Americans, I Have Some Bad News For You

I've been thinking about this A LOT lately. I've been desiring a more simple life that allows for health priorities and values family over the rat race. I cannot stand having to work when I'm missing our on family related milestones.

I cannot stand having to constantly schedule, reschedule, and re-reschedule outings with my family because getting the same days/time off is like getting all the planets in our solar system to stop orbit and align with the sun for 24 hours....

My wife and father in-law are 2nd and 3rd generation Italians straight from Italy. My wife's grandmother came straight over the boat and according to this:

Female Ancestor

She could technically get citizenship pretty easily, in fact so could most of her family.

Anyway the US is on a collision course with disaster and I don't want to stick around to fight for something we lost a long long long time ago.

Like Rome the US will fall and it will fall hard.

Originally posted by Soldier of God

Originally posted by monkey_descendant

Originally posted by Soldier of God

Originally posted by Kryties
reply to post by Soldier of God

 

So you support the restriction of education from those who cannot afford it do you? Also the squashing of a persons right to a decent living free from slavery?

People like that are generally known as tyrants.

Call me what you want, I'm saying these countries are raising tuition and retirement age because they can't afford to pay for everyone to have free everything anymore...

That's not true. If you read my post I explained it to you

Of course someone has to pay for it, and if people live longer past retirement they will have to work longer. It's exactly the same policy, but slightly changed to make up for the fact that life expectancy has gone up. It has nothing to do with not being able to afford it.

That's ridiculous! Of course it has everything to do with not being able to afford it. If there wasn't a problem they wouldn't be raising the retirement age they would just leave it as is and pay everyone but the facts are they are running out of money just like we are to pay all of these pensions.
Pensions are ponzie schemes at best to start with.

You are right. Ofcourse it's about money. France has been hit by the economic situation just as all countries in Europe and the world.
Pluss we have a huge amount of baby boomers that are getting close to retirement.
I disagree however strongly on your view on pensions.

And just by the way, non of us other countries owe insane amounts of money to any Chinese gangsters. (I know that was not very diplomatic, but I guess it's just the same trigger that makes you defend your country, and the reason you have that type of constant bickering between residents of city's/states/countries/religions)

America shall never succumb to the inability to accept bad news. God love us.

reply to post by Danbones


It's all over these people around me can't look up for a moment or they will lose that dollar,...the holidays are going to be lean for my family.
I helped build the illusion working on and painting their theme parks working on the oil rigs and i have nothing to show for it.
My wife works all the time as an RT in the healthcare system or we would already have lost our home.
I lived in the U.K. for 3 months and could not believe the breaks and happy attitude work environments.
I wish there was room for me in my own work force.
Tell me do i suck? ctm-kool.webs.com...
I can't even get a resturaunt job here,..it's so competitive and i am not useful anymore,...my family is saddened with me.
I think suicidal thoughts daily,..if it wasn't for my kids i would.

Originally posted by ledzeppelin489
Yeah but most loyal Americans won't just abandon this country for a better wage; we're here to make things better for anyone who comes here. America is still the greatest country on Earth, and the OP is just one defector we will not miss

You made my day. I'm laughing hard right now. You sound just like Soviet or Post-Soviet man -
"Another comrade has defected from our great Empire. All his life he has been unfaithful to us - and now approving that he is really a traitor of motherland - we will not miss him. Russian Emp... ehhh Soviet Ru... kh kh... what was our country's name again? ahh... yeah Russian Federation is still the greatest country on EARTH!"

It's this - "we were/are great" way of thinking. Guess what? USA is crumbling apart and there's nothing you can do about it. It is destiny of all Empires/Superstates - they can't exist forever - sooner or later they die. You are here to make thing better for anyone who come, really - there's people living in your country who are unemployed, starving, homeless - how are you helping them? And if you can't feed, clothe, shelter your brothers - how will you be able to help those who come?

USA has become just like Russia. It's people starving and without roof but only thing it's thinking about is military and how to use other nations resources to sustain their empire a little longer. American dream is over wake up now or you will find yourself like those Russian retirees - government(Russia) not giving a $#!+ about him - paying retirement allowance only as much to keep him alive - but he's loving country, praising government, saying it is The Greatest Country in the world. Pathetic.

Originally posted by bvproductions
Sigh.
Well, we all know what this topic is going to turn into now.

Yeah I think im just gonna stay out of this one. I don't wanna hurt anyones feelings about the real truth behind America and where its going. I doubt the sheep in America will be able to handle the truth.

Originally posted by Chai_An
I've been reading some of these posts and all I can do is shake my head, this is a misleading thread. Misleading people straight into thinking their countries are so upstanding and honorable and the US is the only deceitful governmental entity on the block.The madness don't exist just in North America it's worldwide.

Yeah, you're right.
The OP is refering to a blog that is not solution oriented.
What good would it do if everyone just gave up on their country in a difficult time?
And the negative bias against the US is somewhat unfair and have been popularised trough the media since the Bush jr administration.
I think that we all are proud of where we are from and our heritage (no matter how little we like our nationalist side), and that's the reason it's so difficult to get a meaningfull discussion going.

