Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Maniac on August 26, 2003, 05:56:31 AM
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Hi.
We here in Sweden has to vote on 15 sept if we want to change our currency from the Swedish "Krona" to the "Euro".
I´m currently gonna vote yes...
You Finn´s and Germany people, was the switch to Euro an good thing or bad in your eyes?
Regards.
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Tough one - I believe that cost of living went up hugely in Euroland after the change over - having said that Euro's are great for travelling these days - but I'd keep the Sterling forever personally....
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Prices of small things will go up with the roundings, ie. If something was worth 2 Krona, it will go to 25 cents instead of 22. It was even worse here in Spain, because the roundings to get nice "few coins" prices were even more outrageous, something worth 5 pesetas (i.e. little candy bar) went to 5 cents, which is more like 8 pesetas. Kids were pissed.
The government kept saying it wasn't going to be the case, but it was.
Other than that it's great for travelling or comparing prices throughout Europe. The fact that 1 Euro ~ 1 Dollar for fast comparisons also helps.
Most of the people including myself have gotten used pretty fast to everyday small prices, but house or car-buying money is still considered in pesetas in normal conversations.
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IMO it was a great thing. I like the Euro very much cause in most countries u dont have to fool with francs lira etc. but:
I'm still thinking in DM that means when I see a price tag I'm thinking it costs only the half its worth (1,- € = 2,- DM).
Another problem was that with the Euro many items got more expencive (especially food).
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The biggest problem with adopting the Euro is surrendering control of interest rates. Every country which adopts the Euro has to implement a Europe mandated interest rate, currently about 3½%. But look what's been happening in Germany - a recession, and in order to kickstart its economy, Germany really needs a big reduction in interest rates, perhaps to as low as ½%. But saddled with the Euro, it cannot reduce the interest rate - a reduction it badly needs.
I saw what loss of control of interest rates did to Britain between 1989-1992. First we had low interest rates at a time of economic boom. The brakes came off. House prices skyrocketed, borrowing became ridiculously easy - and that was the problem. All the late 80s wealth was perceived wealth. Everything was being bought with borrowed money. Then came the collapse - recession in 92, but interest rates cranked up to 15%!!! Thousands of businesses went bust, and people who had bought houses at high prices with 100% mortgages found themselves in negative equity - even if they sold their house at a much reduced value, they still owed money to the bank and were paying 15% interest on it.
Oh sure, the Euro is convenient for holidays, but I am sceptical to say the least about surrendering control of interest rates.
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Oh sure, the Euro is convenient for holidays, but I am sceptical to say the least about surrendering control of interest rates.
Ya im aware about this... Somehow i belive that the Euro will make it easier to move around Europe and get work at different locations...
Im all for that...
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Originally posted by Maniac
Ya im aware about this... Somehow i belive that the Euro will make it easier to move around Europe and get work at different locations...
Im all for that...
Maniac - It won't make any difference in that respect. Any European passport holder can already relocate and work in any of the other 14 member states. The local currency has no bearing on that.
I can't help thinking sometimes that the single currency was designed to precipitate an economic crisis within Europe, the only way out being introduction of federal taxes and federal grants - and more federal government.
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In Holland......prices went up. Especially in bars and restaurants.
(http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/extern/640697.jpg)
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Those of us in the USA are glad to hear the Swedes are considering going to the Euro. Now we just lump you in with the rest of Europe and no longer have to separately call your music and fashion "kronatrash".
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Originally posted by beet1e
the only way out being introduction of federal taxes and federal grants - and more federal government.
I wonder if some true conservatives will appear in Europe because of this? :)
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Only if use of a single currency causes a massive drop in IQ levels....
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Ahh conservitism foiled again by the educated masses of europe.
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Originally posted by _Schadenfreude_
Only if use of a single currency causes a massive drop in IQ levels....
