Ireland named best country to live in

[ckramer]

Economist survey ranks U.S. 13th, U.K. 29th, Zimbabwe last

LONDON - Ireland is the best country to live in with Switzerland in second spot, according to a sweeping study of 111 nations aimed at comparing happiness around the world.

The survey, produced by the Economist Intelligence Unit and released on Wednesday, showed the quality of life in Ireland well ahead of the United States, which was ranked 13th, and neighboring Britain, which came in at 29th place.

[Khephra]

1. Even my mother is thinking of moving out of the country

if things don't go our way in 2008. She keeps on mentioning Ireland now.

She's gone from being a Bush voter in 2000 to wanting to get out of here. That sure says a lot about how far this country has fallen, doesn't it?

[madmax]

4. Sure does!

Is bush the first repug she's voted for?

[Khephra]

9. Nope

But he was her last.

:evilgrin:

[MichaelHarris]

2. I was there recently

and some of my wife's family live there and it does rock,not to mention the women are beautiful.

[Sandpiper]

3. We're the 13th greatest country in the world!

In your face Zimbabwe!!!!

[indigobusiness]

6. LOL...It might not be long

before we give Zimbabwe a run for its money.

[Reverend_Smitty]

8. woo hoo we're number 13, we're number 13!

n/t

[autorank]

14. "The Bear Flag Republic" is the greatest country in the country!

Corporate America controls the media and we get manufactured news.
Corporate America now controls the voting machines and we get manufactured elections.

http://www.blackboxvoting.org/

[AndyTiedye]

21. We Do Have the Coolest State Flag

[autorank]

23. Bear's headed for Yosemite Valley to bag a tourist!

[Dover]

5. Bill Clinton said that's where he'd live, if not in the U.S.

I can't imagine Northern Ireland would be his choice, but the rest is certinly the best.

[indigobusiness]

7. You got something against Belfast?

That's a happening town.

[geniph]

10. So long as you don't want family planning services

or an abortion - many forms of family planning are not legal in Ireland. It's not even permitted to talk about them in some parts of the country.

[ckramer]

12. hmm...

The survey is based on complex equations that give precedence to matters of health, well-being, political stability and security, etc...if there's no family planning services, why it was given high marks in health?

[2sheds]

11. IT Professionals...

as well as construction and health care professionals are needed in Ireland, apparently, and there is a fast-track work visa authorization system for such professionals.

Woo hoo!

[PhuLoi]

13. My wife is a webdesigner and I am a journeyman electrician,

is there any hope for us? My grandmother's name was Casey, the other's was McGreggor while an earlier ancestor was an English border holder. I am actually my own worst enemy.

Edited to welcome you to DU, forgive my bad manners.

[mcscajun]

18. If one of your parents or your grandparents were born in Ireland...

...you are eligible to apply for entry. :)

Would that I could say that.

[PhuLoi]

29. Thank you so much. I shall have to find out. nt

[MileHiStealth]

22. Journeyman Electrician ! Me too ... Are you IBEW ?

[PhuLoi]

28. HELL YES! IBEW Local 46

I've been on the books seven months and unemployment is about gone. I will probably tramp out to find work. I just can't bring myself to work rat.

[PhuLoi]

30. By the way, love your name. Pratchett reference,no? nt

[Algorem]

15. it's easy to get Irish citizenship if ye've got micks in yer family tree,I

think.Begorah.

[Southsideirish]

16. 'Have nothing but "micks" in my tree!

And, I understand, I have automatic Irish citizenship as my parents were born there. My husband - well, I dunno what happens to him!

[autorank]

17. Memo to Great Britain: Ireland rules!

And worshipers of the odious Tony Blair, you are veritable third worlders. I hope Ireland's prosperity continues and they start buying up British assets. Maybe they could force Murdoch out of the Times and buy Harrods from that nut case. They they could civilize Britain, a task requiring some attention that the citizens of that country seem unable to accomplish.

Corporate America controls the media and we get manufactured news.
Corporate America now controls the voting machines and we get manufactured elections.

http://www.blackboxvoting.org/

[Pale_Rider]

19. Ireland is still lovely after I've lived there ...

... for nearly four years. Though I have doubts about the low unemployment, since a good many are on the dole. There are some issues such as ...

1) rain, rain, showers, rain, frost - sun-filled summer days may last only a few weeks (though with global warming, it may improve). During the winter, the Irish become chronic complainants (with some severe dissing of their country). Flooding is becoming more commonplace as developers build more and more housing estates.

2) tax rate is not progressive - though its improved since I've lived there. For a single person, its 20% on the first 28K euros, and then 42% on the balance. Throw in an additional 4% for social security (PSRI).

3) sales tax or value added tax of 21% for goods and services, 13.5% or 0% for various essentials.

4) health care services - if you are dependent on social services, be prepared to wait for health-care. If you are willing to pay, then you get better service though you will still have to go to either UK or US for highly specialized treatments.

5) food - definite lack of Mexican food. Plenty of Chinese and Indian though. Irish food is mainly meat and potatoes. (And forget eating raw vegetables.)

6) petro - nearly $4 a gallon.

7) wariness of foreigners (especially English, and even Americans)

8) great pub life especially on Thursdays and Saturdays.

9) lack of environmental awareness - a large number of folks still burn peat for heat (nothing like the "fog" in Tipperary on a cold winter night) and respiratory illnesses, and litter is sometimes rampant.

10) perception that the government and the officials are worthless.

Still I would consider Ireland as my first choice of exile (since I now have family and friends there). Though I rather stay in the States and fight the red-state influenza.

[nookiemonster]

20. And a beautiful country.

I've heard from friends that have vacationed. The Irish are definitely "lucky" to have such a great piece of Earth to reside upon.

At least as a consolation, I'm at least 1/2 Irish heritage, I think.

:silly:

[PartyPooper]

24. Who could resist living in Ireland or the UK...or, anywhere

other than the US after the imperialists took over?

I would move there in a heartbeat...if only I could.

:-(

[Barkley]

25. No Way! Disneyland is the happiest place on earth --everyone knows that

[Barkley]

26. UN: Canada is #1

seven years running ...


Canada # 1 in UN survey — again
Last Updated Thu Jun 29 15:40:11 2000

NEW YORK - For the seventh year in a row, Canada is number 1 in the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). That ranks 174 countries in terms of life expectancy, education and income.

http://cbc.ca/cgi-bin/templates/view.cgi?/news/2000/06/29/UN_report000629

[Endangered Specie]

27. "comparing happiness"... well what did you expect in a nation

where everyone drinks, smokes, sins and not much else :shrug: ;)

[bin.dare]

31. but not at the same time since ...

pubs ban smokes