Phoenix, everywhere in Europe old people get poorer and poorer - in the Euro-countries this is also due to the Euro. I only get a small pension, but if we had still the Deutschmark this money would be sufficient for a decent life, with the Euro and the increase of costs everywhere it's an amount which requires an extra amount, i.e. I have to give private lessons. In Germany there's a discussion at the moment about an increase of pensions of 1,1% (some politicians are against it), but at the same time the increase in costs of living amounts to more than 3 %. You see, senior citizens in Germany aren't happy neither.

All the recent EU countries that changed to Euros are felling the pinch,Malta is said to be doing very badly with it.I dread it happening here.When we went decimal we got inflation very bad so the money went nowhere.
It hasnt done you any good then has it Teri,shame after all that work too.

In theory the EU is good,but somehow yet again mismanaged,and I think they let too many poorer countries in at once,instead of digesting them before letting more in.We are soon going to accept Turkey,adn that is a very very poor country,all of them are muslims,I find this a bit worrying somehow.
I must look into this to see how many Eu countries are "christian" if its all then why do they want to join us.I would not want to join with them,but then I didnt want the EU either and still dont.

Poor countries profit a lot from the EC that's true, but on the other side Europe profits also, because if they don't join the EC there are a lot of people looking for a better life in EC-countries and working at dumping wages, moreover there's always the danger of a civil war in these instable countries. However, I must admit it's all going much too fast. As to the Turkey, our chancellor is trying to slow down this process, as a part of the Turks belong to another culture and they don't respect the human rights. In Germany we have much experience with Turks - part of them, i.e. those from Armenia, are Christians and they are pursued in Turkey.

I only went to Turkey once and that was enough
the hotel we were in overlooked an army camp,where they train the recruits.
I saw first hand how they treat their own with the rifle butt and violence. These reacruits dont have the choice they have to do their national service and if you are of a lower caste than the sargeant, well god help you,we saw first hand a guy left out in  the seering heat for 2 days,and the lower caste were bowing to you and kissing your hand,I did not like it one bit its not right,and  I for one want no part of it.But I fear it is us that will have the problem to sort in the end.

Bring us some sunshine back then Teri !!
but leave the men there lol

No more 'Going Abroad' on Holiday's for Me!! --- There are enough 'Sites' to see here -- After all it Is a Er!!  multicutural country and am well used to this weather??  Just 'loves' the variety!!

Teri I would like to go abroad never to have to return to this country lol