Opinions/Editorials
See other Opinions/Editorials Articles
Title: Thoughts from Taiwan
Source:
Dissenting Opinions
URL Source: http://jwpegler.blogspot.com/2011/08/thoughts-from-taiwan.html
Published: Aug 19, 2011
Author: Eric Blankenburg
Post Date: 2011-08-19 08:36:27 by jwpegler
Keywords: None
Views: 82012
Comments: 163
I spent the last week in Taipei, Taiwan visiting a customer. I've been all over Asia, but this was my first trip to Taiwan, other than catching a connecting flight at the airport. I'm sitting here at Taiwan International Airport waiting for my 12 hour flight to Seattle, reflecting on my week. I love Taiwan and its people. The city is on the move. People are hustling and working hard. Yet, they are extraordinarily friendly and caring. Last night we went to Tower 101, which is one of the tallest buildings in the world. Until very recently, it also had the fastest elevator in the world. We climbed from the 5th floor to the observation deck on the 89th floor in a matter of seconds. The view was spectacular. Taipei 101 is designed to withstand typhoon winds and earthquake tremors. Inside the building there is a 660 metric ton steel pendulum (my pic is on the left) which acts as a mass damper that sways to offset movements in the building caused by strong gusts of wind. It's the largest mass damper in the world and the building is an engineering marvel. Afterwards, we had diner at a great restaurant that specializes in dumplings. We were sitting at diner, looking at all of the energy in the city, the wonderful people, and everything that they've accomplished over the last 50 years. I couldn't help but think that if Chiang Kai Shek didn't lead 2 million people off of the mainland, all of these people and what they've accomplished wouldn't be here because the communists would have murdered their parents and grandparents for rebelling just as the communists murdered so many others. Our thoughts quickly drifted to the problems we face in America. Although the American left haven't turned into mass murders (yet), they are killing the country nevertheless. In Taiwan and the rest of Asia, you are expected to work and take care of yourself. If you can't, you rely on your family. In America (and Europe) the government's welfare system has destroyed the family by replacing it with a faceless, uncaring bureaucracy. They've also replaced our core values of hard work and responsibility with sloth and dependency. So, you've been on unemployment insurance for 2 years???!!! No problem, Obama and his minions will let you ride out the rest of your miserable life at the taxpayer's expense. At one point last night I told my colleague that we should take every big mouth leftist in the U.S., and dump them off in Taiwan, the Philippines or elsewhere in Asia without a penny in their pocket. If they can manage to survive a year, both they and America would be better off when they come back. I seriously doubt that many of them could survive. It's getting close to boarding time. I am so glad to becoming back to America with another shining example of how the American values of hardwork, thrift, and personal responsibility translate into success in every society. It is so sad that many Americans are losing those very values.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: All, Capitalist Eric, CZ82, go65, A K A Stone, hondo68, buckeroo, Murron, sneakypete, Get Outta Dodge! (#0)
Ping...
You do know the forces of dictator Chiang Kai Shek carried out a generations long "White Terror" on the population - which lasted longer and killed more people per capita than the Maoist purges.
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
Are you really this stupid? You make Taiwan out to be some Conservative Republican bastion but Taiwan has socialized single payer health care system. The result is a system that works a lot like Canada's, or like the U.S. Medicare system, but with more benefits. By consolidating so much — one government plan that covers everybody — Taiwan achieves remarkable efficiency. Everybody here has to have a smart card to go to the doctor. The doctor puts it in a reader and the patient's history and medications all show up on the screen. The bill goes directly to the government insurance office and is paid automatically. So Taiwan has the lowest administrative costs in world: less than 2 percent. "If a patient goes to see a doctor or hospital over 20 times a month, or 50 times in a three-month period, then the IT picks that person out. The person then gets a visit from the government, the Bureau of National Health Insurance, and they have a little chat. And this works very well," Cheng says. That may be too much like Big Brother for some people in the United States, but surveys show the Taiwanese are highly satisfied with their health care. Plus, no one goes bankrupt because of medical bills, Chang says.
