Opinion on your government?

[Stronk Serb]

Well, my opinion is pretty low, I mean yours would be too if you had bird brains, drunk Porkies and hardcore alcoholics in the government.


http://www.opozicionar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/zoran-babic-lovefest-890x395.jpg

http://press.rs/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Ivica-se-trezni-u-Skupstini-300x286.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvpUftUCQAA3MwD.jpg

http://shpajz.rs/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/moodiranje.com_.jpeg

[Vermilion]

Very low.

[Left Now]

As a government in general : Medium

As a government which claims that it is acting according to its principles : Very Low;actually near zero to be honest.

[sqishy]

Absolutely no faith in it whatsoever.

[Sir Suomi]

When people like Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are considered to be front-runners in our upcoming election, it really makes me want to just give up TBH.

[StoppingTom]

A lot of people with hard-ons for bombing the middle east, even on the Democratic Side, along with the general idiots considered front-runners in the election, my opinion is not that great.

[SethfromMI]

i don't trust mine at all, but, it could be worse

[Jaffe]

The country of my citizenship: They talk great, but don't do much of anything.
The country where I currently reside: They don't even bother to talk well. They just argue and threaten and generally act like bullies.

My opinion of them overall is pretty low.

[West Coast Sheriff]

Compared to other governments it's good but I definitely see room for improvement

[dxcxdzv]

I don't really care. But I'd like to see the taxes go down. That's the only thing I care right now, the rest is either fine or not important.

[Capto]

Abe is a dunce, but a surprisingly charismatic dunce at times.

[phuckphace]

my government sucks p.bad but thankfully the Drumpfenkrieg will fix it

[Sir Suomi]

but thankfully the Drumpfenkrieg will fix it


https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/4WWFePppuvY_qQQ2UuMATA--/Zmk9ZmlsbDtweW9mZj0wO3c9OTU2O2g9NTM4O3NtPTE7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/video/video.pd2upload.com/[email protected]_FULL.png

[Melodic]

I don't trust our government.

[ComfortableInChaos]

I think the American government is corrupt. It fell in the late 90s and I've been reading into it a lot recently and it's showing everywhere. When the government doesn't want to take responsibility for their fucking shit, that's when you know you're not in a country that really cares about their people. Nice going, sheep herders.

[Uniquemind]

All human governments have a dark underbelly, because human nature has a dark underbelly of character traits called sins, compounded by the fact there is a competition for resources that are finite.

Naturally you get a cutthroat environment, but that by no means the bad means there aren't good that comes out of all the fighting.

The nature of government and politics is to move progress and policy forward, curb, shift and change policy platforms, but by no means do not gridlock the system of progress.

If you gridlock the system all you get are bad policies due to the fact that time ticks regardless if laws are passed or not.

I have specific reasons I am dissatisfied with government, but I am not entirely cynical with it, it has it's place.

[lliam]

Agreed. I guess none should think about any government. This causes usually only headache after headache.

[phuckphace]

Agreed. I guess none should think about any government. This causes usually only headache after headache.

especially when you think of how awesome germany's used to be

[lliam]

especially when you think of how awesome germany's used to be

Yepp. Also, Germans always been thinkers, but weren't rarely good poets, otherwise some things would have gone been different here. We think too much by having less feelings. We are a nation of technocrats. ***

And that is why the pharmaceutical industry earns billions with the sale of headache pills every year.


*** Oh yeah, that's why I claim that we never had any government, but administrations.

[tovaris]

People here NEWER like the goverment.

http://www.mladina.si/media/www/slike/2015/31/__610/rol_2015_31_1.png


http://meme.si/media/created/250/e52xha.jpg

http://meme.si/media/created/250/ssddqf.jpg

http://meme.si/media/download.php?meme=3mhdm9


/.../

image (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvpUftUCQAA3MwD.jpg)



This guy ^^

[Professional Russian]

Ah the good ole American government. Where they're slow as fuck, dumb as fuck, and fuck you every step of the way. Either way you put it our government sucks. I don't care if Obama if your savior from good it sucks now and has sucked for alongggggg time

[tovaris]

/.../
.

What country?

[Microcosm]

Sometimes I think the U.S. government is great. Other times I think it's terrible. I don't really know anymore. It really depends on who's in control at the time.

As of now, nothing really gets done. However, I think that in the upcoming years people will fight for a more free country and stop letting money control our government. I'll gain some respect for it then.

[phuckphace]

Yepp. Also, Germans always been thinkers, but weren't rarely good poets, otherwise some things would have gone been different here. We think too much by having less feelings. We are a nation of technocrats. ***

And that is why the pharmaceutical industry earns billions with the sale of headache pills every year.


*** Oh yeah, that's why I claim that we never had any government, but administrations.

I remember seeing a GDP map of Europe and you could see the old borders of Prussia where Poland is now (areas with Poles of German ancestry are some of the most economically successful.) Arbeit macht frei!

[lliam]

Arbeit macht frei!


I think this saying is one of the most cynical quotes used by the Nazis. Should a German government ever use something like that as a motto, I go to ISIS and let me train as bomb builder or so. And than I'll be back ...

[Stronk Serb]

Yepp. Also, Germans always been thinkers, but weren't rarely good poets, otherwise some things would have gone been different here. We think too much by having less feelings. We are a nation of technocrats. ***

And that is why the pharmaceutical industry earns billions with the sale of headache pills every year.


*** Oh yeah, that's why I claim that we never had any government, but administrations.

Hey, what about Goethe, Wagner, Heine and countless other artists of every opus from the nineteenth century?

[Gwen]

Waiting for the non-existent non-delusional and well informed person to have a good opinion on their government overall, somehow I just don't see it happening. Nobody is going to come out and say anything good about any government if they at least somewhat know and understand what they are doing. I hate my government but I've got power and food so they aren't doing as bad as some other governments I suppose, wish it was better but happy it isn't a lot worse. Low expectations really do boost your view on governments I suppose ^^

[lliam]

Hey, what about Goethe, Wagner, Heine and countless other artists of every opus from the nineteenth century?


