Why won't the American education system have a requirement for children to speak two languages?
Like the way they do it in Luxembourg and other countries in Europe. At home and wherever they speak English, but they learn different languages in school to the point of fluency. The first years of primary school are in English, before changing to Spanish, while secondary school, the language of instruction changes to either Chinese or French or German. I say Chinese or French because both are tied at as the third most spoken language in America; German is the fourth, but it'll be easier to learn since both English and German are in the same language family. But I think Chinese would be more helpful. Why don't we do this? It's ignorance that no one knows how to speak a different languages while in Europe it's a requirement to speak at least one more language. Spanish is being a must in the working world, why don't we solve the problem by ensuring that all children can speak the language?
Languages - 11 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
because americans don't need to learn other languages, they don't even know geography or anything outside of the states, they are too narrow minded.
2 :
it's not a requirement. but the resources are available. i just learned spanish. now im learning french. but in highschool u hafta take atleast one foreign language class for 4 yrs.. well in my school that's how it was.
3 :
Because in Europe, there are so many little countries that speak different languages and they are so close together. Your little chinese or french theory is ridiculous, because Chinese is one of the most complicated languages to learn. Why don't YOU provide the money for all of the new teachers that your supposed good idea will need?
4 :
The problem is that MOST students in the U.S. start taking the languages in 9th grade. They should implement a foreign language starting in elementary schools. Don't blame the government, because people have the resources to learn, but MOST don't take learning foreign languages seriously. Why? They live in a place where English is the de facto language, and have no need of learning any other languages. I wouldn't say Spanish is a "must" in the working world, but it is a plus in business...that is why I have been studying it since the 7th grade and plan on learning it to fluency. Most people will not learn because they believe that they will never use it and believe that everyone should learn English. I believe languages are important and fun, and that is why I am learning Hindi, Marathi, and Spanish. I agree with you, that we should have a more developed foreign language program in the United States, considering our other programs are well developed.
5 :
I don't know ask the president why not? Sorry can't help you there.
6 :
It's truly rediculous. Schools don't even treat it as a language, it's an "elective", implying that it isn't important. Our language program is weak, and it's reflecting badly on the country as a whole. To compensate, I go to Saturday school to learn a language to fluency. Really, though, Americans should.
7 :
Because that would make sense. Also because so many Americans are afraid of other cultures. I speak Spanish because I lived in Mexico. I took 4 years of German in high school and I don't remember very much. It is amazing how much offense monolingual people take when they here people speaking another language.
8 :
It's an interesting idea - and I couldn't agree more that children in the US should learn additional languages. You're right...it's ignorance - plain, arrogant ignorance - that our kids aren't multilingual. It's ridiculous that we typically start language education at about 12 years old, just the time when the critical period for language acquisition ends...it's as if people don't want our kids to become fluent in any other languages.
9 :
Because of too many people who think, "Why don't YOU provide the money for all of the new teachers that your supposed good idea will need?" America is an egocentric, nationalist country comprised of narrow-minded people who think one language (English) is "good enough". It is unfortunate, because it is a shortcoming that the rest of the multilingual world laughs at. It would be great if all American children could at least speak Spanish, which is the language spoken second most frequently in the U.S. You are on the right track, and I applaud your insight.
10 :
Why should we have to learn Spanish? It's not important here in the US! Chinese is not the third most spoken language in America! "The first years of primary school are in English, before changing to Spanish, while secondary school, the language of instruction changes to either Chinese or French or German. I say Chinese or French because both are tied at as the third most spoken language in America; German is the fourth, but it'll be easier to learn since both English and German are in the same language family. But I think Chinese would be more helpful." Isn't that what the American government made it to be in schools? Why don't we change that: Learn English, then Chinese, then give them a choice of learning any other language they want after the second year? Instead of making them "requirements" in high school, but yet you could choose whatever is available in the semester, which makes up a sizable class the college or university that you attend? Some high schools even have Latin, a language which no one speaks anymore, as a common language. Unless you plan on working for the church, courts or comparative linguistics otherwise you do not need Latin, with the exception of some scientific nomenclatures which some guy used Latin to make, which in my opinion is more useful when expressed in Greek. Because most of those terms were from Greek first. Why don't they teach Modern Greek in American schools: most medical terms are in Greek. "Spanish is being a must in the working world": Are you serious? Spanish isn't even spoken in the working world! English is. Why don't you go tell these Spanish speakers to LEARN ENGLISH?! The American welfare system is corrupted no thanks to them! I wonder what languages you do speak that was learned in school which you learned fluently because you learned it all in school?! If Spanish is the second most spoken language in the US, then how come there's plenty more learners of Chinese than Spanish. Many parents are hiring tutors and teachers to teach themselves and their tots to learn Chinese, not Spanish! Most of the Spanish books in bookstores don't even sell. Most other language books sell more than Spanish here in the USA!!!