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/health-care-abroad-taiwan/ November 3, 2009, 11:27 AM Health Care Abroad: Taiwan By ANNE UNDERWOOD William Hsiao is a professor of economics at the Harvard School of Public Health and co-author of the 2004 book “Getting Health Reform Right.” He served as a health care adviser to the Taiwan government in the 1990s, when officials decided to reform that country’s health care system and to introduce universal coverage. He spoke with Anne Underwood, a freelance writer. Q. Taiwan instituted universal insurance in 1995. What was the health care system like before? Only a portion of the people were insured, including civil servants, employees of large firms and farmers. The military had its own system of coverage. But 45 percent of the population did not have insurance, and they faced financial barriers to access to health care. President Lee Teng-hui felt strongly that he wanted to do something concrete and visible for all the citizens. He thought of introducing national health insurance to touch the lives of all the people. There was a sense in Taiwan that health care is needed by everyone and a country has to assure everyone equal access. What was your assignment as head of this task force? A. We had to design a national health insurance plan for Taiwan, based on international experience. Government officials wanted to understand how other advanced countries fund and organize health care and learn from their successes and failures, so I made a study of the systems in six high-income countries — the United States, the U.K., Germany, France, Canada and Japan. Q. And what was your conclusion at the end of this study? A. We adopted a single-payer system along the Canadian lines. I did not invent it. I’m just in the transfer- of-knowledge business.
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
How can you visit a country and learn nothing? Taiwan would be called 'socialist' by the Rush Limbough types. http://www.taiwan-agriculture.org/taiwan/rocintro10.html Social welfare policy in Taiwan is based on the Three Principles of the People, aimed at establishing social security, distributing social wealth, and ensuring a peaceful and beneficial society. To meet the public's growing need for social welfare, the Provincial Government is actively expanding social welfare services to provide positive support for socially and economically disadvantaged groups and establish a caring and harmonious society. Our main programs are as follows: Social Insurance The purpose of social insurance is to assist the citizen in the event of maternity, death, and the like. By using the economic power of the majority to compensate for losses and damage to the minority, peace and order can be protected from disturbance by a few individuals. At present, social insurance in Taiwan includes labor insurance, government employees' and their spouses' insurance, servicemen's insurance, health insurance for elected representatives, village chiefs and neighborhood chiefs, health insurance for low-income families, and farmers' health insurance. Social Assistance Social assistance includes regular assistance and disaster relief. Recipients of the former include low- income families, orphans, the elderly, the disabled, and those who are incapable of work. Recipients of the latter are victims of disasters and their families. Government work encompasses the investigation of low-income families, family livelihood supplements, medicare, free treatment for the mentally ill in low-income families, emergency and disaster relief, and raising of disaster-relief funds. The Provincial Government also encourages the private sector to become involved in social assistance and welfare. There were 36,510 low-income families in 1993, a total of 96,599 people. In fiscal year 1995 the standard for a low-income family was one with less than US$189,48 per capita income per month. Children and Juvenile Welfare The government has established day-care centers extensively throughout the province. In 1993 there were 3,372 day-care centers. Twenty-one counties and cities have provided day-care services. A total of 2,370 children have been taken care of. There were 25 care centers which accommodated 1,476 homeless children. In addition, we are actively supervising the improvement of facilities at day-care centers, training professional child-care personnel, establishing child care information service and improving the food at both public and private care centers. The revised Child Welfare Law promulgated on February 5, 1993, includes measures aimed at maintaining children's physical and mental health, encouraging normal development of children, and guaranteeing children's welfare. In order to meet the needs of present-day society, the central government put into effect the Juvenile Welfare Law on January 23, 1989. This law protects teenagers' rights and enforces parents' and guardians' responsibilities. Major policies are to provide juvenile school dropouts with study opportunities, to establish institutions to accommodate juveniles who have suffered from family misfortune, and to supply those incapable of work with livelihood support and medical assistance; to establish young people's welfare and service centers to pool resources for social welfare work among the young and reduce juvenile delinquency; to strengthen protection for children and aboriginal girls; and to promote drug prevention work among