Now we're starting to talk like adults!!!

 

Countries in Europe has a social safety net. You don't have to make as much over there. I know, I lived there for two years. I anticipate retireing there. I will also enjoy a higher standard of living. Don't just say BS. Look up standard of living and do some research. The USA ranks about 9th.

 

I lived around the world in the Air Force. The US ranks first for me! That's all that counts not some research you look up on the Internet. That's not BS!

 

True, they do have a social safety net. That does not disprove what the other poster mentioned about size and expense. Europeans tend to live within their means much more than Americans.

Further, on the topic of the European Social Safety net, it is interesting to note that in the next 50 years, Europe is predicted to half in population. There social programs (which function much like how Social Security was suppose to, with a number of young supporting a single elderly person) will not be able to work in the same manner, or with the same effectiveness, since the old will outnumber the young.

 

Most every military guy I've spoken to think the US is the greatest. The facts speak differently. I think it is understandable that a military trained person would feel that way. It doesn't make it true. It depends on how you define standard of living, of course, but my experience is different from yours. I did not have the benefit of living on base however.

I'd like to see any source that says the population will decrease. I seriously doubt it. If anything the population is going to boom due to immigration. The immigration will be from third world nations and THAT may be a great burden on the system. BTW most of the support for these programs come from business payroll tax. Many businesses on Europe go to great lengths to avoid taxes. It is not uncommon, for example, to be paid in benefits like a company car or restaurant script because those are not taxed.

I agree, however, that many Americans live beyond their means. My opinion is that this is cause by a generation trying to live up to the same standard they had growing up. The middle class was very strong 30 years ago. Today the middle class is disappearing and that spells trouble.

 

I agree 100%.

I never understood the whole keeping up with the Joneses concept. It's pretty ridiculous if you ask me. I drive a beater but it's paid off.

 

I was born in another country and I am grateful for the opportunities that living in the US has given me. However, I think there are a lot of places that you can live that are just as good (some may even argue better) where you could live a good and fulfilling life.

 

Here are some excerpts from a Wasthington Post Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...061401340.html

A decrease in population will mean a decrease in workers and a decrease in business, so even if they do get most of the money from taxes, with the population decreasing, it will hurt the economy and their business. Further, many Europeans are adamantly opposed to Immigration, they fear that by letting in too many immigrants, they will lose their culutre, since the immigrants are not assimilating into their countries. So many are passing laws to curb immigration.

I do not know if the middle class is really disappearing, or infact growing. With an increasing gap between Rich and Poor, there will be a larger difference between Upper Middle Class and Lower Middle Class. So what was once the Lower Upper Class, and the Upper Lower Class, are now becoming part of the Middle Class.

But then again, I could be wrong on how that all works.

 

Thanks for the info. Looking at in on a macro scale, I wonder if the USA is just a few years behind Europe. Maybe China is the world power of the future. These things happen in slow motion.

Considering that pilots used to be upper middle class and are now firmly in the middle, it seems the "bell" shape is skewing to the low end.

 

If I was on with UPS, I would have a Porsche, not sure silver or black...............