Best countries in the World

[Eki]

We're #1!

Now anthonyvop comes in and says he's not surprised, because Newsweek is liberal media.

http://www.newsweek.com/photo/2010/08/15/best-countries-in-the-world.html

[DexDexter]

Education is the main reason we are number one. I find it very strange that in many countries teachers don't have to have Master's degrees, I mean kids are the future.

[Eki]

Of the middle income countries, Cuba has the best quality of life. In your face, Mark in Oshawa:




Low income: Ukraine
Middle income: Cuba
Medium size: Australia
Large size: Germany
Germany has the highest quality of life among large countries and ranks in the top 10 for quality of life among wealthy states. Two of its cities--Munich (pictured) and Berlin--are often ranked as some of the most livable in the world. With its active citizens and high standard of living, Australia comes in first among medium-size countries. In the category of low-income countries, Ukraine comes out on top and Cuba outdoes its fellow middle-income countries in quality of life. Cuba also ranks No. 3 in education among upper-middle-class countries.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I don't care what the survey says. I don't want to live anywhere other than the UK.

[Eki]

I don't care what the survey says. I don't want to live anywhere other than the UK.
Because you'd miss Manx Kipper?

[Tazio]

My pick would be Uranus :confused:

[Mark in Oshawa]

Of the middle income countries, Cuba has the best quality of life. In your face, Mark in Oshawa:\
EKi...If you believe that...then again, answer the question: Why have people DIED tried leaving Cuba. Knowing they are risking life and limb, they climb on glorified rafts trying to sail to Miami.

I have no idea what criteria these social science wizards who did this survey use to justify their results, but it is obvious political freedom means squat to them...

Of course, for liberals like you, ignoring those realities is convenient. Castro is a fellow member of the socialist world....you cannot look too hard to explain his faults..it might cause you to question a lot of other realities...

[gadjo_dilo]

That's not true. We can't be on the 39st place but much lower. :laugh:

[Mark in Oshawa]

I am still trying to figure out how Cuba is a middle income upper middle class country in this survey. When Canadian tourists take asparin down in their suitcases to tip their housekeeping staff, that doesn't say middle class in any sense.

I can print a survey stating a lot of things....and it is all BS, just like this Newsweek survey on a lot of levels..

[Tomi]

When Canadian tourists take asparin down in their suitcases to tip their housekeeping staff, that doesn't say middle class in any sense.

Really, usually people tip with money, quite polite those Cubans when they dont throw the Asperins back in the Canadians face.

[anthonyvop]

We're #1!

Now anthonyvop comes in and says he's not surprised, because Newsweek is liberal media.

http://www.newsweek.com/photo/2010/08/15/best-countries-in-the-world.html

This list was compiled by a magazine that could only fetch $1 for it's purchase and yet one of the characteristics they claim they were rating was "economic dynamism"
What would "NewsWEAK" know about that?

Then there more characteristics like "income inequality" (How can their be inequality of income in a free society?) and "Gender Gap" (A now largely discredited concept).

I am sure Finland is a nice country. I have a few friends from there and they are nice people. But the notion that Finland is the best country in the world is ridiculous.

[Mark in Oshawa]

From the article, their criteria : "Given that there are so many ways to measure achievement, we chose the five we felt were most important--health, economic dynamism (the openness of a country's economy and the breadth of the size of its corporate sector), education, political environment, and quality of life."

Someone want to explain to me the economic dynamism of Cuba??? Not ot mention the Political enviroment (one party dictatorship with no free vote or democratic rights).

IN short, as I guessed, BS....Cuba has no economic dynamism on their own. If not for tourism operations from the outside, and the export of cigars, sugar and rum, they would have nothing. A modern industrial economy? Ya...right....

Again, if Cuba is so wonderful Eki, why are they dying to leave the joint. I don't see Finns lined up trying to get into Russia on a permanent basis....or Americans trying to get to Cuba...

[Mark in Oshawa]

Really, usually people tip with money, quite polite those Cubans when they dont throw the Asperins back in the Canadians face.

And of course, a good socialist like you has been to Cuba? No, they are not allowed to take tips Tomi....American Cash or any other foreign currency is not allowed to be taken by Cuban's....

[Eki]

\
EKi...If you believe that...then again, answer the question: Why have people DIED tried leaving Cuba. Knowing they are risking life and limb, they climb on glorified rafts trying to sail to Miami.

Because they believe the grass is greener on the other side of the fence? Because it's a "forbidden fruit" for them, they know they aren't allowed to leave and that's exactly what makes them want to leave?