Goethe lived at the beginning of the 19th century. There was not even Germany. The Germany we speak about was founded on January 18, 1871st. And this Germany is legally based on the Napoleonic Code. So, by no means, it's not really german. it's french. *g*

The poets, arists, thinkers, etc you mentioned might have been German patriots, but above all they all just spiritual products of the Rennaisance (15-16. Century) which culminated in its peak in the period of 1760-1830.

Therefore I refuse to call'em German Idols, because similar other people from other nations also had the same thoughts and ambitions.

A patriotic spirit, doesn't make'em necessarily idols of a national culture.

They were poets, philosophers and scientists who I only can see in a context of an transnational Zeitgeist as outstanding personalities. And as such they nationalwise were mental mutants.^^

[Stronk Serb]

Goethe lived at the beginning of the 19th century. There was not even Germany. The Germany we speak about was founded on January 18, 1871st. And this Germany is legally based on the Napoleonic Code. So, by no means, it's not really german. it's french. *g*

The poets, arists, thinkers, etc you mentioned might have been German patriots, but above all they all just spiritual products of the Rennaisance (15-16. Century) which culminated in its peak in the period of 1760-1830.

Therefore I refuse to call'em German Idols, because similar other people from other nations also had the same thoughts and ambitions.

A patriotic spirit, doesn't make'em necessarily idols of a national culture.

They were poets, philosophers and scientists who I only can see in a context of an transnational Zeitgeist as outstanding personalities. And as such they nationalwise were mental mutants.^^

In school we mentioned them as members of the Romanticist movement and as German artists because they lived in what was soon to become Germany.

[lliam]

In school we mentioned them as members of the Romanticist movement and as German artists because they lived in what was soon to become Germany.

Well, the romance has been the degenerative phase of the Enlightenment.

That was my impression as we learned something about that era in school. Today Germany is full of kitsch of that time. The worst of all was Wagner's glorifying Teutons-art.

And I say this even though my surname is Wagner. And the summit of Kitsch is Neu-Schwanstein. This is also due to Wagner's influence to some extent.

And we must not forget that Hitler was Wagner fan. Oh, well, Hitler was too a romantic. By profession he painted postcards with romantic motifs. And we now all know how romantic his work was at the end.

To put it bluntly, the time of (German) Romanticism culminated in the era of the Nazis in the romanticizing person of Hitler.

I hope this explains why I not considered the Romantics. That was a brutal era with bad influences aftermath ... in every respect. Never trust romanticized politicians in governmental responsibility.

[phuckphace]

Götterdämmerung is muh fave Wagner piece. I appreciate kitsch ironically (brutalist Nazi kitsch is objectively ugly though, authoritarians have very poor visual taste it seems) see also: Best Korea, the USSR.

also @lliam (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/member.php?u=117511) you should totally start a Germany general thread where we can AMA you on all things German related.

[lliam]

you should totally start a Germany general thread where we can AMA you on all things German related.

yeah, this culture stuff was going a bit OT ... but to my defense and to be onTopic, I mentioned the Nazis. They once "govermented" Germany.

[Stronk Serb]

Well, the romance has been the degenerative phase of the Enlightenment.

That was my impression as we learned something about that era in school. Today Germany is full of kitsch of that time. The worst of all was Wagner's glorifying Teutons-art.

And I say this even though my surname is Wagner. And the summit of Kitsch is Neu-Schwanstein. This is also due to Wagner's influence to some extent.

And we must not forget that Hitler was Wagner fan. Oh, well, Hitler was too a romantic. By profession he painted postcards with romantic motifs. And we now all know how romantic his work was at the end.

To put it bluntly, the time of (German) Romanticism culminated in the era of the Nazis in the romanticizing person of Hitler.

I hope this explains why I not considered the Romantics. That was a brutal era with bad influences aftermath ... in every respect. Never trust romanticized politicians in governmental responsibility.

But if it wasn't for Rimanticist ideas of national unity and patriotism, there would be no unification of Germany. What good would that bring you? The same can be said fir a lot if ither European nations under foreign occupation, the Serbs, Hungarians, Slovaks, Czechs, Romanians, Greeks, Bulgarians...

[lliam]

In general I agree. There are always ideals, that tosses the big things. But those idealists just lay the foundation for ...whatever. If ideals getting opportune, realists apply and use them as a justification for their projects, eg for the unification of principalities and kingdoms into one nation or for revolutions (France, Russia) etc.

But ultimately, I am convinced that we don't need ideals, to balance out economic and social discrepancies. If it's necessary to restructure an entire political and economic system, it will be fixed someday.

There are enough examples. Especially in the era of industrialization and the new emerging capitalism. Child labor, monotonous working conditions, radical, hazardous labor exploitation forced any government to handle this grievances.

And so it will continue to happen. Each form of government will also adjust without ideals quite sober disadvantages of one side to the needs of the other side. Only in order to maintain a stable political system. Just to balancing out something.

I'm thinking of Obama-Care. America desperately needs such social adjustments if it's supposed to work stable long terms. And it's not that Obama alone had the idea for it. Clinton has tried it, but just Obama has been able to realize the Clinton plans to a small extent.

He therefore hasn'treally failed, but rather paved the way for one of his future colleagues to fulfill what is necessary.

It's called evolution. This takes much longer than if it comes through revolutions. But it's more stable if such a development once has enforced itself. Above all, it is also irreversible then.

