Entitlements are not rights
“Entitlements are not rights.” That’s what Ron Paul said at the GOP debate in New Hampshire a few weeks ago.
I was cleaning up the table after brunch and only half paying attention to the debate. When he said it, I paused and thought, “He is my man.”
Have I told you I am tired of people with an entitlement attitude? A few years ago, I met a lady who told me, “You know, when I graduated from college, I thought the world owes me. Didn’t you feel the same way?”
I was puzzled. I never felt that way and I didn’t know what she meant by that. After having met such people, now I know what she meant: it’s called entitlement.
I simply don’t understand people who think that they deserve something without trying to get it by themselves. In Japan, getting into a good university is very competitive, so many students go to a second school called “juku” after school, and those “juku” are pretty expensive, too. My parents weren’t too strict on how much I should study and they left it up to me. Since many of my friends in my high school went to “juku,” I kinda wanted to join the club. When I told my parents that I wanted to go to “juku,” my mom told me, “If you can’t pass a test to enroll in a university on your own, you don’t have to go to a university.”
Easy enough. So I decided to study hard on my own and got into a pretty good university. When I look back now, I have a satisfied feeling that I did it on my own. This was how I was raised, and I have always gone after what I wanted on my own.
Often, those with entitlements think they did it on their own when something good happens to them. They don’t think of thanking others. However, when a bad thing happens to them, they immediately blame others or the world. But they don’t look at themselves to see what they might have done wrong. People treat you the way you treat them. So if you don’t give anything, you will not get anything, either.
Life means much more when you achieve something on your own instead of waiting for a society, a world, or a company to take care of you. Life is in your hands, not anyone else’s.
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-2
y3chome
Wow for once i think i find myself in total agreement with you.
0
Akula
It was a tough lesson for me graduating from university and ending up unemployed for 6 months afterwards. I learned that nobody owes me anything, and that I had to go back to the drawing board.
It has been a real battle to get to where I am now.
10
Silvafan
Definition: An entitlement is a guarantee of access to benefits based on established rights or by legislation. A "right" is itself an entitlement associated with a moral or social principle, such that an "entitlement" is a provision made in accordance with legal framework of a society. Typically, entitlements are laws based on concepts of principle ("rights") which are themselves based in concepts of social equality or enfranchisement.
The benefits the author receives form being married to an American in the military are entitlements.
Everyone deserves and are benefiting from entitlements in one way or another. Some of us are just more ignorant about it than others. Ron Paul, author, some posters...........etc.
10
Sioux Chef
I wonder if the author had paid more attention to context and less to clearing the table, would she still agree with Paul's sentiment. I suppose she also doesn't feel she has any right to her Japanese pension which she presumably pays (or has paid) into just as Americans pay into the programs Paul is, in fact, referring to.
It's also reassuring that she isn't eligible to vote if an out-of-context sound bite is all it takes to identify her candidate of choice.
-5
tokyokawasaki
I am not an American. But i hope Ron Paul wins. He makes sense and he is what America needs. First job, get rid of the federal reserve and all of it's backdoor crooks...
-1
gogogo
Defines Americans.
8
yabits
Silvafan and Sioux Chief have done the board a service by properly defining the terms involved.
The author makes some good points but fundamentally confuses genuine entitlement with an individual's "false sense of entitlement."
When we make a promise or obligation to another party, the other party is entitled to expect that we will hold up our end of it. Thus the flip side of entitlement is obligation. Ron Paul is not my man because he uses a very perverse form of logic to argue that no such things as obligations exist between generations in the United States. It's a shame to see the author falling into a trap of associating a former classmate's false sense of entitlement with the genuine thing.
1
Mocheake
Yet politicians are the ones with the greatest sense of entitlement. Do you really feel that someone worth tens of millions is able to understand the plight of the Average Joe?
-6
AiserX
Agreed. Ron Paul 2012. Anti-State, Anti-Tax, FREE CAPITALIST MARKETS, Anti-War lastly End the FED
9
Johannes Weber
I think the false belief that something is accomplished only by one's own efforts is extremely selfish and arrogant. No offense to Makoto! Even our traits with which we are born are sort of gifts. Being born with a brain, which is working well is certainly not something which we accomplished by being such hard workers. It is a gift. Or take the case of having rich parents. Growing up in wealth is certainly a reward for working so hard to be born. Not being disabled - obviously the reward for one's own accomplishments...
Keeping all this in mind, the entitlements come into being. Entitlements are meant to balance things out. To give people a chance who didn't have such lucky circumstances surrounding their birth. They are not rights - but they clearly demonstrate the worth of a society. The specific details of entitlements may be open for debate - the fact that they must exist is the difference between a free and an unfree society.
We owe everything that we are first and foremost the hard work of other people. They laid the groundwork for our futures. Newton once said that he could only see further since he was standind on the shoulders of giants. Anyone who refuses to accept that most of hes achievements are not her own is nothing more than a spoiled child which has not grown up yet.
4
Andrew Matthews
A little context here: He also said:
"... One group isn’t entitled to take something from somebody else. And the basic problem here is, there’s a lot of good intention to help poor people, but guess who gets the entitlements in Washington? The big guys, the rich people, they get the entitlements, the military-industrial complex, the banking system. Those are the entitlements we should be dealing with.”
You can apply it to yourself, and shuffle to the side you feel you should be on. But please go and listen to the whole thing.
-2
y3chome
Silvafan
just coz some people are enjoying "entitlements" doesnt mean they werent ummm... entitled to. Doesnt mean they were entitled to either.
0
y3chome
I think people are confusing entitlements with benefits here.................... i thought the author was referring to a more general "entitlement".
3
Silvafan
just coz some people are enjoying "entitlements" doesnt mean they werent ummm... entitled to. Doesnt mean they were entitled to either.
What you said doesn't make a point whatsoever.
You should actually look up the definition of "Entitlement". Better yet just read my first post again. Benefits are only one example.
The author obviously didn't check the meaning before posting this article on her blog. Nor did she do any research to actually understand what Ron Paul was saying.
This isn't the first time the author has used an illogical argument to express a very narrow minded view about a particular topic.
Maybe that is the whole point of her articles on JT. People will post responses to articles that are illogical are controversial.
0
TrouserEnthusiast
Makoto's mum is pretty smart.
2
Tyler Vandenberg
In the past 20 years, eight prime ministers have been sons or grandsons of previous LDP politicians. According to a recent study by Japanese journalist Shiota Ushio, a full quarter of all current members of the Diet are the children of ex-legislators; among LDP lawmakers, the figure is even higher, at 40 percent.
3
USNinJapan2
Eight paragraphs to express the equivalent of sentiments I've previously read after breaking open a fortune cookie.
