The U.S. may not be number 1 in the quality of life list, but it is number 10. Simply because we have too many people living at or below the poverty level. I agree with you on that one completely. For a wealthy country, we have a lot of poor folks. Still, I count number 10 as being in the top of the list.


>Eh, this is getting fun.
>
>>>Eh, who did practise name calling in the first place?
>
>>Both sides do it. You don't seem to hear the invective that is thrown around by the Democrats, but never mind that. To imply that this is a Republican-invented tactic is both asinine and ignorant of American politics.
>
>That was not the question. Please re-read.
>
>>>No I did not say this. I'm simply saying that anyone with this kind of narrow minded thinking.... I dont agree with a lot of other standpoints, but this is still a different standpoint than having respect. I disagree with quite a few people on development techniques, but that does not say I don't have any respect for them.
>
>>Respect? Let me quote your own post:
>
>>I'd vote for making the word 'Republican' to mean corrupt, narrow minded, bible belt and hypocritism.
>>
>>As far as I'm concerned anyone who supports such narrow minded thinking has the same IQ and moral values of the person who you think is your president: The IQ of a peanut.
>
>You take two things out of context. The first line is targetted at republicans, the second at John. I respect certain republicans, just as I do certain liberals. I have a far more nuanced view as you might think. HOWEVER, this liberal bashing by making using the word liberal for name calling is way out of line. Therefore I vote to give an extra dimension to the word republican to retain balance. Hence the statement.
>
>>AFAIC, many american are kept dumb by their government
>
>>I'm not going to go back through any of your previous posts, because the pattern just repeats itself. Statements like this exhibit no respect for anyone that does not agree with your views of the world.
>
>You get the wrong impression. I do have respect for people who do not share my viewpoints. For example, I had great difficulties with communicating with late Ed Rauh on this forum, and we have had quite a few sharp messages posted here on the UT. Despite my disagreements with him, I did respect him for his knowledge on certain topics.
>
>>Your rants at America and its "corrupt media" and "poisoned politics" show a distinct lack of respect for Americans in general. You seem to think we are all blind, deaf, and dumb to the world around us. Don't tell me otherwise, its in your posts for the world to read.
>
>No, just stating as I see things. It does not say anything about the average american. I've stated that I admire americans as well for their optimism. Yes, I have little respect for american politics and I hate the political commercialisation of the media. Therefore I've got little respect. I've got a huge respect for its economical achievements.
>
>>>I did not tell you how to vote.
>
>>You are and you have. You've stated before that we need to get rid of this administration. I support Bush, and you blast me for it. IMHO Clinton was a corrupt attention-hungry man with no respect for the office he held. I voted against him both times, and was glad to see him go. And unless the Republicans field an absolute moron, I will continue to vote that way.
>
>I did never tell you how to vote, period. You cannot acuse me of that. Read down the messages. I merely showed my disrespect for anyone in their right mind to vote for this administration. By no means that is saying that you'll have to vote liberal. It is not my fault there are only two main political parties in the US. Isn't voting the tool to show that you agree or disagree with your leaders?
>
>>>>Frankly, I don't give a flip how things are done on a continent that has twice spawned global warfare in the last century.
>
>>>I don't see what the hell that has to do with it?
>
>>This statement:
>>You should deepen yourself in politics as held in europe. It will give you a new view on what civilisation means.
>
>>Well, I see your idea of civilization. Riots, double-digit unemployment, governments gladly doing business with madmen, astronomical tax rates, and a history of instability and violent conflict that stretches back centuries. No, sorry, Europe is no role model for me.
>
>LOL, You don't have a clue what you're talking about.
>
>1. Riots, I assume you talk about the incidents in france. They were a result of the policy of the french governement. It should be regarded a warning sign that they should deal with the problem.
>
>2. Double digit unemployment. Don't flatter yourself with these numbers. The double digits don't apply to all european countries. The difference is in our social system. In america even working people do not get enough to live from, and there are not even reliable numbers of unemployment in the US. Quality of life is really what counts. America is not belonging in the top of that list. for the most parts these are european countries.
>
>3. governments gladly doing business with madmen. Yes, business with your madman government. The pot is calling the cattle black. Your government is a madman. What the hell are you doing in iraq? Business with madman. What are you aming on? I know quite a few dirty examples of recent american history. Wasn't the US supporting Saddam hussein before he occupied kuwait? Don't make me laugh. Who did deliver weapons to the taliban in afganistan while the russians were in?
>
>4. history of instability. Hmmmm, lets see. Modern america only exists for a couple of hundred years. In the last century you've been involved in wars with WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Servia, Afghanistan, Iraq. And of course the wars before that (civil war, wars of independance, etc) don't count either. And of course you don't have european ancesters either (French I assume).
>
>Walter,