11 :
Until the 1970's, taking a foreign language in secondary school was a requirement in the United States for anyone who was planning on going to college (i.e. college bound). During that time, German and Latin were the languages taken by students who planned to major in the technical fields. French and Spanish were usually taken by students who were just trying to satisfy a minimum requirement for college admission. I think learning a foreign language should be made a requirement again for students who plan on attending college. However, I don't think that it should be a requirement for high school graduation. Nowadays, German and Latin might better be served by Russian, Chinese or Brazilian Portuguese instead. Learning Spanish to communicate with Hispanic employees in the business world is an entirely different argument. Here, I believe it should be strictly optional for an English-speaking American as to whether or not they want to learn Spanish. Trying to make it mandatory will only be met with resentment and an eventual backlash from Anglophonic Americans. Besides, most foreigners, including Mexicans, do remarkably well at learning English and can communicate with their American co-workers in English if they have to. Personally, I worked many years in a large company with three Mexican-born people for whom English was a second language. Not being able to speak fluent Spanish with them was never a problem. In fact, since I learned the Castilian or "White man's Spanish" as they called it, and which they don't like, it was actually better that I didn't try to converse with them in Spanish.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
EMERGENCY!!!!! Are u able to watch this video??? ASAP Please
EMERGENCY!!!!! Are u able to watch this video??? ASAP Please :(?
I disputed this video months ago and NOW ITS BLOCKED AGAIN!!!!!!!! I HATE THIS *(^&*#^)*@#&^$)*@#&^$)@*#&$^!!!! Please test it if it works... Please World Trade Center *Best Video* - HD (Mariah Carey - Hero) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORtVp9ZMaSU Its a World Trade Center Video... And whole description: DESCRIPTIONS AND COPYRIGHT OWNERS INFORMATION ------------------------------------------- This is one most saddest video I made for you all.. Please don't cry..... We always remember 9.11 and we will miss all the victims in 9.11! Thank you... ---------------------------------------- "I have full of Copyright permission of this "World Trade Center *Best Video* - HD (Mariah Carey - Hero)" video. Any other Duplicates without the permission of the video owner is prohibited!" All those separated videos on this "World Trade Center *Best Video* - HD (Mariah Carey - Hero)" are not owned for me. They all somebody else's. *World Trade Center Tower Construction (PBS)* *New York City Night & Day. Bernard Herrmann (Taxi Driver) Theme* *WTC1 North Tower Plane Impact on 9_11 - Naudet* *wtc jumpers not nice* *9_11 Rare Footage* *Never before seen Video of WTC 9_11 attack* *9_11 - WTC 2 - South Tower Collapse* *9_11- South Tower 'Collapse' (Evan Fairbanks)* *9_11 - WTC 1 - North Tower Collapse* *9_11- North Tower 'Collapse' (new video)* *World Trade Center - Fourth of July* ------------------------------------------------------------- Artist: Mariah Carey - Hero ©1993 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT Copyright holder: SME (Sony Music Entertainment) ------------------------------------------- All Editing - Title and Credits - Done with software -Editing Program: Sony Vegas Pro 10 -Owner: Sony I do not claim the program to be my own. Sony is the rightful owner of Sony Vegas Pro 10 and the program came as an initial installment as part of Windows 7. ---------------------------------------- Copyright 2011 RomerJon17 Productions ----------------- For reason why is blocked! You have disputed a copyright claim on your video, World Trade Center *Best Video* - HD (Mariah Carey - Hero) . To see the details of the dispute you filed, click here. All content owners have reviewed your video and confirmed their claims to some or all of its content: Entity: SME Content Type: Sound Recording As a result, your video is blocked in these locations: Afghanistan, Aland Islands, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Congo - Democratic Republic of, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Faroe Islands, Finland, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See (Vatican City State), Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Micronesia - Federated States of, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States Virgin Islands, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Fu*CK HATE ______ NOW!!!!
YouTube - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
It works !!!
2 :
It Works =)
3 :
It's illegal to upload copyrighted material without permission. In practice, you'll find that music companies are the strictest about copyright infringement. It doesn't matter what notices you put on the video, or whether or not you are making money, or how sad your purpose is in making the video. It's still infringement if you haven't obtained permission.
4 :
ummm? it works.