8
cleo
I'm sorry I could only give Johannes Weber's post one thumbs-up, it deserves to be written in neon.
So many times we hear those who were born at the top of the pile expounding on the virtues of hard work and proclaiming themselves to be self-made men (or women). Before we pat ourselves on the head for working hard and getting into a good university/good job on our own efforts, we need to step back and give thanks for the fully-functioning brain and body that we were born with that enabled us to work hard, and for the sheer good luck of being born into a society where hard work will help you up the ladder.
If hard work alone were the key, half the women in rural Africa would be millionaires.
0
tmarie
Well said Cleo and Tyler. Tyler, it is sickening isn't it? Thing is, the Japanese public agrees to it so on and on it goes. if anyone needs a smack up the head in regards to this, it is Koizumi's son who people assume will be PM one day because his dad was. Silver spoon, mouth. Entitlement.
2
AtsushiExiled
I wonder if Makoto's article is an indirect critique of Japanese culture, where entitlement has really run amok. The entire senpai/kohai culture, especially in the workplace, is the poster child of what it means to benefit by entitlement. If Japan Inc. was a little more achievement-oriented, rather than rely on entitlement by seniority, the economy and society would be better off.
0
oginome
@ Johannes Weber and Cleo : Agree with you both completely.
On the whole, Japan's economy and sociey is MUCH better off than America's.
-8
Serrano
Ridiculous! The Democrats know what's best for everyone, and everyone but the rich should get entitlements! Take from the rich and give to everyone else!
7
sourpuss
and then...
How ironic.
-3
tmarie
On the whole, Japan's economy and sociey is MUCH better off than America's. In many ways I agree with this statement but in many other ways I disagree. What makes you feel it is better? I look at the treatment of women as a whole in society, the divided work force (gender roles, age discrimination and racial discrimination), the xenophobia as a whole, the debt, the education system, the system of kohai/sempai, the DV rates, the lack of support for working moms, those with depression, the declining birth rate, the increasing in the aging population... and I disagree with you.
If you want to talk about crime rates (though not including things like groping and the like), ghettos and cycles of poverty, I would agree with you. Thing is though, Japan is going to be exactly like the US if this trend continues. The sense of entitlement is there and with the issues of aging population and no money, only going to get worse.
1
oginome
I said 'overall', I am perfectly aware that Japan is not perfect and has its shortcomings. The treatment of women is definitely Japanese society's weakest point but like you said yourself in previous posts, many women don't even care about 'breaking out of the OL mindset', because life remains so comfortable for so many. 40% of the world's spending on luxury goods comes from the Japanese, a country with less than 2% of the world's population and most of these spenders are women. Evaluating things in simple monetary terms like this is of course shallow, but it goes to show why so many don't feel the need to agitate. Of course, it's hardly ideal when people don't fight for equal treatment, instead choosing to buy a Louis Vuitton bag, but I think the apathy of many Japanese women today is largely a result of the success of Japan, whose resulting wealth has insulated most of them from even caring about fighting for their rights. The reason why there's never really been a robust civil society in Japan, unlike South Korea is simple; because Japan's government actually delivered on its promises after the war to increase living standards, health care and personal income and spread it almost equally over society resulting in a truly prosperous, safe nation. There's little sense of 'fighting against he man' like there is in the USA because Japan's state policies were largely a success, unlike the American government which it's adherence to laissez faire capitalism and profit before human rights. Japanese citizens are of course exasperated with the revolving door of ever changing politicians and their bumbling, corrupt, buffoonish ways, but most people are aware it's the bureacrats behind the scenes who run their country. And the divorce rate in Japan is lower than in America.
Racism is a problem in Japan, mainly due to the fact that the nation is 98% ethnically homogenous and most Japanese only ever come into superficial, if any contact with foreigners, so stereotypes are allowed to build and people who are different in such a uniform society immediately stand out, but there are none of the hate crimes related to race that you'd find in America, where racism still remains a massive problem in society, despite the (admirable) strides America has made over the past 40 years. Japan's debt is mostly internal, unlike America's and the birth rates are low because of its immigration policy, birth rates for native, non-immigrant American women are also below replacement level. Stigma surrounding mental health is horrible, but to be honest, this stigma exists in every country. Mental health awareness is awful everywhere in my opinion.
The homeless rate has in Japan already been more than halved over the last decade. Japan isn't run like America and won't end up like it. You should read this, tmarie
http://www.paecon.net/PAEReview/issue23/Locke23.htm
-1
anglootaku
I agree with you Mako chan, you have to work for something, the world doesnt rotate around someones feet due to credentials.. I spoke to a few Japanese kids who are friends of the neighbors and they are doing juku but are also doing an international baccalaureate http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9B%BD%E9%9A%9B%E3%83%90%E3%82%AB%E3%83%AD%E3%83%AC%E3%82%A2%E8%B3%87%E6%A0%BC
Which is a standard international exam to allow entrance to any university around the world, including ivy league etc. I think its a good thing, to have both the Japanese test and the International Baccalaureate exam. I told them Waseda is good as I did my masters there and they are keen to study in MIT in the US also, so I guess both these exams are practical for any Japanese or half Japanese kids living in Japan.
0
anglootaku
Even your kids for that matter mako chan, if they did the International Baccalaureate exam in the US they can get into a Japanese university also.
-1
anglootaku
In the west people have large egos and are ultra selfish.. I respect how Japanese dont boast about what they have and are very down to earth.
0
GW
thats not necessarily saying much, especially the society part
1
GW
serrano, have you ever pondered where the rich get their $$ form, I mean REALLY think about it, if you did you might change yr mind, & this mindset is in dire need of changing
0
oginome
Yep, I know it isn't, tmarie already listed the problems in Japanese society and it still trumps America.
-1
Dog
oginomeJan. 21, 2012 - 03:37AM JST The treatment of women is definitely Japanese society's weakest point.
You really think so? I think you’re rather belittling the real problems of Japanese society from treatment of the old and poor, very few societies anywhere in the world have institutionalized crime syndicates that are treated like public corporations and the lack of basic human rights for all participants of a country that has the death penalty. The treatment of women, while being a problem, wouldn’t even register on the radar of the 20 weakest points about of Japanese society.
oginomeJan. 21, 2012 - 03:37AM JST The reason why there's never really been a robust civil society in Japan, unlike South Korea is simple; because Japan's government actually delivered on its promises after the war to increase living standards, health care and personal income and spread it almost equally over society resulting in a truly prosperous, safe nation.
