Post: #176

(06-03-2017 09:42 AM)Rocha Wrote:  

(06-03-2017 08:31 AM)Baldrich Wrote:  Europe is like one big amusement park though, I'll give you that. You don't have to live in a place all your life to see it and experience it.

Baldrich, I will put the last euro for your plane ticket to US. If you need some help packing your stuff I am also free on weekends))
When are you going after all?

I don't travel with luggage. Got that taken care of for me...but thank you for your kindness and generosity. I'm sure you can use it for other more useful ends though...you know, like not speaking to me.

Post: #177

(06-03-2017 09:46 AM)britchard Wrote:  Yeah, wouldn't it be great if everywhere in the world was just like the US?

Better than a sad place like the UK that's for sure...and anyway the world seems to think so...considering how so many imitate US showbiz,fashion, habits...don't see too many corporations or small businesses just dying to imitate UK or French or Indian or Kenyan habits

Post: #178

(06-03-2017 07:58 AM)Stallion Wrote:  

(06-03-2017 05:15 AM)Baldrich Wrote:  

Stallion Wrote:I'm going to agree with Rossi here... I don't know those places, but a quick google maps streetview tells me they don't seem very fun to walk at all. Maybe it's possible to walk, but what's the point if there is nothing interesting to see?

Many Canada/US cities are like that... a main street area with nothing interesting to see (and all main street areas are like copy pastes of each other) and then sprawled houses. Why would I walk? To see trees and cars and roads?

I'm not saying Europe is not like that, many places in Europe are like this. That's why I have refused so many contracts in the UK/Germany/France/other places, I need a real city to live in.

That's right -- I'm glad you recognize MANY places in Europe are the same. Small towns in general are not "interesting", be they in the US or Malaysia or Mars. But we were talking about "walkable" and you can most certainly survive without a car in those places I mentioned.

You say people spend thousands of dollars to walk around Prague vs NJ. Of course! Europe is a place to see and then get out...it's like a museum filled with old people and has-beens. Most of those people spending top dollar are of course Americans, not Europeans themselves though. You can turn your question around: How many people would pay thousands of dollars to walk around some small unknown town in Italy? Not many. People travel to cities everywhere. There are also Europeans who spend thousands just to see New York or LA.

And I still disagree about "interesting". I lived in Madrid and it wasn't so "interesting" at all after you get used to it. You make it sound as if though you magically find a show or spectacle on every street corner or find gold!

We agree in one thing at least, Madrid is a very boring and uninteresting city. No city in Spain is very interesting to walk trough, maybe Barcelona but it also gets boring pretty quickly. The most boring city I've ever seen was Geneva, in Europe, so I don't totally disagree with your points.

And obviously small towns are boring everywhere. But middle sized European cities have a lot to offer (I mean the size of Kaunas or Wroclaw, like second or third biggest city of the country/state) while American cities of the same size are little more than a village.

And about big cities, sure. I don't care if its in Asia, US or Europe, a big city is always a big city.

But apart from LA, Vegas and NY... any other North American city an European would spend money to visit? To me those 3 cities also felt like a place to visit for a few weeks and then never come back.

Miami, New Orleans and Honolulu (technically not North America, but still a US city) get their share of European tourists.

Post: #179

(06-03-2017 11:46 AM)Baldrich Wrote:  

(06-03-2017 09:46 AM)britchard Wrote:  Yeah, wouldn't it be great if everywhere in the world was just like the US?

Better than a sad place like the UK that's for sure...and anyway the world seems to think so...considering how so many imitate US showbiz,fashion, habits...don't see too many corporations or small businesses just dying to imitate UK or French or Indian or Kenyan habits

It wasn't a criticism of the US. The US is a great country. But it would awful if everywhere was like the US. Different countries being different from one another is true diversity, not importing a load of burka-clad women.

Post: #180

(06-04-2017 03:42 AM)britchard Wrote:  

(06-03-2017 11:46 AM)Baldrich Wrote:  

(06-03-2017 09:46 AM)britchard Wrote:  Yeah, wouldn't it be great if everywhere in the world was just like the US?