[Porpoise101]

5 cheeseburgers out of 10

[mattsmith48]

Its an elected dictatorship

[Exocet]

Well, my opinion is pretty low, I mean yours would be too if you had bird brains, drunk Porkies and hardcore alcoholics in the government.


image (http://www.opozicionar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/zoran-babic-lovefest-890x395.jpg)

image (http://www.blic.rs/data/images/2013-05-18/342503_novi-sad-2669-ivica-dacic-novosadski-sajam-sajam-poljoprivrede-foto-robert-getel_f.jpg?ver=1368891320)

image (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvpUftUCQAA3MwD.jpg)

Lel.

https://zanybao.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/francois-hollande.jpg

[Stronk Serb]

Lel.

image (https://zanybao.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/francois-hollande.jpg)

If the government buildings went up in flames, with the politicians inside, people would literally put out the fire with gasoline.

Also, nice avatar.

[Vlerchan]

I personally find a French nationalists use of Erwin Rommel interesting to say the least.

[Exocet]

I personally find a French nationalists use of Erwin Rommel interesting to say the least.

I really admire this high skilled General.

[Jinglebottom]

Shit. (:

[BeachKid00]

I'm happy as hell that the meglomaniac known as Harper is out of office, but I'm not sure if I should be estatic or terrified that Trudeau is going into power.

[roadwarrior]

It sucks... Just still a third-world country. Corruption issues are unstoppable. Too much chaos happens in every election. It's doomed.

[Tris]

Better than the Conservatives! (Canadian)

[Dalton_Holt]

I despise government and state entirely. It's a system that oppresses the freedom of the individual and creates war throughout the world.

But the government I live in specifically, compared to others? It's corrupt, has the hugest military industrial complex in the world, spies on us, promotes heavy nationalism to the point of forcing children to practically pray to it, and has been responsible for the deaths of millions.

My country is the United States.

[Stronk Serb]

I despise government and state entirely. It's a system that oppresses the freedom of the individual and creates war throughout the world.

But the government I live in specifically, compared to others? It's corrupt, has the hugest military industrial complex in the world, spies on us, promotes heavy nationalism to the point of forcing children to practically pray to it, and has been responsible for the deaths of millions.

My country is the United States.

Explain this heavy nationalism because what I was told by people from the US is completely opposite, that nationalism is shunned upon.

[Judean Zealot]

Lol @ America being called "heavy nationalism" :D

[phuckphace]

I despise government and state entirely. It's a system that oppresses the freedom of the individual and creates war throughout the world.

But the government I live in specifically, compared to others? It's corrupt, has the hugest military industrial complex in the world, spies on us, promotes heavy nationalism to the point of forcing children to practically pray to it, and has been responsible for the deaths of millions.

My country is the United States.

http://i.imgur.com/PIAGbSJ.jpg

amirite http://i.imgur.com/Ci6vdDb.png

[Dalton_Holt]

Nationalism is supposedly shunned upon yet it is heavily practiced. Sure the liberals like to say they're open to all cultures and seek to help everyone throughout the world yet what they really do is the opposite, no different than the conservatives. Overthrowing democratically elected leaders and replacing them with dictators (this has happened around a dozen times in recent years, but most notably with the Chile military coup and Pinochet), bombing innocents and hospitals, funding terrorists groups (ISIS was created by the funding from the U.S., look it up) and overall just declaring pointless corrupt wars for no cause other then power and profit(Iraq war is one of countless examples.)

So, being friendly to other countries and ideals? Not so much. Sure the compete nationalism seen in the 50s with the red scare is over, in which "unamerican activies" and "communist sympathizers" were arrested. But we still see this whole patriotism thing going on. Patriotism really is just another word for nationalism, or at least a major part of it. Ever hear of the pledge of allegiance? Children are forced, throughout their school years, to stand and salute to the flag, while blindly reciting the words of promise of alliance and faith in the nation. Doing this every day for 12 years? You'd think eventually you'd just blindly believe the words you thoughtlessly speak, which in most cases, they do.

The government even pays the NFL to host patriotic displays, like the giant flag on the field, salute to the troops, not to mention the singing of the National anthem. When you look anywhere on TV, American propaganda is everywhere, especially on the news. Most people don't notice all this shit but it ain't exactly subtle. You may say that patriotism is different from nationalism, but when it's so heavily promoted and shoved down everyones throats through propaganda, it becomes nationalism. You constantly hear the words "free country" and "land of opportunity", lies that have been shoved down everyone's throat and commonly believed.

What is the point of national patriotism? According to the government themselves, to strengthen pride and trust in the nation. Aka, brainwashing. Look at the picture above, it's pretty accurate.

[phuckphace]

[...]Look at the picture above, it's pretty accurate.

too long didn't read but if you actually believe this you really need to get off the Internet and go outside more.

fact: America hasn't been nationalist in any meaningful sense in a very long time, but when we were, our nation enjoyed unprecedented prosperity and an unrivaled standard of living for its people. what little remains is nothing but vestigial watered-down civic "nationalism" (if you have a gov't-issued ID you're """"American"""" so they say).

yes, kids in school say the pledge before class....and then they go to college and become cosmopolitan Marxists or anarchists or radfems or whatever. if you ask European right-wingers where multicultural/feminist propaganda originates, the answer is always "American universities." there's a reason America is referred to by far-rightists as the Great Satan, but it's not for the reasons you think.

[james wolf]

The Conservatives are pretty bad.

Here's an article I read earlier today and some of this stuff annoys me to hell:

http://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2015/12/17/the-bad-news-ministers-tried-to-bury-today

They continue with a tax that affects some of the most vulnerable people in society even though it's working properly, they're cutting education spending and increasing court fees. I get that we have to balance the deficit but it shouldn't be at the expense of the poorest in our society and the long term economic productivity of our nation.

[phuckphace]

The Conservatives are pretty bad.

Here's an article I read earlier today and some of this stuff annoys me to hell:

http://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2015/12/17/the-bad-news-ministers-tried-to-bury-today

They continue with a tax that affects some of the most vulnerable people in society even though it's working properly, they're cutting education spending and increasing court fees. I get that we have to balance the deficit but it shouldn't be at the expense of the poorest in our society and the long term economic productivity of our nation.

