of-life. Edit: "...By the way, Canada was the first country to bounce back from the recession; the U.S. still hasn't recovered... And yet, Obama is our President... the guy you think is so great. Considering how Obama is mimicking many of the mistakes made by FDR that extended the Great Depression, that we are not rising out of the recession today is, frankly, no surprise.
13 :
You are mistaken on many points. -First your comparisons are faulty. For example Norway has vast natural resources and is thus naturally rich. It is easy for them to afford these services. -Second, there are far more countries that use liberal social policies that are much worse off than America (Greece, Cuba, etc). -Third, the US spends far more on Social progams than on defense. Medicare is more expensive than Defense, Social Security is more expensive than Defense. -Forth, I don't trust any ranking by the UN. It is largely socialist itself!!! -Fifth, If the US didn't head more socialist under Obama it may have recovered as well. -Sixth, the current recession is the result of social regulation of mortgage lending.