I mean, it's so programed in us. From supporting your football/soccer team,your neighbourhood, your city, your country, your religion or when it comes down to it your family. You will allways defend what is closest to you.
In some situations it's just fun, but now it's getting to be a problem.

Really Americans, we love you.

We have since we ran out of potatoes over here in Europe and we started sailing across the pond to find the American Dream as exposed by Hunter S. Thompson later.
We love your music, movies, series, great (fun) tech, the internet, television, food, books, astronauts, WWII GI's and even your twisted take on wrestling.
Maybe your'e right, maybe I would sit in the dark eating saurerkraut staring at the wall if it wasn't for the USofA.
If so..... Get over it allready. That was yesterday, we're gratefull to all the Allied forces, the Russian forces and the resistance groups in every occupied country for getting rid of the Nazi regime, ofcourse. The Marshall Plan, great stuff guys, and as everyone knows, nothing is for free. But we can not give the US a free card to do whatever they want without anyone reacting.

We're your friends over in Europe and we want America to make great entertainment for milennias if it's up to me, but friends react for a reason and between much of the ignorant pissing contest from many here, myself included, there is real concern for the way the US is headed.

Originally posted by FrancoUn-American
Ok everybody lets face it we're the root of all evil and we're all fat and stupid. We're all illiterate, uncultured and untravelled. We're weak, easily manipulated and materialistic..But our friends the Europeans are nothing like this. They never had things like the holocaust, the inquisition or the crusades. They never had dictators or warlords as leaders, there governments have never betrayed them or other people in any way shape or form. There perfect and brilliant, attractive and are in top physical form every last one of them. I also heard that Europeans dont make assumptions and generalizations based on the information they get from there media sources..only dumb Americans do that...right?

edit on 05/24/2010 by FrancoUn-American because: Forgive me I'm a dumb American had to fix an error because I'm retarded

Haha, spot on!

Everyone can sit and spread hate on a internet forum, but when they meet people from other cultures in person they are the proverbial light of accomodation and hospitality.....
Let's keep the bashing humorous and friendly as if we were all real people in here

Originally posted by amc621
reply to post by Kryties

 

I know a lot more about Australia, but I'm reacting to the sterotypes that YOU and others have made about the USA.

Australia is a constitutional monarchy with a federal division of powers. It uses a parliamentary system of government with Queen Elizabeth II at its apex as the Queen of Australia, a role that is distinct from her position as monarch of the other Commonwealth realms. As the Queen resides in the United Kingdom, the executive powers vested in her by the Constitution are normally exercised by her viceroys in Australia (the Governor-General at the federal level and by the Governors at the state level who by convention act on the advice of her Ministers.The most notable exercise of the Governor-General's reserve powers outside a Prime Minister's request was the dismissal of the Whitlam Government in the constitutional crisis of 1975

Over recent decades, Australia's foreign relations have been driven by a close association with the United States through the ANZUS pact, and by a desire to develop relationships with Asia and the Pacific, particularly through ASEAN and the Pacific Islands Forum. In 2005 Australia secured an inaugural seat at the East Asia Summit following its accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. Australia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, in which the Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings provide the main forum for cooperation

You're not supposed to use large quotes in discussion are you?
This is cut'n'paste from wikipedia.

When the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor, yeah, that was bad news for America. But did Americans panic? No!

reply to post by Truth_B_Told


Thanks for the news flash....

Sure, I wish we had more vacation days too, but Americans work hard, long hours. If your definition of standard of living ONLY includes days off, I think you're really missing something.

Does that same taxi driver go home to a house with a dozen people living in it, with spotty communications and Internet, maybe a few TV channels, and a phone they share? Can they actually go anywhere during all of those vacation days.

I wish I had more days off to actually enjoy life a bit more, but I do try and make the most of my weekends. I seriously doubt I'd have a better standard of living in another country though...and I'd wager I have to put up with a lot more nastier issues than vacation days....

When the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor, yeah, that was bad news for America. But did Americans panic? No!

Please....tell me you are joking... *face palm* (was the Japanese, not the Germans)

reply to post by Truth_B_Told


Isn't it true that in Australia that when you get a loan for college you don't have to pay it back until you have a job that makes a certain amount of money?

We are not here for ever. So why should every one have to work their balls off, for most of their life? Then retire crippled or such like. Life isnt all about making money, or making some billionair even richer. The whole system is wrong. We are doing what the elite rich twats want. Arguing and devided about what? Who works the hardest to make some billionair richer? Oh look I dont take any holidays Im too busy working. What a waste of a #ing life. Not only their own but their familys also. We need a change world wide. But instead all we do is argue, which is what the elite types want. While we argue they laugh and lounge arround being treated like kings. Engineering economic crashes and and causing wars all for a proffit. When ever a decent honest man tries to get in power, hes murdered. Or else set up by the cia mi5 mossad bla bla bla. World wide the same gang are in control. And if there is a 2012 what ever, Then Im sure that none of us so called useless eaters have a bunk reserved in a DUMB. Which they have been building for decades, with all our money regardless of borders /countries . We are all slaves to the banksters or some stupid religion. Its about time we got rid of this #ed up system. I dont know what we could replace it with.. But some things got to be done.

