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Every time I would travel to Europe I often noticed how well rounded and self aware mostly aware they were of political events. Now granted this is mostly experience with central European countries but it is similar to some varying degrees.
Overall most people seem to have a solid grasp on politics and people are often well informed and logical in their political decision making. This doesn't go to say people have disagreements or arguments but more often than not we don't have the political poo slinging we see here in the states.
Anyone want to share theories of why this is?
I personally believe firstly because our media plays much the population like puppets. MSNBC and Fox have the typical right and left wing bashing.
Secondly I think religious extremism plays the right wing more often to go out of line and make over the top statements. With religion not being widely practiced in Europe as it is in the USA we often have people thinking more logically and individually than hive minded through theological thoughts.
Another reason could be because of the fact European countries, Germany especially, have multiple popular political parties, forcing the population to become more agreeable rather than forcing to take one extreme side over another.
Overall I feel as though this is because of the lack of an extreme right wing in Europe. When I see rabble rousing in the states it is more often than not incited by extreme right wing groups making a very large deal or forcing issues down everyone's throats.
Anyone else care to share ideas?
You just find comfort in being around other atheistic, socialists, who agree with your personal ideologies, it does not make them smarter just because they seem more agreeable to you.
Over 40,000 citizens in the USA die every year because of lack of health care cover.
Americans are feeling the pinch of high health care costs, more than any other nation in the world.
A huge reason why is simply that America lets providers set prices.
Other countries negotiate very aggressively with the providers and set rates that are much lower than we do. They do this in one of two ways. In countries such as Canada and Britain, prices are set by the government. In others, such as Germany and Japan, they’re set by providers and insurers sitting in a room and coming to an agreement, with the government stepping in to set prices if they fail.
The insurance companies here decide on whether you qualify for health care cover or treatment........ not the medical professionals. In the UK, for example, the medical proffesional decides on your treatment not the Govt. The Govt funds the health care system but the day to day running of health care is decided on and implemented by local health authorities.
Health care here is treated as a luxury item and is also often provided by your employer....... that means a lower salary or higher costs for the employer............ this should NOT be a issue that is employment based.
America has dropped significantly in the WHO's ratings for health care.
In Europe, health care is NOT a issue and does NOT cause bankruptcy and is NOT decided on by the "bottom line" of Insurance companies.
There are many other reasons that America's current health system is broken but as it is more expensive than a UHC and does not give health cover to millions of Americans, it fails in many many ways.
Every time I would travel to Europe I often noticed how well rounded and self aware mostly aware they were of political events. Now granted this is mostly experience with central European countries but it is similar to some varying degrees.
Overall most people seem to have a solid grasp on politics and people are often well informed and logical in their political decision making. This doesn't go to say people have disagreements or arguments but more often than not we don't have the political poo slinging we see here in the states.
Anyone want to share theories of why this is?
I personally believe firstly because our media plays much the population like puppets. MSNBC and Fox have the typical right and left wing bashing.
Secondly I think religious extremism plays the right wing more often to go out of line and make over the top statements. With religion not being widely practiced in Europe as it is in the USA we often have people thinking more logically and individually than hive minded through theological thoughts.
Another reason could be because of the fact European countries, Germany especially, have multiple popular political parties, forcing the population to become more agreeable rather than forcing to take one extreme side over another.
Overall I feel as though this is because of the lack of an extreme right wing in Europe. When I see rabble rousing in the states it is more often than not incited by extreme right wing groups making a very large deal or forcing issues down everyone's throats.
Anyone else care to share ideas?
A. Apparently you have only been to northern europe/scandanavia and have not traveled in other areas of Europe. If so, you would see those who are neither "well rounded" or "intelligent".
B. You live in the wrong part of the US. Where I live, even those in remote rural areas are highly educated, intelligent, and can carry on conversations about current world events. Why? Same genetics as northern europe/scandanavia and same cultural work ethic.
Eurocentrism is an expression of arrogance and ignorance.
A. Apparently you have only been to northern europe/scandanavia and have not traveled in other areas of Europe. If so, you would see those who are neither "well rounded" or "intelligent".
