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UK Standard of Living beats the US!!!
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| 60. |
23 Jan 2008 Wed 01:49 am |
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Quoting catwoman: You were saying that in the US it's most important what kind of family you're born into - whether they are rich or not. My point was that it's much easier to make a fortune in the US then it is in Europe - as it's much harder to overcome the economic obstacles of being poor in Europe then it is in the US! |
Actually that is not true catwoman....if you are from a poor family, in this current days; it's very unlikely you will make a fortune now. Your nutritional needs will probably not be filled. That will lead to developmental problems. You will probably live in substandard housing, possibly being exposed to environmental hazards, such as lead, that can limit your intellectual development. You will probably also be exposed to toxics in the air, which may give you asthma.
" My first task is to find a place to live. I figure that if I can earn $7 an hour—which, from the want ads, seems doable—I can afford to spend $500 on rent or maybe, with severe economies, $600 and still have $400 or $500 left over for food and gas. In the Key West area, this pretty much confines me to flophouses and trailer homes—like the one, a pleasing fifteen-minute drive from town, that has no air-conditioning, no screens, no fans, no television, and, by way of diversion, only the challenge of evading the landlord's Doberman pinscher. The big problem with this place, though, is the rent, which at $675 a month is well beyond my reach. All right, Key West is expensive. But so is New York City, or the Bay Area, or Jackson, Wyoming, or Telluride, or Boston, or any other place where tourists and the wealthy compete for living space with the people who clean their toilets and fry their hash browns. Still, it is a shock to realize that "trailer trash" has become, for me, a demographic category to aspire to. " Nickel and Dimed
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| 61. |
23 Jan 2008 Wed 05:13 am |
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Ok.... it is true that crude capitalism is harsher then a welfare state. People have to take care of themselves instead of the government taking care of them. Because of that, supposedly, we have lower taxes. It would be a tough place to live if it wasn't that the free market provides people with many opportunities to make a living and take care of themselves. There are really a lot of opportunities here... as far as I know Bill Gates wasn't born rich.
The well being of people depends on how well the economy is doing and in countries where the government doesn't interfere with businesses too much, the economy prospers much better. That is supposedly why the UK's economy is better then the rest of Europe's.
It does sound harsh that people don't have a universal healthcare coverage. That is one of the consequences of the philosophy that the government should not take care of people. As a result of that the US has a highest quality health care, but many people can't afford it. It is definitely a very bad situation but I wouldn't want to go to the social health care because there are lots of problems with it as well, and we can find good solutions inside the current system here.
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| 62. |
23 Jan 2008 Wed 08:39 am |
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Quoting alameda:
Actually that is not true catwoman....if you are from a poor family, in this current days; it's very unlikely you will make a fortune now. Your nutritional needs will probably not be filled. That will lead to developmental problems. You will probably live in substandard housing, possibly being exposed to environmental hazards, such as lead, that can limit your intellectual development. You will probably also be exposed to toxics in the air, which may give you asthma.
' My first task is to find a place to live. I figure that if I can earn $7 an hour—which, from the want ads, seems doable—I can afford to spend $500 on rent or maybe, with severe economies, $600 and still have $400 or $500 left over for food and gas. In the Key West area, this pretty much confines me to flophouses and trailer homes—like the one, a pleasing fifteen-minute drive from town, that has no air-conditioning, no screens, no fans, no television, and, by way of diversion, only the challenge of evading the landlord's Doberman pinscher. The big problem with this place, though, is the rent, which at $675 a month is well beyond my reach. All right, Key West is expensive. But so is New York City, or the Bay Area, or Jackson, Wyoming, or Telluride, or Boston, or any other place where tourists and the wealthy compete for living space with the people who clean their toilets and fry their hash browns. Still, it is a shock to realize that 'trailer trash' has become, for me, a demographic category to aspire to. ' Nickel and Dimed |
Where do you find this crap? This is just about the most stereotypical bunch of bull.... I have seen.   
Here is a counterpoint to your depressing story of "trailer trash".....
