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I know lots of lazy republican minded people that are of the mindset "I don't work much and care less about most services so don't tax what little I make." Not to mention lazy liberals that honestly only seem to only be liberal because they have figured out how make the system work harder for them than they have to work for themselves.
Lazy vs hard working/self motivated in my neck of the woods is not synonymous with political status.
CAPITOLISM and SOCIALISM are NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE!
One is an ECONOMIC system, the other is a SOCIAL GOVERNANCE POLICY SYSTEM.
Saying one is the opposite of the other is like saying democracy is the opposite of libertarianism. They can and do exist as one.
The lack of education of the standard american, particularly those who love to toss out the S word without knowing what the heck it even is, astounds me. Im certainly not advocating socialism, but I am saying that youd have to be an idiot to argue it against capitolism and not grasp that you are comparing apples to grapes.
I think you can have both of those things you described in America. You have Americans who are success driven types and Americans who like to smell the roses.
Actually I think it's hard to enjoy life in America unless you are very wealthy or you are able to get by on very little and are okay with little. Not many people are okay with a little.
In Europe, most people are able to enjoy life whether they have a lot or a little. There's seemingly no difference, a lot due to the security net, and also to less identification with what they do for a living.
In America, a lot of people are UNABLE to enjoy life because they HAVE to spend time working for the basics: roof, bread and butter, working car, babysitter, etc etc.
Certainly some people who make a lot of $ aren't enjoying life either because they don't know how, and only know how to work.
Actually I think it's hard to enjoy life in America unless you are very wealthy or you are able to get by on very little and are okay with little. Not many people are okay with a little.
In Europe, most people are able to enjoy life whether they have a lot or a little. There's seemingly no difference, a lot due to the security net, and also to less identification with what they do for a living.
In America, a lot of people are UNABLE to enjoy life because they HAVE to spend time working for the basics: roof, bread and butter, working car, babysitter, etc etc.
Certainly some people who make a lot of $ aren't enjoying life either because they don't know how, and only know how to work.
I think you are assuming too much. How do you know Americans don't enjoy their life?
I think you are assuming too much. How do you know Americans don't enjoy their life?
I'll say it. I don't enjoy my life. I spend all my time studying to get a degree and the loans will be so bad that I will be working 40-60 hours a week for probably the next 10 years, but I didn't see any other option to make a decent living in this country that I felt I could do well and maybe have a chance of living where I want (I want to move back to Michigan, so the medical field is one of the few options I have). I was a teacher for two years but I hated moving away from my family and friends for a job to an area of the country I didn't like.
My father, 2 years before retirement is being downsized so some company a thousand miles away can increase their profits. My best friend is an engineer at a large company and bought his house in 2006. He is now worried about getting downsized or relocated. The only real reason he hasn't been let go is he is willing to quietly do the jobs that he hates (and everyone else hates).
We're all too busy working to get by to publicly say how miserable we are, but there are lots of us out here that are unhappy, and the lack of stability is a big problem.
Happiness may be a choice. But with ANY choice, some options are easier than others and a lot of us are too exhausted from meaningless ungrateful jobs to try to be happy or do anything we enjoy.
I'll say it. I don't enjoy my life. I spend all my time studying to get a degree and the loans will be so bad that I will be working 40-60 hours a week for probably the next 10 years, but I didn't see any other option to make a decent living in this country
.
You shouldn't have taken out the loans if you don't want to pay them back. I worked 3 jobs many times when I was in school and took a few semesters off to work full time so I wouldn't have to worry about loans.
I know plenty of people that make well into six figures that have no higher education. And I know plenty of people that have college degrees and don't have much money at all. I think it probably has more to do with motivation and what not than education.
You shouldn't have taken out the loans if you don't want to pay them back. I worked 3 jobs many times when I was in school and took a few semesters off to work full time so I wouldn't have to worry about loans.
Can I ask your age and where you went to school? Back when I was at a state university, school cost $5-7k now it's $13-15k. Times have changed. I graduated from college in 1995 and tuition has more than doubled since then. Unfortunately income has not. I don't know how today's student can make enough money to pay cash for college. Private college tuition in our area is $30+k.
You shouldn't have taken out the loans if you don't want to pay them back. I worked 3 jobs many times when I was in school and took a few semesters off to work full time so I wouldn't have to worry about loans.
I know plenty of people that make well into six figures that have no higher education. And I know plenty of people that have college degrees and don't have much money at all. I think it probably has more to do with motivation and what not than education.
I'm in a medical program and its cohorted. You can't really take time off and reenter. Plus its not like an undergrad situation where theres only 12-16 hours of class time. I'm in a lecture hall or lab 30 hours per week, then I have to study all the material. Not a lot of time for jobs. I did have 3 jobs in undergrad. Theres no time for that now.
I know plenty of people with no college degrees either. They're all athletes or nearing retirement though. Times change and requirements to even get interviews change.
I think a high salary has more to do with connections and who you know and luck than motivation.
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