Anyone wish they were back in the UK

[DiZZyLoX 114]

I'm sure you know not every child in the US can afford a college education.

Yep. I was one of them.

[Robyn-n-Kris 72]

I know DH and I cannot wait until we can finally move back. Unfortunately, for us, that won't be until my son graduates from High School. In the end, where one lives is going to be a matter of preference. For us, how we live and what we want in life cannot be obtained here. For those who prefer the US, fantastic. For those who do not, here's to finding our niche in life elsewhere.

[DiZZyLoX 114]

I just find it always peculiar that when having this discussion, those who aren't huge NHS fans are the first to admit the failings of the US system, but those on the other side will hardly ever admit that the NHS has its faults, too. THAT makes me shrug.

this.

[Robert&Karen 264]

Yep. I was one of them.

I joined the Army and they paid for my degree. They're still hiring.

[DiZZyLoX 114]

I joined the Army and they paid for my degree. They're still hiring.

I ended up getting a scholarship that paid for my tuition, sans the books. ended up getting a grant / loan to pay for books/meals (still paying those off).

now for my master's...going to get the J.O.B. to pay for that...after the baby is born...wellllll after the baby is born...evenutally...when i go back...eventually.

p.s. thanks for all that you do!!!

Edited January 9, 2012 by DiZZyLoX

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I'm pro-NHS. It saved my life on more than one occasion, and did so efficiently and quickly (and frankly with more sensitivity and attention to me as an individual than I've received over here as an adult). However, I recognise its limitations, and that many people have not had as positive experiences as I have had. Yeah, it stank waiting a week to see a specialist at the Whittington for a wrist injury, but I've waited longer over here to see a doctor for a similarly small ailment. It is, unfortunately, still a bit of a postcode lottery in the NHS and I must have lucked out.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I joined the Army and they paid for my degree. They're still hiring.

Tell that to the 45 year old factory machinist with a wife, three kids and mortgage on the day they close down the factory where he's worked for 20 years. Suppose the Army will take him so everybody can have Tri-Care?

Yep. I was one of them.

You seem to miss the point that there are hundreds of thousands of hard-working people in the US who cannot afford the health care offered at their place of employment.

Did they teach you any empathy in college?

Edited January 9, 2012 by Rebecca Jo

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Don't think there are many that would disagree with you on this point, certainly not me.

I just find it always peculiar that when having this discussion, those who aren't huge NHS fans are the first to admit the failings of the US system, but those on the other side will hardly ever admit that the NHS has its faults, too. THAT makes me shrug.

I have never maintained the NHS is perfect.

Edited January 9, 2012 by Rebecca Jo

[Susita 175]

After nearly 3 years in the US, me and my wife can't wait to move to Scotland. America has it's pro's but it seems to have more con's.

Good luck in your eventual move.

After attempting to move (unsuccessfully) many times, me and the hubs are sticking it out up here in New York. There are some cons (cost of living is one of the big ones), but all those cons can't possibly outdo the pro of having my entire family (especially mom & grandma) within 5 miles of me. They're totally worth staying for.

My in-laws are in Peru, and we really love it there, but we made the decision not to live there for a few reasons like job prospects, safety & education.

Edited January 9, 2012 by Susita

[DiZZyLoX 114]

Tell that to 45 year old factory machinist with a wife, three kids and mortgage on the day they close down the factory. Suppose the Army will take him so everybody can Tri-Care?

You seem to miss the point that there are hundreds of thousands of hard-working people in the US who cannot afford the health care offered at their place of employment.

Did they teach you any empathy in college?

I didn't miss your point. I see your point. I've already told you I don't disagree with your point. I replied to your comment "I'm sure you know not every child in the US can afford a college education." -- which apparently had nothing to do with your point "that there are hundreds of thousands of hard-working people in the US who cannot afford the health care offered at their place of employment." This is my country. Of course I understand and am well familiar with how much health care is, how much it takes out of my check every 2 weeks, how much it costs to cover myself, my husband and the anticipation of covering my baby when it's born in June and what that is going to mean financially for my family. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Family all around me are still struggling with the cost of healthcare in the U.S.