I disputed this video months ago and NOW ITS BLOCKED AGAIN!!!!!!!! I HATE THIS *(^&*#^)*@#&^$)*@#&^$)@*#&$^!!!! Please test it if it works... Please World Trade Center *Best Video* - HD (Mariah Carey - Hero) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORtVp9ZMaSU Its a World Trade Center Video... And whole description: DESCRIPTIONS AND COPYRIGHT OWNERS INFORMATION ------------------------------------------- This is one most saddest video I made for you all.. Please don't cry..... We always remember 9.11 and we will miss all the victims in 9.11! Thank you... ---------------------------------------- "I have full of Copyright permission of this "World Trade Center *Best Video* - HD (Mariah Carey - Hero)" video. Any other Duplicates without the permission of the video owner is prohibited!" All those separated videos on this "World Trade Center *Best Video* - HD (Mariah Carey - Hero)" are not owned for me. They all somebody else's. *World Trade Center Tower Construction (PBS)* *New York City Night & Day. Bernard Herrmann (Taxi Driver) Theme* *WTC1 North Tower Plane Impact on 9_11 - Naudet* *wtc jumpers not nice* *9_11 Rare Footage* *Never before seen Video of WTC 9_11 attack* *9_11 - WTC 2 - South Tower Collapse* *9_11- South Tower 'Collapse' (Evan Fairbanks)* *9_11 - WTC 1 - North Tower Collapse* *9_11- North Tower 'Collapse' (new video)* *World Trade Center - Fourth of July* ------------------------------------------------------------- Artist: Mariah Carey - Hero ©1993 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT Copyright holder: SME (Sony Music Entertainment) ------------------------------------------- All Editing - Title and Credits - Done with software -Editing Program: Sony Vegas Pro 10 -Owner: Sony I do not claim the program to be my own. Sony is the rightful owner of Sony Vegas Pro 10 and the program came as an initial installment as part of Windows 7. ---------------------------------------- Copyright 2011 RomerJon17 Productions ----------------- For reason why is blocked! You have disputed a copyright claim on your video, World Trade Center *Best Video* - HD (Mariah Carey - Hero) . To see the details of the dispute you filed, click here. All content owners have reviewed your video and confirmed their claims to some or all of its content: Entity: SME Content Type: Sound Recording As a result, your video is blocked in these locations: Afghanistan, Aland Islands, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Congo - Democratic Republic of, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Faroe Islands, Finland, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See (Vatican City State), Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Micronesia - Federated States of, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States Virgin Islands, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Fu*CK HATE ______ NOW!!!!
YouTube - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
It works !!!
2 :
It Works =)
3 :
It's illegal to upload copyrighted material without permission. In practice, you'll find that music companies are the strictest about copyright infringement. It doesn't matter what notices you put on the video, or whether or not you are making money, or how sad your purpose is in making the video. It's still infringement if you haven't obtained permission.
4 :
ummm? it works.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Why dont more countries strive for Norways example of successful Socialism
Why dont more countries strive for Norways example of successful Socialism?
Australia's and Norway's economy is no doubt the best performing developed economies during the financial crisis, Australia didn't fall into a recession at all. Whilst USA GDP growth went backwards 2%, Australian economic growth slowed to 1%, Australia's government budget will return to a surplus in 2012, faster than any developed economy in the world. http://www.budget.gov.au/2010-11/content/at_a_glance/html/at_a_glance.htm Australia's debt is expected to peak at 6.1% of GDP (source above). Whilst in the USA it will surpass 100% of GDP.    http://www.bloomberg.com.au/apps/news?pid=20601010&sid=aa0cI64Gx.4E Australia's run under the Australian Labour Party which calls itself democratic socialist in the party constitution but it is more comparable to a social democratic ideology. US Gdp growth is projected to be 1.5% this year, and in Australia it's surging to 8.7% annualised growth this year, which is an amazing growth rate, and extraordinary for a developed economy.    http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-business/australias-economic-growth-surges-20100526-wc7o.html Australia's stimulus package performed well because the government just gave all the workers $900 to keep spending and $1000 to pensioners. And raising mining tax to 40% of profit. Which is almost nationalization in a sense except more efficient. The Australian governments idea behind that is that all Australians own our resources, therefore we should all benefit from mining companies taking our resources. But I think Australia should strive to Norways example of successful socialism, its the second richest country in the world after Luxembourg in both PPP and Nominal GDP.    http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/norways-success-in-socialism-has-me-turning-red-with-envy/1546561/ "Norways success in socialism has me turning red with envy". "Is Norway a shining example Marx was right? As Capitalist economies collapse and unemployment reaches new levels, there remains the case of Norway which is based on socialist principles and endured the economic crisis without encountering the problems of capitalism."    http://theimpudentobserver.com/world-news/is-socialist-norway-a-shining-example-marx-was-right/ Why Norway Wins (WARNING: SOCIALISM!) http://trueslant.com/zachdundas/2010/03/01/why-norway-wins-warning-socialism/ Socialism in Norway WORKS, Im not talking about the USSR kind of Socialism, but the democratic socialism/social democracy. The more Australia is like Norway, the better, why look to the USA for inspiration? "I know, look at Greece" Greece's Socialist government was elected only at the end of last year. The problems in their economy was because of the previous right wing government, that's why the socialist party got elected in a landslide. @"yea, and Cuba is like a paradise" Cuba is run under an authoritan dictatorship, Cuba is a failure and doesn't even fit into the definition of socialism due to the lack of freedoms and democracy. Calling Cuba or China socialist goes against the very definition of it.
Politics - 13 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Along with the 2 examples you give, you have countries like Sweden, Denmark, Finland and The Netherlands as nations that all practise social democracy. They all feature highly on the human development index. Sadly, a lot of close minded people think like this: SOCIALISM = COMMUNISM = BAAAAAD.
2 :
America farts and Norway runs to the hills. America is your source silly girl. You could not defend yourself from a group of drunk german soccer fans. Blah Blah Blah.
3 :
I know, look at Greece That crap only has a shot if you control immigration. If you let millions of freeloaders in uninvited, it doesn't work
4 :
Norway has no blacks. Norway has no Mexicans. Norway has essentially no Muslims. It is a different situation.
5 :
All countries "strive for success" but each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Take the USA, you would have a hard time converting them from a huge military which costs a fortune, into taking care of the sick instead. See the idiots above as an example
6 :
A few years ago Norway had the highest growth in health care spending in the world and were facing future unsustainability? did they fix that?
