Well, this explains why Germany wants to be best buddies with the UK, since we're austerity crazy as well at the moment (despite the IMF telling us to loosen it up).
[QUOTE=Spirit_Breaker;40495657][url]http://myanimelist.net/anime/5060/Hetalia_Axis_Powers[/url][/QUOTE]
Personified countries, huh.
This might just be hilarious. I'll have to look into it. Thanks, bud.
[QUOTE=Spirit_Breaker;40495515]Because it's extremely liberal + it has a huge bandwagon effect and it will take me a really really long time to explain the whole situation in the Balkans. Plus, there are way too few people from here (as in this region) for me to have a healthy discussion. I want to discuss stuff with people who know what they're talking about (preferably if they lived through it too) and are familiar with developments and events in the region, not just some Youtube clips/newspaper articles/Wikipedia pages. I mean, p much everything I posted in this thread was my knowledge (unlike most people on FP who just link Wikipedia article (I linked it in this thread in some posts to serve as a proof)).
Case and proof, you rated me dumb in perfectly reasonable posts because it opposes general opinion of FP (I mean it's just small icon at the bottom of my posts, but it doesn't invalid the point).
It may be silly or stupid reason for you, but I just don't feel bothering discussing it here because I really doubt it will produce any result.[/QUOTE]
lmao
fucking w/e dude, go on being an apologist for bullshit that you shouldn't be talking about anyway, but don't talk shit about bandwagoning when you change history to suit your nationalist view in the hope to remove kabab
keep calling people stupid im sure it'll make everyone sympathetic to your position
[QUOTE=The mouse;40493150][URL]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/10028824/Germany-accuses-France-of-being-Europes-biggest-problem-child.html[/URL]
I find it rather ironic that Germany is describing France as Europe's problem child. :v:[/QUOTE]
And I thought Finland was Europe's problem child.
[QUOTE=Mr Kotov;40493208]Little things called the World Wars.
They're cool now, though.[/QUOTE]
Because that's relevant at all
[QUOTE=Spirit_Breaker;40495515]Because it's extremely liberal + it has a huge bandwagon effect and it will take me a really really long time to explain the whole situation in the Balkans. Plus, there are way too few people from here (as in this region) for me to have a healthy discussion. I want to discuss stuff with people who know what they're talking about (preferably if they lived through it too) and are familiar with developments and events in the region, not just some Youtube clips/newspaper articles/Wikipedia pages. I mean, p much everything I posted in this thread was my knowledge (unlike most people on FP who just link Wikipedia article (I linked it in this thread in some posts to serve as a proof)).
Case and proof, you rated me dumb in perfectly reasonable posts because it opposes general opinion of FP (I mean it's just small icon at the bottom of my posts, but it doesn't invalid the point).
It may be silly or stupid reason for you, but I just don't feel bothering discussing it here because I really doubt it will produce any result.[/QUOTE]
Why do you talk like everyone in the Balkans is part of some hivemind that knows about what's going on everywhere else in the region? As if living in Sarajevo will give you some kind of mental link to what's going on in Belgrade or Zagreb.
[QUOTE=Jetpack Bear;40493691]Technically, Gavrilo Princip started WW1[/QUOTE]
His act was merely a casus belli, a handy excuse to start the war.
Germany is right, the French are so full of themselves, if its not French made, then it can't possibly be good, like automobiles, they made crank started cars in the 60s when the electric starter had been around for like 40 years, or mimtel when the internet was first rolling out, also they refuse to use ballpoint because its not French, they just think they are better than everyone else when in reality the whole country is going bankrupt from its massive social programs, coupled with massive illegal and semi legal immigration ,
I'm just saying France seems to think its better than the rest even as its unemployment ratchets up and its debt climbs
[QUOTE=Teddybeer;40493450]Time to dust off the Maginot Line.[/QUOTE]
Yes, and the Germans will dust off their ability to go around it :v:
also if we want to talk about who started ww1, the auto Hungarians wanted to cleanse the Serbs, but Russia having a strong cultural connection gave them protection, this drew France into the mix as they had vested interest as an ally of the Russian empire, Germany was a wild child and for some reason made peace with Austria hungry and the axis was born, Britain was also dragged in later on as the war threatened their colonial holdings
the assassination was the match, but the powder was already set long before the events of that day
[editline]2nd May 2013[/editline]
[QUOTE=Araknid;40498506]Yes, and the Germans will dust off their ability to go around it :v:[/QUOTE]
who would have though Belgium would be a great backdoor....
I always felt kinda sorry for Gavrilo Princip. He wanted freedom for his country, and was met with a war where millions died, and he never saw the end of it. At least he didn't have to live through the Second, as well.
