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This is how you protest transit fare hikes! (pg. 5)
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by karim
The study of political science and various sources I have read. Doesn't make me fully qualified, but it does provide me the opportunity to present an argument with at least some merit.
I pointed out your "I have a friend from..." point in your argument because more often then not, in arguments, this doesn't necessarily constitute a strong one. Not specific to ~Delicious~, but many times, the "I know somebody that..." statement holds very little credibility. I've seen an entire documentary on people in russia who are in worse shape now after the fall of communism, that have a very positive impression of communism.
~Delicious~, you might have a certain impression on communism, but there are people who share your background but don't share your views.
:)
Karim |
thats because opinion varys about everything in every society. Her views are no less valid then yours. And just because you have some degree doesnt exactly qualify you either. Life experience is what counts and people speak from their experiences.
While i respect your opinion i simply dont agree with them based on my life experience and neither does delicious and i suspect most of the rest of the world. Communism had it's day and it failed miserably. |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by starsearcher
Gas prices have nothing to do with developments in Asia...gas prices are controlled by OPEC who do as they please to influence nations and world events |
funny u should say that:
| quote: |
India, China account for high oil prices:
[ TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2005 09:02:40 PM ]
WASHINGTON: India is moving center-front with China in the world's geo-strategic and economic discourse. Lubricated by their rising oil and energy consumption, the elephant and the dragon are being invoked together repeatedly in political and economic discussions, even though the gap between them is significant.
President Bush was waiting for the Saudi Crown Prince Abdulla at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, on Monday when he bantered with the media eager to know the agenda of the meeting at a time when gas prices in the U.S has become a matter of everyday chatter.
"Sir, do you think gas prices will be any lower than it is today?" a correspondent asked him amid nationwide huffing at gas prices that now average $ 2.25 per gallon price (about Rs 27 per litre).
"That depends on the supply and demand," Bush, who once dallied in the oil sector before entering politics, said. "One thing is for certain: The price of crude is driving the price of gasoline. The price of crude is up because not only is our economy growing, but economies such as India and China's economies are growing."
In economic discussions in the US, one often hears of the scorching growth rates of China and India as the top reason for high crude prices - a sentiment that has shades of envy, concern and admiration.
"India is increasingly linked with China as the two bellwethers of the world's economic and geopolitical future," the investment agency Moody's said in a report released Monday.
This, despite the fact that India and China account for only 3 per cent and 6 per cent respectively of the global oil consumption, compared to the more than 20 per cent that the US uses.
Demand in the U.S is mostly driven by the addiction of its consumers to cheap gas to fuel thier humongous SUVs (mini-trucks masquerading as cars). Despite a slowdown SUVs account for nearly 25 per cent all vehicular sales. Although the American intelligentsia has begun to realize this ("We have met the enemy, and he is us," one newspaper editorialized recently), there is still a knee-jerk tendency to point at China and India every time the subject of crude oil prices comes up. Besides, consumption rates in India and China are going up by 8 per cent annually compared to less than 5 per cent in the US.
While the booming economies of China and India mean cheaper goods and services for the US, Americans are also looking askance at the latest growth forecast for the two countries issued on Monday by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP): 7.2 per cent for India and 8.5 per cent for China.
Not that they wish it was any less or lower. At Crawford, Bush, whose approval rating have been slipping rapidly, is said to urged long term measures, including higher oil production.
"A high oil price will damage markets, and he knows that," Bush told reporters, in remarks that held good for the US, China and India. |
The only problem with this article is that it ignores speculators as well. Any sign of a decrease in availabilty is just as good as an actual shortage when it comes to futures prices on the cost of oil. |
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| karim |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
The gap between developing nations and the industrialized world is closing. Look to china, india, and may parts of south america for proof of this. In fact the reason why gas prices are so high is because of the rapid growth in india and asia.
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LOL. Sorry I have to laugh at this statement. Let me make a few corrections.
The gap between the RICH POWERBROKERS in developing nations and the industrialized world is closing. Look to china, india, and many parts of south america for proof that their RICH are gaining wealth that can be compared to wealthy first world nations, where their poor are getting poorer.
The fact of the matter is, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. A small percentage owns a majority of the worlds wealth. It's not the nation's population that is getting closer to closing the gap, but the nations wealthy upper class.
:)
Karim |
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| karim |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
But living in poland doesnt qualify you to be an expert on communism ;) |
I never said I lived in Poland or used me being half polish as a means of credibility in my argument. I only stated how a former communist country provided education to its people.
:)
Karim |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by karim
LOL. Sorry I have to laugh at this statement. Let me make a few corrections.
The gap between the RICH POWERBROKERS in developing nations and the industrialized world is closing. Look to china, india, and many parts of south america for proof that their RICH are gaining wealth that can be compared to wealthy first world nations, where their poor are getting poorer.
The fact of the matter is, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. A small percentage owns a majority of the worlds wealth. It's not the nation's population that is getting closer to closing the gap, but the nations wealthy upper class.
:)
Karim |
Well we were comparing whole nations to whole nations. Not segments to segements. Because the same can be said in Canada. Since we have enveloped more socialist policies our rich are getting rich and the poor are getting poorer.
Id like to see how many people in their 20s today have a house, 2 cars, and a cottage on one income like my dad did. And he was just a normal middle class person back then. |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by karim
I never said I lived in Poland or used me being half polish as a means of credibility in my argument. I only stated how a former communist country provided education to its people.