B. You live in the wrong part of the US. Where I live, even those in remote rural areas are highly educated, intelligent, and can carry on conversations about current world events. Why? Same genetics as northern europe/scandanavia and same cultural work ethic.
Eurocentrism is an expression of arrogance and ignorance.
Another factor may be that in Europe, the state is replacing their religion, especially if so much of what you are allowed to achieve in your day-to-day life hinges on the benevolence of an all powerful central government. In America, even with the left trying to make it otherwise, we can still live our lives w/o worrying what government has to say about it.
Liberals love their country like teen-aged offspring. Cringe when it f*cks up, try to guide it in the right direction, hope like h*ll that its inevitable mistakes won't be big ones. Conservatives love their country like their mom - any criticism is met with utter outrage.
Careful Dane, that European sexism is showing.
The one thing that always confounds me about liberals is their affinity for all nations and their love and respect for all societies and different ethnic groups, yet when it comes time to defend those distant societies or free those ethnic groups from tyranny, they recoil in horror and criticize our nation for butting in where it doesn't belong.
What's pitiful is a presidential candidate who attended a church, for 20 years, that is demonstrably racist and anti-American. Would the people of the UK put up with something like that?
Or would the people of the UK put up with the PM having ties to a former member of...say...the IRA? A person who to this day says "We didn't do enough!". In the UK we are not bothered about a persons religion as we feel that is a personal choice and not a requirement of office. Not sure how Obama is criticized for having ties to a radical church yet Kennedy is loved by America even though his Father had close ties to the Nazi regime. If Brits felt that a association of a nominee for P.M. would be harmful to the Country..... this person would not even have been picked as leader of that particular party.... we also realize in the UK that the PM is a part of Govt and NOT a political Dictator.... decisions are made by the Govt and NOT one man. Here in America a President is picked as some kind of sole decision maker yet we ALL know that due process here does not give a President complete right to pass laws or be the only decision maker. This is NOT a dictatorship here or in the UK but for some reason many here believe that the Prudent is some kind of dictator.... absurd!
Nice sound bite. I see you're up on your lefty propaganda.
Here we go........... "lefty propaganda"........... NO just intelligent thought.........
The American media only reports on the negatives in Europe. Such as debt crisis.
Anyone who limits his view of the world to American media falls short of what is actually happening in the world.
I think your assessment is incorrect. Europeans are in no way smarter and more well-rounded. Your perception will change depending on who you hang around.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stateisota
Every time I would travel to Europe I often noticed how well rounded and self aware mostly aware they were of political events. Now granted this is mostly experience with central European countries but it is similar to some varying degrees.
Overall most people seem to have a solid grasp on politics and people are often well informed and logical in their political decision making. This doesn't go to say people have disagreements or arguments but more often than not we don't have the political poo slinging we see here in the states.
Anyone want to share theories of why this is?
I personally believe firstly because our media plays much the population like puppets. MSNBC and Fox have the typical right and left wing bashing.
Secondly I think religious extremism plays the right wing more often to go out of line and make over the top statements. With religion not being widely practiced in Europe as it is in the USA we often have people thinking more logically and individually than hive minded through theological thoughts.
Another reason could be because of the fact European countries, Germany especially, have multiple popular political parties, forcing the population to become more agreeable rather than forcing to take one extreme side over another.
Overall I feel as though this is because of the lack of an extreme right wing in Europe. When I see rabble rousing in the states it is more often than not incited by extreme right wing groups making a very large deal or forcing issues down everyone's throats.
The American media only reports on the negatives in Europe. Such as debt crisis.
Anyone who limits his view of the world to American media falls short of what is actually happening in the world.
Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!
The media here is extremely myopic....... if it isn't happening in America it isn't happening. This may have worked in the 30's 40's 50's but today the Global impact affects us all. Being naive in what is happening abroad my be a reason that so many here do not understand global issues but it isn't going to help America who now has to survive in a increasingly hostile World.
I think your assessment is incorrect. Europeans are in no way smarter and more well-rounded. Your perception will change depending on who you hang around.
I hang around Americans and my view has changed.... i realise that most Americans are completely naive to what is going on around the World and this is leading to extremely bad decissions........... pity as it is the normal everyday American who is suffering.
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