Best Place in the world to live?

[KevinAu 441]

Nice picture, but let's look at some other economies Debt per GDP:

 

Germany: $57,755 - And a strong economy.

Switzerland: $154,063 - But how does that work?

New Zealand: $52,300 - But, that's a strong economy right?

Australia: $52,596 - And their economy is growing right?

Norway: $131,220 - And an unemployment rate of only 2.6%...

 

I guess I'm saying that state owned debt is not the be all and end all of what makes an economy strong, nor a country good to live in.

 

Regards,

Ró.

 

That looks like debt per capita, not GDP. A more useful way to look at things would be debt to GDP ratio.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_by_public_debt

[Great Ozzie 101]

That looks like debt per capita, not GDP. A more useful way to look at things would be debt to GDP ratio.

 

Good point. Do a sort on that list Ró, and see where those countries sit. All are much lower save Germany and iirc, they are of late having much more concern over the weakening of their economy.

[TurboTomato 90]

I do not think I said anything offensive. When a government overspends I consider it irresponsible and that goes for the USA as well. Let me share with you what socialism is doing to some European countries. Below are the headlines. The Republican Party of the United States promises to repeal the heathlaw implemented by President Obama to avoid this....

 

Depression, Suicides Rise as Euro Debt Crisis Intensifies

 

http://www.cnbc.com/id/48883704

 

Fears Rising, Spaniards Pull Out Their Cash and Get Out of Spain

 

http://www.cnbc.com/id/48889555

 

You're not suggesting that there is any connection between having a health service and suicide rates are you?!

 

Since you keep on banging the capitalist drum can you remind me where this whole banking crisis started?

[Huascar 179]

Turbo -

 

I am not suggesting anything. The article was meant to illustrate how the welfare state is falling apart.

 

Since you celebrate collectivism, you will find that it was the collective / social policies of those on the left of the United States Government that triggered the recession. The US government (in the name of social justice) mandated banks to relax the lending policies, meaning that a person making just 35k/yr could get a mortgage loan of 400k.

 

Congress was persuaded to pressure the mortgage industry to provide loans to those it claimed it had been unjustly denied loans in the past – the poor, blacks, et.al. The mortgage companies were basically told to make loans with lower standards than in the past…or else. Loans were issued. Result? people defaulted on the loans.

 

This is what happens when the government intervenes in the private sector. So yes, it started in the U.S. under Bill Clinton (left-center government).

[Cessnaflyer 56]

This is what happens when the government intervenes in the private sector. So yes, it started in the U.S. under Bill Clinton (left-center government).

 

Here is a good article about it.

http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/hotproperty/archives/2008/02/clintons_drive.html

[mganz121 159]

Guys, would it make sense to keep this on track? This has become a very interesting thread, but I suspect that another thread would be wiser for discussions about internal politics.

 

Cheers DB

[Airbus Commander 563]

Guys, would it make sense to keep this on track? This has become a very interesting thread, but I suspect that another thread would be wiser for discussions about internal politics.

 

Cheers DB

Indeed, let's get this topic back to waterfalls, glaciers, sheep, lamb burgers, tropical beaches, weather and family stuffs, all this arguing would give me a headache if I had to listen to it for real...

 

Regards,

Ró.

[HawkDsl 50]

It's Carn Hyddgen N52° 30' 7" W3° 46' 50", a bronze age double cairn.

 

Thank you... that's very interesting stuff!

 

apologies for everything they said when George W. was president.

 

LOL... I think they got that one right however. But on the bright side, we proved once again that anyone can be prez in the USA.

 

Oh Topic:

 

NZ would be a fine place to hang ones hat... but like Hawaii, if you like to travel the sights, it wouldn't take very long. At least NZ is close to other places. I think I would go crazy in Hawaii... one of the most isolated places on the planet.

[mganz121 159]

NZ would be a fine place to hang ones hat... but like Hawaii, if you like to travel the sights, it wouldn't take very long. At least NZ is close to other places. I think I would go crazy in Hawaii... one of the most isolated places on the planet.

