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From what I understand, Brussels is considered to be one of crappier European cities. If that's true (I haven't travelled outside of Belgium yet), then Europe is FAR superior to the US because it easily rivals all but out first tier cities in quality of life.
I will say that Europe seems a far better place to be a worker. Wages are better and working conditions and health care are priorities. They have not allowed the plutocracy to throw the workers under the bus, as we have here. Most of western Europe has steered clear of the extreme socialist or communist models, but has kept enough of such ideas to make a very compelling alternative to the American socioeconomic system. Frankly, I prefer Canada to both. It has some of the American vitality coupled with European ideas of social welfare.
Absolutely. There is a significant difference between true socialism and social democracy. Canada, Australia, and much of western Europe are social democracies, not socialist states. And considering that Canada has undergone little of the US's economic turmoil of the last several years (no bank failures or collapse of the banking industry OR subsequent government bailouts), I think it's safe to say that a social democracy can work very well.
From what I understand, Brussels is considered to be one of crappier European cities. If that's true (I haven't travelled outside of Belgium yet), then Europe is FAR superior to the US because it easily rivals all but out first tier cities in quality of life.
Didn't you just say that you lived in the better neighborhood there?
This is shang hai ( This is what I've seen when I was there)
Also, Because our GDP per capita tends to be higher than GDP per capita in European countries, the people who fall below the poverty line [in the U.S.] are not necessarily considered poor elsewhere.
If I were poor or just a low wage worker, I'd pick Western Europe over the US hands down. Wouldn't you?
I completely agree with your second paragraph. The point of this thread is to say - gee, it's a shame more Americans aren't living the way I'm living IN AMERICA. It's a shame we don't make better use of our space in the US. If I could, I would design tours for Americans to walk through this community so they would go back home and start demanding better zoning and better use of their space. It really does make a difference in quality of life.
And you are missing the point being made by many here. The point is that we don't agree with your definition of "quality of life" and "better use of space".
Millions of us don't like density. We like our private space since it really does make a difference in quality of life.
Nobody said it was. But every city has slums. Even in Europe.
No, slums certainly not. But low-income areas, yes. But Europa is a bit different in that in many countries there is no separation of those social levels, almost like in India where you can find a mansion right next to huts. In the US people seem to be more into class-based neighborhoods based on zip codes and what not.
I live in a nicer area, but I have been in just about every part of the city. Their slums are - lolol - not at all slummy when compared to poor US hoods.
From what I understand, Brussels is considered to be one of crappier European cities. If that's true (I haven't travelled outside of Belgium yet), then Europe is FAR superior to the US because it easily rivals all but out first tier cities in quality of life.
Probably because of all the EU bureaucrats there I wonder if they actually live there. If they do, that should make the city unusual statistically speaking as those parasites earn a whole lot. The same would apply to Strasbourg.
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I wonder if they actually live there. If they do, that should make the city unusual statistically speaking as those parasites earn a whole lot. The same would apply to Strasbourg.
