On the Evils of Socialism

From: F.
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 8:05 AM
Subject: wow OOOOOOOOooooooops - she let it slip !!

[Video catches Representative Maxine Waters' blooper--uttering the dreaded "S" word]


To: F.
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 9:43:26 AM

Scary indeed! Wake up, America!--unless we remain ever-vigilant, we could become like all those socialistic Scandanavian countries whose citizenry are safer, better educated, healthier, happier, and longer-lived than we.


From: F.
Sent: Saturday, December 12, 2009 8:53 AM

I don't know about the Scandanavians, but I have several friends from the UK who will argue that they are not safer, healthier and happier with their forms of socialism.


To: F.
Sent: Saturday, December 12, 2009 10:11 AM

I suggest your "several friends in the UK" take more time to smell their socialist roses instead of idealizing the American Dream/Delusion. FYI (and theirs), a few minutes on the Internet produced the following:
US ranks 24th internationally in murder rate, UK 46th.
The incarceration rate in the US is 737 per 100,000 residents; in the UK, 139 (in 2008, the US accounted for 5% of the world's population and 25% of the world's imprisoned population).
US ranks 13th for overall Happiness, UK 9th.
US ranks 38th for life expectancy, UK 22nd.
US teen (ages 15-19) pregnancy rate = 52/1000 (#1 internationally) vs UK = 30/1000.
In reading proficiency (of 31 countries rated), US students = 15th, UK = 7th; in math, US = 19th, UK = 8th; in science, US = 14th, UK = 4th.
Looks to me like the Brits may, indeed, be "safer, healthier and happier" (and smarter!) "with their forms of socialism."
Always a pleasure e-chatting with you.