Beck Mocks U.N. Report Saying the Road to Happiness Is Paved With…European Socialism?
- Posted on April 10, 2012 at 8:40pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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At first glance, one might be tempted to, with the wave of a hand, dismiss the newly released United Nations “World Happiness Report“ as merely an aggregation of selectively chosen data spun by an organizing body with a checkered history and a bevy of controversial ”leaders.” After all, the analysis, headed by none other than the director of Columbia University’s “Earth Institute,” uncovers fairly predictable “findings” — namely that European socialist countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway yield a happier general populace than does the United States.
Plainly put, the exhaustive 150-page report was likely generated to serve as supporting material for the U.N.’s various agendas, as well as leftists’ claims that socialism equals “Gross National Happiness.”
Glenn Beck took note of this disturbing fact on Tuesday evening when he quipped that the United Nations is “here to save the day” and make us “happy again.”
It is also worth noting that professor Jeffrey Sachs, the economist and Columbia faculty member who spearheaded the initiative, was, according to Beck, once hand-picked by George Soros to aid Russia in its transition from Communism to capitalism. Sachs is considered a leading “sustainable development” advocate, who has vowed to obliterate world poverty, and is a member of the Spanish Socialist Party’s think-tank, Fundación IDEAS.
Beck added that one of Sachs “biggest supporters” is George Soros, who “donated $50 million to his [Sachs'] ‘Millennium Villages project.” Millennium Villages’ aim is to “end extreme poverty.”
When asked why he donated such a vast sum of money to the organization, Soros reportedly said, ”as a humanitarian action, it was a good investment on its own, but if it succeeded, then of course you would get a reward that would be way out of proportion to the investment made.”
Beck mocked what the goal could possibly be beside the “humanitarian action” aspect of the contribution.
The report’s contradictions and oddities
What is perhaps most noteworthy about the study is, as American Thinker’s Daren Jonescu points out, it never actually defines happiness. Rather, the statistics used to measure the happiness of nations “are derived from survey respondents‘ subjective evaluations of their level of ’happiness,‘ or ’life-satisfaction,‘ without reference to any explicit standard or stipulated definition of the study’s key term,” he observed.
“We live in an age of stark contradictions,” begins the U.N. report. ”The world enjoys technologies of unimaginable sophistication; yet has at least one billion people without enough to eat each day.”
This section may highlight Sachs’ crusade against world hunger and poverty.
“The world economy is propelled to soaring new heights of productivity through ongoing technological and organizational advance; yet is relentlessly destroying the natural environment in the process.” This passage, of course, is a tip of the hat to environmentalists.
The study’s editors continue by explaining that while countries achieve what is “conventionally” considered great economic development, new “crises” arise including “obesity, smoking, diabetes, depression, and other ills of modern life.”
Perhaps a nod of approval to the Nanny State?
Sachs then appears to condescend, suggesting only wise “progressives” can see such obvious truths: “These contradictions would not come as a shock to the greatest sages of humanity, including Aristotle and the Buddha.”
The report continues:
The sages taught humanity, time and again, that material gain alone will not fulfill our deepest needs. Material life must be harnessed to meet these human needs, most importantly to promote the end of suffering, social justice, and the attainment of happiness. The challenge is real for all parts of the world.
“In both the United States and Europe, increases in inequality have (other things equal) produced reductions in happiness,” the study states. In this statement, Sachs asserts that those who make less money are categorically less happy. One wonders if this is a reference to the “99%.”
“The effect has been stronger in Europe than in the U.S.,” the report adds. Sachs then suggests the difference “reflects ideological differences” between Europeans and Americans.
The U.N. report deduces that roughly 70 percent of Americans “believe that the poor have a chance of escaping poverty,” while only 40 percent of Europeans believe an individual can change his or her position in life.
The caveat — the most poignant “finding” of the report, however, is in its conclusion that regardless of actual facts, the truth of the matter is completely found in the reverse scenario: “There is more intergenerational social mobility in Europe than the U.S. and there is more mobility where there is greater income equality.”
Beck translated the above findings, saying they suggest Americans are foolish for continuing to believe in the American dream and in their potential to experience upward mobility. Apparently, in reality, it’s the “socialist utopia” of Europe that provides the most “mobility” and therefore, the most “happiness.”
Here is where the study seems to contradict itself. If you recall, the primary remarks of the U.N. report openly state that money and “material gain alone will not fulfill our deepest needs,” but then it goes on to assert that “upward mobility” directly increases happiness-levels. Thus, Sachs and his team of “researchers” are in fact admitting that money is the key to happiness.
Not surprisingly, the report recommends government play a significant role in attempting to make citizens happy through policies that will bridge the “income inequality” gap. Of course, this can only be achieved through government redistribution of wealth — just like it is done in Europe.
“Have you ever been to Greece?” Beck asked incredulously. “Where people are taking their own lives in the streets?”
If there were any doubts about Sachs’ affinity for Soros, consider the following segment in which the economist was slammed for embracing a double-standard where the Left’s financier is concerned:
Emphasis added by The Blaze.
