Do you think Americans are idiots.

The Democracy Index is an index compiled by The Economist examining the state of democracy in 167 countries, attempting to quantify this with an Economist Intelligence Unit Index of Democracy which focused on five general categories: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, functioning of government, political participation and political culture. According to Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index 2008 Sweden scored a total of 9.88 on a scale from zero to ten, which was the highest result, while North Korea scored the lowest with 0.86.[1] The countries are categorized into "Full Democracies", "Flawed Democracies", "Hybrid Regimes" (all considered democracies), and "Authoritarian Regimes" (considered dictatorial).

2008 ranking

No. Location Index Category
1 Sweden 9.88 Full democracy
2 Norway 9.68 Full democracy
3 Iceland 9.65 Full democracy
4 Netherlands 9.53 Full democracy
5 Denmark 9.52 Full democracy
6 Finland 9.25 Full democracy
7 New Zealand 9.19 Full democracy
8 Switzerland 9.15 Full democracy
9 Luxembourg 9.10 Full democracy
10 Australia 9.09 Full democracy
11 Canada 9.07 Full democracy
12 Ireland 9.01 Full democracy
13 Germany 8.82 Full democracy
14 Austria 8.49 Full democracy
15 Spain 8.45 Full democracy
16 Malta 8.39 Full democracy
17 Japan 8.25 Full democracy
18 United States 8.22 Full democracy

Marek11111Threads: 49 Posts: 1,953 Joined: Aug 6, 09	Oct 30, 09, 23:08 / #
When you run into American do you think they are idiots, oblivious to everything, think that U.S. is the greatest country, what is your impression.

southernThreads: 116 Posts: 10,955 Joined: May 17, 07	Oct 30, 09, 23:10 / #
They are not idiots.They simply think thinking not mainstream is counterproductive and anti-economical.

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07	Oct 30, 09, 23:16 / #
Some are, some aren't. They have some of the best inventing minds in the business and this from a Scotsman :) Inventions need sufficient original thought, some uniqueness. Even Einstein cheated on this count ;) They have some of the best universities which, although overrated, still produce some leading minds.

SokratesThreads: 19 Posts: 4,464 Joined: Jan 19, 09 [Suspended]	Oct 30, 09, 23:32 / #
Seanus: Some are, some aren't. Most are. some aren't. There fixed that for you.

southernThreads: 116 Posts: 10,955 Joined: May 17, 07	Oct 30, 09, 23:33 / #
US are good in putting things into mass production after testing lots of ideas.In Europe there is more emphasis on quality and standard procedures.

TymoteuszThreads: 7 Posts: 694 Joined: Jul 25, 09	Edited by: Tymoteusz Oct 30, 09, 23:35 / #
Sokrates: some aren't. some is, some ain't double fix'd

southernThreads: 116 Posts: 10,955 Joined: May 17, 07	Oct 30, 09, 23:42 / #
By euro standards many americans would appear idiots due to lack of historical,geographical knowledge but who knows,much of this knowledge is counterproductive and does not give a perspective for the future while future is too much on US minds.

scrappletonThreads: - Posts: 1,365 Joined: Apr 28, 09	Oct 30, 09, 23:43 / #
southern: By euro standards many americans would appear idiots due to lack of historical,geographical knowledge But high and mighty European eats up American rock, jazz, rap.. movies. Who exactly is the idiot?

Polonius3Threads: 1,005 Posts: 4,833 Joined: Apr 11, 08	Oct 30, 09, 23:46 / #
Idiots? Land of the free and home of the brave! Aresenal of democracy! Chief exporter of democratic values to wogs the world over. Not to mention culture: comic books, bubble gum, hotdogs, burgers, peanut butter, Heinz baked beans, maple syrup, hoola hoops, Santa Claus, Donald Tusk, er, um, I mean Duck, Minnie Mouse, Superman, Tom & Jerry, Batman, McDonald's, drive-in movies, drive-by shooting, drive-through restaurants, funeral parlours, banks, etc., Hollywood, MTV, Broadway, etc., etc. and a whole world out there rushing about to emulate all this and more.

southernThreads: 116 Posts: 10,955 Joined: May 17, 07	Oct 30, 09, 23:49 / #
scrappleton: European eats up American rock, jazz, rap.. movies. Who exactly is the idiot? I am not talking about commercial products.It is normal that american ones are more popular because they are made to satisfy wider audience comprised of people of different ethnic backgrounds. For example who would be interested for a hit in Denmark?