Better than a sad place like the UK that's for sure...and anyway the world seems to think so...considering how so many imitate US showbiz,fashion, habits...don't see too many corporations or small businesses just dying to imitate UK or French or Indian or Kenyan habits

It wasn't a criticism of the US. The US is a great country. But it would awful if everywhere was like the US. Different countries being different from one another is true diversity, not importing a load of burka-clad women.

Oh I absolutely agree - I was just thinking that if there would be one nation to imitate, that would be the US, not any others...but I certainly wouldn't want (and don't care either way) other countries to be something they don't want to be. That's up to the peoples of those countries.

Post: #181

(06-03-2017 08:31 AM)Baldrich Wrote:  Whoever said ANYTHING about a 1000 euro/month Spanish worker becoming "rich" in the US? You do realize also that healthcare is being privatized in Spain right and that there are LONG waiting lists for all sorts of surgical procedures, some which take years on a waiting list? You do realize that thousands of Spanish people are living off their grandparents pensions and have no future, right? What about all the Europeans who live in small towns where a car is a must? Don't idolize Europe.

Comfortable European lifestyle? If it was so comfortable, why aren't American billionaires flocking to live in Europe? They could always do that but no, most billionaires would much rather be in the US for obvious reasons...chief amongst them, a better tax regime (for now) and more things to choose from and do.
I had no idea European suburbs were these fascinating interesting places with loads of things to do! I must've missed something.

Food? It's a matter of taste...I don't find European food to be that great, sorry. It's ALRIGHT, but nothing spectacular. The countryside, at least in Spain, is getting empty since most people need to fight for the scraps of whatever little work is left in the cities. I agree many US suburbs are dull and surrounded by strip malls. Guess what? IKEA also exists in Spain as well as strip malls.

Europe is like one big amusement park though, I'll give you that. You don't have to live in a place all your life to see it and experience it.

I don't follow the preferences of American billionaires. You do realize that a billionaire does not represent the average person ? I don't get tax breaks or preferential treatment in the US.

Joe from Boringville USA living with his grandma is not better off in any way. He would have to move to a big city for a decent job just like in Spain. If he's smart enough he'll get a scholarship, if not he'll have to pay for massively overpriced education building a mountain of debt which he will have to repay over the next 10-20 years. At far as I know education is free in Spain.
Then he will have to join a corporate job that has no obligation to provide vacation days, he'll probably start with 2 weeks if he's lucky and grind his way to work by car anywhere from 2 to 4 hours daily.

I'm not talking about suburbs, I'm talking about the countryside:

http://www.travelandleisure.com/slidesho...ages#intro

The US countryside is the perfect setting for a horror movie: isolated, depressing, old wooden houses, boring people. There are no interesting traditions, no special events, no reason to stick around. In Europe it's easy to hop into your car and spend a weekend in a historic, beautiful village 300km away. Good luck finding that in the US.

Post: #182

(06-03-2017 08:00 AM)Pointer Wrote:  This topic is full of nonsense. Europe just like the US is full of all kinds of people, some more stupid than others. An idiot choosing to slave away for 1000 EUR net in Spain will not become rich in the US. In fact he will probably be worse off as he will most likely need a car to get anywhere and in case of medical issues he'll probably become homeless.
I know at least a dozen people working in Spain, France, Germany and even Poland who make good money and they would probably do the same in the US but they have zero interest in trading a comfortable European lifestyle for boring American suburbs.
Europe has the top tourist destinations worldwide, the main cities are miles ahead in terms of history, architecture or food and the countryside in each country is different with its own traditions and hidden gems. You simply cannot compare that with USA or Canada where you have miles and miles of highway and "mall" pit stop towns that look identical with zero things to do. For somebody who has traveled and lived considerable time on both continents I find it ignorant to put Europe on the same level as North America.
Of course I'm not saying that NA does not have some advantages. It's a better place to do business and a common language makes it much easier to integrate yourself into society. Some cultures or countries in Europe can be hard to crack into while the NA is more open for foreigners.

Bingo.

OP is criticizing UK healthcare but is from a country if you don't have healthcare, you die.

There are millions of people in America who cannot afford healthcare.

There are millions of people in America living a shit life, just life anywhere else.

I can pull stats very easy about the increasing suicide rates.

