The Great Stagnation - the crisis of middle class America

C_Mababejive

Oh well,,at least they live in a massive,diverse country full of opportunity and dont have to live, cheek by jowl,in overpriced,poorly built,tiny rabbit hutches which cost us our lifes work to pay for such that we have little spare cash to actually live a little.

I'd rather be poor in the US than poor in the UK

marklv

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Oh well,,at least they live in a massive,diverse country full of opportunity and dont have to live, cheek by jowl,in overpriced,poorly built,tiny rabbit hutches which cost us our lifes work to pay for such that we have little spare cash to actually live a little.

I'd rather be poor in the US than poor in the UK

Off you go - good riddens to you mate.

I'd rather be poor in a country which has a proper welfare state, like the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden or Norway.

pardal51

marklv wrote: »

America is, and always has been, a plutocracy. The rich dominate totally. To do well you need a top class education and a lucrative profession (e.g. law or medicine)

and also have a more equal society. See countries in Scandinavia and Japan, the more equal the better for everyone. I came to this country when I finished university 13y ago. Just to learn English, do a Post-grad and travel around. But I identified a type of society which was very very different from back home. Decided to stay. Cannot believe how this country, society and people have changed. greed and selfishness have taken control of people. It is all about consuming and getting richer. No respect anymore. If we were more equal we would live happier. Sorry for spitting out my frustration, but we may need a whole shake up to rethink about our values (not sure whether this is ever happen though).

pardal51

marklv wrote: »

I'd rather be poor in a country which has a proper welfare state, like the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden or Norway.

Their society is completely different from the UK. they way they think is completely different. They are more equal and fairer countries. Society in this country has to change and a long way to go to catch up with Scandinavia.

C_Mababejive

marklv wrote: »

Off you go - good riddens to you mate.

I'd rather be poor in a country which has a proper welfare state, like the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden or Norway.

The US doesnt encourage immigration,unlike this country.

Further, I am a UK citizen with dual nationality and have never been out of work all my life.

The UK is a socialist country so it is quite happy to allow certain groups to choose not to work and provide for themselves whereas in the USA,Socialism is a dirty word. You work,you earn you make a living and no one rides on anyones back save for the very very poor.

If we didnt have so many safety nets in this country,we wouldnt be a magnet for all.

C_Mababejive

pardal51 wrote: »

Their society is completely different from the UK. they way they think is completely different. They are more equal and fairer countries. Society in this country has to change and a long way to go to catch up with Scandinavia.

Would you mind telling us your birth country/where you came from to the UK and also,what your first impressions were of the UK and what year was that? Ta

Wookster

As a number of people have said, there are big differences between the UK & US, but to my mind one of the biggest problems the US faces is the controlled exchange rate with the Chinese Yuan. For the world economy to recover fully, this must be resolved. Period.

marklv wrote: »

How can you comfortably stay on £65 a week of income support, idiot? If you are single and with no children to support, that is all you get. Engage your brain before opening mouth.

Manners... please?

pardal51

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Would you mind telling us your birth country/where you came from to the UK and also,what your first impressions were of the UK and what year was that? Ta

Brazil/1997/London. Wouldn't see so much violence, people used to respect you more, very different than today. Came as young professional but had to do unskilled work until I learnt English a bit better to be able to find proper skilled job opportunities. I think since the start of easy credit, this country started to look less atractive to me. Anyway I am still here contributing to the country.

C_Mababejive

pardal51 wrote: »

Brazil/1997/London. Wouldn't see so much violence, people used to respect you more, very different than today. Came as young professional but had to do unskilled work until I learnt English a bit better to be able to find proper skilled job opportunities. I think since the start of easy credit, this country started to look less atractive to me. Anyway I am still here contributing to the country.

Great and good on you for making your way in a foreign country.

I guess you have to be an incomer or at least ,go away and come back after a few years to notice how things really are.

When you are here all the time,the decline is insidious and not so noticeable...a bit like a hidden infection or disease.

pardal51

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Great and good on you for making your way in a foreign country.

I guess you have to be an incomer or at least ,go away and come back after a few years to notice how things really are.

When you are here all the time,the decline is insidious and not so noticeable...a bit like a hidden infection or disease.

Absolutely.

This is still a good country with good and inteligent people. The problem is that it is becoming like my home country. The gap between poor/middle class and rich is widening and this is a big big problem.

I used to work for a multinational company in London and my colleague from the Swedish office used to tell us that over there the Director wouldn't get more than 3x his salary. When there is equallity, people are more engaged with society, have good values and principles, are more respectful. Unfortunately this is becoming a norm in many countries Worldwide, not only in the UK.