 

I think you will find that NZ is just as isolated. Every time I go back to see family in the UK, it takes about 36 hours door to door! Luckily, Emirates is a great airline to use and their cattle class is quite good for those long trips (at least from Auckland or Christchurch to Dubai). But thank God, there is always a decent English beer, fish and chips or a curry at the other end haha

[CraigyW 30]

The interesting thing about the mortgage crisis in the US is that George W tried to stop the lending to people who couldn't in reality afford to service the debt in his first term, but couldn't get it through the Democrat controlled congress. In his second term it was too late,. The damage was already done.

 

As for the best place to live, I think home is where you make it. Where all your things are like your flightsim computer

[Great Ozzie 101]

I think I would go crazy in Hawaii... one of the most isolated places on the planet.

 

I lived on Oahu for a number of years and have stepped foot on 6 of the 8 major islands (save the forbidden island of Ni‘ihau and Lanai). I never saw "everything"... nor did I ever get bored with her beauty.

 

I can tell you there is nothing like being up shortly after sunrise with skies that are crystal clear and seeing the majesty of the Pali Mountains. Or standing at the top of the Haleakala and watching the sunrise (I lost count the number of times). The Hawaiian Islands are absolutely gorgeous and the people terrific. Absolutely amazing blending of cultures. And it is an indelible part of U.S. and U.S. Military history.

 

Breaks my heart that I have not been back in over 20 years... but as the French say... c'est la vie.

 

To say it is one of the most isolated places on the planet... :rolleyes: talk about hyperbole... those kinds of statements indicate you have never been there. <_<

 

-Rob

[Huascar 179]

George W. was a casualty of the Democrat's mortgage mismanagement. It is true, Bush sent a representative to Congress to warn about the impending crisis. The Republican who testified was accused of being a racist for wanting to stop the bad loans.

 

As a Hispanic American I believe conservatism is best for America.

[Matthew Kane 1,343]

I think you will find that NZ is just as isolated. Every time I go back to see family in the UK, it takes about 36 hours door to door! Luckily, Emirates is a great airline to use and their cattle class is quite good for those long trips (at least from Auckland or Christchurch to Dubai). But thank God, there is always a decent English beer, fish and chips or a curry at the other end haha

 

I don't find it so bad....For me it is just a 12 hour flight to Los Angeles and then I am basically home. My family is on Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto and Vancouver. So I book my flights from Wellington to Toronto with stop overs in LA and Chicago, and return from Toronto to Wellington with stop over in Vancouver. It doesn't end up costing a lot as I am just delaying stop overs by a few days to visit family enroute.

 

You guys from the UK have it harder then Americans or Canadians as it is only 12 hours to KLAX or 13 hours to Vancouver.

 

For me Wellington is home now so this is where I will stay, then retire in the Abel Tasman National Park area.

[ray hughes 165]

Well, I have lived and worked in London, Paris, Los Angeles, Melbourne and Auckland.

When in London I thought it was the most fantastic city - so many things going on.. Then I thought Paris was just so, well, cultured .. and the food...

Los Angeles meant excitment and being around succesful can do people..

And Melbourne, well the multi cultural mix of Greek, Italian and Native Aussie made it the Food city of the South.. Now I am back in Auckland and it's secure and comforting.

I found things to like in all these places - but you know going back to them later - was, well different - I was suprised as I was looking from an outsiders point of view - I wondered what attracted me to them in the first place.

So I guess familiarity and a willingness to participate in events and activies bond you to places. Great moments of trauma and joy too..

So, there is no place like home, where ever it may be for you.

My small thrills these days (I gave up real flying) are walking my little dog along the waterfront of Devonport on a blustery cool day, with white caps in the inner harbour - then sitting down at a local cafe and having a good Late' to warm up while people and traffic pass by - and maybe I see locals I know and we nod and smile, or maybe they come over and sit down and talk.

[mganz121 159]

NZ is doing quite well in this thread isn't it? Very small population but big pride perhaps?

 

The only thing I dislike about NZ (even after 35 years) is Christmas Day and boy, do I get homesick ! My family in the UK think that a BBQ on the beach or a couple of hours water-skiing in Wellington harbour is bliss. Not me ..... give me a lunch with family and an open fire any day (oh, and a real beer!).