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Yes, of course it is. It gave rise to the US industrial revolution, the rise of the automobile, telecommunications, and the aircraft industry. All the technological gains and increases in the standard of living in the US are all due to European socialism. Is pot legal where you live? What did the European Union do again?
By every indicator the EU is the greatest economy the world has ever seen it's not my fault you asked the wrong question in search of your desired result.
Last edited by Randomstudent; 01-02-2010 at 09:17 AM..
Yes I lived in the UK. Other then the weather the and cost the quality of life is in many ways higher then the US. As to things being smaller well its a smaller area with more people...of course you are going to be living in a smaller place. Does NYC have a lower quality of life, just because a 2000sq. ft. house is uncommon there? When I lived there, while they did drive mostly mid-size cars their public transport was awesome. As to comforts they have all the comforts, from dishwashers, to cable TV. In some ways they have more comforts as their cities are all walkable, and planned with plenty of public green spaces. In many ways London is much more livable the most of the sprawl we call cities here. As to Unemployment it is only 6-7% in the UK in some of the worst parts it is 11-12% they have nothing like the 17% we have in Michigan. It is much more expensive and as an American I like America better but most of your criticisms are wrong...have you been to Europe?
I have, indeed, been to Europe. Yes, I argue that NYC has a lower quality of life because of the high cost of living. Public transportation is fine, but I've never seen a public transportation system in the world that replaces the independance of having an automobile.
Friends of mine lived in London. As a fire protection engineer, he was able to afford a tiny "garden apartment" with a tiny washing machine and no dryer for him and his wife. In most of the United States, the same set of skills dictate a much higher standard of living.
That being said, the UK is one of the least socialist countries in Europe. In many ways, the UK has a freer market than the US does - I contend that accounts for the lower unemployment rate (although the unemployment rate is a skewed number to begin with). Countries like France and Italy have far greater unemployment.
As for Michigan, it's one of the most liberal, unionized states in the country. I contend that this accounts for the abnormally high unemployment rate. There are simply fewer incentives to work for someone who is recieving such a substantial unemployment check.
I have, indeed, been to Europe. Yes, I argue that NYC has a lower quality of life because of the high cost of living. Public transportation is fine, but I've never seen a public transportation system in the world that replaces the independance of having an automobile.
Friends of mine lived in London. As a fire protection engineer, he was able to afford a tiny "garden apartment" with a tiny washing machine and no dryer for him and his wife. In most of the United States, the same set of skills dictate a much higher standard of living.
That being said, the UK is one of the least socialist countries in Europe. In many ways, the UK has a freer market than the US does - I contend that accounts for the lower unemployment rate (although the unemployment rate is a skewed number to begin with). Countries like France and Italy have far greater unemployment.
As for Michigan, it's one of the most liberal, unionized states in the country. I contend that this accounts for the abnormally high unemployment rate. There are simply fewer incentives to work for someone who is recieving such a substantial unemployment check.
The Unemployment rate in South Carolina, which can hardly be called liberal by any stretch of the imagination, is 12.3%. Italy's is only 8%.
As to public transport, if you live somewhere with horrendous traffic jams, I would say one has more independence with public transit. When I was in DC I took the metro everywhere because the roads were a mess and everywhere parking was non-existent, restricted, timed, and/or costly. The same was true with NYC.
When I lived in the UK I lived in a student dormitory. We had everything we had in college, in a much better location. As to quality of life I would say it is a matter of opinion. Though I do like the suburbs, and they do have suburbs in Europe, I would personally take a city over the sticks any day of the week.
Well... ask yourself what are some things you enjoy about your life. A nice house? A cool car? A rewarding job? Good food? Great schools for your kids? Fun vacations?
The fact is, a lower cost of living and a higher wage are desirable.
A lot of that is a matter of priorities - I won't begrudge anyone for having a different set. But for many, there's a difference between "standard of living" and "the ability to buy more stuff."
Hmm How about none of the above. You left that choice out. How about government mismanagement.
Anyhow, do you all seriously think that socialism is devoid of greed. Oh I am laughing my butt off.
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