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Except for the snow, I suspect that is true. Everything I have ever seen or read about it tends to indicate that as a society, Norway has a knack for civilized living.
Propaganda, pure and simple. We are constantly told that we are the best country in the world, despite having the largest prison population in the history of the world, shorting every social need from education to health care to road repair to food to feed a bloated military-industrial cabal, and treating our own citizens as if they were so much trash. And of course, treating the rest of the world as if they were less than trash.
[3 points]2 years ago by dauguyReplyEdited 2 years ago by dauguy
Unfortunately, unless many things change, that period is behind us. Just looking at where we rank world-wide in education points to a less than stellar future. Instead of gloating about the past achievements and resting on our laurels, we need to redefine our priorities, and take our place as an equal team player in the world, instead of an imperial global dominator. Let's start by shaving off a large chunk of that ridiculous military budget. 58ยข of every tax dollar?! c'mon! That's just obcene! .. and that's only the 'official' military budget.
[3 points]2 years ago by weskosReplyEdited 2 years ago by weskos
This comment has been moderated down. (Show Comment)
Your 58% number doesn't tell the whole score. Here are some more facts that might help you understand why things are the way they are.
Defense Spending Remains Below Historical Levels Despite the War on Terror. Example; 9.2% of GDP in 1962 vs, 4.7% today.
Federal Spending Grew Nearly Seven Times Faster Than Median Income from 1970 to 2007.
Federal Spending Has Increased Steadily Regardless of Congressional Leadership.
2009 Had the Second-Highest Number of Earmarks in History Despite Change in Congressional Leadership. 2005 is the only higher year.
Mandatory Spending Has Increased Five Times Faster Than Discretionary Spending.
In 2008, publicly held debt issued in the form of treasury securities; unlike government-held debt that is issued from one part of the U.S. government to another. as a percentage of the economy (GDP or Gross domestic product is the total value of goods and services produced in the United States.) was 40.8 percent, nearly five points below the historical average. Under President Obama's budget, this figure would more than double to 81.7 percent by 2019, and interest payments alone on this debt would be $100 billion more than Obama projects to spend on the entire Department of Defense.
[-1 points]2 years ago by JWBrothersReplyEdited 2 years ago by JWBrothers
Although understanding why things are this way may help to change the situation, it doesn't reduce the current obscenity. Military spending is still ridiculous in this country and needs to be reduced.
The tangled economic details you describe just confirm the sad state of affairs the country is in, at least financially. Educational and social issues are a whole other kettle of fish.
No, it doesn't. While I agree that our military spending is too high, it's like buying a bigger house we can't really afford, then going on a buying binge at Barrett-Jackson because our old Caddy wouldn't start 1/4 of the time. I think that the $5 million we spent on custom cars is a more pressing problem than the $500 thousand we spent on the house.
Look, Joyce, when a village in India without even electricity can afford to send EVERY SINGLE CHILD through college, we can afford a lot more. It is just a matter of where we decide to put the money, In this country, it goes into a few pockets of super-wealthy families, to the detriment of the rest of us. Just like in feudal times. And until the majority of people in this country get that that is the problem, and that those people command the military might of this country and will happily turn it against American citizens to protect their obscene, Congress-engineered theft, it will stay that way.
If I thought you were right about the distribution of money, I would accept your conclusion. But I know that the money follows the practice of capitalism, not greed.
The biggest problem I have with Norway is that it has to have a state supported church. So much for separation of church and state. What are you doing about it ?
We discussed the separation of church and state about a year ago and ended up with nothing being done. So for the moment, what we're doing is awaiting the next opportunity I suppose. Our atheist organization was a big disappointment, so I hope they're taking the time to come up with a new media strategy.
I answered "undecided." Winter, man. We've got a foot of snow on the ground and more on the way. I'm sure the Norwegians are better at dealing with it, but ... couldn't we move Norway a touch further south?
[2 points]2 years ago by sillynillyReplyEdited 2 years ago by sillynilly
I had a friend from Denmark. I asked her what would happen if she got sick over here, would her government health care cover her? She said they would pay to fly her home and treat her in Denmark because American health care was outrageously expensive and not very good, either. That was back in the early 1990s.
And Danish is the closest living language to English.
Great example of American ignorance in action. There's no room for improvement in these United States and if you can find and cite specific, working examples of improvements that could be made here based on what other countries have found, then you should just shut up, eh?
Your attitude, and that same attitude being held by too many brainwashed Republicans, is why the United States is slipping behind. And you're too dumb to know it.
