The illusion of wealth in the United States is due to cheap credit here...
Many if not most live way beyond their means and run a monthly credit card bill(s), never paying it/them off..some running into the 10's of 1000's of $$..
This is why the populous and our irresponsible spending gov crave lower interest rates..they think that they can afford more with less..
So yeah to many $15 would seem like more as they are starting at less than zero every month..
To compare ah to McDonald's you only have to look at the average American and see they'd rather eat than do anything else..
Eagler
I wonder if there is an average American. You are very diverse. In the UK we are multi cultural but outside of cities we are probably more homogenous.
I think though credit is a feature of most modern economies. USA was going to be on a par with CHINA 10 years ago but despite your rather fractured society you have a habit of surging ahead of everyone else somehow. You definately have something going on there though it all looks like a mad house from EUROPE
Congratulations on whatever it is but you keep winning whatever
I think one thing we should all come to terms with. That is and I think we are getting it here in Europe. Some people are just useless economicly and should get there £15 dollars a month for free to keep them busy having fun and not doing crime or complaining. Personally I would like to be one but sadly I have some inteligence and tallent and find it hard to convince the state I am unemployable so work for myself BUT AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE.
We should try and enjoy ourselves and remember most of the greatest people who ever lived are dead or will die and some were quite miserable anyway. Play on
Anyway if we stopped wanting too much machines could do all the work. Ambition is the problem and ambition that makes us want a new kitchen and car etc Make do and mend
$15 and a 5 year old PC
Here is a good story: When I was ambitious I lived in an expensive riverside apartment in London with a Sauna, Jacuzzi, Gymnasium and huge swimming pool and we each of 100 appartments paid $10,000 dollars a year for the up keep of the facilities and staff on top of everything else. We were all so busy making money we hardly used any of this except when we had guests to show off to them what we had !! I could use the facilities on a Sunday and no one else showed up all day !!
When I had a free day did I go swimming and Jacuzzi. Did I F@@@. Me and the then Mrs ordered a bucket of KFC and played video games or watched Star Trek TNG
Best thing about that appartment was you could sit on the toilet and watch the TV
Which Reminds me there was a survey of English men and Women done recently and I wonder if it applies in the USA:
Mens Favourity activities:
1) Watching TV
2) Drinking Beer
3) Going to the toilet
Womens Favourite Activities:
1) Meeting other women
2) Talking about relationships
3) Crying
No one has all the answers whoever they are and there it is
