Artful Dodger: Yes, true. And being disrespectful of Americans was not my intention either.

Indeed, I believe, one of the most important qualities, other than values and beliefs, of a president (any leader) is to put together an effective team. Without an effective team in place, all those beliefs of small government, less taxes and central spending (good imho), will not get implemented.

What does she propose to do to the Fed? Will Bubbles Bernanke remain or will real change be seen? Obama promised it, but the old team remains.

Artful Dodger: Do they??? If a certain companies had their way at the moment, the government spending and interference that has caused some of their products to be severely criticised. The aimed market as such was not one that could easily protest... especially when the products could lead to neurological damage or death.

without government spending, the fact that they lied about the effects of their products would be hard to check into because of the budget and infrastructure needed to analysis and check these products.

But I guess you are saying that as such the free market protects us from frauds who'd quite happily let people be die or be damaged mentally beyond what medical science can fix in the name of profit.

Artful Dodger: No, I can't let you say this, for 2 reasons :
(1) actually, the french government isn't socialist but UMP (on the opposite) since several years,
(2) you absolutely don't know how it works in our lives everyday.
Please, don't say generalities about France which can be wrong, but give accurate examples we can speak about.

Artful Dodger: The social welfare hasn't changed since many years. You know, in France, people are rather against the changes. However the government is (socialist or not), there are no big differences in your current life.

Artful Dodger: So if socialism does not work... why is China buying up so much of the USA debt..... It could be said that China has/is keeping the USA afloat.

It could also be said that no purely free market country works... but. Have we at the moment any country that could be called strictly socialist or of a free market nature.
... could you point out some so we can do a reasonable comparison?

As for Palin being pres...... why the change of heart? You've still not answered that. Just over a year ago you thought she would make a great president.... now you don't.

Artful Dodger: No you didn't. But it's nothing I don't expect... An answer would be why you did think she'd make a good pres and no you don't.

As for Socialism.. "China is the fastest growing economy in the world. It's a State controlled economy...."

you are contradicting yourself.. Yet again!!

Artful Dodger: No, what you're saying is absolutely wrong ! I'm not in a socialist system ! As I said before I've just a little money (150 Euros) for my 2 children, but that's all. I must work to get money, I pay taxes and I had to ask a credit to buy my house. Where is the difference with the way you live ?
I agree with (V) when he says : " Have we at the moment any country that could be called strictly socialist or of a free market nature. "

Artful Dodger: When you say it like that, it's better. But political men say that but don't really do it. Here, there will be always some help for people who have difficulties, even the government isn't socialist (as actually).
And don't believe the decrease in the statutory working hours (we spoke about before) was only for the salaried employees. Many companies have made this to their advantage : for example, a member of my family doesn't works 35 h/week but 30 h when the
production is low and 40 h when it's high, and no possibility of vacation during this period.

Artful Dodger: The tax care depends on the product (or the service charge) sold. It's more important for luxury products.
And income tax depends on your wage and the number of your children (children when they can't provide for themselves and under 20 years old), tax about the house depends where you live (a big city or not for example).
And don't speak about tax on petrol !

And for you ?

Artful Dodger: And if the government backs out of certain areas (such as education) ..... how much more paperwork and administration costs do you think you'll have to pay for.

N' from what Rod has said regarding what you get for your $ in terms of healthcare...

... it's pretty crap compared to our NHS system. Plus.. one point. Even if you have a private health insurance plan here in the UK, you can still use the NHS GP's...

.. just you have to declare you have a private health scheme so the cost of the GP visit is charged to your scheme.

Artful Dodger: really!! You have proof of this?

And yes.. believe it or not we have A&E as well.. also 24/7 GP services. And also there is not a single medical need that I've not had covered.. with NO having to pay 1000's of $ before the tab is picked up by an insurance company.

As for privatisation of the NHS..... they tendered out the prep of surgery kits to private sector companies. What a joke that was. Essential operations had to be cancelled as the kits were wrong, incomplete or not upto standard regarding sterilisation.

The private companies put profit first above quality control.

(V): can you tell us why then when we "google" NHS competancy/efficiency etc there is nothing but bad news....or is it different on your computer?

Bernice: As one greatly respected news presenter said. "good news does not make good news".

And when things do go wrong, at least (unlike in the USA) it can't be brushed under the carpet.

(V): OK :)

Artful Dodger: I'll go ahead and take that statement at face value...How will poor kids receive education in a system where education is privatized?