Yes, i am sad.
I love my country, but my country is dead.
People getting crushed by taxes, costs of everything are raising like hell, people has no more money. I mean, not "no more money for hobbies" but "no more money to get food and pay mortage".
Riches get even more rich. While "Smart" people with money find new, creative ways to evade taxes, normal people begins to hate each other just because they see other like "privileged" ones (like ones who work for the State - they actually can not be fired).
Youngs are shamed, they have no work, no rights, no money, no house and no hopes. The more you are capable or technically good, the more you are shamed because you made feel "useless" because you may not know the "right" people which can help you.
Many older people lives on a small pension.
Everything costs double if not four-times than in the US.
Entrepreneurs are suiciding at average 2-3 per day, number growing fast.
Tax police is getting gestapo-like toward the small businesses, while the big evaders (mainly Attorneys, private doctors, specialists, Notaries, pharmacists) are still there, whealty.
Politics seems to live on another planet, corrupted more than ever (we have an average 1 scandal per day about that) and ignoring all those problems.
I cannot see a future for my country other than a civilian war, an exit from Euro, a financial default or something like that.

My country is Italy.
If you think about that, or if you feel the same about your country, write a word

It's tough all over. It could be worse. You could live in Greece.

'fraid lots of that is happening here - in the UK - as well, GliderLover!

Only thing I can say is that all things go in cycles - so it'll get better again!

I heard a report yesterday that Italy, the third largest economy in the EU, will be the next one to require rescuing. It's like an alcoholic needing to hit rock bottom before he/she can begin the recovery process. I just hope China is willing to bail us out someday.

Italy and Spain appear to be experiencing very similar difficulties and "remedies". The latest is that the elderly, living on a minimum state pension will see prescription charges introduced, with the justification that it will "only" be an extra 20 or thirty euro per month. This, while the PM has a guaranteed return ticket to a lucrative public sector job whenever he leaves office.

Originally Posted by Big Foot 48

I heard a report yesterday that Italy, the third largest economy in the EU, will be the next one to require rescuing. It's like an alcoholic needing to hit rock bottom before he/she can begin the recovery process. I just hope China is willing to bail us out someday.

It seems more to me that it's like Financial speculators (you know, the ones that screwed the World in the first place!) working their way around each country and doing their best to ramp up the pressure.

After all, they don't make much money when there is stability!

Originally Posted by GliderLover

.
Entrepreneurs are suiciding at average 2-3 per day, number growing fast.
Tax police is getting gestapo-like toward the small businesses, while the big evaders (mainly Attorneys, private doctors, specialists, Notaries, pharmacists) are still there, whealty.
Politics seems to live on another planet, corrupted more than ever (we have an average 1 scandal per day about that) and ignoring all those problems.
I cannot see a future for my country other than a civilian war, an exit from Euro, a financial default or something like that.

My country is Italy.
If you think about that, or if you feel the same about your country, write a word

sad condition for residents of italy...highest percentage of occupational suicides in the U.S. is physicians...followed by others in health care,then lower paying food industry workers.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/...t-suicide-rate

I hear this all the time - Greece is scuppered - Italy is skint - my country is finished etc etc etc

I travel extensively and all I can tell you is that everywhere looks 'amazing and normal' still

Everything's fine! Just buy more chinese crop, envy your neighbor for having health insurance, and elect a mega-millionaire as our president!

My country is Italy.
If you think about that, or if you feel the same about your country, write a word[/QUOTE]

I do. I survive, but situation is getting bad. We here in Europe have this "history", we know what will happen soon. Europe is feeling like a gunpowderbarrel at the moment. Youth unemployment is hitting 50% here and there, and still some god damn idiot thinks globalisation is a great idea. Go and tell it to those masses.
These milllions and millions young men are not going away, disappearing anywhere. They are still quite peaceful because benefits are being paid for many. Bought peace paid by the dept.
Thing is, they can not cut expenses. They have to, absolutely have to, but they can not because this peace will stop right there and then. Rock and the hard place for politicians. US political recipes won"t work in Europe just like that, this is different playground, mindset with different past.
When you look at it cold, it is clear that nationalism will rise. Globalists will be jailed first. Racism will not be the number one issue, number one enemy is liberal right supporting globalisation i think. Wrath towards those suckers who support open borders for economy is heating up like a teapot.
Food is dirty expensive here, rising all the time.