the young. The Provincial Government's child and teenager protection program calls for the establishment of both large and small scale rescue networks, with plans for vocational training and employment guidance for school dropouts and unemployed youths over 15 on a case by case basis to ensure long term youth protection, proper guidance, and fostering of normal character development. Welfare for the Elderly The percentage of the elderly in the total population has been on the rise. In order to meet senior citizens' social, physical, economic and psychological needs, the government has been promoting welfare for the elderly. At present, services provided to the elderly include free health check-ups, publicly and privately funded care centers, discounts on public transportation, day-care services, living supplements for low-income elderly, assistance with hospital and nursing expenses for seriously ill elderly members of poor families, welfare services for home improvements, and free lunch. In addition, senior citizens are also encouraged to participate in social work, educational and recreational programs, and skill competitions. For the homeless elderly over 70 years of age, benevolent homes have been established; at the end of 1993, there were 42 benevolent homes accommodating 8,648 people. Welfare for the Handicapped Services to the handicapped include the assessment of the condition of handicapped persons, the establishment of counseling centers and workshops providing skill training, offering of business loans and subsidized rehabilitation, and the improvement of public facilities for the handicapped. To take care of the retarded and the multiple handicapped, the government has assisted county and city governments and private organizations in setting up medical care centers for medium to seriously mentally and physically handicapped persons to ensure that they receive due care in a loving environment. There are presently 70 public and private institutions serving the handicapped . Women's Welfare To consolidate women's welfare policy, the Provincial Government has begun a five-year program to provide women with more services for their welfare. These services include marriage counseling, social activities for unmarried men and women, seminars on parent-child relations, establishment of day-care centers in different sectors, women's talent contests, home professional training, emergency shelter networks, protection for young women, and women's participation in social activities. Owing to the present lack of manpower, the Provincial Government has decided to push for the creation of more part-time work and living room manufacturing for women. Employers and unions are requested to provide labor insurance for these women. The aim is to fully utilize the manpower in society. Community Development The purpose of community development is to encourage members of a community to devote part of their time to community construction for mutual benefit that thereby improves the quality of life. It aims at completing basic community construction, promulgating the concept of environmental protection, beautifying the environment, wiping out poverty and crime, strengthening community spirit through moral and cultural development for a polite society, setting up community welfare services and expanding community welfare work, and encouraging cultural, recreational and sports activities for a fuller spiritual life. Through the end of fiscal year 1994, a total of 4,383 communities including 2,299,737 house holds had undergone community planning and community organization with an aggregate investment of US$1,058 million, improving the living environment of households throughout Taiwan. Social Workers System In view of Taiwan's rapidly changing society and with the aim of preventing and solving social problems and establishing a social atmosphere of harmony and well being, the Provincial Government has appointed social workers to all counties and cities since 1977. Utilizing their expert knowledge of social work, they become closely involved with the local community and take the initiative in providing professional services. The services offered include individual advice, family and marriage counseling, and a range of services to children, young people, the elderly and the handicapped, as well as community services and voluntary services. Aboriginal Welfare In the spirit of constitutional amendments on aboriginal welfare, the Provincial Government has taken steps to safeguard the aboriginal peoples' right to exist and to work, and to strengthen care for aborigines' livelihood. Under our aboriginal social welfare program, government and private resources are being channeled into appropriate livelihood guidance, vocational training, employment guidance and social assistance to provide a comprehensive welfare service.
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
Taiwan has an entirely different social/economic and cultural backdrop than the USA; they have a population size of nearly 23,000,000 folks (all homogeneous Asian and about 7% of the US total population size) and have only a land mass of about 13,000 sq miles (slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined). You are talking apples and oranges when it comes to methods of government operation, much less touting some bureaucratic scheme to cover-up the vast failure of the US Medicare/Medicaid programs under the planned 0bamacKare.
