Social Democratic Nations Rank Happiest on Global Index (Again). US Ranking Falls (Again).

[guillaumeb]

From the article:

Out-sized corporate power and wealth inequality were named as reasons for Americans' chronic unhappiness in the UN's annual report

Healthcare costs, high rates of addictions, socioeconomic inequality, and a poor emphasis on ensuring work-life balance were mentioned in the report as causes of unhappiness in countries around the world, including the U.S. The country's low ranking in "freedom" may stem partially from the out-sized power held by corporations, with the government unwilling to protect its citizenry from large companies intent on boosting their profits....

"The U.S. has had, by now, two startling wake-up calls: back to back years of falling life expectancy and declining measured subjective well-being," wrote Jeffrey Sachs, economist and co-author of the report. "Major studies have documented the rising suicide rates and substance misuse...A public policy response built around well-being rather than corporate profits would place the rising addiction rates under intensive and urgent scrutiny, and would design policies to respond to these rising challenges."

To read more:

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/20/social-democratic-nations-rank-happiest-global-index-again-us-ranking-falls-again?cd-n

Unregulated capitalism will inevitably lead to what we see in the US, and in other countries where the rich can buy politicians and make the laws.

[Celerity]

1. thanks for this

more ( a tweet from the article and 2 videos on wealth inequality)

Link to tweet

[guillaumeb]

2. And economic inequality can also lead to violence in society.

It adds to the pressure that we all experience.

[malaise]

3. As always

My oldest sibling has lived in Denmark for over 50 years - that is a country that puts its citizens first.
They provide great education for all, cater to parents with decent leave following childbirth and shut down for three week holidays in summer.

Even now they don't close windows or doors in summer. They don't have security grills on doors. Yes that's one happy place.

[guillaumeb]

4. And..........

like every other country on earth, they do not spend a trillion dollars a year on the war machine.

Spending so much on war leaves very little for other things.

[malaise]

5. Precisely - I often ask folks what's the point of the war machine if your citizens

don't benefit. War is for the corporations to enrich themselves - that money could be better spent on looking after your people and therefore not needing war.

[guillaumeb]

6. My view:

the main purpose for the war machine is to defend the interests of the rich.

[Ferrets are Cool]

8. And fill their bank accounts...

which is probably saying the same thing.

[Ferrets are Cool]

7. This

[pansypoo53219]

9. denmark is awesome. been twice. only heard fire sirens once.

i could have gotten any high taxes i paid on anything i had bought, but i was o ok w/ supporting their system.