I think you should brush up on your Japanese history a bit for the real factors of why there is not presently a robust civil society in Japan. Maybe research the Meiji Restoration and social/political engineering from the top up to the bottom down, then do a bit of research into the development of trade unionism in postwar Japan and the neutering of protest movements from the early 1950’s. While you’re at it, next time you’re in Japan, should take a walk around Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shimbashi stations, to name a few, and see your prosperous Japan where personal income is almost equally.
oginomeJan. 21, 2012 - 03:37AM JST The homeless rate has in Japan already been more than halved over the last decade. Japan isn't run like America and won't end up like it. You should read this, tmari http://www.paecon.net/PAEReview/issue23/Locke23.htm
I’m sorry posting a dubious article from pre-2008 - 2005 to be exact, when Japan was prospering from an artificially weak Yen in a world fueled on credit – is hardly a commentary on Japan since the 2008 crash. In a country like Japan, where so many young people’s accommodation is embedded with their continued employment, without the fact that Japan has not made the complete post industrial transformation from an extended family society to a nuclear family society, homelessness would be chronic in Japan, especially among the young.
You seem to be suffering from the cultural shock of making the place you left more flowery than they place you find yourself now (exile is to dream of glorious returns) and confusing the concept that a problem is only a problem when it’s in your face.
-1
pointofview
I think what Ron Paul is really saying is any kind of entitlement system should be on a state level not through the federal gov
t, its too inefficient. But as he suggested countless times, it is the system as a whole that is wasteful and if this waste was cleaned up there would be more money too provide certain benefits. Paying into pension plans or investments that get wiped out because of corruption, like a few years ago, has got nothing to do with Ron Paul.-5
tmarie
Yep, I know it isn't, tmarie already listed the problems in Japanese society and it still trumps America.
How? I asked you how it trumps and you haven't answered. You agreed with my issues and yet think Japan still trumps the US? As a women in Japan, I don't think it does. As a man, I can see how you might think it. I would also now question the "luxury" buying percentage as I think the Chinese are probably consuming more than Japan these days.
0
oginome
The treatment of the old and the poor is worse in the US than it is in Japan. And guess what, the death penalty is still legal in most American states. 98 people were sentenced to death by the Japanese goverment from 2007-10, compared to 426 in the US and there were no executions in Japan last year. I was comparing the two, not using Japan as this exemplary model when there are still areas it needs vast improvement on, just showing that overall, it is still better than America.
You've said it's the social engineering in the Meiji era left Japan without a civil society, but then you contradicted that by showing the nascent civil society beginnings through the protest movements and development of trade unions in the late 40s/early 1950s which was in the immediate post war era when trust in the government had been destroyed. The fact that wages and living standards increased hugely over the decades is proof of why the protests mostly died out, and why membership of trade unions began to decrease after 1949; the government made good on its promise to make the country wealthy and liveable. It's a fact that income in Japan is distributed more equally than most nations, telling me to visit Shibuya station won't change a thing.
It's not a dubious article, it explains how society and economy in Japan are structured, and people who think Japan simply imported American style capitalism should read it to educate themselves, when the Japanese 'state capitalism' model is the one which was copied by South Korea and is now being copied by China. And it's not a bad thing that 'young people’s accommodation is embedded with their continued employment', along with a system that prefers to cut salaries than let people go when times are bad, it goes to show why there is much higher levels of trust and social cohesion than in individualist USA.
Except I'm not American.
But you ignored what I said about how other factors. I agree that women are seen as second class citizens and it IS the worst part about Japan, despite what Dog says, but their lives are comfortable and monetarily wealthy for the most part, you even admitted that yourself before. Japan is not a utopia, I'm just saying that it compared much more favourably to America overall.
Nope, the Japanese remains the world's number one buyer of luxury goods for now.
2
herefornow
gogogo -- hardly. But it does define the graduates from the elite universities in Japan who go to work for a ministry or top company and expect to have a cushy existence for the rest of their life -- just because they did well on some sillly exam.
3
gyouza
Agree with Johannes on this.
Makoto was able to succeed partially by her own efforts, but also by the support of her parents. There are thousands of kids out there who just do not get the same chance. There is also a huge gulf in the natural ability of children (and grown ups) that also determines how well we do in life (that is a relative term, and not meant to indicate wealth).
Also agree with Sioux Chef and others that she really should have listened to the whole piece rather than clearing the table if she is going to vote for Ron Paul, and really understand what exactly the rights and entitlements he is referring to.
Sadly too many people are getting elected (globally) by catch phrases as opposed to real ideology.
-4
tmarie
The treatment of the old and the poor is worse in the US than it is in Japan.
Seriously? I don't agree. I look at the way old people are treated here and it makes me cry.
but their lives are comfortable and monetarily wealthy for the most part, you even admitted that yourself before. Comfortable? I don't think all would agree with you. Money isn't everything and plenty of women here would like a little respect and perhaps a career which they can't have under the current conditions. I don't see how you can think that a society who treats more than 50% of the population as less than the men is better than a society who is trying as hard as it can to make things equal.
Care to give me a link for your claims about Japan and luxury goods? The new wealth in China has a huge population compared to Japan and they are all over the world snatching up brand name goods - much like the Japanese used to be.
Japan is not a utopia, I'm just saying that it compared much more favourably to America overall. I will agree with you that it is no utopia but disagree with the examples you've given as you why it is better than the US.
6
Nicky Washida
Im curious. Who paid for your university education that you obtained "all by yourself" Makoto? who put a roof over your head and food on your table while you were studying?
Because some people, for example, someone who had an alcoholic parent, could never afford to go to university in the first place. Some people have to try to get a job at 18 because they have no other choice. Then they work their butts off until they are comfortably able to support themselves, and then finance themselves through university at night school to get where they are now. And yet these people still dont think they are entitled to any more or less than anyone else. They just have the personal satisfaction of knowing they are very much entitled to that diploma after all the work they - literally - put in by themselves.
-1
oginome
Well then you should book yourself a flight to the US and look how they're treated there. Poverty rates for the elderly are higher than in Japan.
But I agreed with you that the treatment of women is the ugliest part of Japanese society. And like I said, it was you that claimed before these women don't care about breaking out of the OL mindset, because they don't feel any pressing need to. I think American society is worse because of the lack of universal health care, appalling crime rates, massive levels of poverty, the disconcertingly huge divide between rich and poor, huge levels of social dislocation, disastrous education system, widespread drug abuse, the selfish 'me first' mentality, not to mention the sinister shades of Christian fundamentalism which always threaten to boil over into the mainstream. American women are treated more equally than Japanese women, but an American woman is also more likely to be mired in poverty than her Japanese counterpart.
http://www.china-online-marketing.com/news/china-market-news/china-luxury-market-report/
China has surpassed the United States and become the world’s second largest consumer of luxury goods, second only to Japan
Japan remains a mass market for luxury goods, only the rich in China can afford the same. Oh and the 'Japanese used to'? Japanese luxury goods spending increased in 2011.
You don't have to agree with me, you asked me why I thought Japan was a better society overall and I explained why I thought why. You don't even like Japan anyway.