7 :
Examples: Greece-Bankrupt Hungary- on the verge of bankruptcy U.K.- on the threshold of bankruptcy France- contemplating reforming their social programs because of lack of financing. Look to the U.S.A. because of capitalism and capitalism will survive and eventually pull through. Face it, socialism is an economic disaster. You want my money to pay for your college, your health insurance, your maternity leave or you want 30% of my paycheck for social security you're going to have to pry that money from my cold dead fingers.
8 :
yea, and Cuba is like a paradise
9 :
How many Aborigines are working today, you fool . You find something on the internet and make it sound and fit into our or western type economies. You need to look at the whole structure of the country . Down under and toe head country are two different beast.
10 :
There is one glaring difference. Those countries don't have a permanent underclass/minority interest to cater to. You add a group of leaches to there system and it will implode like ever other with parasites.
11 :
Norway is FAR from perfect, Sweetheart, and it has its share of "Unseen Problems" : Four years ago, it promised to act as a "peace nation" to support a "more democratic world order" and human rights. Yet socialist-led Norway – still living on its benign image abroad – has instead become the home of four dirty little secrets. The first concerns the government's pension fund, which invests its huge oil income in more than 7,500 companies in 46 countries and is worth about £250bn. Regarded by many as a model of ethical investment, its portfolio is more like a dirty list of the world's worst corporations, including numerous oil, mining and agribusiness corporations criticised for their human rights record and environmental impacts. The fund also invests in half a dozen tax havens. The government has so far excluded only a handful of companies from the fund on ethical grounds. Even worse is policy on oil. Norway is the world's third largest exporter of oil and gas, which provide more than a third of government revenues. Last year, when the doubling of world oil prices plunged millions of people in developing countries into poverty, oil revenues boosted government coffers by 17 times the value of Norway's overseas aid. StatoilHydro, 67% owned by the government, operates in several countries accused of corruption and dire human rights records, such as Azerbaijan, Angola, Iran and Nigeria, and is eyeing up Iraq. Ministers have been speaking openly about reorienting Norwegian diplomacy to push into new oil markets such as Saudi Arabia. On the environment, Norway's benign image is also removed from reality. True, nearly all domestic electricity comes from hydroelectric plants and Norway was one of the first to adopt a carbon tax to address global warming, in 1991. Yet with 0.1% of the world's population, Norway emits 0.3% of greenhouse gas emissions; if oil exports are included, the figure may be about 2%. The government is committed to making Norway carbon neutral by 2050, yet this will partly be achieved by buying carbon reductions in other countries, not reducing to zero Norway's own emissions. Finally, Norwegian arms exports – little known outside the country – are booming. Although amounting to 0.1 per cent of world arms exports, Norway's weapons sales have tripled since 2000, reaching £336m worth in 2007. Norway has lost its ethical niche. Although it has a large aid programme and strongly supports the UN, it has otherwise joined the club of rich nations exploiting the planet for their own benefit. The leitmotif in its unethical policies is the failure to summon up the courage to regulate corporations, whether in oil, arms or finance. Unless governments do this, hopes of an ethical foreign policy will remain a mirage.
12 :
Norway is the world’s fifth largest oil exporter. It has a population of about 4.8 million making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe. Do the math. less than five million people enjoying one fifth of the world's oil wealth. In essence, Norway is the Kuwait of Europe. Massive oil and gas reserves is the cause of high living standard in Norway, not Socialism. You realize that in Kuwait, no Kuwaiti actually works, right? They have so much wealth that all menial jobs are performed by immigrants. You pull into a gas station in Kuwait and the gasoline is free. But all these two examples prove is that tiny countries with a lot of petroleum to sell can get by quite nicely on the labor of everyone else. What would become of their society if some alternative form of energy makes petroleum obsolete? All your example really illustrates is that any Socialist government must have other Capitalist Governments to sponge off or they would be unsustainable. The Problem with Greece is that they have too many people receiving benefits and too few generating the revenue to fund them. This isn't rocket science. Socialism is nothing more than a system of rationing existing wealth until it is exhausted. In Norway, they have an enormous amount of wealth and a tiny population. In Greece they have long since squandered all of their wealth and have borrowed all anyone is willing to lend them. That is my point. Greece has no more wealth to redistribute. Enter the hard times Socialism always results in. *
13 :
So what do we need to do, import leftist from Norway and Australia? You led us to to the levy now why don't you go all the way and tell us how would this work in the US. I'd love to compare the expenditures to entitlements, which were created by liberals and are all now failing which is causing the economic problems were enjoying today. Norway I'm sure does not have 30 million undocumented people in there country who are not fully invested into the system, the un-invested money is sent back to Mexico as the countries 2nd largest import. Norway basically isolates itself from the rest of the world. They voted against joining the European Union and is almost self reliant on energy. The latest liberal tactic is alive in Greece as well. Blame the previous admin. Did they blame Bush too? Yes communism works at first, but its a breeding ground for corruption and exploitation. Its also great for people who need to be told what to do and don't have to think. If socialism is the cats meow, why is anything that is socialized in this country just short of a complete failure. As I said earlier. It always starts out as a good idea but fails under its own weight. Immigration is socialized and look at that debacle. There are more aliens in this country then the population of many European countries. You can't really judge a countries success until you actually live there. I wonder if you have any stories of a poor immigrant going to Norway and becoming Bill Gates??
