Do I have to love (or just like) the US of A?

[linnea.lindblad 1]

I am very happy that I found this thread. I agree totally. I like america.. but I also see alot of downsides, and i ee downsides in every country I visit! But Ameica is the first country where I feel the need to defend my own country.

[woki1986 1]

But should you have to defend your own country? Shouldn't everyone just understand?

[KaiserD 12]

It's comforting to know that other people have their reservations. Well maybe that is a strong word but you know what I mean.

I personally have not been happy here but there's a few reasons for that. I've been here 3 years and still don't have my drivers permit (it's a long story but I'm getting there, okay! lol) and being in a neighborhood in the middle of nowhere, I don't get out much at all and I still don't know anyone. I also detest the politics of this area, I really do. I hate that people just gobble up everything Fox News tell them regardless of how obvious they are trying to an influence their agenda with less than the truth. Much of my issues are merely circumstantial and not a reflection on the whole of the US as a place to live.

I think much of this could be remedied by moving, I think I'd be happier living in one of the northern states (there's a history of Cornish people in Wisconsin, maybe we should move there!). Or just having some transport, if I hit one of the pubs in Atlanta when I have my permit I'll go complain to some people about the weather and feel better I realize I sound like a complete drag but I think most people would have some issues staying sane after this long indoors (and other issues).

Also, don't live with your inlaws too long!

[Gemmie 142]

I realize I sound like a complete drag but I think most people would have some issues staying sane after this long indoors (and other issues).

Also, don't live with your inlaws too long!

Ditto. It's been nearly a year and I'm still learning how to drive/looking for a job. And we're still at my in-laws, which is a daily source of frustration. We don't just want to move out, we need it.

[Ryan_and_Priscy 16]

Ditto. It's been nearly a year and I'm still learning how to drive/looking for a job. And we're still at my in-laws, which is a daily source of frustration. We don't just want to move out, we need it.

Totally agree. We also still live with in-laws, without luck of getting any job, or if there is an opportunity, it is frustrating because we don't have transportation (My husband's car is broken) and public transportation doesn't help us here to do what we need to do. My in-laws are great, and they have helped us in many ways. Just this morning me and my husband were talking about what is the next step we are going to do together in order to start our lives independently, just the two of us. Well, we need to move out of here, and we are going to do it sooner, just waiting for my documents to come then, we are free to go and get our opportunities instead to wait years they come here. Oh life!

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Amen!!! The US health care scares the ####### out of me and makes me so angry!!! It's not only super complicated, outrageously expensive, but also extremely discriminating. It's just wrong for companies to make millions at the expense of people's lives - even with the new reform, it's still wrong IMO. And all the fight over the reform is based on so many lies and misleading info - the politics of FEAR are so prominent in the US.

I am sooooooooooooo sick of hearing all the ####### that the right-wingers down here in the US say about Canadian health care!!! It makes me MAD! And I wonder where on earth they get the right to spread LIES on national TV with their stupid commercials!?

Sure, Canada's system is not perfect. Sure, there have been some people who come here to the US for treatments (although in many cases, it is still paid for by the province, or it's an experimental procedure not yet approved/available in Canada). Sure, there are longer wait times in some cases (although my husband waited 6 weeks in the US just to find out that his insurance company would not cover his MRI - and it would cost $1,400 - whereas our friend in Canada paid for an MRI for only $500 and had it the next day). But Canada still spends far less per capita on health care, yet has higher life expectancies, and equal or better survival rates for many diseases. Not to mention, 60% of bankrupcies in the US are due to health care bills, and I assume that number is 0% in Canada.

But what REALLY ticks me off are how grossely they exaggerate ####### about Canada's health care - like ####### Cheney's idiot daughter saying that Canadians can't choose their own doctor, that the gov't tells us who our doctor will be. Like WTH??? If doctors are accepting new patients, they will see you. When we were looking for a doctor accepting new patients in a small Alberta town we found one much easier than my husband did in a much larger US city. And, actually, you can't just go to any doctor in the US anyhow if they don't accept your insurance, etc.

It also drives me NUTS how people in the US throw around the world Socialism.... I guarantee so many of them don't even know what that means. The US is so far from a socialist country, it's a joke that people even say that. And then they talk about not wanting to be socialist like Europe...as if Europe has a horrible quality of life. Like do thees people even own a passport? Have they ever even left the US? Western Europe has a much smaller gap between rich and poor than the US.

You will be hard pressed to find anyone who has LIVED in both countries and experienced the "downfalls" of both systems first-hand who would take the US system over the Canadian system (or prob any other industrialized world's system for that matter).

I don't understand how so many Americans can consider themselves PRO-LIFE when it comes to abortion, but in the next breath, agree with the politicians who say health care is a PRIVLEDGE, not a right for all citizens. Pure hypocracy IMO.

The US has some of the world's best doctors, hospitals, and medical technology, but what does it matter if so many people can't afford it?

The lies about the US Health Care system are just as much out there as the lies of others.

I'm amused by people who do not understand nor get our system here.

