Best countries to live in (2004). The Economist Magazine

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4020523.stm

Ireland is the best place to live in the world, according to a "quality of life" assessment by Economist magazine.
The country's combination of increasing wealth and traditional values gives it the conditions most likely to make its people happy, the survey found.

Ireland was followed by Switzerland, Norway and Luxembourg. All but one of the top 10 were European countries.

The USA languished in 13th, while Britain was 29th - the lowest of the pre-expansion EU nations.

The survey was prepared for the Economist's "World in 2005" publication, with the remit: "Where will be the best place to live in 2005?"

Researchers took into account not just income, but other factors considered important to people's satisfaction and well-being.

They included health, freedom, unemployment, family life, climate, political stability and security, gender equality and family and community life.

'TOP TEN COUNTRIES'
1 Ireland
2 Switzerland
3 Norway
4 Luxembourg
5 Sweden
6 Australia
7 Iceland
8 Italy
9 Denmark
10 Spain

I can keep my guns, few taxes, and in the middle of Europe.

and falling fast as we continue to have less Americans covered by insurance and medical coverage, our schools receive less money, and our infrastructure is crumbling.

Plus we have no hope in the future anymore as we see our wages tumbling and our manufacturing base fractured. On the bright side, as our standard of living and quality of life disintegrate in the U.S., the rest of the world is moving on up.

were not in top 10