Job Discussion Forums

[reality]

I used to work in Asia, and three months ago moved to Germany. I am not sure, why?. I thought it was time to get into a system somewhere, as I was always tax exempt in Asia.

Sure I earn money here, but the system does not exist anymore. I have to take out private health insurance, which i would of done in Asia anyway
and at a lower cost.

Most people in my area, are working, but it seems the unemployed have a better life. The pension scheme payment, is also cheaper if you do it privately.

I just worked it out. I worked less, had a better life, saved more money, had a cheaper and similar private medical/pension plan, then here.

To be perfectly honest with you, you are better off in Asia. The welfare state is dying, and those whose abuse the system in Europe benefit the most.

Im booking a ticket to Jakarta, as I heard I would be exempt from Tax (The six month rule).

Those who believe Europe offers better opportunities are kidding themselves. Most Asians I knew would never dream of moving to Europe, they are far better off in their own Countries.

Sure, some Countries in Asia arent good for Teachers, like Thailand. But China, Indonesia, Vietnam are lands of opportunity. Unlike, the dying German Industrial machine.

There are good points with Germany, honesty, reasonable people, a sense of society etc. But they will never replace the reality of this new world, Europe is dying growing old.

The smart moneys leaving, the business is elsewhere. And countries like Germany arent ready for the 21st century.

[Hod]

[poro]

[reality]

Nothing like living in a nanny state, to appreciate the freedom of Asia. Although, I heard Thailand is now modelling itself on the UK and European police state model.

The only thing is only bums and refugees benefit from living in these Countries.

See you in Asia.

[longtimeteach]

[The Overcoat]

The two B's are certainly doing a great job for Al Qaeda recruitment. I also understand it's probable that the majority of Americans are stupid enough to re-elect Bush. The mind boggles.

[longtimeteach]

That one-liner is too simplistic to address the horrifying possibility that Bush may be reelected. I hope he isn't (I've already voted, for Kerry of course) but he might be. If he is, the reasons for that are more complex than Americans being merely "stupid".

In the first instance, he wasn't voted into office. He was awarded the Presidency by a conservative, Republican Supreme Court. I believe, this contravened the Constitutional provision separating the branches of government. That's an issue that hasn't been fully addressed. I hope it will be in future so that it's not allowed to be done again.

Add to that, overseas voters were suppressed (votes never counted or sent in by the authorities overseas) and the widespread disenfranchisement of blocks of likely Dem voters helped make the vote so close it was contested. In the contest, which was not prepared for in advance, the Supreme Court stepped in and overstepped their authority to appoint a President, and subsequent vote counts and court challenges to same were nullified.

If he's reelected, some of the reasons for that will be the following. I've tried for a bit of brevity.

- lies told often enough will be believed (GOP is on record for hundreds of whoppers)

- overseas civilian votes have been severely repressed (not enough forms, inadequate mailing measures in place, voting websites closed, etc.) because they're likely to vote Dem

- suspension of civil liberties stiffles dissent (opposing opinions are rarely aired in widely available media)

- widespread voter fraud has disenfranchised large numbers who would have voted for Kerry - Dem voter registrations destroyed, last-minute changes to registration regulations - thereby eliminating vast numbers of Dem voters, GOP people threatening or intimidating likely Dem voters to stay away from the polls, GOPers taking [illegal and invalid] votes/registrations from Dems over the phone, etc. ad infinitum

- media co-opted (their own laziness) by the GOP but 'talking points' continue to refer to a non-existent "liberal press/media" so the vast majority of people only get "news" which supports the current administration

Those are only a few of the major reasons why Bush might be reelected. The political system needs a major overhaul (the Electoral College system, voting days are only two of many changes needed) but it won't be accomplished for this election. Whether or not it can ever be accomplished remains to be seen. It depends on the will of successive administrations, reinstatement of civil rights, reinstating the right/duty to dissent and so forth.

If we reduce the problems and possible outcomes to labeling a group of people "stupid" we ignore the larger issues and eliminate our ability to effect change.

Imo, the US is on the slippery slope to fascism and as this affects the entire world, everyone everywhere has an interest and, again imo, a duty to see the larger picture and work to effect change.

[Hod]

What's that got to do with the price of fish?

[reality]

I made comments about Germany, not the US. And quite honestly, Im sick of the US Election this year.

Germany is or was the engine of Europe. The only ties with the US are the bases that werent closed, when the cold war ended. And the trade between both Countries.

Keep the election in a foreign land, out of this. No wonder americans are so up themselves, we are not interested in your dumb politics.

[longtimeteach]

[The Overcoat]

I'm running a book on the election, so if anyone fancies a flutter.....

Republicans 1.70

Democrats 2.30

[Hod]

I'm having couscous tonite, pm for recipes.

[The Overcoat]

I'll be round at about 8pm, ok?

28 oz. box regular (not instant) Cream of Wheat
-- OR 4 1/2 cups semolina flour
Water

Pour about 1/2 cup of the cereal or flour into a very wide, flat
bowl. Add no more than 2 tablespoons water. With fingers very
slightly curved, gently move the cereal in a circular motion around
the bowl, using only your fingertips, until all the water is
incorporated. If the mixture is too dry to form into tiny balls, add
another tablespoon of water and continue mixing. [When the mixture is
just right, part of the mixture will form tiny balls that feel dry but
are not crumbly.]

When some balls about the size of peppercorns are formed, pour the
entire mixture through a colander with holes just smaller than the
peppercorns, sitting over a large piece of wax paper. Return the
mixture that fell through the colander to the bowl. Place the balls
left in the colander [the couscous] on a clean dish towel.

Repeat, adding cereal and water in the same proportions, until
nothing's left to fall through the colander. Use the couscous right
away or let it dry, then store in an airtight container indefinitely.

[Hod]

Might be better with some meat and veg, but then again your couscous sounds just like the rest of this thread - no substance.

[longtimeteach]