Belated advice for those Americans who work long hours for short pay: you should have paid attention in school instead of sneaking out at lunch to smoke pot behind the Phys Ed building.

reply to post by fredcall

When the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor, yeah, that was bad news for America. But did Americans panic? No!

Belated advice for those Americans who work long hours for short pay: you should have paid attention in school instead of sneaking out at lunch to smoke pot behind the Phys Ed building.

Oh the irony.......
And where were you when American history (specifically WWII) was being taught?

Originally posted by Truth_B_Told


Finland: 44
Italy: 42
France: 39
Germany: 35
UK: 25
Japan: 18
USA: 12

The fact is, they work you like dogs in the United States.

first the World is not only USA,Italy ,England Japan ,China ,Germany etc etc ..the World is all 7 bilion people in which world 1.3 bilion people is starving every day ! once more--> STARVING if you know what is to starve every day.2 billion people have a shortage of water and don't have clean water and if in USA they work like dogs in some countries they work like ants and they die or get sick.US goeverment through mediums ,foods,medicaments has take away your compationate about other people who is the one of the most essential feature of human kind.Injustice any where ,injustice everywhere

well america has really gotten bad, cant say living is worse in canada or new zealand.
and the person did escape, so now for him doing something about it

reply to post by Connector




Haha.. really? He didn't say that.. did he?

And to freds other statement. There's more to it then that. Good jobs aren't that easy to come by. I went/go to college I'm a pretty intelligent guy, but where I live there just aren't that many good jobs and I'm not quite ready to move away from my family. Not to mention all the flaws in the education systems and the expense of it. I'm about to start again after two years off because I couldn't afford it.

Things are tough all over, you know.

Originally posted by Rocky Black
reply to post by Truth_B_Told

 

I guess that depends on what you do.

Empty trash cans for pennies.

Or be your own boss in the land of the free.

Are you kidding me. Those are socialist countries. look at those peoples faces. Their government takes all their money. What is the tax rate in any of those countries. Please list. Thanks.

Land of the free to make as much money as yiou could dream of.

Create an idea and sell it and make money.
Walk in to a grocery store and analyze it and tell them what they can do to improve their buisness profile. Write one up of course.

You have to be creative.

Obviosly if your brain dead then you just sip off the teet of the government.

Hi

I live and work in one of those gray socialist countries, Norway (socialdemocracy), I am a fisherman, I know that sounds trivial to many, but I love my job and wouldn't trade it for anything. It's what I'm happy doing.
I am my own boss, and have two employees.
It's not a highpaying job, I would say it's good bit under awerage pay in Norway which is a gross of 86,440$, I'm clocking in at around 72,700$, of this I pay around 35% income tax wich makes the net pay for me a year to be 47,225$ wich makes my monthly pay to 39,38$

The US average gross pay is 46,730$.
(source)


I am happy to pay my taxes as long as I can see them beeing put to good use and I obviously vote for the party who I feel have the fairest politics and put the money to best use. Taking care of those not able to take care of themselves, have reached their retirement age of 62 yrs (You can of course work after that, it's up to you, but after 62yrs you have the right to retire) or are sick are also part of the governments duties that I appreciate.
You may see it as state interference, but most people here see it as safety if something unforseen should happen.
There are people here that are also totally useless and have no excuse for not working and beeing in a bad situation, just as I am sure you have those kind of people in USA. But it gives me a good feeling to know that if you are from a poor family or suffering from some illness you will get help no matter what, and it is not just giving a person money, it is education, re-education, hospitals, kindergartens, rehabilitation of criminals (check out: Prison In Norway, thats right we rehabilitate criminals, give them a chance to learn a trade and get a job and be productive citizens again. (No, it's not gulags, check the link).



I don't understand this comment:

Create an idea and sell it and make money. Walk in to a grocery store and analyze it and tell them what they can do to improve their buisness profile. Write one up of course.

Do you think this is impossible in Europe?
We might be braindead, but we can still detect a quite risqué buisness plan when we see one


Anyway, my face might be looking a bit communist, but it ain't 1965 so get over the pond and see how we're doing

Originally posted by JAY1980


Americans give more foreign aid than any other country. Granted our run away government is the cause for some of the strife, but not the people of this country. Yet you people still attack us at every turn like a bunch of vultures.
We export more food than anything just trying to keep the third world from starving to death.

I can see how you are fed up with people talking bad about the US, but lying does not help.

Foreign Aid Per Capita 2002: USA-Pvt 5¢ Gvt 13¢ = 18¢
CAN-Pvt 2¢ Gvt 17¢ = 19¢
GER-Pvt 3¢ Gvt 18¢ = 21¢
DEN-Pvt 1¢ Gvt 64¢ = 65¢
FIN-Pvt 1¢ Gvt 25¢ = 26¢
NOR-Pvt24¢ Gvt102¢ = 126¢
(source)
These are old numbers, but I can't understand that it has changed that much, maybe the US is giving even more to Israel

If you find any more recent numbers that would help.

But hey, you're like top 3 on the private donations, so that must mean Americans are caring people