[QUOTE=Sableye;40498484]Germany is right, the French are so full of themselves, if its not French made, then it can't possibly be good, like automobiles, they made crank started cars in the 60s when the electric starter had been around for like 40 years, or mimtel when the internet was first rolling out, also they refuse to use ballpoint because its not French, they just think they are better than everyone else when in reality the whole country is going bankrupt from its massive social programs, coupled with massive illegal and semi legal immigration ,
I'm just saying France seems to think its better than the rest even as its unemployment ratchets up and its debt climbs[/QUOTE]
-Renault and Peugeot are good cars known worldwide, they'll never outmatch german ones but they're still good, reliable and not even half as fuel consumming as Ford / Chrysler etc.
-Internet coverage is great and now that we're deploying the fiber in big cities, the average internet speed should skyrocket in the following years.
-What is that ballpoint thing you're talking about, pens? If so, then I'm sorry but everyone uses ballpoint.
-Yeah let's say your retarded prejudices are true. Wait they're not. Feels like you don't know shit about France and never set foot there.
-French social programs aren't the problem, they're covered by taxes and everything worked just fine until the 2007 crash which has nothing to do with this.
-Our immigration is far from massive, in fact, Germany is right in front of us according to statistics : [url]http://www.linternaute.com/actualite/monde/classement-pays-immigration/classement-des-pays.shtml[/url]
Besides, it has been proven it has done more good than bad to our economy so far.
So yeah, no, your post was nothing but uninformed stupidity, please check facts before spewing shit. Unemployment and debt climbs everywhere and so far France has managed to protect itself rather well (still 2nd biggest economical power in the EU, guess that ain't too bad for such a terrible country as you seem to suggest).
I'd add to that I'm pretty sure most western countries (USA being in the top tier) think they're better than their peers, that doesn't make it true nor what everyone in the country think.
Yeah, nevermind Greece, Spain, etc...
[QUOTE=Bliblixe;40500770]-Renault and Peugeot are good cars known worldwide, they'll never outmatch german ones but they're still good, reliable and not even half as fuel consumming as Ford / Chrysler etc.
-Internet coverage is great and now that we're deploying the fiber in big cities, the average internet speed should skyrocket in the following years.
-What is that ballpoint thing you're talking about, pens? If so, then I'm sorry but everyone uses ballpoint.
-Yeah let's say your retarded prejudices are true. Wait they're not. Feels like you don't know shit about France and never set foot there.
-French social programs aren't the problem, they're covered by taxes and everything worked just fine until the 2007 crash which has nothing to do with this.
-Our immigration is far from massive, in fact, Germany is right in front of us according to statistics : [url]http://www.linternaute.com/actualite/monde/classement-pays-immigration/classement-des-pays.shtml[/url]
Besides, it has been proven it has done more good than bad to our economy so far.
So yeah, no, your post was nothing but uninformed stupidity, please check facts before spewing shit. Unemployment and debt climbs everywhere and so far France has managed to protect itself rather well (still 2nd biggest economical power in the EU, guess that ain't too bad for such a terrible country as you seem to suggest).
I'd add to that I'm pretty sure most western countries (USA being in the top tier) think they're better than their peers, that doesn't make it true nor what everyone in the country think.[/QUOTE]
What would you attribute France's woes to? I understand in the last quarter GDP growth was -0.3%
[QUOTE=butt2089;40500866]What would you attribute France's woes to? I understand in the last quarter GDP growth was -0.3%[/QUOTE]
We've got 36 680 communes (an administrative division of the territory), this is more than all of Europe's administrative divisions added. This is huge, useless and results in people getting paid to do nothing (Mayors, townhall staff, the commune's public services etc.). They represent [B]20% of the annual spending[/B] of France. This for one, is something we should work on.
In 2011 we had 18 tax-paying workers for 12,0 retired workers.
Now look at what Germany wants everyone to do : austerity => no growth => little new employment => the retirement system we have going on might someday fail.
What they're suggesting is to keep pushing forward the retirement age by pulling the "we're living longer" card. We fought for decades to gain the right not to be working 'til you're 70 / 75 yrs, we're not coming back on this one.
What should we do then? (well, what would be best for France at least)
Devaluate the euro => bring slowly back our industry and develop what is our best wish in the coming years : the seaside industry => new jobs => growth (dumbed down version of course, but once again, Jean-Luc Mélenchon explained in details how to do it and why it can be done)
Oh and bring the European Central Bank to Europe. As it is right now, the European bank lends money to banks with 0 or 1% interest. Then those banks lend that money to the European countries with high interest rates. This is just stupid and the only winner here are the private banks.
We should just flip those banks off and get credits directly from the European Central Bank. This is what it was meant for after all, let the EU help its members in need.
Austerity has never worked anywhere and if we keep doing it, we'll just end up like Greece and Spain. We can't and we won't pay the entirety of the debt, let's stop doing what we're doing now and think outside the box for a moment.
