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I was amazed when I was young to see poor indian children playing in the streets of India with no shoes and no guarantee of the next meal while at the same time laughing and having fun. I did not understand at that time how such poor people who had nothing could be happy. The answer to happiness is not how much you do or do not pay in taxes. The answer to happiness is people.
People that feel they are part of a community are happier. Some of the people that feel no connection to the people around them pick up guns and begin shooting other people.
All the more reason we have to move in there first.
Have you ever been to those countries? Or outside the USA?
If not, then you have no right no judge their lifes because you do not even know how those people live their lifes.
How come, you think you see the big picture and those people do not see it?
People in those countries have the best education in Europe and travel a lot.
Can you say the same about yourself?
What was your major in college?
Is happiness the most important thing in life? If so why don't we just pull some 1984. We could deplete people oxygen when they are babies, then we'll medicate them their whole lives. Viola! Happiness. <snip> And besides, how do you measure happiness?
Gee, I just posted how happiness is measured.
Go to Rotterdam and study it the way the author of The Geography of Bliss did.
The US has a great deal of its population medicated to cope with our problems, it's just not called SOMA.
A lot of people do in Europe. Well, I can only speak of the countries I lived in, but people do think about the US because the actions of the US do influence our lifes here.
One of the single quickest ways to make me unhappy is to raise my taxes. So their idea of happiness must differ greatly from mine!
And quit saying the gov't is giving their people free services. Paying 72% taxes is certainly not my idea of free!
I work to make money for myself, to spend how I see fit, to enhance my life as I see fit. I do not work to enhance the welfare of others. They are free to work for their own money to spend as they see fit. To take so much of one's own money to be redistributed by govt is an affront to personal freedom and liberty, and it me makes those who espouse it enemies of the same. Want my money? GTFO with that poisonous attitude!
You do not pay 72% in taxes.
Why do you lie?
As it stated in another thread, don't use any services, including the streets to get to your job.
This thread just confirms the fact that universal social services require high taxes to pay for them. If someone wants to live in a country in which up to 80% of their income goes to the govt. so be it. There are benefits and disadvantages to every govt. system. Our system is not without its flaws. It comes down to personal preference. I want the opportunity to live the American dream and become wealthy. I worked hard to be where I am today. I don't want to give the govt up to 80% of my income. The point is nothing is free including health care
I am sorry to tell you this but if you think "happiness" is the same for everyone than you are just lying to yourself and if you are measuring one thing to indicate happiness.. Then yes, those people are lying about happiness... its quite obvious happiness isn't about having the most social services... no matter how you try to spin it...
Well, Forbes didnt conduct the study, and you're arguing with me personally as if I did, but that's okay evil, you can believe they're all lying if it makes you happy
A lot of people do in Europe. Well, I can only speak of the countries I lived in, but people do think about the US because the actions of the US do influence our lifes here.
I'll agree with that to a point, it's more of looking at the boneheadedness of the US.
Also the export of their pop culture and TV, but that's changing, too.
I'll agree with that to a point, it's more of looking at the boneheadedness of the US.
Also the export of their pop culture and TV, but that's changing, too.
A lot of people, more like some.
Or the crisis that started in 2007. Of course people are angry that European countries have to suffer from something that has its beginning in the US.
And yes, people of course are amused about some of the Americans that cannot find other countries on a map. Not even countries they invaded or even their own country.
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