scrappletonThreads: - Posts: 1,365 Joined: Apr 28, 09	Oct 30, 09, 23:53 / #
European thinks you're an idiot because you can't point out Moldova on a map. Turn the tide, can they point out Nevada , the Missouri River, Adironacks? ... probably not.

scrappletonThreads: - Posts: 1,365 Joined: Apr 28, 09	Edited by: scrappleton Oct 30, 09, 23:58 / #
ShawnH: Scrappy will love this one: Yawn.. well your daddy John Bull produces The Economist. I always notice Scandinavian countries are high on these lists .. they are also high on the lists about suicides per capita. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate

ShawnHThreads: 9 Posts: 3,056 Joined: Jul 2, 09	Oct 31, 09, 00:07 / #
scrappleton: Yawn How about the list of Failed states.... Work a little harder and you will be better than Singapore! 160 United States 161 Singapore 162 Portugal 163 Netherlands 164 Japan 165 Luxembourg 166 Austria 167 Belgium 168 Canada 169 Australia 170 Denmark 171 Iceland 172 New Zealand 173 Switzerland 174 Ireland 175 Sweden 176 Finland 177 Norway Source.

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07	Oct 31, 09, 00:07 / #
I love the song about America where they say 'f*ck yeah'. They say it to almost everything other than books ;) ;) LOL My American friend pointed that out to me. Land of the Serial Killer with Britain rating highly too :(

ShawnHThreads: 9 Posts: 3,056 Joined: Jul 2, 09	Oct 30, 09, 23:55 / #
Polonius3: Chief exporter of democratic values to wogs the world over. Scrappy will love this one: The Democracy Index is an index compiled by The Economist examining the state of democracy in 167 countries, attempting to quantify this with an Economist Intelligence Unit Index of Democracy which focused on five general categories: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, functioning of government, political participation and political culture. According to Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index 2008 Sweden scored a total of 9.88 on a scale from zero to ten, which was the highest result, while North Korea scored the lowest with 0.86.[1] The countries are categorized into "Full Democracies", "Flawed Democracies", "Hybrid Regimes" (all considered democracies), and "Authoritarian Regimes" (considered dictatorial). 2008 ranking No. Location Index Category 1 Sweden 9.88 Full democracy 2 Norway 9.68 Full democracy 3 Iceland 9.65 Full democracy 4 Netherlands 9.53 Full democracy 5 Denmark 9.52 Full democracy 6 Finland 9.25 Full democracy 7 New Zealand 9.19 Full democracy 8 Switzerland 9.15 Full democracy 9 Luxembourg 9.10 Full democracy 10 Australia 9.09 Full democracy 11 Canada 9.07 Full democracy 12 Ireland 9.01 Full democracy 13 Germany 8.82 Full democracy 14 Austria 8.49 Full democracy 15 Spain 8.45 Full democracy 16 Malta 8.39 Full democracy 17 Japan 8.25 Full democracy 18 United States 8.22 Full democracy America has been an exemplary teacher of Democratic Principles, some students have beaten the teacher! Source.

TymoteuszThreads: 7 Posts: 694 Joined: Jul 25, 09	Oct 31, 09, 00:08 / #
ShawnH: 2 Norway 9.68 Full democracy They should give themselves a Nobel prize!

southernThreads: 116 Posts: 10,955 Joined: May 17, 07	Oct 31, 09, 00:09 / #
USA has more direct democracy.We in Europe have more indirect democracy.There cannot be really any comparison.Can you for examle in Europe vote for judges?I don't think so. And everyone knows that some euro nations if not pressed and left alone would probably choose another style of government which would not be democratic maybe not even by name. How many kings have we still in Europe?

scrappletonThreads: - Posts: 1,365 Joined: Apr 28, 09	Edited by: scrappleton Oct 31, 09, 00:10 / #
ShawnH: Work a little harder and you will be better than Singapore! Perhaps if you work a little harder you will have your own identity besides GB's or France's... :- ( At least the world doesn't see us some sh.t heel European outpost. Failed state, huh? That's why you clowns are always coming down to us. What a joke you are dude. Why don't you go and tax the snow.. you tax everything else.