[Tomi]

And of course, a good socialist like you has been to Cuba? No, they are not allowed to take tips Tomi....American Cash or any other foreign currency is not allowed to be taken by Cuban's....

No never been to Cuba, in that part of the world I have only been to Dominican Republic, but I know they take tips in Cuba, and next time someone is going to there I will ask them to try to buy acetylsalicylic acid from the pharmacy to see if it is possible, i think it is.

[Eki]

Again, if Cuba is so wonderful Eki, why are they dying to leave the joint. I don't see Finns lined up trying to get into Russia on a permanent basis....or Americans trying to get to Cuba...
That's because in this study the US and Finland were classified as "high income" and Cuba and Russia as "middle income". I don't think it's strange that "high income" people don't want to move to "middle income" countries, except if they can maintain the same "high" income while enjoying lower cost of living in a "middle income country".

[Eki]

My pick would be Uranus :confused:

Not in Mianus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mianus_(neighborhood)

[DexDexter]

T
I am sure Finland is a nice country. I have a few friends from there and they are nice people. But the notion that Finland is the best country in the world is ridiculous.

True, it's impossible to classify countries since what's best for you might be hell for me....nonsense. I know one thing that's not right here and that's food. Boring and tasteless... :rolleyes:

[Daniel]

Tony and a Finn agree on something? Crazy!!!! Agree about the food Dexdexter, it's not the best but there sure is worse!!!!

[DexDexter]

Tony and a Finn agree on something? Crazy!!!! Agree about the food Dexdexter, it's not the best but there sure is worse!!!!

Ok, the UK (without the Indians and Pakistani) is worse, maybe. :D I love Italian food and the stuff they sell here as "pizza" just makes me sick....

[Daniel]

I also agree with Tony, everyone seems to love Australia but I much prefer the UK. It suits me better as a person. I'd love to live in Finland personally but the summer hours of daylight would drive me nuts.....

[Daniel]

If it helps Pino wasn't too in love with it either!

I did like the kebab and rice I had in Helsinki though, oh and the japanese I had as well :)

[DexDexter]

If it helps Pino wasn't too in love with it either!

I did like the kebab and rice I had in Helsinki though, oh and the japanese I had as well :)

Eating pizza outside Italy should be banned, even NY pizza is light years away from what it should be. :rolleyes: Bit off topic here but isn't quality of life about food mostly :)

[Tomi]

I also agree with Tony, everyone seems to love Australia but I much prefer the UK. It suits me better as a person. I'd love to live in Finland personally but the summer hours of daylight would drive me nuts.....

i would want to go to Australia too, to dive and else too, Finland would be good for you, plenty of rally, and you have so many friends here too, the Moomins for instance.

[Eki]

the Moomins for instance.
Friends? I thought they were his relatives.

[Tomi]

Eating pizza outside Italy should be banned, even NY pizza is light years away from what it should be. :rolleyes: Bit off topic here but isn't quality of life about food mostly :)

Where do you live in Finland?

[gadjo_dilo]

I did like the kebab and rice I had in Helsinki though, oh and the japanese I had as well :)

I understand that you "did" a japanese girl but it might be just my romantic side.....

You couldn't be impressed only by food....

[DexDexter]

Where do you live in Finland?

Helsinki, and there are only one or two places that sell half-decent pizza. I mean over here you pay close to 15 euros for a pizza that doesn't even have fresh mozzarella in it. :rolleyes:

[Tomi]

Helsinki, and there are only one or two places that sell half-decent pizza. I mean over here you pay close to 15euros for a pizza that doesn't even have fresh mozzarella in it. :rolleyes:

have you been to villetta in töölö, ruusulankatu?

[DexDexter]

have you been to villetta in töölö, ruusulankatu?

Yep, that's the best in town.

[Mark in Oshawa]

That's because in this study the US and Finland were classified as "high income" and Cuba and Russia as "middle income". I don't think it's strange that "high income" people don't want to move to "middle income" countries, except if they can maintain the same "high" income while enjoying lower cost of living in a "middle income country".
Isn't that sort of like making so many classes at a race weekend so everyone gets a trophy?

Cuba is alright compared to most socialist nations....in that everyone is in the same boat, all unable to speak their minds on politics, and chronically short of a lot of things...

[Mark in Oshawa]

Ok, the UK (without the Indians and Pakistani) is worse, maybe. :D I love Italian food and the stuff they sell here as "pizza" just makes me sick....