4
hatsoff
This article comes from Makoto having a stream-of-consciousness moment based on a half-heard, half-understood comment while cleaning up. Sure, who likes those 'the world owes me a living' types. But she should really read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell for an in-depth look at how opportunity and success NEVER comes from our efforts alone.
Having said that, I commend her on passing her university entrance exams without attending juku; that came from hard work. Outliers will tell you that hard work is a key ingredient, but that hard work alone or even genius-level IQ won't bring you success.
I like how she seems to favour meritocracy here - very un-Japanese. But I hope she remembers that meritocracy comes from giving people opportunities to achieve success, be that a scholarship or anti-discrimination laws that level the playing field or whatever. In a just society, citizens should have entitlements to a fair chance in life.
2
hatsoff
Afterthought - I think it's absurd that attending a brand name university entitles the graduate to a good job in a good company, regardless of what they studied or how hard they studied, and regardless of their final score. Hard to enter, easy to graduate is an absurd system that encourages many students NOT to fulfil their potential. Many companies won't even grant you an interview if you didn't play the brand name game.
This kind of entitlement needs to go.
-2
tmarie
** lack of universal health care, appalling crime rates, massive levels of poverty, the disconcertingly huge divide between rich and poor, huge levels of social dislocation, disastrous education system, widespread drug abuse, the selfish 'me first' mentality** You could write exactly the same about Japan though - not everyone has health care here, there is poverty all over the place, there is a HUGE divide between rich and poor and is only getting worse here, huge issues with social dislocation, the education system here is a joke, there is plenty of drug abuse (alcohol and tobacco being the preferred), huge entitlement mentality...
I look at the way the old people here are treated and I don't know if you can really say it is better than the US. Old people here are ignored, poor and often in need of much care and help than people don't offer. There is a huge issue with people abusing their elderly parents. Why? Because there are very few nursing care homes and support for these families. This problem is only going to get worse here with the age issue.
Cheers for the link - let's talk in five years! ;)
You don't even like Japan anyway. That isn't true. There are many things I love about this country and I live here because I want to. However, that doesn't mean I can't be vocal about the issues I see here. Sorry, not drinking the kool-aid like some other posters. As someone who has spent a more than a decade here, I am allowed to voice my concerns about the society I live in, what happens with my tax money... It is too bad that one gets quickly accused of "Japan bashing" for not always being a cheerleader for team Japan.
**I think it's absurd that attending a brand name university entitles the graduate to a good job in a good company, regardless of what they studied or how hard they studied, and regardless of their final score. Hard to enter, easy to graduate is an absurd system that encourages many students NOT to fulfil their potential. Many companies won't even grant you an interview if you didn't play the brand name game. ** Sadly the whole system here in Japan is based on this starting from yochien. It is a never ending cycle of getting into the good places so you can be rewarded after graduation with a good job - regardless of what was learned, or not.
0
oginome
Japan has near universal health care, America certainly does not and 45,000 Americans die every year because they can't afford health insurance, there is no comparison
American poverty levels are higher and the nature of poverty much worse in America than in Japan.
There is a divide, but it does't even approach the size and magnitude of the income gap in America.
America is the first world leader in social dislocation, with its dual first world/third world societies, sky high crime rates, widespread drug abuse and the complete absence of any kind of social cohesion. The UK isn't far behind.
Education system in Japan at first and second level is leap years ahead of America in overall quality and in testing. The focus on rote-learning and memorisation over analytical ability is a problem, and the stresses associated with the college entrance exams need to be addressed, but it's still better overall that American primary and secondary schools and creates citizens with an overall much higher degree of educational attainment.
There's little to no heroin, meth or crack cocaine abuse in Japan (all these drugs are much more dangerous and devastating than alcohol and tobacco) unlike in the slums and economically run down Mid West towns in America.
Apart from the idiots in goverment (a problem shared with every nation), care to provided any more examples of how entitlement mentality in Japan is worse than in America?
Seriously go to America so you can be disabused of the notion that the elderly are treated badly only in Japan. Elder care abuse is no better or even worse than Japan's. More people are put into nursing homes in America, and abuse and maltreatment is rife in these instutions, with a huge proportion of the elderly being neglected or else victims of the malicous twistedness of others.
http://news.yahoo.com/maggots-sex-abuse-americas-nursing-home-scandal-234000015.html
But surely the growing demographic imbalance will only push the age issue even further into the spotlight?
You said before that you didn't like Japan and if it wasn't for your husband, you would have left a long time ago. And I'm no blind Japanophile, I recognise that the system is messed up in many ways, from the institutionalised sexism and racism, to the ineffectual politicans,all the way to the repulsive amakudari practices, but the reality is that Japan still has a much more functional, safe, prosperous society than America's. I don't hate America either, someone on this site before tried to lay the blame on the homeless problem in Japan due to the Japanese adoption of America's individualist culture, but that's ludicrous since that adoption never happened (Japan remains a group oriented and conformist society) and anyway, America can hardly be blamed if Japan has a homeless problem.
-5
AiserX
Lol @ the posters debating on how uncivil Japan is and racist, sexist and how messed up it's society is. A Japanese friend of mine once said ethnic Japanese are adverse to immigration because in his view, which i agree with, gaijins/foreigners come with a " I know whats best for Japan attitude ". A sentiment I observe most strongly from liberal British people followed by American liberals.
tmarie and Oni don't know what a "civil society" actually is. A civil society is only a society which acknowledges private property rights. The acknowledgement of this right means people can freely participate in the economy and are free from forced violent coercion from other and govt. The death penalty is absolutely no excuse for labeling a country "uncivil".
As for the idea of universal healthcare, is just none-sense. America has Uni H.C under medicare, medicaid, S.S and prisct drugs subsidized by Govt. The answer is NOT universal H.C but privatized H.C. Under a free market system of H.C prices come down naturally as it does when technology and plastic surgery is considered. A subsidized system leads to inefficiency, higher cost and massive bureaucracy and even reduced quality. Indeed the King of Saudi Arabia whom has national H.C is a country much more wealthier then the Northern Scandinavian countries, yet traveled to the U.S when he had a sever stroke. Canadian and even Swedish politicians with the finance to afford their respective countries best H.C still go to the u.s. http://freemarketcure.com/singlepayermyths.php To make the claim that "45k" Americans die every year because of a lack of H.C is 1) a Remarkable claim to make ( how do you know that only 500 died last year or 45,001? it's absurd) 2) A failure of Govt getting to heavily involved in the market. Again, when govt subsidized a product it becomes more expensive, thus unaffordable to people.
http://mises.org/daily/2293 This Austrian economist article demonstrates the trap of subsidies such as Uni H.C and the Europeans are learning this the hard way. Americans and the rest of the industrialized world is not too far behind.