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Comments (50)
Zuse
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 6:35amObama’s uncle Onyango is on the cover. He is happy when he has a pack of Kools
Report Post »and a bottle of MD 20/20.
jzs
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 11:25amActually, why doesn’t somebody just go ask people who live in these countries if they are happy? Well, of course Gallup did just that. And yep, those European “socialist” countries come out on top: Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands and so on.
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-27761674
And, no, the people there aren’t poor. Go visit sometime.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 6:33amNo government represents the 1% and the 99% more than socialism. Those who ‘know best’ are rich and they bestow upon others only enough to survive. No group of people other than government leaders will ever rise above the masses in a socialist society. Everyone becomes poor…that is all. Apparently this is what OWS is demanding….the poor masses …..if all wealth is divided…the leaders are rich and the people are very, very poor.
Report Post »TheePolitinator
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 6:32amThe real war is the people versus the Rothchild empire. And what a web it has weaved.
Report Post »nocommie
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 6:08amThe time has come for all Americans to stick together.Get your friends and neighbors together,arm yourself,stock up,make a plan.The writing is on the wall.We need a tea party tsunami this year.Americans had to fight for freedom 200 years ago and now we have to fight again.Freedom is worth it.Ask yourself, do you want some moon bat like nancy palosi or joe biden or moochell obama and many other’s including the corrupted bastards at the un telling you how to live your life.I will not comply
Report Post »God_Family_Country
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 3:59amCommunism/Socialism never works. It goes against man’s free agency and liberty. God gives us the freedom to choose. Satan wants us to be in bondage. http://www.mormonvoting.com/warning-to-church-members-the/
Report Post »disgustedAmerican
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 4:32amGod gave us only one inalienable right. That right was free will. We are allowed to take that right and make a choice of how we perceive the world in front of us. Free will allows us to question what we are told, but also try and find the answers for the questions that we have. The answers are there, but are underlined in faith. The problem is, most people need concrete proof and don’t believe in faith anymore. That will be the ultimate downfall of man. Faith in Christ is the only way to salvation. When people ask me, “What if your wrong?” I say, “It is a win win situation for me. If I’m right, I have everlasting life. If I’m wrong, then I’m stuck down here with all the idiots.”
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 2:33amThe American Founders got it Right: Happiness is about Achieving Success!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 4:24amWhy do Socialists… who promote Wealth Sharing… think that Happiness is about Money? Is that why they support Abortion, Gay Movements, Race Wars, and Atheism?
Report Post »OhSnappage
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 2:07amIf Europe is so happy then leave us in the US alone we already have a system that works. They may remain happy over there. They can sell us tickets for time shares or something.
Report Post »momsense
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 1:00amUS out of the UN—UN out of the US!
Report Post »justangry
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 1:25amFortunately there‘s a candidate who’s tried to do just that.
Report Post »barnsy
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 1:33amI guess the passive,lifeless,domesticated European sheeple are content . They have been hearded,fed,and sheltered by their socialist keepers for so long they’ve forgotten what freedom is all about. SORRY….I dont want to live in a flock of dead spirited government livestock.
Report Post »momsense
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 12:54amAnother reason to get US out of theUN !
Report Post »Al J Zira
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 11:43pmThe only reason people in this country would be unhappy is because of the people in the White House, Senate and Congress. Get them out of the way and we’ll be happy as a clam!
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 11:29pmAllow African countries to develop their resources and their economies and you will see poverty disappear. Instead, they keep them living in mud huts.
Report Post »wordweaver
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 11:05pmYeah, let’s copy Europe, because that is working so well. We’ve had the same constitution for over 230 years, and it still works. Over that amount of time, France has had ten constitutions (five republics, two empires, a monarchy, and two dictatorships). All we need to do is elect a President who is willing to follow our constitution. We don’t need to copy anything Europe is doing.
Report Post »momsense
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 12:53amyeppers.
Report Post »SoNick
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 1:50pmthank you for this completely pointless remark. where is France on this list? No. 23, well below the US. So keep your francophobe comments out of this discussion.
Report Post »SuburbanCapitalist
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 10:47pmThe philosophy behind this report and the entire mission of the UN is called “sustainable development” while this phrase may sound harmless it is actually a very dangerous new governing philosophy… to those who promote it, it means something very specific just like Communism or Fascism. Agenda 21 was devised as a blueprint or framework for the implementation of sustainable development….Sustainable Development was first defined in the 1987 UN Commission Report called “Our Common Future”…the ultimate goal of sustainable development is to create a one world global governance system built as a “sustainable and just Utopian world….They like to call this “The Great Transition” Global warming, redistribution of wealth, the shift to a zero carbon society are all part of this new world they seek to create…Sustainable Development is a political philosophy that is built upon three “pillars” these three pillars are known as the “3 E’s”, or “the triple bottom line” The three pillars of sustainable development are Ecological Integrity, Economic Prosperity and Social Equity. Sustainable Development demands that the sustainable balance of these three be the deciding lens through which all community development, growth, and decisions are viewed around the world… This is the philosophy that drives Agenda 21 and is sweeping through every institution in our society and around the world. Research Sustainable Development…it’s about remaking the entire world
Report Post »rawmilker
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 1:57amThese “Green Facists” are a bunch od psychopaths. They wany our land, our, private property, oue fiscal prosperity, our tax base, everything. We are the last of the holdouts! They must be repelled @ all costs.
