Fello Ethiopians. Our chances of winning the support of the American public and the Government is if we lobbied the Republicans. Call your republican senatros and ask for a meeting. Tell them that there are over 75,000 Ethio-Americans in the US, who are by history and tradition conservative and Republican leaning. Tell them that you are organizing Ethiopian American Republican support group.

Here is how you can get to the hearts and minds of Republicans.

1. Tell them the economic crime Meles has committed. Land is owned by the government. Show them the list of companies owned by TPLF. Thell them in ten years from Meles and his gang of criminals have seen their business interprise going from zero to over one billion US dollars. Tell them that most of this is American Tax Payers money.

2. Show the images of Meles's victims and tell them that the sate secutiry apparatus that is terrorizing the country is financed by the US and UK. Again come back to the punch line that this is American tax payers money. Tell them as a law abiding and tax paying citizen you need their help to stop your money from supporting a criminal interprise.

Remember screw the democratic party and the black caucus. Your salvation is with the Republicans. They are a better party.

Mamo Qilo aka
Bula Geberdin

Email: mamoqilo@yahoo.com

City: Denbidolo

Mamo,
I have to admit my ignorance about American politics, yet I do understand that it is a common wisdom that democrats are for the "underdogs", in this case Ethiopians. I do also understand that the bulk of Ethiopians in US reside in a democratic consituencies. Can you tell us more why you think it is otherwise. Could we be alliniating potential allies?

Email: jaduethio@yahoo.com

City: DC area

Jadu,

Do not call me synical but this is how I see it. The democratic party is too crowded with black votes. As a black vote, particulalrly if you can organize a block votes, you are better of with the republican party. You can get more bang for the buck, so to speak. Why do you think the Cubans are sticking with the Republicans?

Why do you call the democratic party an ally. what have they done for us, despite our long kept loyalty? Second the democratic part has become an underdog itself. Lost the White House and both chambers. The trend is such that it will not regain the chambers for years to come. So why allign with a losing party?

Mamo Qilo

Email: mamoqilo@yahoo.com

City: Denbidolo

It makes sense,
You are telling me that it is a starategic alliance. I hope you don't support the conservative socio economic doctrines of the republican party and I hope that is not the kind of policy you wish for Ethiopia too. I detest the corporate America, I don't think it is right to dream a corporate Ethiopia too.

Email: jaduethio@yahoo.com

City: DC area

Jadu, Jadu, Jadu, I thought we thought alike.

The best thing that has happened since the slice of bread is the culture of corporate America. That has proven to be the most efficient economic machine. It has made America the richest nation. The poor proletarit in America is richer than most rich in oher parts of the world. Can you believe it, but California is richer than Germany. EXXON is richer than some of the European governments.

I was really disappointed when the Nobel prize went to the UN as an institution. It should have gone to corporate America, that has shown itself to be the most effective machine to feed the world.

Coming back to your question, I pray for the day Ethiopia suffers from corporate culture. Evry body will go to sleep with a full stomach and have enough to dress and live in. May God curse Ethiopia to suffer from corporate culture.

Mamo Qilo

Email: mamoqilo@yahoo.com

City: Denbidolo

Mamo,
I am sorry for disappointing you here. I am absolutely in favor of capitalist economy but not the Corporate America. Yes, there is no country in the world as rich as America. I also know most of the figures you quoted. What I don't agree is that wealth is not a solution for all social ills. Do you know USA is the 29th country in terms of health in the world? Do you know the social and health indicators of African Americans in USA is the same or less than some of the third world countries including some of African countries? Do you know USA has the highest number of incarcerated people, the highest rate of single mothers, the highest rate of homeless people, the highest rate of high school drop outs amongst the rich nations? etc.etc. Yes, America is very rich but America is also the land of inequality which by itself is now proven to be the cause of majority of social ills irrespective of the wealth of that nation. I am not for sharing poverty like in Ethiopia's socialism, but I am against the selfish corporate culture which brings about very unbalanced wealth amongst people which deepens many of the social problems of any nation. You see, I am against government land ownership and government interference in business, but I am in favor of small scale business and industry than a mega corporate monopoly. I know it is like "wotu saiwotewot, woskenbaw lay kutit ainet endehone", Yet, it is worth to be cautious. This doesn't imply that we should be kicking out people like Alamoudi, no, It is rather encouraging small scale businesses and industries and protecting them from the dangers of megacorporations. As far as I am concenred even Alamoudi's businesses in Ethiopia may not qualify to be considered typical mega corporate businesses. His investment is rather more diverse than a megacorporate monopoly.

Email: jaduethio@yahoo.com

City: DC area

Jadu,

I agree with you about the divorce rate, high rate incarceration, and all. I am for small and big business all the same. If the big businese are more efficient let them swallow the small businesses alive. All I am saying is that you cannot make both the process and the outcome fair. You can only do one. That should be only the process.

I wish we suffered from the ills of the US system in Ethiopia. It is with all its ills that we come to the US to enjoy it. All I am saying is that why cannot we wish that to all our people who cannot come to the US. If you cannot bring them to the US, take the US to them.