Australia's and Norway's economy is no doubt the best performing developed economies during the financial crisis, Australia didn't fall into a recession at all. Whilst USA GDP growth went backwards 2%, Australian economic growth slowed to 1%, Australia's government budget will return to a surplus in 2012, faster than any developed economy in the world. http://www.budget.gov.au/2010-11/content/at_a_glance/html/at_a_glance.htm Australia's debt is expected to peak at 6.1% of GDP (source above). Whilst in the USA it will surpass 100% of GDP.    http://www.bloomberg.com.au/apps/news?pid=20601010&sid=aa0cI64Gx.4E Australia's run under the Australian Labour Party which calls itself democratic socialist in the party constitution but it is more comparable to a social democratic ideology. US Gdp growth is projected to be 1.5% this year, and in Australia it's surging to 8.7% annualised growth this year, which is an amazing growth rate, and extraordinary for a developed economy.    http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-business/australias-economic-growth-surges-20100526-wc7o.html Australia's stimulus package performed well because the government just gave all the workers $900 to keep spending and $1000 to pensioners. And raising mining tax to 40% of profit. Which is almost nationalization in a sense except more efficient. The Australian governments idea behind that is that all Australians own our resources, therefore we should all benefit from mining companies taking our resources. But I think Australia should strive to Norways example of successful socialism, its the second richest country in the world after Luxembourg in both PPP and Nominal GDP.    http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/norways-success-in-socialism-has-me-turning-red-with-envy/1546561/ "Norways success in socialism has me turning red with envy". "Is Norway a shining example Marx was right? As Capitalist economies collapse and unemployment reaches new levels, there remains the case of Norway which is based on socialist principles and endured the economic crisis without encountering the problems of capitalism."    http://theimpudentobserver.com/world-news/is-socialist-norway-a-shining-example-marx-was-right/ Why Norway Wins (WARNING: SOCIALISM!) http://trueslant.com/zachdundas/2010/03/01/why-norway-wins-warning-socialism/ Socialism in Norway WORKS, Im not talking about the USSR kind of Socialism, but the democratic socialism/social democracy. The more Australia is like Norway, the better, why look to the USA for inspiration? "I know, look at Greece" Greece's Socialist government was elected only at the end of last year. The problems in their economy was because of the previous right wing government, that's why the socialist party got elected in a landslide. @"yea, and Cuba is like a paradise" Cuba is run under an authoritan dictatorship, Cuba is a failure and doesn't even fit into the definition of socialism due to the lack of freedoms and democracy. Calling Cuba or China socialist goes against the very definition of it.
Politics - 13 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Along with the 2 examples you give, you have countries like Sweden, Denmark, Finland and The Netherlands as nations that all practise social democracy. They all feature highly on the human development index. Sadly, a lot of close minded people think like this: SOCIALISM = COMMUNISM = BAAAAAD.
2 :
America farts and Norway runs to the hills. America is your source silly girl. You could not defend yourself from a group of drunk german soccer fans. Blah Blah Blah.
3 :
I know, look at Greece That crap only has a shot if you control immigration. If you let millions of freeloaders in uninvited, it doesn't work
4 :
Norway has no blacks. Norway has no Mexicans. Norway has essentially no Muslims. It is a different situation.
5 :
All countries "strive for success" but each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Take the USA, you would have a hard time converting them from a huge military which costs a fortune, into taking care of the sick instead. See the idiots above as an example
6 :
A few years ago Norway had the highest growth in health care spending in the world and were facing future unsustainability? did they fix that?
7 :
Examples: Greece-Bankrupt Hungary- on the verge of bankruptcy U.K.- on the threshold of bankruptcy France- contemplating reforming their social programs because of lack of financing. Look to the U.S.A. because of capitalism and capitalism will survive and eventually pull through. Face it, socialism is an economic disaster. You want my money to pay for your college, your health insurance, your maternity leave or you want 30% of my paycheck for social security you're going to have to pry that money from my cold dead fingers.
8 :
yea, and Cuba is like a paradise
9 :
How many Aborigines are working today, you fool . You find something on the internet and make it sound and fit into our or western type economies. You need to look at the whole structure of the country . Down under and toe head country are two different beast.
10 :
There is one glaring difference. Those countries don't have a permanent underclass/minority interest to cater to. You add a group of leaches to there system and it will implode like ever other with parasites.