Also, the elderly inn Japan are regarded the same way as in Sweden, and China as merely "useless and a burden"
The idea of sexism in Japan is only touted by none Japanese people ( especially anglos ) but in fact the average japanese female is content with their lives living independently shunning marriage so do they perceive sexism? not at all. It's a myth.
1
oginome
A civil society is the space between government and business. I never mentioned the death penalty in relation to any discussion of civil society so I don't know where you got that from. I'm against the death death penalty and believe it is a human rights violation. The death penalty comes from government legislation. Citizens arguing against the it through protests, debating with those who are pro-death penalty and informing and educating others in the populace is civil society in action. It seems like you're the one who's confused about what civil society is.
America is the only developed country not to have universal health care, instead it has a privatised health 'care' system which is twice as costly as the OECD average and yet results in the worse overall level of health care in the developed world, backed up by separate UN and Commonwealth Fund reports. And 45,000 is not an absurd number. Maybe you should educate yourself on a health care system which would bend over backwards to help the King of Saudi Arabia, but yet lets tens of thousands of its own citizens die every year.
http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2009/09/new-study-finds-45000-deaths-annually-linked-to-lack-of-health-coverage/
It is sexism but the average Japanese woman doesn't care enough to fight against it, probably because they secretly or not so secretly don't mind the situation they're in. They see their husbands and fathers work 12 hours a day and they probably count their lucky stars they have much more free time for which they can spend socialising, shopping, travelling or learning a language.
-4
AiserX
Exactly, an a universal h.c system is not civil. There is no gap between business and Govt in such a system. I am for the D.P and don't see it as a humans rights violation. Humans rights violation is Govt oppressing its own people via confiscation of property, micro-managing their daily lives and restricting their freedoms. Of course that means their is a fine line between administering the D.P to a criminal individual to administering the D.P to entire groups of people that pose no threat what so ever.
Taxes also come from legislation which is a confiscation of earned rewards.
> It seems like you're the one who's confused about what civil society is.
Again, a civil society is only a society that acknowledges private property rights, only in such a society can their be a fine line between govt and its people. Between a free-market and a centralized market. From forced coercion to freedom of association and it all comes from this basic right. The stastist such as yourself never explains what a civil society actually is because you wish ti impose your view ad what civility is on an entire populace.
America has Universal H.C as I explained via S.S, Medicare and Medicaid. As such it has created a massive unfunded liability here <http://usdebtclock.org/ that cannot be sustained and the same is anywhere else where there is Uni H.C. The northern European countries are no exception to this rule, which is why Sweden is leading the world in pro-free market reforms, because they know Govt run industry does not work. Also as the mises article explains when Govt interferes in an industry the price inevitably rises, why do you think education and H.C is so expensive while tech and plastic surgery keep getting cheaper and more efficient? these charts explain eloquently http://wilcoxen.maxwell.insightworks.com/pages/1896.html
>
Therefore it is not sexism? Japanese women must have it made, they get to spend more time socializing, shopping, traveling and learning a new language. Sounds like A LOT of fun to be a Japanese women, now we know why they don't want to fight this form of "sexism"? Of course a great many as I've explained shun marriage and live independently. Real sexism is what happens in China where your chances of getting aborted if your female upon scanning are very high. Or what happens in Afghanistan, but hey it's there problems not mines or ours.
Lastly, Did you know the U.S spends 2.5 trillion on H.C?< http://mises.org/daily/5496> Also this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij4H9M55c64
1
oginome
You're getting the term 'civil' mixed up with 'civil society'. Universal health care means not denying people their human rights, while privatised health care puts profit before all else. Universal health care IS civil, while the latter, not so much. Civil society can in fact be strengthened by 'free market' health care, because citizens understand it involves a fundamental denial of human rights, and can campaign together to get the government to change its policy, but there's no way privatised health care is 'civil'. You still seem to be confused as to what the meaning of 'civil society' is, sadly.
And a good government can distribute the taxes into facilities and programs such as universal health care which can help benefit society. But I suppose this is beyond America with its 'greed is good' maxim.
I just did explain what civil society is. Did you not read? You seem to think civil society can only exist in a laissez-faire political environment. You're doing the all-or-nothing, black and white thinking that so many of your countrymen have already shown on this site. Germany is a socialist capitalist economy, it is heavily regulated and more centralised than America, but Germany still acknowledges private property rights. It has universal health care AND a civil society, as hard as that might be for you to believe.
America does not have universal health care, Medicare and Medicaid only apply to certain sectors of the population, everyone else is left to pay for insurance just so they won't die if they come down with an illness. Over 30 million American citizens are uninsured (ie, no universal health care!) and that's what leads to the needless death of tens of thousands year after year.
More black and white thinking. 'It's not as bad as China, so it's definitely not sexism!'. Yes, it is, Japanese women who choose to work are routinely discriminated against in the work place, sexual harassment is rife, and they are passed over for promotions and paid lower salaries than their male counterparts. Just because Japan's social system has led to a culture of 'kept women' who have large disposable incomes to purchase luxury goods and go on holiday does not mean equality has been reached, not even near.
And do you know that America's government was already spending the most of any nation on health care back it was completely privatised and the worst in the developed world? The problems lie in privatisation. It'll take a long time for America to climb out of this wretched mess.
1
sillygirl
if you want to see the ugly face of entitlement look at ozawa and his ilk.
-4
AiserX
Uni H.C is not civil, it is uncivil and by no means a "humans rights". Humans rights are the following Freedom of speech, expression, to bear arms, private property and right to pursue happiness. If H.C is a "fundamental human right" why is it that this right needs public funding where as all others do not? what if there were no doctors where then will this "right" be practiced from and whom owns it? the individual? the doctor? or the govt? Keep in mind Japan is in need of doctors and nurses because of shortage, perhaps its undergoing a shortage of a fundamental human right? Simply said a right is self evident, born with and free not fundable.
Then it is NOT a free-market if the populace campaigns together for collective forced coercion via govt take over of goods and services. I'm afraid you don't understand the concept of greed, greed is about looking after your own self interest. The man whom scoffs at greed always does so with the pretentious logic that " the other guy is always greedy and never me". We all look after our own interest therefore we are all greedy. Steve Jobs was a very greedy man and wanted to make a profit by inventing all these amazing apple products. You then buy his product voluntarily because you either need it or want it. Greed increases our standard of living HOW EVER, when greed is combined with govt only then it becomes a detriment to us all. Steve jobs was even a avid Ayn Rand fan.
> I just did explain what civil society is. Did you not read? You seem to think civil society can only exist in a laissez-faire political environment. You're doing the all-or-nothing, black and white thinking that so many of your countrymen have already shown on this site. Germany is a socialist capitalist economy, it is heavily regulated and more centralised than America, but Germany still acknowledges private property rights. It has universal health care AND a civil society, as hard as that might be for you to believe.