I know nothing about Spanish culture, but too say the kids are obnoxious is hilarious.

People living in glass houses shouldn't throw boulders.

Post: #183

Pointer Wrote:I don't follow the preferences of American billionaires. You do realize that a billionaire does not represent the average person ? I don't get tax breaks or preferential treatment in the US.

Sure, but the average person is still much wealthier in the US, in terms of PPP, than an equivalent European.

Pointer Wrote:Joe from Boringville USA living with his grandma is not better off in any way. He would have to move to a big city for a decent job just like in Spain. If he's smart enough he'll get a scholarship, if not he'll have to pay for massively overpriced education building a mountain of debt which he will have to repay over the next 10-20 years. At far as I know education is free in Spain. Then he will have to join a corporate job that has no obligation to provide vacation days, he'll probably start with 2 weeks if he's lucky and grind his way to work by car anywhere from 2 to 4 hours daily.

What good is a "free" (lol) education in Spain (paid for by taxpayers, don't you ever forget that) if even a Law degree can't even guarantee you a job or where, at best, you'll be flipping burgers for tourists?

You talk about Joe from "Boringville USA" living with his grandma but actually, most Americans DO NOT live with their parents or grandmas...they are not like the Spanish who need mama even to go to the bathroom.

I agree though about the debt but let me ask you this: Why should corporations be forced to give you any vacation time, and that is dictated by government? Europe has so much unemployment because you stifle incentive and force companies to pay massive amounts of NON productive time. Why should government give you healthcare or "free" university? Sorry but what sort of society do you think we'd have if the State did everything for us? Freedom is inseparable from personal individual responsibility. As Bernard Shaw said "freedom incurs responsibility...that's why many men fear it".

And hey don't knock it -- at least Joe Shmo will have an opportunity to get a job. In Spain, the most he can hope for with even an advanced engineering degree is to be a waiter in some crappy bar. So much for "free" education...reminds me of Cuba, where you have taxi drivers with law degrees.

Pointer Wrote:The US countryside is the perfect setting for a horror movie: isolated, depressing, old wooden houses, boring people. There are no interesting traditions, no special events, no reason to stick around. In Europe it's easy to hop into your car and spend a weekend in a historic, beautiful village 300km away. Good luck finding that in the US.

I don't really care about traditions - they bore me and in fact every time there is a holiday in Spain because of those "traditions" all supermarkets and shops close as well as offices and you can't get shit done. I hate that and it is a massive inconvenience. I LOVE the fact that the US countryside is scary as you say. I have a beautiful Victorian mansion in the countryside and wouldn't trade it for a mini euro apartment of cinder block that is like a cold cave in the winter and depressing gray euro buildings. Boring people? What's so "fun" about European people? What's so fun about doing the same crappy tradition year after year and going home to mama EVERY SUNDAY to eat paella as so many Spanish people do? You call that fun?? You can hop into your car and go to many interesting places in the US. Ever heard of road trips? It's an American thing actually...since most Spanish people (and other Europeans) don't even ever get out of their village and have no interest in doing so. I've met tons of Spaniards who even live in Madrid and have NEVER ONCE been to the Prado. Now that's f-ing boring as hell! No creativity here at all, no imagination, no ENTREPRENEURSHIP...what's so interesting and fun about that?

rudebwoy Wrote:OP is criticizing UK healthcare but is from a country if you don't have healthcare, you die.

I'm sorry but this is a load of crap. It is simply NOT true that you will die if you don't have healthcare in the US. But even IF that were the case (and IT IS NOT), why should anyone pay to give you healthcare when it should be an individual responsibility? No where in the American constitution, which has served us so well for centuries, does it have a mandate for single payer healthcare. WE DON'T WANT IT in America. Keep it and your long Canadian waiting lists lol.

Yeah, many people in America live a shitty life. So? Many Europeans do too, as you yourself admit. America isn't unique in having people living shitty lives. What's your point then?

Suicide rates? Don't even go there because, actually, Canada has HIGHER suicide rates than the US.

The kids are very rude in Spain -- even a Spanish person has admitted the SAME on this thread.

