After 2 weeks in Europe

[24KT]

Sorry, spent too much of my life growing up in Europe to buy this bullshit.  They are lazy.  Not maybe.  Not kinda.  They are flat out lazy.

Maybe they were simply not programmed to work their asses off for corporate overlords?

How is wanting to have some quality of life lazy?

People should work to LIVE, ...not live to WORK.

Where in Europe did you grow up?

[George Whorewell]

But I bet you didn't have a problem with socialism during Hurricane Sandy? or did you?

Disaster relief aid for domestic emergencies such as Sandy are financed by two sources: money the government has already confiscated from the tax payer and through voluntary charitable donations. In any case, the aforementioned does not equate socialism.  Hurricane's Sandy doesn't happen for generations at a time. Bad weather isn't going to collapse the United States of America. And providing funding to help citizens who are truly in need does not result in a a mysterious increase of catastrophic storms. With respect to socialism, it's the exact opposite. While socialism is purportedly being used for the good of "all" people its real world application always ends up being implemented for the continued dependency of one group at the expense of another. By putting a humanitarian spin on what is essentially soft tyranny, the socialist model runs every country who follows its tired formula into the ground by attempting to alleviate problems that are either (a) unsolvable or (b) can't be solved by raising taxes.

Disaster relief aid won't encourage Sandy's unisex sibling Pat to destroy the eastern sea board every two weeks in order to get more funding. Hurricanes don't have a lobby in Washington.  Yet with socialism its the same old story: The bigger government gets the more it needs and the worse things turn out.  

 

[24KT]

With respect to socialism, it's the exact opposite. While socialism is purportedly being used for the good of "all" people its real world application always ends up being implemented for the continued dependency of one group at the expense of another. By putting a humanitarian spin on what is essentially soft tyranny, the socialist model runs every country who follows its tired formula into the ground by attempting to alleviate problems that are either (a) unsolvable or (b) can't be solved by raising taxes. .  
 

Agreed, the "social safety net" is great in theory, but it's practical applications makes one question it's real reason for being. That said, you have to admit some forms of socialism do work... fire departments for instance. Even the disgusting & corrupted police depts have a purpose no?

I just think it hardly paints an accurate picture to blame the ills of Europe on socialism when it has been corporate elitism that has created the fiasco... it's a takeover by those who "do God's work", and they've got people so pre-occupied with fighting each other, they're not even recognizing their true enemy.

[Soul Crusher]

Sorry, spent too much of my life growing up in Europe to buy this bullshit.  They are lazy.  Not maybe.  Not kinda.  They are flat out lazy.

I have relatives in Italy.  They are lazy panzie pukes.   I thank God daily my ancestors came here and left that mess. 

[Skeletor]

Sorry, spent too much of my life growing up in Europe to buy this bullshit.  They are lazy.  Not maybe.  Not kinda.  They are flat out lazy.

Did you work in Europe also?

[24KT]

I have relatives in Italy.  They are lazy panzie pukes.   I thank God daily my ancestors came here and left that mess. 

So because YOUR relatives are lazy pukes, that means ALL Italians are lazy?

At least the Italians are smart enough to elect their own genuine grass roots leader outside of the corporate elite.

[Soul Crusher]

So because YOUR relatives are lazy pukes, that means ALL Italians are lazy?

At least the Italians are smart enough to elect their own genuine grass roots leader outside of the corporate elite.

Most zips in Italy are lazy. 

[LurkerNoMore]

Wtf, I thought this thread was about euro tripping? Lets bring this back to life with talk of previous trips.  I am actually looking into buying a two bedroom place over there, but am not sure so I am planning more visits. Place is awesome, and if you don't feel smarter when you get back, you're either doing it wrong or you forgot to pack your brain.

BINGO!!!

[Skip8282]

Did you work in Europe also?

Only when we were in Greece.

[Skeletor]

Only when we were in Greece.

What was your experience from that?

[whork]

You're barely literate so the odds of you understanding anything in that post are slim to none.

This is a thread for people who have actually been outside their trailor park. Now go back to fucking your mother/sister.

[Fury]

This is a thread for people who have actually been outside their trailor park. Now go back to fucking your mother/sister.

Haha, you're an illiterate moron. Get a fucking job already, parasite.

[Skip8282]

What was your experience from that?

Lot of good people and I'm not trying to bash, but they are very lazy as a whole.  It's a good place to visit/vacation but certainly not to live there.

[Skip8282]

This is a thread for people who have actually been outside their trailor park. Now go back to fucking your mother/sister.

Dude, this isn't the G&O...keep the family shit outta here.

[whork]

Dude, this isn't the G&O...keep the family shit outta here.

My bad.

[24KT]

Dude, this isn't the G&O...keep the family shit outta here.

Nope, it's the politics board where trolling, name calling & ad hom attacks are not supposed to be permitted either.

[Fury]

Nope, it's the politics board where trolling, name calling & ad hom attacks are not supposed to be permitted either.

Neither are your veiled advertisements for gold products and the other various, off-topic ramblings you've been posting.

[syntaxmachine]

Wtf, I thought this thread was about euro tripping? Lets bring this back to life with talk of previous trips.  I am actually looking into buying a two bedroom place over there, but am not sure so I am planning more visits. Place is awesome, and if you don't feel smarter when you get back, you're either doing it wrong or you forgot to pack your brain.

