Why? Because of this article. What it’s attempting to do is make it seem like Americans are being pathetic babies about the gas price thing. What’s the problem with that? Well, first off they say in the article that the prices shown don’t reflect wages…so my question is this: how can you presume to know whether Americans really don’t have anything to bitch about if you aren’t even taking into account the difference in wages from country to country? My girlfriend is from England, so I decided to use that as a basis, since it is often said that England has such ridiculous prices for gas (or petrol, if you will).
Minimum wage in England is about 5.60 pounds. Roughly converted to U.S. dollars, that is $11.20. That’s MINIMUM wage. For most states in the U.S. minimum wage is well under $7.00 (all these are based on hourly wages). Some states the minimum wage is still under $6. So, when CNN tells us that gas is about $8.36 per gallon in the UK we’re supposed to think, “Wow, they’re really paying out the butt for gas.” The reality of the situation is that with average gas prices in the U.S. at $3.45, it’s really not that different. Seriously. Yes, they are paying more than us, but it’s not as drastic as the article wants to portray. They want us to look at it as if UK people make the same as we do. But they don’t. Not when you look at it in direct comparison. If anything, the pound is just inflated due to its value and a lot of the products in the UK reflect that (minus the book industry, which is a bit pricey).
So, you have every right to bitch and moan about gas prices, my fellow Americans. Why? Because gas is EXPENSIVE. Just like it is most anywhere. The CNN article is basically a bunch of bullcrap. Look at what it says on the images: “Prices not adjusted for cost of living or exchange rates.” That should say it all about the statistics.
A Reading List of Dystopian Fiction and Relevant Texts (Apropos of Nothing in Particular)
January 22, 2025
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Why would someone make a list of important and interesting works of dystopian fiction? Or a suggested reading list of works that are relevant to those dystopian works? There is absolutely no reason other than raw interest. There’s nothing going on to compel this. There is nothing in particular one making such a list would hope you’d learn. The lists below are not an exhaustive list. There are bound to be texts I have forgotten or texts you think folks should read that are not listed. Feel free to make your own list and tell me about it OR leave a comment. I’ll add things I’ve missed! Anywhoodles. Here goes:
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Umm, actually most things are ‘a bit pricey’. We pay more for things than most of the rest of the world, and that’s taking into account the differences. While the converted price might not be hugely different, you also have to consider that our food is more expensive, our cars, or taxes, our gas, our electric, our water … everything. The cost of living is rising so fast and wages aren’t keeping pace, so the quality of life in England is actually DECREASING for the majority. A good example of this is the abolition of the 10% tax rate–the government are taking money off the poor to give to the rich, and the illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, many people are trying to decide if they can actually save money by stopping going to work and claiming benefits instead. Oftentimes people taking handouts from the government are far wealthier than those working for minimum wage.
Ok, I forget what I was ranting about. I’m going to go read …
Actually, it’s not that big a difference for most of the things there. I know, I was there :P. In comparison to the U.S. it’s almost equal on things like food. And your taxes aren’t nearly as bad as you think :P.
The same quality of life is decreasing in the U.S. It’s actually a lot worse in the U.S. People who should be able to buy a decent 3 bedroom house can’t anymore because they’re getting too expensive, so the result is that the middle class is disappearing.
All you just described is exactly what is happening in the U.S. It’s all basically the same :P.
“It’s actually a lot worse in the U.S. People who should be able to buy a decent 3 bedroom house can’t anymore because they’re getting too expensive, so the result is that the middle class is disappearing.”
No, that’s what’s happening here as well. :p It’s as bad.
Apparently Australia is good value for money. Let’s move there. 😀
It’s hot there. Canada is a better bet.