Germany is by no means a Socialist country. It is a social market economy and its failures from earlier of the previous decade reign true especially to this day http://mises.org/daily/1281 Indeed a true laissez-fairez economy is most civil as the individual keeps most of his earnings and none are eroded away in value due to M2 monetary inflation. Keep in mind that all these entitlements ( that includes Uni H.C which is also and entitlement not a right ) are constantly under economic strain in Germany because of its bloated system distorted by govt intervention. Its the reason why every few years Germans call for "Pension reform", it does not work.
The sectors in regards to M.C and M.C are massively huge and a form of Uni H.C once more as Govt gets involved in ANY industry prices go up, get rid of these barriers, de-regulate and wipe out the entitlements ( economic reality will wipe it out anyways ) free market forces will then be allowed to come into play again which will allow for competition and prices decreases.
> More black and white thinking. 'It's not as bad as China, so it's definitely not sexism!'. Yes, it is, Japanese women who choose to work are routinely discriminated against in the work place, sexual harassment is rife, and they are passed over for promotions and paid lower salaries than their male counterparts. Just because Japan's social system has led to a culture of 'kept women' who have large disposable incomes to purchase luxury goods and go on holiday does not mean equality has been reached, not even near.
Once more, many shun marriages, perhaps the majority even which means some sense of financial independence which means lack of sexism.
When H.C was completely private how can the U.S govt spend the most then any nation on H.C if a 100% private H.C means nothing for the govt to spend on and worse then the rest of the world? Did you know the best doctors would leave Canada and northern Scandinavia to the U.S to avoid price controls?< http://mises.org/daily/3586>
Look, cures are made in a private H.C system because there are private incentives to do so. It's why cures are more rapidly found under a freer market system as opposed to central. You are just wrong on everything http://blog.mises.org/4710/why-socialized-medicine-leads-to-the-prohibition-of-private-medicine/. These entitlements such as Uni H.C are what lead to a global debt bomb of over $38 trillion++ http://www.economist.com/content/global_debt_clock When govt collapse and are forced by the free-market to privatize assets and entire industries, what then are you going to do about your "right to h.c"? kick the can down the road and call for "universal H.C reforms? " because that's where it always leads and the collapse is delayed and inevitable collapse compounds more painfully further still. It does not work, it just doesn't.
1
oginome
Health care is a human right, regardless of what you try and say. Because it needs funds, it's not a human right? But housing and the right to bear arms need funds too, whether they happen to be private or public. It's funny how Americans put greater priority on the right to bear arms (shoot and kill) but ignore the right to health care (healing). Sums up the culture perfectly.
Why are you talking about the 'free market'? It's civil society IN ACTION when people campaign their government for changes. This campaigning and people fighting for their rights isn't necessarily 'collective forced coercion via govt take over of goods and services' (ugh) and civil society is not the same as free market. And no, a laissez faire economy isn't the most admirable since it creates huge, nearly unbridgeable divides in wealth and for America in particular, this is combined with a flimsy social safety net and lack of universal health care, so people literally die because they don't have money. Germany refined their 'bloated' system, but they remain resolutely social capitalist, not laissez faire, they have universal health care and a higher standard of living than the US. Germany's government looks after its people, unlike America which denies human rights. And Steve Jobs was an arrogant, unlikeable creature.
Health care in your country is not universal, America decided to go down the free market route decades ago, and it was left with the worst overall level of health care in the developed world and the deaths of tens of thousands of its own citizens every year even as it goes out of its way to treat wealthy foreigners.
There's a sense of financial independence, because most of the singles still live with their parents. They still get paid lower wages on average, and if they got married and have kids, they'd face pressure to leave their job. And anyway, having financial independence does not mean sexism isn't there, please. Not everything is related to money, oh wait, you're American so it is.
You tell me. Other nations which provide universal health care, with funds allocated by the government have better health care systems than America, a privatised, costly mess. There have been economic crises before, but enlightened, developed democracies keep their universal health care systems no matter what. It's a matter of human rights and would lead to complete and total uproar if there was ever any attempt at removing universal health care in Western Europe (there won't be). Americans prefer to put doctors and scientists in a laboratory to 'speed up advances' but what's the point if you deny your citizens the fruits of these discoveries and let them die out in the cold. And universal health care does work as we keep seeing from the superior quality of overall health care provided in comparison with US. Health care is an entitlement, but the bearing of arms is a right? Oh dear.
2
Tim Bedwell
The author is overly simplistic, as if the world is just a wind up toy that has to be wound to work. No, grow up. I do believe in entitlement. I believe that individuals in a society are entitled to education, the rule of law and fairness. I believe that I am entitled to my GI bill, because I put in the time to get it. I believe workers are entitled to own the means of production, because they are the ones who are actually producing value. So call me crazy, but I believe in entitlements. Without entitlements, we wouldn't have a society.
-1
tmarie
There's little to no heroin, meth or crack cocaine abuse in Japan (all these drugs are much more dangerous and devastating than alcohol and tobacco)
I strongly disagree. You might want to look at all the illness related to the two above, the destruction drinking causes when it comes to family, friends, work... The fact that they are legal doesn't make them safe. More people abuse these two and the number are hard core drug users put together.
**You said before that you didn't like Japan and if it wasn't for your husband, you would have left a long time ago. ** I don't like the country that Japan has turned into since 3/11. Before then, I was pretty happy here. This is my third run here so it isn't like I don't have the experience of never having left and looking at Japan with rose tinted glasses like some others.I've been out and come back. I think I might have a bit more of a balanced view compared to those who have been here and only here for a straight run. I've seen what is outside the country and what other countries offer as I lived there. Indeed, if it wasn't for my husband being here, I would leave. That doesn't mean I "hate" Japan. It means for the age that I am and the "needs" I have, Japan isn't what is best for me. The lack of daycares, the lack of support for working women here is a huge concern for me right now. I would much rather live in the US, Canada, UK, OZ.... when it comes to my needs for this. I'm not saying these countries are perfect but for what I want and need right now, they offer much more than Japan. I also don't like what the government is doing. I don't trust them, and certainly don't trust TEPCO. I know have to worry about every little thing I put in my mouth because of the lies and incompetence of the government and their buddies. Day to day life? While not perfect here, isn't all that bad but I have many concerns about what the future holds. I wouldn't have those concerns in some other countries.
With regards to the education system, having worked in three now, Japan has the worst. Indeed, they can produce little robots who follow orders but if we have kids, that isn't what I want for them. Nor so I want the stress of entrance exams, petty little rules and very incompetent teachers who are protected by a crazy union.