I don't like the UK's """Conservatives""" either (protip: they're not conservative in any meaningful sense) but I don't see how you can say this while ignoring the antics of Labour and their continued economic treason. I've ranted about this before and my points stand - Old Labour under Attlee actually stuck to its tenets and supported the working class, but now they're flooding your country with smelly Ausländers and calling you racist if you disagree with it.

http://i.imgur.com/SF4hCVJ.jpg

nice country bro, I'm sure this will work out

[Jinglebottom]

Holy hell... What's up with that?

[phuckphace]

Holy hell... What's up with that?

gonna say it has something to do with the kind of people who want to emigrate + the attitudes of the destination country

you can see the same thing with Mexicans. if you visit Mexico and know where to look, you can find middle class Mexicans who are basically indistinguishable from Europeans in outward appearance and behavior, but guess what, we don't get those kind flooding across the border - we're stuck with the ugly squat ones who like gunfights and drug peddling. I've always noted that the upper strata of a given country almost never chooses to emigrate, which should tell us something about the desirability of mass-immigration.

[Sir Suomi]

I despise government and state entirely.

Watch yourself, don't wanna cut yourself on that edge.

It's a system that oppresses the freedom of the individual

I hate my parents! They won't let me go and do whatever I want, even though what I want to do is dangerous to both my physical and mental being, as well as others around me. Fuck 'em!

creates war throughout the world.

Yes, because individuals do not have conflicts among themselves. It's only when you lead a country that you decide to go out and harm someone.


But the government I live in specifically, compared to others?

Yes. North Korea. Saudi Arabia. Majority of Africa.

All such great places when compared to America.

It's corrupt,

That's every country.

has the hugest military industrial complex in the world

I won't disagree here. I don't support it. However, on the same note, it's also allowed America to become the world's undisputed World Power.

>World Power
>Small Military
>Pick One

And don't anyone mention fucking Europe...

spies on us

Once again, disagree. However, almost every nation out there does this as well. We're all collectively assholes.

promotes heavy nationalism to the point of forcing children to practically pray to it

Lol, that made me chuckle.

and has been responsible for the deaths of millions

One again, every major world power has done such. Do you see many people criticizing Rome, Greece, Carthage, and every other civilization for doing such? As one of my original quotes go:

"War is inevitable. Anyone who thinks differently is either an idealist or a fool."

Don't get me wrong here, I hate Governmental overreach more than anyone here, being your not-so-friendly libertarian. However, I also have a brain, which means I understand that a state is necessary, at least in practical use, to govern over a large population.

Fuckin' Anarchists man.

[james wolf]

gonna say it has something to do with the kind of people who want to emigrate + the attitudes of the destination country

you can see the same thing with Mexicans. if you visit Mexico and know where to look, you can find middle class Mexicans who are basically indistinguishable from Europeans in outward appearance and behavior, but guess what, we don't get those kind flooding across the border - we're stuck with the ugly squat ones who like gunfights and drug peddling. I've always noted that the upper strata of a given country almost never chooses to emigrate, which should tell us something about the desirability of mass-immigration.

That's kind of obvious though, isn't it. Middle class, wealthy people have no reason to emigrate. The working class however are incentivised by the prospect of a better life.

[jam98]

I'm going to be completely honest and probably rather controversial here by saying that, over all, I do feel positively about my government.

I believe that most of what they set out to achieve (apart from perhaps privatisation) is right for our country, and I have great trust that they will keep the economy on track, having already managed to improve it greatly.

Most of my negativity has nothing to do with my own government, but rather that of the bureaucrats in Brussels and Berlin who think they have the right to control my country and impose the most ridiculous laws upon us - remove them (I.E. The EU) from the equation, and I feel that issues in my country would be far easier solved and trust in our own government would improve.

[Vlerchan]

[...] and I have great trust that they will keep the economy on track, having already managed to improve it greatly.
That was the BoE. Probably in spite of Conservatives.

[..] but rather that of the bureaucrats in Brussels and Berlin who think they have the right to control my country and impose the most ridiculous laws upon us - remove them (I.E. The EU) from the equation, and I feel that issues in my country would be far easier solved and trust in our own government would improve.
Would you be able to name any three pieces of legislation as an example?

I'll take answers heading all the way back to 1973.

[jam98]

That was the BoE. Probably in spite of Conservatives.


Would you be able to name any three pieces of legislation as an example?

I'll take answers heading all the way back to 1973.

It was the government that imposed the austerity measures, which have worked (in my opinion) regardless of what others may say.

As for the EU, I could provide quite a list, but I'll keep it to the ones which have annoyed myself and the people I know the most:

1) Classing obesity as a disability, therefore meaning that obese people in the U.K. have access to all the disability benefits.

2) The Freedom of Movement of Workers in the European Union act. Obviously not the whole thing - immigration is a good thing. It's the fact that as a result of this act you regularly get one family member working here and then sending the money back home, which includes any money from benefits they are given while living here. It is also the fact that we are not allowed to limit these numbers, which has led to the undercutting if British workers in the low skilled sector, as it is mostly low skilled labourers from the East of the EU that make the most of this law (and the rest kind of spirals from there).

3) A number of the EU Health and Safety directives, that have now caused a society where the equivalent of 210 million working days are being lost each year as a result of the enforcement of certain directives meaning that much time is wasted filling in forms for possible future incidents. For example, in schools and nurseries now they must write down all the ingredients in every piece of food they give to a child, every time they give it to a child, just in case that child has a reaction to it, even if it is known that the child is not allergic to any of those ingredients.


The fact that the EU currently affects over half of our laws (the only clear year we really have is 2009, when it was 53%, the rest of the time it is rather iffy and difficult to decipher exactly how many were influenced, but in recent years it's thought to be around the 70% mark) suggests to me that there is something very wrong there.

