Not a day goes by anymore when we don't hear about the results of one scientific study or another - or a myriad of surveys and polls. Politicians, businesses, scientists, doctors, medical researchers, and academicians do them - among others.
Sometimes the results bear out out what we think is the case. Sometimes they have surprising results. Occasionally the published conclusions don't match the data.
Such is the case with a Baylor University study. Using data from a 2005 "World Values Survey" of 10,405 people across the industrialized world, they sought to prove that free enterprise was making people less happy. That's the conclusion they drew. The cited the US as being less well-off than other nations like Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Their findings were fine, it's their results that were skewed.
They looked at how satisfied people are with their lives as a whole these.
What they determined is that the us had a slightly lower index - 7.26 on a 10 point scale compared to 7.39 for the whole group.
Then, they concluded that less government intervention can allow for a more efficient economy, but create more stress. "If you get sick and can't work or lose your job and there are few social protections in place, you're more likely to be anxious and less satisfied."
What they overlooked - likely because they wanted to - is that with those fewer social programs and protections in place the more freedom you have to do something about your condition. Looking to the government as a parent is just wrong. We were never created to live like this.
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Steve Hoffacker - Consultant, Coach, Author, Blogger, Photographer, Motivator, Teacher, & Strategist - for Realtors, Real Estate Sales Professionals, Home Builders, New Home Salespeople, Entrepreneurs, Small Business Owners, and Independent Sales Representatives.
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I couldn't agree with you more!
We're on our own - we don't bow down to the alter of government - we're Americans. Some forget that and thus we have a socialist for President - change is what they wanted - unAmerican is what they have become - even though they say they love America - they love where they live but not who we were...
Carole,
Thank you. :)
Steve
Nick,
They love the America of their fantasties, not the America of the Constitution and Founders. :)
Steve
Since we probably paid for the survey, the conclusions are obvious. Another attempt to change the mindset of our youth.
Dale,
Sad, but true. :)
Steve