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Overworked Americans
- Thread starter Burning_Inside
- Start date
We've lost our way. That is without a doubt true. Jefferson and Adams would weep if they were alive today and saw the self imposed slavery we exist under today. Our quality of life is no better now than it was in the 1950's.
Fucked is as fucked does.
Fucked is as fucked does.
Burning_Inside
Elite Mentor
I believe that. The article does bring up one point..We want more and more, and therefore need to work more and more, and people suffer, or something to that extent.
It's all greed.
It's all greed.
C
Crazy Ivan
Guest
Must eliminate the want!
People keep buying shit they don't need.
People keep buying shit they don't need.
A
anabolicmd
Guest
WODIN said:
The 50's were paradise compared to today. You could actually work one job, and support a family. What a concept.
atlantabiolab
New member
The author is an idiot, like all social utopists. The European model is a model for failure. Government imposing restrictions on work hours, yet demanding funding for every social program under the sun, which is taken from the employees and the overtaxed businesses, is a recipe for disaster. You can't reduce productivity yet demand more money for healthcare, social security, education, etc.
While the Europeans do have less work hours, they also have less opportunities. Their gas prices are much higher than ours, their housing prices are higher than ours, their utilities are higher than ours. So to compensate for these costs, they do without. From talking to some German associates, they often rationalize this situation and attempt to claim that this is how they choose to live, but in reality they have simply prioritize other necessities, due to the government restrictions, over the luxuries we have.
We work extra hours because we can and because we want things, and those who demonize consumerism, neglect to tell you that this is what drives our economy, it pays for all of their ludicrous social programs, and it is a factor influencing our higher standard of living.
While the Europeans do have less work hours, they also have less opportunities. Their gas prices are much higher than ours, their housing prices are higher than ours, their utilities are higher than ours. So to compensate for these costs, they do without. From talking to some German associates, they often rationalize this situation and attempt to claim that this is how they choose to live, but in reality they have simply prioritize other necessities, due to the government restrictions, over the luxuries we have.
We work extra hours because we can and because we want things, and those who demonize consumerism, neglect to tell you that this is what drives our economy, it pays for all of their ludicrous social programs, and it is a factor influencing our higher standard of living.
Families in the 50's also thought it was hard to get by, but a good part of their income was going towards savings rather than consumer goods. There wasn't as much stuff to buy or want in the 50's, nor was credit as easy to come by. Today people seem to think they can "afford" something if they can get enough credit, not that they actually have the money. You'd think in these days of uncertain job security that people would be saving more but they're not. Americans' personal savings rate has declined by approx 50% just since the 70's!
While spending may drive the economy, it also drives people having no self-control into debt, resulting in even more social programs, higher taxes, bigger government. Another change since the 50's has been the erosion of personal responsibility. People now are conditioned to think "Big Brother" will always be there to take care of them, so they live and act irresponsibly, breed prolifically (the govt pays for that too in the form of tax credits or welfare bennies), and vote for even bigger government.
While spending may drive the economy, it also drives people having no self-control into debt, resulting in even more social programs, higher taxes, bigger government. Another change since the 50's has been the erosion of personal responsibility. People now are conditioned to think "Big Brother" will always be there to take care of them, so they live and act irresponsibly, breed prolifically (the govt pays for that too in the form of tax credits or welfare bennies), and vote for even bigger government.
anabolicmd said:
Yeah but you're like a high school janitor or something. You just want someone to make your life easy.
Today's world offers opportunities far beyond what was offered in the 1950's. if you are working harder with nothing tovshow for it, better check the mirror.
A
anabolicmd
Guest
MattTheSkywalker said:
You make many unfounded ASSumptions. As a matter of fact, thats your debating m.o., and the reason you never make your case.
C
Code
Guest
I hereby emancipate all you EF slaves!!!
Be free!!!!
Live your lives free from the tyranny of EF!!!!
Be free!!!!
