Let's try and get 1,000,000 replies to this post

This bothers me even more because what I think to be the really important news for the country is tucked away on spot 8. German retailers want to get rid of labour contracts. This is probably too abstract and complex for flashy news, but effectively, it means that if this passes, we'll have several millions more living off 400 Euros a month.

Ariana said:
Just booked a spa weekend. I can't wait to plunge into the hot mineral water pool.
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Sounds great!
 
With the current government, yes. That's one of the reasons I was horrified when it got elected, because I have been expecting something like this from them. It's actually surprising it took so long... but given that it's an election year and they want to reinforce their liberal profile, it's probably not surprising. People are already toiling in two or three jobs and still dependent on welfare, just like in America. But hey, the terrorists are threatening us, so I guess that's more important. (the only thing I hate more than sarcasm is getting sarcastic myself... damn.)

The opposition wants general minimum wages and a reduction in slavery labour leasing. But they also want to broaden support for Greece, so I don't see them getting elected anytime soon.
 
This sound odd. Probably because I'm used to the constant efforts to ensure that no employee works without a labour contract that governments have been making for years. Of course, their problem is not with people not getting their wages or health insurance or whatever, but that by not having a contract people do not pay taxes.

We do have general minimum wages but they are truly minimum. It scares me to think how many people have to live with that amount of money.
 
It's the same here, without a contract you don't pay taxes. This is something the liberals here use as an argument, because they think that low taxes are the basis for individual wealth. Well, they use that argument everywhere. But untaxed labour does not have higher wages, the opposite is the case. For 400 Euros, you can barely pay your rent and electricity, if you live in a really run-down neighbourhood. The irony is that these people are eligible for welfare, and they depend on it, hence costing the state money instead of making them any. At the same time, welfare services are cut subsequently, being sold as an incentive to get a job and get off welfare. I don't really see a way out of this vicious circle.
 
Just curious. I'm in the UK and we're always led to believe there's little to no welfare system on the continent. The way benefits work here, you can potentially get a lot of help if you have nothing, but fewer benefits or tax relief will be available if you're working. It causes a lot of resentment from those who work themselves into the ground but are still in poverty.
 
While I'm relatively happy with the Israeli elections, I've learned something that estranged me a lot: The most of orthodox jews don't pay taxes, nor serving the army. Now, how bullshit is that?? And who's defining who's orthodox and who's not??
 
mckindog said:
Three things you may want to consider Flash:
1) Cornfed and Ariana make their living with words; that doesn't instantly make them right, but it should add a significant level of credibility to their comments.
2) If you ask for feedback, you should be prepared to consider it.
3) The audience is more important than the writer. Unless it's for your personal diary, the point of any kind of writing is to communicate. To do that effectively, you have to understand your audience and engage it in a manner they can understand.

You're smart enough to keep up with the old folks, but your age and your certainty about things tends to draw some of us older posters into the trap of big-brother-knows-best commentary. We remember being that confident and how often life proved us wrong. But from where I sit, it's pretty clear we're just trying to be helpful. I think you get that, but I just wanted to remind you.

That's my two cents. Hope it is useful.
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Cheers. I'm aware of the things you've written, thanks for reminding me. My certainty tends to draw negative attention everywhere, not just here and not just older people. It really is "hit or miss" for me. If I believe I'm good at something I'm the most proud and confident person in the world, even sometimes to the point where I come off as kind of a jerk. But if I don't believe I'm good at something I get scared to show my face, I hide. People often confuse me as if I'm a "I know the best" minded person when I really am not. I look up to the people's experiences, people's thoughts and advises, then shape them up to come up with an individual standpoint. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't but you can be sure that I consider things to the point where I'd regret them or not.

I didn't want to reply because your post was a great "closer" but I just had to thank to you and all of you guys for your help. I appreciate it.
 
The Flash said:
Cheers. I'm aware of the things you've written, thanks for reminding me. My certainty tends to draw negative attention everywhere, not just here and not just older people. It really is "hit or miss" for me. If I believe I'm good at something I'm the most proud and confident person in the world, even sometimes to the point where I come off as kind of a jerk. But if I don't believe I'm good at something I get scared to show my face, I hide. People often confuse me as if I'm a "I know the best" minded person when I really am not. I look up to the people's experiences, people's thoughts and advises, then shape them up to come up with an individual standpoint. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't but you can be sure that I consider things to the point where I'd regret them or not.

I didn't want to reply because your post was a great "closer" but I just had to thank to you and all of you guys for your help. I appreciate it.
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I am not a particularly good writer but I think when it comes to writing you have to be careful saying that you are already "good" or that you've already found a unique style. Some writers will re-write just one page a hundred times until they are satisfied with how every single word gives meaning. I think it is that constant drive of "I can always do better" (even if they've written for 50 years or their name is Orwell, Faulkner or Hemingway) that pushes writers and makes the difference between "OK" writers and then the truly great ones. So instead of saying you are already good and unique, say you're improving but can always get better ;)
 
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