11 :
Norway is FAR from perfect, Sweetheart, and it has its share of "Unseen Problems" : Four years ago, it promised to act as a "peace nation" to support a "more democratic world order" and human rights. Yet socialist-led Norway – still living on its benign image abroad – has instead become the home of four dirty little secrets. The first concerns the government's pension fund, which invests its huge oil income in more than 7,500 companies in 46 countries and is worth about £250bn. Regarded by many as a model of ethical investment, its portfolio is more like a dirty list of the world's worst corporations, including numerous oil, mining and agribusiness corporations criticised for their human rights record and environmental impacts. The fund also invests in half a dozen tax havens. The government has so far excluded only a handful of companies from the fund on ethical grounds. Even worse is policy on oil. Norway is the world's third largest exporter of oil and gas, which provide more than a third of government revenues. Last year, when the doubling of world oil prices plunged millions of people in developing countries into poverty, oil revenues boosted government coffers by 17 times the value of Norway's overseas aid. StatoilHydro, 67% owned by the government, operates in several countries accused of corruption and dire human rights records, such as Azerbaijan, Angola, Iran and Nigeria, and is eyeing up Iraq. Ministers have been speaking openly about reorienting Norwegian diplomacy to push into new oil markets such as Saudi Arabia. On the environment, Norway's benign image is also removed from reality. True, nearly all domestic electricity comes from hydroelectric plants and Norway was one of the first to adopt a carbon tax to address global warming, in 1991. Yet with 0.1% of the world's population, Norway emits 0.3% of greenhouse gas emissions; if oil exports are included, the figure may be about 2%. The government is committed to making Norway carbon neutral by 2050, yet this will partly be achieved by buying carbon reductions in other countries, not reducing to zero Norway's own emissions. Finally, Norwegian arms exports – little known outside the country – are booming. Although amounting to 0.1 per cent of world arms exports, Norway's weapons sales have tripled since 2000, reaching £336m worth in 2007. Norway has lost its ethical niche. Although it has a large aid programme and strongly supports the UN, it has otherwise joined the club of rich nations exploiting the planet for their own benefit. The leitmotif in its unethical policies is the failure to summon up the courage to regulate corporations, whether in oil, arms or finance. Unless governments do this, hopes of an ethical foreign policy will remain a mirage.
12 :
Norway is the world’s fifth largest oil exporter. It has a population of about 4.8 million making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe. Do the math. less than five million people enjoying one fifth of the world's oil wealth. In essence, Norway is the Kuwait of Europe. Massive oil and gas reserves is the cause of high living standard in Norway, not Socialism. You realize that in Kuwait, no Kuwaiti actually works, right? They have so much wealth that all menial jobs are performed by immigrants. You pull into a gas station in Kuwait and the gasoline is free. But all these two examples prove is that tiny countries with a lot of petroleum to sell can get by quite nicely on the labor of everyone else. What would become of their society if some alternative form of energy makes petroleum obsolete? All your example really illustrates is that any Socialist government must have other Capitalist Governments to sponge off or they would be unsustainable. The Problem with Greece is that they have too many people receiving benefits and too few generating the revenue to fund them. This isn't rocket science. Socialism is nothing more than a system of rationing existing wealth until it is exhausted. In Norway, they have an enormous amount of wealth and a tiny population. In Greece they have long since squandered all of their wealth and have borrowed all anyone is willing to lend them. That is my point. Greece has no more wealth to redistribute. Enter the hard times Socialism always results in. *
13 :
So what do we need to do, import leftist from Norway and Australia? You led us to to the levy now why don't you go all the way and tell us how would this work in the US. I'd love to compare the expenditures to entitlements, which were created by liberals and are all now failing which is causing the economic problems were enjoying today. Norway I'm sure does not have 30 million undocumented people in there country who are not fully invested into the system, the un-invested money is sent back to Mexico as the countries 2nd largest import. Norway basically isolates itself from the rest of the world. They voted against joining the European Union and is almost self reliant on energy. The latest liberal tactic is alive in Greece as well. Blame the previous admin. Did they blame Bush too? Yes communism works at first, but its a breeding ground for corruption and exploitation. Its also great for people who need to be told what to do and don't have to think. If socialism is the cats meow, why is anything that is socialized in this country just short of a complete failure. As I said earlier. It always starts out as a good idea but fails under its own weight. Immigration is socialized and look at that debacle. There are more aliens in this country then the population of many European countries. You can't really judge a countries success until you actually live there. I wonder if you have any stories of a poor immigrant going to Norway and becoming Bill Gates??
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Why do Americans think they live in the best country on earth
Why do Americans think they live in the best country on earth?
Here's the UN ranking of the countries that have the highest quality of life (HDI): 1. Iceland 2. Norway 3. Canada 4. Australia 5. Ireland 6. Netherlands 7. Sweden 8. Japan 9. Luxembourg 10. Switzerland 11. France 12. Finland 13. Denmark 14. Austria 15. United States Notice that 8 out of top 10 are socialist democracies. This leads me to wonder why conservatives so often denounce the "socialist" policies of European countries. They seem to be working.... http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/
Politics - 22 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
lol 80% of Americans don't have a passport all they do is rely on hearsay By the way that info is from 2006 Iceland is fucked now, bankrupt
2 :
Didnt Iceland go bankrupt?
3 :
The "un"? LMMFAO Which country is the "un" headquarters in? Oh yeah, that's right! The USA! Funny it's not in iceland!