With regards to health care, I would like to have doctors that wear gloves and don't argue with me when I tell them to put them on - which is exactly what happened when I went to see one this weekend. I would like doctors who respect me enough to talk to me about issues and concerns rather than assume they know what is best for me without asking me anything. I would like a health care system that offers women pain killers for childbirth rather than tell them to "man up" and do without - let's be honest, if those old gits were the ones having kids, painkillers would be free for everyone. Indeed, the US system is broken when it comes to health care - or lack there of. I won't argue with that. I will however state that the system here is broken too.
With regards to old people, I look at the lack of respect these people have, the way their kids sponge off them and the way they get treated when they need support. MY grandmother in law is treated like a sack of potatoes by the family and they can't get the support she needs. The women belongs in a home but yet, no room at the inn but... my FIL cares for her the best he can but he's not trained in looking after someone in her condition. Instead of building homes for these people, the public are told it is their duty to look after their family. People are snapping and the elderly are being abused. In terms of stats, I can't give you any. Why? Because I highly doubt this country keeps records of such things - yet another issue with the government....
Japan isn't all bad but at this point, the US is looking pretty good. We aren't poor, we can afford the health care we would need if there. We could afford to live in a decent area with a good school board. I could get daycare if we had kids and continue with my job. All things that concern me with living in Japan.
0
tmarie
As for claims that Japan is safe, http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/two-more-arrests-made-over-death-of-nepalese-man-in-osaka
This is only going to get worse with the economy and the locals blaming "us".
Oh and I didn't comment on the entitlement thing. Don't you find it odd that their 2011 spending of brand goods is up yet their economy and spending power is down?
-2
unreconstructed
Why stop with health care? Do you think food should also be provided for ? Millions of Americans cannot afford good legal services. By your logic legal representation should also be a right. It should be free, yeah ? I'd love to hear you try and preach that to Americans who call themselves Democrats...
-1
oginome
Where did I say alchohol and smoking was 'safe'? First of all, smoking is nowhere near as socially destructive as drink, never mind the harder drugs. And no alcoholism doesn't even compare to the hell of crystal meth, cocaine or heroin addiction in how they ravage communities and cause crime. And I'm not defending alcohol either, I don't drink, because I think it's stupid.
I never you said you 'hate' Japan, I simply remember another post you made where you said you didn't like it. And you don't have concerns about other countries? UK and US are falling into the abyss of economic self-destruction brought upon by their naive economic policies, they're far worse off than Japan when it comes to divides, poverty and crime and they're worsening. The overall level of education in America, apart from third level, is appalling. Be prepared to part with some of your cash if you want to send your child to a good school in that country. You can complain about the lack of day care centers in Japan, but they do exist, their relative lack in quantity is simply a reflection of most mothers staying at home to mind their children. You can still find one. You like Japan less since 3/11? While the fear of radiation is real, and the government is being corrupt as usual, civil society is emerging in a way not seen since the end of the war. People are pressing their government for more transparency and accountability. In many ways, that awful disaster is proving to be the catalyst for a more plugged in, aware society that just doesn't blindly accept what's told to them anymore and you think society is WORSE since 3/11?
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/world/asia/wary-japanese-take-food-safety-into-their-own-hands.html?_r=1&ref=japan
Your doctor not wearing gloves and women being pressured into not having epidurals (they can still get one if they insist) does not compare to the abject failure of America's health system and does not mean Japan's is broken.
You don't get it, the elderly are maltreated and neglected in almost every society, in Japan people are stressed because the facilites aren't there and they end up having to look after elderly parents despite not having the skills or training, which leads to people snapping and abuse, but in the West, old people are simply dumped into nursing homes, many of which are rife with abuse and neglect at the same level, or even worse than Japan. The treatment of old people is horrible everywhere.
And all that is possible in Japan too, except you'll have to worry about health care costs alot more in America.
How predictable, every time I point out the level of safety in Japan, someone always goes into the crime section and pulls out a story. It's a fact that Japan is much much safer than America and the UK in overall safety and crime levels, pulling out incidences and stories won't change that one bit.
Because the yen is stronger. It's not necessarily entitlement, just people using their own money to buy things.
Human rights transcend whichever political agenda America's two parties happen to be pursuing that wek.
1
Tim Bedwell
Unreconstructed, yes, legal representation is a right. And yes, food should be a right as well, since we throw away millions of tons of it every year. We have enough for everyone. Democrats and Republicans are both useless.
-1
tmarie
Where did I say alchohol and smoking was 'safe'? First of all, smoking is nowhere near as socially destructive as drink, never mind the harder drugs. And no alcoholism doesn't even compare to the hell of crystal meth, cocaine or heroin addiction in how they ravage communities and cause crime. And I'm not defending alcohol either, I don't drink, because I think it's stupid. I don't think I said you said it was "safe". You do get that alcohol splits up for families that the drugs you mentioned, don't you? If you can't see how alcohol is more socially damaging than hard drugs, perhaps you need to read up on the topic a bit more.
Indeed I have concerns about other countries but having just returned from one that you mentioned, no, I didn't worry about my day to day life while there. My food was safe, the medical care was for EVERYONE, not just those that paid into the scheme, the government was kept in check by the public...
As for your epidural comment, no, you just can't get one. You have to such for a place that offers one and then pay a heck of a lot of money for it. You are trivializing the issue of how women are treated here - even though you agree it is a problem.
"...but they do exist, their relative lack in quantity is simply a reflection of most mothers staying at home to mind their children." "All that is possible..." You really don't get it, do you? I have known countless women now who have had to quit their jobs because they couldn't find daycare or their companies wouldn't give them the legal amount of time off.
Your food link goes against what you're stating. The fact that people are taking it into their own hands is because the people don't trust their government. Great society when the fat cats look out for themselves and the public has to fend for itself - while still allowing those fat cats to lap up the cream at the taxpayer's expense.
Japan is "safe"? I guess if you don't count groping and the sexual harassment that women face here. "Safe" isn't just physical safety.
Indeed, old people are treated horribly around the world but at least in some nations, there is a lot more care and support for them and their family than there is here.
People are just using their money to buy brand name bags. Shame they aren't investing it or buying things that are nothing but mere symbols of greed.
BY all means, think Japan is the best place on earth for you to live. I will certainly disagree.
-1
cleo
Maybe those 'old gits' know a bit more about the risks and side-effects of epidurals during childbirth than you do and know that there is good reason not to pump unnecessary drugs into perfectly healthy women carrying perfectly healthy babies. If you're afraid of the 'pain' of labour, I suggest you investigate other, less invasive methods that offer less short- and long-term risk to you and your baby. (I used Lamaze, and can recommend it - effective, and far more empowering than relying on drugs). If there are complications in your pregnancy then of course intervention may be necessary, but you are doing yourself and your baby a disservice if you assume that the routine use of drugs and other invasive procedures is a desirable given. On the subject of rights and entitlements, surely your baby has the right to come into the world not pumped full of drugs.