[Vlerchan]

It was the government that imposed the austerity measures, which have worked (in my opinion) regardless of what others may say.
Through what mechanism does austerity contribute towards economic growth?

1) Classing obesity as a disability, therefore meaning that obese people in the U.K. have access to all the disability benefits.
It's first worth noting that this was passed through the ECJ.

This also does not mean that these people are eligible for benefits. It's not been tested whether the ruling is applicable outside of employment law. Nonetheless the U.K. had benefits for obese people before the ruling: benefits that the Conservatives are keen on cutting (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/obese-people-who-refuse-to-lose-weight-could-see-benefits-cut-david-cameron-to-announce-10422995.html) and can cut.

It's the fact that as a result of this act you regularly get one family member working here and then sending the money back home, which includes any money from benefits they are given while living here.
If I send pounds from England to Ireland in order for my loved ones to spend those pounds they need to first purchase euros from someone that needs pounds to invest into the U.K. That's the reason the capital and current account balance definitionally.

I can agree with the issue of benefits but as far as I'm aware the principal of free movement isn't hindering the U.K. from making the relevant changes or cuts there.

It's also not that serious nonetheless as much as an issue papers like to jump on.
---

I also love this criticism because it was the UK that promoted expansion to Eastern Europe. This was meant as a means of hindering politico-economic deepening.

It is also the fact that we are not allowed to limit these numbers.
That would defeat the entire purpose. Imagine a free trade zone were we could all still impose tariffs. But fair enough: If you disagree with one of the central functions of the EU I have no issue with yous leaving on that basis.

It is also the fact that we are not allowed to limit these numbers, which has led to the undercutting if British workers in the low skilled sector, as it is mostly low skilled labourers from the East of the EU that make the most of this law (and the rest kind of spirals from there).
Immigration has a non-significant impact on employment and wages. In certain cases it can even have a positive impact insofar as it compliments skilled labour and boosts aggregate demand.

(i.e. Lump of Labour Fallacy).

3) A number of the EU Health and Safety directives, that have now caused a society where the equivalent of 210 million working days are being lost each year as a result of the enforcement of certain directives meaning that much time is wasted filling in forms for possible future incidents. For example, in schools and nurseries now they must write down all the ingredients in every piece of food they give to a child, every time they give it to a child, just in case that child has a reaction to it, even if it is known that the child is not allergic to any of those ingredients.
I'd appreciate the source here. The legislation preferably.

The fact that the EU currently affects over half of our laws [...] suggests to me that there is something very wrong there.
This has very much been the intent behind the post-Maastrict EU.

---

For reference I also support the British leaving the EU.

[phuckphace]

>World Power
>Small Military
>Pick One

good point, also

>big society
>small government

pick one http://i.imgur.com/Ci6vdDb.png

[thatgothgirluknow]

truthfully in my opinion my government runs on drama and the false idea that our citizens have complete control over it when in truth the government can do pretty much as they please within certain bonders

[Sir Suomi]

good point, also

>big society
>small government

pick one image (http://i.imgur.com/Ci6vdDb.png)

http://media.giphy.com/media/I79vnOxa6cW8E/giphy.gif

[Stronk Serb]

https://scontent-vie1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/1457589_964860443580129_627679271574952801_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=3c398df338b23a46db6b09f57c0099cd&oe=5715DBF0

Well, here is my opinion about anarchists in a nutshell. I simply don't see it working beyond the realm of theries.

[phuckphace]

http://i.imgur.com/JNFFNII.jpg

[Sir Suomi]

AnCap is actually really cool in theory. Note, in theory. If it could work out, I'd actually be willing to give it a chance.

[hesaidhesaid]

We could do better.

[Irishperson15]

My government is a power-sharing executive consisting of a group of parties all ideologically different. If one of the two main parties (with opposing views) leaves, the entire thing collapses.

[Meron]

In general they need to take more care of the cities here and actually help out the citizens. Not milk them and not give a single fuck about the environment and how this place looks.

[mahony0509]

They are a load of nobodies who only care about the money and not the people.

[mcdaniels]

The Irish government are ultimate liars and tax our people for a normal basic human right of water, how can this be acceptable, also our previous government are the reason why so many people emigrated this country

[Stronk Serb]

In general they need to take more care of the cities here and actually help out the citizens. Not milk them and not give a single fuck about the environment and how this place looks.

Here they take care of their pockets. Taxes abd prices are rising while the wages are lowering or are staying the same.

They are a load of nobodies who only care about the money and not the people.

My government in one short sentence.

The Irish government are ultimate liars and tax our people for a normal basic human right of water, how can this be acceptable, also our previous government are the reason why so many people emigrated this country

Woah, here they tax you for water, while soap, toothpaste and shampoo are taxed extra because they count as 'luxury items'. Also they tax electricity like they do tobacco.

[Vlerchan]

There seems to be this odd influx of Irish posters all of a sudden.

Nonetheless, Irish government is a the product of a parochial and disgustingly clientilist political culture. It's a symptom of the larger issue.

[Kahn]

I'd like my government to focus on developing the Americas. I'm sick of our modern interventionist tendencies, especially across seas. I'd like to revert back to our "no entangling alliances" method of operating.

Whether or not all of that is actually possible is an entirely different discussion, though.

[Porpoise101]

I'd like my government to focus on developing the Americas. I'm sick of our modern interventionist tendencies, especially across seas. I'd like to revert back to our "no entangling alliances" method of operating.

Whether or not all of that is actually possible is an entirely different discussion, though.

I agree to an extent. We need to be good neighbors to our Southern and northern friends. I think we should also help the nations that are young and coming too. The ones with potential for greatness. The government should probably work on making the UN worthwhile and fair instead of being a policeman. Of course, doing that would require cooperation with nations that don't exactly like us...