Post: #184

(06-04-2017 03:51 PM)Baldrich Wrote:  

Pointer Wrote:I don't follow the preferences of American billionaires. You do realize that a billionaire does not represent the average person ? I don't get tax breaks or preferential treatment in the US.

Sure, but the average person is still much wealthier in the US, in terms of PPP, than an equivalent European.

Pointer Wrote:Joe from Boringville USA living with his grandma is not better off in any way. He would have to move to a big city for a decent job just like in Spain. If he's smart enough he'll get a scholarship, if not he'll have to pay for massively overpriced education building a mountain of debt which he will have to repay over the next 10-20 years. At far as I know education is free in Spain. Then he will have to join a corporate job that has no obligation to provide vacation days, he'll probably start with 2 weeks if he's lucky and grind his way to work by car anywhere from 2 to 4 hours daily.

What good is a "free" (lol) education in Spain (paid for by taxpayers, don't you ever forget that) if even a Law degree can't even guarantee you a job or where, at best, you'll be flipping burgers for tourists?

You talk about Joe from "Boringville USA" living with his grandma but actually, most Americans DO NOT live with their parents or grandmas...they are not like the Spanish who need mama even to go to the bathroom.

I agree though about the debt but let me ask you this: Why should corporations be forced to give you any vacation time, and that is dictated by government? Europe has so much unemployment because you stifle incentive and force companies to pay massive amounts of NON productive time. Why should government give you healthcare or "free" university? Sorry but what sort of society do you think we'd have if the State did everything for us? Freedom is inseparable from personal individual responsibility. As Bernard Shaw said "freedom incurs responsibility...that's why many men fear it".

And hey don't knock it -- at least Joe Shmo will have an opportunity to get a job. In Spain, the most he can hope for with even an advanced engineering degree is to be a waiter in some crappy bar. So much for "free" education...reminds me of Cuba, where you have taxi drivers with law degrees.

Pointer Wrote:The US countryside is the perfect setting for a horror movie: isolated, depressing, old wooden houses, boring people. There are no interesting traditions, no special events, no reason to stick around. In Europe it's easy to hop into your car and spend a weekend in a historic, beautiful village 300km away. Good luck finding that in the US.

I don't really care about traditions - they bore me and in fact every time there is a holiday in Spain because of those "traditions" all supermarkets and shops close as well as offices and you can't get shit done. I hate that and it is a massive inconvenience. I LOVE the fact that the US countryside is scary as you say. I have a beautiful Victorian mansion in the countryside and wouldn't trade it for a mini euro apartment of cinder block that is like a cold cave in the winter and depressing gray euro buildings. Boring people? What's so "fun" about European people? What's so fun about doing the same crappy tradition year after year and going home to mama EVERY SUNDAY to eat paella as so many Spanish people do? You call that fun?? You can hop into your car and go to many interesting places in the US. Ever heard of road trips? It's an American thing actually...since most Spanish people (and other Europeans) don't even ever get out of their village and have no interest in doing so. I've met tons of Spaniards who even live in Madrid and have NEVER ONCE been to the Prado. Now that's f-ing boring as hell! No creativity here at all, no imagination, no ENTREPRENEURSHIP...what's so interesting and fun about that?

rudebwoy Wrote:OP is criticizing UK healthcare but is from a country if you don't have healthcare, you die.

I'm sorry but this is a load of crap. It is simply NOT true that you will die if you don't have healthcare in the US. But even IF that were the case (and IT IS NOT), why should anyone pay to give you healthcare when it should be an individual responsibility? No where in the American constitution, which has served us so well for centuries, does it have a mandate for single payer healthcare. WE DON'T WANT IT in America. Keep it and your long Canadian waiting lists lol.

Yeah, many people in America live a shitty life. So? Many Europeans do too, as you yourself admit. America isn't unique in having people living shitty lives. What's your point then?

Suicide rates? Don't even go there because, actually, Canada has HIGHER suicide rates than the US.

The kids are very rude in Spain -- even a Spanish person has admitted the SAME on this thread.

The constitutions has been changed quite a few times since then, including throwing out an entire constitutions prior to it. Saying that the constitutions has served America well as if it is the 10 commandments seems way off. Also, Universal Healthcare was not conceptualized back then, if someone had thought of it it likely never escaped academic circles yet.

