Apparently it's not America. It's a socialist/capitalist country Norway, according to annual United Nations human development index released Monday. This is based on such criteria as life expectancy, literacy, school enrolment and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita.The government controls 31.6% of publicly-listed companies.
The egalitarian values of the Norwegian society ensure that the wage difference between the lowest paid worker and the CEO of most companies is much smaller than in comparable western economies.
The Norwegian economy is an example of a mixed economy, featuring a combination of free market activity and large state ownership in certain key sectors. The state has large ownership positions in key industrial sectors.
Those who believe pure capitalism is the ideal or utopia if you will, have some explaining to do. I am waiting! This is based on data before the recession.
Didn't think this would pass without exposing some truth? Take a look here. Lets not forget how severly impacted they were by their own banking crisis.
In a nutshell, Norway can hardly be called capitalist. It's near pure socialism veiled in state owned industry they slapped a captilast sticker on for appearances sake. The only element keeping it afloat are those god given natural resources they can export. Norway's claim to fame are it's outragious progressive taxes. One in which you could owe more than your gross earnings each year. Hardly an environment to spawn ceativity or an enducement to excel. Who in their right mind wants to be CEO with all it's obligations and responsibilities when even the janitor earns a similar wage? No one, which is why the amount of public consumption is catching up to private. At nearly a 70/30 split it won't be long before there aren't enough worker bees to support the sluggards.
With it's supression of free enterprise and withdrawl into a welfare state, why the high marks? For the same reason that Obama won, an ounce of security for everything else.
The moment you capitulate to lawlessness you've lost your civility.
Posts: 8963 | Location: San Diego, or near by. | Registered: 06-08-2007
Originally posted by schicco: Which is the best country to live?
Apparently it's not America. It's a socialist/capitalist country Norway, according to annual United Nations human development index released Monday. This is based on such criteria as life expectancy, literacy, school enrolment and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita.The government controls 31.6% of publicly-listed companies.
The egalitarian values of the Norwegian society ensure that the wage difference between the lowest paid worker and the CEO of most companies is much smaller than in comparable western economies.
The Norwegian economy is an example of a mixed economy, featuring a combination of free market activity and large state ownership in certain key sectors. The state has large ownership positions in key industrial sectors.
Those who believe pure capitalism is the ideal or utopia if you will, have some explaining to do. I am waiting! This is based on data before the recession.
"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." John Adams on Defense of the boston Massacre
Iperso, In my opinion, people strive beyond minimal action for one reason, some form of recognition. If it be the appearance of money, then it's to acquire wealth for some purpose. Most often it's to claim some level of success. Money itself is merely the barometer to gauge it by. A scientist, if for discovery, wants to be revered amongst his peers with published reports in Scientific American or the New England Journal of Medicine. They may even wish for a Nobel prize. An editor or reporter says they want to publish the news or great story. True, but they want their own name next to it. They would cherish the Pulitzer. In all it is a contest of who can rise to the top. The struggle manifests itself for different reasons but creates a competitive climate. Take away the core motivator, individual recognition, and it will grind to a halt.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: davdah,
The moment you capitulate to lawlessness you've lost your civility.
Posts: 8963 | Location: San Diego, or near by. | Registered: 06-08-2007
Originally posted by Senator Ehigie Edobor Uzamere: Nigeria ! Birthplace of American President and Monkey-In-Chief; Barack Hussein Obama !!!
SonofMichael Did you change your name to 'Senator Ehigie Edobor Uzamere' or you created another account so you can go after Obama without compromising the credibility of your original member name. Which is why you can now easily use words like 'Monkey-In-Chief; Barack Hussein Obama' C'mon, we were not born yesterday.
Take away the core motivator, individual recognition, and it will grind to a halt.
All well and true davdah but something else is missing...social conscience. Without that, life isn't worth living IMO. Many others inhabit planet earth not just you.