C' mon..the Brits just either bake the hell out of things, undercook them or boil them...

That said..that has changed too....but it is Brit's doing cuisine they learned in other places....

[Eki]

Isn't that sort of like making so many classes at a race weekend so everyone gets a trophy?

No, it's like in hockey you have NHL, AHL and whatever else you have. A lot of players want to move from AHL to NHL, but not so many want to move from NHL to AHL.

[A.F.F.]

All teachers having a master's degree is pure BS when we know about 20% of all teachers are not qualified. Heck, I've worked as a teacher, how sad is that?

And if the education is so good in here, how com the kids always say " I don't know" even if I asked what did they have for homework ? I'd assume teachers could teach them at least that....

But, nice survey... they forgot we are world champions. hat's usually the first thing I say to the foreign people I meet.

[A.F.F.]

If it helps Pino wasn't too in love with it either!

I did like the kebab and rice I had in Helsinki though, oh and the japanese I had as well :)

For the record, our culinarist hedonist pino had a nice grilled salmon. And the meatballs my wife made. ;)

[Tomi]

Heck, I've worked as a teacher, how sad is that?

Lol, quite sad.

[Tomi]

For the record, our culinarist hedonist pino had a nice grilled salmon. And the meatballs my wife made. ;)

Is this the same Pino, who promised to bring me a pizza, when he came the first time to Finland? Hmm, still have not seen the Pizza, or is it the Pino who did flip totaly when he did see the "Porcino" on the way to the stages. :)

[DexDexter]

All teachers having a master's degree is pure BS when we know about 20% of all teachers are not qualified. Heck, I've worked as a teacher, how sad is that?

And if the education is so good in here, how com the kids always say " I don't know" even if I asked what did they have for homework ? I'd assume teachers could teach them at least that....

But, nice survey... they forgot we are world champions. hat's usually the first thing I say to the foreign people I meet.

Most unqualified teachers are in the countryside, because nobody wants to go there, in cities the situation is good, you can check it from HS a couple of days ago. The key is everybody from the poorest kid to the richest gets a roughly similar education and the level of teaching is not dependend on your daddy's wallet.

[A.F.F.]

Is this the same Pino, who promised to bring me a pizza, when he came the first time to Finland? Hmm, still have not seen the Pizza, or is it the Pino who did flip totaly when he did see the "Porcino" on the way to the stages. :)

I think he is both :laugh:

[Daniel]

Heck, I've worked as a teacher, how sad is that?

Kids have got to learn fashion sense somewhere :D

http://members.iinet.net/~fenix1983/Files/AFF.JPG

[Tomi]

Most unqualified teachers are in the countryside, because nobody wants to go there, in cities the situation is good, you can check it from HS a couple of days ago. The key is everybody from the poorest kid to the richest gets a roughly similar education and the level of teaching is not dependent on your daddy's wallet.

Agree, but im worried this wont be for long anymore, the University stuff already worries.

[A.F.F.]

Most unqualified teachers are in the countryside, because nobody wants to go there, in cities the situation is good, you can check it from HS a couple of days ago. The key is everybody from the poorest kid to the richest gets a roughly similar education and the level of teaching is not dependend on your daddy's wallet.

I've seen the article in HS yes. But I also work near the field. So sadly the article in HS isn't all accurate. The substitutes for qualified teachers are often unqualified, even in capital area and for longer substitute periods.

But I agee 100% with last sentence. :up:

[Daniel]

I've seen the article in HS yes. But I also work near the field. So sadly the article in HS isn't all accurate. The substitutes for qualified teachers are often unqualified, even in capital area and for longer substitute periods.

But I agee 100% with last sentence. :up:
The problem is (at least here) that teachers get crapped on from a great height. Everything that's wrong with the kid is the teachers fault and not the parents :mark:

[Tomi]

The problem is (at least here) that teachers get crapped on from a great height. Everything that's wrong with the kid is the teachers fault and not the parents :mark:

its pretty much the same here too.

[A.F.F.]

Too large classes with too many pupils. The cognitive level diverge too much and teachers have hard time to stay in the program.

Also pupils with disadvantages are integrated in one group. At worse it's pretty much the same if you put the rapist and the victim in the same room. :mark:

[DexDexter]

Too large classes with too many pupils. The cognitive level diverge too much and teachers have hard time to stay in the program.

