[NeedKarma]

What was the happiness quotient in the former Soviet Union and East Germany?

I suggest some basic education on the differences between capitalism, socialism and communism.

[speechlesstx]

The Happiest (And Saddest) Countries In The World - Forbes

The slide show is what you want, and its interesting the level of unionation in the top countries. 50 to 88%.

Uh huh...

Though the good people at the Legatum Group (founded by New Zealand billionaire Christopher Chandler) are certainly making a good faith effort toward figuring out the key traits of successful societies, there are some areas where their data is unreliable.

Many of the inputs for the Index come from surveys of citizens in the countries. This is problematic because opinion polls are inherently subjective, and because of cultural and educational differences people in different countries may have starkly varying takes on the same circumstance.

For instance, one of the inputs for Legatum’s economic prosperity measure reflects whether citizens of a country “have confidence in financial institutions.” Last year only 48% of Americans reported being confident in financial institutions, versus 61% worldwide. It cannot be the case that America’s banks are less secure than the global average. And it’s silly to rely on subjective opinion for such a thing when there’s plentiful objective data on bank health (see Forbes Rankings of America’s Best and Worst Banks.)

Anyway, which of those that top the list are socialist countries with centrally planned economy and price controls such as Venezuela? That's the question.

[speechlesstx]

I suggest some basic education on the differences between capitalism, socialism and communism.

Excuse me, but all those countries I mentioned have laid claim to being socialist countries. Look it up genius.

[NeedKarma]

Communism - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Socialism, like all the -ism, is a sliding scale. The USA is partly socialist but Sweden is more. The USSR and East Germany were aiming for communism.

[speechlesstx]

Sweden has a capitalist economy, they don't control the price of toilet paper do they?

[NeedKarma]

I really don't care what they do with their toilet paper, these things don't concern me.

When you want to bash Sweden and its tax burden and social programs you'll say it's a socialist country but when there's proof that it's doing well you'll say it's a capitalist economy. Odd that.

[talaniman]

Uh huh...



Anyway, which of those that top the list are socialist countries with centrally planned economy and price controls such as Venezuela? That's the question.

I don't know about the labels you are trying to use but most countries in the world have a centrally planned economy, and some measure of price control mechanisms. That include China, Russia and the US. I think the difference you want is how they choose their government, and how much power the electorate really has in shaping the policy of government.

A closer examination on who the ruling class is would be a better marker than political labels. I mean you can call yourself anything and most dictators do. Be it one guy or by closed committee.

You have to admit the right wing noise machine in the US is a downer for happiness, and your hero Ted Cruz is the god of downer. His fellow repubs don't even like him. Hell his fellow Texas senator wishes he would shut the hell up. But you TParty types love holler, scream, gloom and doom.

[speechlesstx]

I really don't care what they do with their toilet paper, these things don't concern me.

When you want to bash Sweden and its tax burden and social programs you'll say it's a socialist country but when there's proof that it's doing well you'll say it's a capitalist economy. Odd that.

Whatever dude, once again when you're idiocy is pointed out you deflect, try and walk it back and eventually attack with manufactured BS and insults. Grow up. In fact, AMHD needs to grow up and realize what a blight you are these discussions. Maybe I'll get my post deleted again for pointing out the hard truth about you.

[smoothy]

Harry Reid keeps climbing up on his soapbox... ranting like someone with severe dementia... and the left chears him on...

[speechlesstx]

I don't know about the labels you are trying to use but most countries in the world have a centrally planned economy, and some measure of price control mechanisms. That include China, Russia and the US. I think the difference you want is how they choose their government, and how much power the electorate really has in shaping the policy of government.

A closer examination on who the ruling class is would be a better marker than political labels. I mean you can call yourself anything and most dictators do. Be it one guy or by closed committee.

You have to admit the right wing noise machine in the US is a downer for happiness, and your hero Ted Cruz is the god of downer. His fellow repubs don't even like him. Hell his fellow Texas senator wishes he would shut the hell up. But you TParty types love holler, scream, gloom and doom.

Here's the plain question all of you want to avoid. How's it working out in Venezuela if they have to send troops in because the people can't buy toilet paper?

[NeedKarma]

Whatever dude, once again when you're idiocy is pointed out you deflect, try and walk it back and eventually attack with manufactured BS and insults. Grow up. In fact, AMHD needs to grow up and realize what a blight you are these discussions. Maybe I'll get my post deleted again for pointing out the hard truth about you.

Wow, you have issues. Typical christian.

[speechlesstx]

Wow, you have issues. Typical christian.

And there again, another insult. There is nothing un-Christian about pointing out the truth. Jesus did not command us to be doormats, he called out the hypocrites on a regular basis.

[NeedKarma]

I call you out. It's fun and not religion oriented. I use facts, but then you get personally insulted. This is a recurring theme. Xenu bless you.

[speechlesstx]

Dude, they have a pill for your type of mental illness.

[speechlesstx]

And the zero tolerance nonsense continues...

Virginia Beach City Public School System has given long-term suspensions to two students for playing with an airsoft gun - in their own front yard. The boys "were recommended to be expelled for a year for "possession, handling and use of a firearm." They were ratted out by a neighbor in a 911 call.

A neighbor saw Khalid shooting the airsoft gun in his front yard. She told the dispatcher, "He is pointing the gun, and it looks like there's a target in a tree in his front yard".

WAVY.com located the 911 caller and spoke to her. She confirmed Khalid was taking target practice using a zombie hunter airsoft gun to kill the zombies. There was also a net behind the target to catch the plastic pellets.

What the heck is a public school doing disciplining students doing nothing wrong before school on their own property?

[cdad]

And the zero tolerance nonsense continues...

Virginia Beach City Public School System has given long-term suspensions to two students for playing with an airsoft gun - in their own front yard. The boys "were recommended to be expelled for a year for "possession, handling and use of a firearm." They were ratted out by a neighbor in a 911 call.



What the heck is a public school doing disciplining students doing nothing wrong before school on their own property?

That is so far off the hook its sureal. It had nothing to do with the school yet they want to play daddy nanny state. Idiots!!

[speechlesstx]

That is so far off the hook its sureal. It had nothing to do with the school yet they want to play daddy nanny state. Idiots !!!!!

And put a big mark on their school record. That's the way to encourage our youth to be successful, screw 'em over for having a little fun at home.

[talaniman]

I will go further, its plain stupid to victimize kids this way.

[speechlesstx]

I will go further, its plain stupid to victimize kids this way.

That rarity of rarities, we agree. :)

[smoothy]

That is so far off the hook its sureal. It had nothing to do with the school yet they want to play daddy nanny state. Idiots !!!!!

I see a couple kids that are going to have their entire college program paid in full.