General Discussion

To me it seems like this is the only existing form of government, in function all over the world.

I was looking at this Democracy index and started thinking about how those *black sheep' countries can maintain their governing form. - notice btw, a somewhat socialistic country is on top, although the heavy communists rank the bottom ofc. I was also surprised to see that the land of the free wasn't on top here, but parts of old rigid europe wasn't doing too bad.

I can't see how a minority can dictate a majority anywhere. This basically means that every country has the leadership that they have 'chosen', considering the options.

It would explain why 'mission accomplished' wasn't quite so. The leader of Iraq was in power simply because the majority of the people allowed it. Otherwise they would have rid him.

So even if the minority is as big as 49%, you still have 51% of the people that will not accept your invasion.

That's why US wasn't quite greeted as expected. At least not in the long run.

I also think countries like China and North Korea and Cuba are the same way. Although hopefully they will be changed from the inside as time goes by.

Edit: Sometimes I wonder if people were overall smarter in our previous decade: probable defeat

One of the things they measure is voter turnout.

When it comes to participation in the process, an amazing year for the US is far worse than the most horrible year for the Swedish.  Also, the US still has its share of corruption problems.  Not a whole lot, but a year can't pass without us finding out some senator or representative (or three) were completely owned by some interest group.

So I think an 8 is fair.  I honestly think we do really well for our population and size.

As far as probable defeat, go look at Cheney talking about the likely outcome of an Iraq invasion, back when he was Defense Secretary Cheney.  He sung a whole different tune in those days.

I don't think they necessarily got stupider.  I think they knew Iraq wasn't a threat immediately post-Desert Storm, but they honestly believed the reports that they saw, that Iraq was on its way to developing nuclear weapons.

In truth, Americans need, or should, travel.  I have had the benefit of travel.  It was when I lived in London where I realized "socialized" medicine -gasp!- works.  Edit:  Ask the Canadians to give-up their health care.

 Our for-profit health care model is enormously expensive, inefficient, reduces the quality of care, and results in tens of millions of our citizens not being.  I am a capitalist, except for:  firefighters, police, health care, and military, inter alia.

 USA = underinsurance or no insurance for TENS of millions.

Standard of Living.

Cost of Living.

Transfers of wealth.

Even loss of rights.

America is on the wrong track. We really are. 

You know, Inrza, I think your analysis is sound:  we were wiser.

Our political process, however, was not so dominated by special (defense lobby) interests. 

(1)  Complete Domination + (2) Use of that Domination to Implement Policies that (3) results in wars, vodoo economic/tax policies, and looting (bail-out) of America.

Declaredemer,

The corporate lobby and mindset in this country are good at keeping the masses here in-fighting. They constantly give us mixed messages, then lie about what they say. This country will one day be Democratic socialist (actually, with the bailout, it has started already.. thx Bush!) It will take at least 50 years for this current mindset to get terminal.

All the while capitalist said "less government!" while they took the other hand and robbed the economy blind. When workers started demanding more of the pie that they help to build through unions, Ceos said hell no, and moved out of the US. We kept buying and buying and buying, cause they pushed people to do it. So now jobs don't pay as much, healthcare costs way more, and people still keep believing the commercials. Its not their fault, they just being good Americans, spending like they always have since the 50s.

But the rules got changed, and wages don't keep up. Factories relocate in corrupt fake democratic countires where workers don't have rights. Nike, automakers, clothing, electronics.. made over there cheap, send back here expensive.

Americans don't want to travel and see it done better. Its hard to live your whole life one way, be told something is a failure then see it work.  As more immigrants come to the US, we will one day get our socialized medicine and education.

And we will be the better for it.

Originally posted by Kurush

One of the things they measure is voter turnout.

When it comes to participation in the process, an amazing year for the US is far worse than the most horrible year for the Swedish.  Also, the US still has its share of corruption problems.  Not a whole lot, but a year can't pass without us finding out some senator or representative (or three) were completely owned by some interest group.

So I think an 8 is fair.  I honestly think we do really well for our population and size.

As far as probable defeat, go look at Cheney talking about the likely outcome of an Iraq invasion, back when he was Defense Secretary Cheney.  He sung a whole different tune in those days.

I don't think they necessarily got stupider.  I think they knew Iraq wasn't a threat immediately post-Desert Storm, but they honestly believed the reports that they saw, that Iraq was on its way to developing nuclear weapons.

I agree that a large country might have more challenges being democratic than smaller ones, but US with it's ideas and ideals about freedom of all kinds should be a forerunner.  US should be on top based on the ideology.