The merits of the Taiwanese system aside, I was contradicting jwpegler stupid claim that the Taiwanese are self sufficient and don't rely on govt for their private needs. Here is that idiot's exact words: "In Taiwan and the rest of Asia, you are expected to work and take care of yourself. If you can't, you rely on your family. In America (and Europe) the government's welfare system has destroyed the family by replacing it with a faceless, uncaring bureaucracy. " That is a lie. I am kind of shocked someone doing business (allegedly) in Taiwan would make something like this up...... Taiwan has a universal, govt bureaucracy run, single payer (govt) health care system. They (govt) even has bureaucracy checking on you to see why you are visiting the doctors so much to cut down on fraud and waste, The Taiwanese have an extensive social welfare system designed to keep harmony in the country. I had to counter jwpegler's BS and call him out on it. I am not arguing that we should adopt Taiwan's system - that is a discussion for another day. I hope that cleared up my intent on this post.
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
The 101 is a fantastick structure! However, they have a lot of problems compared to the USA. They treat imports with heavy taxes; as an example, if someone wants to buy a car from the US ($20,000) that same vehicle will have a tax levied at over 100% of the sticker value. Also, it is nearly impossible to finance those imports. Totally different economic structure than the USA. That is why you see the Taiwanese so industrious about diversified holdings; and industries. Many, if not all of the electronic components (say: used in your PC and other equipment) are manufactured there. If the Taiwanese are not working or in school they are with family and friends. One area that I despise is the Chinese New Year. It can last for a month about January-February; everything closes and forget about contacting anyone about business; they are off on holiday.
First of all, your preface negates that you are discussing a successful businessman that probably spent $20,000 just going to Taiwan of his own cash to negotiate new contracts in America that potentially create MORE jobs within his industry here in the USA. If I were you, I would modify your preface statement and congratulate jwpegler for his hard work to land a contract while making a few bucks. I see no issue with his statement and more than that, it is a passing comment; it is mere reflection of his own view between nations; it is not a thesis submitted for careful analysis and scrutiny. The Taiwanese are very industrious and really don't enjoy government interference; you don't see the Taiwanese begging to belong to China do you?
The old Republican line of "his remark was not intended to be a factual statement"......
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
jwpegler is not stumping to run for some political office or attempting to buy a vote. The man deserves praise for his hard work negotiating business contracts, of which he hasn't discussed and he shouldn't. All jwpegler is doing is sharing his recent trip to Taiwan and exchanging a few views about his experiences while talking with colleagues. Ask him questions. I am sure he will respond with candid answers whether you agree or not. As an example, I don't like Taiwanese fried fish of any kind. It almost makes me barf.
He is spreading BS that affects the lives of Americans - some one reading this comes away saying, hey - why can't America be like the Taiwanese who don't have govt regulated social welfare to hold them back??? When in fact the Taiwanese have govt run social benefits up the ying/yang. Facts are facts and no running for office does not negate one from stating them.
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
ROTFL ... Hey, pal: I don't know about what you know or understand about this chit-chat channel but jwpegler's reflections on a recent experience to Taiwan will hardly affect anyone's political views. He pointed out a casual dinner meeting is all with attempts to summarize relational perspectives about the two nations. Here is the statement that you don't enjoy: To me, he is dead-on target. If you analyze his statement, it does not take into account the two-party system in America but both political parties are on the left destroying America. Just look around America; we are no longer the vibrant economy we once were; our inner cities are trashed over; our educational system has been trashed; the leaders of our nation are nothing more than used car salesman; taxes CONTINUE TO CLIMB while the nation is focused on wars around the world.
You call everything that the gov does socialist. You're the biggest spreader of BS on LF! You've got a lot of dang gall, accusing anyone else of spreading BS. When we pay taxes to gov to build a bridge, that's not socialist. When gov takes our tax money and gives it to socialists to do nothing, that's socialist! It affects the lives of Americans in a negative way. . When "progressives" push political correct communist doctrine in the schools... braindead diversity, tolerance, and multiculturalism they're destroying America. Some stuff is intolerable, and we should oppose it. Ethnic groups naturally segregate which is why you have chinatown, little italy, etc. sections in most cities. Gov tries to force integration and creates strife. It's hObama's progressive "change", for the worse.
Obama's watch stopped on 24 May 2008, but he's been too busy smoking crack to notice.
Excellent point. It's the same in E.Europe, as well.
The two sides in America are people who work for a living versus people who vote for their living.
