Families and the Mortgage Crises

[Laughingmouse]

I believe you know my friend, Here. You have sparred with her before.

My family plans to return here in due time. They are working in those countries at the moment. When they are finished, they will return home to their Federal Republic.

If you are so enamored of socialism why not move to one of those nations?

I've noticed that it tends to be easier for people to leave their homeland and move to the USA, than it is for the average U.S. Citizen to leave for another country.

It's a financial thing, by the way, and not a comfort thing.

 

[katharina]

I've noticed that it tends to be easier for people to leave their homeland and move to the USA, than it is for the average U.S. Citizen to leave for another country.

I've noticed this, too. Do you think it has to do with having less to "leave behind" or because they are simply looking for opportunities their country doesn't provide?

 

[SageMother]

I've noticed this, too. Do you think it has to do with having less to "leave behind" or because they are simply looking for opportunities their country doesn't provide?

I don't think it is due to a lack of opportunities in the other countries, but is more likely that living in the USA drains enough money on a monthly basis that it is difficult to save enough to leave.

 

[Frankie]

And what, living in other countries is so inexpensive that people can pick up and move easily?

It's more like those people are looking for a better way of life and have the initiative to make it happen.

 

[SageMother]

And what, living in other countries is so inexpensive that people can pick up and move easily?

It's more like those people are looking for a better way of life and have the initiative to make it happen.

I know a woman who came here from India with her family.

She was stunned to find that it took both incomes to keep a roof over their heads. In India, you can have a decent home with only one adult working in the household.

In India, when you are down and out there are, apparently, options besides being homeless. In some areas you can stay in what we would have called a "flop house". She hadn't seen anything like that here, and I haven't ever seen anything like that outside of old movies.

She and her husband are trying to save money to go back to India and finding it quite difficult. It's not like they have a huge mortgage and a bunch of credit, either. They both have decent jobs.

Each country has its pros and its cons. There's no reason to believe that people don't leave the USA because they get comfortable and can't match the standard of living. For many, other issues are more important. There is also no reason to assume that a lack of motivation keeps people here, either.

For every tale of people looking for a better life, there is a tale illustrating how stunned people from other countries are when they find out what daily life is like, compared to the country they left.

This isn't a value judgment, but something important to remember. It's not an either/or proposition and its not adversarial.

It's just the way things are.

 

[katharina]

For every tale of people looking for a better life, there is a tale illustrating how stunned people from other countries are when they find out what daily life is like, compared to the country they left.

Yes... and I find this so very sad. So many people think of this as the land of opportunity and pin their dreams on that (like your friend from India) and then have to have that cold reality thrown at them. :-( Are they determined to return, or might they change those plans?

I remember very long ago talking to a friend in Malaysia and being shocked to think that she thought all Americans were filthy rich... well I guess to the very poor countries, most of us are... but it showed me the perception.

 

[SageMother]

Yes... and I find this so very sad. So many people think of this as the land of opportunity and pin their dreams on that (like your friend from India) and then have to have that cold reality thrown at them. :-( Are they determined to return, or might they change those plans?

I remember very long ago talking to a friend in Malaysia and being shocked to think that she thought all Americans were filthy rich... well I guess to the very poor countries, most of us are... but it showed me the perception.

Many folks from other countries have a difficult time adjusting to the "alone-ness" of the USA. They are accustomed to having long standing relationships with people they can trust. It isn't the "alone-ness" of being a new citizen that concerns them, but that which is exhibited by people who are native to the USA.

Here, the profit margin governs many interactions and one has to constantly guard against being taken advantage of in a way that immigrants aren't always prepared to deal with.

 

[katharina]

Here, the profit margin governs many interactions and one has to constantly guard against being taken advantage of in a way that immigrants aren't always prepared to deal with.

Well that's surely the truth, yes. And because of the way some businesses are, those are the very people they prey upon. Vicious circle.