[mcdaniels]

I'd like my government to focus on developing the Americas. I'm sick of our modern interventionist tendencies, especially across seas. I'd like to revert back to our "no entangling alliances" method of operating.

Whether or not all of that is actually possible is an entirely different discussion, though.



That is because we celebrated 100 years of independence this weekend

[unitedmelodies]

Our government is only somewhere in between on my opinion. Our leaders lack of good governance and transparency. We don't know where our money(the taxes) goes.

But in some places around my country, leaders seemed to be doing pretty well. Like a Mayor from this province I know, he ordered to kill any kind of criminals who will get caught by the police or even by him.

I'm not sure but, I think he caries a gun around him all the time.

Now this Mayor is running for President this year. If I could vote, I'll vote for him.

[Kahn]

That is because we celebrated 100 years of independence this weekend

I think you meant to quote Vlerchan.

Congratulations to you both on a hundred years of independence, though.

I agree to an extent.

To what extent?

We need to be good neighbors to our Southern and northern friends.

Being a "good neighbor" can mean a lot of things.

I think we should also help the nations that are young and coming too.

What nations would you say are young and have potential? What entails this potential? How should we help them?

The ones with potential for greatness.

Why help other nations aspire to greatness when our country can't even feed or shelter the hundreds of thousands of homeless found throughout the country? Or when our education system is in so much disarray that we're lagging behind in all categories? Or when our infrastructure nationwide is crumbling and can't be properly maintained?

The government should probably work on making the UN worthwhile

We've got bigger things to worry about. To be frank, I want no part in the UN any longer.

and fair instead of being a policeman.

Fairness is something we'll never get from our current political establishment (or observe historically), international or domestic. I do agree with the policeman sentiment, though.

Of course, doing that would require cooperation with nations that don't exactly like us...

“Begin each day by telling yourself: Today I shall be meeting with interference, ingratitude, insolence, disloyalty, ill-will, and selfishness – all of them due to the offenders’ ignorance of what is good or evil. But for my part I have long perceived the nature of good and its nobility, the nature of evil and its meanness, and also the nature of the culprit himself, who is my brother (not in the physical sense, but as a fellow creature similarly endowed with reason and a share of the divine); therefore none of those things can injure me, for nobody can implicate me in what is degrading. Neither can I be angry with my brother or fall foul of him; for he and I were born to work together, like a man’s two hands, feet or eyelids, or the upper and lower rows of his teeth. To obstruct each other is against Nature’s law – and what is irritation or aversion but a form of obstruction.”

[Vlerchan]

That is because we celebrated 100 years of independence this weekend
Ireland didn't achieve formal independence from the British crown until 1948.

The Rising of 1916 is rather seen as the spark that put Ireland on the road to independence - though more important was the reaction of the British to the events as opposed to the actions of what were considered then a handful of extremists on that week.

[CosmicNoodle]

The current British government is a joke. And for some reason we keep going back for more. It's almost as if we have no option and they're all just fucking idiots....

[mcdaniels]

Ireland didn't achieve formal independence from the British crown until 1948.

The Rising of 1916 is rather seen as the spark that put Ireland on the road to independence - though more important was the reaction of the British to the events as opposed to the actions of what were considered then a handful of extremists on that week.



It was the biggest event in our history, the men of our own country faught against each other, one side supporting the British, and the other supporting the rebels.. It is the reason why were a republic today

[Vlerchan]

It was the biggest event in our history, the men of our own country faught against each other, one side supporting the British, and the other supporting the rebels..
You seem to be merging elements of the War of Independence (1919 - 1921) and the Civil War (1922 - 1923) for some reason.

The Easter Rising was a Rebellion that occured for the most part in Dublin. The belligerents were a small contingent of militant Republicans and the British armed forces. The aftermath - in which the British engaged in significant reprisals against suspected Republicans: and later the controversies relating to conscription - had significant numbers join the Republican cause.

[sqishy]

My lack of faith in the previous government is now replaced in my lack of faith in the contender parties forming the next one soon, at the moment.

[Porpoise101]

Being a "good neighbor" can mean a lot of things.

What nations would you say are young and have potential? What entails this potential? How should we help them?

Why help other nations aspire to greatness when our country can't even feed or shelter the hundreds of thousands of homeless found throughout the country? Or when our education system is in so much disarray that we're lagging behind in all categories? Or when our infrastructure nationwide is crumbling and can't be properly maintained?
I think we can, and should, strike a balance. Right now we are too interventionist. By being a good neighbor, I mean trying to create a mutually beneficial environment. Usually I think that could be promoting stability. I feel that 'great nations' with potential are in the developing world. Obviously we should be nice to our old Euro pals, but not meddle so much. This is separate from the mutually beneficial neighbor idea I have. The way I think of this is that the growing nations are like an investment. So we should pick ones with mutual interests and with things we want. As for the 'how': maybe allow the citizens to be educated here easier, maybe easier visas, maybe take in refugees if they need help. To be honest, I'm not sure how a nation becomes buddies with another besides war...

[Kahn]

Right now we are too interventionist.

A point we agree on.

By being a good neighbor, I mean trying to create a mutually beneficial environment. Usually I think that could be promoting stability.

How would you go about promoting stability in a nation like Mexico, or Brazil, two southern countries experiencing two different kinds of domestic upheavel? (Brazil in the form of political unrest, Mexico in the form of guerilla conflicts with the cartels)

I feel that 'great nations' with potential are in the developing world.

Name a few that merit our unwavering support?

Obviously we should be nice to our old Euro pals, but not meddle so much. This is separate from the mutually beneficial neighbor idea I have.

I agree with maintaining courtesy and friendship with our European friends and with allowing them to handle their own affairs without constant American pressure.

The way I think of this is that the growing nations are like an investment. So we should pick ones with mutual interests and with things we want.

