- 20 Aug 2007 14:50
#1300217
Excellent points. I come from a middle class family, and while none of us are rich, we've been able to afford a very comfortable (but not extravagent) standard of living. Unfortunately there are some who come from poorer backgrounds who see the wealth in this country and want to live a wealthy lifestyle for themselves. That's why we see some people get credit cards and then spend more than they can possibly earn. They're living a fantasy.
We do have government assistance programs for the lower and lower-middle classes, but one has to apply for it--they don't get it automatically. People can get assistance with health care, college tuition, grants to start a business, etc., but hard work and some personal responsibility is also necessary to succeed because there isn't enough money in the welfare system to pay for everyone who wants it. That's not to say that Germans or anyone else in Europe aren't responsible--just that we don't have the cradle-to-grave system.
Part of American way of thinking is that our ancestors came to this country, often with no more than a few dollars, and worked hard to support themselves and their families. And after 100 or 200 years, we have this great country to show for all that work. That spirit of creating our own futures through work is still very strong. This is one reason that small businesses continue to thrive here, even with larger companies like Wal-Mart, McDonald's, etc.
That's a good point about correcting the level of welfare. I haven't read much about German domestic politics since Merkel became chancellor, but American leaders are working on the same problems, in addition to foreign policy. Balance is important, yet no one seems to agree on just the right level. I'm sure the CDU and the SPD are having some of the same kinds of arguments the Republicans and Democrats are having here.
Well, I did say "almost".
It's true that children who come from better-off families tend to be better-off themselves when they grow up and start their careers. However, there are countless examples of people who grew up with nothing, worked all week long and went to school at night, or even started their own businesses, and became success stories. Within the past generation, consider people Steve Jobs, Bill Gates (OK, he went to Harvard, but he didn't finish), or Michael Dell. Entrepreneurship is something that is more common herein the States than in Europe, as far as I can see. The taxes alone in Europe, not to mention energy costs, etc., are enough to keep many people from starting their own businesses.
In Germany, it seems as though the education officials test children at a very young age and then send them to this school or that, giving them little choice in their career fields. I know that it can be very difficult to switch careers in Germany halfway through life, while that is very common here in the U.S. Most of the people in my family have done this. If we get tired of one job and don't make enough money to pay the bills, we find something else that suits us better. There is competition, but those who keep trying and plan wisely have great chances of success.
Regarding the millionaire presidents. Not every president grew up rich, particularly in the 19th century. Abe Lincoln taught himself how to be a lawyer by reading books on his own, and the rest is history. But while Americans hate the idea of royalty (it's too English), we do prefer to see successful, confident leaders in the White House.
of course, not every american do need 3 or 4 jobs, i never supposed that, but i often read and heard about, that the us have a huge lower class which is hardly able to manage their life without doing as much jobs as they get.
in europe we think, that the state got the job to get sure, that everybody will get a minimum healthcare, etc... the issue/problem is to find the right apropriate extent, how much welfare you want. in germany with long time economic boom, we achieved a very high level and currently we have to correct it, globalization is requiring. but its a very hard way for the current politicians.
Excellent points. I come from a middle class family, and while none of us are rich, we've been able to afford a very comfortable (but not extravagent) standard of living. Unfortunately there are some who come from poorer backgrounds who see the wealth in this country and want to live a wealthy lifestyle for themselves. That's why we see some people get credit cards and then spend more than they can possibly earn. They're living a fantasy.
We do have government assistance programs for the lower and lower-middle classes, but one has to apply for it--they don't get it automatically. People can get assistance with health care, college tuition, grants to start a business, etc., but hard work and some personal responsibility is also necessary to succeed because there isn't enough money in the welfare system to pay for everyone who wants it. That's not to say that Germans or anyone else in Europe aren't responsible--just that we don't have the cradle-to-grave system.
Part of American way of thinking is that our ancestors came to this country, often with no more than a few dollars, and worked hard to support themselves and their families. And after 100 or 200 years, we have this great country to show for all that work. That spirit of creating our own futures through work is still very strong. This is one reason that small businesses continue to thrive here, even with larger companies like Wal-Mart, McDonald's, etc.
That's a good point about correcting the level of welfare. I haven't read much about German domestic politics since Merkel became chancellor, but American leaders are working on the same problems, in addition to foreign policy. Balance is important, yet no one seems to agree on just the right level. I'm sure the CDU and the SPD are having some of the same kinds of arguments the Republicans and Democrats are having here.
there is one point, which i absolutely have to disagree:
Quote:
We do have a choice in almost every aspect of life
no, you havent. for instance, you cant choose your parents, and according to this, you cant choose the social circumstances among you grow up... (speaking about equal opportunities)
one special example: in us you have to be a multimillionare to run for president. otherwise you have no chance, or has there ever been one single us-president, who wasnt as much as rich? however, i dont know anyone, have to appologize if there has been one.
Well, I did say "almost".
It's true that children who come from better-off families tend to be better-off themselves when they grow up and start their careers. However, there are countless examples of people who grew up with nothing, worked all week long and went to school at night, or even started their own businesses, and became success stories. Within the past generation, consider people Steve Jobs, Bill Gates (OK, he went to Harvard, but he didn't finish), or Michael Dell. Entrepreneurship is something that is more common herein the States than in Europe, as far as I can see. The taxes alone in Europe, not to mention energy costs, etc., are enough to keep many people from starting their own businesses.
In Germany, it seems as though the education officials test children at a very young age and then send them to this school or that, giving them little choice in their career fields. I know that it can be very difficult to switch careers in Germany halfway through life, while that is very common here in the U.S. Most of the people in my family have done this. If we get tired of one job and don't make enough money to pay the bills, we find something else that suits us better. There is competition, but those who keep trying and plan wisely have great chances of success.
Regarding the millionaire presidents. Not every president grew up rich, particularly in the 19th century. Abe Lincoln taught himself how to be a lawyer by reading books on his own, and the rest is history. But while Americans hate the idea of royalty (it's too English), we do prefer to see successful, confident leaders in the White House.
maybe that's because those houses are 100 to 500 years old. And in those days people weren't that big.
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