Then you guys are doomed for ever. You're collective IQ's couldn't drop anymore or you'd be like, well.... Europeans :D
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Originally posted by Rude
Explain to me the level of IQ necessary to allow the death of 10,000 citizens in a modern society, due to a heat wave.
It was a freak heat wave, they have never seen anything like it, I don't think they even have air conditioners. Don't forget, we had 400 people in chicago alone die during a heat wave in '95'
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I know that may have seemed harsh, but I cannot understand a government on any level which could allow this type of tragedy to take place.
It's been over 100 with highs of 106 here in the midwest....we have lost two people.
I'll delete the post and offer up an apology to those who read it....sometimes I just post what pops into my head.
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It was harsh especially because (but you were not aware) that my wife lost her grand-mother this summer partly because of the heat.
I edited my post aswell.
And "Mamy Nano" was a charming beautifull grand-mother incarning perfectly her role we were all proud of her.
And it was not because of the lack of care from the governement but because some SOB left their elder alone in the unusual heat we got this summer.
100/106 F is it frequent in Texas ?
Here all record were broke this summer.
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The situation in France is akin to someone leaving their child in a Car in the middle of the heat of the summer.
Its not the governments fault for stupid relatives neglecting their children or aged parents is situations that ultimately will prove fatal.http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/08/26/child.heat.deaths.ap/index.html
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Back on track...which States are members?
Too lazy to Google Search :)
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Originally posted by straffo
It was harsh especially because (but you were not aware) that my wife lost her grand-mother this summer partly because of the heat.
I edited my post aswell.
And "Mamy Nano" was a charming beautifull grand-mother incarning perfectly her role we were all proud of her.
And it was not because of the lack of care from the governement but because some SOB left their elder alone in the unusual heat we got this summer.
100/106 F is it frequent in Texas ?
Here all record were broke this summer.
Like I said Straffo....never had the intent of hurting anyone...I re-read it and realized that it would most certainly be taken wrong.
I'm sorry about you wifes grandmother as well.
Record temps here as well....help me to understand how the French citizenship feels about this. Ya see, here in the states, radio, tv and print run public service announcements reminding people to look out for the elderly and such. Utility companies even offer free electricity to those who may not be able to afford it just so they can stay cool.
I guess I don't understand how this could happen at such a high level of human loss.
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(last contribution before going to bed ;))
We didn't had "states, radio, tv and print run public service announcements" because it's not usual in France in fact we are suposed to do that on our own (at least it's how it work usualy).
The French are extremly individualists/arrogants and this kind of annoucement is often seen as not necessary even if it's proven after that they were in fact necessary.
For exemple why do we French have more death per kilometer than the other Euro country ?
Because 99% the French think that it's the others drivers who are dangerous...
What I'm trying to expose is the "basic" french psychologie ,I guess Frenchy will agree and explain this better than me.
Lastly "Utility companies even offer free electricity" we generally don't have A/C in houses in France it's only since 4/5 year that our average car got A/C when the American got it long ago ...
regards ...
I'm sleeping in front of my puter now :D
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Originally posted by straffo
(last contribution before going to bed ;))
We didn't had "states, radio, tv and print run public service announcements" because it's not usual in France in fact we are suposed to do that on our own (at least it's how it work usualy).
The French have extremly individualists/arrogants and this kind of annoucement is often seen as not necessary even if it's proven after that they were in fact necessary.
For exemple why do we French have more death per kilometer than the other Euro country ?
Because 99% the French think that it's the others drivers who are dangerous...
What I'm trying to expose is the "basic" french psychologie ,I guess Frenchy will agree and explain this better than me.
Lastly "Utility companies even offer free electricity" we generally don't have A/C in houses in France it's only since 4/5 year that our average car got A/C when the American got it long ago ...
regards ...
