exexpat

Yes, and look at what our level of debt has the potential to do to our economy. Just because the UK's consumer debt is less per capita than ours is does not mean that the UK is immune to negative consequences resulting from its levels of consumer debt.

Roland Hulme

Speaking of which, my Dad sent me an article which said the average Brit consumer actually had more debt than American consumers. I can't find it to link to, so you'll just have to take my word for it!

Either way - a society that lives beyond it's means is screwed. That's one strong reason for a democrat back in the white house. At least they could balance the nation's cheque book.

exexpat

It wouldn't surprise me either way to be honest; both countries have significant problems with consumer debt. It doesn't really matter which country has more. The levels are too high in both countries.

I agree, though I'm not optimistic that these Democrat candidates are up to the job. I wish Bill Clinton could run again; he was a fantastic president. This one is the pits; I have a "George W. Bush Out of Office Countdown" calendar on my desk at work. That's how eager I am for his term to be over!

jurassic

The link below is for a political mock-commercial. It will be offensive to those with a more positive view of the current administration so be warned before following the link.
http//blip.tv/file/520347

Bob

It's bound to be cheaper, your in Texas

Tableland

With their spending programmes? They'll need to crank up tax a helluva lot to increase spending and reduce the deficit at the same time. Also, they'll need to maintain control of the legislature as well; it's not just about the executive.

Also, plenty of Democratic presidents have presided over deficity increases.

exexpat

Not everything is cheaper in Texas than it is other places; what makes you think it is?

exexpat

People also need to remember that the Clinton administration and Congress balanced the budget while riding the dot.com boom, when we had lots of happy happy tax revenue and a nicely-growing economy. I can't wait for Bush to be out of here, though; only 372 days left. Not that I'm counting or anything.

Bob

Cost of living in Texas is a chunk lower than in say Mass, NY, CA etc....so like I said, living in a cheaper state is bound to be cheaper than living in the UK.

For many, cost of living is relatively the same, all things equal out really, it's just a matter of having more crap to show for it or not at the end of the day.

exexpat

Houses are cheaper here, that's for sure...but there's not a huge difference in the price of things otherwise.

Roland Hulme

ExExpat's account's been deleted - before I got to yell at him for being full of shit.

Rushman

Have a wild guess...go on ...a real stab in the dark.

dunroving

Even if the second part is true (and I don't believe it), the first part is more than enough to make a difference. Who cares how much a pint of milk costs if you can buy a house for $100,000? The UK housing market is creating a population of haves and have-nots, depending on whether you bought a house pre-boom. If you bought recently, milk or bread that's 5p cheaper isn't going to help any.

Dan725

Has to be said that some places in the States are the same re the housing, though. California in particular is a good example of a pre/post boom market.

dunroving

Oh aye, have to agree. But ... I think the difference between "cheaper" (ha!) and "more expensive" areas in the UK has narrowed a lot (i.e., there's hardly anywhere in the UK that's now "cheap"), whereas in the States, the difference in prices between NY/DC/SF, etc and NC/TN/MO, etc. is bigger. (In other words, you can still find a decent house cheaply in some states and towns in the US, whereas there's hardly such a thing in the UK).

I looked at a job in Sand Diego about 6 years ago and realized I'd either have to live in a shoebox or commute for over an hour. No thanks to either option ...