National Geographic: Per Capita Healthcare Cost Across The Developed World
Correlated To Longevity
Hello James,
Although a native-born American citizen, I graduated the
University of Toronto and know from experience that Canada embodies better
civilization than what we call "civilization" here in the United States. http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2009/02/06/worthwhile-canadian-initiative.html
As for "sociological experiments," I think America will
either undertake a successful experiment in government-supervised universal
healthcare, or, we will become a radically bifurcated plutocracy that is "democratic" in name only.
Concerning your daughter's experience with the Swedish exchange
student...
Once we leave the domain of misleading anecdote and embrace statistical truth (which,
like it or not, is the foundation of scientific truth) we find that the average
Swede uses one third less energy than the average American even though Sweden has a very cold climate with corresponding need for generated heat. http://en.wikipedia.org/
I know a fellow who grew up in Joe Biden's neighborhood and for
years served on Biden's senatorial staff. A decade ago, P married a
Swede and moved to Sweden where he resides in blissful contentment. He is so
happy with life in Sweden that he did not even consider an open offer to
occupy the West Wing as Biden advisor.
P tells me there is a phrase in Swedish
which means "a home for everyone" and that Swedes are delighted that
everyone has a home.
Perhaps P's most surprising observation is this: "My money
seems to go farther in Sweden." (Now that it costs $15,000.00 to purchase health insurance for a family of four, Sweden's enhanced purchasing power comes into focus.)
A related note...
While on business in Mexico, I lodged
at a hotel with a Norwegian businessman who founded and operated a successful software company. Somewhat apprehensively, I asked how he felt about
"paying all those taxes." Without hesitation, he replied, "I am
happy to pay my taxes because Sweden is able to insure that no one is destitute. Of course, this story is only anecdotal and therefore untrustworthy
in "the scientifically provable scheme of things." Nevertheless,
I was intrigued by its neat coincidence with P's account of life in Sweden.
As for productivity, Sweden and Norway are among the most
productive countries in the world.
Like prosperous Canada and Germany - who also provide topnotch universal care - neither of them is in economic extremis.
Norway leads the world in productivity, and Sweden occupies 12th place, not far behind America's third place finish. http://en.wikipedia.
More importantly, here is a world map of "Purchasing Power Parity" - http://en.wikipedia.org/
Notably, this PPP map was published in 2007.
Since that year, the net worth of "the average American"
has fallen 40%.
This collapse in America's "fortune" was occasioned - disproportionately - by the inimitable foolishness
of the Bush administration. http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2010/07/02/survey-ranks-obama-15th-best-president-bush-among-worst
On the other hand, the stock market has recovered quite remarkably under
Obama. (Apparently, American capitalists know something we don't...)
What do you think?
Is it time for Bush 2.0?
If Romney is elected, I will happily bet "even money"
that the American economy tumbles precipitously.
Be that as it may, the median Swede and the median Norwegian enjoy
a much higher standard of living than the median American.
In a democracy - as
distinct from a plutocracy - "median well-being" has existential significance as The Greatest Generation, committed to The Common Good, knew well.
As mentioned in previous correspondence, I am pleased by your spotlight on George Carlin's "The American
Dream." It is a marvelous rant by one of America's pre-eminent radical-left thinkers.
Revealingly, my most dependable conservative correspondent, G, is
a fellow who -- amidst the bilge he circulates (and
I say this in full knowledge that there are many thoughtful right-wingers) -- also
circulated Carlin's "Dream."
Just yesterday, G emailed "The Most Honest 3 Minutes On
TV?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16K6m3Ua2nw&feature=youtu.be (You may view this entire "Newsroom" episode at http://paxonbothhouses.
The fact that Sorkin's "Three Minutes" resonates with conservatives - just as Carlin's "Dream" did - tells me that "something" is "stirring in
the depths" and that "American flag wavers" now know it is
neither enough to wave the flag, nor truthful to pretend that America is still
#1. (Yes, I know... It's all that commie Muslim anti-Christ Kenyan's fault: George Bush was a great
president! Dick Cheney an even greater vice president! And Romneycare Mitt "the Right man for the job!" Thanks be to God. Amen. Allleluia.)
How has America fallen so far, so fast?
After all, The Shining City On A Hill illuminated "The Whole World" just 23
years ago.
"Inside Job" tells the tale of America's collapse, revealing the treachery and betrayal at the
heart of predatory capitalism. https://vimeo.com/27292661
It is specifically that predation which propelled
America's fall from Numero Uno.
Take time to watch the whole documentary. Do not "cut out" after the
opening "Icelandic sequence." https://vimeo.com/27292661
As for "slick," I think you're confounding the oiliness
of American financiers with Ferguson's acid analysis of what really went down.
Even if we accept the theory that "irresponsible borrowers took money they could never pay back," it is an enduring fact that
"pushers" are much more responsible than poor bastards who
get hooked on "the drug."
Seen "Breaking Bad?"
Junkies are pawns in the sophisticated games of rich, clever, ruthless scum buckets.
In any event...
Gnosh on this.
A communist country - largely reliant on central command and
control - is whooping our capitalist ass.
Fact: Highly
financialized capitalism has NO productive, job-creating mojo. None. http://madvilletimes.blogspot.com/2008/10/kevin-phillips-financialization-of.html
/// http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financialization
Giving plutocratic "job creators" more tax breaks, more
"free market" favors, and more opportunity to increase the
"sucking sound" at the top of the pyramid, is not going to restore
America.
http://paxonbothhouses.
Nor will the election of Etch-a-Sketch, who - as surely as night
follows day - will usher in a depression to make the last one look like
placental calm.
Pax on
both houses
Alan Archibald
***
On Fri, Jul 20, 2012 at 8:15 PM, jc wrote:
I just finished watching, https://vimeo.com/23086688 on Iceland, it left me wanting as
though I was watching a slick docugenda done by Michael Moore. No mention
of what Iceland was really like other than wonderland on ice. Trust, people
took home very little money, the state ran everything and provided that to
their people.
I have no desire to live in a failed sociological experiment do you?
My daughter had an exchange student live with us for a number of months from Sweden, she could not understand why I wanted her to turn off the lights….In Sweeeeeeeedem it's all free she told us.
Her dad told a different story about the Swedish Tax system.. Stay loose…Live free or the other fucker dies, J.C.
I have no desire to live in a failed sociological experiment do you?
My daughter had an exchange student live with us for a number of months from Sweden, she could not understand why I wanted her to turn off the lights….In Sweeeeeeeedem it's all free she told us.
Her dad told a different story about the Swedish Tax system.. Stay loose…Live free or the other fucker dies, J.C.
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