By Fareed Zakaria
We know that texting while driving is dangerous. Spain's prime minister learned recently that texting while negotiating a bank bailout is also a bad idea.
Mariano Rajoy reportedly typed out this message to his finance minister: "We're the number four power in Europe. Spain is not Uganda."
I don't know how it leaked out, but Ugandans have taken their dissatisfaction to Twitter using the hashtag, "Uganda Is Not Spain."
One Ugandan tweeted, "Dear Spain, I would rather live on Ugandan bananas than beg for loans. How's the austerity soup?" Another said, "Hello, pot, this is the kettle. You're black."
Now, we did a little comparison of our own anyway. Uganda's economy will grow at over 4 percent this year. Spain's will contract by almost 2 percent. Uganda's public debt is 25 percent of GDP. Spain's is 68 percent. In the last five years alone, the average Ugandan's income has increased 15 percent. The average Spaniard saw his contract by 6 percent.
One Spaniard may have gone overboard tweeting, "If only we were Uganda." Well, Uganda's economy is one hundredth the size of Spain's.
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Romney vs. Frankenstein (Obama)
Put simply, better the devil you don't know. Vote Romney.
Romney supporters are sounding eerily like Ron Paul drones. LOL
how about no, romney is just another bush and thats the last thing we need
just what the economy needs, a guy who got rich laying off people. get your head checked.
You ah tupid. How tupid? Very tupid
wewe ni mgonjwa dinkey
Yes, I am sure all five Ugandans who have access to twitter were just up in arms. Oh and Aaron, voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil and it is equally stupid. Libertarian all the way.
Billy, ignorant billy. Did you single handedly open those 5 accounts for us? Your shallow mindedness is noted.
Love your comment
)
The Ugandan internet cafe must be packed!
Oh big man hiding behind an anon tag, that is so amusing. And I stand by what I said, if it wasn't for the millions in aid we, not by most tax payer's choice mind you, that joke of a nation you inhabit would be even less relevant than it already is. So sorry if that is 'ignorant' but truth hurts.
Really? Aid? You want to talk about aid! Puuleez! China is keeping your behinds functioning and you are preaching to others about aid. You are still shallow minded
China owns 8.6% of US debt, the majority of US debt is owned by US citizens. 15% of Uganda's GDP (which is already pretty insignificant) is supported by aid.
Aaron Chaney = moron
Plus Uganda is a repulsive, bigoted country that oppresses and persecutes its gay citizens. What a cesspool Uganda, and most of Africa, is.
True. With a human rights record such as Uganda has, why are they even given consideration to be members of anything?
Oh, and the US is such a gleaming example of equality and justice, aren't we?
we're a damn lot beter than uganda is that's for sure
Your country abuses human rights too, both american people's rights as well as other nationals human rights. Stop being all self righteous. You guys should not be posting anything on the GPS blog because clearly your view of the world is miopic
Don't categorize every African nation and person just because you live in your own sheltered world, you uneducated person. Go and see with your own eyes before you let your judgmental self talk about things you don't know.
i have seen it, uganda is a disgusting place to live
I have seen it too. It is a wonderful country with great people. Unlike many in America !
I have seen islamic countries and they still live in caves.
People are people. Ignorant people are ignorant, not evil.
Ignorant people can be evil.
Stop logically thinking Rob the lemming masses will hiss at you!
Hissssssssssssss
I have been to both places. Spain is wonderful. In fact I am returning in October for a visit, Ojala. And, Mr Minister, I've been to Uganda several times–and they are the best people in the world–Yeee, SSabo!
As long as you arent gay. Otherwise, they will kill you, with no penalty from the government. Nice. Real nice.
It's funny how Mariano Rajoy was ridiculed. Of course there are always two ways to see the joke: out of Spanish or Uganda point of view! The fuss has been all about nationalism and chauvinism.
People, you need to dig deeper about the stereotypes the western media instils in you about Africa. Uganda is a beautiful country, not at the level of Spain or US economically, but is a wonderful place to live happily and debt-free. Democracy is vibrant unlike other so-called democracies dictated by big corporations and two parties. There are poorer people in developed countries who are deep in debt unlike in Uganda where one can be poor but swimming in debt. Do some research guys before believing what your fellow media men tell you what you want to hear or think and to serve the big corporations interests.
Geez, the whole gambit. Western media demonization and big corporate fear. I think I'll stick to the western hemisphere.
You really got it right on this. I mean i don't know who you are or where you are from but after reading through all the comments here this was the most reasonable one that stood out to me as it points out some very interesting key things about the topic while looking at both sides with a more independent and critical way of investigation into the issue. Spain is clearly not Uganda and Uganda is also NOT Spain. In Spain you are better than Ugandans due to the high rate of Stress and Depression cases . And Ugandans are not only Happy but also Stress and Depression FREE.......Rajoy could still be able to get the LOAN without using Uganda as an excuse to be approved by the Eurozone..
People, you need to dig deeper about the stereotypes the western media instils in you about Africa. Uganda is a beautiful country, not at the level of Spain or US economically, but is a wonderful place to live happily and debt-free. Democracy is vibrant unlike other so-called democracies dictated by big corporations and two parties. There are poorer people in developed countries who are deep in debt unlike in Uganda where one can be poor but not engulfed by debt. Do some research guys before believing what your fellow media men tell you what you want to hear or think and to serve the big corporations interests.
Poor so-called Western Hemisphere, bewildered by their falling idols, helpless before the truth. Who cares about stereotypes when the reality is that Uganda with its immense oil reserves, growing economy, great job opportunities is already witnessing the arrival of thousands of unemployed westerners carrying cvs and begging for jobs? To the uninformed, non-passport holding, propaganda tranced cretins out there–read this space–the global power lines have shifted. Deal with it.
