Remind me please, someone......

Once upon a time, long long ago I remember thinking about the American dream. America was painted as being this wonderful place full of opportunity, wide open space, more quality goods and tools than you could shake a stick at. Silicon Valley, Microsoft and Apple hinted at all the cutting edge technology there and there was talk about how cheap things were and how you paid a smaller rate of tax.

I finally met my, future wife when she studied for a semester at a college just up the road from me in England and she was the stereo typical college girl, attractive, fit, played loads of sport, tanned and healthy. Obviously one thing led to another and we're very happily married and still deeply in love.

The problem is that I clearly took old Blighty for granted. The more I learn about the states the more disillusioned I get as pretty much everything that I emigrate for, and I hasten to separate my wife and new family from this, isn't how i'd always imagined.

The cost of healthcare is astonishing to say the least as is the system that is used to decide who pays what and to what level and the difference in cost seems to be guessed at instead of worked out by some calculation.

Taxation is horrendously complicated, what does it all mean?!! Why?!!

Technology, in particular, electronics seems to be only a little more expensive but is behind Europe for some reason. I'm based in Kansas I should point out, and i'm told that things like that are actually cheaper here as on the coast the cost is far far more. The tv "bundle" was huge compared to the cost of Sky or Virgin and the programs are much worse. Why is this so? Don't even get me started about the cost of telephones, both home and cell.
Why are these everyday thing so much more expensive than England. It just doesnt make sense.

Work is obviously going to be mentioned here too but not the lack of it, Which there is, but the fact that everyone works so much and has such a small amount of holiday (vacation) time. Couple that with the far higher travel costs for Americans and the way that people don't get much time to spend together and you might be able to see my point.

What do people class as the better things about America? I'd be interested to hear them.
I know that i'm wingeing and it's because I've lost my way a little. What things should I be looking with fresh eyes at?

We have spray pancakes. And they're organic.



http://www.batterblaster.com/tv.html

http://www.consumerreports.org/healt...ancakes-ov.htm

hahahahahaha

you forgot the maple syrup.

Because not too long from now he will be the Head of State and she will be by his side.........

What on earth?!

Pancake batter in an aerosol can! Genius!


I was actually kind of when I first saw it, but I actually think it'd be great for camping.

Oh dear!

You are here because you have a better life GODDAMMIT!!! how many more times...

You Yanks never cease to amaze with with your ingenuity!

Haha... pshyce!

Nurse, boost the electrodes!!

ABY - where do you find this stuff!!! I agree would be genius for camping!!!

exactly!

I think alot of it depends on where you are in the Good 'Ol US of A - personally here in the PNW I couldn't be happier, our life has improved tenfold....

We can ski, hike, bike, camp, etc...... whenever we want, we live in the foothills of the beautiful cascade mountains, we have mountains one side and sea on the other - It really is a beautiful part of the world.

We have also embraced the opportunity to travel as much as possible within the USA to see as much as we can, it is an amazingly diverse country - scenery and people

But it is totally a personal thing, I can honestly say that I DON'T miss England at all, not sure why I don't but maybe just because I am at home here! Try taking a trip somewhere pretty - even just for a day!!!! get out in the fresh air and hug some trees