[4 points]2 years ago by sillynillyReplyEdited 2 years ago by sillynilly
The "liberal/conservative" rhetoric just adds to the problem and distracts us from moving forward with important issues. Get out of that old rut, and maybe we'll get some work done.
I know my constitution, and a few others fairly well. And NO, we won't talk about anything. You have nothing of value to offer, in an internet forum, and most probably in real life.
The shame is in your being a troll, as I was warned by people on here. How is it I would ever take your advice on what to do or not to do, about anything, much less on commenting?
Wow. Your irrationality really throws off a stink! And your paranoia is feverish! How about this, I'm the liberal monster that was under your bed when you were a kid, and I've come back to gitcha... through comments.
Get over yourself and your comfortable prefab talking point notions.
As a linguist I have to disagree. The closest living language to English is Frisian, and after that Dutch. Danish and Norwegian are on a slightly different branch of the tree, but still quite close. :)
If I spoke Norwegian and liked cold weather I might agree it's a better place to live, but since I don't speak Norwegian and don't like cold weather, for me the USA is a better place to live.
I guess you haven't been to Norway in the summer. It's very hot, not what one would expect of a country so north. Admittedly, it's snowy-cold in the winter.
United Kingdom
Except for the snow, I suspect that is true. Everything I have ever seen or read about it tends to indicate that as a society, Norway has a knack for civilized living.
Heh, everyone who disagrees lives in the US. Why do you think your country is better?
Propaganda, pure and simple. We are constantly told that we are the best country in the world, despite having the largest prison population in the history of the world, shorting every social need from education to health care to road repair to food to feed a bloated military-industrial cabal, and treating our own citizens as if they were so much trash. And of course, treating the rest of the world as if they were less than trash.
I think you should get some sort of prize for that answer! +
What he said! :)
This comment was deleted.
[-5 points] 2 years ago by deleted user ReplyUnfortunately, unless many things change, that period is behind us. Just looking at where we rank world-wide in education points to a less than stellar future. Instead of gloating about the past achievements and resting on our laurels, we need to redefine our priorities, and take our place as an equal team player in the world, instead of an imperial global dominator. Let's start by shaving off a large chunk of that ridiculous military budget. 58ยข of every tax dollar?! c'mon! That's just obcene! .. and that's only the 'official' military budget.
This comment has been moderated down. (Show Comment)
Your 58% number doesn't tell the whole score. Here are some more facts that might help you understand why things are the way they are.
Defense Spending Remains Below Historical Levels Despite the War on Terror. Example; 9.2% of GDP in 1962 vs, 4.7% today.
Federal Spending Grew Nearly Seven Times Faster Than Median Income from 1970 to 2007.
Federal Spending Has Increased Steadily Regardless of Congressional Leadership.
2009 Had the Second-Highest Number of Earmarks in History Despite Change in Congressional Leadership. 2005 is the only higher year.
Mandatory Spending Has Increased Five Times Faster Than Discretionary Spending.
In 2008, publicly held debt issued in the form of treasury securities; unlike government-held debt that is issued from one part of the U.S. government to another. as a percentage of the economy (GDP or Gross domestic product is the total value of goods and services produced in the United States.) was 40.8 percent, nearly five points below the historical average. Under President Obama's budget, this figure would more than double to 81.7 percent by 2019, and interest payments alone on this debt would be $100 billion more than Obama projects to spend on the entire Department of Defense.
Although understanding why things are this way may help to change the situation, it doesn't reduce the current obscenity. Military spending is still ridiculous in this country and needs to be reduced.
The tangled economic details you describe just confirm the sad state of affairs the country is in, at least financially. Educational and social issues are a whole other kettle of fish.
RE: it doesn't reduce the current obscenity...
No, it doesn't. While I agree that our military spending is too high, it's like buying a bigger house we can't really afford, then going on a buying binge at Barrett-Jackson because our old Caddy wouldn't start 1/4 of the time. I think that the $5 million we spent on custom cars is a more pressing problem than the $500 thousand we spent on the house.
Look, Joyce, when a village in India without even electricity can afford to send EVERY SINGLE CHILD through college, we can afford a lot more. It is just a matter of where we decide to put the money, In this country, it goes into a few pockets of super-wealthy families, to the detriment of the rest of us. Just like in feudal times. And until the majority of people in this country get that that is the problem, and that those people command the military might of this country and will happily turn it against American citizens to protect their obscene, Congress-engineered theft, it will stay that way.
This comment was deleted.
[-5 points] 2 years ago by deleted user ReplyIf I thought you were right about the distribution of money, I would accept your conclusion. But I know that the money follows the practice of capitalism, not greed.
