Some Uncomfortable Truths For You

[desrt]

http://www.upworthy.com/an-invisible-nordic-guy-has-some-uncomfortable-american-truths-for-you?g=3

"....in the Nordic countries, universal access to free higher education is a no-brainer,........Of course that does result in higher taxes. But free education reduces social inequality, and benefits both individuals and society in the long run. An educated population equals a strong, stable state, ready for the future. So the investment is well worth it.........................."

[desrt]

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/ukrainian-women-russian-aggressors-no-sex-you-n62361

http://www.sfchronicle.com/world/article/Ukraine-defense-chief-resigns-troops-leave-Crimea-5348994.php

[Barb135]

"He added that Russia's move to annex Crimea is not a "done deal," noting its rejection by most of the international community."

It's been voted on by Crimea and they've been annexed by Russia; who's going to undo that, whether it's been rejected by the international community or not?  So the international community refuses to recognize the annexation; do they (Russia and Crimea) really care?

The U.S has lost so much credibility that Russia certainly  isn't going to listen us/Obama and just hand Crimea back to Ukraine.

[desrt]

We need to rethink the whole concept of 'Dept. of Defense'. We are not getting a fraction of the 'bang for our buck' that we should and are simply lining the pockets of certain corporations and their stockholders without actually contributing to this country's defense.
And spending literally *T*rillions over the last few administrations. For what? Antiquated technologies  and embarrassing little useful tech or intelligence.


http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/obama-russia-regional-power-not-top-geopolitical-foe-n61601



Obama: Russia Is 'A Regional Power,' Not Top Geopolitical Foe


"President Barack Obama says that Russia is a "regional power," rather than the top geopolitical enemy of the United States.

Asked whether he had reassessed former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's assertion that Russia is "America's number one geopolitical foe," Obama called Russia a "regional power that is threatening some of its immediate neighbors -- not out of strength but out of weakness."

"Russia's actions are a problem," he said at a joint press conference at the Hague with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. "They don’t pose the number one national security threat to the United States. I continue to be much more concerned when it comes to our security with the prospect of a nuclear weapon going off in Manhattan."

Obama said Russia's move to annex Crimea lays bare its failure to portray strength to the international community.

'We have considerable influence over our neighbors," Obama added. 'We generally don't need to invade them in order to have a strong cooperative relationship with them."

Obama also disputed the notion that his administration "misread" the motivations of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that he's "more interested in the facts and the principles" that the United States and its allies are working to uphold in addressing the crisis

He added that Russia's move to annex Crimea is not a "done deal," noting its rejection by most of the international community."

[orphanedhawk]

First, I'd like to see the US stop funding the ever growing war machine. Do we really need another way to kill or spy on people ? I think our tax money could be put to much better use.

[brice1967]

So everything is fine here?  Got it.... no improvement or changes are necessary.  

[Proactive]

of course, they still may be waking up on one of their 35 days of paid vacation per year mandated by the government (g)

[Proactive]

I believe many, apparently you as well love to throw out the cheer to raise corporate taxes as a cure all to what may ails society as a whole.
Besides Norway is in the oil business and profits from that business(similar to the US and Fannie and Freddie mac) so a poor example for corporate tax comparisons. Now France, there is an economy/society model worth studying to see true failure....But don't count them out--some are waking up and smelling the coffee.

[brice1967]

I paid only slightly higher than 22%, but thanks for the information.

[el_em_en_oh]

All the happiness in those Nordic countries seems to come at quite a price!

"Worldwide surveys have consistently ranked the Scandinavian countries — with their generous family-leave policies, low crime, free health care, rich economies and, yes, high income taxes — as the happiest places on earth. But this happiness has always been accompanied by a paradox: the happiest countries also seem to have the highest suicide rates."

http://healthland.time.com/2011/04/25/why-the-happiest-states-have-the-highest-suicide-rates/

[Proactive]

"Taxes have been cut: the corporate rate is 22%, far lower than America’s."

http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21571136-politicians-both-right-and-left-could-learn-nordic-countries-next-supermodel

[brice1967]

My taxes are high enough.  Tax corporations.