You could make an argument that the government does exist to protect its people, in which case you could make an extension that universal healthcare falls under that umbrella. People do not pay bills to firefighters or soldiers for their duties, some would argue the same should go for doctors.

Don't feel like turning this into a universal healthcare argument, as someone who has voted for both conservatives and liberals, I find it very hard to define America's healthcare system as anything but archaic. I do agree though that people do not die in America from lack of health insurance, they just go into incredible debt.

My two cents.

Post: #185

Heart Break Kid Wrote:The constitutions has been changed quite a few times since then, including throwing out an entire constitutions prior to it. Saying that the constitutions has served America well as if it is the 10 commandments seems way off. Also, Universal Healthcare was not conceptualized back then, if someone had thought of it it likely never escaped academic circles yet.

Huh? The current and enduring American Constitution was ratified in 1788. It has been amended at the wishes of a majority of the American people in some areas. Healthcare will not be one of them. And yes, I think our Constitution has served us so well - it has kept freedom of speech at a level UNHEARD of in Europe or the rest of the world. Heck, this forum would be blocked in many countries and Roosh, if the European Union had its way, would be arrested just for speaking. In fact, even the UK (a notch above the rest of Europe when it comes to freedoms) habitually bans people just for their views or has them arrested for twitter comments. We also have the 2nd Amendment, which of course nobody else in the world has. So yes, I do believe it is an excellent constitution and God damn anyone to hell who tries to abolish it or make my country into some weak ass Euro style nation. We also have a federal system, which is an excellent idea.

As for the 10 Commandments...I would much rather have that than the "charter for human rights" and other BS that is taking people's fundamental freedoms away in the name of "inclusion, diversity and equality". The 10 Commandments was the basis of much of the criminal law...back when America was an even greater country than it is today with so many feminists, "activists", and other hipster undesirables who are truly ruining things.

As for your argument about healthcare, protecting people means defense and outside of defense, justice and other constitutionally mandated spheres, government needs to leave us ALONE.

You know, firefighting was actually a private endeavor until the early 20th Century? But I get what you are trying to say and look, there is no such thing as free. NOTHING in life is free, believe me. The issue is who pays and how. If you are a druggie, or morbidly obese, or go to a prostitute and get STDs due to your life choices and I do the opposite, should I have to pay for your healthcare? NO, I shouldn't and neither should anyone else.

I agree with you about the debt and that the system most definitely needs URGENT and vital fixing...but single payer universal healthcare is NOT a solution and real Americans would never accept that...at least, not at the federal level. I have no problem with states trying to come up with their own solutions though based on the wishes and needs of their respective peoples.

Post: #186

The eighteen amendment served american so well...so well...

Post: #187

(06-05-2017 06:48 AM)MrRoundtree Wrote:  The eighteen amendment served american so well...so well...

Err...that was repealed...HELLO?

Post: #188

So can be the second amendment...explain me how well it served americans in the last 30 years?

Post: #189

(06-05-2017 12:20 PM)MrRoundtree Wrote:  So can be the second amendment...explain me how well it served americans in the last 30 years?

You guys continue getting killed by terrorist attacks and then question whether having armed citizens is a good thing. A better question is how many more have to die before you start defending yourself.

Post: #190

^Yeah, like the streets in America are ALL safe.

Post: #191

(06-05-2017 02:59 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  ^Yeah, like the streets in America are ALL safe.

Strawman. No one ever said that. I haven't been to any country that was completely safe. That said, communties that are known to have significant gun owership are safer.

Post: #192

The OP is returning home to America after being overseas, good for him.

I don't see why he feels the need to justify it and bash every country in Europe. Many countries are as diverse as America, which is far from perfect.

To say Spanish kids are annoying seems a bit silly to me, ALL kids are annoying if they aren't under parental control.

We can argue about healthcare, but to say Americans don't want it for free is wrong.
Didn't the politicians this past Election campaign to change Obamacare or revise it?
So the system is far from perfect and is a big issue for a lot of Americans. After all, 11% or 30 million Americans don't have health insurance.

Post: #193

(06-05-2017 03:16 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  The OP is returning home to America after being overseas, good for him.

