On this side of the Atlantic we are constantly amazed by the attitude of some Americans to state provision of services and taxes. There are some myths about the USA being the most generous nation,
“According to the OECD, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the US gave between $6 and $15 billion in foreign aid in the period between 1995 and 1999. In absolute terms, Japan gives more than the US, between $9 and $15 billion in the same period. But the absolute figures are less significant than the proportion of gross domestic product (GDP, or national wealth) that a country devotes to foreign aid. On that league table, the US ranks twenty-second of the 22 most developed nations. As former President Jimmy Carter commented: ‘We are the stingiest nation of all’. “
Individual Americans are in my experience amongst the kindest most generous people in the world (even New Yorkers) but they are so suspicious of the state. But sometimes the state is sometimes the most effective way to help those in need. In times of crisis in this country, such as floods, the Government steps in quickly to assist those affected, with military support if needed. Contrast this with the failure to repair/ redevelop much of New Orleans after Katrina.
I recently had a cancer operation. Direct cost to me; not a penny coz it was on the National Health Service. I have paid National Insurance,
I recently had a cancer operation. Direct cost to me; not a penny coz it was on the National Health Service. I have paid National Insurance, for 38 years, a total of over $100,000. I reckoned it was payback time. In hospital I met a 23 year old man who had the same condition as me. Clearly I have contributed much more but our needs were the same. It is therefore appropriate that we be treated the same.
On this side of the Atlantic we are constantly amazed by the attitude of some Americans to state provision of services and taxes. There are some myths about the USA being the most generous nation,
ReplyDelete“According to the OECD, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the US gave between $6 and $15 billion in foreign aid in the period between 1995 and 1999. In absolute terms, Japan gives more than the US, between $9 and $15 billion in the same period. But the absolute figures are less significant than the proportion of gross domestic product (GDP, or national wealth) that a country devotes to foreign aid. On that league table, the US ranks twenty-second of the 22 most developed nations. As former President Jimmy Carter commented: ‘We are the stingiest nation of all’. “
Individual Americans are in my experience amongst the kindest most generous people in the world (even New Yorkers) but they are so suspicious of the state.
But sometimes the state is sometimes the most effective way to help those in need. In times of crisis in this country, such as floods, the Government steps in quickly to assist those affected, with military support if needed. Contrast this with the failure to repair/ redevelop much of New Orleans after Katrina.
I recently had a cancer operation. Direct cost to me; not a penny coz it was on the National Health Service. I have paid National Insurance,
I recently had a cancer operation. Direct cost to me; not a penny coz it was on the National Health Service. I have paid National Insurance, for 38 years, a total of over $100,000. I reckoned it was payback time. In hospital I met a 23 year old man who had the same condition as me. Clearly I have contributed much more but our needs were the same. It is therefore appropriate that we be treated the same.
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