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Germans don't miss nor give a damn about Walmart. Walmart left, and the Germans are completely oblivious to their departure.
Germans aren't into bulk buying of groceries anyway. They patronize their small local markets for the most part and they usually shop every few days.
You are 100% correct. Add to this that food in Germany is rather inexpensive to begin with. I LOVE buying groceries there because it is so incredibly inexpensive. Try a delicious yoghurt (not the crap they sell in the US) for 19 cents. Beat that, Walmart.
Germany's middle class enjoys high standard of living - Sacramento Living - Sacramento Food and Wine, Home, Health | Sacramento Bee (http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/23/4207824/germanys-middle-class-enjoys-high.html - broken link)
"The couple, in their early 50s, aren't retired or well off. They live in a small Tudor-style house in this middle-class town about 30 miles northwest of Frankfurt. He's a foreman at a glass factory; she works part time for a company that tracks inventories for retailers. Their combined income is a modest $40,000. Yet the Krugers have a higher standard of living than many Americans whose incomes are twice as high."
"Their secret: little debt, frugal habits and a government that is intensely focused on high production, low inflation and extensive social services. That has given them job security and good medical care as well as well-maintained roads, trains and bike paths. Both their adult children are out on their own, thanks in part to Germany's job-training system and heavy subsidies for university education. For instance, Volkmar's out-of-pocket costs for stomach surgery and 10 days in the hospital totaled just $13 a day. College tuition for their son runs about $260 a semester."
"Germany with its manufacturing base and export prowess is the U.S. of yesteryear, an economic power unlike any of its European neighbors. As the world's fourth-largest economy, it has thrived on principles that America seems gradually to have lost."
Germany's middle class is stronger because Republicans don't exist in Germany. It's as simple as that. No rocket science here.
Nah, these boobs in this country would rather run up their credit to sky high levels, borrow all the equity in their homes to pay it off, then lose half your home value because it was overvalued in the first place....then be back at square one. Broke.
But it's ok...Americans think they're in hog heaven so long as they have a big screen and enough money to eat at IHOP 3 times a week.
Capitalism in the U.S. is extreme wealth for those at the very top, with the other 95% scrambling for the scraps. The wealthy in the U.S. have found out they can increase their wealth by moving their manufacturing base overseas. They also have convinced poor white trash that the only reason these corporations have moved overseas is because of high taxes and excessive regulations. Many corporations in effect pay NO taxes, some even get millions in tax rebates. "Regulations" in the U.S. have always been a joke, as the U.S. is the worlds worst polluter, and the EPA is toothless. "Regulations" is Republican campaign talk, a rallying cry for a clueless base.
Do you think your average German would want to follow the U.S. model?
Only if they suffer from mental illness, all the rest of them would laugh in your face if asked that question.
To liberals, 'high standard of living' = how much free crap I can get from the government
It always boils down to that.
Everyone talks about the free stuff. No one talks about the level of commitment, sacrifice, and responsibility it requires for a society to function like that. I have spent quite a bit of time in Germany. It's not the kind of country where you're just allowed to do whatever the hell you want. Try getting that philosophy to fly over here. It never would. And I am ok with that. Because there is WAY more opportunity here for those who would seize it.
You're right, according to the article it says they live better because of the services provided to them and their lack of family debt per household.
They don't mindlessly consume products they don't need like a gas guzzling car or the latest big screen TV.
Exactly.
I have been to Europe countless times. If I had to live like their middle class lives, I would just slit my throat right now. It is so effin' depressing. But it's the right way for them to live. I admire that they at least have the restraint and discipline to live within their means.
To liberals, 'high standard of living' = how much free crap I can get from the government
It always boils down to that.
Everyone talks about the free stuff. No one talks about the level of commitment, sacrifice, and responsibility it requires for a society to function like that. I have spent quite a bit of time in Germany. It's not the kind of country where you're just allowed to do whatever the hell you want. Try getting that philosophy to fly over here. It never would. And I am ok with that. Because there is WAY more opportunity here for those who would seize it.
Less free sh*t. More opportunity.
Yeah the German people are just a bunch of lazy bums whose economy happens to be in better shape than ours and whose industry is much more productive. You teabaggers are a riot. You belong be in a circus act.
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