In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move - Douglas Adams
Senator Ehigie Edobor Uzamere is yet another one of S0-B's multiple personalities schicco (although this one can be quite funny at times). The Obama-bashing gives it away
In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move - Douglas Adams
Even if the beneficiary is society itself the person will still want to be given applause for being the innovator. We're all selfish when it comes to that. Our goals, dreams, and aspirations regardless of result serve to benefit our ego first and foremost. That is part of the reason there are awards, ceremonies, and congratulatory applause for accomplishments. It helps to motivate people in non-monetary ways to do things. People want to be noticed. They want to feel significant. They generally take up what ever pursuit because the dream of being important is within reach by doing so.
For some it means working a soup kitchen on weekends. For others its being a wall street raider or the guy that invents the next big thing. Much has to do with ability and level of desire. Recently the three individuals who invented the CCD system won the physics Nobel prize. The one made a comment about how it felt walking down the street knowing all those cell phones with camera capability were a result of his efforts. He probably doesn't receive any royalties from it. But the feeling of accomplishment for something so far reaching more than makes up for it. He is important, he knows it, and it doesn't even require anyone else to know it. However, he did mention it just to remind the audience that he is the man.
In that event, what if the situation were such that no one would ever know? There was no award. There was no patent with his name mentioned. Not so much as even a memo at the company for inventing something so great. Would he or his team have had the motivation to continue working on something so ground breaking? I doubt it.
The moment you capitulate to lawlessness you've lost your civility.
Posts: 8963 | Location: San Diego, or near by. | Registered: 06-08-2007
For most, the accumulation is just the measuring stick used to illustrate the accomplishment. It's a common recognized standard and easily defined. When people see what the average wage is in this country a first thought is how they compare. Not always, but most of the time.
There are other aspects to fill the ego such as what the developers of the CCD have.
It may also matter what their passion is, such as playing chess. They would be more inclined to developing that skill. And hopefully, one day, having some recognition for it. Like having a strategy or move named after them. Perhaps not the singular goal but the fact some notoriety is possible adds value to the endeavor.
The moment you capitulate to lawlessness you've lost your civility.
Posts: 8963 | Location: San Diego, or near by. | Registered: 06-08-2007
For most, the accumulation is just the measuring stick used to illustrate the accomplishment. It's a common recognized standard and easily defined. When people see what the average wage is in this country a first thought is how they compare. Not always, but most of the time.
On a shallow, superficial level that's quite true. It has been said that Americans have a tendency to be shallow and base their opinions on what somebody is worth by how much they earn. I have seen that here quite often. I think it stems from the "work-ethic" thing.
Brings me to another point. Why is it that many will say family and home life is important yet spend much of their time away working? The US is quite stingy on time off. The average in UK is 4 weeks paid vacation a year. You'll be lucky to have 2 weeks here.
In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move - Douglas Adams
Not East Coast!!! Too Corrupted!!! Best of luck!!!
USC and Legal, Honest Immigrant Alike Must Fight Against Those That Deceive and Disrupt A Place Of Desirability! All Are Victims of Fraud, Both USC and Honest Immigrant Alike! The bad can and does make it more difficult for the good! Be careful who you blame!!! kami ay nanonood!!!
If you work for me you don't get any paid time off, LOL.
The work ethic is a part of our stereotype. Probably more to do with the opportunity being greater here to amass wealth than most other places. However, for the most part it's not true in practice and only applies to a narrow segment of the population.
Although it's free for the taking most subscribe to the 'some day I'll' club. Some day I'll do this or that to accomplish something. Some day never comes. Complacency with an entitlement mindset is more common than anything else. If not, why would the candidates use give away promises in their platitudes. Unions wouldn't need to exist if it were even majority true.
As far as being shallow, I don't know about that. Any time I have been overseas the people bowing and scraping weren't doing it to be nice. They wanted our tourist money. At least they wanted us there, if that's a plus. Here, I don't think we care if you have money or not. If you look different, go away. LOL.
The moment you capitulate to lawlessness you've lost your civility.
Posts: 8963 | Location: San Diego, or near by. | Registered: 06-08-2007
Could be, depends on the circumstance and who stands to gain from it. In the end the amount we have is subject to our own discretion as to it being enough or not. Might be why some are completely content with a 'quote' normal life with nothing significant and others feel driven to some greatness.
The moment you capitulate to lawlessness you've lost your civility.
Posts: 8963 | Location: San Diego, or near by. | Registered: 06-08-2007
Add to del.icio.us