Also pupils with disadvantages are integrated in one group. At worse it's pretty much the same if you put the rapist and the victim in the same room. :mark:

That's true but in other countries the situation is much more worse. I know that there are places in Europe where teachers have absolutely no freedom, they have to follow the overly strict curriculum like slaves no matter what is happening in the classroom and they have to constantly report what they do to the authorities. And the level of teaching......in several Southern European countries, for example, language classes are about studying literature, plays, not about speaking the language.

[Tomi]

......in several Southern European countries, for example, language classes are about studying literature, plays, not about speaking the language.

I think both are important, we had both in school, and im grateful of it.

[Eki]

Also pupils with disadvantages are integrated in one group. At worse it's pretty much the same if you put the rapist and the victim in the same room. :mark:
That can be a learning experience and an opportunity for kids to know and deal with all kinds of people. I was schooled the old way, where after the 4th grade most of the more successful kids went to other schools than the less successful. So I didn't have much experience of people with lower than average IQ since I was ten until I went to the army. In the army I had to lead a group of men including ex-prisoners and semi-retards. That was quite an interesting and educational challenge. One guy put it well, when he said: "You really see all kinds here. And think that the biggest nutters aren't even sent to the army, I wonder what they must be like".

[Tomi]

And think that the biggest nutters aren't even sent to the army, I wonder what they must be like".

Now yes, but if someday there will be professional army, you find them there.

[A.F.F.]

That can be a learning experience and an opportunity for kids to know and deal with all kinds of people. I was schooled the old way, where after the 4th grade most of the more successful kids went to other schools than the less successful. So I didn't have much experience of people with lower than average IQ since I was nine until I went to the army. In the army I had to lead a group of men including ex-prisoners and semi-retards. That was quite an interesting and educational challenge. One guy put it well, when he said: "You really see all kinds here. And think that the biggest nutters aren't even sent to the army, I wonder what they must be like".

Now we're talking about different things but that is my fault, I didn't put it out right.

I meant special classes of pupils. Not more than few years ago, pupils with similar disadvantages were put in the same minor class. For instance, a child with ADHD was in the class where other pupils also had consentration problems, high speed or behaviour problems. The programfor those pupils were special to fill their needs and the teacher had help inb the class room. And for children with congnitive learning problems but no behaviour problems, were in the same class. Or children with emotionla problems also used to have a group of hteir own. Not to mention children who needed hospital school for psychological problems.

Now, today those classes are gone and integrated to bigger special classes. So, think about a child who has difficulites to consentrate and an electric bunny in the same class. Both suffer from the situation and neither one of them isn't going to get the special help they need :mark:

[Eki]

Now we're talking about different things but that is my fault, I didn't put it out right.

I meant special classes of pupils. Not more than few years ago, pupils with similar disadvantages were put in the same minor class. For instance, a child with ADHD was in the class where other pupils also had consentration problems, high speed or behaviour problems. The programfor those pupils were special to fill their needs and the teacher had help inb the class room. And for children with congnitive learning problems but no behaviour problems, were in the same class. Or children with emotionla problems also used to have a group of hteir own. Not to mention children who needed hospital school for psychological problems.

Now, today those classes are gone and integrated to bigger special classes. So, think about a child who has difficulites to consentrate and an electric bunny in the same class. Both suffer from the situation and neither one of them isn't going to get the special help they need :mark:
When I was a kid, there were no ADHD or cognitive learning problems, just naughty or stupid brats and they were all in the same class as the others, unless they were put to "apukoulu".

[A.F.F.]

When I was a kid, there were no ADHD or cognitive learning problems, just naughty or stupid brats and they were all in the same class as the others, unless they were put to "apukoulu".

We already had MPD and they were put in to "tarkkis".

I'm younger than you Eki !!!!

:bounce:

[Mark in Oshawa]

No, it's like in hockey you have NHL, AHL and whatever else you have. A lot of players want to move from AHL to NHL, but not so many want to move from NHL to AHL.

No...it is because people in Cuba see no future there. They are also forbidden by law to leave the nation without political permission.

Again, Eki, go to Cuba and then tell me why....I know of so many people who have gone to Cuba and all have told me some of what I have related to you. Cuba is a socialist dictatorship who has had basically one family run it with a hard line stance for 50 years.....so spare me how this is a logical or ethical situation.

[Camelopard]

Ahh another one of these threads, well I won't bore you with a list of all the countries I've been to, (actually that list is probably shorter than the countries I still want to visit), but I'm always very happy to come back to Australia and honestly couldn't imagine living permanently anywhere else.


Anyway it must be a great place to live, given the number of kiwis that continue to come here, even though they continually tell us that everything is so much better back in New Zealand!

