Is USA still the promised land?

[PhiLandShiR 18]

The people didn't stop him at the polls so who can stop him now. all the other crooks in Washington???????

The people did not want him stopped... that's why he is there. At least he was not filing with the courts to suppress votes like someone else I recall....

Better him than the hard core right. At least with the left I can feel that the laws of the nation are more important that those of some mythical being or magic...

Everyone seems to forget that the SOLE reason for the very existence of government is for the people. If you want to call the socialism I guess you can but its not accurate...

-P

[chizkeyk 0]

Land of milk and honey? I guess I don't hang out with the right gang! everybody I know seems to struggle, losing their houses, their jobs, filing for bankruptcy etc... most of my friends moved back to Canada. I don't know maybe I've lost faith about the american dream a bit lately.

You're from Canada? Come and join us here so you'll find out! We do still have a House with a nice yard, and a Townhouse that we're renting out at $1,800 a month, no mortgage, we still both have a job, and gross take home still at 6 figures annual, we don't have a child but we have a havanese puppy, we still go out and eat every weekend, no overflowing credit card debt, we still go out to Casino once in a while................I mean, wherever you are, as long as you are responsible to your income and expenses you'll be fine............. Besides, as long as America is a free land, you can do whatever you want (as the Consti governs the bundaries) and as long as this country wouldnt be turn into a socialized govt (and hey, I opposed nationalized healthcare like what you have in Canada) America for me still the place I wanted to be....

[whatislove 0]

This is certainly tough time for everyone. BUT I still see it positively that America is the world leader no matter what. America is still land of opportunity for the immigrants regardless your gender, color, religion etc in many aspects. Historically people moved in this country had a common wish , a wish to make their lives better than the old one. That's the beauty and power of America and this unique spirit will not fade away.

[breter 0]

It really depends on where you are coming from, and what you expect here in America. I can comment on a few things that my wife has mentioned.

1. Most European countries have very good public transportation, or a decent amount of SIDEWALKS. Here in America, the public transportation is not any where near good, with the exception of *some* major cities. There is usually public transportation in every major city, but they are not always safe and its usually only main routes. Depending on your area, there are usually no sidewalks to speak of, so a simple walk to the store becomes a trek through someone's grass, or a ditch, with a number of perverts stopping to ask you if you need a ride. You will need a car, and insurance which is at least a few hundred dollars a month. If you buy something cheap.

2. You will have to be very disciplined not to eat the trash they sell in the grocery stores, and the corner fast food stores. I pass up about 4 fast food joints on the way home from work (5 kilometers). You will pay more for natural foods.

3. You are most likely out of luck if you are ever scammed. I'm not sure about other countries, but sometimes I'm very surprised at the businesses that are allowed to operate here. For example, it took a very long time for these "Extended Auto Warranty" scammers to get shut down, and some may still be operating.

4. Doctors and Dentists are EXTREMELY overpriced. Expect to pay 1250 dollars for a 30 minute root canal here in America. You are better off taking a vacation back home, or a place where medical care has not skyrocketed and getting care there. Good medical insurance is at least $600 a month for a family. Dental insurance covers about $1000 a year maximum.

5. Be VERY careful where you chose to live as the public school system in that area may be horrible and could be an extreme emotional shock to your child.

6. Here in America, a company is NOT required to give you any vacation what so ever. However, most give 5 to 10 days a year, after the first year, if you are salaried or a full time employee. Also, if you are salaried, don't expect to get paid more if you work more than 40 hours a week, and expect to have your paycheck docked if you work less than 40 hours for a particular week. I bring this up because most other countries have a mandatory vacation requirement.

These are just a few "negative" aspects that I have discussed with my wife as she noticed things here in America. There are many positive things as well, and there are exceptions to the above as well.

Edited June 3, 2009 by Terry D

[luckymom 0]

Life is what you make it. US is still the best place for me and I'm sure many will disagree. As long as you live within your means, be a good citizen and happy with your loved ones - everything is all set. The good things in life are free. God bless America!

[misspkm 0]

with no more jobs to offer, professionel with degrees who had their jobs shipped to india now working McDonald's jobs, no health care for their citizens, the country going down with trillion$$$ in national debt. Unhapiness among the US population is skyrocketing compares to other nations. Over spending on luxuries we can't afford and greedy corporations who back us up with sub-prime loans, growing gap between the struggling middle class and the riches, the exhausting rat race for having more stuff than the Joneses now become a race just to stay above the water, broken families and children idolazing studid rock stars and models over their prozac filled parents who are drowned in credit card debt and over valued estates, China loaning us money so we can buy their own produced ####### at Walmart who hires illegal workers at discounted salaries.

Is it the end for our beautiful USA?

Well, no life isn't a dream right now... but I feel that you are experience "the grass is always greener on the other side". Yes, as immigrants to the US we are always going to compare it to what we left behind. But what we leave behind is also going to change.. I am sure that you will find that Canada is struggle right now too, just as the rest of the world.

I haven't lost my job, my home, or my life. So there are still people out there that are doing good.

I hope you can find a little glow of light somewhere to lift up your spirit. And Good luck to you.

[rlogan 2,036]

We are very happy.

Not because it is a "promised land". Nobody promised us anything, nor do we expect it. Not from God, our families or the government.

We have very little money, but did not over-extend ourselves with debt.

We rely on ourselves.

