Well I'm happy not to live in the USA.
We get way more vacation with a regular job. Also job security is way better. Sick leave no matter how long you need to recover, etc.
Americans think they live in the most free country in the world but that's simply not true.
Yet average GDP for every EU country except for Luxemburg is still lower than that of the USA.
Certain job sectors in fact across Europe such as IT pay pittance salaries compared to the USA. Sure, you only have private healthcare in the States but it is also of a much higher quality.
Many Europeans need to flock exactly to the States to get experimental cancer treatments simply not available in Europe.
I think you are pretty much the definition of an ignorant European who stupidly have outsourced energy security to a country you for some bizarre historical reason hate and you have also installed countless layers of government thinking it will protect you from trouble where in fact it is turning into a similar political setup that Adolf Hitler wanted to achieve: Germany in control and no one else gets a say. When someone wants to leave said political system such as the UK you shame them and completely forget it was them who saved your asses from all speaking German or Russian by now.
It is also my understanding that the once secure job market in the likes of The Netherlands now with year only contracts is nowhere near as safe as it used to be. Plus the constant mumblings over ditching the mortgage tax break would make the average worker / mortgage payer much poorer if it were to go.
The EU concept was Germany's plan B if the war was lost, to continue their dominance over Europe.
Sadly the occupied Europe of WW2 has long forgotten why they are not all now speaking German.
Am I correct in thinking you mostly live in Netherlands. I understand that thousands of farmers are to be forced to cease farming because of some misguided Green policy on reducing Nitrate pollution. Only to import food which has likely been produced under the exact same systems. Thereby outsourcing pollution, that's OK then.
Europe and indeed the entire world need as much food production this year as is possible to prevent mass starvation for those that cannot bid the high market prices needed to secure essential commodities. Shame on the Netherlands' well heeled population for their efforts to reduce that food supply.
Oh the US is no different! we are being run by the inmates from the asylum, the latest the Climate Bill $369 billion, what utter fuckwits could have conceived this and at this time in history when the world is on the brink.
Those with even modest amounts of Bitcoin will ride this storm better than most.
Full disclosure upfront: I'm too daft to know how to multi-quote (quoting and responding to different posts in one reply). So I'm trying to address every post relevant to this discussion in one go (hopefully in chronological order), in order to avoid multi-posting.
@Farmer Bill
"The EU concept was Germany's plan B if the war was lost, to continue their dominance over Europe".The EU concept is actually rooted in the mind of Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi, who was Austrian-Japanese, and also the founding president of the Paneuropean Union (formed in 1923).
"The WW2 propaganda" as you refer to Germany's plan B was common knowledge in Europe after the war".No, it wasn`t. In fact, nobody ever said so anywhere before you did.
Not having a go at you, just trying to set some things straight.
"Oh well forgive and forget, the EU is now one big equal happy family (ruled by Germany)".Sorry to say, but this is delusional. See quotes from psychodad.
@psychodad
"While I am all in for some recreational Germans bashing,....""It is however IMO true, that today they're calling the shots in the EU and the EURO could be seen as their trojan horse to transfer wealth into their direction".They are the No. 1 contributor to the EU, and therefore member states, financially.
So if calling the shots means splashing out money to everybody else, you might be right. Other than that...
And the EURO as their trojan horse to transfer wealth into their direction is obviously a genius move, since the Deutschmark had failed so miserably before.
There`s a study out, I think by OECD, comparing median household wealth in the EU. You might want to look it up. From what I remember, German households are among the poorest (as opposed to government finances, which are still relatively godd, althought deteriorating fast).
With things looking like they are right now, you might have a reason to rejoice in the near future. Germany is hanging itself, while simultaneously shooting itself with a shotgun, thanks to its brilliant energy policy - along with several other self-destruction mechanisms..
No more shot-calling, Fritzes`dictatorship ends..yeah.
A bright future for all of the EU, or in fact Europe, lies ahead..
btw: No personal attack intended on you, either. Trying to be realistic, though.
Not wanting to drag this out any more, it was common belief after WW2 that the Nazis and industrialists of Germany had a plan to implement should Germany lose the war. That was economic rather than military domination of Europe.
My father born in the early 1930's spoke occasionally of it. Those who would remember are dying out by the day. Some remnants appear in conspiracy theories - Red House meeting and so on.
The younger generation can put that behind them - its good to see Europe co operating rather than warring with each other.
Giving up the strong Deutsche mark for the Euro definitely worked in Germany's favor by making their exports cheaper.
What will happen to Europe when Germany can no longer afford to bankroll the project and France and Italy too reduce their contribution with UK donations dropping off sharply after their exit remains to be seen.
Europe will also have to step up their defense spending, having too long a free ride on US taxpayer.
No ill will to anyone in this discussion.
Back to the subject matter - Bitcoin and the slow month of August, awaiting US inflation figures out tomorrow.