4 :
"Notice that 8 out of top 10 are socialist democracies. This leads me to wonder why conservatives so often denounce the "socialist" policies of European countries. They seem to be working...." They are only working because us Capitalists are investing in their economy by importing their products. Without our mass buying power buying up their exports they would be in the bottom 15. The only reason these socialist countries in Europe are doing well is because WE AMERICANS keep their economy alive. Today's global economic melt down is a perfect example. European socialist countries have been hit much worse than Americans because less people want to buy their shit. Sorry bud. America is the greatest country in the world. We have the greatest economic opportunities, greatest educational opportunities, and the highest quality medical care ( though as expensive as it is, because of corruption and a fucked up health care system ) America still has the highest request for visas and green cards in the world by FAR, and a lot of that comes from many of those European countries you listed.
5 :
We live in a nation that offers the most mobility -- and citing UN rankings doesn't do anything for me...they get a hard-on at the mention of socialism, unicorns and rainbows. Yet the cower when they hear the word genocide...turn a blind eye... Noble group...
6 :
Who would realistically want to live in Iceland?
7 :
I would highly question that poll. Since "Quality of Life" is totally subjective, it would be very hard to make an unbiased study as the one that you posted. Where are the controls? The Nazi's were a type of socialist democracy at first. As some redneck once said "Love it or leave it", if you think the other countries are so great....bon voyage!
8 :
American politicians know that their subjects are sheep. Tell the big lie often enough, and they believe it.
9 :
Iceland is cold as heck. So is norway. Wait, Canada too. Australia is way too far from civilization. Why would anyone want to live in those places? therefore United States is the best
10 :
We don't think we live in the best country, we know we live in the best country on earth.
11 :
Let's trust the UN on how they judge "quality of life." I have a very real chance of succeeding, of becoming rich in the US. This is what I deem "quality of life."
12 :
First of all the UN is a bunch of criminals, so if that is your base for info Oh well.... go travel in some of those countries, and make up your own mind...US is the best in my opinion and have been in 4 of the above countries...Japan (Expensive, Octopus icecream) France (hairy women, obnoxious sissy men), Ireland (ALOT OF FUN!) Canada (Cold USA ,Ya)
13 :
Of course the US is nowhere near the best nation on earth. They have massive domestic issues that need fixing, but choose to spend all their money on military. I wonder why Iceland is #1 though....
14 :
I've got the best family and friends a man could ask for, cold beer, a good job, I own my pickup, and a safe full of rifles and handguns. I have the most advanced military on the planet, crewed by the finest soldiers protecting these things. What more could a man ask for, sounds like the best county on earth to me.
15 :
because everyone comes here.
16 :
yOUR A COMPLETE MORON !, WHO CARES WHAT THE un thinks. if it wasn't for America they wouldn't exist.
17 :
I did not feel that way for the last 8 Bush years...felt to me like Hitler had risen again. But now that we have a legitimate President and the fascists are out of power here COMPLETELY...I am once again feeling like I live in the best country in the world. Lots of reasons...Almost Perfect blend of Socialism and Capitalism, except when the free market fantasy fascists are in control trying to do away with Social programs that work but they just don't like. TOTAL freedom of/freedom from religion....I can put up a statue of jesus and allah dog humping each other on my front lawn...and the only thing that will happen is my christian neighbor would be annoyed, but still could not stop me legally. There are more reasons of course...but I am tired so those will do. :-)
18 :
Well we don't as a group rate the U.N. very high either. You would be hard pressed to find anything the U.N. puts out that is favorable to the U.S.A.. A good many of Americans feel there is no good reason to continue to participate in the U.N. anymore, it places high points on countries that are socialist for no other reason than that and rewards countries who have horrible human rights records. In short it is a joke here in America.
19 :
they're are many great things about america and there are lots of shitty things about america too. but if i had to live anywhere else i would probably move to norway, canada or the netherlands.
20 :
Check out the tax rates on some of those countries. Norweigans are forced to pay half their salary to the government. I believe we are the most empathetic country in the massive amounts of money and aid we donate to needy countries. No other country comes close. The Bush Administration provided more dollars to help AIDS and Malaria patients in Africa than any of the previous administrations combined. American churches reach out endlessly to help others in need. We are a very charitable, giving country. But when taxes are raised to unreasonable levels, we are unable to help our brothers. Obama already is trying to reduce the amount we can itemize on charitable deductions. That's cruel to those in need.
21 :
Why do the English have bad teeth?
22 :
Why does it have always have to be either or? I know, I'm generalizing here, but it seems like it's either "US is the best, only free, democratic country in the world - oh, and by the way, the world wouldn't actually exists if it weren't for the US" or "Europe, Canada, Australia does everything much better than the US, health care, quality of life, culture". Why not look objectively at the individual countries, they all have pros and cons and isn't it much better to learn from each other, so that we can improve and better our countries and quality of life, than being stuck in the same old rut, pointing fingers at each other?
Here's the UN ranking of the countries that have the highest quality of life (HDI): 1. Iceland 2. Norway 3. Canada 4. Australia 5. Ireland 6. Netherlands 7. Sweden 8. Japan 9. Luxembourg 10. Switzerland 11. France 12. Finland 13. Denmark 14. Austria 15. United States Notice that 8 out of top 10 are socialist democracies. This leads me to wonder why conservatives so often denounce the "socialist" policies of European countries. They seem to be working.... http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/
Politics - 22 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
lol 80% of Americans don't have a passport all they do is rely on hearsay By the way that info is from 2006 Iceland is fucked now, bankrupt
2 :
Didnt Iceland go bankrupt?