Mamo QIlo

Email: mamoqilo@yahoo.com

City: Denbidolo

You said "you cannot make both the process and the out come fair". Why not? as far as I could understand it mega corporate culture is both a process and an out come, the same is true to non megacorporate culture too. In fact it is much more dangerous when megacorporate culture is transplanted than when it is part and parcel of the society. I repeat, US is the wealthiest nation in the world but not the best nation in the world for all of its citizen. US is a country marred with inequality and injustice among its citizens more than any of the rich and democratic nations of the world. What I am saying simply is our dream model should't be the richest nation of the world, rather a rich and fairest nation of the world not brutalized by the savagery of mega corporate business. There is always middle ground to every thing, in this case between mega corporate economies (wealth/wealth /wealth) and socialsit/communist economies (sharing poverty), I would say that model is the scandinavain countries' model. I don't want to pretend that I am an expert in economics, but that is what I think makes sound to Ethiopia. Your argument that if we are here to exploit corporate Amercia, then we shouldn't advocate against it is like a smoking DR shouldn't advice the hazards of smoking. It is also worth to note that there are as many Americans who detest corporate America as there are who love it like you do. Of course, the power of the mega corporates tilts the balance to one side as things stand now. I know our argument is like "the two balds quarelling for a comb", for any thing is better than what we have now. What about this much for economics 101.

Email: jaduethio@yahoo.com

City: DC area

Jadu,

Trust me, you cannot make the process and the outcome fair, without one giving in. If you do not trust me ask USSR, or whatever is left of it. Think of basket ball game. Setting the process would be establishing the rule of the game. Ensuring the outcome to be fair may require limiting the height of players not to exceed 6.2 for example, so that midgets such as myself can also play and may be even hopes to be professional players. But this introduces complication, because it would not be fair for 7.4 giants. This may be the easiest example, but try to make the process and the outcome fair even for such a simple example. Go figure!

You said "US is a country marred with inequality and injustice among its citizens more than any of the rich and democratic nations of the world." You then continued to say, "I would say [a model system would be] the Scandinavian countries' model."

Now Jadu, why in the world would you want to pick a region that is known to having the highest suicide rate in the developed countries as a model. I would say your model is not a good one unless you can convince me suicide is a sign of happiness and tranquility. Go search on your web for the top ten countries from the developed nations. Scandinevian countries tend to bubble up to the top.

By the way the Scandinavian countries would be financially corrupt in the next 20 years unless they change their system. Germany and France are already moving to the US system, cutting on educational and health subsidies.

Mamo Qilo

Mammo,
Now you are bringing examples like Meles. I don't like this approach. However much I tried, your basket ball analogy failed to sink in. Don't tell me it is my problem,I give myself at least that much credit.
Are you telling me suicide rate is the only measure for success? Nigerians were found to be the happiest people in the world according to world wide study made last year. Yet, they have one of the worst socioeconomic indicators in the world. By the way, seattle has the worst suicide rate amongst US cities. Does that mean they have the worst socioeconomic indicators too? The answer is a simple No!

Let me tell you this, you would have difficulty getting one more indicator which would support US is better than the scandinavians. On the other hand the list of indicators where the scandinavians are better are simply too many to count. Some include: Life expectancy at birth, proportion of incarcerated people, proportion of people with medical insurance, high schoold drop out rate, school achievement, wome's participation in the socioeconomic spheres, all types of mortality rates, divorce rate, single mother hood rate, drug addiction rate, HIV rate, crime rate name it and you have it. Above all they have the lowest economic inequality (difference b/n the haves and havenots) amongst their citizens which is now proven to be the single most important factor for the well being of any society above poverty line.

Email: jaduethio@yahoo.com

City: DC area

I agree with you, there is no doubt that Ethiopia has more success with the republicans than the democrats. We must focus on the republicans but it is highly imperative that we must through any stone we have before we run out of time. We must keep deprive the tyrant any oxygen. His phone must be jammed up and must respond any diplomatic pressure. He may refuse to respond but remember he deceived his own buddies many times before and he will use any thing he has. We must continue the course of action we have been taking so far and we should not forget that there is no media in Ethiopia.

Gemechu

Email: gmegersa@yahoo.com

City: Nashville,TN

Jadu,

The baseball example may seem superficial, may be even stupid. But when you try to take it to its logical conclusion you would see how difficult it is to make both the process and the outcome fair. It serves no purpose to use complex examples; actually most intelligent points are made with simple examples. The example I picked was neither to simplify nor to ridicule. I am really sorry if it came across as such. I mean it. But I still insist and even challenge you to try to prove that you can make both the process and the outcome simple. If you do not like the basketball example, take a textile industry. Assume that you allowed 10 textile factories to start in Gojam. Assume you gave them a fair and leveled playing field. Assume you are not worried about the outcome that is if one proves to be more efficient and driven he can take over the entire market and literally drive most or all of them outf the market and become a monopolist. See how the competition can drive each player to be better than the remaining 9. On the other hand assume that you want to make both the process and the outcome fair. That is all need to coexist. You would tax the highest performing one to help subsidize the weakest to give it a chance to exist. Now you would be tampering with the process. Would you not? If you do not interefer, then the tenth, then the ninth, then the eigth would be swalloed by the most efficient one. Take this example and see all possible outcomes and think how you can make the weaker onse to exist, without giving them a preferential treatment. Then you are screwing up the process, etc. I challenge you to come with a system that would work. You would have a potentially award wining paper that Harvard Business Review would publish.

