April Economics, Politics, Religion, and Healthcare Thread

[salmoneous]

Originally Posted by carolina_yankee

I'm thinking of things that have changed in my life time (I'm 47) that would could be argued by some political perspectives to be examples of government over-reach and nanny-state:

Good grief. If that's the list, then by gosh we have it good, don't we? We live in an era of extraordinary personal liberty and opportunity. Perhaps unprecedented in human history.

[carolina_yankee]

Originally Posted by salmoneous

Good grief. If that's the list, then by gosh we have it good, don't we? We live in an era of extraordinary personal liberty and opportunity. Perhaps unprecedented in human history.

One would think! I'm definitely enjoying my smoke-free life, but I have a friend who's convinced he's living in a Stalinist state.

Dirk

[OttawaWendy]

Originally Posted by Eric

The law was passed in 2006. If there were Tea Partiers involved, they used a time machine to do it.

Oh good. Because what I've really felt has been missing from this thread is science-fiction. (Note to Dirk or whomever starts the May version of the thread - include sci-fi).

[Deirdre]

Originally Posted by salmoneous

Another neighborhood protected by Smith & Wesson

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/new-h...ighbors/nMd7C/

That is just a case of stupidity. Those are probably the same people that shouldn't be allowed to drive (road rage) .

Originally Posted by OttawaWendy

Oh good. Because what I've really felt has been missing from this thread is science-fiction. (Note to Dirk or whomever starts the May version of the thread - include sci-fi).

42

[henrycpa91]

Guys, first let me apologize for my "hit and run" posting the past several weeks. I am somewhat behind and swamped and looks like I have 3-4 more weeks of this. So, I promise I am not ignoring your truly well presented rebuttals...but life has happened...

Dirk, I know you love the Dutch system so thought this article may interest you:
http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/...ands.Politics/

[Eric]

Originally Posted by Deirdre

42

I bought the entire HHGTTG from Amazon a while back.

It's not nearly as funny as I remember it being.

[salmoneous]

Originally Posted by Eric

It's not nearly as funny as I remember it being.

Perhaps you aren't in the same chemically altered state of mind as you were the first time

For what it's worth, I've never found Doug Adams/Terry Pratchett/etc. funny.

[OttawaWendy]

Originally Posted by salmoneous

Perhaps you aren't in the same chemically altered state of mind as you were the first time

For what it's worth, I've never found Doug Adams/Terry Pratchett/etc. funny.

Me neither. I read it, and am glad I did, if for no other reason that because otherwise I would never get all the references to 42 everywhere in popular culture.

One who writes in that style and who I do find hilariously funny is Jaspar Fforde. A good read from your local library. Start at the beginning of the series because it will be too insane if you don't build up with him.

[carolina_yankee]

Originally Posted by henrycpa91

Guys, first let me apologize for my "hit and run" posting the past several weeks. I am somewhat behind and swamped and looks like I have 3-4 more weeks of this. So, I promise I am not ignoring your truly well presented rebuttals...but life has happened...

Dirk, I know you love the Dutch system so thought this article may interest you:
http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/...ands.Politics/

Actually, it's Scandanavian, more specifically Sweden. Dutch is more Europe, but I do take the point.

The bottom line for me is that social democracy can work if people are committed to it and willing to pay for it. A more American style can work as long as we don't leave the truly needy behind and are intent on insuring an education and economic system that allows EVERYONE the opportunity to get ahead. If people don't have the opportunity to get ahead, then our system becomes very brutal very quickly.

In the US, there are <at least> two competing views and I reject that either is more "American" than the other. To me, the only thing that is American is one person, one vote and the first amendment. Even the idea of one person, one vote wasn't original to the Constitution, so an evolving country as logical, sensible, and necessary.

Cultural aspects that I think are uniquely American is the theoretical dismissal of rigid class distinctions and one's social/economic/ethnic standing determining one's place in society. although, let's be honest - the haves are quite happy to have class distinctions and be snobs in many instances.

America is, and probably always has been, more of a vision or ideal that everyone projects their personal biases on rather than anything locked in stone.

ETA: Jamie, did you notice that the issue is over a budget deficit of 4.7% of Dutch GDP? The European Union has a limit of 3% of GDP for deficits. The US deficit this year is around 9% GDP. Tell me again why you don't like the European system? They seem to be trying keep debt lower than we are . . . (Sweden has a budget surplus.)

Dirk

[carolina_yankee]

Originally Posted by Eric

I bought the entire HHGTTG from Amazon a while back.

It's not nearly as funny as I remember it being.

Forget all that. The real question is Davaid Tennant or Matt Smith as The Doctor? I say David Tennant.

Dirk