Some signs that SA is falling apart

[noxibox]

We unfortunately take the top spot but the US has the highest homicide rate of any 1st world country.

As a country yes, but there are individual cities in the US that rival the worst places in South Africa.

 

[noxibox]

I think SA is doing well (economically speaking) compared to other developing nation like Brazil, India etc. but compared to the Aussies, USA, Canada etc. there's really no comparison.

Comparing us to ANY country in terms of safety and security and the general social ills I'd say we're the worst in the world. I don't even want to go into the reasons why we're so down in that regard.

But when I look at countries like the UK and USA, the general feeling is that they're run a WHOLE lot better than SA and they much safer too.

It's not all roses.

There is nasty violent crime in the UK and US. Murder is not a huge problem in the UK, but you can be subjected to violent muggings. There are places in the US with murder rates that easily rival the worst places in South Africa. The UK Home Office goes through periods of total disorganization. There is graft in both countries.

In the UK officials have been caught selling work permits and other documentation. In the US the welfare bureaucracy was found to be consuming the majority of the money allocated to the welfare system.

The UK NHS can be a real mess - it is possible to get put on waiting lists for treatments like chemotherapy because you're declared not yet sick enough to get priority. It can also be difficult to get quality health care because doctors would rather earn more by working privately. I believe Canada solves that problem by doing what every country should do which is to regulate doctors' fees and all medical costs.

Housing is ludicrously expensive in the UK - R8000 per month rent will probably get you a small flat with a couple of bedrooms.

The UK government allowed the water supply system to rot, then sold it off to private interests who are rebuilding the system, but only as it suits their profit targets.

The UK government sold their rail transport to private interests who then reduced maintenance and safety procedures to cut costs and killed people in the pursuit of profit.

In California electricity supply was privatised and went to hell - rolling blackouts became a common occurrence.

There is definitely gross incompetence in the South African government and probably more than you'll typically find in most of modern Europe (excluding places like Italy), the UK and US, but you'll get your fair share in those places.

 

[Moederloos]

65 hour power outage.

 

[marine1]

And counting.

 

[Darth Garth]

After listening to the audio books by Robert Kiyosaki and Donand Trump

Yep ... you are going to make them rich by buying their crap .

 

[BandwidthAddict]

@edc: "Who is John Galt?"

 

[edc]

Yep ... you are going to make them rich by buying their crap .

You have not heard of libraries, 2nd hand books, or audio books before?
Those 2 books I read did not cost me anything. Once you have read the books, express an opinion about the contents.

Most of the points they made were valid, some of it is only interesting. A businessman has to improve himself and has to learn from others to avoid making the same mistakes.
Donald Trump is a billionaire, you really think writing a book is worth his time in money? Bill Gates can drop a $100 note and it will cost him more to waste 1 second to pick it up, than it does to leave it there.
Reading books, studying, striving to emulate the success of others is inborn to many successful businessmen, which is why those books are written and read.

 

[sox63]

You have not heard of libraries, 2nd hand books, or audio books before?
Those 2 books I read did not cost me anything. Once you have read the books, express an opinion about the contents.

Most of the points they made were valid, some of it is only interesting. A businessman has to improve himself and has to learn from others to avoid making the same mistakes.
Donald Trump is a billionaire, you really think writing a book is worth his time in money? Bill Gates can drop a $100 note and it will cost him more to waste 1 second to pick it up, than it does to leave it there.
Reading books, studying, striving to emulate the success of others is inborn to many successful businessmen, which is why those books are written and read.

I agree with you there, I find Warren Buffet's books regarding investments very educational, whats more they are very simple to understand becuase the principles he uses to invest are quite simple.

 

[edc]

@edc: "Who is John Galt?"

The phrase is used popularly as an expression of helplessness and despair at the sorry state of the world.

It is a sorry state of the world if people do not want to read books, to avoid improving themselves. If I were to hire a person today I would have 2 questions for them.

1. Do you believe in the moon landings. If they reply no, the hippie is thrown out.
2. What books have you read lately. If it is only drivel they are thrown out with the hippies.

 

[Moederloos]

Yep ... you are going to make them rich by buying their crap .

Many, but not all, billionaires have the philosophy of "become wealthy by helping others".

Branson is an example - cheaper services, equals better prices for the rank and file, equals more money for him. And it worked.

Dont see how your argument holds any water.

 

[edc]

I agree with you there, I find Warren Buffet's books regarding investments very educational, whats more they are very simple to understand becuase the principles he uses to invest are quite simple.

On greenlab.co.za there are audio books every now and then, especially when I log on there by the 25th of the month if you are interested.

 

[Moederloos]

The phrase is used popularly as an expression of helplessness and despair at the sorry state of the world.

It is a sorry state of the world if people do not want to read books, to avoid improving themselves. If I were to hire a person today I would have 2 questions for them.

1. Do you believe in the moon landings. If they reply no, the hippie is thrown out.
2. What books have you read lately. If it is only drivel they are thrown out with the hippies.

Best I avoid your interviews then
Moon landings are faked.
I would score well on 2) though - unless we have vastly different opinions on "drivel".

 

[edc]

Robert said the one key to wealth is to give to others before a person can become richer. He is entrusted as the keeper of the wealth he "owns".

 

[chiskop]

Best I avoid your interviews then
Moon landings are faked.
I would score well on 2) though - unless we have vastly different opinions on "drivel".

I imagine from the little I've seen of edc's reading that we would vastly different opinions of what's drivel.

Good thing I'm not looking to be employed by a student anytime soon.

 

[edc]

I worked for 3 weeks as an intern during December, I had 3 people working under. I now have 4 employment offers from the company where I worked at and their suppliers who met with me during that time. If I were to accept one i would pay taxes in excess of R90 000 a year. You might work under me one day.

 

[supersunbird]

I could answer 5 of those poll questions and thats just mostly CRIME. Not being unable to buy stuff, even though you have the money and the time and went to the shop, is not even on there...

We still have a Sprite Zero shortage and total Tab unavailablity in most shops in PTA East that I go too...

 

[Moederloos]

I could answer 5 of those poll questions and thats just mostly CRIME. Not being unable to buy stuff, even though you have the money and the time and went to the shop, is not even on there...

We still have a Sprite Zero shortage and total Tab unavailablity in most shops in PTA East that I go too...

And Ginger beer - the only swill from "Coke" that I drink.

(oh - watch that double negative re: shopping )

 

[chiskop]

I worked for 3 weeks as an intern during December, I had 3 people working under. I now have 4 employment offers from the company where I worked at and their suppliers who met with me during that time. If I were to accept one i would pay taxes in excess of R90 000 a year. You might work under me one day.

I doubt it. You'd consider me a hippie.

 

[supersunbird]

It is not a double negative...

(I was busy on the phone when i typed)

 

[Moederloos]

Is in not a double negative...

lol - huh?



Peace.