Americans, I Have Some Bad News For You, page 3

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reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 09:13 AM by JonoEnglish

I hate to generalise but I think it comes down to the work ethic.

People here in the UK and Europe mostly work to live whereas in the US it's live to work.

Most people will trumpet their own Country, as its a matter of pride.

I love the UK, i wouldn't wish to live anywhere else but I can see many other countries that have certain aspects of their culture and lifestyle that are better than ours.

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 09:27 AM by amc621

reply to post by Truth_B_Told

For the OP and all other posters who want to bash USA, go ahead. There are a lot of things wrong in the USA, I for one would not want to live anywhere else.

Please anyone in the USA who is so upset or pissed with our country I BEG you to leave. Please go.

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 09:28 AM by wisdomnotemotion

Originally posted by Truth_B_Told

If you had any idea of how people really lived in Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and many parts of Asia, you’d be rioting in the streets calling for a better life. In fact, the average Australian or Singaporean taxi driver has a much better standard of living than the typical American white-collar worker.

I know this because I am an American, and I escaped from the prison you call home.

Do not judge a book by its cover. To believe what the media and government say, is rude ignorance. I'm a local Singaporean and we have been suffering in silence. They control the media and shutdown any significant opposition (especially political).

I take cab almost every morning to work and many local Singaporean taxi drivers speak up their painful disagreements against government policies (once they're sure I'm local). The most common topic is about CPF, also known as pension funds. These are 20% of our hard-earned salary money.
The current retirement age is 62. Even if someone reaches 62, he/she is not able to withdraw everything at one go. Huge percentage still being restricted.

As for myself, I have to tolerate painful experiences every time I take public transportation. Buses & trains frequently overcrowded thanks to foreigners/immigrants.
Jobs for locals are also being robbed constantly. Media keep painting self-defeating news against locals. "Foreign talents" is a common lie to increase the falling birth rate & population.

edit on 12 1 2010 by wisdomnotemotion because: better remarks

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 09:35 AM by mblahnikluver

Originally posted by bloodgame
That is not the only bad news for Americans.

Being from America is bad enough news. Socially dependent on media and fast food and medication.

Stereotyping again huh... Not all Americans are like this.

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 09:37 AM by monkey_descendant

Originally posted by SpaDe_
Just because you have vacation days, doesn't necessarily mean that you can afford to take a vacation. I know it's nice to have time off and all, but I would like to take the time off to actually vacation and not just sit home broke with nothing to do.

I don't know about in the US, but in the UK you still receive your wages for the time (vacation) you aren't working.

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 09:40 AM by Kryties

Here's a novel thought....

To all those who are being told "If you don't like it then leave....." by the whiny, blinded patriots....

Why don't you? Just bloody leave them to it. Let them sit around a bloody big campfire and sing Kumbayah and shout praises to their Lord God America and then laugh profusely at them as you watch them sink into poverty, homelessness and despair when the faecal matter hits the fan - and it will, have no doubt about that.

Personally I would welcome any American to leave and see countries like my own, Australia, those in Western Europe and pretty much all western countries. I absolutely guarantee you won't want to go back to America after seeing how much you have been lied to.

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 09:45 AM by monkey_descendant

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

In terms of quality of life why is the US better than living in the UK or Germany? I have lived in both of these countries and have American relatives, so I'm quite able to compare. Germany by far has the higher quality of living in all three countries I've mentioned. In fact, a lot of American military individuals I know wish to stay in Germany after being stationed there, and I know many Americans who have settled in Germany.

Maybe a bit less arrogance? I for one, despite thinking Americans are great, would hate to live in the country itself, which really would be awful.

In the US I'd most likely would never have gone to University, I would never have had some of the medical tests that I've had or the non emergency treatment that I've had. Most likely my family would have been living on the streets a few times by now.

Oh and I've been through the American school system as well as the German and English one. I know the American one isn't as good.

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 09:49 AM by monkey_descendant

Originally posted by thecinic
Some people get the weekends off right there is another 6=8 days a month off work it is not like those 12 days are your ONLY days off work. This does not take into ANY consideration actual facts, like teachers get a full years wage and then get the summer off..... Uhhh vacation days are not the ONLYdays you get off work... It all comes with the turf....Seriously 40 days vacation PLUS the weekends sick days AND holidays no wonder finland is the little crap we put around our tree at christmas... America is the big train that thunders around it.
edit on 30-11-2010 by thecinic because: (no reason given)

You know a lot about Finland then, yeah?

Wikipedia:

Finland ranks the best country in the world in the 2010 Newsweek survey based on health, economic dynamism, education, political environment and quality of life.[8] Finland has also been ranked the second most stable country in the world[9] and the first in the 2009 Legatum Prosperity rating.[10] In 2010, the World Economic Forum deemed Finland the 7th most competitive country in the world.[11] Finland is currently ranked as having the highest graduation rates, percentage of graduates to the population at the typical age of graduation, in the world. [12]

edit on 1-12-2010 by monkey_descendant because: spe"ll"ing

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 09:50 AM by amc621

reply to post by Kryties

Whiny patriots? Really? I said the country is not perfect. However there is a lot of good. How am I "whiny" by telling someone if their not happy then leave? My guess is the people who complain probably don't vote either.