I'm sleeping in front of my puter now :D
Jeez sounds like me. I hate those stupid public service announcements. I'm dumb but I'm not THAT dumb! Sorry to hear about your wifes grandmom :( that kind of makes it a bit personal. I see 10,000 people dead from heat wave and I think "stupid French" but I guess if you don't have a/c's then 100 could be very deadly. Summer here in Austin has been strange. It started off REAL HOT, then we had that nice cooling down in July and now in August we're around 95-100 everyday. That's about 5 degrees,or so, cooler than normal.
I still have to say though that I am very surprised that 10,000 people have died because of heat over there.
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Originally posted by beet1e
Maniac - It won't make any difference in that respect. Any European passport holder can already relocate and work in any of the other 14 member states. The local currency has no bearing on that.
I can't help thinking sometimes that the single currency was designed to precipitate an economic crisis within Europe, the only way out being introduction of federal taxes and federal grants - and more federal government.
Beetle I have negative views of the Euro. Having a common currency along with the built in economic rules is a receipe for disaster IMO.
A common currency may be a backdoor into control of Europe IMO.....
I have felt for a long time that the EU, with it's strick economic integration, will lead to conflict amonst some members resulting in a possible world war.
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Originally posted by Ping
Back on track...which States are members?
Too lazy to Google Search :)
Ping, I could say I'm too lazy to list them for you, but it will be a good exercise to see if I can remember them all myself - lol.
Here they are, in no particluar order.
[list=1]- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- France
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
- The Netherlands (Holland)
- Germany
- Spain
- Portugal
- Italy
- Austria
- Greece
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Finland
Note that in the above list, the UK, Denmark and Sweden did not join the single currency on 1st January, 2002.
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Just curious, whats the weather like over there?
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Just curious, whats the weather like over there?
Like **** here in Sweden... Summer is gone, its gonna rain for about 1-2 months now and then the Winter sets in...
:(
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In Holland......prices went up. Especially in bars and restaurants.
And the Weed?
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That too.
(http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/extern/640697.jpg)
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I'd say swedes should join the euro.
It ain't the prettiest looking currency, but with the whole EU participating in the euro, it'll be much easier to do business in the other EU countries and probably makes the whole EU area stronger economically.
It's quite nice when you don't have to convert between currencies within EU and the dollar is on a par with it, so it'll be also easy to count US billings ;)
It didn't do much for the prices aside the normal inflation, except for some reason Finland didn't take 1 and 2 cent coins in use, but stores are selling stuff for prices like 4.97€, but then again, they did the same with FIM - 4.95 FIM and no 5 pennies existed.
Although 5 cents is six times the worth of it.
Takeda,
5 cents for a small candy?
Here the unwrapped candies are sold by the weight and none of the wrapped up candies cost were under 5 cents even prior to €.
It's been quite a long time from the last time when unwrapped candies were sold on per candy basis.
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Screw the EU.
Rule Britannia all the way.
Scum sucking continentals and their second rate countries.
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I waaant candy.
Small unwrapped jelly thingies are sold by the weight too, but somewhat bigger ones as well as wrapped single pieces of chewing gum go for 5 cent. Some places will also sell single wrapped regular candies for 5 cent.
There are some -huge- unwrapped jellies for 25 cent.
Lollypops go from 10 cents to 20, depends on "caliber".
There's really quite a lot of different stuff, I have noticed less variety when going abroad.
All those prices are actually from 30 to 60% higher than before the euro, I guess pocket money for the kids had to be adjusted accordingly...
From time to time I still allow myself to get 200 or 300 gr. of that sugar overdose, the hangover can be nasty :)
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Just curious, whats the weather like over there?
Word djust in, first snow fell today in the northen parts of Sweden, aint this an great country or what!!! :rolleyes:
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Originally posted by Dowding
Screw the EU.
Rule Britannia all the way.
Scum sucking continentals and their second rate countries.
Gosh Dowding, change a word or two in the first sentence and you could be mistaken for an AMerican!! You must be so proud...
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I'm going all Grunherzian for a change. I'm going to be a right wing fascist for the foreseeable future.