[QUOTE=Bliblixe;40493740]You're wishing for an utopia that cannot be achieved. Every country has its own interests, Germany needs austerity right now and tries to push their agenda onto the EU's politics, France doesn't need that.
This man right there has been claiming this for years and his influence in France is growing by the day, he'll probably end up being prime minister :
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMYimc4GoMI[/media][/QUOTE]
Mélenchon prime minister are you kidding me.
The same man who wants to give everyone 1,900$ as minimum wage. YEAH RIGHT.
[QUOTE=MaxOfS2D;40501043]Mélenchon prime minister are you kidding me.
The same man who wants to give everyone 1,900$ as minimum wage. YEAH RIGHT.[/QUOTE]
Even tho I like the man (guess everyone got that by now, I'm a left winger), saying he might someday become Prime Minister is true.
The Hollande governement is getting weaker by the day, if he wants to last 'til 2017, he will have to fight the whole "our president is [URL=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlPkDlhVK_U/Tf5KncKh82I/AAAAAAAAE5o/CV2CM6raJVQ/s1600/flamby.gif]flamby[/URL] and our governement is a bunch of incompetents" stigma, Hollande will have to drop Ayrault and pick a stronger PM. There's only one man from the left that would fit and that's Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
Even the socialist deputees are starting to turn their back on the governement, the governement has no political responsibility whatsoever in our constitution, but if they keep going on like that, they'll be stuck. Can't dissolute the assembly or they'd get a right wing majority, it'd be either get a new set of ministers or resign.
Politics sure is a dirty game.
Oh, I see your point. I thought it'd be really far-fetched to see him as PM... but it could do some good
Seems like it could be an "all or nothing" move
Pretty much, I never had much faith in the socialist party so my take on this is obviously biased, but if we reach that point of no return, it's not like they'd have much choice left.
durrrr
[highlight](User was banned for this post ("Why Reply?" - Megafan))[/highlight]
What about Spain, Italy, Greece, Serbia, Albania, Cyrpus, Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia....
Also, is it true that you have 80% taxes in many area's Frenchies?
[QUOTE=Rangergxi;40501365]What about Spain, Italy, Greece, Serbia, Albania, Cyrpus, Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia....
Also, is it true that you have 80% taxes in many area's Frenchies?[/QUOTE]
Don't forget Ireland, oh and Slovenia is trying to avoid a bailout right now
[QUOTE=Mr Kotov;40493208]Little things called the World Wars.
They're cool now, though.[/QUOTE]
except that was a compound issue which pretty much every western and european country is responsible for in some way.
[QUOTE=Rangergxi;40501365]Also, is it true that you have 80% taxes in many area's Frenchies?[/QUOTE]
Nah, the maximum tier of taxes is 49% (and that's for very high salaries). Taxes on products are 19,6% (tho, that didn't make them more expensive, retailers just lowered their margins).
Most households are taxed 14%.
[editline]2nd May 2013[/editline]
That might seem high, but keep in mind we're glad to give that money to fuel our social protections. Besides our purchasing power is still relatively high (getting lower though)
[QUOTE=Rangergxi;40501365]What about Spain, Italy, Greece, Serbia, Albania, Cyrpus, Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia....
Also, is it true that you have 80% taxes in many area's Frenchies?[/QUOTE]
Serbia isn't in EU
Our economy isn't that terrible either, there is progress
Unemployment is high though.
[QUOTE=IPK;40501744]Serbia isn't in EU
Our economy isn't that terrible either, there is progress
Unemployment is high though.[/QUOTE]
It says Europe's problem child, not the EU's
Credit rating: BB- and on negative
Interest rate: 11.75
Inflation rate: 11.20
Unemployment rate: 22.4%
-1.7% GDP growth in 2012, 2% in 2013 - sounds turbulent to me
It's turbulent because previous government was really really really corrupted. Not to mention how Kosovo is dragging every single citizen of Serbia down (on average one citizen loses 18 euros daily because of Kosovo). Once we sort all of those things (just like current government plans to put end to all of that unlike the previous one who just pulled people by the noses), Serbia should get p good economy.
[QUOTE=Teddybeer;40493450]Time to dust off the Maginot Line.[/QUOTE]
and forget the Ardennes.
[QUOTE=Bliblixe;40501502]Nah, the maximum tier of taxes is 49% (and that's for very high salaries). Taxes on products are 19,6% (tho, that didn't make them more expensive, retailers just lowered their margins).
Most households are taxed 14%.
[editline]2nd May 2013[/editline]
That might seem high, but keep in mind we're glad to give that money to fuel our social protections. Besides our purchasing power is still relatively high (getting lower though)[/QUOTE]
Taxes for the rich should go up to pre-Sarko levels
Did he not lower them because he feels bad taxing for half of income?
It's like, come on Sarkozy we aren't supposed to feel bad about taxing the rich a lot we're [i]French[/i]
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.