The U.S. is the biggest terrorist nation on earth now, and the government is busy taking our rights on the theory that it needs to do so in order to continue its empire abroad. We're more concerned about that than we are about the economy. We'll just live in the Philippines if the US continues down the path towards a totalitarian police state.

Not one empire in history has sustained its imperial quest to rule over other countries, and all of them had the same hubris as the USA does now - "we're the superpower, nobody can stop us, the chosen people, blah blah blah..."

[scandal 951]

We are very happy.

Not because it is a "promised land". Nobody promised us anything, nor do we expect it. Not from God, our families or the government.

We have very little money, but did not over-extend ourselves with debt.

We rely on ourselves.

The U.S. is the biggest terrorist nation on earth now, and the government is busy taking our rights on the theory that it needs to do so in order to continue its empire abroad. We're more concerned about that than we are about the economy. We'll just live in the Philippines if the US continues down the path towards a totalitarian police state.

Not one empire in history has sustained its imperial quest to rule over other countries, and all of them had the same hubris as the USA does now - "we're the superpower, nobody can stop us, the chosen people, blah blah blah..."

Wow. You should join the rest of the crazy-crew on OT.

That's pretty outlandish stuff! "the biggest terrorist nation on earth", huh? Gee, thanks for giving me the heads-up.

Glad to know you're planning to pack up and head to PI - don't waste any time doing so on my account! Cheerio!!

[SuperDuper! 230]

with no more jobs to offer, professionel with degrees who had their jobs shipped to india now working McDonald's jobs, no health care for their citizens, the country going down with trillion$$$ in national debt. Unhapiness among the US population is skyrocketing compares to other nations. Over spending on luxuries we can't afford and greedy corporations who back us up with sub-prime loans, growing gap between the struggling middle class and the riches, the exhausting rat race for having more stuff than the Joneses now become a race just to stay above the water, broken families and children idolazing studid rock stars and models over their prozac filled parents who are drowned in credit card debt and over valued estates, China loaning us money so we can buy their own produced ####### at Walmart who hires illegal workers at discounted salaries.

Is it the end for our beautiful USA?

You, sir, are a REAL downer! Just bring down the WHOLE room why doncha.....

[rebeccajo 14]

We are very happy.

Not because it is a "promised land". Nobody promised us anything, nor do we expect it. Not from God, our families or the government.

We have very little money, but did not over-extend ourselves with debt.

We rely on ourselves.

You can rely on yourself all you want. You can live within your means and not over-extend yourself with debt.

That still won't help you if your employer decides he no longer needs you. Which takes away your health insurance. Which is OK I guess if you don't need maintenance meds to live.

Stop kidding yourself. Most people are ten minutes and a boardroom decision away from personal financial disaster in the US.

[MrsCat 6]

You can rely on yourself all you want. You can live within your means and not over-extend yourself with debt.

That still won't help you if your employer decides he no longer needs you. Which takes away your health insurance. Which is OK I guess if you don't need maintenance meds to live.

Stop kidding yourself. Most people are ten minutes and a boardroom decision away from personal financial disaster in the US.

Well aren't you just a big ray of sunshine?

I beg to differ. Most people aren't 10 minutes and a boardroom decision away from personal financial disaster. That is why unemployment isn't at 75% across the nation.

[rebeccajo 14]

You can rely on yourself all you want. You can live within your means and not over-extend yourself with debt.

That still won't help you if your employer decides he no longer needs you. Which takes away your health insurance. Which is OK I guess if you don't need maintenance meds to live.

Stop kidding yourself. Most people are ten minutes and a boardroom decision away from personal financial disaster in the US.

Well aren't you just a big ray of sunshine?

I beg to differ. Most people aren't 10 minutes and a boardroom decision away from personal financial disaster. That is why unemployment isn't at 75% across the nation.

My husband lost his job last week. He had our health insurance. He takes five prescriptions a day and has a slow degenerative illness.

Back off.

Edited June 7, 2009 by rebeccajo

[nowhereman 1]

Times are tough for a lot of people right now, but like others have said this is a global recession so the grass probably isnt greener in other countries at the moment. America is still a great nation but we certainly have our flaws that go beyond just a shaky economy (e.g. I've seen a general decline in people giving a ####### about other people... for example the guy that got hit by a car & seriously injured a couple of years ago & people stepped over him like he was a pile of garbage).

If we aren't careful we will go the way of the Romans... we can still turn things around but to do so Americans need to pull together & cooperate with one another. Easier said than done I know, but that's how we will make things better.

[Reba 2]

I beg to differ. Most people aren't 10 minutes and a boardroom decision away from personal financial disaster. That is why unemployment isn't at 75% across the nation.

yeah, some companies don't even have a boardroom. Like the one I work for. I expect any day to get to work and the front doors will be locked, with a Sheriff's notice taped to it. Maybe not 75% across the nation, but it's pretty bad in a lot of places. Around 15%+ in my area. Just because the reported rates are not high, doesn't mean all those millions have now found jobs. Some people have just stopped collecting, so they're no longer easily recorded statistics.

[scandal 951]

My husband lost his job last week. He had our health insurance. He takes five prescriptions a day and has a slow degenerative illness.

Back off.

Sorry to hear that RJ.

Hope everything works out and that he's able to find a new position quickly. I assume you are looking into COBRA? It's expensive, I know. But you can't afford to be without coverage.

Best of luck to you!!!!!!!