Back in the USA

[Mac Mickmanus]

3 minutes ago, LarrySR said:

Can we add the USA military expenses spent in the Middle East of  $300 million per day for the last 20 years protecting the oil fields as subsidizing oil companies? 

No, we cannot 

[Whale]

On 3/5/2022 at 11:07 PM, Isaanlife said:

Long gone are the majority of Mom and Pop places I use to know, all replaced with fast food brands.

 

The whole area is much, much busier and over commercialized. 

 

New housing and commercial buildings everywhere you look.

 

Sounds like Bangkok

[Yellowtail]

19 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

No, we cannot 

We already did. 

[spidermike007]

3 hours ago, LarrySR said:

Trump convinced the rubes by repeating over and over again that China is paying $billions and $ billions to the USA in tariffs. 
Americans paid the $billions in tariffs. 

“Tariffs are taxes on goods coming in to the U.S., paid by the importer. The exporter — in this scenario, China — doesn't pay a thing.“

..and the taxpayers also paid $44.9billion to subsidize soybean farmers when China stopped buying.

Hyper inflation, obscene debt, jammed up supply chain and left office with the worst economic conditions since 1929. 

Well Trump did say he would do to the country the same he had done to his business. 
Promises kept. 
And the rubes are lining up saying: “Thank you sir, may I have another”
 

The United States of Idiots is in big trouble. 

Spot on. Trump's stupidity and ignorance created alot of the financial mess we are in now. His trade war on China was the dumbest thing he did, as the 43rd or 44th worst president ever. He brought alot of pain onto Americans. 

[Maha Sarakham]

Glad you enjoyed the move back to the States OP. 

 

Having just been to Florida about a month ago, I was very impressed by the weather and the current environment there.  People there just felt happier overall, perhaps the freedom from covid restrictions and living life as normal once again. The restaurant scene seems to have exploded over the past 5 years and food from around the world can be found all around the Orlando area now.  The Korean supermarket giant 'H-Mart' is building their biggest Asian grocery store in the US in Orlando set to open later in 2022 and there is also a Lotte Market along with a mess of other smaller Asian markets.

 

It seems like those that have been turned off by the 'death by a thousand cuts' in Thailand, dealing with small and relatively insignificant issues that just add up over time and compound frustration, may find value in a place like FL with its Western normalcy and the quality of life that comes with it.  In my mind, it would really depend on each families situation (married/single) and strength of their financial portfolio.  Life in the US is very good if you have a decent retirement income, however those with smaller pensions or limited options may find Thailand to provide a better quality of life.  

 

Thanks for sharing your story, welcome home.

[Yellowtail]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Spot on. Trump's stupidity and ignorance created alot of the financial mess we are in now. His trade war on China was the dumbest thing he did, as the 43rd or 44th worst president ever. He brought alot of pain onto Americans. 

Yes, every problem in the US today, and the world for that matter are Donald Trump's fault. 

[Mac Mickmanus]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Spot on. Trump's stupidity and ignorance created alot of the financial mess we are in now. His trade war on China was the dumbest thing he did, as the 43rd or 44th worst president ever. He brought alot of pain onto Americans. 

Yes, stopping cheap Chinese imports and trying to get the USA to start making things themselves again  meant that USA citizens had to pay more for cheap Chinese goods , that caused pain and hardship to USA citizens and Chinese factory workers 

[jerrymahoney]

8 hours ago, Maha Sarakham said:

The Korean supermarket giant 'H-Mart' is building their biggest Asian grocery store in the US in Orlando set to open later in 2022 and there is also a Lotte Market along with a mess of other smaller Asian markets.

I used to shop at Target store closed in 2012 (long after I left) on Colonial in Orlando where that H-Mart is to be located.

 

The early Korean presence in Central Florida can be largely traced to the 7th Day Adventist stronghold there especially the (now named) AdventistHealth Orlando in 1908 and the Forest Lake Academy (1918) which started as the home for children of 7th Day missionaries while the parents were overseas.

Edited March 30, 2022 by jerrymahoney

[Guest Isaanlife]

9 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Spot on. Trump's stupidity and ignorance created alot of the financial mess we are in now. His trade war on China was the dumbest thing he did, as the 43rd or 44th worst president ever. He brought alot of pain onto Americans. 

Mike

 

There wasn't $7+ a gallon gas when Trump was President. 