Just one word....AMIN.
Much like the Germans after WWII. The citizens of Uganda will bear that excuse of a leader for decades to come.
George W. Bush.
Dick Chenney
(Abu Ghraib)
...Nice try, check your history...The Mbarara slaughter, the mass Indian explution...and OH!
How about the serial torture and dismemberment of Joseph Mubiru and family...at the hands of Idi?
And where did you let him flee? In to the hands of the Saudi's...for decades you did nothing!!!!
The most inhumane man in Africa and you couldn't be bothered to bring him to justice...
Oh Europa, you never say enough. You robbed not only African Natural Resources, but you even forced her people to be Slaved, for many years. When are you going to say, 'we got enough'?
All the World are watching. If there are no other power than Europe at this time, you will never stopped robbing African Natural Resources and Slaving her People. But, currently the Russian and Chinese power make it impossible to you. We know, you are looking for, Africa to be the hub of WWIII. Shame on you, Europe!
I'm a kenyan,but if it wasn't for this geographical boundaries created by you european dinks i'll be ugandan,so when you guyz try to make some silly jokes bout an african country rmbr africa is one people not like you parasitic european shmacks and your like skinned albinos else-where i'd rather eat scrabs here in africa rather than dine with lotta of you light skinned,racist skin heads.
I see racism and hate is alive and well on both sides!
Everyday I read comments from citizens of the "civilized world." Everyday I thank my Creator for being born South African.
Best of luck with your first world economies.
Just thought I'll give a shout out for the forgotten man here, since both Darkman Africanus and Whiteman Africanus have already commented. Peace out!
Gimme A K, Gimme an E, gimme an N, gimme a Y, gimme an A! K-E-N-Y-A! KENYA! Full of Simbas!
Whatever....get real Ugandans, you can't compare your country to Spain.
no one is comparing ny1 to ny1 let Uganda b n let Spain Uganda b, they have their own issues, we dont need to be dragged into them
Yes we can and there is nothing you are going to do about it.
Its funny how some people beleive alittle colour differance gives them a right to be heard out even when speaking nonsense!!! Yes.. Let me start with billy.. For all we know you could be getting your atguments from troll pictures and comics.. Do you even know the p people you are speaking to have a master's degree in their field of study.. Or maybe you thought an anon tag is a sign of cowardice... Wake up dude!! You wouldnt stand a chance in an iq test with any educated ugandan....nuff said
Forgive the errors... I let my anger get the best of me while typing... Anyhow it doesn't matter what anyone thinks... There are only 2 nations in this world with God in their motto,.... We r proud to be against public gay acts.. Bedroom is what we are against
#For God and my country... Is our motto!!
I guess thats why your population is so poor.....hypocritical ass holes
You have never been to our country. Our population is not poor.
True... Uganda is not against gays... Its simply against public display and collection of gay content ..after all we have a culture and religion to preserve. We cant save the lost gays but can prevent its spread to straight people. The western media got it twisted. About spain.. It ended!!!! Lets move on people!!!
Both sides are right. It's good to be nationalistic. What I find great in Uganda may not apply in Spain but it's home to me.
Uganda and Spain are both disasters. Uganda is a messs , supports criminal gangs in the East of the Congo, including the Lord's Resistance Army. Its population lives overwhelmingly on one dolar a day and its crack pot political system is full of corruption and lives on international aid. Spain in bankrupt despites its government either hiding the extent of the problem or genuinly not being in control.One in four of its population is out of work . its economy seems paralyzed and its banks broke . THe country has had one bail out and nwo needs another or in other terms it will rely on international assistatnce . In other words NOT MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE!!
GO and move to Uganda. I rather stay in white europe LOL
Spain is a developed country and a society that has reached a standard of living after a lot of effort. The economics problems they have is found in all the countries around. Uganda may have lots of oil and land but until a few years ago it demostrated a primitive and cruel way of living. So, yes, Mr. Prime Minister, your comparison is understood.
The timing of development is not the question here unless you want us to go in history of every country's progress. His comment was misplaced and disrespectful, nothing understandable
Who among you would rather live in Uganda than in Spain? I thought so. Case closed.
Spains economy could shrink for the next 3 decades and would still be far above Uganda which is basically a failed state
FACT in the 1960's Taiwan had the same GDP as Uganda and now is about 35x more
Okay am humble guy but the next guy who insults my country Uganda is going to get it. First of all we are not poor, and the few people termed poor live in self sustaining homes in less developed areas with farms worth millions,... So think again,.. Secondly they donot use banks so their money earned is not icluded in the GDP figures, thirdly we may not be as economically advanced as spain but we do have an ego and truth be told the primeminister owes us an appology...
Oh and about people living in uganda vs spain... Well we have alot of spaniards in uganda...check at the embassy... I wonder how many Ugandans are going to spain... Do we even have an embassy there??
@muzungu show me your country and i will show you worse evils committed
@Usone dude wake up!! Life is not calculated you have to be on ground to know what happens.... I dont know where you get your info from but uganda was voted the happiest nation in africa 2012-2013 so screw your GDP figures!!
We have a saying while you point at someone 3 fingers point back at you and one to God.... You know america has had worse slaughters than uganda,... Lets not even go there.... Trust me give me your countries and with enough google i will prove your all a bunch of hypocretes!! Talk is cheap, and so are you!!
Oh yeah and lonely planets ranked us number 1 destination for tourists.... Beleive what you want.... You have eyes but cannot see
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