Sorry Grunherz. :D
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it is their only hope to beat the US Dollar $$$$
alone, no one European country could ever do it, they'll all jump on the euro bandwagon - just another step for a world gov
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Originally posted by Dowding
I'm going all Grunherzian for a change. I'm going to be a right wing fascist for the foreseeable future.
Sorry Grunherz. :D
Psychology is a funny thing...someone flashes the mirror in your face from time to time and you label them a right wing fascist! LOL! The entertainment here is endless. :)
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I didn't know we were in the company of a qualified psychologist! Fancy that!
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Say Dowd, did ya shag her then or what? And are you still gay? And what did Swoopy change his handle to?
(http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/extern/640697.jpg)
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Originally posted by Dowding
I didn't know we were in the company of a qualified psychologist! Fancy that!
Thanks for the compliment, but I am merely a student of, and find the subject fascinating.
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I've given up the gay thing. I'm shagging someone else, but seeing the boobies girl this weekend. And Swoopy probably still flies under the same handle when he is not shagging his new bird. Oh, and his monitor blew up so he isn't flying at all.
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Originally posted by Dowding
I've given up the gay thing. I'm shagging someone else, but seeing the boobies girl this weekend. And Swoopy probably still flies under the same handle when he is not shagging his new bird. Oh, and his monitor blew up so he isn't flying at all.
the boobies girl....oh you charmer! :D
with stuff like that I shouldn't be at all suprised to see Kylie (or Danni) on your arm eh?
Tronsky
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Or both! :D
I wish...
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Originally posted by straffo
It was harsh especially because (but you were not aware) that my wife lost her grand-mother this summer partly because of the heat.
I edited my post aswell.
And "Mamy Nano" was a charming beautifull grand-mother incarning perfectly her role we were all proud of her.
And it was not because of the lack of care from the governement but because some SOB left their elder alone in the unusual heat we got this summer.
100/106 F is it frequent in Texas ?
Here all record were broke this summer.
Here's an article from a couple of years ago. 44 days straight with triple digit temps. Highest was 111 in Dallas, 112 in Austin. Didn't get much cooler at night either.
BTW, Texas is not considered to be the midwest here. What Rude was referring to as the midwest is geographically in the north eastern part of the US.
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2000/wtexheat907.htm
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A typical summer in North/West Texas will easily have a couple of weeks worth of triple digit temperatures. Most of these triple digit temps will range between 104F and 109F.
During those hot days, there is almost always a couple of deaths.
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We just set a state record for consecutive days above 70 deg. (50) :eek: ;)
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actually eagler the euro already has more buying power then the US$
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Originally posted by Ripsnort
We just set a state record for consecutive days above 70 deg. (50) :eek: ;)
I hate you. ;)
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1 Euro is about $1.10 now
And why do I have a dollar sign instead of an Euro on my keyboard! :mad:
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Originally posted by frank3
1 Euro is about $1.10 now..
so .. what good is it if the cost of living is higher?
In the early 70's the british pound was about a $1.50
still the majority of brits in the newcastle/tynemouth did not own a car and had the impression the average yank was a millionaire
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In the early 70's the british pound was about a $1.50
still the majority of brits in the newcastle/tynemouth did not own a car
It's $1.56 today and was in the $1.60s a few weeks ago.
And I call BS on the idea that a 'majority' of Brits in the Tyne area did not own a car. You must have lived in the poorest of areas.
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*sniff* :(
It was €1.42 to the £ not so long ago.
Wish it was 1:1, man I'd be rich.....
(http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/extern/640697.jpg)
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Originally posted by Dowding
It's $1.56 today and was in the $1.60s a few weeks ago.
And I call BS on the idea that a 'majority' of Brits in the Tyne area did not own a car. You must have lived in the poorest of areas.
71 - 72 way before you were hatched - the majority of brits in and around us in tynemouth rode the bus
poor section? the entire place was a postage stamp and yes they were all going through hard times. they had just switched over the currency from the pence to what you use today.