[Mark in Oshawa]

Ahh another one of these threads, well I won't bore you with a list of all the countries I've been to, (actually that list is probably shorter than the countries I still want to visit), but I'm always very happy to come back to Australia and honestly couldn't imagine living permanently anywhere else.


Anyway it must be a great place to live, given the number of kiwis that continue to come here, even though they continually tell us that everything is so much better back in New Zealand!

That is true Camelopard, and I hear that from Canadians who move to the US and never give up on Canada, yet never move home. It is sort of an economic thing they sucker themselves into believing.

NZ is a gorgeous little country, and I cannot imagine anyone from there wanting to be from anywhere else, but then again, I think of Canada is the best place in the world too.

I think once your nation reaches a certain standard of living, it all comes down to personal preferences and your tolerance for the local BS that comes with stupid politicians....

[anderzon]

new zealand is just a great place. And even if its small its impact of life is just huge. It's really worth living to be in that place. So far my choices are canada and scotland.

[DexDexter]

No...it is because people in Cuba see no future there. They are also forbidden by law to leave the nation without political permission.

Again, Eki, go to Cuba and then tell me why....I know of so many people who have gone to Cuba and all have told me some of what I have related to you. Cuba is a socialist dictatorship who has had basically one family run it with a hard line stance for 50 years.....so spare me how this is a logical or ethical situation.

The poster Eki is just throwing baits at you North Americans.... :) I agree with you but personally speaking, Cuba is now a far more interesting place to visit than in a couple of years when it's full of McDonald's and Starbucks.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I think once your nation reaches a certain standard of living, it all comes down to personal preferences and your tolerance for the local BS that comes with stupid politicians....

I agree.

I don't think people realise how much they love their country until they are away from it for a while. I know people who were stuck abroad when we had the problems with the ash cloud. People who has been travelling across Europe for days to get home counldn't describe their happiness when they saw the White Cliffs of Dover.

[Eki]

People who has been travelling across Europe for days to get home counldn't describe their happiness when they saw the White Cliffs of Dover.
Or the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

[Daniel]

I think the fact that people can't describe their happiness says more about the education system here :p

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I think the fact that people can't describe their happiness says more about the education system here :p

God Save the Queen! ;(

[Rudy Tamasz]

I am pretty content living in my country but I want my son to go to school somewhere else. Our system of education sucks big time.

[Mark in Oshawa]

The poster Eki is just throwing baits at you North Americans.... :) I agree with you but personally speaking, Cuba is now a far more interesting place to visit than in a couple of years when it's full of McDonald's and Starbucks.

That is an excellent point. Seeing Havana with all those 50 year old cars and all the old buildings is interesting. That said, if you are from Cuba, and know the reality of having no voice, nor any true freedom to make something more than an existence unless you have political friends; then you know that this quaint Havana that us tourists would love to see represents the mismangement of what should be a great nation.

[janvanvurpa]

Even if the Swedes may be mostly well, like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leRsWGF3mSc&feature=player_embedded

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/leRsWGF3mSc?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/leRsWGF3mSc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>


(How do you embed a video here?)



doesn't mean they can't occasionally say something smart, so there's a Swedish say that goes "Borta är bra, men hemma är bäst“ which means
"(to be) Away is good, but home is best".

When i was 11 and living in the American South in the very early 60s at the begiining of the Civil rights movement, I formulated what I called "John's First Social Law": Familiar bullsh!t is always better than unfamiliar goodness"

I see it still is an inflexible law..


anyway good you you guys Finland, for all the problems, it shows what a determined people can do if they invest something into education..
Finland är nog en fin land.

[Eki]

doesn't mean they can't occasionally say something smart, so there's a Swedish say that goes "Borta är bra, men hemma är bäst“ which means
"(to be) Away is good, but home is best".

When i was 11 and living in the American South in the very early 60s at the begiining of the Civil rights movement, I formulated what I called "John's First Social Law": Familiar bullsh!t is always better than unfamiliar goodness"

I see it still is an inflexible law..

You sound like a conservative. That was like the old Finnish say "vanha temppu on parempi kuin pussillinen uusia", which means "an old trick is better than a bagful of new ones".

[Drew]

I'm surprised at a few things. 1) Denmark is not in the list at all. Surely being the happiest nation in the world counts for something? 2) Albania, really? Having stolen Mercedes does not make it the best :confused:

On a plus note, I'm glad the UK is not in any of those lists. It really wouldn't deserve to be :p :

[janvanvurpa]

You sound like a conservative. That was like the old Finnish say "vanha temppu on parempi kuin pussillinen uusia", which means "an old trick is better than a bagful of new ones".