In comparison to us (economically and militarily speaking) every nation is growing. This is why I'd like our government to focus on developing our relations with South America, because there will be a day and age when our enemies furthest from home are at a point where their military and economic might will rival or even trump ours, and they may try to utilize our rather strenuous relations with (most of) South America to their advantage.

In my opinion, our mutual interests should remain at maintaining a high standard of living domestically (domestically meaning both continents, in this instance), promoting advanced education, and rule of law. Eliminating the presence of the cartels would be a step in the right direction and I can think of no other way besides coercive action, though I can imagine a power vacuum (much like what we witnessed happen in the Middle East after our intervention there) would arise, ultimately turning me off to the idea.

As for the 'how': maybe allow the citizens to be educated here easier, maybe easier visas, maybe take in refugees if they need help.

I always see leftists promote bringing people here. As though those people in need of help cannot, given the proper information and resources, educate themselves or help themselves where they currently reside.

To be honest, I'm not sure how a nation becomes buddies with another besides war...

Long and prosperous trade deals, mutual respect for one another's culture, collective effort for cultivating better livelihoods for the citizens of both nations.

[Porpoise101]

How would you go about promoting stability in a nation like Mexico, or Brazil, two southern countries experiencing two different kinds of domestic upheavel? (Brazil in the form of political unrest, Mexico in the form of guerilla conflicts with the cartels)

Name a few that merit our unwavering support?

Long and prosperous trade deals, mutual respect for one another's culture, collective effort for cultivating better livelihoods for the citizens of both nations.
Brazil's upheavals are healthy I think. There is little violence. Yet. As for Mexico, we should try to assist by taking in refugees, utilising some military capabilities, and maybe trying to reduce money that gets to the cartels. I'm not sure to what degree we should do this though.

As for good nations, I'd say Argentina, Cuba, Brazil, Philippines, India. Maybe Nigeria.

I'd say those are also good suggestions above. Maybe we could also try to build connections through certain industries or projects too. Maybe we should pool our scientific community together more.

[Kahn]

Brazil's upheavals are healthy I think.

I think this as well.

As for Mexico, we should try to assist by taking in refugees,

How will taking in mass amounts of migrants into our own country solve the problem facing the Mexican nation? Unless of course this relocation is temporary, in which case, how does a government control the influx of temporary residents, what do we do with these people and to what end do we cut it off? Does such a program start after coercive efforts to curb the cartels expand, or does is start before?

utilising some military capabilities,

Isn't this in and of itself an interventionist action? As I said before I see no other way than coercive measures when dealing with the cartels but, I don't like the idea of sacrificing American lives in this pursuit. I'd rather aid the Mexican officials in other ways, such as intelligence and information, strategic drone strikes, perhaps, but no American boots on the ground.

maybe trying to reduce money that gets to the cartels.

Easier said than done and I can't think of any way of realistically stopping the flow of money to the cartels, especially when drugs are in such high demand in both continents (and all over the world, really).

As for good nations, I'd say Argentina, Cuba, Brazil, Philippines, India. Maybe Nigeria.

Why?

(Personally I am for aiding in the modernization of India and the several other nations you listed but I'm curious as to your reasoning and to what extent you'd align yourself with them. I wouldn't pledge military assistance, for instance, and any economic support would likely be given through the development of private industry)

Maybe we could also try to build connections through certain industries or projects too. Maybe we should pool our scientific community together more.

I like both of these ideas.

[Porpoise101]

How will taking in mass amounts of migrants into our own country solve the problem facing the Mexican nation? Unless of course this relocation is temporary, in which case, how does a government control the influx of temporary residents, what do we do with these people and to what end do we cut it off? Does such a program start after coercive efforts to curb the cartels expand, or does is start before?

Isn't this in and of itself an interventionist action? As I said before I see no other way than coercive measures when dealing with the cartels but, I don't like the idea of sacrificing American lives in this pursuit. I'd rather aid the Mexican officials in other ways, such as intelligence and information, strategic drone strikes, perhaps, but no American boots on the ground.
Well I'd support a refugee program that is limited (to how much I don't know but we have done it before). And the Mexicans should be expected to go back. As for the military capabilities I'm mostly taking about intelligence and that sort of thing. Currently we also train some Mexican special forces with our Marines and I also think this is good. To stop the problem, I have no answers. To solve it, you would have to solve the War on Drugs.

As for the countries I listed I picked them because of economic or strategic interests. We need more friends in Asia and Africa, and its definitely a good thing to be friends with resource rich ones.

[Stronk Serb]

The current British government is a joke. And for some reason we keep going back for more. It's almost as if we have no option and they're all just fucking idiots....

We hated Uncle Slobo, we ousted him. We had Premier Đinđić for a short while which practically makes him not count, our intelligence agency assasinates him. Essentially, every regime that has served a full term or more was shittier than the one before it and came in power as a means to end the shitty government. Good job, Serbia! Good job!

[CosmicNoodle]

We hated Uncle Slobo, we ousted him. We had Premier Đinđić for a short while which practically makes him not count, our intelligence agency assasinates him. Essentially, every regime that has served a full term or more was shittier than the one before it and came in power as a means to end the shitty government. Good job, Serbia! Good job!

Did you quote the wrong person....? What I said seem totally unrelated...I'm confused.

[Stronk Serb]

Did you quote the wrong person....? What I said seem totally unrelated...I'm confused.

Well, you called your government a joke. Ours has been for twenty years and every new guy is a bigger clown.

[Bontigo Papi .]

My government is literally fucked up.

Anyone who gets news about South Africa's parliament will be shocked because its more of a comedy, then political talk . The whole world has been laughing us out . Why ? Because 85% of members in our parliament is uneducated . My president doesn't even have Matric (Grade 12) and uses the country's money to build his private home , or to buy jets . Not only is my government fucked up , my whole country is fucked up .

