The happiness index set to replace GDP as a success indicator?

[Debbiedle]

They mostly are Duncan! So let's investigate......

who has enough time on their hands?
who feels that health care is both good and affordable?
who feels that they are well supported financially should they be jobless?
who feels that they can walk to their neighbour 4 blocks down for a quick cuppa and a chat over the garden wall at 10h30 at night when you both cannot sleep!
who feels that they can view their opinions publically and freely without being targeted by some group or other?
who feels that they can choose exactly (without exception) how they want to live their live without any interference from governments?
who feels that they have more opportunities than obstacles in life?
who knows and hears about more wealthy good fortune stories than stories of poverty?

In my opinion the constitution is a really great benchmark, the reality for most people is somewhat different though?

[duncan drennan]

In my opinion the constitution is a really great benchmark, the reality for most people is somewhat different though?

Definitely! My point being that the things we want to measure are in our constitution – as you say, it is the benchmark.

The challenge is to change our reality, which can sometimes be counterintuitive (I think). For example: does building a wall really protect us from crime? Supposedly yes, but it also breaks down community (little more difficult to have a cuppa over the fence with your neighbour with a 10ft wall between you). If we break down community does that make us more or less susceptible to crime? I think the more isolated we are, the more vulnerable we are.

Another example may be good health access. Anyone who can afford to pays for a medical aid, but does that really provide us with better and cheaper health care? Medical aids are (mostly) for-profit companies. That means squeezing the client and their suppliers for the best deals. I'm sure many people can recount a story of landing with a FAT hospital bill (and even a huge deposit before they will see you!) even if they have supposed "full cover." What would happen if we all put that money into the public health system? Would we have a generally better or worse access to health care? In America you can't get health care if you are not paying medical insurance. Cuba has one of the best health care systems in the world. Which model should we really be following?