From: klink@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (steven.r.klinkner)
Subject: Re: US vs. NL (Was: Job (baan))
Organization: AT&T
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 14:31:09 GMT

browning@willard.nas.nasa.gov writes:
>klink@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (steven.r.klinkner) writes:

>|> US: 
>|>     - low tax on wages (greater disposable income) 
>|>     - low cost of housing purchases (low population density) 

>In most of the US, geographically speaking.  However, economic
>opportunities tend to be in metropolitan areas, where PURCHASABLE
>housing is unattainable for the majority of the middle class.  In

I was speaking COMPARATIVELY, by which I mean that it is generally even 
MORE difficult for the Dutch middle class to purchase homes.  The NL 
(in particular) is characterized by overcrowding and housing shortages.  

In this area of New Jersey (which, incidentally, is one of the only states 
in the US with a population density similar to NL, 1000 people per sq mile) 
there are many jobs, as well as affordable houses (small, but affordable).  

In the suburbs of Amsterdam, there are affordable 'townhouses' (what we
call them, een 'grachtenhuis zonder gracht' :-), but they are small
and without much free space (compared to what you find in the US).  

>|>     - cheap personal transportation (cars & gas)  
>
>Indeed!  But at what expense to its own future and that of the rest of
>the world? [...]  

Sorry, but while I completely agree with you regarding the seriousness of 
these issues, they need to be addressed on a national, or international 
level.  Once the rules are in place, you still have to make decisions on
a PERSONAL level. 

>|>     - large, integrated economy (economic opportunity, access to
>|>       mass-market goods, travel within US without passport or
>|>       currency exchange)

>Won't this be also be the case for the EC?

Yes!  As Europe unifies, they can also look forward to the likes of 
Velveeta cheese, Wonder bread, and huge corporations squashing local 
farms, stores and businesses in favor of lower prices (which, after
all, is what economic unity is all about).  

(I'm not so sure there will be much difference between the US & European
economies in, say, 30 years) 

>|>     - fewer social services (means generally better life for the
>|>       educated middle class due to lower taxes)

>Improvements in some social services, such as education & health care,
>would benefit the middle class.  [other US social problems deleted] 

But especially the lower class.  The reality is that the middle class
in the US has more opportunity to CHOOSE what to do with their income. 

>|> NL: 

>|>     - low cost of housing rentals (for residents only?)  

>HUH?  Is there some discrimination based on resident status, or are
>there housing subsidies for residents and not foreigners?  Please
>explain this, I hadn't heard of this before.

From my understanding, yes (although I can't quote you a government
regulation).  According to a friend who inquired on my behalf, the cheapest
housing is reserved for residents.  Non-residents (who apply for housing
through the government) are forced into more expensive housing. 

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Steve Klinkner                AT&T Bell Labs                 srk@mink.att.com
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