Read about Liz Murray. Her story is as uplifting as I have ever heard. I had the pleasure of hearing her speak at the Society of Human Resource Management conference in Washington DC in 2006. She is a remarkable woman who moved everyone in the room with her incredible story...
http://www.collegenews.org/x4285.xml
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| 63. |
23 Jan 2008 Wed 03:25 pm |
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Quoting catwoman: Ok.... it is true that crude capitalism is harsher then a welfare state. People have to take care of themselves instead of the government taking care of them. Because of that, supposedly, we have lower taxes. It would be a tough place to live if it wasn't that the free market provides people with many opportunities to make a living and take care of themselves. There are really a lot of opportunities here... as far as I know Bill Gates wasn't born rich.
The well being of people depends on how well the economy is doing and in countries where the government doesn't interfere with businesses too much, the economy prospers much better. That is supposedly why the UK's economy is better then the rest of Europe's.
It does sound harsh that people don't have a universal healthcare coverage. That is one of the consequences of the philosophy that the government should not take care of people. As a result of that the US has a highest quality health care, but many people can't afford it. It is definitely a very bad situation but I wouldn't want to go to the social health care because there are lots of problems with it as well, and we can find good solutions inside the current system here. |
I agree with you catwoman. I don't know what the answer is for our healthcare here, however the government should not be involved. I would even rather see a National Insurance Policy that is offered to everyone, that is a set amount. However, the policy should be spelled out in black and white. Too many of our current insurance policies have so many grey areas that most average people, don't understand.
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| 64. |
23 Jan 2008 Wed 03:35 pm |
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Quoting girleegirl: Quoting teaschip1:
Well, if you think Bush is bad...Hillary is just plain evil.  |
Please, do tell what "evil" has Hillary perpetrated on the good people of the world. |
I would like to believe I'm a good judge in character. I have met thousands of women like Hillary Clinton in my life time. Hillary lacks integrity and I believe is a phony. She appears to be so self absorbed with a hidden agenda and not for the common good of the American people. Her past also doesn't help her cause. I realize you could say this about almost any politican, however I would give my vote to Obama before I would trust Hillary.
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| 65. |
23 Jan 2008 Wed 03:45 pm |
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Quoting teaschip1: Quoting girleegirl: Quoting teaschip1:
Well, if you think Bush is bad...Hillary is just plain evil. |
Please, do tell what 'evil' has Hillary perpetrated on the good people of the world. |
I would like to believe I'm a good judge in character. I have met thousands of women like Hillary Clinton in my life time. Hillary lacks integrity and I believe is a phony. She appears to be so self absorbed with a hidden agenda and not for the common good of the American people. Her past also doesn't help her cause. I realize you could say this about almost any politican, however I would give my vote to Obama before I would trust Hillary. |
i dont think she could be worse than G.W Bush.. and i dont think American Politics will change in long run.. US will keep destroying the world no matter who is in charge..maybe they will leave Iraq but i am very sure that they will create another enemy to fight..another land to make a blood bath as they have done for 50 years. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!
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| 66. |
23 Jan 2008 Wed 03:50 pm |
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Quoting teaschip1: I would like to believe I'm a good judge in character. |
I beg to differ! If you are a "good judge of character" then how can you be a Bush supporter!!! 
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| 67. |
23 Jan 2008 Wed 03:59 pm |
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Quoting ciko: Quoting teaschip1: Quoting girleegirl: Quoting teaschip1:
Well, if you think Bush is bad...Hillary is just plain evil. |
Please, do tell what 'evil' has Hillary perpetrated on the good people of the world. |
I would like to believe I'm a good judge in character. I have met thousands of women like Hillary Clinton in my life time. Hillary lacks integrity and I believe is a phony. She appears to be so self absorbed with a hidden agenda and not for the common good of the American people. Her past also doesn't help her cause. I realize you could say this about almost any politican, however I would give my vote to Obama before I would trust Hillary. |
i dont think she could be worse than G.W Bush.. and i dont think American Politics will change in long run.. US will keep destroying the world no matter who is in charge..maybe they will leave Iraq but i am very sure that they will create another enemy to fight..another land to make a blood bath as they have done for 50 years. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!! |
You may want to choose your words more carefully, Ciko. I believe Turkey has it's own battle with the PKK. Did Turkey create this enemy?
I do believe the U.S. has every right to interfere when it has a tremendous affect on our country. Otherwise, we should mind our own business. Which brings me to the following questions. Should the U.S. be providing real time intelligence to Turkey regarding the PKK or should we mind our own business?
