“mindless” observations

[VCJIM]

deadzone,

I don’t think I’m sensitive at all to criticism of Americans or American culture; my concern is with generalized statements about *anyone*, as I wrote in my post. Frankly, I’m critical of many American traits, too. But criticism can by specific and thoughtful, or generalized and pointless. I am hoping to encourage HS to consider his context and intent; in this forum he is largely preaching to the choir.

And yes, it is their right to complain. It is also my right to say they are welcome to leave if they dislike it so much.

[waiting hawk]

70% of our economy is consumption…..

My website tracking Temecula and South Riverside County

[VCJIM]

Hawk, could you put a posted, or updated date on each listing on your site?

[Anonymous]

VCJIM,

I love America. It is a really great country. But there are still things that I don’t like. No country is perfect. Does that mean if I have something not so good to say about America, I will have to leave this country?

Based on this logic, if you dont like what other people saying in this forum, why don’t you please leave this forum?

SLO

[VCJIM]

SLO,

Please show me where I wrote this: “Does that mean if I have something not so good to say about America, I will have to leave this country?”

If you can, I will leave the country.

If you cannot, you will have to leave.

: )

[Anonymous]

VCJIM,

You are still with us in this forum. Of course, you are very welcome to stay in this forum. That’s the point.

.

Here is my “mindless observation”:

I recently moved back to the Central Coast (San Luis Obispo county) after spending 8 years in NY and midwest. The home prices have increased 300% compared to 8 years ago. After spending a month tracking the prices of quite a few houses in the area, I can see that the houses have high asking prices but there are no buyers. So the decline in price starts in San Diego, but I guess the Central Coast area will follow very soon.

SLO

[hs]

VCJIM, come on, man! Just one criticism about overspending Americans makes you so mad? Give me a break. I don’t have any anti-American intention at all, and I am an American myself. I am happy living here.

I guess I wasn’t careful enough. I should have said “SOME Americans”. Will that make you feel better? The world is not perfect, and we Americans are not perfect, either.

I do have strong sentiments about Americans overspending and living in a debt situation, though. Don’t you agree some of them spend way too much and get themselves in big debt? It is a fact that America’s savings rate is negative.

This is just an internet discussion board. Everybody can have his(her) own opinion. No need to get so emotional. If you don’t like my point of view, you don’t have to read it. I have no problem. Relax!

What a world traveler you are?! I thought world travelers are usually more open-minded. Obviously you are not.(Oops, I should say SOME world travelers are open-minded. :))

Well, this is not housing related, so I do not want to run into an argument with you and I am calling it off now.

[lostkitty]

The fact that Americans spend and buy way beyond what we need is a regular topic with foreigners, nothing wrong with HS bringing it up here.

And in regards to this comment:
“How would we feel if foreign tourists were pointing their cameras at us eating our hamburgers or shopping at Wal-Mart?”
Has anyone heard of the ‘game’ some Europeans have of seeing who can get the biggest, fattest American on their video cameras when visiting DisneyWorld? When I moved home from Japan, the girth of many Americans, and the crazy buying was shocking after having been away so long (and as everyone knows, it isnt like Japanese dont buy things, but they buy small things, ‘giftos’, gadgets, etc). There is nothing wrong with HS commenting… something has gone awry here in the US (and yes, it is especially noticeable in SoCal – but it is absolutely everywhere now) and it is a very GOOD thing to be discussing it.

“Thanks for sharing that and participating in this forum. I invite you to consider my point of view…”

[no_such_reality]

Lostkitty, you’re dead-on. Something is very wrong with our mass consumption lifestyle.

Everybody complains that they don’t make enough or the “fat cats” are greedy, but I say bunk. Even the average American’s life is quite plush.

More importantly, it isn’t a few “fat cats” that are pushing companies like Best Buy to record profits by buying large sceen LCD/Plasma HDTVs. I’m not kidding, the company literally said that the surge in big TVs was the reason along with $300 personal music players.

And while fats cats like Schwarzenegger may be riding in his Hummer, it pales in comparison to fleet of Soccor Mom & Dads driving through SoCal in huge SUVs with individual LCD DVD entertainment centers for the kid.

There is only one driver IMHO, low self-esteem. The powerful marketing engine in US Corporations has successfully defined our value in our minds as what we have and not who we are.

The sad part is, it starts very young. While it may be big brother, the Europeans are better at protecting their children from marketing through regulation. We on the other, turn over the printing of our school lunch menus to McDonalds best they do it a little cheaper since they turn into an chronic advertisement of their products.

Sorry for the rant, it’s a sore spot.

[novice1027]

Here’s an example…
A co-worker was saying to me that she would like to have a flat screen t.v but couldn’t really afford it right now, because she recently bought one for each of her kids for their bedrooms!!!
What is wrong with that picture???

[novice1027]

duplicate!

[VCJIM]

HS,

Thank you for modifying your statement into “SOME Americans”; with that you and I definitely agree. Even if it was “MANY Americans” we would still agree. I apologize for being so nit-picky, I guess I’m sensitve to any generalization, whether it’s about Americans or any other culture.

Have you seen any good houses for sale?

: )

[hs]

Your apology accepted. I am glad you feel better now.

I am not planning to buy this year, even financially I am ready. Will see how the market goes. I am a happy renter now.

Good luck to you all.

[barnaby33]

Are those the Europeans with the wide angle lenses? Thats a great idea! Fat people are just like FB’s. They lacked restraint, or good lifestyle choices. You don’t see too many fat people running marathons.

Just so you know, this site started with a complaint. It went something like this, “why is housing in San Diego so f!@#$ing expensive.” I’m paraphrasing just a bit.

Whether one consumes big or small seems less relevant than the intent of that consumption, which is always hardest to judge. As an example, I recently bought an SUV with a V6. I still feel guilty about it, but I needed 4 wheel drive. I am sure some people look at that as conspicuous but in my mind the purchase was driven by a need, so I have some moral cover.

Josh

[North County Jim]

While it may be big brother, the Europeans are better at protecting their children from marketing through regulation.

NSR,

Could you clarify if you think the “European Model” is a good thing?

[Author]

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