Melbourne ranked world's most liveable city by The Economist - Polidicks

[QUOTE=SomeRandomGuy16;32029375]The USA's government is leaps and bounds ahead of Australia's IMO. Australia is a nanny state.[/QUOTE] The government here actually listens to the people, and forms laws (for the most part) in their best interests. But no america number one baby woo And they don't bend over for corporations' slightest whim. They pretty much just say 'deal with it'.

[QUOTE=Asmaedus;32032797]The government here actually listens to the people, and forms laws (for the most part) in their best interests. But no america number one baby woo[/QUOTE] Don't fool yourself here, the US is just as democratic as Australia is [editline]30th August 2011[/editline] Does Australia have any form of direct democracy? Just wondering

[QUOTE=SomeRandomGuy16;32032882]Don't fool yourself here, the US is just as democratic as Australia is[/QUOTE] Why would you prefer to live there then? Why do you think it's better?

[QUOTE=Jelly;32032920]Why would you prefer to live there then? Why do you think it's better?[/QUOTE] Aside from the many reasons not related to government, it is because, as previously stated, Australia is not on the right track for civil liberties

[QUOTE=SomeRandomGuy16;32032882]Don't fool yourself here, the US is just as democratic as Australia is [editline]30th August 2011[/editline] Does Australia have any form of direct democracy? Just wondering[/QUOTE] Not exactly, but it's pretty close. Public referendums are quite common, and in the event a law gets passed that Australians don't like, they'll strike and campaign and march and shout until they get their way. In my experience at least. In america it seems anything like that just gets used for political leverage, like those teacher strikes a few months back. [QUOTE=SomeRandomGuy16;32032944]Aside from the many reasons not related to government, it is because, as previously stated, Australia is not on the right track for civil liberties[/QUOTE] You keep thinking that. Other than video games (which is being abolished with the introduction of the R18 law), and drugs and alcohol (Even then the drinking age is 18) being rather restricted, civil liberties are pretty damn good.

I actually don't agree with Melbourne being first place to be honest.

I live in the city Montréal, and it's okay if you don't get across bridges, you're safe. But if you do, you have a great risk of death at the moment.

[QUOTE=Asmaedus;32032951]Not exactly, but it's pretty close. Public referendums are quite common, and in the event a law gets passed that Australians don't like, they'll strike and campaign and march and shout until they get their way. In my experience at least. In america it seems anything like that just gets used for political leverage, like those teacher strikes a few months back.[/QUOTE] Well at the state level we don't need to protest as people can propose and pass legislature on their own. There isn't such a system in place federally, which is admittedly a flaw

[QUOTE=Zeke129;32020357]vancouver has no crime ever[/QUOTE] You've obviously never been to Hastings. [img]http://www.fabbrunette.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/8f494e78ad92b9c122ad3bfb1b03f215.jpg[/img] I know you were joking, but Vancouver has some serious drug problems.

[QUOTE=SamsUncle;32033166]You've obviously never been to Hastings. [img]http://www.fabbrunette.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/8f494e78ad92b9c122ad3bfb1b03f215.jpg[/img] I know you were joking, but Vancouver has some serious drug problems.[/QUOTE] Who cares about victimless crime

[QUOTE=SomeRandomGuy16;32033211]Who cares about victimless crime[/QUOTE] Well how about, I don't know... the people taking drugs?

[QUOTE=Cl0cK;32033236]Well how about, I don't know... the people taking drugs?[/QUOTE] What do you mean Clarify

The addicts themselves are in fact victims of the addiction of drugs. Those drug dealers are making victims by selling their drugs.

[QUOTE=Cl0cK;32033289]The addicts themselves are in fact victims of the addiction of drugs. Those drug dealers are making victims by selling their drugs.[/QUOTE] Ok but it is their choice to start doing drugs. It doesn't affect others in the city, thus making the problem irrelevant. Not to mention that the vast majority of drug users in Canada are just cannabis users

[QUOTE=SomeRandomGuy16;32032882]Don't fool yourself here, the US is just as democratic as Australia is[/QUOTE] Nope. Australia ranks 6th place on The Economist's Democracy Index, while the US ranks 17th place.

[QUOTE=Ond kaja;32033428]Nope. Australia ranks 6th place on The Economist's Democracy Index, while the US ranks 17th place.[/QUOTE] And why are we to respect this organization's opinion?