When we pay taxes to gov to build a bridge, that's not socialist. LOL! I am just using the term socialist in the Rush Limbough/FOX news/Right wing Radio/ sort of way - they call everything the govt does - socialist - except the military - which is ironic since that is the most socialist of all govt institutions. The fact that you are the only one who has objected to this example being called 'socialist' proves that because in the minds of the others on here - it is socialism.
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
TAXES were cut you, nimrod. Spending may have risen but in the rest of the world it is spent on the people and in the USA more on defense. So we have awesome armies and fucked up health care, bridges and train service. I will say something about free trade policies that allow capitalist pigs to exploit labor overseas at the expense of the American worker - but that is a whole can of worms in and of itself. And his statement is not dead on target. Taiwan sees itself as a unit - socialist in outlook in that the weakest link in the chain holds everyone back so they pool resources to help via govt the poor so all can rise up and pull along on a common front. Don't pretend you conservatives want to help the poor by pooling resources and creating govt programs.....like Taiwan does.... Taiwan is following the exact same policies any European export nation does like France and Germany - and they are the examples the GOP talking heads label "socialist".
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
There we have as I said jwpegler fooling some idiot with his false statement. Taiwan and now "Eastern Europe" are some kind of non socialist - no govt welfare type of conservative paradise - when in earlity Eastern Europe right now is a shambles - and Taiwan is what any Republican would call socialist if their policies were transplanted to the USA. I know this for a fact because Taiwan copied Canada's health care system 100% and the Canadian healthcare system was called socialist by every GOP talking head I can think of.
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
Where did you go? Answer Godwinson's points. Also, .... Oh, bullshit.
------------------------------------- Also, ... Jwpegler is such an astute debater that he probably has Godwinson on Bozo like he has almost every poster here who has called him on his BS. Pegler considers himself an esteemed teacher of economics and political theory, and beyond reproach. I can't believe Bucky's ever actually read his posts.
Oh, bullshit. Most of the teenagers who have taken part in them are black and from poor neighborhoods. Most of the areas hit have been predominantly white business districts. In the flash mob on Saturday, groups of teenagers were chanting “black boys” and “burn the city,” bystanders said. The latest outbreak of midtown mayhem - which the mayor Monday declared an episode of "wilding" - resurrected memories of the "bad old days of the 1970s." Fifty-six youths were arrested or given summonses after hundreds of thugs rampaged through Times Square and Herald Square on Easter Sunday night. Four people - a man and a woman in Times Square and two women outside Macy's - were shot in what cops say is becoming an annual tradition. "It came out of nowhere. I just saw people running and I got hit," said Keanu Griffin, 18, a senior at Aspiration High in Brooklyn, who was shot in the thigh. She said she and five friends were heading to the subway after eating at T.G.I. Friday's when they were engulfed by the melee. Check your Tweeter, there might be a cool flash mob you can participate in!
Obama's watch stopped on 24 May 2008, but he's been too busy smoking crack to notice.
They were? Exactly how when two different methods of clandestine taxation has been endorsed by American politicians: 1) rampant inflation controlled by the FED and 2) unimaginable borrowing. Both methods are not apparent to average American as they enjoy their "tax-free" paychecks. That is an issue America has failed upon. They have chased industry away with over regulation while minimizing any requirements for foreign imports. America got shafted by both political parties. From my perspective it is DEAD-ON TARGET. The statement is a rough comparison of nations is all. I am not a "conservative." I have never claimed to be and the term is thrown around too loosely. I am for smaller government, though. To some point, I agree. But jwpegler's casual remarcks did not take this view at all.
The current health care system in Taiwan, known as National Health Insurance (NHI), was instituted in 1995. NHI is a single-payer compulsory social insurance plan which centralizes the disbursement of health-care funds. The system promises equal access to health care for all citizens, and the population coverage had reached 99% by the end of 2004.[4] NHI is mainly financed through premiums, which are based on the payroll tax, and is supplemented with out-of-pocket payments and direct government funding. In the initial stage, fee-for-service predominated for both public and private providers. Most health providers operate in the private sector and form a competitive market on the health delivery side. However, many health care providers took advantage of the system by offering unnecessary services to a larger number of patients and then billing the government. In the face of increasing loss and the need for cost containment , NHI changed the payment system from fee-for-service to a global budget, a kind of prospective payment system, in 2002. So, it looks like Taiwan had to change it's system to protect it from thieving private industry. Sounds familiar.