3 :
The "un"? LMMFAO Which country is the "un" headquarters in? Oh yeah, that's right! The USA! Funny it's not in iceland!
4 :
"Notice that 8 out of top 10 are socialist democracies. This leads me to wonder why conservatives so often denounce the "socialist" policies of European countries. They seem to be working...." They are only working because us Capitalists are investing in their economy by importing their products. Without our mass buying power buying up their exports they would be in the bottom 15. The only reason these socialist countries in Europe are doing well is because WE AMERICANS keep their economy alive. Today's global economic melt down is a perfect example. European socialist countries have been hit much worse than Americans because less people want to buy their shit. Sorry bud. America is the greatest country in the world. We have the greatest economic opportunities, greatest educational opportunities, and the highest quality medical care ( though as expensive as it is, because of corruption and a fucked up health care system ) America still has the highest request for visas and green cards in the world by FAR, and a lot of that comes from many of those European countries you listed.
5 :
We live in a nation that offers the most mobility -- and citing UN rankings doesn't do anything for me...they get a hard-on at the mention of socialism, unicorns and rainbows. Yet the cower when they hear the word genocide...turn a blind eye... Noble group...
6 :
Who would realistically want to live in Iceland?
7 :
I would highly question that poll. Since "Quality of Life" is totally subjective, it would be very hard to make an unbiased study as the one that you posted. Where are the controls? The Nazi's were a type of socialist democracy at first. As some redneck once said "Love it or leave it", if you think the other countries are so great....bon voyage!
8 :
American politicians know that their subjects are sheep. Tell the big lie often enough, and they believe it.
9 :
Iceland is cold as heck. So is norway. Wait, Canada too. Australia is way too far from civilization. Why would anyone want to live in those places? therefore United States is the best
10 :
We don't think we live in the best country, we know we live in the best country on earth.
11 :
Let's trust the UN on how they judge "quality of life." I have a very real chance of succeeding, of becoming rich in the US. This is what I deem "quality of life."
12 :
First of all the UN is a bunch of criminals, so if that is your base for info Oh well.... go travel in some of those countries, and make up your own mind...US is the best in my opinion and have been in 4 of the above countries...Japan (Expensive, Octopus icecream) France (hairy women, obnoxious sissy men), Ireland (ALOT OF FUN!) Canada (Cold USA ,Ya)
13 :
Of course the US is nowhere near the best nation on earth. They have massive domestic issues that need fixing, but choose to spend all their money on military. I wonder why Iceland is #1 though....
14 :
I've got the best family and friends a man could ask for, cold beer, a good job, I own my pickup, and a safe full of rifles and handguns. I have the most advanced military on the planet, crewed by the finest soldiers protecting these things. What more could a man ask for, sounds like the best county on earth to me.
15 :
because everyone comes here.
16 :
yOUR A COMPLETE MORON !, WHO CARES WHAT THE un thinks. if it wasn't for America they wouldn't exist.
17 :
I did not feel that way for the last 8 Bush years...felt to me like Hitler had risen again. But now that we have a legitimate President and the fascists are out of power here COMPLETELY...I am once again feeling like I live in the best country in the world. Lots of reasons...Almost Perfect blend of Socialism and Capitalism, except when the free market fantasy fascists are in control trying to do away with Social programs that work but they just don't like. TOTAL freedom of/freedom from religion....I can put up a statue of jesus and allah dog humping each other on my front lawn...and the only thing that will happen is my christian neighbor would be annoyed, but still could not stop me legally. There are more reasons of course...but I am tired so those will do. :-)
18 :
Well we don't as a group rate the U.N. very high either. You would be hard pressed to find anything the U.N. puts out that is favorable to the U.S.A.. A good many of Americans feel there is no good reason to continue to participate in the U.N. anymore, it places high points on countries that are socialist for no other reason than that and rewards countries who have horrible human rights records. In short it is a joke here in America.
19 :
they're are many great things about america and there are lots of shitty things about america too. but if i had to live anywhere else i would probably move to norway, canada or the netherlands.
20 :
Check out the tax rates on some of those countries. Norweigans are forced to pay half their salary to the government. I believe we are the most empathetic country in the massive amounts of money and aid we donate to needy countries. No other country comes close. The Bush Administration provided more dollars to help AIDS and Malaria patients in Africa than any of the previous administrations combined. American churches reach out endlessly to help others in need. We are a very charitable, giving country. But when taxes are raised to unreasonable levels, we are unable to help our brothers. Obama already is trying to reduce the amount we can itemize on charitable deductions. That's cruel to those in need.
21 :
Why do the English have bad teeth?
22 :
Why does it have always have to be either or? I know, I'm generalizing here, but it seems like it's either "US is the best, only free, democratic country in the world - oh, and by the way, the world wouldn't actually exists if it weren't for the US" or "Europe, Canada, Australia does everything much better than the US, health care, quality of life, culture". Why not look objectively at the individual countries, they all have pros and cons and isn't it much better to learn from each other, so that we can improve and better our countries and quality of life, than being stuck in the same old rut, pointing fingers at each other?
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