How are things in YOUR country?
-
Hi All,
Its been quite some time since the Corner Bar here at SketchUcation has seen some serious discussion.
I'd like to kick off a thread on 'How are things in YOUR country?'. Over that past 5 years, since my own country (Ireland) hit skid row, I have been trying to understand what the hell is happening both here and globally.
I've just read an article which says Iceland's unemployment rate is now down to 4% and they are not happy with this figure and are aiming for 2%. This figure, from a country that let the banks fail contrasts with the official EU figure of 11.7% and the official US figure of 7.7%. Both these latter figures do not, from what I can see, take into account workers that have given up looking for work.
In the case of Ireland the government advises the unemployment figure is 11.2% but the IMF says its really 24% Forget part-time jobs β real unemployment rate is 24pc, says IMF
http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/forget-parttime-jobs-real-unemployment-rate-is-24pc-says-imf-29358808.html I think it would be actually much higher if the 300,000 Irish emigrants over the past five years are taken into account. The figure could possibly be as bad as Greece's or Spain's.It now looks that Italy is in serious trouble also, Euro Jobless Record Not Whole Story as Italians Give Up
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-27/euro-jobless-record-seen-in-legacy-of-italians-giving-up.htmlBenjamin Franklin said. "Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see". Still at the same time it looks like their is something BIG afoot.
What are your thoughts?
-
Hi Mike,
Here in Portugal, structural unemployement (people who are now unemployed and have no qualification to answer for contemporary job demands) is 11,5%.
This means that not counting young people unemployment, not counting circunstancial, unemployment related to financial and economic situation, there is at least 11,5% people that will not be able to work again.
The other numbers go up and down depending on who's giving the news but they are officially getting lower and are now in 15,5%.
This is happening because most qualified young people are getting away from the country, contributing with they're skills for the development of other countries. The only country in europe where this is worst than Portugal is... Ireland.
-
Economy is one thing but seems nature is more important!
It's the earth who is sick!
In my old country, storms, floods, pollution are never seen before! -
@jql said:
This is happening because most qualified young people are getting away from the country, contributing with they're skills for the development of other countries. The only country in europe where this is worst than Portugal is... Ireland.
Yes, indeed we (Ireland) are seeing a dreadful hemorrhage of well skilled and educated youth, the life blood of the country. As you say the same thing is happening in Portugal.
In the case of the young Irish emigrants its to the UK, USA, Canada, Oz ans NZ. At least they have an advantage of
being native English speaking. Then again much of the countries in the EU have emphasised the learning of English at schools. The business world speaks the 'Queen's English' after all.Out of curiosity, is there a ground swell in Portugal as there is here in Ireland at the moment, seeking some new form of 'governance' (for the want of a better word), new thinking political movements? Not political parties!
One political system that looks attractive and sensible to me is the system they operate in Switzerland. Their system of what could be called 'direct democracy' seems to be a system that is not allowed to run away with itself. Further information may be found here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Switzerland
@unknownuser said:
Economy is one thing but seems nature is more important!
It's the earth who is sick!
In my old country, storms, floods, pollution are never seen before!Yes, I agree the Earth is quite sick also weather wise at the moment. It looks like part of the problem is definitely 'Global Warming'! The more solid research evidence I see coming on-stream the more it seems to be the case.
As long as we allow Big Oil to control the type of energy we use the bigger the Global Warming problem will become. I am quite concerned at the reliance the US is now placing in shale oil. I would really like to see far more investment in 'green' energy until we have economical nuclear fusion power production which remains unlikely before 2050 at least. -
Economy might be better in the US, but the health care system is wretched. I pay about 15-20% of my monthly income towards a pathetic private health insurance plan for me and my family. It's only useful to me in the case that something catastrophic happens, then hopefully I wouldn't go bankrupt (like many people do here over overwhelming medical expenses.)
Oh yeah, and the crazy polar air circulation doesn't make me feel comfortable about the state of the world's climate. Gonna be down in the single digits (Fahrenheit, = -15C) tonight.
Whew! Glad to vent a little.Andy
-
@andybot said:
Economy might be better in the US, but the health care system is wretched. I pay about 15-20% of my monthly income towards a pathetic private health insurance plan for me and my family. It's only useful to me in the case that something catastrophic happens, then hopefully I wouldn't go bankrupt (like many people do here over overwhelming medical expenses.)
