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If you think it’s bad here, don’t try Switzerland
The Times Online ^ | 25 March 08 | Michael Evans

Posted on 03/24/2008 5:27:26 PM PDT by SkyPilot

The United Kingdom has been ranked as one of the most stable and prosperous countries in the world, beating the United States, France and even Switzerland in a global assessment of every nation’s achievements and standards.

A one-year investigation and analysis of 235 countries and dependent territories has put the UK joint seventh in the premier league of nations. The top ten comprise also the Vatican, Sweden, Luxembourg, Monaco, Gibraltar, San Marino, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands and the Irish Republic.

The US lies 22nd and Switzerland, normally associated with wealth and untouchable stability, is rated 17th, losing points in the assessment of its social achievements.

The bottom ten, surprisingly, do not include Iraq. They are listed as Gaza and the West Bank, Somalia, Sudan, Afghanistan, Ivory Coast, Haiti, Zimbabwe, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: qualityoflife; stablecountries; unitedstates
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Aha!!! Sweden, Luxembourg, Monaco, Gibraltar,
San Marino, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands
and the Irish Republic.....RICH WHITE PEOPLE!!!!!

1 posted on 03/24/2008 5:27:27 PM PDT by SkyPilot
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To: SkyPilot

Don’t worry, the UK will soon become a third-world nation. A combination of high taxation and insane policies will prove lethal.


2 posted on 03/24/2008 5:29:26 PM PDT by proxy_user
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To: SkyPilot

they don’t have a million illegals crossing their border every year


3 posted on 03/24/2008 5:29:42 PM PDT by choose4urfuture
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He acknowledged that it was a little unfair to put the Vatican at the top because it did not face the sort of threats and economic pressures of other countries. But under the rating system, which took into account each nation’s political structures, social and economic trends, military and security risks and external relations, the Vatican state scored an average of 99 out of 100. Sweden and Luxembourg were also rated 99, with the UK not far off, with an average of 97, but scoring 100 for its politics, economics and external relations.

So they acknowledge it is a bit ridiculous comparing The Vatican with other nations on a basis with nations of millions of people.

Gee, ya think? Oh, and Monaco - that bastion of urban crime and welfare dependency. Glad Lichtenstein solved its inner city drug problem though.....

4 posted on 03/24/2008 5:30:56 PM PDT by SkyPilot ("I wasn't in church during the time when the statements were made.")
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To: proxy_user

Why do we keep reading about the monied and the talented leaving the UK on a regular basis?


5 posted on 03/24/2008 5:32:28 PM PDT by sinanju
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To: choose4urfuture
From the article:

Mr Le Mière said that the US had fallen down the scale, although it still scored an average of 93 out of 100, partly because of the proliferation of small arms owned by Americans and the threat to the population posed by the flow of drugs from across the Mexican border.

What? Well, if we have millions of drug addled aliens pouring through from Mexico, I think it is quite prudent for Americans to start owning more small arms.

6 posted on 03/24/2008 5:32:48 PM PDT by SkyPilot ("I wasn't in church during the time when the statements were made.")
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To: sinanju

I guess a few of them are smart enough to get out before it’s too late.

The rest will wake up and find themselves in a Brave New World.


7 posted on 03/24/2008 5:33:37 PM PDT by proxy_user
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To: sinanju
This summer, I was thinking of vacationing in Gaza. I hear they have a great package rate.


8 posted on 03/24/2008 5:35:02 PM PDT by SkyPilot ("I wasn't in church during the time when the statements were made.")
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To: Atlantic Bridge; UKrepublican

This is surprising, given the crime wave that Great Britain is going through.


9 posted on 03/24/2008 5:39:53 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued (Those in the national Republican leadership do the work of three men- Moe, Larry, and Curly.)
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To: SkyPilot

And how many of those top countries would even be around if not for the US?


10 posted on 03/24/2008 5:46:12 PM PDT by Right Wing Assault ("..this administration is planning a 'Right Wing Assault' on values and ideals.." - John Kerry)
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To: SkyPilot

Lived in the Netherlands. Nice place. Not even close to the USA for prosperity. I smell a skewed study!


11 posted on 03/24/2008 5:46:13 PM PDT by landerwy (Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness!)
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To: SkyPilot

Is “Gibraltar” a country?
When did that happen?


12 posted on 03/24/2008 5:49:30 PM PDT by Repeal The 17th
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To: SkyPilot
Mr Le Mière said that the US had fallen down the scale, although it still scored an average of 93 out of 100, partly because of the proliferation of small arms owned by Americans

OK.

13 posted on 03/24/2008 5:49:42 PM PDT by Trailerpark Badass
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To: proxy_user
not to mention thousands of Muslims who want to make the UK the next islamic state with islamic law
14 posted on 03/24/2008 5:50:22 PM PDT by U.S.overallothers
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To: SkyPilot
he proliferation of small arms owned by Americans

To him it's a bug. To us it's a feature.

15 posted on 03/24/2008 5:50:33 PM PDT by white trash redneck
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To: SkyPilot
This summer, I was thinking of vacationing in Gaza. I hear they have a great package rate.

Umm, I think you misunderstood. I don't think they said that Gaza is a haven for tourists. : )

16 posted on 03/24/2008 6:01:16 PM PDT by Wilhelm Tell (True or False? This is not a tag line.)
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To: landerwy

“Lived in the Netherlands. Nice place.”

Lived in the Netherlands in early 60’s. Last time I visited the country was in 1995 and if I never visited it again it would be too soon.


17 posted on 03/24/2008 6:03:18 PM PDT by 353FMG (Vote for the Person who will do the least damage to our country.)
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To: choose4urfuture

But if this were a valid assessment - wouldn’t they have people breaking down the doors to get in, and wouldn’t the US have a population outflow? These international rankings are rarely worth the ink required to print them.


18 posted on 03/24/2008 6:10:07 PM PDT by Wally_Kalbacken (Seldom right but never in doubt)
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To: Right Wing Assault

“And how many of those top countries would even be around if not for the US?”

Bravo, sir, very well put!!!!


19 posted on 03/24/2008 6:16:52 PM PDT by Levante
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To: Trailerpark Badass

“Mr Le Mière said that the US had fallen down the scale, although it still scored an average of 93 out of 100, partly because of the proliferation of small arms owned by Americans”

Mr. Le Miere’s name is actually Mr. Le MERDE.


20 posted on 03/24/2008 6:18:28 PM PDT by Levante
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