Wrong again.
In 2004, the top 10% of the country owned 72% of the wealth.
And we have seen repeatedly in just our lifetimes that the troops will be sent out to quell the poor.
He's a troll, there is point in answering him. He really doesn't care what you have to say and only sees it as an excuse to be rude and mean.
Also look out for Trublu, tezz, Jonmarc, MarcJon...
This comment was deleted.
[-5 points] 2 years ago by deleted user ReplyI'm not British. I thnk you mean a "really dumb, Irish statement..." Pay attention, please!
This comment was deleted.
[-6 points] 2 years ago by deleted user ReplyNo, there's actually a world of difference.
So he is a troll. How sad.
It's winter here. People were probably thinking about the cold. (lol)
And if you'll notice - it wasn't "everyone" AND there's a difference between "as good as" and "better."
Perhaps they weren't thinking the US was "a better place to live than Norway" BUT "the USA is just as good a place to live as Norway."
EXCEPT, however, in winter. (lol)
I would prefer somewhere like Hawaii to Norway right now myself.
oooooh yes. Wouldn't warm toes stuck in sand at this moment be such a delightful sensation?
Not if it's quicksand.
Good thing most sand is the slow kind.
The biggest problem I have with Norway is that it has to have a state supported church. So much for separation of church and state. What are you doing about it ?
We discussed the separation of church and state about a year ago and ended up with nothing being done. So for the moment, what we're doing is awaiting the next opportunity I suppose. Our atheist organization was a big disappointment, so I hope they're taking the time to come up with a new media strategy.
I answered "undecided." Winter, man. We've got a foot of snow on the ground and more on the way. I'm sure the Norwegians are better at dealing with it, but ... couldn't we move Norway a touch further south?
Or you can just move to Denmark.
I had a friend from Denmark. I asked her what would happen if she got sick over here, would her government health care cover her? She said they would pay to fly her home and treat her in Denmark because American health care was outrageously expensive and not very good, either. That was back in the early 1990s.
And Danish is the closest living language to English.
This comment was deleted.
[-5 points] 2 years ago by deleted user ReplyGreat example of American ignorance in action. There's no room for improvement in these United States and if you can find and cite specific, working examples of improvements that could be made here based on what other countries have found, then you should just shut up, eh?
Your attitude, and that same attitude being held by too many brainwashed Republicans, is why the United States is slipping behind. And you're too dumb to know it.
This comment was deleted.
[-8 points] 2 years ago by deleted user ReplyThe "liberal/conservative" rhetoric just adds to the problem and distracts us from moving forward with important issues. Get out of that old rut, and maybe we'll get some work done.
This comment was deleted.
[-6 points] 2 years ago by deleted user ReplyI know my constitution, and a few others fairly well. And NO, we won't talk about anything. You have nothing of value to offer, in an internet forum, and most probably in real life.
This comment was deleted.
[-6 points] 2 years ago by deleted user ReplyThe shame is in your being a troll, as I was warned by people on here. How is it I would ever take your advice on what to do or not to do, about anything, much less on commenting?
This comment was deleted.
[-6 points] 2 years ago by deleted user ReplyOh he's new. New-new. We go back.
Wow. Your irrationality really throws off a stink! And your paranoia is feverish! How about this, I'm the liberal monster that was under your bed when you were a kid, and I've come back to gitcha... through comments.
Get over yourself and your comfortable prefab talking point notions.
This comment was deleted.
[-6 points] 2 years ago by deleted user Replytezz is another JonMarc clone.
This comment was deleted.
[-6 points] 2 years ago by deleted user ReplyAs a linguist I have to disagree. The closest living language to English is Frisian, and after that Dutch. Danish and Norwegian are on a slightly different branch of the tree, but still quite close. :)
Thanks for the info.
If I spoke Norwegian and liked cold weather I might agree it's a better place to live, but since I don't speak Norwegian and don't like cold weather, for me the USA is a better place to live.
I guess you haven't been to Norway in the summer. It's very hot, not what one would expect of a country so north. Admittedly, it's snowy-cold in the winter.
Plus it helps to speak Norwegian, right?
Uh-huh.
The biggest problem I have with Norway is that it has to have a state supported church. So much for separation of church and state.
Agreed.
Look how hard we have to fight for it here. It's a fight against ignorance. A never ending, human battle.
I agree there. Hopefully they can change that. I would love to retire in Norway.
This comment was deleted.
[4 points] 2 years ago by deleted user ReplyThis comment was deleted.
[-6 points] 2 years ago by deleted user Reply