Oh yeah, and the crazy polar air circulation doesn't make me feel comfortable about the state of the world's climate. Gonna be down in the single digits (Fahrenheit, = -15C) tonight.
Whew! Glad to vent a little.Andy
Yep, the US and the Petro Dollar is still king but I think we could be looking at a reset to some kind of a Global Currency in the future. The current system is f&^ked
Wow! 15-20% of monthly income for medical insurance? That takes a fair whack of the wage packet. Not quite as bad over here but insurance has gone up quite a bit over the past few years . In my case basic insurance for 'She who must be obeyed' and myself costs around β¬100 a month.
Vent away ..... that is what this thread is for
-
Well in here at least, we still got one of the best medical services in europe, provided by the state. Of course, EU wants to make it private too... So with a minimum wage of 450β¬ people will probably still have to pay for health insurances if Germany get's it's way.
Of course, the biggest health insurance companies in Portugal are foreign and two of the biggest, German.
If it's not Petro dollar is any kind of dollar
-
@jql said:
Well in here at least, we still got one of the best medical services in europe, provided by the state. Of course, EU wants to make it private too... So with a minimum wage of 450β¬ people will probably still have to pay for health insurances if Germany get's it's way.
Of course, the biggest health insurance companies in Portugal are foreign and two of the biggest, German.
If it's not Petro dollar is any kind of dollar
Ah! I see
Centralised health control along with central monitory control seems to be the next items on the Euro agenda!Speaking as a citizen of one 'PIIGS' state member to another
, what is the general feeling in your neck of the woods about remaining in the EU?I know a lot of UK folks (I was actually born in London) and from what I can see the EU would have difficulty if they had 'IN / OUT' referendum in the morning.
UK's future in EU on knife-edge, says poll.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/uks-future-in-eu-on-knife-edge-says-poll-582390.html*'According to research carried out for The Times, 40% of voters back an UK exit while 37% want to keep ties with Brussels and 23% do not know.
The Populous survey would translate to a 53-47 vote in favour of leaving after other factors, such as likelihood to vote, were taken into account, according to the newspaper'.*
When I think about it, the UK were never fully in the EU as they stuck with the Β£ (not sterling now, more fiat). At the time I thought they where wrong in not joining the single currency but in hindsight it looks like they were right as 'one size does not fit all', something the peripheral states have learned to our detriment.
-
JQL, I agree with much of what you say.
Yes, Europe is a very peaceful place at the moment and the union has played a major part in this but I feel we are seeing far too much 'Top Down' power! I really feel that the general populous of Euro is now educated and sophisticated enough to be providing far more 'Bottom Up' decision making in this digital age.
Regarding your point about 'EU has grown much as a social union of countries'. Again, yes, this has happened over the past 20 years or so but I think this may be down also to the likes of Easy Jet and RyanAir also the power of the Net. A case in point is our current ongoing discussion over the Net!
From what I see, the current situation whereby we elect a local, country or Euro representative at the polls and allow this person individually or via a political party to do as they please for up to 5 years is not democracy.
I think I read that in ancient Greece (Home of Democracy), each citizen was obliged to serve as a public representative at some time of another. This was achievable with small numbers. As the populations increased we had to adjust and develop a system such as we have now, a 'Top Down' system.
I think with the aid of the Net we could bring things back to the way it was done in Greece millennia ago, a 'Bottom Up' system
-
(I edited this sorry for submiting it before I didn't intended)
My view is totally different. Nowadays there is a less visible EU, as Germany has no counterpower inside EU. It's the only economy still standing after the crysis and as it doesn't want to devalorize itself, Germany keeps pushing Euro around to their own will as the Central European Bank is dependent on Germany to have sustainability.
So, nowadays EU is based, more than ever in economy and finance and that makes Germany the lead player.
However EU has grown as much as a social union of countries, as an economic union. The Euro currency and freedom of travel within EU made us share much more than just cash and goods. It made us have a lot of common experiences, it made us grow as a community and we feel strongly tied to each other. I never seen a moment in history where Europe has been like this except today (and probably on the Roman empire).
This contributes greatly to social stability and share of ideas within EU and every country in EU has the notion that this is of utmost importance... However if we think of EU only in economic terms, we can throw it all down.
