Finland, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark,Norway, Austalia, Canada, USA 9 Wonder what you think of this POLL

[Judy Whiting]

The 2009 Legatum Prosperity Index, published on Tuesday and compiled by the Legatum Institute, an independent policy, advocacy and advisory organization, ranked 104 countries which are home to 90 percent of the world's population.

The index is based on a definition of prosperity that combines economic growth with the level of personal freedoms and democracy in a country as well as measures of happiness and quality of life.

With the exception of Switzerland, which came in at number 2, Nordic countries dominated the top 5 slots, with Sweden in third place followed by Denmark and Norway.

The top 10 were all also Western nations, with Australia (6th place) and Canada (7th place) both beating the United States, ranked 9th. Britain came in at number 12.



I did not make this up, and wonder what your thoughts are. I am many friends in some of these
countries, as well as other European Countries, It is a joy to travel, and just enjoy the hospitality
I have been WELCOMED with open arms even by strangers. Can we say that!

Open for discussion
Judy

[John Heinrich]

This doesn't surprise me at all.

[Judy Whiting]

In reply to Amnesty article I am a member. I did not run the poll and Finland came in first.
Thanks for posting this. I believe in the aftermath of the bombings including here in America,that
there is a real fear of Iraqui's and I know this has happened in other countries and in some countries It has not. Have you posted the followup on whether they got asylum in Denmark or another country.
Your country of Sweden rated real high too by the way

Judy

[Marykajohnson]

Personal Freedom precedent being set in the EU by Denmark ? See related post "Danish Police Storm Church and forcibly remove Asylum Seekers."

[Marykajohnson]

Danish Police storm Church and forcibly remove Asylum Seekers
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Wednesday, 19 August 2009 at 03:21
August 14, 2009 at 20:52

Irene Khan expresses its deep concern over the recent days the development in Denmark, where 17 Iraqi asylum seekers are detained under prison-like conditions in the Sandholm camp after clearing Brorsons Church.

"Amnesty International calls on the Danish government to immediately release the 17 captured, and to all 282 Iraqis stay while their cases reviewed," said Irene Khan from Amnesty International Council meeting in Turkey, where the Secretaries-General and issued by Amnesty sections in 70 countries have been gathered in recent weeks.
Iraq's cases should be reviewed

Amnesty also fears that the violent police action middle of the night, after reportedly carried out by officers in full battle uniform has caused the Iraqi families undue stress and shock. Many of them - both children and adults - are already traumatized by war and torture, and decades of stay in asylum uncertain of the family's future.

"The Danish government should at least let the Iraqis being in the country for humanitarian reasons," said Irene Khan. "But given the unduly strict interpretation of the Refugee Convention of 1951 and that the Danish government refuses to recognize the UNHCR's assessment of the situation in Iraq, we also call on the Danish authorities to review all of the Iraqis' business."

UNHCR has clearly outlined the risk of forced returnees Iraqis in a letter to the Danish Government. The letter writing UNHCR alia that no Iraqis from the five central provinces should be sent home by force, before any significant progress in both security and human rights situation in the country. It is unclear how many of the initial 282 Iraqi asylum seekers who are still in Denmark.

Police cleared Brorsons Church night between Wednesday and Thursday. During the operation police apparently used unnecessary violence against demonstrators, which has been documented on film. 17 of Iraqi asylum seekers who were in the church, and were escorted away in a police bus. They are now detained at the Sandholm asylum, where they reportedly started a hunger strike.
Post subject: Stay to Iraqis

Amnesty has already collected several thousand signatures calling Integration Birthe Rønn Hornbech to give Iraqis humanitarian residence. You can still manage to let your voice be heard - sign that the Iraqis must have a residence permit.

[Judy Whiting]

Sue
thanks for the added info, and you are right! It is scary! Have you seen Judy's video about the
almighty $$$ on medical waste in our country, and the flu vaccine?
Wishing you the best my friend
Judy

[Sue]

What is scary about that Index is the item that dragged the United States rankings down the most, Health Standards. And it was the # 37 doctor/patient ratio and the #43 ranking of hospital bed ratio that left the US with a #27 overall health ranking.

Within 5 to 10 years those rankings could plummet as there will be little incentive to become a doctor or build (expand) hospitals. That is the scary possibility.