<![CDATA[Automotive Forums .com Car Chat - Politics, Investments & Current Affairs]]> http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin Yea... title kind of explains what this forum is about. en Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:05:31 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/images/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[Automotive Forums .com Car Chat - Politics, Investments & Current Affairs]]> http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin How corrupt is your country? http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=970783&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:06:05 GMT I am a big believer that corruption, both in the private sector and in government is tremendously harmful to a nation's economic and social development.
Nations that function honestly and openly are apt to be stronger economically and be more pleasant to live in.

To that end, Transparency International has just ranked most nations in the world in terms of corruption. Sure, the ranking may not be precise but it's quite interesting how they stack up. The further down the list you go, the higher the ranking and the less pleasant the nation's image becomes.

I am impressed at how some nations where I have friends and relatives have done. For example, Chile is #25, I think, and it shows.... it's a well-run place that has made tremendous strides in the last 30 years.

Others, like Russia at #146, seem to be typically bad. I have friends who moved recently from Russia who hate the place. They claim the vast majority of Russians are honest, decent people, but the public service, elected officials and many businesses are astonishingly corrupt and function as gangsters, thieves and thugs.

Some Canadians seemed to be disappointed that Canada was no better than #8. I am not surprised. My country is mostly very honest, but there are some alligations of municipal corruption in some cities local public service (mostly in Montreal) and persistent low levels of organized crime (drugs, prostitution, smuggling and extortion). IMO the police forces seem unwilling (lack of resources and sheer laziness, imo) to make a concerted effort to really clean up these problems.

It's also interesting that Hong Kong was listed separately, as it falls under Chinese control. Surprisingly, HK did well at #12, while China sucked at #79. ]]> MagicRat http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=970783 Salute to all American veterans http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=970155&goto=newpost Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:22:23 GMT Today marks the 91st anniversary of the end of WWI. It has evolved to become a fitting holiday honoring veterans, living or not, that have served our nation since the beginning.

No "slight' intended to others, but a special "Thanks!" to the WWII folks, who, in Tom Hanks' words "did nothing less than save the world". Among them are my parents (RIP). And to the Vietnam vets that never got the recognition THEY deserve!

Jim ]]> MrPbody http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=970155 Obama Is About To Sign Away US Sovereignty http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=969392&goto=newpost Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:46:22 GMT On page 7 of this treaty (bottom of page) notice the requirements for "deep cuts" in global ("greenhouse") emissions is only required of "developed" countries, of which the United states is the leader, essentially destroying our economy on the premise of the lie of global warming and climate change.
Quote:
Deep cuts [by developed countries] [by all Annex I country Parties] [by all developed countries]
in global emissions by Parties in accordance with their historical responsibilities, as well as the principles....
It is scheduled to be signed in December in Copenhagen. If you don't want our economy and sovereignty to be destroyed in the US, ask your congressman to tell Obama NOT to sign this treaty!

http://www.globalclimatescam.com/?p=572

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMe5dOgbu40 ]]> CL8 http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=969392 Look what Wal Mart now sells. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=969082&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:33:25 GMT Noticed that Wal Mart has recently started selling these. Now I've seen it all :lol:. ]]> http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=969082