They get more time off of work than Americans do too.
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
The same can be said of Scandinavians, but we always talk about them as socialist.
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
Oh, isn't that peechy-keen! Whats that got to do with any of this discussion? If anything America NEEDS to get back to work as Taiwan demonstrates based on jwpegler's article.
Does that mean you don't think Americans should be free to purchase property and live where ever they want and can afford?
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
That's YOUR job! wtf, huh? Always nice to see your ilk's button pushed.
It begins to look as if Americans work more and get less than the citizens of any other first world country. What is it again that makes us great?
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
The American worker - if he has a job - is exploited work meat by the owner class. The American worker is at work - works hard - for less pay and benefits like days off than in the pre - Reagan era. Since Reagan the American worker has worked harder but saw little increase in pay or benefits with a small blip in the Clinton era which did see a rise in pay and benefits for a short time. What we need is retirement to start earlier - this will free up jobs to new employees. We need 3 days off so that the American can have more family time and reduce divorces, etc and we need manufacturing jobs that can hire people right out of high school - colleges have become money pits for many Americans who now have to go beyond their educational and monetary needs because service jobs need more education for the worker - while still paying less than manufacturing jobs used to. If we put a 100% tariff on imported clothing we could reduce unemployment in America by 50% or more - the garment industry used to be a huge employer of workers - skilled and non skilled - for example.
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
Ummm - there was strife before integration, it just wasn't your strife.
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
The American worker is at work - works hard - for less pay and benefits like days off than in the pre - Reagan era. Just as slaves were less than fully human by law at our country's founding, today's wage slaves are less than human.
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
That is because American government on all levels have stolen the average American paycheck through: 1) taxation, 2) controlled inflation and 3) excessive borrowing. These scandalous methods are not used ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD. You should get off your ass from your computer and get outside and SCREAM: 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!' (borrowed from NETWORK, circa 1976) ... of course, you won't; it is too easy to sit there and chit-chat. It was WW2. After WW2, it has been downhill all the way particularly because of America playing world cop.
That is because American government on all levels have stolen the average American paycheck through.... That is because American government on all levels have stolen the average American paycheck through.......allowing businesses to break up unions, export manufacturing overseas and depress wages and benefits.
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
You can't be serious.
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
Can you cite any example of ANY nation around the world that does not perform similarly? Yeah, so what? the American government (on all levels) has slowly extracted the tax base from the private sector in such a way that about 20% - 33% of ALL government structures are paying for retirement benefits. In the private sector , no such issue has occurred. But the real perspective is how the politicians have connived, lied, cheated, swindled America into paying retirement benefits for fat, lazy bureaucrats to begin with. They are ALL charlatans. I don't agree. If anything, America needs to work harder, better, faster and cheaper in order to compete with the rest of the world. Blame your Congress whom have systemically driven off manufacturing with excessive regulation while permitting off-shore imports on the cheap.
You're so communal!
Taiwain has a national single-payer health insurance system, and a national pension system, so I'm guessing you told your associates how much better they would be working/living in the U.S.? I assume you also discussed Taiwan's massive stimulus implemented in 2009?
Tagline for sale - inquire within
As less than human, workers don't contribute and thus are not deserving. Employees are not producers, they are parasites.
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
Sur le conttrary mon ami je suis cadavérique sérieux. (Quite the contrary, I am deathly serious) No other nation has ever undertaken the task of WORLDCOP as the USA has performed EVER! The costs have been enormous, too. There isn't one significant advantage to this excessive empire building for America, either.
Comments (41 - 163) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestWe were sitting at diner, looking at all of the energy in the city, the wonderful people, and everything that they've accomplished over the last 50 years. I couldn't help but think that if Chiang Kai Shek didn't lead 2 million people off of the mainland, all of these people and what they've accomplished wouldn't be here because the communists would have murdered their parents and grandparents for rebelling just as the communists murdered so many others.