Granted, the problem is the 'blame' is always placed in the wrong areas in the United States due to politicians who have their own agendas in the grand scheme of things.

We can go on and on about those who might possibly be denied coverage in the US, or those who die in Canada and the UK waiting for procedures they would have gotten a lot quicker in the US, etc. There's plenty of issues to go full circle on.

[adiiann 163]

I came from so-called third world country but it didn't make me feel being so ecstatic being here. I love being here because my husband lives here and it wouldn't be a good idea to drag him to my country. But at this moment that I am adjusting and trying to be accustom here, I still want my life in my country. I have job that I suits my lifestyle, and what I study for plus good pay. I have more than enough money to do shopping every time I want and go to spa every week. But when I got here, everything is so expensive to do so and I hesitant to spend money on those things. I rather do it by myself. The only thing I like when shopping here is that I can always have the style I want with my size.

And one more thing I don't like here are some people that are so prejudice and they think that me and my husband are young couple, they think we're stupid and ignorant. On the contrary, I love being here because of freedom to do what I want according to my own perception and not being judge by people you know. I love my husband and I love being married to him plus he has great parents that love me too.

[The_Dude 1,142]

The lies about the US Health Care system are just as much out there as the lies of others.

I'm amused by people who do not understand nor get our system here.

Granted, the problem is the 'blame' is always placed in the wrong areas in the United States due to politicians who have their own agendas in the grand scheme of things.

We can go on and on about those who might possibly be denied coverage in the US, or those who die in Canada and the UK waiting for procedures they would have gotten a lot quicker in the US, etc. There's plenty of issues to go full circle on.

The U.S. Healthcare system is quite straight forward. If you have a great deal of money or a top notch employer who pays your premium, then you've got the greatest healthcare system in the world. If you however don't fall into that category, it is a sliding scale down to the worst nightmare system. If you don't have insurance, and your combined household income is less than $60k per year (with no dependants), you are one major injury or illness away from filing for bankruptcy. Nevermind, the normal maintenance and preventative care. But I suppose in your neverending spirit of personal responsibility, you'd think that everyone should know what is preventative care and should be taking such measures to ensure that they don't bog down our hospitals and medicare/medicaid.

[EmVee 4]

It's comforting to know that other people have their reservations. Well maybe that is a strong word but you know what I mean.

I personally have not been happy here but there's a few reasons for that. I've been here 3 years and still don't have my drivers permit (it's a long story but I'm getting there, okay! lol) and being in a neighborhood in the middle of nowhere, I don't get out much at all and I still don't know anyone. I also detest the politics of this area, I really do. I hate that people just gobble up everything Fox News tell them regardless of how obvious they are trying to an influence their agenda with less than the truth. Much of my issues are merely circumstantial and not a reflection on the whole of the US as a place to live.

I think much of this could be remedied by moving, I think I'd be happier living in one of the northern states (there's a history of Cornish people in Wisconsin, maybe we should move there!). Or just having some transport, if I hit one of the pubs in Atlanta when I have my permit I'll go complain to some people about the weather and feel better I realize I sound like a complete drag but I think most people would have some issues staying sane after this long indoors (and other issues).

Also, don't live with your inlaws too long!

Yes, to everything. I can't drive or work (not for the last 8 months) so I have been sitting in the apartment with no friends and no method of getting anywhere that isn't 10 blocks away. I place a lot of the blame for my current frame of mind on this situation. Without being able to go out, explore where I live, meet new people, work, be sociable - I have become so whiny and so reliant on my husband for everything. I'm upset a lot because I'm dissatisfied with the way things are over here (in my personal life and just society in general here) and I tend to nitpick about everything with my husband because he's one of the only people I ever get to spend any time with, the poor guy.

And while I don't live with the in-laws, I might as well sometimes. They're very... INVOLVED in our lives.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

The U.S. Healthcare system is quite straight forward. If you have a great deal of money or a top notch employer who pays your premium, then you've got the greatest healthcare system in the world. If you however don't fall into that category, it is a sliding scale down to the worst nightmare system. If you don't have insurance, and your combined household income is less than $60k per year (with no dependants), you are one major injury or illness away from filing for bankruptcy. Nevermind, the normal maintenance and preventative care. But I suppose in your neverending spirit of personal responsibility, you'd think that everyone should know what is preventative care and should be taking such measures to ensure that they don't bog down our hospitals and medicare/medicaid.

Not really all that straight forward and "worst nightmare?" Cmon now. You're being a bit ridiculous with that. Some of the best hospitals in this country are "public/county" hospitals and not "private" ones. You have your bad apples in both catagories for a variety of reasons, regardless of your insurance status.

You're right that cost does suck, but no one is truly willing to address this in the political arena and they aren't going to do long as lobbyists in all various aspects of the industry are there pushing...

[The_Dude 1,142]

Not really all that straight forward and "worst nightmare?" Cmon now. You're being a bit ridiculous with that. Some of the best hospitals in this country are "public/county" hospitals and not "private" ones. You have your bad apples in both catagories for a variety of reasons, regardless of your insurance status.