:)
Karim |
So your armchair theories hold more weight than a person who acutally lived there???? I only let you off the hook somewhat before because i thought you had actually LIVED in Poland.
The fact that you havnt means you have absolutely no leg to stand on when it comes to this one. |
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| karim |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
thats because opinion varys about everything in every society. Her views are no less valid then yours. And just because you have some degree doesnt exactly qualify you either. Life experience is what counts and people speak from their experiences.
While i respect your opinion i simply dont agree with them based on my life experience and neither does delicious and i suspect most of the rest of the world. Communism had it's day and it failed miserably. |
Life experiences may not always be the best source either. Political discussion brings out both views of the argument. Debates like this open both sides of an argument and often, political science text books are written in ways that present both sides of an issue.
Cuba isn't as bad off as the american media would like you to believe. A fair representation of Cuba would show them living their lives and not being exploited. Their drug trade, although existant, is not as big and rampant as Colombia's. Here's a blurb I found on cuba through google:
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Cuba makes a successful effort in widespread and available health care. All Cubans recieve free medical care, regardless of socioeconomic standing. All areas of Cuba have doctors, whether urban or city. The ratio of doctors to Cubans is one doctor per 200 Cubans (The Cuban Experience, 1998). Much attention is devoted to the care of the children. Specifically affecting children is the emphasis on childhood vaccinations. Over nine out of ten one-year-olds are fully vaccinated, protecting them from diseases such as tuberculosis, polio, and measles (Green, 1998). These are impressive statistics considering Cuba's poor economic situation. In 1997 Cuba managed to rank second best among 78 developing nations using the Human Poverty Index. The Index blend is composed of literacy rates, life expectancy, access to health care and safe water, and the percentage of malnourished children. Maintaining health care has been an impressive feat considering their economy has diminished by a third since 1989. Many believe Cuba should be a positive model for other developing countries. Yet, it falls short when providing medications, even basic ones like insulin, aspirin, cold medication, and penicillin, to its people. Prescriptions, even over-the-counter drugs, are scarce and are therefore rationed. Imported medications and much needed medical equipment are not an option for Cuba as a result of restrictions mandated by the U.S. Trading with the Enemy Act in 1959. In response, Castro made an unsuccessful attempt informing an indigenous health industry. The state pharmacy rarely has medications available to the average Cuban. In order to cope, Cuba's health care approach not only includes equity, but also includes priority of care for vulnerable groups in society, like women, children, and the elderly. Overall, Cuba demonstrates devotion to its people, especially its children.
References
Garfield, R. & Santana, S. (1997, January). The impact of the economic crisis and the US embargo on health care in Cuba.
Green, D. (1998). Hidden Lives: Voices of children in Latin America and the Caribbean. London and Washington: Cassel
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Now that shows that Cuba is in better standing than many of the other developing nations out there. One might think that Cuba could be better off had they not had such limitations forced upon them by the USA.
| quote: | | Many believe Cuba should be a positive model for other developing countries. |
I'm one of those many.
:)
Karim |
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| karim |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
So your armchair theories hold more weight than a person who acutally lived there???? I only let you off the hook somewhat before because i thought you had actually LIVED in Poland.
The fact that you havnt means you have absolutely no leg to stand on when it comes to this one. |
Absolutely no leg? Are you kidding me? Poland only recently started charging for education. My 2 cousins (one a judge, the youngest female judge in poland, and the other a doctor) both got their educations for free. And I know nothing about it because I didn't live htere? :haha:
:)
Karim |
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| karim |
Here's something to think about that applies to us. The Ecstacy trade.
Alot of the chemical drugs are produced in post communist nations after communism collapsed, because many of these educated, qualified scientists were out of employment and wouldn't be hired by alot of the first worlds pharmacutical companies. In turn, they use their skills in illicit drug manufacturing.
:)
Karim |
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| karim |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
Well we were comparing whole nations to whole nations. Not segments to segements. Because the same can be said in Canada. Since we have enveloped more socialist policies our rich are getting rich and the poor are getting poorer.
Id like to see how many people in their 20s today have a house, 2 cars, and a cottage on one income like my dad did. And he was just a normal middle class person back then. |
True and that is a flaw in our system.
I often hear immigrant success stories about how somebody came to Canada with $300 and is now a millionaire.
Hell, I heard that Mike Lee-Chin (worth $2.6 billion) came to Canada with only a few hundred and is now one of the richest men in the world. But that doesn't say much when most of Canada starts their lives in deep financial debt. $300 is alot more than -$15 000.
But the difference between Canada is that we are still capable of affording a standard of living for our lower class.
Alot of the homeless in Canada are homeless because of drug use, distrust in the system, or believe it or not, a preferance in that lifestyle.
:)
Karim |
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| karim |
And I guess Jayx1's gone.
Anyways, I had fun having this debate. It burned time while I was waiting for my laundry to finish. I look forward to meeting you in person Jay.
:)
Karim |
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| starsearcher |
while we're on the subject, back in the day people had to make a choice between going to university or going to the army...education was indeed free and was VERY tough!
To this day I laugh when on the news they are reporting that "poll suggests students are too stressed, students get too much homework, students are overworked"... :haha: :stongue: bull crap |
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