Not Enough Babies?

[newbury]

It could be that the lions share of the services purchased have little to nothing to show?

With regard to "government spending $$$" the services purchased gave someone money to pay taxes.

He said a man has no right to contemplate marriage before he has the means to support a family.

Families should not be created by mistake or relying on others to pay for them. This should be drummed into everyone in early education, starting as soon as they learn to eat.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I have worked around/with many many Mexicans; both legal and illegal; and most were never planning on staying here forever. Lot of them still sent money home to wife/Sancho (if you know, you know ; and had a specific goal; start a small business, build a house; basically the American dream, exported back home. Now, in my experience, the 2nd generation, born here, are a different group, culturally and work ethics. I've also worked around a pretty good number of eastern Europeans, who generally were here for good; some Nigereans, some Indians, Caribbeans;

I think a big change from earlier immigrants, is, it is Much easier to keep a connection with the old country (if they want). It used to be a one way trip; never hear from the family/friends in the old world; now, it's a $250 plane ticket home for 3 weeks.

There is also a large Myth in other parts of the world that the US is the land of milk and honey. Come here, make 10 years of income in a year and go home rich. Then they get hit with the reality of barely making it. If you go to many parts of the world, all they see of the US is TV, movies, and YouTube stars, who have 3 lambos, a beach mansion, and they think that is the norm.

I agree with most of the above except the plane ticket, maybe to Mexico though. We paid over $8K and that only gets us to Manila. Granted, if we had bought them 6 months ago we probably could have saved 2 or 3k.

My wife, being the oldest daughter, has sent a lot of money to her folks. When I met her she was making about $200 per month working as a promotional girl and living in Mindanao at 21 years of age. She was sending $100/month back to mama and pappa in N. Samar. When I proposed it was agreed that I would make up that $100 per month until she got a job in the US. That lasted maybe 2 years. Now she sends money for medicine or home improvement. Her folk's house is WAY nicer than ours now. It had a dirt floor and thatched roof when I met her.

You can make 10 years of income in 1 year here compared to Philippines when comparing job to job, profession to profession.

 

[paulsharvey]

"You can make 10 years of income in 1 year here compared to Philippines when comparing job to job, profession to profession."

Yep, but what people miss is they are used to say, $8000/year; come up/over here, and with OT, make $60k/year; and still struggle to send $8k/year home; life is expensive here.

One major aspect that casual observers miss; a lot of guys come up with Zero skill, learn a skill and make good money. If they had that same skill, say block Mason, that does pay a livable wage in Mex; they just don't really get the opportunity to advance/skill up as much down there.

Also, careful who you listen too; because times have changed a lot in the 2nd world. I know Americans that worked in Nrth Mex in 1980s, and in a specific example; they needed to cut a large industrial roll up door opening into an 8-12" cast in place concrete wall (tilt up maybe?); Back then, they lined 5 guys up on the left, 5 guys on the right; and one guy held a chisel and the next guy went to town with sledge hammer, until he couldn't anymore, then he held the chisel and the next guy grabbed the sledge. That's not how it is anymore; back then, labor was dirt cheap; now it's better to rent a saw and hydralic hammer on a mini.

They ain't toting dirt in baskets on their heads; and it's certainly not 3rd world there anymore.

 

[paulsharvey]

If I was a betting man; I would bet on Vietnam, Phillipeans, Mexico, Brazil, Iran (if sanctions ever go away); rising rapidly, as they all have large, well educated (comparatively), relatively youngish populations.

Germany, Japan, South Korea, and some others have probably topped out there potential; the US is in better place, and I really think we still got about 20 years of life left in this country, before we really have to pay the piper.

 

[ultrarunner]

By chance I met 4 people from the Philippines in the checkout line… turns out they are all employed by the school district under contract teaching English and Science.

The 4 share a two bedroom apartment near the school where they work… no car.

They are trying to max savings for their return home…

Same story… a two bedroom apartment they pay 2k here would by $200 there but the money earned outshines anything at home.

Never thought we would import English public school teachers…

 

[NoTrespassing]

By chance I met 4 people from the Philippines in the checkout line… turns out they are all employed by the school district under contract teaching English and Science.

The 4 share a two bedroom apartment near the school where they work… no car.

They are trying to max savings for their return home…

Same story… a two bedroom apartment they pay 2k here would by $200 there but the money earned outshines anything at home.

Never thought we would import English public school teachers…

Obviously, the English-speaking population or people qualified or choosing to teach English in the US is dropping. The cost of living in the above situation is quite low compared to the average American's. If they left a spouse and kids behind, they are the beneficiaries of the sacrifice the parent is making. That's a very typical scenario. Two of my wife's brothers see their kids once per year for about 4 weeks.

 

[masscity]

For 2023, revenue 4.4 trillion, spending 6.1 trillion and debt 34 trillion.

Of course the best way to fix this problem is to cut taxes.

 

[ultrarunner]

Would it depend on specifics…

California raises taxes and well to do friends and several businesses I know decided enough and left the State…

No State Income Tax State vs a High State Income Tax State like California and New York is all the reason some need…

 

[jyoutz]

Would it depend on specifics…

California raises taxes and well to do friends and several businesses I know decided enough and left the State…

No State Income Tax State vs a High State Income Tax State like California and New York is all the reason some need…

Some of the no income tax states I’m familiar with just play a shell game. No personal income tax, but high sales and property taxes and lots of user fees.

 

[ultrarunner]

I may be wrong but California seems King of the Hill in user fees with a boatload of new in the wings.

I know several that retired to Nevada from California because they did not want to die in California and 2 are CPA’s with spread sheets showing estates benefiting greatly.