1. Originally posted by Yogi:Interesting fact:

    Since 2003, The U.S. spent $980 billion in Iraq, enough to wipe out world poverty for 10 years.

    Who made that America's responsibility
  2. Originally posted by Risto:[..]


    To be honest I didnt make it that far, stopped when they pointed fingers to each other during the first hour. Pechtold makes me sick, always pointing the finger and the arrogance just oozes out his nose.

    However good job to all 5 parties who made the budget for 2013 just before elections. Think Holland is the one of the few countries stuff like this can happen, always searching for a middle way for better and for worse

    What's wrong with choosing the middle way? It represents the majority of the citizens, so that's a good thing I reckon. Yes, Pechtold had a bit of air floating around him, but then again I think he's a really skilled politician, and also a gentle person (I get to know him a little because I'm an intern at D66 right now).
  3. ^ I'd like to have a party like D66 here in Spain. Everything is so democratic, with internal referendums and the stuff... Its ideology seems a good mash between the two big wings, and the only thing I dislike is their bet on a strict USA-like two-party system. Yeah, they're a party I'd like to have around here.

  4. Nobody and that's not the point. U.S. itself is in great financial problems, unemployment rate is high and yet they rather put money in killing people all over the world.
  5. Originally posted by dieder:[..]

    What's wrong with choosing the middle way? It represents the majority of the citizens, so that's a good thing I reckon. Yes, Pechtold had a bit of air floating around him, but then again I think he's a really skilled politician, and also a gentle person (I get to know him a little because I'm an intern at D66 right now).

    Middle way does not represent the majority of citizens. In the end it means that little happens. As I said, its not bad but in some cases it doesnt work.

    D66 have some good points, all parties do. Might vote for them, but more for a lack of better alternative. The Socialist Party are the most fair, but naive. The liberals of the VVD have shown to do anything as long they are in power. And the christian CDA is an utter spineless disgrace of a party since Balkenende left.
  6. Originally posted by Yogi:[..]

    Nobody and that's not the point. U.S. itself is in great financial problems, unemployment rate is high and yet they rather put money in killing people all over the world.

    I am sure Croatia is doing MUCH better in this aspect .

    Biggest issue in the third world is the lack of organisation. If a billion people in Africa put their heads together they wouldnt need any of our help. They are capable of the same stuff we are in Europe. I am all for charity, but it will only get them so far.
  7. Originally posted by Risto:[..]

    Middle way does not represent the majority of citizens. In the end it means that little happens. As I said, its not bad but in some cases it doesnt work.

    D66 have some good points, all parties do. Might vote for them, but more for a lack of better alternative. The Socialist Party are the most fair, but naive. The liberals of the VVD have shown to do anything as long they are in power. And the christian CDA is an utter spineless disgrace of a party since Balkenende left.

    Strongly disagree about the SP as the most fair party. 'Social' is not fair anymore, they want to subsidize everything (from tax money, and especially from rich citizen) instead of people learn how to stand on their own feet without help from the government. What they do right is noting the problems we have in this country, but the solutions they offer are old-fashioned and unfair. Not handling major issues like reforming the labor market and housing etc. is not social, because they're sliding the problems and our shortage on to the next generations.
  8. Originally posted by Risto:[..]

    I am sure Croatia is doing MUCH better in this aspect .

    Biggest issue in the third world is the lack of organisation. If a billion people in Africa put their heads together they wouldnt need any of our help. They are capable of the same stuff we are in Europe. I am all for charity, but it will only get them so far.

    Yeah, great comparison, man. Croatia has one of the strongest and biggest armies in the world so it's totally ok to compare it to USA od Russia. LOL

    Biggest issue of the third world is the West - Europe and USA. It's in their interest for Africa to stay weak. Look what happened in Libya. Libya was one of the richest countries of the continent with very high life standard. And now - it's in ruins.

    Western governments are financing both governments and opposition in their ex-colonies to keep fights going so they could take their resources. It's a circle that will never end because that's how the system works.

    The rich stay healthy
    The sick stay poor


    Just look what happened with the 'Kony' thing. That 'documentary' appeared and suddenly the whole world was worried for Africa. And then you do a little bit of research and find that Kony isn't even active anymore and hasn't been in the last 6-8 years.

    And then you see a video of creator of Kony documentary masturbating in the middle of the street.

    And then Wikileaks release documents that show that the guy was just doing some spying for USA government.

    So, yeah, Africa could be great, we just have to keep our hands away from them.
  9. Originally posted by dieder:[..]

    Strongly disagree about the SP as the most fair party. 'Social' is not fair anymore, they want to subsidize everything (from tax money, and especially from rich citizen) instead of people learn how to stand on their own feet without help from the government. What they do right is noting the problems we have in this country, but the solutions they offer are old-fashioned and unfair. Not handling major issues like reforming the labor market and housing etc. is not social, because they're sliding the problems and our shortage on to the next generations.

    Agree, but they are the most down to earth (thats all I meant). Their plans wont work though.


  10. Fact is that all we hear from you is criticism on the USA, the EU, aka everyone else.

    I still stand by what I said. If the people in Africa unite, there is nothing we can do to stop them even if we wanted to. That said we shouldnt have medled in Libya, same as we shouldnt have in Kosovo or any other 'civil war'. There is a fine line between rebels and freedom fighters, its hard enough for the civilians to distinguish, let alone some foreign force.

    So in the end I tend to agree with your opinion on the USA foreign politics. But I wont blame them for every problem in the world. Thats just to easy and a sign of weakness.
  11. Originally posted by Yogi:Interesting fact:

    Since 2003, The U.S. spent $980 billion in Iraq, enough to wipe out world poverty for 10 years.


    Note: If Bush had done what his father had done with the previous Iraq war, the US wouldn't have paid as much.