I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

I'm thinking 42. We have a 10+% unemployment rate and no one can live on that.

Second quiz question (Source for correct answer: CIA World Factbook):

Which of these four countries has the lowest poverty rate:

1) Lithuania

2) United States

3) Serbia

4) Italy 

Third question: Of the following countries, which one has the highest healthcare costs as a percentage of gross domestic product?

1) Norway

2) Britain

3) Switzerland

4) United States

5) Germany 

Question 4: Finally, which of these countries has the highest infant mortality rate?

1) United States

2) Britain

3) Switzerland

4) Norway

5) Germany

Source for right answers for questions 3 and 4: Reuters/Frontline 

Barbara and Rosemary - correct!

Anyone care to guess the other three answers? 

I will never understand why people equate not liking some aspect of a country ---even one's own country--with disloyalty and not liking the country.  I mean, am I not allowed to think waterboarding prisoners is bad?  Does thinking waterboarding prisoners is bad make me a bad American?  Or does it make me an ethical person?  Hmmm, what would a priest or minister or rabbi say?

Okay well if I can disagree with waterboarding, why can't I think healthcare in the US can be greatly improved ?  Why can't I think that our healthcare system is inadequate and that its wrong that my MIL who worked all her life had to shell out half her retirement income each month to pay for her Cobra AND keep living in a state away from her family because she couldn't get a policy that allowed her to move to another state?

How about this?  How about everyone gets the same healthcare that our Congress gets?  Seems fair to me. . . . .

I have no idea what we are having for dinner tonight but after all the discussion of fava beans and rice, I'm thinking lentils and rice with a bit of yogurt in support of all those Egyptians opposed to a new pharonich [did I spell that right?] dynasty.

Konakat please do eat more cookies and think sunny beach! 

I feel so thankful that all our problems have been solved. We now know that none of us should ever fear not getting the medical care we need due to our finances. I feel so secure now that I have been assured of this. We also know that our country has the very best medical care in the world - we've heard that twice and maybe 3 times today. No one has ever cited a reputable source for the U.S.'s number one ranking, but I'm sure one would be provided if we asked. I also know that if all else fails all I have to do is "get a grant".

Thanks to those of you who reassured me and allayed my fears. I feel so much better  - and I think I'll call some of the AZ transplant patients and let them in on the good news that finances have nothing to do with quality of care in the Good Ole USA. 

I agree. More letters to Congress on the way. If they cram it on me, they have to walk the walk.

In civilized countries the burden is not put on private businesses but on the government. Nor would private citizens have to give up their own shelter. You are confusing individual rights and collective rights, Shokk. Of course no one is going to ask that grocers give away their food unless they want to. We would all help out. We already do, through taxes. 

Noone is asking a business not to make a profit or a person not to exercise private ownership rights.  

Food for the poor and shelter for the homeless is not the America I merely want to live in - it is the America I already live in. Shocking concept - feeding the hungry and clothing the indigent. We actually do it, along with waterboarding.  Section 8 Housing and Food Stamps already exist. Many conservatives would disagree with you, Shokk, not only Bob Dole. In fact, the State Childrens' Health Insurance program was created through a bipartisan effort.  

Oh and Athena don't forget the unmanned drones that are dropping bombs on innocent women and children every day in Afghanistan and Pakistan (a country we are suppose to be protecting) that this President is so fond of.........shokk

What is the responsibility of a citizen in a society that provides so many "rights"?

Does responsibility go along with the "Rights"  ?

I am sure you all will go on to talk about doping up on food, as usual when you don't have an intelligent answer

Well true but Bush never used the unmanned drones like the current President is doing.......Bush water boarded three theorists and Soetoro is dropping bombs on Weddings in Pakistan......just saying......and if I am not mistaken Soetoro increased the size of the troops which was his choice.......and I thought he was going to stop these wars........don't see that happening.....if fact the intensity of the wars have increased since Soetoro took office.........Shokk

The responsibility is to share in the cost in proportion to our earnings to ensure these rights for all.  For example, I will gladly wait on elective, non-mandatory care so everyone can have equal access to health care.

No, we turn to talking about food because we get bored of all the nonsense. or to diffuse a heated situation.  I thought that was obvious.  And yeah Erica/Robbie/Daisy/etc., I love doping on food, sorry it offends you.  Just to be a whiny b*tch, since I don't have much time left I will do what gives me pleasure, such as stuffing my face.

Pat -- everyone is supposed to be covered but not everyone is.  I.e., can't afford it so they pay the cheaper penalty.  I just know my bf's experience -- I've never used it so I never looked into it. 

Here's a link to the MA program so you can read up on it.  https://www.mahealthconnector.org/portal/site/connector/

Now I'm craving pancakes smothered in maple syrup from Quebec.  I even did some taste tests comparing Vermont and Quebec syrups with my US friends and Quebec syrup won hands down.  Go figure.  Of course, Quebec is La Belle Province...