<<SLIGHTLY OFF TOPIC<<
Zeev, Sankar,
You both have good points about social conditions in various countries and what situations are tolerated. You forgot to mention infanticide and sex selection by abortion. I question the law against late night bathing in Switzerland, but I don't doubt that it may exist in Singapore ("Disneyland with a Death Penalty").
There is a big problem for a country between citizens' (including criminals') rights and protective mechanisms for society as a whole. We are indeed a country of paradoxes. For all its strength to tax and put restraints on law abiding citizens, our government seems impotent when dealing with the elements who only harm its productive citizens. In most of our cities, a small percent of the population is able to terrorize the vast majority of honest people.
As usual, politics seems to be the villain. With neither party wanting to be called names by the other for any unpopular moves (this is called "leadership"), nothing gets done. The ACLU would like for everyone who steals an apple to have a $10 million trial, paid for by the public. The ultra conservatives would like to be able to jail you for spitting on the street. Perhaps we are, as de Tocqueville said, ungovernable.
Right now everyone is in a feel good, forgiving, tolerant mood. What the long wrong Mr. Prechter calls "bull market" psychology. We may see snarling and vindictiveness if ever the unthinkable bear market returns.
Jack
P.S. Apologies for the post despite Sankar's desire to end the discussion. I did not see that until after the post of this msg.
Jack |