[QUOTE=SomeRandomGuy16;32033621]And why are we to respect this organization's opinion?[/QUOTE] well, unlike you, we have no first amendment. Yes, Australians according to the govt. have no right to privacy or free speech see, we're ranked higher cause we don't pretend to have we have things we don't [editline]31st August 2011[/editline] might i also add that melbourne is a haven and i love to call it my home i feel very lucky to live in such a good city

[QUOTE=SomeRandomGuy16;32033621]And why are we to respect this organization's opinion?[/QUOTE] Because they're highly praised on their journalistic integrity whereas all you've done is prove yourself uneducated about the country you're attacking

Melbourne is a pretty nice place to live. I'd still like to see other places, though.

[QUOTE=SomeRandomGuy16;32033621]And why are we to respect this organization's opinion?[/QUOTE]It's not merely opinion, they have conducted research on each of the countries listed in the index. The aspects researched includes how well the electorial system works, security of voting, influnce of foreign powers and political culture. You, on the other hand can tell us why we shouldn't trust The Economist.

[QUOTE=Ond kaja;32034083]You, on the other hand can tell us why we shouldn't trust The Economist.[/QUOTE] It doesn't work like that, [B]you[/B] have to prove it. It's not the other way around.

[QUOTE=Jelly;32034253]It doesn't work like that, [B]you[/B] have to prove it. It's not the other way around.[/QUOTE] Because they're far more respected than internet poster 'dickwad453' or whatever. Enjoy Michelle Bachmann, Rick Santorum and so on. Reason enough to move out your bloody two-party state. [editline]31st August 2011[/editline] We also usually can't be fired, just 'because' the boss feels like it.

[QUOTE=Contag;32034374]Because they're far more respected than internet poster 'dickwad453' or whatever. Enjoy Michelle Bachmann, Rick Santorum and so on. Reason enough to move out your bloody two-party state. [editline]31st August 2011[/editline] We also usually can't be fired, just 'because' the boss feels like it.[/QUOTE] Michelle Bachmann and Rick Santorum won't win, guaranteed.

[QUOTE=SomeRandomGuy16;32034499]Michelle Bachmann and Rick Santorum won't win, guaranteed.[/QUOTE] That's what I said about George Bush before he was elected for a second term. The fact that these people are given the light of day is unbelievable.

[QUOTE=Contag;32034555]That's what I said about George Bush before he was elected for a second term. The fact that these people are given the light of day is unbelievable.[/QUOTE] George Bush is not even close to how extreme Michelle Bachmann is, and the fact that you would even make that comparison demonstrates your ignorance of American politics. Any reasonable political analyst knows that only a fairly moderate Republican candidate would even have a chance at getting any independent votes, and concurrently securing the election.

Meanwhile in between arguments [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwvazMc5EfE[/media] Can I be an aussie now. :c

[QUOTE=SomeRandomGuy16;32034608]George Bush is not even close to how extreme Michelle Bachmann is, and the fact that you would even make that comparison demonstrates your ignorance of American politics. Any reasonable political analyst knows that only a fairly moderate Republican candidate would even have a chance at getting any independent votes, and concurrently securing the election.[/QUOTE] *blink* moderate for the election of his first term, maybe, otherwise you are fucking nuts if you think George Bush is moderate in the words of my forebears, I say to you fuck off cunt I'm usually quite welcoming of Americans to Australia, but in your case - please don't come here, never come here.

Melbourne is a pretty good joint. TIP: Don't go on the fucking City Square Train unless you enjoy being squished with 50+ smelly passengers

[QUOTE=Contag;32034638]*blink* moderate for the election of his first term, maybe, otherwise you are fucking nuts if you think George Bush is moderate in the words of my forebears, I say to you fuck off cunt I'm usually quite welcoming of Americans to Australia, but in your case - please don't come here, never come here.[/QUOTE] I was talking about this year's election when I said "only a fairly moderate Republican candidate would even have a chance" you dimwit.

[QUOTE=SomeRandomGuy16;32034704]I was talking about this year's election when I said "only a fairly moderate Republican candidate would even have a chance" you dimwit.[/QUOTE] Only a fairly moderate republican? What? Are you crazy? It's going to be determined by how much the Republican Candidate can blame on Obama, and vice versa. Their economic policies are about as different as George Bush's and Obama's economic recovery plan.