Does it bother you just a little when the US "still" labels itself the best country?

Well, I don't know about that. I am sure there are some differences, but overall it's the same outcome-based education taught all across the West. In other words, it's education based around creating people who can put together a computer or work on a machine. However, it doesn't teach people what they need to know to form their own opinions on important issues.

 

I saw Australia mentioned there....just my opinion about America as a country, (im not talking about its people) is that IMO its smug and very self absorbed. dont flame me, just putting it out there

 

I disagree. Public education doesn't teach any sorts of trade skills. In Texas it has since I've been in school (Bush Governor) been almost solely dedicated to studying for a few tests. My friend at work was telling me they simply had the kids cheat so they could pass kids and be able to get their funding.

I'm was very dissatisfied with the education I received. I took Texas history twice. 5th and 8th grade.

I would have had to take US history three separate courses through middle school. In all those times, The year was over after the civil war and reconstruction. I had no history classes cover world war 2.

learned absolutely nothing, and I mean the material was never covered for world war 1 or afterward. I don't think Vietnam was even mentioned in school, and I knew nothing about it until I was about 15 and watched some things about it on the history channel.

 

One area America ranks number 1 is they show the most prescription drug ads on television,magazines etc. etc.This actually is one of many examples of how the US has changed,drug ads "used" to be banned in the US.I don't know of any other civilised country that would allow drug advertisements all over the place.The EU banned drug ads.---On a different note:The average Americans life expectancy in 1945 was number one in the world.Now its not even in the top ten.There are so many issues where America used to be on top,now that no longer is the case.

 

I don't feel the need for overregulation of pharmaceutical advertising.

ALthough I am concerned especially in magazine ad's, where the ad is a picture of a little blue pill with no mention of what it's for.

"Yes, I need that!"

 

Not bothered in the slightest.

 

Drug ads bother me because of all the money that is wasted on tv ads as opposed to developing better medications.It also bothers me because I don't like watching tv shows --in between a million commercials of any type--.There used to be regulations on the amout of commercials allowed to be shown too.Now that is not the case.Big business has waaaaaay too much influence in the US government nowadays in so many areas.

 

Agreed. I like the way many businesses are run - business should be an honorable organized method of providing a service or product that the consumer needs or "needs". Businesses like Evergreen Aviation (based in my area, that's why I use them) are a good business. They provide the nation with military planes, rescue plans and helicopters, help in relief efforts with things like Katrina and other natural disasters - that's honorable business.

But there is now a junk market. A huge slot in the media and other outlets for needless things that become garbage in 6 months or less.

 

6 months? how about 7 days.
I have a plethora of magazines in front of me (not mine I hasten to add) that are all spouting stuff, then back tracking the next week.
Heck most of it is bollocks from the get go.

 

I have yet to learn anything exceptionally practical in my studies. In high school I took drama, music, physical education, english, french, history, law and family studies. I'm currently studying French Literature & Social Justice and I have nothing practical to really work in an industry or necessary to become a cog of some bigger machine. Unless someone wants me to dissect Quebec French semiotics in Molière's L'Ecole Des Femmes, I can't do a whole lot of practical performances with my learnings. Unless someone wants to pay me to write essays on the redistribution of wealth and the merits of financial egalitarian societies, only then I have gained something practical from my learnings that I could call my designated job.


There are courses, classes and programs in the education system that are designed to expand the minds of the students who take them. These classes have no real or tangible learnings that teach students easily applicable skills to their lot in life and the jobs they will be performing.

 

Yeah, but I am not speaking specifically about trade skills. I could have just as well said working in an office cubicle. In other words, education in the West is about creating people who can serve the state and pay their taxes. It's not about people reaching their highest potential as creative individuals. All you have to do is look at the father of the modern education system, John Dewey, who specifically said that people's role in society is to serve the state.

 

I'm moving to the US. Sue me.

 

best because of what.....

 

What about Marguerite Bourgeoys who said that people's duty to society was to serve God?

If it wasn't for Marguerite Bourgeoys, a founding sister of education in Canada, blacks, natives, females, children would have never gone to school and would have become workers on their family farms or sent to the cities to work during the industrial revolution.

 

watch your ass, someone probably will.

 

you know, i woulda loved to have learned some valuable trade skills in school. i'm useless except that i can spout off all kinds of useless knowledge when jeopardy comes on AND i can keep that drunk "writer" occupied at my friends' parties.

 

Ya Moon Unit cannot argue with you here.

 

What are michael moore and the dozen americans I have spoken to talking about? Not that I like michael moore, but the impression I get from his films and other people I have spoken to is that you have no or inadequate protection for the laid off, not even semi universal health care and get paid shit for doing shit.

Not that I don't believe you, but people here just don't seem to land in the shit like people in the US do because there tends to be some kind of welfare covering their arses. So what is the actual problem with your welfare system, if there is one?

 

Norway's old and retarded.

 

Well, Michael Moore is a propagandist, so it's not surprising you came to that conclusion watching his movies. I am not sure about the other Americans you have spoken to, but I certainly wouldn't argue the support given to someone laid off is inadequate.