I think it's rather interesting what the UN did: They examined countries for their life quality, measured 100+ things for each country carefully, compared them, and made a list; here are some results, the top ten first:

1. Norway
2. Australia
3. Iceland
4. Canada
5. Ireland
6. Netherlands
7. Sweden
8. France
9. Switzerland
10. Japan

13. USA

22. Germany

50. Uruguay

92. China

134. India

And the other end of the list:
180. Sierra Leone
181. Afghanistan
182. Niger

If you want more, google "UN: countries:life quality" or something like that. You'll find it.

Those darned Norwegians win again...Grrrr... Just kidding around, I am happy for them.

We Aussies are happy for Norway to take the gold. We'll be happy with the silver and hopefully all the excess crowds who are drawn to the great lifestyles will head north!

Actually, I have read great things about the Scandinavian countries, especially with regard to the governments being involved in spending on infrastructure projects and being prepared to run deficit budgets while the countries have great infrastructure and full employment. I wish our federal and state governments would invest more in transport and other infrastructure for the future and not be so obsessed with economic rationalism!

Nevertheless, the lifestyle here in Australia is very relaxed and comfortable with very good facilities and very low crime rates and social problems.

"Y'all" should come on down for a holiday!

quote:

Originally posted by Grahame Edwards:

"Y'all" should come on down for a holiday!

Grahame, you know what Johnny Cash said in "Farmers Almanac":
"If you fulfill all of a man's wishes, you could double his trouble"

But anyway, thanks for the invitation!
As for me, I've been to Adelaide and liked it; my niece ist just spending 8 months (until March, 2010) in Australia, roaming and working. She's in good spirits.

Call me self-satisfied, biased, prejudiced, whatever, I will still take the good ole USA in all its glory. Millions from other countries dream of living in our land of hope and opportunity. There are many countries I would like to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. I proudly acknowledge my love for my Country, and will forever be "Proud to be an American."

It is not always easy to be an Norwegian.
An example:
If we buy something expencive on internet we got lots of problem with custom,taxes and lots of other crap.
But we do not have to pay for being on hospital,that is free.
It is an good place to live,lots of other things are free.I am happy to be an Norwegian.
I wonder why Americans are against Barack Obamas health care reform.Would it not be great to go to hospital and not have to pay for it?

G'day Reimer! Mate, I'm glad you liked your stay in Oz and I hope your niece has a sensational time. If ever I can be of service to her, please give her my email address or message me and I'll give you my phone numbers and residential address, mate.

G'day June. What would the UN know, mate? If Phoenix works for you, that's all that matters. I reckon I could be happy anywhere. It's just a matter of making up your mind to be happy like my mate, Abe Lincoln, said. Mind you, that being said, it's pretty easy to be happy when we wake up in developed countries knowing we are therefore in the top 10% of the world's wealthiest slobs, eh mate?!

G'day Svallen. I'm with you mate. We have two tier health care here in Australia. You can buy insurance in case of biggies, but you are also entitled to free health care. Those of us privileged enough to be able to buy some insurance can do so. Mine covers dental, chiropractic, gym fees, etc, but the public health system is pretty great. There are some waiting lists which is why you buy insurance if you can. We pay a 1% levy on our income tax and you don't even notice it. I have been told that there are places in the world where you just wouldn't go without special health insurance because health care is only for the very rich. I just won't go to those places.

Have a great day, "y'all"! I'm off to the nursing home to visit John and my other mates and then I'm coming home to fire up the barbie and cremate a few steaks!

If you were to offer anyone from another country a valid passport to any country in the world, what country do you think they would choose? They would immediately choose the U.S.A.

God Bless America.

I rest my case.

Svallen...just wondering ...in Norway if a patient wants an elective surgery, what is the typical waiting time? I am speaking of something like a hip replacement, knee replacement, shoulder replacement -- not cosmetic type surgery. What would the waiting process involve?

Terry, I don't know about Norway, but in Australia the longest average waiting lists are currently experienced in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) and average around 70 days.

quote:

If you were to offer anyone from another country a valid passport to any country in the world, what country do you think they would choose? They would immediately choose the U.S.A.

God Bless America.

I rest my case.

I would !!!!!!!

Reimer thank you for the list...It's a very good argument for some people here in Germany....lol...
I have to show the list to someone !!!!

quote:

Originally posted by junebug:
Call me self-satisfied, biased, prejudiced, whatever, I will still take the good ole USA in all its glory. Millions from other countries dream of living in our land of hope and opportunity. There are many countries I would like to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. I proudly acknowledge my love for my Country, and will forever be "Proud to be an American."

June, so true.
The US-echoes from the Krislist, from where I got the info, were similar to yours. One US-friend there said she doesn't know what criteria the UN used, but that she doesn't care too much about it, as long as she feels good where she is (Massachusetts), and as long as she knows that more of people are trying to live in the USA, legally or not, than in any other country in the world.
And you know, June, how much I love the US, and how proud I am to have worked there, I am glad to have built up professional connections with people and organizations in the US over the years, AND met the nicest people in the world on US soil -or in forums like this.
Bill, that's a compliment!
It's my second home, the US that is, and I'm glad about that.
The other leading countries of the list are full of good people and things, too, I'm sure, but the USA changed my life for good a long time ago, and still do. It's because of the American spirit.

quote:

It's my second home, the UIS that is, and I'm glad about that

AMEN...

Reimer I think we are born in the wrong country

Birgit, I know what you mean.
I see it differently, although there were times I thought the same.
Now, at age 60, I value the good things I enjoy in Germany, especially after the re-unification and in Berlin. That no-blood-revolution in East Germany really was a sensation.
Also, the growing Europe with its new freedoms and opportunities is good for me.
But still, you're right in the way you're indicating that we don't have what the US-people own in their spirit and "American dream". As for now, I try to connect the good aspects of both sides (US and Europe) and to visit the US as often as I can afford it.
And I know you do the same...
I believe we can live that way and feel very good, don't you think?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Reimer,

Reimer and Birgit:

Even though I have a large, and evergrowing family, I would love to "adopt" both of you.
You would both be tremendous assets for the USA, and the type of high caliber citizens that would be held in great esteem with all you "bring to the table."