Originally Posted by Big Foot 48

I heard a report yesterday that Italy, the third largest economy in the EU, will be the next one to require rescuing. It's like an alcoholic needing to hit rock bottom before he/she can begin the recovery process. I just hope China is willing to bail us out someday.

Small nit - Italy is the third largest economy in the Eurozone, not the third largest economy in the EU.

Originally Posted by GliderLover

Yes, i am sad.
I love my country, but my country is dead.
People getting crushed by taxes, costs of everything are raising like hell, people has no more money. I mean, not "no more money for hobbies" but "no more money to get food and pay mortage".
Riches get even more rich. While "Smart" people with money find new, creative ways to evade taxes, normal people begins to hate each other just because they see other like "privileged" ones (like ones who work for the State - they actually can not be fired).
Youngs are shamed, they have no work, no rights, no money, no house and no hopes. The more you are capable or technically good, the more you are shamed because you made feel "useless" because you may not know the "right" people which can help you.
Many older people lives on a small pension.
Everything costs double if not four-times than in the US.
Entrepreneurs are suiciding at average 2-3 per day, number growing fast.
Tax police is getting gestapo-like toward the small businesses, while the big evaders (mainly Attorneys, private doctors, specialists, Notaries, pharmacists) are still there, whealty.
Politics seems to live on another planet, corrupted more than ever (we have an average 1 scandal per day about that) and ignoring all those problems.
I cannot see a future for my country other than a civilian war, an exit from Euro, a financial default or something like that.

My country is Italy.
If you think about that, or if you feel the same about your country, write a word

It all sounds rather grim.

I suppose it depends on how optimistic or pessimistic one is, and how much the economy actually governs whether one feels good about a place. Obviously one needs to make enough to survive, hopefully reasonably comfortably, but in the end, if things are much more expensive, then perhaps that's the time to examine how vital they really are, or not.

When push comes to shove though, they can't take away the beauty of the place, or all the great things that makes the place that you live in rather special - do your families still sit down to eat as a family? If so then that is something to be hugely thankful for. Does the sun still shine? Are the Italian ladies still as beautiful as they were two years ago?

Italy has survived far worse than this, many times in your history. It'll survive this temporary economic downturn too. Same as most other nations will survive.

Originally Posted by leccyflyer

It all sounds rather grim.

I suppose it depends on how optimistic or pessimistic one is, and how much the economy actually governs whether one feels good about a place. Obviously one needs to make enough to survive, hopefully reasonably comfortably, but in the end, if things are much more expensive, then perhaps that's the time to examine how vital they really are, or not.

When push comes to shove though, they can't take away the beauty of the place, or all the great things that makes the place that you live in rather special - do your families still sit down to eat as a family? If so then that is something to be hugely thankful for. Does the sun still shine? Are the Italian ladies still as beautiful as they were two years ago?

Italy has survived far worse than this, many times in your history. It'll survive this temporary economic downturn too. Same as most other nations will survive.

You are definetly right. I liked your words.

I still believe that, basically, we are able to overcome this situation.
What hurts me is the selfish behaviour of the average men.
Greek people are grouping and shouting togheter, as their average salary was around 30.000€/year.
We are around 23.000€/year (and, personally, i'm on the much lower side of that) and majority don't care much, while still driving around with a mercedes, complain there's so few money and so they wait "something will happen, we'll see".
I think the most part of our people, as you said, still needs to examine how vital all the things really are, or they still didn't get it

I liked Leccys' words too.

Originally Posted by Kenny Sharp

I liked Leccys' words too.

As did I. Well grounded and a reminder of what is REALLY important in life. Some get it, some never will.

This thread should also show some here (unfortunately, it won't ) that the tough economic times are WORLDWIDE, and have been for quite awhile. Many people have it much tougher than we do here.

Now let's return to "it's ALL Obama's fault".......