This small group of terrorists [Tea Party members] have made it impossible to spend any money. -- Mike Doyle (D-PA)
#2. To: jwpegler, Capitalist Eric, CZ82, go65, A K A Stone, hondo68, buckeroo, Murron, sneakypete, Get Outta Dodge! (#1)
(Edited)
e were sitting at diner, looking at all of the energy in the city, the wonderful people, and everything that they've accomplished over the last 50 years. I couldn't help but think that if Chiang Kai Shek didn't lead 2 million people off of the mainland, all of these people and what they've accomplished wouldn't be here because the communists would have murdered their parents and grandparents for rebelling just as the communists murdered so many others.
#3. To: jwpegler, go65, lucysmom (#0)
In Taiwan and the rest of Asia, you are expected to work and take care of yourself. If you can't, you rely on your family.
#4. To: All (#3)
#5. To: jwpegler, Capitalist Eric, CZ82, go65, A K A Stone, hondo68, buckeroo, Murron, sneakypete, Get Outta Dodge! (#1)
#6. To: Godwinson (#3)
By consolidating so much — one government plan that covers everybody — Taiwan achieves remarkable efficiency.
#7. To: buckeroo, jwpegler (#6)
(Edited)
#8. To: jwpegler (#1)
(Edited)
#9. To: Godwinson, jwpegler (#7)
Here is that idiot's exact words:
"In Taiwan and the rest of Asia, you are expected to work and take care of yourself. If you can't, you rely on your family. In America (and Europe) the government's welfare system has destroyed the family by replacing it with a faceless, uncaring bureaucracy. "
#10. To: buckeroo (#9)
it is not a thesis submitted for careful analysis and scrutiny.
#11. To: Godwinson, jwpegler (#10)
#12. To: buckeroo, jwpegler (#11)
wpegler is not stumping to run for some political office or attempting to buy a vote.
#13. To: Godwinson (#12)
He [jwpegler] is spreading BS that affects the lives of Americans - some one reading this comes away saying, hey - why can't America be like the Taiwanese who don't have govt regulated social welfare to hold them back???
Our thoughts quickly drifted to the problems we face in America. Although the American left haven't turned into mass murders (yet), they are killing the country nevertheless.
#14. To: Godwinson, buckeroo, jwpegler, *Extended Clip Progressives* (#12)
He is spreading BS that affects the lives of Americans
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul
#15. To: jwpegler (#0)
In Taiwan and the rest of Asia, you are expected to work and take care of yourself. If you can't, you rely on your family. In America (and Europe) the government's welfare system has destroyed the family by replacing it with a faceless, uncaring bureaucracy. They've also replaced our core values of hard work and responsibility with sloth and dependency. So, you've been on unemployment insurance for 2 years???!!! No problem, Obama and his minions will let you ride out the rest of your miserable life at the taxpayer's expense.
#16. To: hondo68 (#14)
You call everything that the gov does socialist. You're the biggest spreader of BS on LF! You've got a lot of dang gall, accusing anyone else of spreading BS.
#17. To: buckeroo (#13)
Just look around America; we are no longer the vibrant economy we once were; our inner cities are trashed over; our educational system has been trashed; the leaders of our nation are nothing more than used car salesman; taxes CONTINUE TO CLIMB while the nation is focused on wars around the world.
#18. To: Capitalist Eric, buckeroo, jwpegler (#15)
#19. To: jwpegler (#0)
Although the American left haven't turned into mass murders (yet)
Why don't you make like a tree and get out of here?
#20. To: Biff Tannen (#19)
Where did you go? Answer Godwinson's points.
#21. To: Biff Tannen (#19)
(Edited)
American left haven't turned into mass murders (yet)
The flash mobs have raised questions about race and class.
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul
#22. To: Godwinson (#17)
TAXES were cut you, nimrod. Spending may have risen but in the rest of the world it is spent on the people and in the USA more on defense. So we have awesome armies and fucked up health care, bridges and train service.