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 09:50 AM by Fiberx

reply to post by Danbones

I agree here. In theory it is the best. In theory America is a bastion of freedom that can not be corrupted. A place for the oppressed to flee to and find a new family (nation), that respects their rights as a human being and their privacy.

That has been in decline for a long time now though. It's not entirely America's fault, but we are responsible for tackling any threat to our freedoms, no one else.

What it comes down to is that our systems of governance and society have to be creative and adjust to the world within the rules of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Rather, we have been adjusting laws and civil rights in order to make it easier to adjust to a changing world and with dangers and challenges around every corner, that has led us to corrupt our own protections.

We have a wealth of educational institutions, Lots of opportunity to practice entrepreneurship and a friendly, open society. We should be able to be more creative and achieve our goals without sacrificing our freedoms. We have always been the "can do" people. Somewhere along the line we lost that and became the "have to do" people. We have to give up rights for safety, we have to work long hours to get by... so on and so forth.

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 09:52 AM by monkey_descendant

Originally posted by Fiberx
reply to post by Danbones

I agree here. In theory it is the best. In theory America is a bastion of freedom that can not be corrupted. A place for the oppressed to flee to and find a new family (nation), that respects their rights as a human being and their privacy.

That has been in decline for a long time now though. It's not entirely America's fault, but we are responsible for tackling any threat to our freedoms, no one else.

What it comes down to is that our systems of governance and society have to be creative and adjust to the world within the rules of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Rather, we have been adjusting laws and civil rights in order to make it easier to adjust to a changing world and with dangers and challenges around every corner, that has led us to corrupt our own protections.

We have a wealth of educational institutions, Lots of opportunity to practice entrepreneurship and a friendly, open society. We should be able to be more creative and achieve our goals without sacrificing our freedoms. We have always been the "can do" people. Somewhere along the line we lost that and became the "have to do" people. We have to give up rights for safety, we have to work long hours to get by... so on and so forth.

America's philosophy is great and all, but it's not the only country with freedom. It may have been once, for a certain type of freedom, but it's not the only one now. Besides, there are plenty of things you could catch up on, like allowing gay marriage. India had a female president decades ago for a start.

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 09:55 AM by Kryties

Originally posted by amc621
reply to post by Kryties

Whiny patriots? Really? I said the country is not perfect. However there is a lot of good. How am I "whiny" by telling someone if their not happy then leave? My guess is the people who complain probably don't vote either.

I wasn't just referring to you, but while you are here I may as well add that I can't stand that statement "If you don't like it then leave". It reaks of bullying behaviour and, quite frankly, is completely against the principles of the 'democracy' that you so loudly proclaim to be your shining light.

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 09:57 AM by monkey_descendant

Originally posted by Redwookieaz
Well for all the financial freedoms those in other countries do enjoy over people in the US, they do in fact have less personal freedoms in return. See I can still protect myself and my family from the like of oppressive governments via guns. There are far too many countries where that is not allowed. So pick your poison.

The truth is, that we have far too few rights in ANY of the modern countries and are ALL treated like slaves. Honestly it should be your right as a human being to protect yourself against oppression in the same way it is being shoved down your throats (governments have guns). If one human being is allowed a gun than all should be alllowed the same defense. After all does one tiger or group of tigers have the right to take away another tiger's teeth or claws?

Don't be fooled, all governments and the "elites" are where they are because they are propped up on our backs. Giving the government's the right to "protect you" while not having gun rights yourself is like giving the fox the keys to the henhouse and "hoping for the best".

So yeah Americans are overworked and yeah Europeans have no personal freedom. You can continue to feed into their game of divide and conquer. You can be a smug sheep and know you have it better than the cattle.
Or you can realize we are all oppressed, who is really at fault and stop fighting with the other slaves. Take your rightful real freedom and feel how good that can be.
edit on 1-12-2010 by Redwookieaz because: (no reason given)

I have to say I am annoyed at some people always defending the US by using the word "freedom" and saying that we in other countries don't have it, or little of it. What a generalisation, what brainwashing! In all of my life in the UK and in Germany I have never been repressed for my beliefs or my actions, not by the government or by SOCIETY. I can marry someone of the same gender, kiss them in public if I want, walk around with a giant pentagram tattooed to my head, stand naked at my window during the day. I can have whatever opinions I want. No one would care, the media wouldn't even blink!

And you can get a gun lisence here too. Some people do have guns. But I for one am glad it's not legal to just carry them around nilly willy.

edit on 1-12-2010 by monkey_descendant because: (no reason given)

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 09:58 AM by monkey_descendant

Originally posted by Kryties

Originally posted by amc621
reply to post by Kryties

Whiny patriots? Really? I said the country is not perfect. However there is a lot of good. How am I "whiny" by telling someone if their not happy then leave? My guess is the people who complain probably don't vote either.

