|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
stumptowny
Joined: 29 May 2011
Posts: 310
|
 Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 5:50 am Post subject: state of affairs, staying in Japan, thoughts... |
 |
|
the second presidential debate just finished back in the states.. I am pretty dejected by the entire political process (er, financial power) at this point and its emboldened by my 'ex-pat' status. frankly, not paying taxes back home makes me feel great about not supporting our "democracy"
it's so bloated with money, the system can't waddle up to the podium to deliver its cheesy catch phrases that dupe the masses into the "democratic process" burp! there went another trillion to banks and defense spending... burp! there went medicare for 30,000...
complaining aside, I am very happy to be in Japan, living and working. still, I feel frustrated with things back home, even as I see myself being here long term and increasingly feeling better about that. not just for being a victim back home (politically and financially), but because japan basically kicks ass and staying here long term is looking better and better.
I stay up with the state of affairs back home with hopes that I can return some day if I decide.. or that I can at least have that option..
not sure where I am going with this exactly... can any of you relate? are some of you looking to return at some point? what do you consider when doing so? jobs obviously. what else?
I am at the point where I am fine staying or returning. I am guessing many of you have families and are here for good. amused by the process back home.. disgusted.. or indifferent. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Almond_Lover
Joined: 11 Oct 2012
Posts: 35
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:48 am Post subject: Re: state of affairs, staying in Japan, thoughts... |
|
|
| stumptowny wrote: |
the second presidential debate just finished back in the states.. I am pretty dejected by the entire political process (er, financial power) at this point and its emboldened by my 'ex-pat' status. frankly, not paying taxes back home makes me feel great about not supporting our "democracy"
it's so bloated with money, the system can't waddle up to the podium to deliver its cheesy catch phrases that dupe the masses into the "democratic process" burp! there went another trillion to banks and defense spending... burp! there went medicare for 30,000...
complaining aside, I am very happy to be in Japan, living and working. still, I feel frustrated with things back home, even as I see myself being here long term and increasingly feeling better about that. not just for being a victim back home (politically and financially), but because japan basically kicks ass and staying here long term is looking better and better.
I stay up with the state of affairs back home with hopes that I can return some day if I decide.. or that I can at least have that option..
not sure where I am going with this exactly... can any of you relate? are some of you looking to return at some point? what do you consider when doing so? jobs obviously. what else?
I am at the point where I am fine staying or returning. I am guessing many of you have families and are here for good. amused by the process back home.. disgusted.. or indifferent. |
Don't go back unless you have a concrete plan like a business idea or something. You're gonna miss Japan. I know I did. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rxk22
Joined: 19 May 2010
Posts: 1629
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 12:24 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I dunno. Though the American political system is messed up, and the economy is bad. I see Japan as possibly worse in the long term. No one is dealing with any of the looming financial problems in Japan, you just don't hear about it as much. Also, economically, Japan looks to be in a 'change or die' situation save for a few companies (Honda, Toyota, Hitachi, komatsu, and Softbank) outside of those, I see a long slow death for many Japanese companies esp the electronics. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TWG
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 39
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Politicians will be vary between disingenuous and outright evil no matter how long you're away and no matter where you are. The system will always be stacked in favor if the wealthy and powerful no matter what system it is. Live where you have the most peace of mind. Currently that's Japan. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Almond_Lover
Joined: 11 Oct 2012
Posts: 35
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| TWG wrote: |
| Politicians will be vary between disingenuous and outright evil no matter how long you're away and no matter where you are. The system will always be stacked in favor if the wealthy and powerful no matter what system it is. Live where you have the most peace of mind. Currently that's Japan. |
I agree. At least here I can observe the US political system and laugh at the inconsistencies. When I was there, it made me apprehensive. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
stumptowny
Joined: 29 May 2011
Posts: 310
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 1:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
TWG: agreed as well.. peace of mind is here but as rxk22 pointed out, Japan is on a cliff economically. this may encroach on our cushy, expat peace of mind where we can make decent money but live by lax standards because we don't fall into the social/professional hierarchy as gaijin. we do, kinda, but we get to go home at 3 o'clock!
seriously, the baby boomers are gonna thrash this economy for the next 10 years. it has already started. so sitting here and waiting things out for back home to improve may not be an option in the future? depends how much english education remains in education here. right now, it seems golden. tons of jobs. but at some point cuts are gonna come to certain non-essentials and taxes will rise even more. if english starts to become targeted in the education system here, we are screwed. hopefully by that point things back home will be obama-fied (rectified)... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Almond_Lover
Joined: 11 Oct 2012
Posts: 35
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 1:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| stumptowny wrote: |
TWG: agreed as well.. peace of mind is here but as rxk22 pointed out, Japan is on a cliff economically. this may encroach on our cushy, expat peace of mind where we can make decent money but live by lax standards because we don't fall into the social/professional hierarchy as gaijin. we do, kinda, but we get to go home at 3 o'clock!
seriously, the baby boomers are gonna thrash this economy for the next 10 years. it has already started. so sitting here and waiting things out for back home to improve may not be an option in the future? depends how much english education remains in education here. right now, it seems golden. tons of jobs. but at some point cuts are gonna come to certain non-essentials and taxes will rise even more. if english starts to become targeted in the education system here, we are screwed. hopefully by that point things back home will be obama-fied (rectified)... |
English being targeted in the education system is only of concern if you are teaching at public schools/universities. There will always be eikaiwa jobs as long as Japanese people want to learn English which, to me, seems to be pretty consistent. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TWG
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 39
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 11:49 pm Post subject: |
| | |
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
