2011 The year of discontent in the Western world?

[Frosted]

We've already seen what is happening in the muslim world and probably thought that wouldn't happen here. I'm no doom mongerer but I've got a bad feeling.

The inability of Greece to cope with it's deficit could bring down the European Union. Now, in my mind that isn't a bad thing - however - at times of revolution, which this will definately be in Greece, the transformation is always painful. I'm positive that we're about to see major civil unrest in Greece iminently.

So, where does that leave the rest of us? The debt of Greece immediately affects Ireland, Portugal, Spain and France in a major way so that story has yet to unfold.
In the UK there's a national strike going ahead on the 30th June. The teachers (my wife) are walking out in dispute over having to work longer, pay more into their pensions and get less in return. Other unions are walking out on that day also. What is more, and I'm still talking about the UK, is that the cuts and deficit haven't really bitten yet and they won't until 2013. So, if the UK government doesn't budge and people feel the pinch even further, throw rising inflation and interest rates into the equation and we've got a recipe for civil unrest here too.

What do you think from where you're viewing all this?

[Hanske]

I'm glad my country has stayed out of the EU.

[lxskllr]

Dunno, but I welcome revolution, chaos, and anarchy. Throw in a couple nukes from Pakistan and India, and I'll be good to go. The world needs the reset button hit, and It'll have to come some time....

[GoVegan]

I am just hoping things get better soon! It seems like the middle class is on attack from all sides. You can't go a day without hearing someone complain about another persons pension benefits or pay. Unions are also under heavy attack in our country right now and their membership is eroding fast. What makes it strange is it seems to be the middle class or former middle class that is attacking itself. My guess is we will end up with a world where a small percentage of people are filthy rich while the other 99% are struggling just to eat.

[Premium Parrots]

OK Vegan.........heres the complaint for today.

As some of you know I have been preparing to move long distance for about 2 years now. 3 years ago I had this house appraised and it was a decent amount. Its been paid off for some time now and my wife and I were looking at an easy retirement. A little over 1 year ago it was appraised about $150k LESS than the original appraisal because of the housing/mortgage situation. As much as it sucked I adjusted my mindset accordingly. This past week I got 3 appraisals on this same home. Sadly, the highest was $230k LESS and the lowest was freaking $350k LESS then the original appraisal [low-balled by an idiot appraiser]. Luckily its still worth a tidy sum but WTF is wrong with this world? The bankers and the government really ****ed things up for everyone. Come on....I had nothing to do with this shit and I never over mortgaged my home since the dam thing has been paid off for years. And I am penailized for others bad decisions? This all sucks so big time I feel like going postal. We worked hard to get in a decent position to retire and now its all been taken away. Social security isn't paying for anything more than my health insurance suppliments and groceries. I'm holding confident that we will get at least the middle estimate but that still sucks so much and makes me so mad I could shit. I know I'm not the only person in this situation and most people are in worse shape but I've paid my dues already and now I'd like to grow old worry free. But thats not going to happen now. The house in Arizona that I rent out to a lil old lady is also paid for and without that I would be in a world of shit. The rental income from that house is the only thig that makes this housing situation palitable. fuk **** **** ****!!!




I'm off to the casino

[ChaoticGemini]

I am just hoping things get better soon! It seems like the middle class is on attack from all sides.

IMHO that is exactly the problem. Just hoping and/or complaining does nothing. Until people get off the sofa and DEMAND the changes, we'll keep heading down the same path.

To PP: That is some massive depreciation. I feel for you.

[EricHill78]

Frosted.. my thoughts are.. umm.. well considering the EU, the US, well the global economic situation as a whole I believe.. I'm sorry bro I can't do it I can't keep my eyes off that incredible sig pic it's epic! I love it!

PP take note.. now that's a sig! Eye candy if you will.. lol

[Ansel]

[lxskllr]

That sucks about your house PP. The way to way to think of it though is you're now getting told what it's really worth(hopefully). I guess you could figure it out if you wanted to take the time. Take what you paid, account for inflation, and see how it compares to the appraisal. If the appraisal's still higher, you're beating the system. I'm guessing you'll still be coming out ahead. As low as it is, generally housing is still inflated compared to other necessities of life. I'm still trying to wrap my head around high prices AND a market glut. What kind of capitalism is that?!

Edit:
I always liked that song Ansel. Some of the lyrics are a little weak, but it sounds good, and has a good message :^)

[GoVegan]

I hear you PP. We commute an hour to work each day because we weren't able to get anything decent near our jobs. Now my house value has probably been cut in 1/2 and I have to pay a fortune every month for gas just to go to work. The only way would could afford to move at this point is if we got foreclosed on so we are stuck in the car for hours every day. I have learned some lessons along the way though. What goes up must come down, never rush to judgement or believe in a sure bet and if you can't pay cash for it, you cant afford to buy it.

[ABW]

We've already seen what is happening in the muslim world and probably thought that wouldn't happen here. I'm no doom mongerer but I've got a bad feeling.

The inability of Greece to cope with it's deficit could bring down the European Union. Now, in my mind that isn't a bad thing - however - at times of revolution, which this will definately be in Greece, the transformation is always painful. I'm positive that we're about to see major civil unrest in Greece iminently.

So, where does that leave the rest of us? The debt of Greece immediately affects Ireland, Portugal, Spain and France in a major way so that story has yet to unfold.
In the UK there's a national strike going ahead on the 30th June. The teachers (my wife) are walking out in dispute over having to work longer, pay more into their pensions and get less in return. Other unions are walking out on that day also. What is more, and I'm still talking about the UK, is that the cuts and deficit haven't really bitten yet and they won't until 2013. So, if the UK government doesn't budge and people feel the pinch even further, throw rising inflation and interest rates into the equation and we've got a recipe for civil unrest here too.

What do you think from where you're viewing all this?

I think Europe is in trouble and I wish you guys all the best..My wife is a teacher as well and she actully got a raise this year so no striking here in AZ yet.. Hey, at least here in the US we have a fighting chance if the shi... hits the fan. We are armed to the teeth

[HK11]

OK Vegan.........heres the complaint for today.

I hear you. Ive been busting my ass to get my place paid for, started with a 30 yr, moved it to a 15 year, and been putting in so that I only have 2 more.

The house is worth less than I paid for it, and I'm still paying.

[Frosted]

We're both pulling in good wages and we're not making it. We only live in a 2 bed terraced which at the bottom rung of the ladder is £260,000. Admittedly the childcare takes the brunt of our money but I don't understand how other people are doing it who are just slightly worse off.
Luckily house prices have been the same and not declined in London so if the shit hits the fan we can sell and use some cash. Last resort though.

PP - that sucks to f***. That sucks big time.

[GN Tobacco Sweden AB]

Be With GN and no worrys what happens in the warld Warld is so big and dangerous GN is so little and comfortable.

[GoVegan]

Be With GN and no worrys what happens in the warld Warld is so big and dangerous GN is so little and comfortable.

Honestly, that is probably one of the nicest posts I have seen on here in a while! It is so thoughtful that I am even going to skip the joke I was going to make about the little and comfortable statement.