What a horrible thing to say to a person, Eki!!!
I didn't say they were right!!!

I'm going to go have a shower and see if i can wash off what you accused me of.

[anthonyvop]

What a horrible thing to say to a person, Eki!!!
I didn't say they were right!!!

I'm going to go have a shower and see if i can wash off what you accused me of.

Don't worry janni.

Mao was a conservative for Eki.

[anthonyvop]

Newsweek Ranks U.S. the 11th 'Best Country' – Bush’ Fault, But Obama Can Stem the Slide
.
By Brent Baker


Newsweek, recently sold for one dollar by the Washington Post Company but still in its hands, ranked the United States 11th, just behind Denmark, in this week’s “The Best Countries in the World” cover story which put Finland at #1, followed by Switzerland and Sweden. There’s hope for improvement, however, thanks to George W. Bush’s departure from the White House and Barack Obama’s arrival. Michael Hirsh explained the beyond the top ten rank:

America hasn’t recovered from the serious blows to its stature delivered by nearly a decade of policy debacles. As Obama never tires of reminding the American public...he inherited a Herculean task: the Augean-stable-size mess left behind by George W. Bush.

The August 23 & 30 two-week edition cover story package certainly reflected Obama’s policy agenda. A sidebar (apparently not online) on the nations with the best health care, which put Japan at the top, touted fourth-best Spain where “universal coverage is a constitutionally guaranteed right, and there are no out-of-pocket expenses aside from some prescription drugs.” The U.S. wasn’t even one of the top ten countries listed.

In a two-page spread on particular bests for a bunch of nations, Newsweek’s Karen Fragala Smith, who tagged the Czech Republic as the “Best Place for Sex” and Belgium as the “Best Place to Be a Dog Owner,” declared France the “Best Place to Have a Baby,” trumpeting “low-cost health care” and nanny state services:

Maman is sitting pretty, with as much as seven months’ paid leave, low-cost health care, and a baby nurse who makes house calls. If she’s sick, the government sends someone to do the family’s laundry.

In the introductory article, Rana Foroohar explained the purpose of the exercise was to determine: “If you were born today, which country would provide you the very best opportunity to live a healthy, safe, reasonably prosperous, and upwardly mobile life?”

The skew toward big government and corporate statism nations isn’t a surprise when you see the experts the magazine relied upon:

The effort took several months, during which we received copious aid from an advisory board that included Nobel laureate and Columbia University professor Joseph E. Stiglitz; McKinsey & Co. Social Sector Office director Byron Auguste; McKinsey Global Institute director James Manyika; Jody Heymann, the founding director of McGill University’s Institute for Health and Social Policy and a professor at the university; and Geng Xiao, director of Columbia's Global Center for East Asia.

In his accompanying piece, “We’re No. 11! America may be declining, but don’t despair,” Michael Hirsh propounded:

America hasn’t recovered from the serious blows to its stature delivered by nearly a decade of policy debacles. As Obama never tires of reminding the American public — which is listening less and less, judging by his poll ratings — he inherited a Herculean task: the Augean-stable-size mess left behind by George W. Bush. First there was the diversion of military resources and attention from Afghanistan to Iraq — a draining, misdirected war and occupation that many believe never should have been launched. Then there was the long period of fiscal, regulatory, and financial recklessness that contributed to the worst-ever downturn since the Great Depression. Finally, Washington squandered its chance to lead on climate change.

The “aughts,” The Washington Post wrote last January, were really for naught: the 2000s were “a lost decade,” the paper said, with economic output rising at its slowest rate of any decade since the 1930s and an unprecedented net job growth of zero. It’s no wonder other countries started to catch up faster.

Of course, leading or not leading on “climate change” has nothing to do with “which country would provide you the very best opportunity to live a healthy, safe, reasonably prosperous, and upwardly mobile life” – other than making it worse through higher prices and taxes.

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/brent-baker/2010/08/19/newsweek-ranks-u-s-11th-best-country-bush-fault-obama-can-stem-slide#ixzz0x1bCqZH3

[Eki]

Finland may be the best, but Singapore is the most desired by migrants:

http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100822-233240.html

[anthonyvop]

Finland may be the best, but Singapore is the most desired by migrants:

http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100822-233240.html

That is the stupidest article/survey I have read in a long time.

[Eki]

That is the stupidest article/survey I have read in a long time.
I'm not surprised you said that.