Quote:
|
Originally Posted by smooth
Your last paragraph is exactly the position we are taking as well as the opinion of the discussant.
Where exactly do you think the money comes from to fund the transition costs? Scratch that, if it's too far off topic. Where was I even talking about menial labor when I mentioned the brain drain? The young posters in this thread are Ph. D. students. If you want to laugh while we go somewhere else, fine, but the nations reaping the rewards aren't laughing--they're excited from the looks of their immigration websites.
|
I have a doctorate as well. I picked mine based on economic viability, and that I happen to like working with people.
Quote:
|
Laugh and scoff all you want. We are a lot different than the youth of when you went to school. It is ludicrous to me that people continuously compare the generations without acknowledging the different historical realities and opportunities each one faced.
|
I’m 34 years old. I doubt that you are any different then when I was there in the least. People have a tendency to think they are somehow better, more special then the others who came before them. They are quite wrong, we are very much the same people. Some attitudes may change but motivations rarely do.
Quote:
|
As I initially said, the primary reason we're (my wife and I) moving is economic. Shortly, I want a good paying job.
|
I’m always for people bettering their economic circumstance.
Quote:
|
Now I added that I'm willing to give up a substantial portion of that income for social services I see as desirable. I didn't say I was leaving the country for free health care or social security. I don't see any reason to work in a country that pays me shitty wages, doesn't give me the social services I want for my tax dollars, and is preparing the public to shit on me when I finally retire.
|
I pay less for my health insurance then a Canadian making 1/3rd as much as I do (see the health care thread I started) pays in taxes for his, and its better. I don’t plan on the public handling my retirement, nor do I plan to work ‘for the country’ so the country won’t be paying me shitty wages. I don’t know what your PhD is in, but if it is of low desirability and there is a higher desirability else where, then it makes sense to move. As they say in business, location, location, location. If enough do move then you will see an increase in demand at home again.
Social security obviously needs to be fixed. Bush’s baby steps won’t be enough but at least they may get the ball rolling. All I hear from my colleagues in socialist countries like Germany and France, is how tight the budgets are and how they can’t see the system being there for them in 20 years. The US economy is still the strongest in the world, and for all of our problems paying for an ageing population they are PEANUTS compared to what Europe faces per person. Canada is already unable to properly fund its health care system (again see my old thread) and its only getting worse.
In the end all of the Western economies, will need to make some major cuts in social services. Odds are taxes will go way up at first before the producing part of the population gives up and then funding for all the wonderful programs will be drastically cut. Try not to rely on these programs or you will find yourself in trouble come retirement.
So if you want to move because you get shitty wages for your skills, then you SHOULD move, I know I would. If you think its going to be better beyond that, you will have unpleasant surprises in your future.