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Author Topic: A depressing week in Switzerland  (Read 9783 times)
ellendune
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« Reply #30 on: September 09, 2017, 22:30:28 »

Hmm. NHS. Something the UK (United Kingdom) holds dear (too dear?) to its heart over and and above funding for absolutely anything else. The UK *would* in general, according to many polls, be quite happy to pay more tax for its funding. Probably to the detriment of anything else unfortunately

Given how much less we spend on our health service than other European Countries (let alone the USA), perhaps not too dear.  You don't get owt for nowt.
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Trowres
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« Reply #31 on: September 10, 2017, 00:15:59 »

Ellendune, you've made me think...perhaps both National Rail and the NHS share the characteristics (compared with other countries mentioned) of meagre funding and patchy service quality...but maybe good value for money; at least compared with the US model. That would support Trainer's viewpoint (although why are we a heavy defence spender?).
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JayMac
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« Reply #32 on: September 10, 2017, 00:28:12 »

...but maybe good value for money; at least compared with the US model.

Presumably you're referring to heathcare in the US.

The bastion of capitalism that is the US of A, where anything vaguely socialist is nearly always seen as abhorrent, has a federal and state subsidised passenger rail service.
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Trowres
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« Reply #33 on: September 10, 2017, 22:26:37 »

Presumably you're referring to heathcare in the US.

Yes, I was thinking of healthcare. I have no idea about the value-for-money of USA passenger rail, and  comparisons with UK (United Kingdom) would be difficult due to the radically different geography.
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Noggin
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« Reply #34 on: September 12, 2017, 20:51:29 »

...but maybe good value for money; at least compared with the US model.

Presumably you're referring to heathcare in the US.

The bastion of capitalism that is the US of A, where anything vaguely socialist is nearly always seen as abhorrent, has a federal and state subsidised passenger rail service.

Not to mention an oversized respect for authority and tolerance for intrusive rules and regulations that would have your average Britons up in arms - 55mph on a motorway, no booze until you're 21, draconian legal practices, interior decorators have to be licensed, chicken that has to be washed in chlorine because food standards are so dreadful etc.

In comparison with the US and much of the EU» (European Union - about), we are a very liberal nation - no ID cards or legal obligation to tell the state where you live, tax and employment law are very simple and (relatively) easy to comply with, easy to rent and buy property, few "licenses to print money" like having to have documents notarised or having to use an estate agent. There's a reason why this country attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year despite having dismal weather, expensive property and a minimal welfare state.

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JayMac
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« Reply #35 on: September 12, 2017, 22:08:38 »

55mph on a motorway,

It's 22 years since the federally enacted National Speed Limit was repealed. It was introduced by Nikon in 1974 in response to the oil crisis. In 1995 US states were again free to set their own speed limits, following many years of low enforcement and legal challenges by States against Federal government.

Interstate Highway speed limits are now up to 85mph (Texas), with the majority between 65-75mph. Just two states (Alaska, Delaware) and the District of Columbia have kept the 55mph limit on major roads.
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Bmblbzzz
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« Reply #36 on: September 12, 2017, 22:17:54 »

55mph on a motorway,

It's 22 years since the federally enacted National Speed Limit was repealed. It was introduced by Nikon in 1974 in response to the oil crisis. In 1995 US states were again free to set their own speed limits, following many years of low enforcement and legal challenges by States against Federal government.

Interstate Highway speed limits are now up to 85mph (Texas), with the majority between 65-75mph. Just two states (Alaska, Delaware) and the District of Columbia have kept the 55mph limit on major roads.
The Most Reverend Nikon to you!
https://oca.org/holy-synod/bishops/the-most-reverend-nikon
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chrisr_75
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« Reply #37 on: September 12, 2017, 23:48:44 »

55mph on a motorway,

It's 22 years since the federally enacted National Speed Limit was repealed. It was introduced by Nikon in 1974 in response to the oil crisis.

Indeed, we had our own lowered speed limit of 50mph in the UK (United Kingdom) at this time.

The rest of Europe enjoys substantially higher motorway speed limits than we do, mostly 130kph (81mph), with Switzerland at 120kph and of course the legendary 'unlimited' sections of Autobahn in Germany.
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