I'm gathering from your responses to me that you think I'm 1) ignorant "I'm sure you know not every child in the US can afford a college education." as if I grew up on some sort of million dollar estate. and 2) not aware (or "empathetic") towards the fact that our U.S. Healthcare System is no where close to perfect.

Forgive me for being honest here but I would submit you're wrong on both accounts.

All I'm saying about U.S. Healthcare as it EXISTS today, is that if you need the benefits (in *MY* experience) what helped *ME* was to position myself so that I was able to apply for (and get) the jobs that would offer me and my future family great benefits and how I got there. That's *all* I'm doing here.

My husband and his feelings about NHS are a completely different story. I've never experienced anything like NHS, so all I can offer on that topic is a local's feelings about what he experienced there vs the care he is experiencing here.

Now if that paints me as ignorant and lacking of empathy then so be it.

Apologies to the OP for hijacking the topic!

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

DizzyLox - My statement regarding your empathy had nothing to do with whether or not you regard the US system nowhere next to perfect. It meant empathy towards persons who work hard everyday but have no health cover. Either because it's not offered where they work, or it's too expensive.

Regarding your college education, do you think that a college degree should be a pre-requisite to being able to go to the Doctor?

[Boiler 44,870]

Most of the people who work for me have college degrees. I do not provide health insurance.

[TracyTN 237]

I have never maintained the NHS is perfect.

I wasn't referring to you specifically. We've had this discussion many times before and I know you have mentioned some things you don't like about it.

[Robert&Karen 264]

Tell that to the 45 year old factory machinist with a wife, three kids and mortgage on the day they close down the factory where he's worked for 20 years. Suppose the Army will take him so everybody can have Tri-Care?

You seem to miss the point that there are hundreds of thousands of hard-working people in the US who cannot afford the health care offered at their place of employment.

Did they teach you any empathy in college?

A 45 year old has probably made the decision 25 years before to NOT join the military for whatever reason. That's fine. They had the offer then and he passed it up. Life is about making decisions that you want to make. Getting a career and a marriage and a savings BEFORE having kids is a plan. Folks who have kids at 16 or 17, well those plans will give them a harder life. Not my problem.

Civilian health care for me is $1k a month now. I hate it but that was the cheapest option. It went way up when obama mandated coverage to age 26 and coverage of pre-existing conditions. Someone has to pay for that care. There are so many unemployed now that employers can offer minimum wage and no benefits and get plenty of takers for the job. Once employment levels increase and labor becomes scarce then employers may have to offer benefits or more money.

A 45 year old with a wife and kids a mortgage who becomes unemployed will qualify for welfare/TAD.

The trick? Stay skilled and salable. Always have skills that are in demand, don't get stuck in a rut and expect to always be in demand. Ask any TV repairman or Fuller brush salesman.

Empathy? I'm sad that bad things happen to good people. I'm sadder that people expect things for free.

[DiZZyLoX 114]

DizzyLox - My statement regarding your empathy had nothing to do with whether or not you regard the US system nowhere next to perfect. It meant empathy towards persons who work hard everyday but have no health cover. Either because it's not offered where they work, or it's too expensive.

Regarding your college education, do you think that a college degree should be a pre-requisite to being able to go to the Doctor?

I have no idea where you got the impression that I thought it was okay that hard working people can't afford or are not offered health benefits. I have no idea.

No. I do not think a college degree is a pre-requisite to being able to go the Doctor. I never said that. Ever. Anywhere. What I did say, is that I earned a college degree because I knew that healthcare costs money. I knew that good companies who respect their employees offer good health care. I knew that those companies hired skilled, educated workers. So, I made myself a skilled, educated worker so that I could enjoy those benefits. I also know if I got fired tomorrow, I would be in a better place to take up another job that offers good benefits to their employees. That's all I'm saying. That is all I have been saying. Anything else that you think I have been saying is not what I'm saying. I just clearly stated what I'm saying. It's all right there. Right in the open. For your reading pleasure.

Edited January 9, 2012 by DiZZyLoX