ShawnHThreads: 9 Posts: 3,056 Joined: Jul 2, 09	Oct 31, 09, 00:15 / #
scrappleton: Why don't you go and tax the snow.. you tax everything else. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

scrappletonThreads: - Posts: 1,365 Joined: Apr 28, 09	Oct 31, 09, 00:17 / #
Seanus: love the song about America where they say 'f*ck yeah'. They say it to almost everything other than books ;) ;) LOL We also say "f.ck yeah" to regular showers and deordorant. That's chorus the world would like the European to sing. ShawnH: Sometimes you get what you pay for. Yeah? Like a 3 hour wait to see the doctor. Lucky you. Pretty soon they will tax the magazine you read at the clinic.

TymoteuszThreads: 7 Posts: 694 Joined: Jul 25, 09	Oct 31, 09, 00:21 / #
Seanus: I love the song about America where they say 'f*ck yeah'. Thats from a movie titled America, World Police. Its hilarious! Its a self deprecating film in which we make fun of everyone including ourselves.

ShawnHThreads: 9 Posts: 3,056 Joined: Jul 2, 09	Oct 31, 09, 00:21 / #
scrappleton: Like a 3 hour wait to see the doctor. Lucky you. Pretty soon they will tax the magazine you read at the clinic But the thing is, I get to see one. I don't have to worry about co-pay, or whether my insurance will cover it, or the drugs that he may prescribe. I know it won't likely bankrupt the family, if I need an operation. And god forbid, if I walk into any emergency department holding my severed arm, the first question I hear won't be "and how will you be paying for this?".

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07	Edited by: Seanus Oct 31, 09, 00:27 / #
I prefer to say fu*k yeah to anti-perspirant and deodorant as using only deodorant in warm weather will make you stink quicker. America has also produced some amazing chess players. Bobby Fischer, the American Jew (RIP), being first among them. Yasser Sierawan, Gata Kamsky, Samuel Reshevsky, Rueben Fine, Frank Marshall and Paul Morphy being some others. OK, they have a larger pool to choose from but look at Israel. I think they are 3rd in the world behind Russia and Ukraine. The Jews are where it's at when it comes to smartness. Cheers, Timotei :) Awesome video :)

scrappletonThreads: - Posts: 1,365 Joined: Apr 28, 09	Oct 31, 09, 00:29 / #
ShawnH: But the thing is, I get to see one. But the thing is, you get to PAY FOR IT EVEN IF YOU DON'T NEED ONE. You have no choice. Just like your siamese twin , the European.

ShawnHThreads: 9 Posts: 3,056 Joined: Jul 2, 09	Oct 31, 09, 00:31 / #
scrappleton: PAY FOR IT EVEN IF YOU DON'T NEED ONE Small price to pay if you ever found yourself in a pinch, IMO. And the great thing is, that in some provinces, Canadians can pay their way to the front of the line, if they are so inclined.

southernThreads: 116 Posts: 10,955 Joined: May 17, 07	Oct 31, 09, 00:34 / #
Seanus: Russia Russians are not smarter than Germans etc.But they are better at hiding their thoughts,in blackmail and in quick,surprising action and these are crucial for chess.

DiceThreads: 20 Posts: 677 Joined: Nov 27, 07	Oct 31, 09, 00:35 / #
scrappleton: But the thing is, you get to PAY FOR IT EVEN IF YOU DON'T NEED ONE That's what real "insurance" is. You pay a little every day, so when the time comes and you need a lot of help, you don't have to worry about it. As opposed to the US Health Care, where you pay when you don't need it, and when you need it, they will deny the payments and you go bankrupt.

Polonius3Threads: 1,005 Posts: 4,833 Joined: Apr 11, 08	Oct 31, 09, 00:38 / #
Seanus - couldn't resist this one: News flash: This just in... A man was found dead slumped over his breakfast table with his face in a bowl of corn flakes. Police suspect it was the work of a cereal killer!!!

scrappletonThreads: - Posts: 1,365 Joined: Apr 28, 09	Oct 31, 09, 00:41 / #
Dice: That's what real "insurance" is. You pay a little every day, so when the time comes and you need a lot of help, you don't have to worry about it. have you seen their tax rates? it's more than a "little". there is health insurance that works like a bank account here, you just shop around. Dice there's a reason the Canadian comes down here when they are "truly sick". You know why that is? Because they don't want a state doctor sawing on them. As the Canuck just said, "Sometimes you get what you pay for".

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07	Oct 31, 09, 00:42 / #
Russians are master tacticians too but stealing Kasparov was bad. He was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, and he has Armenian-Jewish roots. Scrappy is doing his best by flying the buffoon flag. Pol3, that was bad ;) ;)