2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumWhat Bernie is talking about.
World's Happiest Countries? Social Democracies
A new report released by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) shows that happiness levels are highest in northern European countries.
Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands rated at the top of the list, ranking first, second and third, respectively.
The US? As expected, the United States failed to make the top 10 but ranked among the highest for obesity and child poverty. Americans spend less than half the amount of time eating as the French, but have three times the obesity rate. This tells us something about slow food, I think, Simon Chappele, editor of the report said in an interview with NPR.
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Also, the United States still ranks among the highest for child poverty rates, with one in five children living in poverty. This was only exceeded in Poland, Mexico and Turkey.
And Forbes Magazine reports:
World's Happiest Places
A new report reveals where people feel most positive about their lives
Where in the world do people feel most content with their lives?
According to a new report released by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), a Paris-based group of 30 countries with democratic governments that provides economic and social statistics and data, happiness levels are highest in northern European countries.
Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands rated at the top of the list, ranking first, second and third, respectively. Outside Europe, New Zealand and Canada landed at Nos. 8 and 6, respectively. The U.S. did not crack the top 10. Switzerland placed seventh and Belgium placed tenth.
The report looked at subjective well-being, defined as life satisfaction. Did people feel like their lives were dominated by positive experiences and feelings, or negative ones?
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Some sample questions: Did you enjoy something you did yesterday? Were you proud of something you did yesterday? Did you learn something yesterday? Were you treated with respect yesterday? In each country, a representative sample of no more than 1,000 people, age 15 or older, were surveyed. The poll was scored numerically on a scale of 1-100. The average score was 62.4.
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According to a 2005 editorial, published in the British Medical Journal and authored by Dr. Tony Delamothe, research done in Mexico, Ghana, Sweden, the U.S. and the U.K. shows that individuals typically get richer during their lifetimes, but not happier. It is family, social and community networks that bring joy to one's life, according to Delamothe.
The OECD data shows that another important factor is work-life balance. While Scandinavian countries boast a high GDP per capita, the average workweek in that part of the world is no more than 37 hours. In China, which got a low score of just 14.8, the workweek is 47 hours and the GDP per capita is just $3,600.
Low unemployment also contributes to happiness. "One thing we know for sure," says the OECD's Chapple, "not having a job makes one substantially less satisfied." Denmark's unemployment rate is just 2%, according the C.I.A.'s World Factbook. Norway's is just 2.6%. The Netherlands: just 4.5%. Many economists concur that a 4% unemployment rate reflects a stable economy. The U.S. unemployment rate is currently 9%.
More at link.
http://www.commondreams.org/further/2009/05/11/worlds-happiest-countries-social-democracies
Gregorian
(23,867 posts)It's like trying to explain to a drunk why it is in their best interest to stop beating themselves up with alcohol.
I'm preparing to accept defeat, but at the same time have never felt more alive than now that Bernie is running, because it gives solid credence to everything I've stood for in my life. Now I have a connection, and validation.
If we can paint a picture (and I really mean pictures of scenes of what we envision), perhaps some of these couch-locked coolaid drinkers who have voted against their best interests, will awaken and see how we can turn this ugly commercial nightmare into something that benefits human beings.
cilla4progress
(24,736 posts)I have a theory that Republicans/conservatives are really hooked on labels and symbolism. I guess substance is just way too "deep" for them.
Hence, the word socialism being a dirty word for so long. Most Americans don't seem to have the interest or energy to examine it.
Gotta give it to them, though, the Republicans are really successful at what they do!