How about a contentment chart. Let’s ask the people in all these countries if they are content. And who is asking the questions? Do you think the people of Cuba are answering surveys honestly? If so, why do the Cubans defect every single time they have the opportunity?

You need to mix logic and statistics in order to make sense of any chart. I don’t see that with this ” peace ” ranking system.Can the US improve? Without a doubt. I have high hopes for our next president, whoever it is.

I do believe there is equal opportunity in this country. Since you disagree, so be it. Who is kept from attending college, a city job, federal jobs, your own business, home ownership? I see no obstacles for advancement You just have not been paying attention. Not happy with the rich traders? Hey, become a day trader. Get a few thousand dollars and take your chances, people do it every day, and when they strike it rich, it must be nice to know you will be angry with them for being well off.

MisterE, Marxism is dead, you are not stuck in the same station in life forever in this country.I do not understand the railing against the well off people. The rich people you are talking about, and let’s leave Bush out of it for now, do some research on the average CEO.
Most did not go to Ivy league schools, most did not grow up ” rich ” These are people who worked hard and took chances and succeeded. That is capitalism, and that means some people succeed, and some do not, and some just work their 40 hours per week for life – BY CHOICE. Hey, no risk, no reward. These people get to watch TV every nite, have dinner with the families and blog about how life is unfair, while the risk takers are working to change their lives.

BTW, my average employee has worked for me for over 10 years, and some for over 20, and they do very well, I must be doing something right. In America, the only way to measure yourself as an employer is if your employees stay with you. I have no other measurement available to me.

Other countries that are a head of the game: The Netherlands, England, Iceland. Take Iceland for example. It has a socially liberal government (always preferrable if you want to move forward as a society), the highest literacy rate per capita out of all western nations, and the lowest pollution! Not to mention crime.

My point is that those who run around saying “America is #1″ are embarrassing themselves and helping to cultivate a false sense of security. America sucks right now. Just read Carol’s post about Bush’s resume. The crimes against humanity our government has committed in the past 100 years is no better than the fascist dictators of WW2. Remember the Iran-Contra scandal? The Panama-Canal invasion? The bombing of innocent families in the middle east by CIA rockets?

Now, maybe we’re talking about two different things. Government and culture. American culture is very popular internationally. Its new, fresh, cutting edge, and usually very progressive. So maybe capitalism falls inbetween culture and government. You tend to believe that everyone has an equal chance at fortunes in America and I know that that is not so, although I agree with you that certain people can work hard and succeed. Success stories are everywhere, not just in America. You don’t have to be here to get rich.

However, what America does is punish the poor. When they get arrested they have to post bail or go to jail, which means, if you’re poor you go to jail. Rich people get to go home. Health care? If you’re poor, you aren’t considered worthy of enough for proper health care. Rich people get full coverage and excellent care. How about the tax cuts for the rich? In 2007 Bush signed into law a tax cut that benefited ONLY the rich. Do you think that was the first tax cut for the rich? How are you supposed to feed your family when you take a risk and fail? Some people can’t do that Boomac, they have families they need to provide for. Children will die if your risky choice fails. Some people cannot make that sacrifice for money.

You then have to consider the amount of people killed over money. After WW2, all of our military engagements were about money. More money for the oil companies and the trading companies. Rich white families in Washington prospered while innocent civilians died.