Matt's Survey of Personal Wisdom 2: Politics and Government

In My Humble Opinion (IMHO)
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Matt’s Questions of Personal Wisdom 2: Politics and Government

What country do you live in?
Are you happy?
Are you happy with the way life is in your country?
Do you believe your country has the best possible government structure?
Do you believe all people in your country are equal?
Do you believe all people in your country have an acceptable opportunity to live a happy life?
If you had the power to change the laws or fundamental structure of your country, would you?
What changes would you make?
What if anything do you do now to influence the state of your country or the world at large? (donate money to some organization? vote? speak out?)

Thank you to everyone who replies.

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  1. USA
  2. reasonably content
  3. somewhat discontented
  4. no
  5. are equal, or are treated equally? Not treated equally.
  6. no
  7. yes
  8. less Federal governmental control, more State control
  9. nothing
3
  1. USA
  2. Deliriously so
  3. Inasmuch as one can be
  4. Best possible, yes. Best ideally, no.
  5. No
  6. Yes
  7. Yes
  8. Reduce federal programs significantly, massive tax code changes (flat tax)
  9. All three of the above listed activities, also work in political field
4

I guess I should have numbered them :slight_smile:

Thanks for the replies…:slight_smile:

I would love more if anyone out there is willing…

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What country do you live in?

The USA.

Are you happy?*

Not at the moment. Actually, I can recall very few times in my life when I’ve been truly happy. My happiness is not a trivial thing.

Are you happy with the way life is in your country?

In general, yes. Despite our faults (and there are plenty), the USA generally does a pretty good job.

Do you believe your country has the best possible government structure?

Not even close.

Do you believe all people in your country are equal?

I don’t believe that any people in any country are all completely equal.

Do you believe all people in your country have an acceptable opportunity to live a happy life?

I don’t believe that all people in any country have an acceptable opportunity to live a happy life. “All people” covers a hell of a lot of ground, and babies are born with cripping birth defects in every country on the planet.

If you had the power to change the laws or fundamental structure of your country, would you?

Probably, though at the moment I’m not sure how.

What changes would you make?

I know one thing I’d do in a microsecond if I had the power. Bush would be impeached and the articles of impeachment would be delivered to the Senate for consideration. Whether he was removed or not is largely immaterial in my view.

What if anything do you do now to influence the state of your country or the world at large? (donate money to some organization? vote? speak out?)

I attempt to explain the virtues and benefits of (little L) libertarianism to anyone who wants to hear about it. Though it probably has no long-term effect, it makes me feel like I’m at least trying, and once in a while it makes people think a little harder about their decisions.
-Ben

6

What country do you live in? USA
Are you happy? Yes, but not overjoyed
Are you happy with the way life is in your country? Not especially.
Do you believe your country has the best possible government structure? In theory, yes; in practice no.
Do you believe all people in your country are equal? No. Too much class difference.
Do you believe all people in your country have an acceptable opportunity to live a happy life? No
If you had the power to change the laws or fundamental structure of your country, would you? Yes.
What changes would you make? Higher taxes on richer people/corporations, equitable distribution of pollution-causing facilities (no environmental discrimination), universal healthcare, mandatory college education, respect for everybody.
What if anything do you do now to influence the state of your country or the world at large? (donate money to some organization? vote? speak out?) Working through church with local organization for the homeless. Vote, although as Stiv Bators is reputed to have said, “If voting could change things, they’d make it illegal.”

7

What country do you live in?

  • USA (like most Dopers)

Are you happy?

  • No.

Are you happy with the way life is in your country?

  • For the most part yes, with some strong reservations.

Do you believe your country has the best possible government structure?

  • Yes, I do. I just wished more of my countrymen believed as i do.

Do you believe all people in your country are equal?

  • “Equality” is what you make it. If everyone is not exactly evaluated on a 1:1 basis here, the odds of it happening are still a hell of a lot better than anywhere else. I mean, we can sue our own government, for God’s sake. A lot of people don’t seem to realize that a lack of equality has very little to do with the nature of our “system,” and a lot more to do with the people in it. There has always been prejudice. But few people have cared as much about it or worked as hard to correct it as we have, in the recent past and today. I consider that progress. And it’s a lot more than many countries/peoples/tribes/cultures can manage.

Do you believe all people in your country have an acceptable opportunity to live a happy life?

  • Hell yes, if they want to badly enough. But most would rather bitch.

If you had the power to change the laws or fundamental structure of your country, would you?

  • Depends on what ideas were presented.

What changes would you make?

  • I would make it much easier for people to participate in the governing process. We talk a lot about being a democracy, but as the last presidential election showed, we’re quite lackadaisical about the whole thing sometimes. I would change citizen participation to be more of an obligation than it is now. How to do this though, I’m unsure.

What if anything do you do now to influence the state of your country or the world at large? (donate money to some organization? vote? speak out?)

  • I piss and moan on the SDMB, then ruminate on the futility of it all. :dubious:
8

What country do you live in?
US.

Are you happy?
Yes, for the most part, assuming you’re talking personal satisfaction rather than approval of The State Of The World.