You're right that cost does suck, but no one is truly willing to address this in the political arena and they aren't going to do long as lobbyists in all various aspects of the industry are there pushing...

Bar none, we have the best and most innovative doctors and hospitals in the world. However, the cost of access to these centers and services is prohibitive to the 40 million plus who are uninsured. Furthermore, for those who don't have a policy that your employer pays the full bill, the cost to supplement what your policy pays is exhorbitant.

If you're not wealthy, or have great coverage, you are one open heart surgery away from losing your house and declaring bankruptcy. I completely agree with the bolded section.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Bar none, we have the best and most innovative doctors and hospitals in the world. However, the cost of access to these centers and services is prohibitive to the 40 million plus who are uninsured. Furthermore, for those who don't have a policy that your employer pays the full bill, the cost to supplement what your policy pays is exhorbitant.

If you're not wealthy, or have great coverage, you are one open heart surgery away from losing your house and declaring bankruptcy. I completely agree with the bolded section.

Not necessarily. A lot of people make the choice to not be insured for a variety of reasons including being they have the means to pay or not.

I'd rather look at the fact that 270 million are insured. Which means 88% of the population is insured in the third most populous nation in the world. No one else even comes close to our population who is considered "first-world" when it comes to their economy/health care.

We can't afford to 'insure' everyone and expect the quality of care for those who can afford it/are insured to stay the same.

It's a lot easier for Canada's population to support itself with just over 33 million. The "UK" as a whole has a combined population of 61.5 million. -- Even those system have their issues with being over-crowded, not enough doctors, long wait times for things we take for granted here in the States...

The more people you have using a system, especially a system which is all about using the 'latest and greatest' in technology in most cases, the more it's going to cost.....

Nothing is going to fix the US Healthcare system's cost in the next 20 years that won't require drastic changes in which a good chunk of people; far more than the uninsured now, are going to have to suffer lower quality to be able to get 'everyone' covered. Even then, it's still just a pipe dream at this point.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Not necessarily. A lot of people make the choice to not be insured for a variety of reasons including being they have the means to pay or not.

I'd rather look at the fact that 270 million are insured. Which means 88% of the population is insured in the third most populous nation in the world. No one else even comes close to our population who is considered "first-world" when it comes to their economy/health care.

That 40 million that are uninsured completely negates those who are underinsured. By underinsured, I mean those who can afford checkups, but if it came to surgery, they would be on the hook for upwards of 50%. Or those who have to pay the first $10k on any procedure. It might not be a lot of money to you, but it is to a lot of people, who have insurance.

We can't afford to 'insure' everyone and expect the quality of care for those who can afford it/are insured to stay the same.

So basically, ** the poor so the rich can maintain their standard of care? nice.

It's a lot easier for Canada's population to support itself with just over 33 million. The "UK" as a whole has a combined population of 61.5 million. -- Even those system have their issues with being over-crowded, not enough doctors, long wait times for things we take for granted here in the States...

The more people you have using a system, especially a system which is all about using the 'latest and greatest' in technology in most cases, the more it's going to cost.....

That is disingenuous. The U.S. could adopt the model of the UK or Canada, but more realistically, the system that Switzerland uses is more practical. The real issue is taxes. Look at how much liquor costs in Canada, and the 15% sales tax is a kicker. But at least its consumption based, and you know where the money is going.

Nothing is going to fix the US Healthcare system's cost in the next 20 years that won't require drastic changes in which a good chunk of people; far more than the uninsured now, are going to have to suffer lower quality to be able to get 'everyone' covered. Even then, it's still just a pipe dream at this point.

It's going to take a shift in mindset. Right now, its a very selfish mindset, no sense of comraderie or patriotism. No, it's not yours or my duty to pay for some homeless guys gall bladder surger, but I find it to be my civic duty to help out my fellow citizens. Now, If we did go down the public finance road, we'll need national ID's, because while I am willing to help out my fellow citizen, i'll be damned if i'm going to pay for an illegal immigrants healthcare.

[Gemmie 142]

It's going to take a shift in mindset. Right now, its a very selfish mindset, no sense of comraderie or patriotism. No, it's not yours or my duty to pay for some homeless guys gall bladder surger, but I find it to be my civic duty to help out my fellow citizens. Now, If we did go down the public finance road, we'll need national ID's, because while I am willing to help out my fellow citizen, i'll be damned if i'm going to pay for an illegal immigrants healthcare.

The UK was in the process of getting everyone in the country national I.D cards but it's just been scrapped by the new PM because it was costing us 5 billion, and isn't a priority when you look at what is going to ####### because of lack of funds. I agree with that, I'm not sure the US needs to get national cards that will cost billions when that money could be put INTO the health care system that is being reformed.

The legal immigrants have GC's or visas already, so getting national I.D would also be a mute point.

[Justine+David 218]

How would you prove citizenship though? Most Americans don't own passports...I guess birth certificates?