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06.30.08, 13:28 PM General Topics
29 replies
Reading these posts about schools etc. makes me happy I do not live in NYC anymore. Believe it or not, I have actually started to become more socialist.... [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 06.30.08, 01:28 PM Flag
 

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don't do that! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:29 PM Flag
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too late...not sure I can ever go back [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:30 PM Flag
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LOL! but it never works [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:31 PM Flag
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I have 9 weeks of vacation plus holidays. Although salaries are lower. However the disparity of wealth is much less and people don't seem to be so nuts. (however I am also dealing with operation escargot as people are protesting high gas prices) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:35 PM Flag
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but isn't there pretty high unemployment there? ANd I always hear about riots over one thing or another. It seems like it just makes people less motivated in general and more willing to sponge off everyone else. It always sounds nice in theory but I think it's bound to crumble. I'm a capitalist at heart even though I am not even close to rich. I like the idea that I can work hard and get soemwhere in life without taking someone else down to do it [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:37 PM Flag
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Depends on how you look at it. As a society these are the problems at a macro level. The unemployment is high but mainly for a certain demographic and as a result there is civil unrest. Especially as the gov't does not seem to do anything to help or address the underlying issues to help the people in these situations. When you look at people who are likely in your demographic - they have a cushy life - usually a nice job (with more security), lots of vacation. With this job security comes less flexibility. I agree there is not much incentive to create your own business etc. We also pay tons of taxes which then subsidize benefits to people who earn less...but I really don't mind. I actually feel privledged b/c I was born into a middle/upper class white family, got a good education and now a good job. Not everyone had the same start that I did and as a result they have to work harder. I don't mind paying for everyone's health care etc. The result? a society with more middle class, less focus on extremes of haves and have nots. bit of a ramble I know [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:47 PM Flag
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so basically what you are saying is that neither system is dealing very well with the demographic (which I think is similar in both societies). That's fair. I do think, however, with human nature being what it is, that giving someone the ability and opportunity to help themselves and create something of their own (small business etc) is better. I'm all for leveling the playing field. And if I look around, most of the people in my demographic have pretty cushy jobs too. We do have more responsibility and less beaurocracy (except for my DH who is a gov't employee god help him!) Interesting discussion. I have never lived in France, but would love to. What made you move? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:51 PM Flag
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moved got an opportunity at work and I am married to a frenchman. Don't think that you cannot create your own business here - the french gov't actually gives you incentive to do so (for one year) However I do think the rules and paperwork (especially if you want to hire employees) are more burdensome than US. It is also more that the mindset of people is less entrepreneurial (did I spell that right?) which I think is linked to their education system [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:57 PM Flag
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possibly is related to the educational system and probably to some extent to the socialist attitudes that the gov't will take care of it. I think that;s the part that bugs me. I'm a libertarian and like being in control of as much of my life as possible. Very interesting though. You said you are in Paris? I went to Crecy La Chappelle when I was in high school about a billion years ago. Ever heard of it? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:59 PM Flag
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No but I have not been here very long. Where is it located? I actually need to start to research education for my two daughters (oldest is 3) trying to figure out how to get the best of both worlds (US and French) Not sure you can but I am going to try! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 02:01 PM Flag
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not very sure - it was a long time ago! It's a small town about 30 or 40 minutes out of Paris. GL on the education and have a great time. I'm envious. Go eat a baguette for me willya? I can't get good bread here in Atlanta. I remember sitting on the beach on the south of France eating pain du chocolate from a little cart. Ah - that's living ;-) (maybe a little socialism isn't all bad......) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 02:04 PM Flag
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nice chatting. gotta go to bed now - so I can eat my pain au chocolate tomorrow. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 02:06 PM Flag
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au revoir! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 02:07 PM Flag
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i know it's horrible and i live in nyc [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:29 PM Flag
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I just moved away from NYC and I totally agree!!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:29 PM Flag
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me too I live in the burbs now and will never go back [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 03:00 PM Flag
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I always wonder about people who are so smug that they no longer think they hav to care about their children's eduation. I would rather fight it out like a beast and feel I did the best for my child than sit around my mcmansion and accept mediocrity because that is what every one else is doing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:31 PM Flag
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LMAO! ANd yes - those are the only 2 options!! Snort [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:32 PM Flag
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hmmm... I live in Paris so no mcmansion here. there are competitions for schools to some extent but not the craziness that seems to be in NYC. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:33 PM Flag
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not Paris Texas? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:35 PM Flag
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nope - although I hear it is lovely there. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:37 PM Flag
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;-) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:38 PM Flag
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My comment was meant for those who moved to suburbia. I certainly did not mean to insult France. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:49 PM Flag
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don't worry France is not insulted! It is interesting, speaking of France and US trading insults etc. I have noticed that with the current state of the US (economy, war, no health care etc.), thhe French actually comment less and less on what is going on in the US. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:52 PM Flag
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yeah - you go and cause an international incident missy. Besides - MOST of America is suburbia. Get over your snobby self [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:52 PM Flag
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What always seems silly to me is the suggestion that there are only 2 options: NYC and 'suburbia' [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:53 PM Flag
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ITA [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 01:54 PM Flag
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Point taken. It seems here that the majority of the "thank god I'm not in the rat race anymore" comments come from people who moved to Bergen County and not to Paris or Montana for that matter. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 02:05 PM Flag
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Its not mediocrity, its normalcy! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.30.08, 03:02 PM Flag
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