But there's no way I believe that Cheney was as ignorant, as he would want us to think. The intelligence knew what was the truth, it was covered up by the Bush admin. that tried their best to twist everything to their purpose.

The UN inspectors weren't even allowed to finish their job - why not? Because Bush and his people knew that they wouldn't find anything - which would make it much more difficult to get support for an invasion.

Therefore they had to strike while people were uncertain and in doubt.

Originally posted by declaredemer

In truth, Americans need, or should, travel.  I have had the benefit of travel.  It was when I lived in London where I realized "socialized" medicine -gasp!- works.  Edit:  Ask the Canadians to give-up their health care.

 Our for-profit health care model is enormously expensive, inefficient, reduces the quality of care, and results in tens of millions of our citizens not being.  I am a capitalist, except for:  firefighters, police, health care, and military, inter alia.

 USA = underinsurance or no insurance for TENS of millions.

Standard of Living.

Cost of Living.

Transfers of wealth.

Even loss of rights.

 

 

America is on the wrong track. We really are. 

---

You know, Inrza, I think your analysis is sound:  we were wiser.

 

Our political process, however, was not so dominated by special (defense lobby) interests. 

 

(1)  Complete Domination + (2) Use of that Domination to Implement Policies that (3) results in wars, vodoo economic/tax policies, and looting (bail-out) of America.

Yea I would also say free health-care works. I doesn't have to be the best, because the idea about competition resulting in better service is also true.

But it means alot to those at the 'bottom' of society. And that in turn prevents crime.

So I believe in a combination of free and private healthcare.

Originally posted by Inzra

Originally posted by declaredemer

In truth, Americans need, or should, travel.  I have had the benefit of travel.  It was when I lived in London where I realized "socialized" medicine -gasp!- works.  Edit:  Ask the Canadians to give-up their health care.

 Our for-profit health care model is enormously expensive, inefficient, reduces the quality of care, and results in tens of millions of our citizens not being.  I am a capitalist, except for:  firefighters, police, health care, and military, inter alia.

 USA = underinsurance or no insurance for TENS of millions.

Standard of Living.

Cost of Living.

Transfers of wealth.

Even loss of rights.

 

 

America is on the wrong track. We really are. 

---

You know, Inrza, I think your analysis is sound:  we were wiser.

 

Our political process, however, was not so dominated by special (defense lobby) interests. 

 

(1)  Complete Domination + (2) Use of that Domination to Implement Policies that (3) results in wars, vodoo economic/tax policies, and looting (bail-out) of America.

 

Yea I would also say free health-care works. I doesn't have to be the best, because the idea about competition resulting in better service is also true.

But it means alot to those at the 'bottom' of society. And that in turn prevents crime.

So I believe in a combination of free and private healthcare.

The major benefit with "Market Healthcare" is the increased research money that leads to major breakthroughs.  The vast majority of new technology has been created in America in the Healthcare field.  Either by Americans (using american money and facilities) or by foreign researchers in America (using American Money and facilities).  So yes the rest of the world gets these benefits for cheaper it is due to the money that our "heatlhcare" companies have that allows them to create these new technologies. 
 

If you don't think it is true then just take a look at the Nobel Prize for Medicine and see how many have been won by Americans or by research done in America (using American Money). 

That money has to come from somewhere. 

Originally posted by Cabe2323

Originally posted by Inzra

Originally posted by declaredemer

In truth, Americans need, or should, travel.  I have had the benefit of travel.  It was when I lived in London where I realized "socialized" medicine -gasp!- works.  Edit:  Ask the Canadians to give-up their health care.

 Our for-profit health care model is enormously expensive, inefficient, reduces the quality of care, and results in tens of millions of our citizens not being.  I am a capitalist, except for:  firefighters, police, health care, and military, inter alia.

 USA = underinsurance or no insurance for TENS of millions.

Standard of Living.

Cost of Living.

Transfers of wealth.

Even loss of rights.

 

 

America is on the wrong track. We really are. 

---

You know, Inrza, I think your analysis is sound:  we were wiser.

 

Our political process, however, was not so dominated by special (defense lobby) interests. 

 

(1)  Complete Domination + (2) Use of that Domination to Implement Policies that (3) results in wars, vodoo economic/tax policies, and looting (bail-out) of America.

 

Yea I would also say free health-care works. I doesn't have to be the best, because the idea about competition resulting in better service is also true.

But it means alot to