Are you happy with the way life is in your country?
About some things, such as the fact that it’s a democracy, yes. Less so about many of the current political trends and some cultural things.

Do you believe your country has the best possible government structure?
No, but it’s better than many of the others.

Do you believe all people in your country are equal?
Lacking a definition of “equal,” I’d say no. I do believe they all deserve to be treated with basic dignity and respect.

Do you believe all people in your country have an acceptable opportunity to live a happy life?
No.

If you had the power to change the laws or fundamental structure of your country, would you?
I’d be more interested in changing the culture. The laws would follow.

What changes would you make?
Less bigotry, less adherence to religious dogma, better public education with greater emphasis on critical thinking, less jingoism, less of an emphasis on material possessions. Lots of smaller things, but those are the main ones.

What if anything do you do now to influence the state of your country or the world at large? (donate money to some organization? vote? speak out?)
Well, I vote, and I try to give my students the intellectual equipment they need to see through the posturing and propaganda on both ends of the political spectrum. (Sometimes it works.) I have occasionally donated money to organizations, but since I don’t have a lot of money to donate, it’s never been a significant amount.

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Hey I am really enjoying these answers! Thanks everyone and keep em coming any who are interested. :slight_smile:

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**What country do you live in? **

USA! USA! USA!!
Are you happy?

Getting there…

**Are you happy with the way life is in your country? **

I am quite content with it. USA!!

**Do you believe your country has the best possible government structure? **

Compared to the other forms of govt (based on news reports) I would think so. In some countries, that opinion could get me imprisoned or killed. I like this form of govt.

**Do you believe all people in your country are equal? **

Pretty much. Some are made to believe that they are inferior, some have this misguided belief they are superior. It averages out pretty well. Education is the key, with a good education, you can be anything here.

**Do you believe all people in your country have an acceptable opportunity to live a happy life? **

You bet. You can be what you want to be here. If not, you can join the US Army and be all that you can be. :smiley: The way things are here, if you cant be happy yourself, you can make it easier for your children to be happy. Millions of immigrants who have done that can testify to that.

**If you had the power to change the laws or fundamental structure of your country, would you? **

Yes I would. Altho I believe the US govt is the best in the world, it certainly is NOT perfect and can stand a few improvements or changes.

**What changes would you make? **

I would remove old archaic obsenity laws like sodomy. I would remove any law that helps descriminate groups of people. and I would revamp the State Department.

What if anything do you do now to influence the state of your country or the world at large? (donate money to some organization? vote? speak out?)

I already vote, speak out and donate money. Best thing I can think of is to instill the same civic responsibility on young people. Let them know what they can do to get a better life, use their opportunities to not just help themselves but their fellow people as well.

Thank you to everyone who replies.

hey no problem at all. Thanks for the thread.

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What country do you live in? - Canada.

Are you happy? - Yes.

Are you happy with the way life is in your country? - Yes.

Do you believe your country has the best possible government structure? - No.

Do you believe all people in your country are equal? - This could be taken many ways, but no.

Do you believe all people in your country have an acceptable opportunity to live a happy life? - Not quite.

If you had the power to change the laws or fundamental structure of your country, would you? - Yes, if I understand this question correctly.

What changes would you make? - Nothing major, but I would slightly change the government’s structure by making the Senate elected and equally distributed between provinces and give them specific powers. I would begin the process of completely eliminating the Indian Act and the institution of “native” status. Other than that I’d be very careful about changing things too quickly.

What if anything do you do now to influence the state of your country or the world at large? (donate money to some organization? vote? speak out?) - I donate money. I always vote.

12

What country do you live in?

US of A

Are you happy?

Deleriously? No. All things considered? Yes.

Are you happy with the way life is in your country?

Not entirely, but working for change. It is possible here.

Do you believe your country has the best possible government structure?

In practice? Yes

Do you believe all people in your country are equal?

I think so, but there are differing opinions

Do you believe all people in your country have an acceptable opportunity to live a happy life?

See last answer.

If you had the power to change the laws or fundamental structure of your country, would you?

Yes.

What changes would you make?

More power to the states. The Federal Government gets only those powers specifically enumerated for it in the Constitution. Much less Federal taxation.

What if anything do you do now to influence the state of your country or the world at large? (donate money to some organization? vote? speak out?)

All three.

13

What country do you live in? United States

Are you happy? Yes

Are you happy with the way life is in your country? Yes

Do you believe your country has the best possible government structure? No

Do you believe all people in your country are equal? No

Do you believe all people in your country have an acceptable opportunity to live a happy life? Yes

If you had the power to change the laws or fundamental structure of your country, would you? No

What changes would you make? Magically make people smarter, better parents?

