@archer5691 Your statement was "both now and throughout history....based on almost every possible metric". Now you respond by moving the goalposts, pretty much as I expected.
I happen to agree that the West is the greatest place to live currently, but it hasn't always been so; and our roots owe an enormous cultural debt to the rest of the world.

@archer5691 And, they move again.

Your original statement posited that "Western Civilization is superior to all others...both now and throughout history....based on almost every possible metric." This clearly implies that at every period in history, Western civilization was superior to the civilization of every other part of the world, at that same time. Apples to apples comparison.

NOW you claim that you meant that you were comparing ONLY the 21st Century West to the ENTIRE rest of the world, at every age throughout history? Comparing an apple to a bag of oranges.

I'm amazed by the lengths you go to, to avoid admitting you were just plain wrong.

@archer5691 You talk about "Western Culture" as if it was homogenous. Fascism is a part of "Western Culture" as well as Monarchy, Socialism and Communism. Constitutional Democracy is obviously a superior system but, if that's what you are referring to then you have to admit that it is a product of Western Progressive Liberalism. Freedom of and from religion is also a product of Liberalism. If Conservativism had ruled the day during the founding of this country we would be celebrating the Washington monarchical dynasty today. Currently the greatest threat to the freedom we enjoy by virtue of our Constitutional Democracy is offered by those of your ilk. Specifically the Nationalist Populist Conservative MAGA crowd which not only features hatred, and suspician of the "other" but an overall ignorance and unacceptence of other people and cultures as well as the contributions these non-western cultures have made to our Western Society.

@archer5691 you're not getting one bit of support here...tell you anything?

Oh, I imagine archer... is loving this. He lobbed a discussion grenade of provocative claims to stir things. The "fact" of his enormous blindspot doesn't much matter.

In that case I put it to you that not all Western societies are equal and wonder what you know about Scandinavian Countries? [en.wikipedia.org] (World Happiness Report). They seems happier that many of the other Western cultural soups, America included.
Also I take it you have an above median income of $865 per week (last year's figures from Wiki) btw. I've noticed that people with higher incomes often underestimate the lots of others as they're, 'alright jack!'.
Delusion can keep you sane on the plus side, so whatever works for you

I'm borrowing this, K?

@archer5691 that is not what your original post said. You are playing bait-and-switch.

@archer5691 You mean you're not trolling? Gosh. I assumed anyone who posted anything as utterly moronic as you did couldn't possibly be serious. So then, not a troll - just a fucking idiot. Awww bless indeed.

@archer5691 I'm mimicking the style in your original post. If you are presenting this slam of "people on the Left" the obvious implication is you are not one of them. Given that you show no supporting evidence whatever and start off with stupendously wrong claims I gotta think you are either willfully stupid or a troll.

Your post is devoid of any rational meaning and insulting of people who clearly have better perspective than you do.

@Unfoldingchaos well said! Oh, and The Netherlands, or Canada......

Reading? Probably just looking at the pictures.

@archer5691 You lose all credibility since you can't have a discussion without showing sexist colours 'sweety'

@archer5691 the things you list...might have been true earlier, but we have significantly FALLEN lately in quite a few categories, for example 49th in infant mortality, and gone pretty far down in life expectancy , health, and Etc. Our standard of living is Way down from my childhood, where for example my milkman Dad built a family home for us 4 kids while Mom didn't work outside the home, ever.

@archer5691 they seek out a place that hasn't been reduced to unlivable rubble, by the West you are so fond of. You know, places with drinkable water...oh, wait, Flint.....

@archer5691 I can agree with you that there are those on the far left that I find quite offensive especially when they try to stop speakers from even voicing their opinions. The social justice warriors if you will. I merely spoke out because we are hurting down here and I believe nearly all of us liberals understand that there are folks among us that we may feel dismay toward, but they are in fact a small percentage of our numbers. We still need to stand together to fight the greater threat. I believe I have not been afraid to show my aversion to those few but right now they are pretty inconsequential.

@archer5691 which places at the east side of the world have you been? Or let me rephrase my question....any particular reason for you to dislike Eastern cultures?

@archer5691 I rest my case....

@archer5691 ok trolly molly, which part of I rest my case you did not understand? (Just so we are clear going forward, I am the one messing with you. Don't flatter yourself thinking it's the other way around)

@archer5691 please explain in what terms you are measuring this, 'better' and 'superior?

@archer5691 then you are living in the wrong Country. Or maybe you're just a white male?