I will say something about free trade policies that allow capitalist pigs to exploit labor overseas at the expense of the American worker - but that is a whole can of worms in and of itself. America got shafted by both political parties.
And his statement is not dead on target. Taiwan sees itself as a unit - socialist in outlook in that the weakest link in the chain holds everyone back so they pool resources to help via govt the poor so all can rise up and pull along on a common front.
Don't pretend you conservatives want to help the poor by pooling resources and creating govt programs.....like Taiwan does....
Taiwan is following the exact same policies any European export nation does like France and Germany - and they are the examples the GOP talking heads label "socialist".
#23. To: mininggold (#20)
#24. To: buckeroo, jwpegler (#8)
If the Taiwanese are not working or in school they are with family and friends. One area that I despise is the Chinese New Year. It can last for a month about January-February; everything closes and forget about contacting anyone about business; they are off on holiday.
#25. To: buckeroo (#9)
The Taiwanese are very industrious and really don't enjoy government interference; you don't see the Taiwanese begging to belong to China do you?
#26. To: lucysmom, jwpegler (#24)
They get more time off of work than Americans do too.
#27. To: hondo68 (#14)
Ethnic groups naturally segregate which is why you have chinatown, little italy, etc. sections in most cities.
#28. To: Godwinson (#12)
He is spreading BS that affects the lives of Americans
Which (R) candidate do you hate the most? That may finalize my decision.
#29. To: buckeroo (#26)
Oh, isn't that peechy-keen! Whats that got to do with any of this discussion? If anything America NEEDS to get back to work as Taiwan demonstrates based on jwpegler's article.
#30. To: buckeroo, lucysmom, jwpegler (#26)
If anything America NEEDS to get back to work
#31. To: hondo68 (#14)
Gov tries to force integration and creates strife. It's hObama's progressive "change", for the worse.
#32. To: Godwinson (#30)
The American worker - if he has a job - is exploited work meat by the owner class.
#33. To: lucysmom (#29)
It begins to look as if Americans work more and get less than the citizens of any other first world country.
What is it again that makes us great?
#34. To: buckeroo, lucysmom, jwpegler (#33)
It begins to look as if Americans work more and get less than the citizens of any other first world country.
#35. To: buckeroo (#33)
That is because American government on all levels have stolen the average American paycheck through: 1) taxation, 2) controlled inflation and 3) excessive borrowing. These scandalous methods are not used ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.
#36. To: Godwinson (#30)
The American worker - if he has a job - is exploited work meat by the owner class.
The American worker is at work - works hard - for less pay and benefits like days off than in the pre - Reagan era. Since Reagan the American worker has worked harder but saw little increase in pay or benefits with a small blip in the Clinton era which did see a rise in pay and benefits for a short time.
What we need is retirement to start earlier - this will free up jobs to new employees. We need 3 days off so that the American can have more family time and reduce divorces, etc and we need manufacturing jobs that can hire people right out of high school - colleges have become money pits for many Americans who now have to go beyond their educational and monetary needs because service jobs need more education for the worker - while still paying less than manufacturing jobs used to.
If we put a 100% tariff on imported clothing we could reduce unemployment in America by 50% or more - the garment industry used to be a huge employer of workers - skilled and non skilled - for example.
#37. To: Godwinson (#34)
allowing businesses to break up unions
Workers and voters are rejecting Unions...and businesses benefit.
#38. To: jwpegler (#0)
(Edited)
In Taiwan and the rest of Asia, you are expected to work and take care of yourself. If you can't, you rely on your family. In America (and Europe) the government's welfare system has destroyed the family by replacing it with a faceless, uncaring bureaucracy. They've also replaced our core values of hard work and responsibility with sloth and dependency. So, you've been on unemployment insurance for 2 years???!!! No problem, Obama and his minions will let you ride out the rest of your miserable life at the taxpayer's expense.
#39. To: Godwinson (#34)
That is because American government on all levels have stolen the average American paycheck through.......allowing businesses to break up unions, export manufacturing overseas and depress wages and benefits.
#40. To: lucysmom (#35)
You can't be serious.
.
.
.
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]