1. Would the property be an investment, a vacation home, or both? I assume you'll speak with professional on the matter as buying property overseas can be a tricky proposition (the relevant variables can and do vary widely between countries, even within Europe: what a country's rules are for foreign ownership, what entity would you want to own the property, taxes and treatment of rental income, etc.).

2. It isn't readily apparent to me what you mean by feeling 'smarter' when you return from a trip to Europe. Are you referring to the prototypical Western European countries? I assume so, since there are a variety of places where you'll feel dumber upon returning.

While it's true that new and interesting experiences stimulate the brain in a variety of ways and can preserve/enhance cognitive function, it still isn't clear in what sense you intend 'smart' to be taken. I certainly won't return and say, be able to do mental math any better. Maybe you really mean something like 'cultured'?

[24KT]

Neither are your veiled advertisements for gold products and the other various, off-topic ramblings you've been posting.

Topical events taking place in the world are not advertisements veiled or otherwise.
So many of you have been so mind controlled & programmed to produce pavlovian responses and to see boogie men where none exist. Your even trying to mention gold is off topic.

[andreisdaman]

seems you spent some time effort and money to keep your mind closed. Would it not have been easier cheaper and less stressful to just keep it closed at home ?

 

[andreisdaman]

I like the fact that you said "smart with how we spend money", as opposed to "smart with how we spend our money. I think that's one of the biggest problem, ...inappropriate spending, and the mistaken belief that the people's money is actually the government's to spend. Even today, people are looking at Social Security as some form of government benefit. They've even changed the name to "Federal Benefit payment" when it is infact your own money that was taken from you and spent without your permission.

Pay attention to your next Social Security income, whether you get a check or an electronic deposit....note what it is now called. Have you noticed, your Social Security check is now referred to as a "Federal Benefit Payment" The government is now referring to your Social Security checks as a “Federal Benefit Payment.” This isn’t a benefit – its earned income! Not only did you all contribute to Social Security but your employers did too. It totaled 15% of your income before taxes. If you averaged $30K per year over your working life, that's close to $180,000 invested in Social Security. If you calculate the future value of your monthly investment in social security ($375/month, including both you and your employer’s contributions) at a meager 1% interest rate compounded monthly, after 40 years of working you'd have more than $1.3+ million dollars saved! This is your personal investment. Upon retirement, if you took out only 3% per year, you'd receive $39,318 per year, or $3,277 per month. That’s almost three times more than today’s average Social Security benefit of $1,230 per month, according to the Social Security Administration (Google it - it’s a fact).

And your retirement fund would last more than 33 years (until you're 98 if you retired at age 65)! I can only imagine how much better most average-income people could live in retirement if your government had just invested your money in low-risk interest-earning accounts. Instead, the folks in Washington pulled off a bigger Ponzi scheme than Bernie Madoff ever did. They took your money and used it elsewhere. They “forgot” that it was YOUR money they were taking. They didn’t have a referendum to ask you if you wanted to lend the money to them. And they didn’t pay interest on the debt they assumed. And recently, they’ve told you that the money won’t support you for very much longer. But is it your fault they misused your investments? And now, to add insult to injury, they’re calling it a “benefit,” as if you never worked to earn every penny of it. Just because they “borrowed” the money, doesn't mean that your investments were a charity!

As for making people do public service who get welfare ... that's simply another form of slavery imo.
I think a social safety net should be just that... a net to catch those who fall, ...and help them to fly agin, but it appears the way these programs are administered, it has become more of a net to catch people and ensure they remain caught.

interesting and informative....great job...good post

[andreisdaman]

How about you move to a socialist country and leave the rest of us alone. 

how about you weigh in with some intellect instead of putdowns?

[andreisdaman]

This is a thread for people who have actually been outside their trailor park. Now go back to fucking your mother/sister.

 

[AbrahamG]

Every country has its ups and downs

AKA as long as the country has plenty of large cock, your down.

[Irongrip400]

1. Would the property be an investment, a vacation home, or both? I assume you'll speak with professional on the matter as buying property overseas can be a tricky proposition (the relevant variables can and do vary widely between countries, even within Europe: what a country's rules are for foreign ownership, what entity would you want to own the property, taxes and treatment of rental income, etc.).

2. It isn't readily apparent to me what you mean by feeling 'smarter' when you return from a trip to Europe. Are you referring to the prototypical Western European countries? I assume so, since there are a variety of places where you'll feel dumber upon returning.

While it's true that new and interesting experiences stimulate the brain in a variety of ways and can preserve/enhance cognitive function, it still isn't clear in what sense you intend 'smart' to be taken. I certainly won't return and say, be able to do mental math any better. Maybe you really mean something like 'cultured'?

1. Depending on which country I decide to buy will determine whether or not I will use it as a rental propert. From what I understand, some countries are a bit different when it comes to rights of the tenant and rights of the owner. I am more likely to buy a condo in St Maarten because of proximity to the states and the lack of propert taxes etc. Europe is probably more of a pipe dream at this point, but still on my list of goals.

2. It may have been better for me to use "learned" after visiting. The amount of knowledge you gain and sights you see ( I did private walking tours) and the subsequent reading on these subjects after visiting gave me a feeling of being more educated. So no, it didn't help me solve any math problems, but I definately gained a wealth of knowledge by going, and as you said, "cultured".

Have you ever been, or do you live there now?