@archer5691 did you get around to reading the link about which Countries rate highest on the list of places people wish to live? When you say, 'Western model' you do realise that there are massive discrepancies in the way that things are done in these Countries? It would like be saying that there's a Third world, 'model'. The, Brexit of the UK just shows how far apart those in one Continent can be.
Yes you're right, some civilian people do tend to escape their war torn Countries when they can, as do persecuted groups (sometimes), but this is mainly a survival thing. I think perhaps you've been buying into some of these far right memes, don't tell me they get free cars, cheap rent and social security payments while the indigenous population work to provide it right? Whereas the reality is they are just running from a burning house the same as anyone else would. I tire of your lack of response to any real facts about the situation. Here's another ranking that puts some Eastern and Middle Eastern Countries in the top 25: [telegraph.co.uk] Not Western then and also some info. about asylum seekers in the UK as an example: [refugeecouncil.org.uk]

@archer5691 Because it's all about money? How far sighted of you. Do you have any idea the of vast differences in Singapore's culture that have nothing to do with GNP?
The refugee agreement states that they do exactly that, go to the nearest Country that has joined the treaty, these Countries then negotiate with other Countries that have signed the agreement.
You're right (lols) you're so superior, enjoy wallowing in it. (Snore).

@archer5691 I'm not radical left. But I'm not daft enough to assume that I'm superior to anyone else. You are beginning to tire me. Have you even left your Country and experienced other cultures?

@archer5691 in what way am I left? Because I agree with legitimate asylum seekers being aided in being placed in a safer Country or because I don't consider Western or wealthy Countries to be a uniform group? You don't know me and yet attempt to insult me with an assumption that my intellect is flawed whilst only giving opinions rather than facts yourself. It's interesting that you assume my views/ ideologies and political affiliation simply due to the fact that I respect other Countries and their differences. Tell me which Government has ruined either of the Countries that I have voted in in the last 20 years (UK or Australia)?
You didn't say you were superior...no, just suggested that I'm an idiot whilst you are apparently qualified to hand out such accusations. They'll be no kumbaya and I'd rather you didn't kumbaya me either! Lols.

@archer5691 p.s. assuming that I can't keep up...and then claiming you don't think you're superior...do you listen to yourself?

@archer5691 you don't, and never will, know me. My views do not impact negatively on my society, not only have I always worked when possible, sometimes 3 jobs at a time, and frequently studied, I have done more volunteer work to date than many people do in a lifetime. You insist on making this personal and calling me idiotic, yet I see no particular evidence of your contributions to the Western Society that you apparently hold so dear. I know Radicalist Leftists and even used to know the odd Communist and quite a few Socialists, but I'm not anywhere near them in political ideology. I appreciate that you feel that Western Society is, 'superior to all others' and how you think this could be so threatened by the very 'democracy' that it values so highly I'm unsure. But I'm pretty sure that any Lefties reading your posts have come to some strong conclusions about you by now and who knows perhaps they will get in at the next election: I for one don't think your Country will fall apart from one term of the opposition being in!

@archer5691 I'm sorry you feel that way, I am more optimistic that we will get onto the right track. I think we are lucky that we have freedom of speech and some choice in who we elect. But I tire of the fickle system where only two polarised options are represented and think it leads to misunderstanding and polarisation of the groups voting,

I don't believe that the Left or Right are more legitimate, but vote on policies every time. I don't feel that dismissing other people's views outright and lumping them in one derogatory group is healthy either.

I have no idea what you mean by Kumbaya, apparently the literal translation from Angolian African is 'Come by Here', but I don't understand your context.

@archer5691 mmm the last time I wandered around London, day and night, I didn't feel unsafe at all. I think we are just living in different worlds (some areas of cities have always been more dangerous, if you're a traveller you'll know that you get a feel for these things).

My experience and knowledge of the Eastern Block is much different to yours too and we have many people from Poland, Romania, Lithuania and similar areas living in my small, 'home town', with your logic if it's that great there then why are they here?

Assimilation has always been a bit of a myth I feel, people congregate with those like themselves, although Tinder is doing a lot for race relations I hear

@archer5691 well many people think the mayor of London is doing a great job and I think his response to Trump was great. Eastern Europe is an interesting place, I'm not really prepared to discuss the issues and changes that have been happening there on the net. Shall we agree to disagree?

@archer5691 ok
Enjoy Enjoy the delusion