The Pursuit Of Happiness...

[GO-NAD!]

...isn't that part of the Declaration of Independence? You may want to pursue it a little faster...the USA is down in 15th spot, with Mexico in 14th. Why so sad guys?

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canada-among-the-10-happiest-countries-in-the-world-yay-us

 

[Chu Gai]

What are the metrics that the UN uses to measure happiness? And if Canada is so happy, how is it that we read that when Canadians buy audio equipment like subs they look to have it shipped to a US address and then drive across the border to pick it up looking to avoid sundry taxes? That said, I'll be happier when my youngest kid finally gets around to moving out.

 

[GO-NAD!]

What are the metrics that the UN uses to measure happiness? And if Canada is so happy, how is it that we read that when Canadians buy audio equipment like subs they look to have it shipped to a US address and then drive across the border to pick it up looking to avoid sundry taxes? That said, I'll be happier when my youngest kid finally gets around to moving out.

I'm only kidding man. I have no idea what criteria the UN uses to measure happiness. Anyway, how do you connect driving to the US for audio equipment with unhappiness? I'm always happy to visit. We sometimes purchase in the US, as you describe, in order to avoid import duties and shipping costs, which are the real cripplers, not so much the sales tax up here. In my case, I'm far enough from the border that it generally isn't to my advantage to make a special trip to buy something. If we were taking a holiday to the US and I found an item significantly cheaper, than sure, I'd buy it there.

Anyway, as the article indicates, it isn't necessarily the amount of money in your pocket that determines your level of happiness.

 

[Rickster71]

I often wonder, as I regularly complain about traffic and crowds.... if the happiest places are also the least densely populated

 

[Chu Gai]

I'm only kidding man. I have no idea what criteria the UN uses to measure happiness. Anyway, how do you connect driving to the US for audio equipment with unhappiness? I'm always happy to visit. We sometimes purchase in the US, as you describe, in order to avoid import duties and shipping costs, which are the real cripplers, not so much the sales tax up here. In my case, I'm far enough from the border that it generally isn't to my advantage to make a special trip to buy something. If we were taking a holiday to the US and I found an item significantly cheaper, than sure, I'd buy it there.

Anyway, as the article indicates, it isn't necessarily the amount of money in your pocket that determines your level of happiness.

Hey, and I'm happy to visit Canada too! In fact, I think the Canadian political system did a wonderful job straightening out some economic issues some time back in short order without the sort of problems we have in the US where big money influences all political parties. Why, a number of years ago, I had a brief relationship with a kinky babe from Barrie. But the comment I made is more that folks would like it if governments weren't so eager to rummage about in our wallets. And what greater gift has the US ever given than taking Biebs off your hands?

 

[GO-NAD!]

I often wonder, as I regularly complain about traffic and crowds.... if the happiest places are also the least densely populated

Who you calling not dense!?
Wait a minute...
Actually, Switzerland, Denmark and The Netherlands are far more densely populated than the USA.

 

[GO-NAD!]

Hey, and I'm happy to visit Canada too! In fact, I think the Canadian political system did a wonderful job straightening out some economic issues some time back in short order without the sort of problems we have in the US where big money influences all political parties. Why, a number of years ago, I had a brief relationship with a kinky babe from Barrie. But the comment I made is more that folks would like it if governments weren't so eager to rummage about in our wallets. And what greater gift has the US ever given than taking Biebs off your hands?

Please keep him.

 

[Ponzio]

let me throw some gasoline on the fire ... maybe because those 3 countries have national health plans?

look out, incoming!!!

 

[GO-NAD!]

let me throw some gasoline on the fire ... maybe because those 3 countries have national health plans?

look out, incoming!!!

Uh oh! I didn't mean to start another thread like the climate change one!

 

[markw]

...isn't that part of the Declaration of Independence? You may want to pursue it a little faster...the USA is down in 15th spot, with Mexico in 14th. Why so sad guys?

