Title: 2010 Freedom Index -- Canada more Free than U.S. Source:
Heritage Foundation URL Source:http://www.heritage.org/index/Ranking.aspx Published:Oct 22, 2010 Author:staff Post Date:2010-10-22 17:46:19 by jwpegler Keywords:None Views:49731 Comments:100
15 freest countries:
Hong Kong
89.7
Singapore
86.1
Australia
82.6
New Zealand
82.1
Ireland
81.3
Switzerland
81.1
Canada
80.4
United States
78.0
Denmark
77.9
Chile
77.2
United Kingdom
76.5
Mauritius
76.3
Bahrain
76.3
Luxombourg
75.4
Netherlands
75.0
U.S. drops from "free" to "mostly free". As usual, Hong Kong and Singapore are on top.
I've been to Singapore many times. It is a really, really nice place. In fact, if I ever decided to leave the U.S., Singapore would be on my very short list of places to move.
I've been to Singapore many times. It is a really, really nice place. In fact, if I ever decided to leave the U.S., Singapore would be on my very short list of places to move.
Really? Surprised to hear this from someone who strikes me as somewhat of a libertarian (perhaps I've miscategorized your political position?).
I've been there a couple of times myself, most recently last year (I happen to currently live in Tokyo, Japan), and while aspects of it are indeed nice (great food!), you do realize that it has a rather authoritarian government, no? Almost kind of a benign dictatorship... very little political freedom.
But I guess as long as you steer clear of speaking out against the government, drugs, and chewing gum (:- ) ) you'll be fine.
Personally I find it a bit too orderly for my tastes, but it would be a great launching pad to all the other countries in Southeast Asia.
but it would be a great launching pad to all the other countries in Southeast Asia.
That is definitely part of the attraction. I also like the tropical weather.
Yes I am a libertarian. Singapore has as freer economy than does the U.S. It's a good place to make money. Singapore is also a short flight to a lot of great places to vacation and have fun.
I don't use drugs and the WTO forced Singapore to allow the importation of gum.
That is definitely part of the attraction. I also like the tropical weather.
Yes I am a libertarian. Singapore has as freer economy than does the U.S. It's a good place to make money. Singapore is also a short flight to a lot of great places to vacation and have fun.
I don't use drugs and the WTO forced Singapore to allow the importation of gum.
On balance, it's a pretty nice place.
Yeah, it certainly has things going for it, and if you like that climate, all the better.
However...
I guess you're also not concerned with gun ownership?
There's also a bit a racism on the part of the ethnic Chinese there, from what I understand. I think I may have been a victim of it once when I was visiting. I was trying to hail a cab. It was pouring rain out. No cabs would stop for me. Instead, they would drive down the street and pick up a Chinese person. It also possible that they just couldn't pick me up where I was standing. I found out later that there are designated taxi stands in Singapore, but other times I was able to hail a cab anywhere, so I'm not sure. It just seemed suspicious to me.
Also, the government controls the media in Singapore, the very thing you were complaining about in regards to NPR. You realize that, right?
These are the reasons why I find it strange you would like Singapore so much.
There's also a bit a racism on the part of the ethnic Chinese there, from what I understand. I think I may have been a victim of it once when I was visiting. I was trying to hail a cab. It was pouring rain out. No cabs would stop for me.
I've never experienced any racism there. A lot of the cab drivers are Polynesians. Some of them with give you an earful about the Chinese majority. It's no different than here.
You live in Japan. I've been to Japan 25+ times. I find Japanese society to be very racist. They are extraordinarily polite, but underneath you can tell that many of them just don't like you. There are bars and restaurants that don't allow non-Japanese (they post signs saying so). If you ask anyone in Tokyo about recommendations for restaurants or bars, they almost always point you to the Roppongi district, which is were many foreigners hang out. In spite of this I love to travel to Japan, but I could never live there.
You live in Japan. I've been to Japan 25+ times. I find Japanese society to be very racist. They are extraordinarily polite, but underneath you can tell that many of them just don't like you. There are bars and restaurants that don't allow non-Japanese (they post signs saying so).
I certainly cannot deny that racism exists in Japan, as it most certainly does. But not every Japanese person is a racist, and while it wasn't always easy (in large part because of language barrier), I have formed both business and personal relationships with Japanese people.
Honestly, at least here in Tokyo, there are hardly any places left that exclude foreigners. And what I'm discovering, is that the Japanese touts that hang outside business establishments trying to lure in customers, or now even trying to lure me, a gaijin, in. This used to never happen. I'm sure this is mostly happening due to the rather adverse economic situation in Japan (yes, gaijin-san's money is just as good as nihon-jin's!), but at least it's a start. But Japan has a long way to go.
If you ask anyone in Tokyo about recommendations for restaurants or bars, they almost always point you to the Roppongi district, which is were many foreigners hang out. In spite of this I love to travel to Japan, but I could never live there.
Ha ha! I hate Roppongi. It's the worst part of Tokyo. Well, I can recommend you places in other areas of Tokyo if you like. :-)
What's funny is that I'm starting to have Japanese people asking ME for recommendations. Again, something I wouldn't ever expect to happen in Japan. :-)
I've also had Japanese people tell me that the life of the foreigner in Japan is better and freer, because we don't have to conform to the norms of Japanese society. They may have a point.
