Back in the U.S.S.R.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Just heard that the government is going to buy up all the *****ty loans made by irresponsible speculative idiots that bought beyond their means for the last 8-or-so years. What do you all think of this? GWB just got done a speech saying this.

Seems to me we're SCREWED. We're now officially living in a communist country.

The reds won, apparently.

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I guess I should expect such short-sighted election-year foolishness from our politicians. I don't know what to think anymore. Maybe move to Russia. They're more democratic than we are these days.

[widebody911]

Privatize profit, socialize risk.

[RPKESQ]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Just heard that the government is going to buy up all the *****ty loans made by irresponsible speculative idiots that bought beyond their means for the last 8-or-so years. What do you all think of this? GWB just got done a speech saying this.

Seems to me we're SCREWED. We're now officially living in a communist country.

The reds won, apparently.

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I guess I should expect such short-sighted election-year foolishness from our politicians. I don't know what to think anymore. Maybe move to Russia. They're more democratic than we are these days.

Unbridled capitalism only lasts until the few big boys have eaten all the little guys. Communism is the ultimate capitalism, you only have one big boy and he sets all prices and services. The smart choice is the middle road.

Which we had a pretty good record in the US, until the Feds were convinced that deregulation was better for the little guys (this was just code for the big boys
). This started in the 80's and has caused a total stagnation of real wages for the middle-class for the last 25 years, and a near total loss of our manufacturing base. It has been a wild ride since, the S&L mess, Airlines, Dot Com Bomb, two housing bubbles. Now, the pooch has been screwed and taxpayers will be nailed in the shorts for quite some time in the future. Seems to me your wish for pure capitalism has come true, the results were always predictable as no government could allow the markets to fail to the degree that was possible without the buyouts.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

You got room over there in France? It's starting to sound better and better... I'll have to dust off my old French language books though.

[onewhippedpuppy]

France?! Nah, Australia is sounding pretty good.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I like that one too. And New Zealand. I've seriously looked at immigration requirements for both in the past (might be different today though). That's "Plan S" or "Plan T" on my list of emergency plans if it ever comes to that. Down quite a ways, but on the list as a possible option.

[Rick Lee]

China and Switzerland are on my escape-to list.

[tabs]

One thing to remember is that a good number of those Boyz who led those financial institutions to failure are card carrying Democrats. Most were big Hillary supporters. John Mack of MS, Paul Rubin of Citi, Jamie Dimon of JPM are just the ones I know about.

[scottmandue]

You guys may be a little optimistic in presuming other countries are accepting American immigrants with open arms.

[RPKESQ]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

You got room over there in France? It's starting to sound better and better... I'll have to dust off my old French language books though.

Sure, we got room. France is not perfect by any means, but does offer amazing food, wine, history, art and way of living that makes you not feel like a cog in the machine. Family comes first here, always (that can be good or bad!). The scenery is beautiful, the trains, metros and buses are clean & fast. I have two fantastic mountain ranges to hike, ski and explore. Bicycles are respected on the road. There politeness is omnipresent. The property laws are the strongest I have found anywhere. People really like to have serious conversations at the drop of a hat. And the rest of Europe and Northern Africa is a stones throw away. I hunt in Scotland, fish in Scotland, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria. Sail in the Med and boat in the 10,000 km of canal in France alone (they connect with canals or rivers in Belgium, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria). Food is expensive, but it is the best. Wine can be very inexpensive and very high quality if you purchase it correctly. I have found the people to be very friendly and have yet to have a bad person experience in 25 years (I'm sure there must be assh*les here too).
Try it you might like it. let me know if I can help.

Viva la France!

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I'm seriously considering a trip over there to catch a couple of stages of the TdF next year - I'll PM you. At the very least we should hook up for a drink and talk about it.

[KNS]

My wife and I were in Paris for the last stage of the TdF a couple of months ago. Awesome!. Paris is a great city and we plan to go back some day with the kids. I would not mind living in France one bit...

[dlague]

LIVING IN FRANCE!!!??? Check into taxes, laws, attitudes to Americans etc......and I am French Vive La USA!!!

[RPKESQ]

Originally Posted by dlague

LIVING IN FRANCE!!!??? Check into taxes, laws, attitudes to Americans etc......and I am French Vive La USA!!!

Well in 25 years of living for long periods in Europe and France I cannot say that I once had anyone cop a bad attitude toward me because I was an American. Let me review the circumstances I have experienced, traffic accidents, medical treatment, education, selling and purchasing of property, bank accounts, taxes, property legal issues, etc.

I pay less in property taxes than I pay in the US. I enjoy the worlds best health-care. The best food and wine are at my fingertips. My French taxes clearly are used better than my US taxes, the roads are great, the mass transportation superb, the refreshing trait of actually putting family first and best of all the idea that money isn't everything.

I will admit to knowing several French people who prefer the US due to a perceived lack of opportunity and lower wages, but their problems are not mine as a non French citizen. Like I said no place is perfect, but France is right up there with the very best.