Here is a site showing what they are trying to push on our community officials. They are talking unelected governing committies, super regions replacing individual states, seizure of private property & single family homes, food & water rationing, …it’s insane. I will fight these people to the death!!!!
http://my.brainshark.com/Agenda-21-for-Public-Officials-472185383?mid=5560
Report Post »Cymry
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 10:46pm…….and the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Report Post »What_Did_I_Miss
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 10:19pmI’d rather have the right to pursue happiness than have some bureaucratic elitist define happiness and force me to enjoy their version of happiness. I am willing to bet that they reserve a better brand of happiness for themselves.
Report Post »LostInTheSpin
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 9:54pmJust google suicide rate by country and…gasp! This can’t be right! The happiest countries in the world also have a higher suicide rate?
Report Post »sharke
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 9:37pmThese people are charlatans masquerading as scientists. Anyone with an objective, rational mind can see that there is plenty wrong with the idea that the overall level of “happiness” in a country is dependent on the political and economic system in place. Lefties use the same fallacy when they conclude that the average lifespan in countries is solely a factor on the amount of “free” healthcare they have access to. What they’re missing is that these things are far more dependent on culture than they are on politics. A country with a culture of healthy eating and more physical activity is going to have a longer average lifespan no matter if they have public or private medicine. And there are cultural differences in contentment as well. Some cultures are just more predisposed to feeling content with their lot. Of course, such cultures have contributed far less to the world of science and technology than cultures in which people are never satisfied and are constantly striving to improve things. Put it this way: if cavemen had been happy and content to live as they did, we’d still be cavemen now.
With all due respect to Denmark, Finland and Norway – what have they done to improve living conditions worldwide? What have they contributed to humanity? A fraction of what countries like America and Britain have contributed. Because English speaking people are always hungry for more. It’s what made us dominate the world.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 9:34pmWeren’t some of those nations mentioned some of the capitals of suicide?
Report Post »majasdad
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 4:50amThat was decades ago. As your mentor Beck disingenuously suggests, “do your own homework!”
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 9:16pmThe only thing that would make me really really happy, is get Obama out of the White House. The second thing to make me happy is find a full-time job before I go broke.
Report Post »survivorseed
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 9:25pmnaaaah, even then you’d still find something to whine about
Report Post »Reason365
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 9:39pmI would be happy if my family and I were left alone by the freaking government and furthermore the freaking UN. Since when has the UN had any validity with the common man. I am happy when I have the freedom to do what I want with my time and money, to worship the way we see fit and to have NO ONE have a say over what I do with MY life. The UN is a bunch of self important jerks who think they know best. In short ….. They suck
Report Post »lodgerat
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 9:09pmWhy don’t we quit throwing money into this socialist organization and have them move to Europe where they belong. Enough is enough.
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 9:06pmObama and the leftists that hang on his coat tails keep pushing us toward European Socialism. Yet, his black friends condemn Europeans especially white ones. It’s almost like he eats cake with one hand and feces with the other.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 9:19pmI think they are like little children having temper tantrums : they are so filled with anger and hate that they are NOT thinking anything through. I blame the Marxist mullahs and the political hacks who are fueling them with this political, socialist, and misinformed jihad.
Report Post »godhatesacoward
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 9:05pmYea!!!!!!!!! Can‘t f’n wait! Love It! Mr. Pos please fluk off! You are an utter disgrace to the position!
Report Post »barber2
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 8:58pmLove the “social justice ” business. That’s actually atheistic socialism for : ” we don’t believe in God and justice hereafter, so we believe in getting our “ enemy” and his goods in the here and now ! Which is basically a return to the Law of the Jungle ! Such lovely values : like the Black KKK , aka the NBPP , with their militia / posse in Florida. ( I think we are in for a round of The Dark Ages – the barbarians are at the gate . Actually some of them are inside the gate ! )
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 8:53pmDoes anyone really believe Beck hmself read the report?
Report Post »justangry
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 9:15pmNot sure what GB is up to these days. I’ve stopped following him since he left Fox. Other than the Blaze. I tried to listen to his radio program every once in a while, but each time I turn it on there‘s a giant block of ANNOYING commercials I don’t have the patience to get through. I usually get tired of the noise and turn on Tron’s show while reading the news.
Report Post »AxelPhantom
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 12:19amNope, he said during his show tonight, he paid “someone” to read it and report. So no, I don’t believe he actually read it. But since very few people actually read the healthcare law word for word themselves or the building codes for their state or the gun laws or the tax laws and still feel free to voice their opinions on it, I won’t hold it against him.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 8:47pmOne day, once Obama’s Communist utopia has been realized, people will all be blissfully happy……because the government told them to be…….or else…..
Report Post »justangry
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 8:53pmWhy not we‘re told we’re free. Anyone here feel free?
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on April 10, 2012 at 9:11pm@ justangry
Why not we‘re told we’re free. Anyone here feel free?
Report Post »~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I feel with my fingers. ;)