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canada-among-the-10-happiest-countries-in-the-world-yay-us

If this is true, why are so many mexicans sneaking across the border? Perhaps in order to suck us dry, and our president is doing all he can to aid and abet them? And you wonder why those of us here with functioning brains are so friggin unhappy?

 

[ski2xblack]

Growing pains from globalization. We average down, since we were previously at the top, while everyone else averages up.

You can still do more for you and yours here than most places, if you play your cards right, but the power of The Stupid is ascendant. Or I'm just becoming more cynical. Not quite sure which.

 

[Ponzio]

If this is true, why are so many mexicans sneaking across the border? Perhaps in order to suck us dry, and our president is doing all he can to aid and abet them? And you wonder why those of us here with functioning brains are so friggin unhappy?

the numbers don't add up. immigration, legal & otherwise, into the US from our southern neighbor is actually down since 1993. there's been a slow steady decline since NAFTA went into effect. with a rising middle-class in Mexico both emigration and birth rates have trended downwards.

 

[GO-NAD!]

If this is true, why are so many mexicans sneaking across the border? Perhaps in order to suck us dry, and our president is doing all he can to aid and abet them? And you wonder why those of us here with functioning brains are so friggin unhappy?

That crossed my mind as well. Maybe the ones who want to stay in Mexico are so G-D happy, that they more than make up for the ones who are trying to get across the border.

 

[Rickster71]

the numbers don't add up. immigration, legal & otherwise, into the US from our southern neighbor is actually down since 1993. there's been a slow steady decline since NAFTA went into effect. with a rising middle-class in Mexico both emigration and birth rates have trended downwards.

My understanding was that the numbers fell off greatly during our recession. Which follows my belief, many come here to send money home and take advantage of the great exchange rate of 13 to 1
http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/mexican-immigrants-united-states
The chart in the link above, doesn't support your claim of being down since 1993
EDIT: Another chart here: http://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/data-hub/charts/mexican-born-population-over-time?width=1000&height=850&iframe=true

 

[Ponzio]

My understanding was that the numbers fell off greatly during our recession. Which follows my belief, many come here to send money home and take advantage of the great exchange rate of 13 to 1
http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/mexican-immigrants-united-states
The chart in the link above, doesn't support your claim of being down since 1993
EDIT: Another chart here: http://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/data-hub/charts/mexican-born-population-over-time?width=1000&height=850&iframe=true

Could be Doc ... could be.

I'm just going by what I've read in the Washington Post, The NY Times and Time magazine ... disreputable leftist rags, one and all ... over the years and anecdotal stories by my own family members in the construction, restaurant and landscaping business and their inability to keep or entice legal/illegal Mexican workers to stay. this is tough for them because of reliability issues they've had with the local work force currently and in the past. being immigrants or the children of immigrants themselves they have a good idea of what they're looking for in a employee. in quite a few instances they've had to raise their salaries above the norm to convince them to stay and are usually their highest paid employees on the payroll.

as I oft repeat, what the hell do I know?

 

[afterlife2]

Might help. Free for now: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00VGZBMD2

 

[lsiberian]

If this is true, why are so many mexicans sneaking across the border? Perhaps in order to suck us dry, and our president is doing all he can to aid and abet them? And you wonder why those of us here with functioning brains are so friggin unhappy?

I have no issue with the ones coming here for honest work. It's the criminals I don't want. FWIW many of them are coming here because of America's War on Drugs that destroyed the mexican legal system. It's really sad how dangerous Mexico is now.

 

[Alex2507]

why are so many mexicans sneaking across the border?

So they can eat.

 

[KEW]

Damn, I thought this was a movie review. You guys are bumming me out.

I need to go listen to my new $110 EOS speakers!

 

[Alex2507]

Damn, I thought this was a movie review.

It could be. First we're gonna need to make the movie. You got a camera? I've got a screen play in mind that suites the title. Maybe we could use Richard's house again and film me loading up on speakers and amps. That made me pretty f^%&in' happy.