Dear Editor,
I note with great amusement that we are considered the ninth most miserable country in the world based on Cato's Misery Index 2014; I want to feel that it is true.
We are a miserable people. The level of violence and aggression that we show toward each other, while anecdotal, does seem to give truth to the statement that we are miserable. Now whether it means that we are the ninth most miserable, I leave to the experts to decide.
My concern is this: Why in the discussions from the sociologist and the economists (very learned people I am sure) in the online article did they not start out by validating that we do things that show misery? Talk about what we see around us every day, and then start pulling it apart. We don't speak the truth to each other, we obfuscate, we deflect, we compare, and we do everything but call the spade a spade. Let's just say it, and then we can talk about how we may change it, modify it or accept it.
If we use only the methods of measurement outlined in the article then, of course, we could take issue because we have been dealing with the issues outlined for years -- 40 if you really want to start counting -- and we as a people learned to "tun wi han' mek fashion". So when things become tough we become industrious and create where nothing existed before (think, ICIs are a good example).
So, for me, in a discussion like this, I would expect more from an economist who tends to leave emotion out of the equation. Don't just refute, but use the opportunity, though limited, to start a discussion. A discussion that says, yes there are challenges and problems, but we are a strong people, the land is green, and the sun shines with great beauty and brilliance.
Christopher Givans
Christopher.givans@gmail.com
9th most miserable country in the world
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I note with great amusement that we are considered the ninth most miserable country in the world based on Cato's Misery Index 2014; I want to feel that it is true.
We are a miserable people. The level of violence and aggression that we show toward each other, while anecdotal, does seem to give truth to the statement that we are miserable. Now whether it means that we are the ninth most miserable, I leave to the experts to decide.
My concern is this: Why in the discussions from the sociologist and the economists (very learned people I am sure) in the online article did they not start out by validating that we do things that show misery? Talk about what we see around us every day, and then start pulling it apart. We don't speak the truth to each other, we obfuscate, we deflect, we compare, and we do everything but call the spade a spade. Let's just say it, and then we can talk about how we may change it, modify it or accept it.
If we use only the methods of measurement outlined in the article then, of course, we could take issue because we have been dealing with the issues outlined for years -- 40 if you really want to start counting -- and we as a people learned to "tun wi han' mek fashion". So when things become tough we become industrious and create where nothing existed before (think, ICIs are a good example).
So, for me, in a discussion like this, I would expect more from an economist who tends to leave emotion out of the equation. Don't just refute, but use the opportunity, though limited, to start a discussion. A discussion that says, yes there are challenges and problems, but we are a strong people, the land is green, and the sun shines with great beauty and brilliance.
Christopher Givans
Christopher.givans@gmail.com
9th most miserable country in the world
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