dbd33

I think I have a hint of scepticism and yet I'm not anti-American.

ray1968

Health care would keep me away - u may have a job initially with benefits but if you lose it and can't get another you are screwed + lost of insurance may not cover pre exisiting illnesses

+ I think personally that the US has run up massive deficits which sooner or later are going to have to be paid and I think that means a drop in US$ and lowering of standard of living


Mind US has some beautiful scenery and great cities

flashman

Maybe you don't think so but the Mercans will.

Simon Legree

I live dowm here in Arizona in the winter, from November to April. A perk of retirement I suppose. Most people from the east seem to opt for Florida but I prefer here, and I've tried both, even though it's a 3,500 mile trek from NS . Arizona is much more interesting to visit. Having said that I would not choose to live here permanently, health care being the biggest factor. There actually is snow sometimes at high altitude, like last Thursday in Show Low, in the north east, and Flagstaff which is at 7,000 feet. I must say I did get a chuckle out of the $89 snow "blower". Good luck with that when there is real snow. And don't use it if the snow is wet. It will burn it out. The OH has been there, done that !!! Get a proper gas job, even if it's a used one.

flashman

Surely being tied to an employer because of health care benefits is a form of servitude. It sure ain't "Freedom".

G77

What do you do if you need healthcare whilst down there? Do you have to come back?

Simon Legree

No. I have lots of health insurance, which I get in Canada before I leave. It covers everything. I get treatment here if I need it. Fortunately I have only had to use it once in seven years for a few stitches but I did make sure that I had 100% coverage. I would not even go over the border for a day trip without it. By the way, it's 60 F here at 9.00 am. High forecast is 72 F.

ray1968

absolutely - u may hate your job but can't move on because of the "benefits"

G77

Rub it in why don't you.... Bloody freezing here - no snow though at least...

dbd33

Er, I live with a skeptical American. Her parents are skeptical Americans. America is full of skeptical Americans few of whom are anti-themselves.

Rete

I'm going to chime in on behalf of my Canadian husband. He is a born and raised Canadian. Born in Montreal but of English parentage who served 36 years in the Canadian Air Force. He's lived from coast to coast over the years in Canada and retired to Ottawa and lived there for several years before meeting me. We married ten years ago and he emigrated to the States since he has had enough of cold and snow.

DH would not go back to live in Canada. He has found the driving down here the same as in most major cities and highways in Canada. Rude and aggressive drivers. His only complaint about the US is healthcare and that is only a minor complaint, in regards to himself, has he has excellent coverage with his job and the two times that he has had to be hospitalized because he was near death he was given excellent care and in both cases insurance coverage was never discussed at the ER when he went for treatment. When he retires this year at age 68, he will have health coverage from social security and his existing healthcare from work will become his supplemental insurance and will pick up the difference.

DH is not allowed to vote in Canadian elections has he has given up that right when he emigrated to the US without plans of returning to Canada within two years. It does not matter that he has an old age pension from Canada and still pays taxes in Canada on the pension and savings. At least with US citizenship no matter where you live in the world you can still cast your vote in an election.

G77

Does that bother him? I get the impression that Canadian elections are such a non event that I can't imagine someone not living in the country would be fussed about voting? I watch the US news a lot and the recent Canadian election barely even got a mention - in fact, I'm not sure it was mentioned at all... Several US colleagues didn't even know we'd had an election here recently and couldn't even name the Canadian Prime Minister!

Simon Legree

I agree. However there does seem to be a ray of hope that a new administration will improve things. I've heared that from supporters of both parties. Time will tell.

Simon Legree

That's because most of them know nothing about anything beyond their borders. My neighbour, a proud republican vet, didn't even know when the US entered WWII even though he was in it at the end. He didn't like it when I reminded him that the US has never actually won a conflict ! Well maybe the invasions of Grenada and Panama !

dbd33

The OHs parents have been the lonely Democrats on the Western Slope for years so they were thrilled at the election result and at Senator Obama visiting their town. I'm not so sure. I'm now being bombared by racist literature by clients and colleagues, there's a new stridency to conservative material that worries me (that said I did laugh at "what's the fuss about January 20th? There's just another n<snipped> moving into public housing"). I fear an assassination attempt and the consequences of that.