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However, the US is not the most generous society in the world today - and by a large margin.
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Lets us not forget also the money the U.S.A. spends on supporting peacekeepers throughout the world. I doubt things like that are figured into the numbers you quote. Though I do not want to start a heated debate on our foriegn policy (since many americans themselves disagree along with the rest of the world on whats right) the fact is that in many many situations when the UN decides to put peace keepers in an area the VAST majority of the time it is mde up by a very large majority of americans citizens. People risking their lives to settle disputes around the world. I think that is pretty generous.
Please remember though, that generosity is not only figured in monetary numbers. The United States AND other countries give in much other ways to other countries. This can be debt releif, PRIVATE charities, volunteer work (ie. peace corp.), etc. I don't think there is any way to add up all the non-governmental expendentures in time and money and come to a conclusion on just what country or society is more generous.
Also, with a background in law enforcement, I can say that a LOT of the reported "higher crime rate" in America is do infact to a large extent by better record keeping and reporting. The FBI compiles the statistics for the US, and has done a great deal to standardize and modernize the way in which it is done. While I won't stereotype what nationalities are more likely to REPORT crimes, in the international circle many countries have poor ways of compiling statistics, OR in some cases purposly provide false statistics to try to convince the international community that they do not have internal problems. Countries with less personal freedom are often suspected or found guilty of altering figures in order to make the idea of a free country look less inticing to their citizens.
Yes, America has certian places where the crime rate is very high, but as a whole I beleive this is a remarkable safe country. Maybe we have a greater prison population because we catch more of the criminals? Then agian it could be(is) the drug war.
As for minimal bonsai. As a beginner, I go by the beleif that if it really looks to me like a miniature TREE (not a brach/twig ie. mallsai) in a pot, than it is a bonsai.