Costa Rica leads the Americas for press freedom

[Smeagol]

So people in power should just do as they please without it being reported, much less criticised?

Ideally yes, but only if the people in power are Nationalists.

[Tooting Carmen]

Ideally yes, but only if the people in power are Nationalists.

So the government can torture, murder and disappear its opponents with impunity and the press should shut up about it? Can you bloody well hear yourself?

[Ruggery]

I don't agree with the theory.

Why?

[Smeagol]

So the government can torture, murder and disappear its opponents with impunity and the press should shut up about it? Can you bloody well hear yourself?

I would prefer deportation for problematic groups and individuals.

[Smeagol]

Why?

I believe a dictatorship or Absolute Monarchy can be the best form of government.

[Tooting Carmen]

I believe a dictatorship or Absolute Monarchy can be the best form of government.

I too believe that benevolent dictatorships can sometimes be preferable to corrupt and dysfunctional democracies. However, that includes people being able to criticise the government and debate its policies, even without necessarily having the power to change it.

All the same, I thought that part of being a proud and patriotic American, as you say you are, is the strong belief in liberal democracy?

[KMack]

Yes, CR has always been a bastion of democracy and liberty ever since Jose Figueres won the war in 1949. Also of note is how hostile the US has become towards journalists thanks to Trump, and how many European countries are classified as merely 'satisfactory' or even 'problematic' rather than 'good'.

Hogwash, just the opposite. They ran with complete fabrications and lies, based on bogus sources and they paid sources, they took marching orders from the DNC. The press in the USA is God Awful so when Trump calls them fake new he is right. The MSM in the USA is "hostile:.

[KMack]

The Freedom Index that to me does seem like bollocks is the Index of Economic Freedom, which based on highly selective data makes some of the most socialist countries in the world, e.g. Scandinavia and Singapore, look like the most capitalist and sometimes vice versa.

What industries in those countries are socialized?

[Smeagol]

I too believe that benevolent dictatorships can sometimes be preferable to corrupt and dysfunctional democracies

I agree.

However, that includes people being able to criticise the government and debate its policies, even without necessarily having the power to change it.

I disagree, encourages dissent.

All the same, I thought that part of being a proud and patriotic American, as you say you are, is the strong belief in liberal democracy?

I love the American people and culture but our system of government is very flawed. Nothing ever gets done. I think Trump should have full power to fulfill all his campaign promises.

[Tooting Carmen]

What industries in those countries are socialized?

Health, education, utilities, airlines, railways, banks... Not to mention the very high tax rates in Scandinavia (not Singapore of course though).