Hi!
I have had a mini vacation in our little cottage, and it has taken some time for me to come through this topic after my return. WOW it’s so interesting to see how intelligent, enthusiastically people can have such different opinions
.
And as usual I cannot resist bringing a voice from Denmark.
The war
I know that Europe wouldn’t had been the same, if the Americans haven’t helped us with soldiers and weapons during WW I and II and had given economic help after the war. We have to be grateful for that.
I supported our government when they, opposite other European countries, decided to send soldiers to Iraq. I thought that we did the Iraqi people a favour. And perhaps we did. Time will show that.
I still support that we have soldiers in Afghanistan, even though it’s so sad to hear every time a soldier is killed. But as long our soldiers think it serves a purpose to be there, I’m with.
BUT even though weapons and soldiers sometimes solve a problem, I’m not sure that every problem can be solved with weapons and soldiers. Sometimes you have to try a new way, which can be to negotiate with your enemies instead of bombing them. You risk to create new enemies in that way.
Like Jorge, I think the war in Iraq and Afghanistan is a big, big problem, more than the economic crisis (even though we personally are hit). I hope the new president in USA will be able to help.
Higher taxes
I can see that some people in USA really have fear for higher taxes.
I know that what is good for a mouse perhaps isn’t good for an elephant, so I cannot compare little Denmark with the big USA. But I think it gives foods for thoughts to look at in which investigations Denmark is among top ten countries.
The most honest people
Less corruption
Smallest difference between poor and rich
Good economy
Happiest people
and
number one when it comes to, which people pay most in tax. And it’s not only in Denmark you see that. In other European countries you see nearly the same pattern.
I also would like to save tax, but it comforts me to know what the money is used for (even though I don’t agree in everything).
Health Care
In the moment we of course see and hear a lot about USA, and TV and radio have reporters who is travelling around talking with ordinary people. Some of the stories are chocking. People, who need to sell their house, because it’s the only way they can pay the bills, they have had for treatment of their illness, too example cancer. Some of them couldn’t afford to have insurance and some of them have had insurance through their job, but they have reached the limit amount. I don’t say our health system is perfect, and I also think that people in some way need to be responsible for their own life, but no one would come in such a situation here in DK - or I think in any European country. I cannot understand that a country like USA, where it’s told that people are more Christian than in Europe, can allow that people both have to worry about their illness and about paying the bills for the treatment
(and soxfan, I have read your answer about the hospitals, who cannot deny to treat a person, but it cannot explain these stories).
Free abortion
As a woman and a European I don't think it surprises you that I feel that it’s up to the woman to decide, if she want an abortion or not. I’m sure it’s a very difficult choice for every woman, and here in DK you always have a dialogue with a doctor before the decision. If you don’t have free abortion many would try to have an illegal abortion, which can harm both the woman and perhaps the child too. You cannot stop an unhappy woman, who wants an abortion. To minimize the abortions you have to make such conditions for the women so that they are able to bring up a child, even though they are alone or perhaps very poor. And if the child is conceived because of incest or rape or the woman’s life will be in danger, you of course have to accept abortion.
Another thing I cannot understand is, why the people, who is against taking life through free abortion, sometimes are the same people, who defend the right for every man to have a weapon, and who support death penalty. Is life only sacredly for an unborn?
Hope you will accept and not hate the person, who will be the next president of USA, regardless if it’s Mc Cain or Obama. And I don’t trust all these treaths from people, who say they will move to another ountry, if the person they like, isn’t elected. It can happen in a country ,where they have, what is called democracy, and who would want lo live in a country without that?
best wishes!
Linne