I don't see why he feels the need to justify it and bash every country in Europe. Many countries are as diverse as America, which is far from perfect.

Agree. There is no reason for bashing other countries. You either fit in with the culture or you don't. Sure, the culture may irritate you but that doesn't mean it is bad. It just means incompatibility.

Quote:We can argue about healthcare, but to say Americans don't want it for free is wrong.
Didn't the politicians this past Election campaign to change Obamacare or revise it?
So the system is far from perfect and is a big issue for a lot of Americans. After all, 11% or 30 million Americans don't have health insurance.

Trump was elected on Obamacare repeal and replace.

Having insurance isn't the same thing as being able to use it.

This is way bigger than how many have insurance and how many don't. We have millions that are barely able to make monthly payments and cannot use it because of the high deductibles. That means they have insurance but can't use it. Many places have only one place to get insurance if that.

Obama did get people used to the idea of universal healthcare. That was his objective. I suspect he wanted a one payer system but didn't think people would go for it right away and would transition to it later. I think people are more open to one payer system now.

Healthcare costs are out of whack here. I can go in as a cash buyer and pay double to triple to what someone on Medicare pays.

We have a lot of political threads already and should discuss these topics there.

Post: #194

(06-05-2017 12:20 PM)MrRoundtree Wrote:  So can be the second amendment...explain me how well it served americans in the last 30 years?

It will be a freezing day in hell before Americans would ever repeal our right to bear arms. Thanks to gun ownership, I know that if some lunatic or undesirable ever dared step into my property, I'd blow his brains out.

How has NOT having gun ownership served Europeans? Oh right! You get trucks and vans rammed into pedestrians and have to wait like sissies for "the police" to come instead of having people prepared to defend themselves. Man, thanks for reminding me why I can't stand the European mentality of having no spine!

America is a country built on certain freedoms. If anyone doesn't like them, they can piss off back to Europe or whatever nanny state makes them happy.

Post: #195

(06-05-2017 03:16 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  The OP is returning home to America after being overseas, good for him.

I don't see why he feels the need to justify it and bash every country in Europe. Many countries are as diverse as America, which is far from perfect.

To say Spanish kids are annoying seems a bit silly to me, ALL kids are annoying if they aren't under parental control.

We can argue about healthcare, but to say Americans don't want it for free is wrong.
Didn't the politicians this past Election campaign to change Obamacare or revise it?
So the system is far from perfect and is a big issue for a lot of Americans. After all, 11% or 30 million Americans don't have health insurance.

Actually, if the last election showed you anything, was that people DO NOT WANT Obamacare. Lots of people don't have health insurance...that's nothing new. Again, tell me why we should be forced to pay for YOUR health issues? Why should doctors be paid less just so that everyone has access paid for by taxpayers? Stop saying healthcare is FREE...it is NOT free anywhere.

Spanish kids aren't just annoying - they are EXTREMELY rude and anyone who has taught in Spain knows that and again, even a Spanish person has admitted on this thread that Spanish kids are among the rudest you will ever encounter. How is that silly to say something that is the truth?

Why are so many people so butt hurt whenever anyone criticizes Spain? I don't see that happening about ANY other country here and there are threads open about Germany and many other places where people don't like the lifestyle. Aren't we adults here? Can't we just accept we don't always have to agree and that Spain is not a paradise? Bashing other countries? Man some people are so soft! Even on here! Later some people complain about political correctness but my goodness, it seems anything you say these days even among "men" gets you called out for being mean or bashing. Poo hoo. Rubeboy, stop being so soft! I have noticed you Brits are extremely politically correct and nothing can be said anymore without the thought police accusing you of either "bashing" or "hate speech", etc. In the US we have the 1st Amendment. No, we are not perfect...but if you value liberty, it is still much better than any European country when it comes to protecting individual expression and right to bear arms. That's an objective fact.

Post: #196

(06-05-2017 03:40 PM)Baldrich Wrote:  Why are so many people so butt hurt whenever anyone criticizes Spain?

Your delivery?

Post: #197

(06-05-2017 04:03 PM)ElFlaco Wrote:  

(06-05-2017 03:40 PM)Baldrich Wrote:  Why are so many people so butt hurt whenever anyone criticizes Spain?