[spidermike007]

4 hours ago, Isaanlife said:

Mike

 

There wasn't $7+ a gallon gas when Trump was President. 

True. But, he started all this madness with the dumb trade war with China. The supply chain shortages he created took awhile to really hit us hard. Every negotiation he entered into failed. He is a horrible negotiator. And a worse president. 

[ThailandRyan]

Just now, spidermike007 said:

True. But, he started all this madness with the dumb trade war with China. The supply chain shortages he created took awhile to really hit us hard. Every negotiation he entered into failed. He is a horrible negotiator. And a worse president. 

The supply chain shortages were not just because of the man you say caused it all.  Covid had a lot to do with it unfortunately with the factories shutting down etc.....Don't blame just one individual it was and still is a cacophony of issues and discord.

[spidermike007]

8 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

The supply chain shortages were not just because of the man you say caused it all.  Covid had a lot to do with it unfortunately with the factories shutting down etc.....Don't blame just one individual it was and still is a cacophony of issues and discord.

When Trump declared his silly and juvenile trade war stunt on China and Huawei, there was a secret deal, where there was an attempt to stockpile rare earth, and other materials required for many computer, electronic and car components, by Huawei and other companies. When many companies attempted to ramp production back up, the first thing they found was little of these elements were available and what was, had gone up in price dramatically. 

 

Trade wars have consequences, and often it takes years for them to manifest. Covid is but one small element here. 

[Yellowtail]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

True. But, he started all this madness with the dumb trade war with China. The supply chain shortages he created took awhile to really hit us hard. Every negotiation he entered into failed. He is a horrible negotiator. And a worse president. 

Exactly. It's all Trump's fault and Biden is doing everything possible to get the mess he left cleaned up. 

 

 

[Yellowtail]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

When Trump declared his silly and juvenile trade war stunt on China and Huawei, there was a secret deal, where there was an attempt to stockpile rare earth, and other materials required for many computer, electronic and car components, by Huawei and other companies. When many companies attempted to ramp production back up, the first thing they found was little of these elements were available and what was, had gone up in price dramatically. 

 

Trade wars have consequences, and often it takes years for them to manifest. Covid is but one small element here. 

Exactly. The real problem was Trump, now that he's finally out of office we can start to let the healing begin! 

[LarrySR]

On 3/31/2022 at 5:43 AM, Isaanlife said:

Mike

 

There wasn't $7+ a gallon gas when Trump was President. 

Fuel prices rose 30% when Trump took office but crashed when he left the country in ruins with a record debt,  jammed up supply chain, humiliated himself and emboldened Putin by licking Putin’s backside, creating the worst economic conditions since 1929, 10 million unemployed and 500,000 deaths due to his incomprehensible incompetence in a mismanaged pandemic. 


 

Edited April 1, 2022 by LarrySR

[Yellowtail]

3 hours ago, LarrySR said:

Fuel prices rose 30% when Trump took office but crashed when he left the country in ruins with a record debt,  jammed up supply chain, humiliated himself and emboldened Putin by licking Putin’s backside, creating the worst economic conditions since 1929, 10 million unemployed and 500,000 deaths due to his incomprehensible incompetence in a mismanaged pandemic. 

And Trump is STILL licking his backside and calling him a genius!

 

Biden is slowly but surly undoing all the damage Trump did, and the country will be back on track in no time! 

[CharlieH]

Reported post in violation of "fair use" has been removed alomg with a response quoting it.

 

Link and a few lines only please , do not regurgitate the entire article as if it were your own.

 

FROM THE HEADER :

For topics and events related to the US and Canada.  No Political discussions. Topics need to be from credible sources and must follow Fair Use which is a headline, 3 sentences and a link. 

[GypsyT]

There's still hope for me to find a spot in downtown LA but I should move in fast to get it.

 

 

 

[LarrySR]

It’s a dilemma, the California homeless situation. 
Since California is the most desirable place on the planet to live, the average home is now over $700,000 so the poor have no place to stay. 
I guess they could move to some state like Texas where houses are cheap because the place is a sh*thole. 
 

 

Edited April 5, 2022 by LarrySR

[Yellowtail]

1 minute ago, LarrySR said:

It’s a dilemma, the California homeless situation. 
Since California is the most desirable place on the planet to live, the average home is now over $700,000 so the poor have no place to stay. 
I guess they could move to some state like Texas where houses are cheap because the place is a sh*thole. 
 