You asked: "Are you telling me suicide rate is the only measure for success?" Not really but it should tell us something about society. Mind you it is not one Scandinavian country. It is almost all.

Your wrote, "Nigerians were found to be the happiest people in the world according to world wide study made last year." Where does their happiness come from if as you suggest "they have one of the worst socioeconomic indicators in the world.” I must say with Nigerians any thing is possible. In any case, I would be greatful if you could send me the link to this study?

You said "Let me tell you this, you would have difficulty getting one more indicator which would support US is better than the Scandinavians." Try income per capita, technology, military might, level of education, research, etc.

By the way why do you assume high divorce rate is necessarily bad? It is a social contract between a man and a woman. Like any contract they are made when things between two individuals appear to benefit both and they are canceled when it does not work in the best interest of both parties. It is a personal choice. In any case if you look at the top ten countries for divorce rates you would find Sweden and Finland in the list. The US is number 12 followed by Norway at number 14. This does not appear good for Scandinavian countries.

The picture is the same for out-of-wedlock children. Scandinavian countries are in the lead. The issue of single motherhood is a tricky issue, because as a welfare state Scandinavian countries subsidize cohabiting partners with children. If teenagers have a child out of wedlock, there is financial incentive for both the father and mother to cohabit. So the appearance of low single mothers figure could be deceiving. In most cases they split after the money starts to dry up. The problem with Scandinavian countries is that they are welfare states. They try to make the outcome fair, but end up screwing up the process. That is why I said in the next twenty years the states would be financially bankrupt. They have no choice but to reconsider their system. Leave alone welfare states in scandinavia, Germany nad France are finding it too difficult to sustain their social programs, incluidng education and health insurance. They are already institutionlizng new system moving closer and closer to the US system.

There is a myth about the Scandinavian system. One needs to closely study them before one can see the problem that is rotting them from within. The system is bound to collapse on the burden of its own weight.

Mao Qilo

Email: mamoqilo@yahoo.com

Mamo, If I go anyfurther I amafraid I will step on a territory which I wouldn't eb comfortable about. I say: let's agree to diagree for teh moment.

Here is the BBC report of the happiness study (I see it is 2003, gize siamelt ayitawokim,apologies), yuo can google teh tittle for furtehr information.

Thursday, 2 October, 2003, 11:08 GMT 12:08 UK
Nigeria tops happiness survey

A new study of more than 65 countries published in the UK's New Scientist magazine suggests that the happiest people in the world live in Nigeria - and the least happy, in Romania.

People in Latin America, Western Europe and North America are happier than their counterparts in Eastern Europe and Russia.


HAPPINESS AROUND THE WORLD


The happiest
Nigeria
Mexico
Venezuela
El Salvador
Puerto Rico
The least happy
Russia
Armenia
Romania Source: New Scientist


Nigeria has the highest percentage of happy people followed by Mexico, Venezuela, El Salvador and Puerto Rico, while Russia, Armenia and Romania have the fewest.

But factors that make people happy may vary from one country to the next with personal success and self-expression being seen as the most important in the US, while in Japan, fulfilling the expectations of family and society is valued more highly.

The survey appears to confirm the old adage that money cannot buy happiness.


PATH TO HAPPINESS


Genetic propensity to happiness
Marriage
Make friends and value them
Desire less
Do someone a good turn
Have faith (religious or not)
Stop comparing your looks with others
Earn more money
Grow old gracefully
Don't worry if you're not a genius


The researchers for World Values Survey described the desire for material goods as "a happiness suppressant".

They say happiness levels have remained virtually the same in industrialised countries since World War II, although incomes have risen considerably.

The exception is Denmark, where people have become more satisfied with life over the last three decades.

The study was carried out in 1999-2001 and published for the first time by New Scientist this week.

Consumerism

Researchers believe the unchanging trend is linked to consumerism.

"New Zealand ranked 15 for overall satisfaction, the US 16th, Australia 20th and Britain 24th - although Australia beats the other three for day-to-day happiness," New Scientist says.

The survey is a worldwide investigation of socio-cultural and political change conducted about every four years by an international network of social scientists.

It includes questions about how happy people are and how satisfied they are with their lives.

Although such surveys are not new, they are being increasingly taken into account by policy makers, the magazine says.

Email: jaduethio@yahoo.com

City: DC area

The bottom line is that we see more Nigerians coming or wanting to come to the US than the other way around. I dare say that if people from the Scandinavian countries were given the right to come and work in the US and vise versa, I would expect a mass exodus in the direction of the US. I do not know many Ethiopians, for example, who migrate from the US to the Scandinavian countries. I know many case the other way round. This is what I mean by voting by your feet (or wing in this case).

Mamo Qilo

Email: mamoqilo@yahoo.com

City: Denbidolo

Where are you dear Arat Kilo. I think this issue is not found in your Dictionary

City: Addis