How is your country doing? (credit, houses, unemployed)

[CroatWebWanderer]

You are right; Eastern European countries are dying to get into the EU. That euro-skepticism as we call it is something particular for Croatia. Sociologists usually explain it with the fact that we rather recently paid enormous price (in lives) for independence and people simply don’t like the idea of giving up any sovereignty. I’d say its more complex than that; including a lot of concessions to international companies we are asked to give, imposing values not typical for our society etc.

The country is small but safe, welcoming, diverse and worth visiting. Good old Europe still lives here, a bit of Central Europe here where I live and colorful Mediterranean along the coast. Not many Americans around yet.

[Travelling fella]

Originally Posted by mackinac81

For some reason that's actually a lot smaller than I expected. From the way the media up here reports it, you'd think that the Southwest will return to Mexico within a generation, and that Mexico is on the verge of imploding. Silly, stupid U.S. media!

I heard that Mexico was making great strides, which is great. I've never been there, but I'd really like to see it sometime.

Go Mexico!!

Media can be pretty powerful into making people believe things huh? I believe that the USA is not doing as bad as media wants us to believe, although obviously we are facing a global crisis that is making things harder for everybody, but we (mankind) emerge stronger and more united after this crisis.

Go America!!! Germany!, Brazil!, Canada!, and the entire world

[mackinac81]

Media can be pretty powerful into making people believe things huh? I believe that the USA is not doing as bad as media wants us to believe, although obviously we are facing a global crisis that is making things harder for everybody, but we (mankind) emerge stronger and more united after this crisis.

Go America!!! Germany!, Brazil!, Canada!, and the entire world

You're right. Sometimes the negative news gets to me and I wonder, Is America really in serious decline? But then I remember our Civil War, Depression, and other truly hard times we went through, and this current problem seems like a bump in the road.

Is the media in Mexico just as negative as it is in the U.S?

[lumumba]

Originally Posted by mackinac81

Glad your country's doing well without the EU though. I've seen the photos of croatia and it's absolutely stunning. I've must go there sometime.

guys, have you ever driven f-ing russian car? : ) you'd find it quite easy to live after that

[Travelling fella]

Originally Posted by mackinac81

You're right. Sometimes the negative news gets to me and I wonder, Is America really in serious decline? But then I remember our Civil War, Depression, and other truly hard times we went through, and this current problem seems like a bump in the road.

Is the media in Mexico just as negative as it is in the U.S?

it depends on the newspaper or channel you tune on tv, but it is slowly starting to be les negative and more objective, although Mexican society is very negative yet, specially people who is older than 35 years old, love to keep complaining about our historical wounds instead of letting them go and seeing the good things we enjoy now.

[Kangaroofarmer]

Originally Posted by mackinac81

Yeah, I've kind of gathered that from what I've heard...Happens to the best of 'em, I suppose.

Any word from South America or Australia out there?

Australia


Economy

We've plateaued abit economically..Compared to the sort of growth, That we were experiencing awhile ago. Exports from A Lucrative Mining sector, Has kept the Australian Dollar Relatively strong, Against it's American counterpart and so far, Has avoided us feeling too many of America's woes.

Inflation

Inflation is high compared to other similar economies. However, It has also started to gradually subside, Despite the Reserve Bank putting up interest rates!

Governemnt

Coming off of a recent election, Our new Governemnt has managed too keep most of their promises (Sorry day, Winding down in Iraq..etc). Though the new Federal budget, Did get many people offside, As it didn't Deliver, On some of the promised Tax Breaks and was seen as being unfair, To Senior Citizens and Carers.

Fuel Prices

Well, With having a fuel Excise, GST and "Price Cycling" Influencing fuel prices, The Australian motorist gets hit very hard and even moreso, If you live in the bush (Like Myself ), Where you can pay well above the Metro Average. So yeah, Fuel prices are having a huge impact on us.

Immigration

We seem to be doing quite well with Immigration?, We have the odd hiccup where things get out of control (Cronulla!). Generally though, We still have a high number of immigrants Coming here and the vast majority do extremely well.

Future

Though our ability to supply Fresh Water to the population, Will be an ever increasing problem. "The Land Down Under" seems to have a fairly bright future overall?

[CroatWebWanderer]

Originally Posted by lumumba

guys, have you ever driven f-ing russian car? : ) you'd find it quite easy to live after that

LOL, so truth

[miguel's mom]

I try not to whine but I'm really upset about the current situation here in Germany and maybe also a little scared of what the future might bring.

Basically I'm a very optimistic person so I try to ignore all the bad signs as well as reports in newspapers, tv, etc.

The gas prices are exploding like everywhere else. I would like to go to work by bike but it's nearly 7 miles and with the summer heat I'm just not up to that. Moreover I don't want to spend the time with taking a bike ride when I can play with my kid in the afternoon.
Milkproducts got more expensive by about 20-30%. Veggies and fruits got more expensive, etc.

For me the biggest disadvantage was the EU. Since becoming one of the EU countries, Germany has increased prices as much as never before.

For example:
before EURO a yogurt cost about 0,40 USD, now we're at about 80,- USD and it's still the same products. All prices were doubled but the income stayed the same. I don't think that's fair and makes it hard to save money with the increasing prices...

All the while you hear about politicians raising their income while normal workers have to work 10-12 hours a day for 3,66 USD per hour. Basically with such an income you cannot live without government support. Many families get support for their rent, for clothing etc. and I'm glad they get it.

However, I'm glad I have quite a good job with a decent income for this area. Well, decent isn't the right word, but it's okay for now. My dh has a job, it's poorly paid and hard work but he has a job and that's the most important. So both of us can pay for our house and still have something left for our DS and to save some money...

[minniemouse]

I'm Italian and I live in Milan.

I have visited some States in USA and I like it!


Italy is a great State; you can see much story but the government, the laws, the life ... I don't like it.
I love an American lifestyle.
Italy is much little for me; I prefer a big spaces and your culture.

My house, in my heart, is in America!

[mackinac81]

I'm Italian and I live in Milan.

I have visited some States in USA and I like it!


Italy is a great State; you can see much story but the government, the laws, the life ... I don't like it.
I love an American lifestyle.
Italy is much little for me; I prefer a big spaces and your culture.

My house, in my heart, is in America!

Italia! I LOVE Italy! I went to Italy last summer...visited Roma, Campania, Napoli, Pompeii. It was the greatest vacation I ever had. I loved the lifestyle, the people, the history. It was all simply amazing! It is sad though, that Italy isn't doing well these days, because Italy is one of the most awesome countries in the world.

Yes, Italy is a small, dense country. And the U.S. has tons of space, which I like. But your food is still better!

PS. Have you considered moving to America?