 

Why don't all the greedy rich people in California allow the poor to stay with them? Do they not care about them? 

[LarrySR]

19 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Why don't all the greedy rich people in California allow the poor to stay with them? Do they not care about them? 

Greedy and rich? No it’s not a Republican run state…..

 

The progressive government in California has a $75 billion budget surplus and they spend hundreds of millions on assisting the unfortunate and vulnerable.

 

Unlike “good Christian” Republican governors that no doubt, these days would turn away a vulnerable, desperate refugee family like Jesus, Mary & Joseph. 

They would get more support and be welcomed in the Atheist community before being accepted by MAGA Christians. 

Agreed?

Edited April 5, 2022 by LarrySR

[Yellowtail]

So while the total number of homeless has declined, the number of homeless in California has increased because housing prices are have up in California, while prices in the rest of the county have trended down. That makes sense.

 

So would not mandating that homes over 1,000 square that have fewer than one (1) occupant per 500 square-feet accommodate (either physically or fanatically)  one homeless person for every unoccupied 500 square-foot area? 

 

This would house the homeless while at the same time help curb skyrocketing housing costs. It's a win-win!

 

 

• Homeless people in the U.S. 2007-2021 | Statista

 

 

[Yellowtail]

5 minutes ago, LarrySR said:

Greedy and rich? No it’s not a Republican run state…..

 

The progressive government in California has a $75 billion budget surplus and they spend hundreds of millions on assisting the unfortunate and vulnerable. 
 

So why don't all the loving and giving progressive rich people in California allow the poor to stay with them? 

 

Do they not care? 

[mikebike]

27 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Why don't all the greedy rich people in California allow the poor to stay with them? Do they not care about them? 

Well, for one thing, Cali (and NY) have taken the majority of refugees from middle America for over a century. Do y'all expect those 2 states to keep that up indefinitely? Does middle America not care enough to develop their own economies not tied to dead or dying industries?

[LarrySR]

27 minutes ago, mikebike said:

Well, for one thing, Cali (and NY) have taken the majority of refugees from middle America for over a century. Do y'all expect those 2 states to keep that up indefinitely? Does middle America not care enough to develop their own economies not tied to dead or dying industries?

All those homeless in California should go back to Kentucky or West Virginia for all the wonderful jobs in the coal industry that Trump promised. 

Edited April 5, 2022 by LarrySR

[ThailandRyan]

1 hour ago, Yellowtail said:

So while the total number of homeless has declined, the number of homeless in California has increased because housing prices are have up in California, while prices in the rest of the county have trended down. That makes sense.

 

So would not mandating that homes over 1,000 square that have fewer than one (1) occupant per 500 square-feet accommodate (either physically or fanatically)  one homeless person for every unoccupied 500 square-foot area? 

 

This would house the homeless while at the same time help curb skyrocketing housing costs. It's a win-win!

 

 

• Homeless people in the U.S. 2007-2021 | Statista

 

 

The majority of the homeless have mental illnesses and no matter how many Tru to help them they shove you away.  3 years ago in Sacramento a homeless lady was found deceased on a bus bench. When they searched her belongings and her body they found almost a quarter million dollars strapped to her body. She was known in the community but refused any help and loved on the streets.  Mental illness is rife as well as drug use among the homeless.

 

http://homeless.cityofsacramento.org/faqs

 

https://www.cityofsacramento.org › ...
Homeless and Mental Health Outreach - City of Sacramento

Edited April 5, 2022 by ThailandRyan

[GinBoy2]

Without wanting to be deadly boring.

 

The vast majority of folks that do repatriate, end up living normal middle class lives, in normal middle class neighborhoods.

 

Yes of course there is homelessness, for a host of reasons, but the average guy/couple who go back to the US from Thailand, have a home, car(s) live a normal suburban life, which is a far cry from the dystopian vision some like to describe in this thread 

Edited April 5, 2022 by GinBoy2

[Guest Isaanlife]

21 hours ago, GypsyT said:

There's still hope for me to find a spot in downtown LA but I should move in fast to get it.

 

 

 

Or move to Klong Toey.

[bendejo]

The homeless migrate up and down the west coast of the US, from San Diego to Seattle, so this is not strictly a California thing.

All of the cities on the route have makeshift encampments like the ones pictured above: San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland, Salem, Vancouver WA, and so on. Even the most caring liberal types are fed up with it.  Crime is also up in these places this year, though it is not clear if the two are related.