Your delivery?

Well, I'm not some old grandmother sipping tea in a parlor. I am very direct. We all have our own style. But that's not the real reason. I have seen other threads in other forums when people criticize Spain and you get a whole army of self-righteous pro-Spain groupies. The real reason is that people fantasize about places in Europe so when someone gives a real version of what really goes on, people get upset. Whatever.

Post: #198

A+ thread baldrich, and exceptional job standing your ground against the eurocuck commie zombies and their hilarious non-arguments. coming from a first gen american with 100% european blood and family

Post: #199

(06-04-2017 03:51 PM)Baldrich Wrote:  Sure, but the average person is still much wealthier in the US, in terms of PPP, than an equivalent European.

"Much" wealthier ? You make it sound as if Europe as a whole is some sort of third world country. I recommend you this article:

http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/artic...ed-states/

Quote:This means that if you are lucky enough to belong to the top 1% or 10% in the U.S., you are no doubt quite well off. In Europe, life at the top is also not bad, but if you happen to be, like the majority of the population, in the bottom 90%, or one of 450 million people, in Europe you are far better off.

It's not much use being wealthier if you're spending it on crap food and student loans.
It doesn't improve your quality of life if you're working like a slave either. I'd much rather live on a lower salary in Madrid than in the suburbs of some industrial American shithole.

(06-04-2017 03:51 PM)Baldrich Wrote:  You talk about Joe from "Boringville USA" living with his grandma but actually, most Americans DO NOT live with their parents or grandmas...they are not like the Spanish who need mama even to go to the bathroom.

Any statistics to back that off ?

https://www.wsj.com/articles/percentage-...1482316203

Anyway, I don't see the point in shaming people that live with their parents. If I choose to save 40% or more of my income (spent on rent) to live with my parents why is that such a big deal ?

(06-04-2017 03:51 PM)Baldrich Wrote:  I agree though about the debt but let me ask you this: Why should corporations be forced to give you any vacation time, and that is dictated by government? Europe has so much unemployment because you stifle incentive and force companies to pay massive amounts of NON productive time. Why should government give you healthcare or "free" university? Sorry but what sort of society do you think we'd have if the State did everything for us? Freedom is inseparable from personal individual responsibility. As Bernard Shaw said "freedom incurs responsibility...that's why many men fear it".

In a society where the government doesn't provide free healthcare or education I also expect zero taxes. As far as I know in "free" America you still have to do your tax returns even if you no longer live there.

(06-04-2017 03:51 PM)Baldrich Wrote:  I don't really care about traditions - they bore me and in fact every time there is a holiday in Spain because of those "traditions" all supermarkets and shops close as well as offices and you can't get shit done. I hate that and it is a massive inconvenience. I LOVE the fact that the US countryside is scary as you say. I have a beautiful Victorian mansion in the countryside and wouldn't trade it for a mini euro apartment of cinder block that is like a cold cave in the winter and depressing gray euro buildings. Boring people? What's so "fun" about European people? What's so fun about doing the same crappy tradition year after year and going home to mama EVERY SUNDAY to eat paella as so many Spanish people do? You call that fun?? You can hop into your car and go to many interesting places in the US. Ever heard of road trips? It's an American thing actually...since most Spanish people (and other Europeans) don't even ever get out of their village and have no interest in doing so. I've met tons of Spaniards who even live in Madrid and have NEVER ONCE been to the Prado. Now that's f-ing boring as hell! No creativity here at all, no imagination, no ENTREPRENEURSHIP...what's so interesting and fun about that?

That's your view of things. For me traditions are important, that's what makes a country different. It brings people together and creates a sense of community. Americans barely know their neighbors and are paranoid, no wonder they're adverse to social events.

Post: #200

(06-05-2017 04:08 PM)el mavericko Wrote:  A+ thread baldrich, and exceptional job standing your ground against the eurocuck commie zombies and their hilarious non-arguments. coming from a first gen american with 100% european blood and family

Thank you. I'm like you -- I have 100% European background but living in Europe has taught me how to deal with these zombies. They're everywhere here so I've honed my skills on how to deal with them.