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| 68. |
23 Jan 2008 Wed 03:59 pm |
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Quoting AEnigma III: Quoting teaschip1: I would like to believe I'm a good judge in character. |
I beg to differ! If you are a "good judge of character" then how can you be a Bush supporter!!! |
When did I say I was a Bush supporter?
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| 69. |
23 Jan 2008 Wed 04:34 pm |
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Quoting teaschip1: Quoting ciko: Quoting teaschip1: Quoting girleegirl: Quoting teaschip1:
Well, if you think Bush is bad...Hillary is just plain evil. |
Please, do tell what 'evil' has Hillary perpetrated on the good people of the world. |
I would like to believe I'm a good judge in character. I have met thousands of women like Hillary Clinton in my life time. Hillary lacks integrity and I believe is a phony. She appears to be so self absorbed with a hidden agenda and not for the common good of the American people. Her past also doesn't help her cause. I realize you could say this about almost any politican, however I would give my vote to Obama before I would trust Hillary. |
i dont think she could be worse than G.W Bush.. and i dont think American Politics will change in long run.. US will keep destroying the world no matter who is in charge..maybe they will leave Iraq but i am very sure that they will create another enemy to fight..another land to make a blood bath as they have done for 50 years. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!! |
You may want to choose your words more carefully, Ciko. I believe Turkey has it's own battle with the PKK. Did Turkey create this enemy?
I do believe the U.S. has every right to interfere when it has a tremendous affect on our country. Otherwise, we should mind our own business. Which brings me to the following questions. Should the U.S. be providing real time intelligence to Turkey regarding the PKK or should we mind our own business? |
1 st question: did turkey create PKK?
absolutely yes if you could search about life in 70s and 80s in east of turkey you would see that.
2 nd question: Should the U.S. be providing real time intelligence to Turkey regarding the PKK or should we mind our own business?
yes you should just mind your own business as other countries..and you urgently should get the f..k out of middle east..there is nothing else you should do..the longer you stay here the more we hate US. sad but true.
and i wonder if Somalia, Sudan, Vietnam, all south american countries ( except argentina, brasil and mexico)kampuchea.. etc...did all these countries have tremendous effect on your country?
whatever you say..all the world know what is USA dont waste your energy to explain how good you are for the world
i wonder, do you have turkish blood?..you are unable to criticise your country just like most turkish people
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| 70. |
23 Jan 2008 Wed 05:20 pm |
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Quoting teaschip1: Quoting AEnigma III: Quoting teaschip1: So you could work one week, quit your job and have health insurance? Also, I'm curious what does a single employee pay on monthly basis into national insurance in UK? Is it the same for everyone or based on your salary and family size? |
Teas - you must get the word "insurance" out of your head. EVERYBODY is entitled to the same heathcare - from birth. You do not have to take ANY documents, certificates or evidence to the hospital with you and you don't have to claim anything back - there is NOTHING TO PAY.
National Insurance is a type of tax. It also covers other things like dental care and a state pension (most people have a private pension as well - you can have both).
Benefits that depend on NIC contributions
Your entitlement to the following benefits and/or the amount you can get will depend on your (or in some cases your spouse or civil partner's)
NIC contributions also cover:-
Contribution based Jobseeker's Allowance
Incapacity Benefit (if you can't work for long periods due to illness or injury)
State Pension
Widowed Parents' Allowance
Bereavement Allowance
Bereavement Payment
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/BeginnersGuideToTax/DG_4015904
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So who is paying this tax then? |
Ok, here it is.
People who work pay tax and national insurance. Tax pays for things like the central government, local government, and the those things that are taken for granted like refuse collections, street cleaning, police, fire service, education etc etc
National Insurance pays for health care and social security payments, pensions and child benefit. (As listed by Aenigma)
If you have not worked, or you are out of work you are still entitled to social security benefits and health care but your pension will be or could be affected if you have not paid enough insurance.
We also have the options to pay private health care, private education, private pension but we still have to pay national insurance. If you have private pensions you still get your state pension (paid for by natioanl insurance)
This national insurance is not like the health insurance you pay. Our national insurance is I think around 8% or 9% of our non-taxable income, therefore the more you earn the more you pay.
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