[Porpoise101]

My government is literally fucked up.

Anyone who gets news about South Africa's parliament will be shocked because its more of a comedy, then political talk . The whole world has been laughing us out . Why ? Because 85% of members in our parliament is uneducated . My president doesn't even have Matric (Grade 12) and uses the country's money to build his private home , or to buy jets . Not only is my government fucked up , my whole country is fucked up .
More of a comedy than political talk... Hmm that sounds familiar.

Anyways it's reassuring to know that literally every government is terrible and incapable. It makes me feel better about mine.

[Stronk Serb]

My government is literally fucked up.

Anyone who gets news about South Africa's parliament will be shocked because its more of a comedy, then political talk . The whole world has been laughing us out . Why ? Because 85% of members in our parliament is uneducated . My president doesn't even have Matric (Grade 12) and uses the country's money to build his private home , or to buy jets . Not only is my government fucked up , my whole country is fucked up .

We have about 250 seats in Parliament, I can easily say that about 25 of the MPs have finished more than 12 grades of education. Also the leader of the ruling party MPs is a convicted grave plot reseller.

[Bull]

The US senate is controlled by an obstructionist who: puts the Republican party above America, disrespects the executive branch, and wants to control the judiciary. He is an embarrassment to my party. Yes, I am a registered Republican, but I am an American first and will always put the needs of my country above the needs, wants, stupid ideas of party! Mitch, the bully, has led congress to ignore solving America's problems to please the Koch brothers, the Tea baggers (who aren't even true Republicans) and other like obstructionists. Don't even get me started in the dismissal bunch of idiots that make up the majority of the House of Representatives who seem to believe that they have a greater obligation to represent the wishes of a minority of special interests as opposed to being true representatives of the
American people. The Senate and its leadership (I actually question the use of the term leadership) and a certain Presidential candidate need to review the Constitution. The sitting president is tasked to nominate a qualified candidate to the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court, and the seated Senate is tasked with determining whether or not the nominee is, by education and past work, qualified for the post. The NRA does not get a vote. The Heritage Foundation does not get to tell the President who to nominate.
So, we the people, have failed to hold the Congress accountable for their failed service. How do we rectify this: by electing individuals who are committed to working for the American people to find solutions to Americas problems even if it means working with the "other party". Political parties MUST take a back seat to the needs, wants, and demands of ALL Americans not just those who seek to impose their individual beliefs on our nation, often to insure their personal gain.

[Vlerchan]

Anyways it's reassuring to know that literally every government is terrible and incapable.
I find there's nothing more worrisome. This is something that afflicts European countries too. It seems to be that for whatever reason that those are capable of governing don't desire to govern.

We have about 250 seats in Parliament, I can easily say that about 25 of the MPs have finished more than 12 grades of education.
Connected to the above: Eastern Europe - in particular the Balkans - is strange insofar as there's an unusual amount of PhDs that run for government - and win.

I'm not sure about Serbia but I know it occurs in general.

[Porpoise101]

I think since lots of people have talked about the US government I'll talk about my state government. It has been decent, the governor a moderate willing to work with both sides. Often, it's been fellow Republicans who hold up the legislation. However, there are three issues that have gotten worse: education, infrastructure, and environmental problems. For education, the state cut programs going to the poor who probably need it most. They have put inept emergency managers in charge and that has hurt the already dismal schools. At least Snyder is trying to fix it now... Anyways as for environmental issues/public health Snyder has had a major oil spill, a pet coke contamination, and the notorious Flint Crisis under his watch. The issue is that Snyder is very reactionary, never willing to push anything through that would prevent bad things from happening. He is starting to get the pipelines replaced or removed after lots of pressure. Lastly, Snyder has failed to get the roads fixed. They are abysmal, even Indian dirt roads are better in some spots (no joke). As a leader he has failed to get the Teapartiers to at least compromise. And when the issue went to ballot, he failed to sway public opinion. These things may not be things he is personally accountable for to be fair, but they happened under his government. Other than that he has been decent and a good guy. His attorney general is terrible, I actually hate him, but that's not too bad I guess.

[Stronk Serb]

I find there's nothing more worrisome. This is something that afflicts European countries too. It seems to be that for whatever reason that those are capable of governing don't desire to govern.


Connected to the above: Eastern Europe - in particular the Balkans - is strange insofar as there's an unusual amount of PhDs that run for government - and win.

I'm not sure about Serbia but I know it occurs in general.

Most of the PhDs are from private universities like Megatrend (renamed John Nasbit) which literally sell degrees. It's a trend here, when public institutionsare hirring, they tend to hire an unexperienced, insufficently educated membed of the ruling party than an experienced, well-educated person without political affiliations. The only one of the popular members of the regime that I know that doesn't have a bought PhD is the Prime Minister. I still despise him, but respect his PhD in law which here is very hard to earn.

[KingWavy]

I have no faith as well. The rich are getting richer while the poor stay poor as fuck its terrible

[CosmicNoodle]

Well, you called your government a joke. Ours has been for twenty years and every new guy is a bigger clown.

Ahhh I see, yeah ours is, the current government is pissing on the poor and immigrants from great height without having the grace to even call it rain.

[NzForever]

I don't like any other government, to many laws against freedom. If I wanna smoke weed and take LSD tabs and have a Tazer Gun to defend myself when I'm out, then I fucking should be allowed to do that, If I pay for it and get it myself, not hurting anyone.

[TheFlyer]

I used to love the Canadian government when the Conservatives were in control, but now the Liberals make me want to stab a fork in my eye.

[Stronk Serb]

I used to love the Canadian government when the Conservatives were in control, but now the Liberals make me want to stab a fork in my eye.

Meh, we spat on the Democrats for emptying the treasury for their pockets, but now the Progressives are ten times worse. Pensions and salaries were increased, now they are decreased and the only things increasing are taxes and our national debt.