the troubadour

Political threads are certainly not for all. Some better served commenting on the weather and knitting patterns.

Amazulu

And what are 1 million 3rd world muslim immigrants going to do to Germany's living standards?

The islamification of Western Europe is well underway - hurried along by the German chancellor

Good luck with that

So that's good for Germany but orderly migration into Australia is a Ponzi scheme? Okay, got you and your superior knowledge

Dorothy

How is this a political thread? It started as the OP asking about higher education and costs.

spouse of scouse

Some might also be better served bounding happily into every day, looking for opportunities, enjoying what's good about their lives and using their time constructively to change what isn't.

the troubadour

While others might be better off reaching an understanding into why things don't fit so neatly into place anymore. Understanding the problem can be followed with a plan of action or not bang ones head against a brick wall with no results.


One can on the other hand, bury ones head in the sand if the choice so be, of course.

the troubadour

While not a political thread, it is political responses that provoke particular responses. I would argue higher education is certainly a political matter.

GreenwichCat

I don't why you have to resort to being insulting and think that is somehow part of 'debate.'

The thread began with a question about study in Australia which others and I replied to. I made the point that both study and COL is comparatively higher in Australia than in the Uk/Europe. I asked the question to another poster if Australia is still expensive - as it was even 3yrs ago when I left. I then go on to suggest that even the high COL is worth the lifestyle compared to the UK/Europe. Since I have direct recent experience in living in both. I did in fact state the UK 'isn't terrible' but pointed out that prospects and life in Australia are much better, pointing to wages as an example.

You have gone on some political rant and accused others who take a different view from you as not knowing what they talk about, not understanding politics etc. Well to address your issues, English is in fact technically the second language I learnt (at a young age), I am British, I do understand politics very well since I have worked in both the British and Australian governments including in Downing Street. I entered Australia as the spouse on a 457 which was issued to my husband as he has a very niche skillset within the rapidly advancing and global digital sector. We are now off to Singapore off the back of that niche skillset, having returned to London due to demand for his skills, to then get literally called up out of the blue with an offer we couldn't refuse. So I will probably end up working for the Singaporean government or I will return to the 'NeoLiberal' global corporate sector which I also have experience of.

That is the modern globally technologically and economically interdependent world we live in. As immigrant yourself (or does that term not apply to you?) living in Perth which has a globally significant mining industry, I would have thought you would understand that.

Finally, political ideology may be popular amongst your generation but it is now fading out in the general population. The growing trend in the West is that most people don't identify with any political ideology and are increasingly steering away from tribal politics. As for any alternative to 'NeoLiberalism' I'm afraid socialism is almost dead, in the UK anyway, though also a trend in Europe. Even amongst older voters, the Labour party (led by openly proud socialist Jeremy Corbyn) is around -48pts behind the Tories in the polls, with an overall minus rating of -17pts across all groups. Both journalists and the public (with friends, in pubs etc) are now openly talking about the demise of Labour and increasing prospect of a one party democracy, as The Lib Dems are in an even worse state. There are some leftwing fringe parties in Europe (ie. Spain, Italy) but that's all they are, protest fringe parties. As socialism has not moved on from C19th Marxism - and arguably in the UK and EU, it did indeed actually embrace Neoliberal economics, is now unable to respond to the challenges technologically-driven C21st, I'm afraid in that respect, there is not much to debate.

spouse of scouse

I don't think that reading regular spleen venting on an internet forum is a useful aid to understanding, nor do I think that refraining from reading such tirades constitutes burying ones head in the sand. But to each their own! Carry on McDuff!

the troubadour

Reading this I won't bother to spend too much time in response as you come over rather young, naïve and a little innocent. Sorry for that, but you still haven't articulated your racist accusation (actually very ignorant on your part)nor the lack of knowledge of the NZ low paying economy.


To make such claims, as the above, does remind me somewhat, of the book, claiming " The End Of History' at the demise of the Soviet Union and Warsaw Bloc. Neoliberal policies are of course a tried and failed policy from history.
The results are too be witnessed everywhere with the rise of fringe parties left and right. Greece being an example of left and from memory Portugal recently. Don't identify with ideology indeed. Hardly evident though there has been a turn off mainstream politics in general, for reasons given.
At least you'll be a little more informed at those pub speak easies and may actually be able to contribute something a little more than a used by date, rather main stream view.

the troubadour

I take it not thinking being the 'key' few words to the above. But as you rightly quote each to their own. I'm finished on this thread anyway as it has run away from education to something else. All rather boring to be honest.

Beoz

That's because old blokes like yourself have hoovered up all the property and see it as a badge of honour.

Just like you are hoovering up the public health system.

You think the next gen will have problems? You are right, and you and your fellow boomers are the cause.

Amazulu

And still complaining!

the troubadour

Your sights may be better aimed at the real cause to the crisis we find ourselves in. Cheap money that inflated the real estate market to such an extent that it is beyond reach of 'youngsters' as yourself. And while at it perhaps the reasons this came into being. You could also look at business not paying their share of tax. But then you know all this, but decide on the 'easy' unthinking path of intergenerational conflict. But you are right to an extent.
The situation allowed some of us to 'take it easy' twenty years earlier thanks in part to undeserved wealth, to which some of us are fully aware, but take no great delight out of how society by and large has been shafted, or that it is not a better, more open or giving sort of place, in fact has greatly regressed and fractured with the blame game over recent decades.
Hardly 'old' though so hopefully still have plenty of time to enjoy it.

the troubadour

A lot to complain about. The world is a far more diminished place than even a decade ago. Still I suppose if few else care...

Beoz

Nice change of topic half way through that.

I am good though. I can well exceed your limit of a 1 million dollar property. Its the rest of them I worry about and more importantly I worry about the generational gap no matter if you are rich or poor. When all this debt comes crashing down, you'll be in the grave without a care for the disaster you created.

Yes you are right, cheap money is the issue, and you old blokes love it and don't give a hoot for your grand kids or the legacy you will leave behind.