theyoungagegroup wrote:OutWest wrote:theyoungagegroup wrote:I've been meaning to post about this for a while now, so here goes.
The fact is, EU countries are actually developed, while the US is not - and Canada is little better. EU citizens have numerous benefits that simply don't exist here - a full-fledged public healthcare system, for instance, as opposed to even Canada's sad excuse for one, a high-quality education system, something that simply doesn't exist in NA, and government support during economic downturns - which is all but absent in NA (Canada's welfare system is even more of a sad joke than the healthcare system).
But that's not all. The other thing is, living in the EU as a citizen allows you to freely live and work in all of 27 countries - something unheard of elsewhere in the world. This is the ultimate recession proofing - even if your government doesn't provide enough unemployment benefits for you to live well - and as I just mentioned, most in fact do - you can just go elsewhere.
But there's more - the women! It's easier to get girls anywhere in the EU than anywhere in NA, of course, but the previously-mentioned freedom of mobility allows you to go to the poorer countries of the EU for even greater choice. Plus, the non-EU countries of Europe are right next door, and almost all are visa-free for EU citizens!
And of course, there are many other societal issues that the EU is dealing with far better than NA. Bottom line: EU rocks, NA sucks.
So long as they can pay for it, the social model in W Europe offers cradle to the grave quality of life. The problem however is that the model is unsustainable, and is collapsing as we speak. Cushy government benefits are a poor reason to like Europe I think. There are plenty of other things that can make Europe stand out. The Euro-zone is coming apart and the social contract that came with it is headed for the dumper. (= riots when there is no more or just too little free stuff.) Combine that with the demographic implosion and Europe's future does not look so bright unless you are looking for a job as an imam.
Outwest
Actually, it's the US and its tremendous debt and associated military-industrial complex that are unsustainable (and not just financially but also, for example, environmentally). The EU is actually quite financially sound in comparison for the simple reason that it still produces stuff, unlike the US.
You might want to check your facts. US exports are strong and the economy is still twice the size of China, with stable or increasing populations numbers, (Stable population is essential to a sustainable economy). Germany is the exporting power-house of Europe.
If you think southern Europe is some productivity powerhouse, you are disillusion and must never have spent time there.
It is MAJOR deal in Germany right now with the screwing they are going to take over having gotten in bed with Southern Europe.If all of Europe was like Germany, then of course there would be no problem. Do you bother to read financial papers? The Euro-zone right now, is on the verge of coming undone. Further, without immigration, much of the European countryside is going to be increasingly depopulated over the next 20 years. You can see that ALREADY if you travel in parts of Spain, Italy and Greece- you go into rural towns
and even a bit larger ones, and WHERE are the young people? No, no just moved away, Europeans are having children at about
HALF of the replacement rate. That is not some abstract keyboard commando bullshit, look it up, its a fact. Does it take a rocket scientist
to figure out what that means to a country?
And you are right, the USA is on a trajectory that cannot be sustained, and the military spending is one part of that, as is the even larger vote buying-entitlement complex. The hope for the US is that it can pull itself back from going the way of Europe, reel in spending and fall back on a very strong economic base which still exists, unlike most of Southern Europe. You notice how it is not Spanish or Greek technology that supports the entire computer industry? LOL If you take the time to actually check and inform yourself, US exports are not just software or computer technology. Equipment of all sorts from light to heavy industrial equipment/machinery is
a strong export sector. Again, look it up.
So again, you are correct that the US cannot sustain what is being done now. A budget that requires 1.5 trillion in borrowing every year is a train-wreck happening, but going the way of Europe is total suicide. Anyone following events in Europe? The Euro-zone is near meltdown. A short position on the Euro has made me very very good money this month, as I have nearly doubled my trading accounts
on shorting the Euro in about 5 weeks. You see, if your positions are informed and not just keyboard puffing, you can put your money where your mouth is, and make money off your own insight.
Note to anyone who is inclined to trading- I am watching the Euro to move lower towards $120, BUT if it breaks through that barrier and does not find support, it is a signal that the move is under way to let the Euro slide towards parity with the dollar, with huge money to be made for those who are paying attention.
If you are really right about something, it will not just make you feel better tapping it out on the keyboard, much more importantly, it will be useful in your life in concrete ways.
And for myself I am anything but anti-Europe. Socially, there is far more to be had in Europe than the US. I would agree, the Euro-zone is a scam, and I suspect many members regret it. Ironically, if one wants to posit that Germany almost destroyed Europe in the 20th century, it may be that Germany saves Europe in this one.
And who can find a way to explain how a shrinking population can sustain any kind of social contract? The benefits and transfers involved require a stable or somewhat growing population base. I do not think that long term, Muslim migrants are going to be up for supporting old white Europeans, they are smarter than that.
Bank runs and capital flight, in Greece, France, Spain, Italy and Belgium. This is not a theory, its a fact happening as we speak.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/ ... MG20120517
No country USA or otherwise can escape culture and mores. To be alarmed by events in Europe(as in the US) is to be "anti-European? LOL
Outwest