If we can handle Germany rightful desire to keep being a strong economy, and if we can also have something to say in term of European Economy in our European Economic Union, and if Germany can respect the fact that this social and multicultural community contributes to peace and to the right environment for economic growth (their own too), then I think EU will find themselves in the right position to face 50 more years.
I'm conscious to the fact that my country was in need of what's happening now economically and politically speaking. Though I feel terrible for a lot of people's situation in this very moment, wich is dramatic and ultimately unfair.We need to refurbish our way of dealing with work and production. We need that as a country but we never felt that need before as much as nowadays.
However, I feel we are growing now but at the cost of a lot of misery. Germany will have to grow too, be sensible to this and allow for social support on our countries. Without it, without this "wasted money" we can have no social stability here, therefore there will be no social stability in our countries, nor in Europe. I believe Germany is being more and more sensible to this too, as they also have this social situation inside, with a lot of people from eastern germany, not being able to be as productive or socially integrated as people in the western cities.
If countries from EU, UK included, work on this together - economic growth in pair with social stability and equality, I think EU will stand and come out stronger than before.
My final thought would be crysis are the engine of society.
-
Mike, I edited last post, I submited it too soon, though the fundamental is the same.
-
Mike,
The political election system is really in decay, but we have so much to adress to right now, that we can't see that this is really at the bottom of things.
What happened in Portugal was really a matter that was in the hands of those "elected few". People are now paying for bad management, bad political decisions, corruption, waste, and so on...
A person or organization with 5 years of (sometimes absolutistic) power is really too much responsability for being on the loose.
That's why we are talking more and more of democracy of participation. I didn't know that was like that in Greece, but what I do know is that we must have a system where more decisions must be transparent and being taken by people to whom they matter, and not top down.
There is an absolute need right now of political education of the people. People should be held responsible for much more than just voting. They should participate politicaly as much as they know how to drive or wash they're teeth everyday.
For me, some religious habits that are being lost, like praying before going to bed, should be compensated with some habits of political thinking taking matter in hands.
Me, as a father, should ask my kids at night, before they go to bed, what have you made to change something today?
-
You ask how things are in my country, Like Andy I feel our health care is a train smash, I mean for a wealthy country that spends billions a day on a military that is the biggest single employer in the history of mankind and has all the cool toys and an industry supporting it by means of military contractors which is bigger than most 3rd world countries GDP, yet we cannot offer a basic health care to our population, just the Iraq war spending's would have funded full universal healthcare for 17 years.
Then we have the incredible divide in the country, Obama has certainly brought out the crazy folk, I have never seen so much hatred and open racism from folks around me (Texas) even when I lived in apartheid South Africa, it's absolutely shameful, I have seen posters on lawns with images of him being lynched, bumper stickers calling him the N word, T-shirts with hateful messages, it's out of control and shocking.
-
Things are semi-OK over here in Belgium. I've been to Spain recently, though, and I can tell you: people are having a hard time down there. Never seen so many dumpster divers in my life.
-
@solo said:
You ask how things are in my country, Like Andy I feel our health care is a train smash, I mean for a wealthy country that spends billions a day on a military that is the biggest single employer in the history of mankind and has all the cool toys and an industry supporting it by means of military contractors which is bigger than most 3rd world countries GDP, yet we cannot offer a basic health care to our population, just the Iraq war spending's would have funded full universal healthcare for 17 years.
Then we have the incredible divide in the country, Obama has certainly brought out the crazy folk, I have never seen so much hatred and open racism from folks around me (Texas) even when I lived in apartheid South Africa, it's absolutely shameful, I have seen posters on lawns with images of him being lynched, bumper stickers calling him the N word, T-shirts with hateful messages, it's out of control and shocking.
Thanks for your slant on things Pete. You have some very frightening things mentioned there, 'just the Iraq war spending's would have funded full universal healthcare for 17 years'. Wow! that is crazy! I'm wondering what is the point of all the militarisation these days when 'World Opinion' can now rule against an attack on Syria not to mention Iran!
From what I can see there is most definitely a currency war going on at the moment and there appears to be no clear winner in sight! On the other hand it might well be physical gold if / when it is emancipated from paper gold.