I wasn't just referring to you, but while you are here I may as well add that I can't stand that statement "If you don't like it then leave". It reaks of bullying behaviour and, quite frankly, is completely against the principles of the 'democracy' that you so loudly proclaim to be your shining light.

I agree. The don't like it then leave attitude is one that doesn't allow for anything to be fixed or changed for the better.

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 10:00 AM by Hefficide

This article shows some of the facts not taken into consideration in the OP. For example:

The good news is that the U.S. still leads the industrialized world in productivity. We are ranked first among the Group of Eight (G8) nations, which are considered the most powerful countries in the world. Other G8 members include Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and France. France is #2 in productivity.

So, with hard work does come reward. As further demonstrated here:

In other good news, the U.S. ranks first among the G8 nations in quality of life according to another recent study by JPC-SED. This Quality of Life indicator takes into account the average life span, healthcare system, productivity numbers, higher education levels and gross domestic product in each country.

Of the 30 nations listed in the study (most of them non-G8 members), the U.S. was seventh overall while Japan, France and Germany were 14th, 15th, and 16th respectively. The top Quality of Life countries were Luxembourg (#1), Norway (#2), Switzerland (#3), Denmark (#4), Sweden (#5) and Iceland (#6).

I do realize that individual results will vary and that many people may come along, after this point, with personal stories which could both support and counter the above statistics. That is perfectly understandable and to be expected. My OWN personal experiences include periods of success as well as periods of less than stellar levels of belief in "the American dream".

Ours is a flawed system, to be sure. But, the same can be said for every single economic and political model on this planet. I can assure you that somewhere in Luxembourg (#1 in the world in quality of life) you could find disenfranchised and disaffected - angry people who didn't get enough of their own slice of the pie. So a nation, such as the US, listed at # 7 on that list will also have its fair share of the disillusioned and left behind.

Vacation is a touchy subject to be sure. As my linked article, here, shows, other nations tend to provide vacation days to employees at the point of hire. Here, in the US, we traditionally have to work to earn those days. At some jobs this process can literally take several years. My experience is that most employers provide some level of vacation between the first 90 days and 1 year. But, still, in my opinion this is too long. It's just another game that corporations play... A game where every cent they can withhold from each employee becomes an exponential tidal wave of profit - thus padding corporate bonuses. And that leads me to the real issue that I feel is behind issues like this...

As an American I don't mind working at all. In fact I love it. I take pride in earning for myself and my loved ones. I take pride in contributing to my neighbors, county, state, and Country. What does chap my proverbial ass is that there is a small subset of people who become obscenely rich off of my labor... People who, by the very nature of our system, are compelled to nickel and dime me into poverty as a means of gaining their wealth. Corporate shills who come out of accounting and economic schools without any sense of what it is to sweat, or hunger, or worry. Number crunching zealots of a religion of dollars, who only have one God... the bottom line... and serve no other function in this world but to feed it.

Find a way to destroy this single false paradigm... this one heretical gear in our collective machine... and I promise you Americans will happily accept even fewer vacation days - just as long as it means that they earn the profits from the sweat of their own brows.

~Heff

edit on 12/1/10 by Hefficide because: syntax

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 10:00 AM by Kryties

Originally posted by monkey_descendant

And you can get a gun liscence here too. Some people do have guns. But I for one am glad it's not legal to just carry them around nilly willy.

You forget to mention that 'gun fever' is only really relegated to those who live in the U.S.

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 10:01 AM by monkey_descendant

Originally posted by The Baby Seal Club
reply to post by Truth_B_Told

Sorry OP, your link's blog is wrong.

A couple of paragraphs into his article he states that all of western Europe has a single-payer health system. False!! I can't vouch for England or some of the others but I do know that Germany is not a single-payer system.

Where did he get his stats on the average annual vacation days? He posts no references. I know of no one working in the private sector that receives 35 days of vacation in Germany. 30 days is the norm. Granted that is more than the normal American worker, but this shows how the blogger is lying in order to emphasize his opinion.

I understand if people want to leave the US or are not happy with the current conditions in America, but at least use some facts in justifying your opinion.

My sister in Germany gets 35 days in the private sector.

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 10:03 AM by monkey_descendant

Originally posted by Darkrunner
reply to post by Truth_B_Told

I'd rather work than sit on my ass.

But that's just me.

Well, vacation isn't forced on anyone. You don't have to take it. At least I don't.

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 10:11 AM by sasquatch5100

reply to post by Truth_B_Told

Have you noticed the riots in the Euro Zone with their better "standard of living" Truth? Who says it's better, the Socialist morons that created the bankrupt situation they're in now? There isn't one example of Socialism ever helping the middle class or one example of a country not going broke eventually from Socialism. It always fails to deliver on the promises. Our Free Market system is having trouble now because of socialist policies, or hand outs that cannot be paid for. The only people that have ever prospered in socialist or communist countries are the ruling class and always at the expense of the people. It doesn't take long to review history and how Socialism, Communism, and Marxism always lead to bankruptcy!!!

reply posted on 1-12-2010 @ 10:15 AM by MarshMallow_Snake

reply to post by bloodgame

Speak for yourself. Not all American's are this way.