Live your lives free from the tyranny of EF!!!!
sh4dowf4lcon
New member
I work twice as many hours now as I did a few years ago for about the same money. I feel a little overworked, but I am working and that is better than standing in an unemployment line. Not knocking on Bros that are unemployed, it is a tough economy all the way around right now.
anabolicmd said:
Thanks, peanut gallery. LMAO!! You've got to be someone's alter ID.
I bet an HS janitor would be a pay raise for you. It's a solid union job most places.
one thing i noticed is that in europ most people go out every night not like america where you work, come home and go to sleep and repeat.....When i was in cyprus and greece people who worked full time went out every single night and came home 1am......they spend their money on go out, drinking...over here its spent on big house and fancy cars.....difference of lifestyle mostly
Haunted Child
New member
nzafi said:
hmm...do they (Europeans) go out because buying a big house or fancy car is out of the question or because they enjoy each others company? A mixture of both? Since a vast majority of working Europeans are renters, their social structure evolved differently than ours? A lack of space for developing housing? Curious...
HC
J
jenscats5
Guest
A friend of mine has family in Italy & says that their standard of living is lower than the US's and that they are not as materialistic as us. Don't know how true that is, but for all my complaining about my current job, now that I don't have it anymore, I guess it wasn't so bad.
It's 9:35. I'm still at work.
My standard of living is great. I could go home at 5, or I could stay here, work more, and then when I have time off, look at a US map, pick a city, and go there.
if I went home at 5 I'd be doing what??
My standard of living is great. I could go home at 5, or I could stay here, work more, and then when I have time off, look at a US map, pick a city, and go there.
if I went home at 5 I'd be doing what??
Lao Tzu
New member
MattTheSkywalker said:
http://boards.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?postid=2966644#post2966644
A
anabolicmd
Guest
MattTheSkywalker said:
What a great opportunity for you to bring up your much trumpeted alleged personal wealth. I have no idea how much you really make or how much you are worth, but if you are as well of as you regularly imply and emphasize, you got more money than sense from what Ive read.
Nordstrom,
great job digging that one up.
I might not get to JO until 11-ish tonight.
great job digging that one up.
I might not get to JO until 11-ish tonight.
Haunted Child...im sure it varies from country to country but in Greece and Cyprus most people inherent their house and even car....so they do not have these expenses to worry about....those who do not inherent or do not live at home have a tougher time getting by.........The younger generation definately likes to buy stuff though, they can be even more materialistic than Americans....it varies greatly.......I went to this one guys house which must of easily been $2million but it didnt show it off at all, and didnt try to show his money off......I think one of the bigger issues in Greece and Cyprus is that there is less opportunity there than in America, you are born into a social class and chances are you will stay there.....you get ahead by connections which means you have money....But i have met many people who are from abroard(Greece,Cyprus,China,Egypt) and they all say how people in America dont know how to live, they only know how to work......and i agree with them
atlantabiolab
New member
nzafi said:
Culture does shape how one thinks, and Americans and Europeans value different things, but the real issue is opportunity. From my experience, and empirical evidence, Europeans have less opportunities for many of the luxuries that Americans have. Instead of respecting or wanting these same opportunities, Europeans tend to demonize us for this: we are too materialistic, we are too greedy, etc. They have accepted the socialistic values of egalitarianism and security and they prioritize these values over opportunity and liberty.
What is unfortunate is that this mentality is permeating into the US, as seen in the "democratic" mindset.
atlantabiolab your point is correct to a degree.....people do not have opportunity in the sense of find work and makes big salaries.....but i have met many greeks who couldnt care less to own a fancy car or a big house.....my cousin is a professional soccer player in Cyprus and his father coached the national team....he is as about materialistic as you can get....other friend who is even wealthier than him and is personal friends with the former president of Cyprus drives a car that is 15 years old with no A/C even though his family is very wealthy......big difference is that family life is far better in Greece and Cyprus.....and poor family life in america is attributed to being greedy and materialistic
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