@unknownuser said:
Things are semi-OK over here in Belgium. I've been to Spain recently, though, and I can tell you: people are having a hard time down there. Never seen so many dumpster divers in my life.
Glad to hear things are not too bad in Belgium, then again its within the central EU hub so should stay reasonably stable unless the sh^t hits the fan.
My wife was in Spain recently for a week and she could see things had really slowed down a lot and in some cases gone into reverse with lots of shops closing. Still the Med countries have nice weather.
-
@unknownuser said:
I've been to Spain recently, though, and I can tell you: people are having a hard time down there. Never seen so many dumpster divers in my life.
99% of those are not Spanish people ! Or at least they weren't about 5 years ago when I left. Spain was like the Holy Ground for many people including Romanians(I had a salary of 1100euros which is 2/3 of our president's official salary ), now things are pretty harsh for (most of?) the " extranjeros " and even for (some of?) the locals .
How I feel about things(in my country)? We are living in a wicked world where individuals are getting more self centered than ever, and this divides everything, from economy to relationships.
Rich people are getting richer and poor people are getting poorer, laws are made by the top category for the top category.
We are deceived by a false appearance but everything is like a wormhole: you scratch the surface and there you go,scandals,dismissals,trials and at the end nothing is fixed or better. One goes one comes, everyone looking for his own wealth and ready to step over everyone else head.
Mass media has a fatal influence on masses(after all it is named mass media) and it is also controlled by the richest.
I don't watch TV, I don't listen news, at the age of 27 I am already tired of tyranny. I have never liked theatre, why should I start watching or listening now ?
The End will come, in a way or another(most likely helped by us), but before that, how would you want to live you life ? DO the best, BE the best then(just then) act like the best! Best paid job is ACTING ! May God help us !Sorry for the slightly off topic !
-
@ely862me said:
99% of those are not Spanish people ! Or at least they weren't about 5 years ago when I left.
Well, now they are. Just take a look at Spains unemployment numbers.
-
@unknownuser said:
@ely862me said:
99% of those are not Spanish people ! Or at least they weren't about 5 years ago when I left.
Well, now they are. Just take a look at Spains unemployment numbers.
Yes, I see youth unemployment is running at 55%! This is bad!
-
The people I saw rummaging through dumpsters were indeed, for the most part, young. They didn't look like the usual suspects either -they weren't junkies or homeless. It's disgraceful their government doesn't look after them better. Apparentely, the average citizen is good enough to cough up cash when banks are in trouble, but doesn't deserve to be bailed out himself.
There's a rising tendency in Europe, or at least there is in Belgium, to blame the unemployed themselves for their misfortune. 'They don't want to work', 'all they want to do, is claim benefits' etc. Some go as far as to claim the rising number of unemployed is the cause of the worsening economy -which, of course, is populist poppycock.
We'll see more cuts, and the popularity of the right will continue to rise. Which saddens me. If anything, we need more solidarity. Pointing fingers isn't going to solve anything.
@solo said:
(...) Obama has certainly brought out the crazy folk (...)
That he has. The Republicans seem to have transformed themselves into a band of extremist lunatics with a single goal: to obstruct any meaningful change, even to the point of almost bringing the US's economy to a grinding halt. Their lack of responsibility makes me cringe. What self-respecting political party, by the way, would allow such people as Bachmann, Palin or Santorum in its ranks?
I have nothing against politicians as such, but currently, there seem far too many out there who excell in stupidity, obscurantism and cynicism, both in the US and the EU.
-
When liberal capitalism is in crisis it feeds and support hate to revitalize. This process is called fascism. Look at Ukraine. Liberal capitalism is supporting fascism, like in 1939....
I was lately in EU country Bulgaria. It was a surprise. It looked like after nuclear bomb, but there was many corporate boxes landed on ruined land like alien ships colonizing market.
My country Serbia is also occupied by matrix of lies. It is currently under control of the western corporate power (after bombing in 1999), which is stilling resources from Kosovo and Metohija (coal mines, etc.) against all international laws and peoples rights. There is the biggest USA military base in Europe in Kosovo protecting it. I have to say to Solo that, when given for military, your money is invested in very profitable business, so don't worry about your public health, they will keep you dreaming.
.
We have 500.000 people less in Serbia than 10 years ago. I see all this as WW III going on, but shown on TV as something good and divine.
Advertisement