What if anything do you do now to influence the state of your country or the world at large? (donate money to some organization? vote? speak out?) Vote

14

What country do you live in?: Australia
Are you happy?: With my country? Yeah I suppose so.
Are you happy with the way life is in your country? : It could be better.
Do you believe your country has the best possible government structure? : Forced voting in a democracy? it can’t be all that bad
Do you believe all people in your country are equal? : Not everybody.
Do you believe all people in your country have an acceptable opportunity to live a happy life? : Yes, but some people don’t grab that opportunity by the horns.
If you had the power to change the laws or fundamental structure of your country, would you? Probably.
What changes would you make? I’d install myself as emperor of course!
What if anything do you do now to influence the state of your country or the world at large? (donate money to some organization? vote? speak out?): I vote (and would if it weren’t compulsory) and I donate to Amnesty International, attend the occassional rally etc.

15

What country do you live in?: Australia
Are you happy?: With my country? Yeah I suppose so.
Are you happy with the way life is in your country? : It could be better, just don’t ask me how.
Do you believe your country has the best possible government structure? : Forced voting in a democracy? it can’t be all that bad
Do you believe all people in your country are equal? : Not everybody.
Do you believe all people in your country have an acceptable opportunity to live a happy life? : Yes, but some people don’t grab that opportunity by the horns.
If you had the power to change the laws or fundamental structure of your country, would you? Probably.
What changes would you make? I’d install myself as emperor of course!
What if anything do you do now to influence the state of your country or the world at large? (donate money to some organization? vote? speak out?): I vote (and would if it weren’t compulsory) and I donate to Amnesty International, attend the occassional rally etc.

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Hmmm…

**What country do you live in? **
8th Circle of Hell (Fraud)

Are you happy?
I need to make another level so…NO

**Are you happy with the way life is in your country? **
There is no real life here - just the lie that is living

**Do you believe your country has the best possible government structure? **
When I’m in charge yes, before that no.

**Do you believe all people in your country are equal? **
Everyone is in equal pain

**Do you believe all people in your country have an acceptable opportunity to live a happy life? **
heh-heh

**If you had the power to change the laws or fundamental structure of your country, would you? **
It is changed every day, and always to the betterment of all the people. :rolleyes:

**What changes would you make? **
Read above

What if anything do you do now to influence the state of your country or the world at large? (donate money to some organization? vote? speak out?)
Send everyone the the 6th circle to help make the historic texts clearer, get promoted to the 9th circle’s upper management, and kick off Armeggeddon as a way to show that I mean business.

17

What country do you live in?

UK

Are you happy?

I suppose so. There are more good things in my life than bad things, and i’m definately not unhappy.

Are you happy with the way life is in your country?

Generally yes. Thats not to say there’s nothing i would change though.

Do you believe your country has the best possible government structure?

No and i don’t think this is a meaningful question. I think our government structure is better than many less democratic governments. Compared to say US democracy i think UK government has some advantages and some disadvantages. I wouldn’t say one is better than the other however.

Do you believe all people in your country are equal?

In what way? Obviously we are all different, so there is no way we can all be equal unless we’re clones of each other. I do believe all people are deserving of the same rights and responsibilities however.

Do you believe all people in your country have an acceptable opportunity to live a happy life?

No, although i believe most people do.

If you had the power to change the laws or fundamental structure of your country, would you?

Yes

What changes would you make?

Increase spending on public transport, education and the enviroment. Begin an ethical foreign policy. Encourage the EU to take a larger role in world affairs. Abolish farming production subsidies, and introduce subsidies to encourage farmers to conserve the countryside in a more natural state. Spend more on science. Introduce a new high rate of income tax. Thats all i can think of for now, but there’s a lot more!

What if anything do you do now to influence the state of your country or the world at large? (donate money to some organization? vote? speak out?)

I vote but thats pretty much it.

18

**What country do you live in? ** The States

Are you happy? My life sucks, but probably not because of anything to do with our system of governence (sp?). Though I have heard that ADD people suffer disproportionate adverse effects of modern society.

Are you happy with the way life is in your country? For the most part. Some tinkering would be nice.

Do you believe your country has the best possible government structure? Yes–a constitutional republic. I’m sure that someday some variations will arise, but we enjoy the stability of institutions such as the Supreme Court & the Fed, as well as the power moderating aspects of our democratic institutions such as the legislatures, etc.

Do you believe all people in your country are equal? What do you mean by equal? The ideal of equal protection is there, but reality doesn’t live up to the ideal. Even with the differences that arise from familial wealth & political power, I’d rather be a poor American than a rich Pict.

Do you believe all people in your country have an acceptable opportunity to live a happy life? Don’t be stupid. Of course not. However, the ideal is there and is more-or-less universally considered to be a Good Thing and a Worthy Goal. That is important.

**If you had the power to change the laws or fundamental structure of your country, would you?**Yes.

What changes would you make? I’d have the President be required to answer questions before the house, much like the British PM does. I’d have rights to privacy & happiness. I’d only allow for an act to be criminalized when it directly harms another person. I’d allow institutions that reap some of the benefits of good economic policy and distribute it to those who are harmed by such policies. I’d make it acceptable for men to wear skirts.

What if anything do you do now to influence the state of your country or the world at large? (donate money to some organization? vote? speak out?) Nothing. I’d like to. I have issues with getting my life order.