-2
tmarie
Cleo, take the stance if you like - I know many do - but I would like the choice. And no, I don't think they "know" more about it. Many don't know about it, nor care about it. As far as I am concerned, until that kid is out, I have the right over my body. You can debate this if you like but I won't agree with you.
-1
oginome
I simply stated in my original post that meth, cocaine and heroin were more dangerous than tobacco and alcohol (completely true). Yet you denied it to focus on the greater numbers of those who suffer from problems related to alcoholism, but that's a given considering alcohol is much more widely used and accepted. Alcohol abuse is certainly not limited to Japan, it is also widespread in both America and the UK (especially the UK with its pub-centric culture) And along with the mainstream drinking culture both these countries share with Japan, they also have a massive hard drug problem which Japan does not. Yet you single out Japan? Hard drugs are much more dangerous than alcohol, like I have to keep telling you. Crystal meth is more addictive than alcohol, more sinister in its impact on body and mind, and has completely ravaged towns in rural America in ways alcohol never managed to do. It's much more socially destructive. I think it's you who needs to read up on the topic a bit more.
You listed the US as one country that had a better society than Japan, but that's one place that certainly doesn't have universal health care for EVERYONE. Even if you went to crime-ridden UK, you still listed America as one society which was better than Japan, yet from the above comment, you clearly recognise how important universal health care is, which the US sorely, sorely lacks. What does that say about values in America? And please 'kept in check', UK politicians are as corrupt as anywhere.
But you just admitted you can get one. There are hospitals that do provide it and if someone is eager for one (which many Japanese women evidently are not) they can go get it. Costs can be paid in small installments by the way, you don't have to pay it all upfront, but if you decide you really want an epidural during your pregnancy and insist on it, you can get one. Haven't trivialised anything either, just thought it was ridiculous that you used the example of your doctor not wearing gloves as evidence that Japan's health care system is 'broken'.
You really don't get it, do you? This problem is not limited to Japan, not by a long shot.
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-2042571/Soaring-childcare-costs-crippling-tax-cuts-force-women-stay-home.html
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/woman/life/how-hardpushed-parents-canrsquot-afford-to-work-due-to-the-spiralling-cost-of-childcare-16037621.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/sep/07/childcare-costs-poorest-families-debt
No it doesn't go against what I'm saying at all. It shows how Japanese citizens are becoming more active, aware and discerning. Civil society doesn't mean that the fat cats suddenly get what's coming to them, if that was the case, then UK, US and Germany wouldn't have any civil society. Governmental corruption usually co-exists with civil society, and in fact, corruption, ignorance and mismanagement feed into it as it creates outrage and indignation as people start to group together and campaign for change and recognition.
No need for quotation marks, it's a fact that crime rates in Japan are massively lower than the UK and US. Groping is a problem, we all know that, but RAPE rates (which are recognised as being under-reported) are still nowhere near the same level as UK and US, which are 10 times higher at the very least, and 20 times offically.
Except there really isn't, when so many are dumped into nursing homes, many of which are completely corrupt, uncaring and abusive institutions.
Using your own money to buy brand name bags is silly, but not evidence of 'entitlement culture'. And investing money to get higher returns is not greed?
The same with you thinking the US and UK are better places to live. And I'll disagree too.
-1
Green Wowser
Since I have the ability I also have the right to be almost constantly offended and that is one right I intend to exercise.
-1
tmarie
I simply stated in my original post that meth, cocaine and heroin were more dangerous than tobacco and alcohol (completely true).
Sorry, what? You can't be serious. You really need to read up more on the issues surrounding drinking if you think alcoholism is the only problem. I also never mentioned that Japan is the only country with problems with alcohol.
You just keep rehashing everything. Like I said last time, "By all means, think Japan is the best place on earth for you to live. I will certainly disagree."
Moderator
All readers back on topic please. Alcoholism is not relevant to this discussion.
-1
tmarie
You listed the US as one country that had a better society than Japan Oh, I don't think I did. I wasn't the one that brought the US into the debate if you go back and read. I personally wouldn't want to live in the US for various reasons, some of which are being discussed here. That being said, just because I don't want to live there doesn't mean I think Japan is better.
0
cleo
tmarie, I have no intention at all of debating the matter with you, or of taking any kind of 'stance' (?) - you're absolutely right, it's your body and you can do with it what you like. Just thought you'd like to know it isn't an either/or choice between potentially dangerous painkilling drugs on the one hand and unbearable pain on the other. It goes without saying that what you decide is up to you, but I see no harm in looking at all the possibilities before making up your mind.
0
JapanGal
Psychotropic drugs have benefits. Human beings should be allowed to make their own choices.
-1
tmarie
"{otentially dangerous painkilling drugs" No, Cleo no stance at all there....
Indeed, there is no harm in looking at the options - thing is, options are limited in Japan while many other countries offer more. Again, women not being placed very highly on the totem pole. I can promise you that if men in this country gave birth, epidurals would be offered at every hospital, not just a select few. Also willing to bet they'd be free. I also know more than a few who went to places that offered them, were told they would get them and when it came to the day, the anesthetist wasn't available.
Perhaps I am just one of those "entitled" people who thinks they deserve more with regards to medical options... i can live with that.
-1
cleo
No, no 'stance'. Any drug is potentially dangerous, and I think the old gits who have years of medical training under their belts have a pretty good idea of what's medically advisable/desirable/feasible/possible. Even my vet refuses to use anaesthetics/pain killers unless they're absolutely necessary. Remember, doctors here earn more the more drugs they can palm off onto the patient, so you'd imagine they'd be all for giving every woman an epidural whether she asked for it or not, thus hoiking up the bill. Maybe there's a reason they don't? Are you seriously suggesting that gynaecologists are holding down their own incomes because they hate women? (And vets are doing the same because they hate animals?) As for epidurals being free - Japanese doctors don't do free, and I for one would object to my kenko hoken premiums being used to give unnecessary drugs to squeamish ladies free of charge.
No, I think you simply haven't looked at all the options.
-1
oginome
You're the one who keeps rehashing, keeps bringing up the same points and doesn't respond when those points are addressed. And when did I state that 'Japan was the best place on earth to live', it's simply a much better place to live overall than America and the UK, but there are other European countries I like which have a similar, or higher standard of living than Japan. I'm sorry that America and the UK are the respective arm pits of the developed world.
I brought the US into the debate and you're the one who disagreed about Japan and claimed that America could offer you what you need more than Japan. Now you say you don't want to live in America."
Moderator
Readers, please stop bickering.
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