the troubadour

You obviously weren't around during the Cold War to state such nonsense.
ABC is a beacon of light long may it rouse the ire of those on the far right.

the troubadour

Go tell that to Northern Europeans with great health care and knowledge of a pension that one can live very decently on.

Life is far removed from just being an economic factor and the acquisition of things and money.

Does make life so much easier not to have to worry in ill health, old age or in times of strife.

Amazulu

I'm on track to a pension that I will be able to 'live very decently on' - provided by myself

Sure, parts of Scandinavia are as you describe but countries like France, Germany, Belgium etc are in an even more dire pension situation than the UK - and certainly more so than Australia

the troubadour

Of course it is not about a single person. We don't want to replace the high walls left behind in RSA with equally high walls here in OZ together with the diminishing life quality that impacts all in one or another.

I can argue the same as won't get a pension of any type in Australia unless I become very creative in some how hiding wealth. Not about me either. There was nothing cleaver really in those that got lucky through massive real estate price hikes. Just got lucky.

Germany still has a great system. It has been tampered with but of world standard. For a country with perhaps the most elderly folk in the world the services are great.
I have relatives that have been/ are on the receiving end there.

Of course Scandinavia can provide a good safety net with a small population and more of the pie to go around. Something in ever declining amounts in Australia with the crazy policy of massive population growth.

Amazulu

Germany has a good system now - but the next generation is f**ked. Their lack of individual home ownership is going to come back and bite them in the ass. The state will not be able to provide as they have into the future

Along with big population growth, Australia also has big growth in superannuation - much bigger than GDP and getting bigger. Norway has a great SWF - Australian super provides for pretty much the same thing. Superannuation has many problems (excessive industry fees in some areas for instance) but there is no question that it is a macro-economic game changer

paulry

With comments like that it's obvious that you weren't an active participant in any of the theatres of the cold war.

Why am I not surprised that you'd see the ABC as a beacon of light.

the troubadour

Your not trying to infer your experience suggests any great insight outside of indoctrination surely?

Yes be thankful we have an ABC and a SBS. Some of the best things going for Australia.

the troubadour

Germany has trimmed in certain areas. I'm a fairly regular visitor there and am aware of changes over time.

Shouldn't be forgotten Germany remains one of the richest countries in the world with one of the best lifestyles which is unlikely to change at least in our lifetime.

Not being obsessed with property is a bonus for that country not a negative. It frees up spending in more productive areas.

Australia riding on high house prices and massive population increase as its salvation in answer to a mining down turn in process can hardly compare.
Australia can barely compare. Just on the downside of a boom

paulry

I had the privilege (though it didn't feel like it at the time) of living among both ideologues during that era.

What's your experience then?

Beoz

To be fair. I would happily live in Munich. Spent a lot of time there for both business and pleasure. Its a good life.

Amazulu

I'm a big fan of Germany

Australia is richer than Germany on a per capita basis

the troubadour

While Germany with a far greater population is around the third richest country in the world.

I find the lifestyle higher there than Australia overall. Education is certainly superior.

the troubadour

Munich is expensive but nice. I don't live too far from there when back, in the next state in fact.

the troubadour

I too have lived among both ideologues during that era. Which ever era you pacifically refer to as expect I'm older than you. Just what did you conclude from so stated experience, more to the point.

Amazulu

Germany is indeed a rich country but total GDP cannot be used to compare the wealth of nations

Australia's per capita GDP (both nominal and PPP) is higher than Germany's. Our HDI is too

With housing, you either pay your own mortgage or you pay someone else's - this is true in any country that you live. Up until now Germany, like many European countries has relied on the state to provide almost exclusively for pension requirements. Going forward, demographics is going to put an end to that and the lack of home ownership is going to be a big problem for Germany and co

Like I said, I'm a big fan of Germany and still harbour ideas of living in Southern Bavaria. The COL in Germany is low for such an advanced country and I like their culture, food, lifestyle, beer etc. I fancy the idea of getting a 911 or M3 (at a third of the price of Australia) and belting up and down the autobahns for fun