Anyone Regret Moving To USA
Feb 13th 2011, 1:48 am
#46
Finally Home!
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Used to be New York, now North Yorkshire
Posts: 3,610
Re: Anyone Regret Moving To USA
For me, the dissatisfation is not with individuals wanting a bigger house or car. Frankly I don't have many friends here and the ones I do are not like that at all. They can't begin to aspire to a big house because they can barely stay afloat. And that's my beef with this country.
It goes much deeper that individual materialism. I had an epiphany after about 15 years here (I'm slow!) when I realized that the entire culture is a huge cash machine for the use of the wealthy and corporations. It's not a democracy at all - we just pretend it is. As an example, the US spends more money than all the other countries in the world added together on national defense. And yet we're not talking about France, which has been continually invaded and attacked throughout its history, but America, a country that has ever been invaded and only ever attacked twice (and both times in very small ways). The reason is that war makes money and so entire huge money-making machine has sprung up around waging war. Who cares if a few soldiers have to die in far-flung countries? There's money in tham thar hills!
And then there's politics. Nobody will be able to win the Presidency in this country ever again without spending a billion dollars. A billion dollars!! And all that money is spent on getting only 50% of the country to vote - in a good year. 35% the rest of the time.
America is just one giant money-making machine for the rich. Everything is more expensive here than in other places because people have figured out a way to squeeze profit from every inch of everything there is.
And the end result is that the average person is screwed. Worse off than ever before, at risk of losing everything at any time because of one illness, and without any bancruptcy protection if that happens because the big banks have bought and sold congress.
I find it impossible to close my eyes to all that. But even if I wasn't horribly disillusioned by realizing that the American dream is a big lie perpetrated by the rich to rip off everyone else, I would still miss my mum and would still be heading home.
[end of rant!]
It goes much deeper that individual materialism. I had an epiphany after about 15 years here (I'm slow!) when I realized that the entire culture is a huge cash machine for the use of the wealthy and corporations. It's not a democracy at all - we just pretend it is. As an example, the US spends more money than all the other countries in the world added together on national defense. And yet we're not talking about France, which has been continually invaded and attacked throughout its history, but America, a country that has ever been invaded and only ever attacked twice (and both times in very small ways). The reason is that war makes money and so entire huge money-making machine has sprung up around waging war. Who cares if a few soldiers have to die in far-flung countries? There's money in tham thar hills!
And then there's politics. Nobody will be able to win the Presidency in this country ever again without spending a billion dollars. A billion dollars!! And all that money is spent on getting only 50% of the country to vote - in a good year. 35% the rest of the time.
America is just one giant money-making machine for the rich. Everything is more expensive here than in other places because people have figured out a way to squeeze profit from every inch of everything there is.
And the end result is that the average person is screwed. Worse off than ever before, at risk of losing everything at any time because of one illness, and without any bancruptcy protection if that happens because the big banks have bought and sold congress.
I find it impossible to close my eyes to all that. But even if I wasn't horribly disillusioned by realizing that the American dream is a big lie perpetrated by the rich to rip off everyone else, I would still miss my mum and would still be heading home.
[end of rant!]
Feb 14th 2011, 4:28 pm
#47
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 148
Re: Anyone Regret Moving To USA
For me, the dissatisfation is not with individuals wanting a bigger house or car. Frankly I don't have many friends here and the ones I do are not like that at all. They can't begin to aspire to a big house because they can barely stay afloat. And that's my beef with this country.
It goes much deeper that individual materialism. I had an epiphany after about 15 years here (I'm slow!) when I realized that the entire culture is a huge cash machine for the use of the wealthy and corporations. It's not a democracy at all - we just pretend it is. As an example, the US spends more money than all the other countries in the world added together on national defense. And yet we're not talking about France, which has been continually invaded and attacked throughout its history, but America, a country that has ever been invaded and only ever attacked twice (and both times in very small ways). The reason is that war makes money and so entire huge money-making machine has sprung up around waging war. Who cares if a few soldiers have to die in far-flung countries? There's money in tham thar hills!
And then there's politics. Nobody will be able to win the Presidency in this country ever again without spending a billion dollars. A billion dollars!! And all that money is spent on getting only 50% of the country to vote - in a good year. 35% the rest of the time.
America is just one giant money-making machine for the rich. Everything is more expensive here than in other places because people have figured out a way to squeeze profit from every inch of everything there is.
And the end result is that the average person is screwed. Worse off than ever before, at risk of losing everything at any time because of one illness, and without any bancruptcy protection if that happens because the big banks have bought and sold congress.
I find it impossible to close my eyes to all that. But even if I wasn't horribly disillusioned by realizing that the American dream is a big lie perpetrated by the rich to rip off everyone else, I would still miss my mum and would still be heading home.
[end of rant!]
It goes much deeper that individual materialism. I had an epiphany after about 15 years here (I'm slow!) when I realized that the entire culture is a huge cash machine for the use of the wealthy and corporations. It's not a democracy at all - we just pretend it is. As an example, the US spends more money than all the other countries in the world added together on national defense. And yet we're not talking about France, which has been continually invaded and attacked throughout its history, but America, a country that has ever been invaded and only ever attacked twice (and both times in very small ways). The reason is that war makes money and so entire huge money-making machine has sprung up around waging war. Who cares if a few soldiers have to die in far-flung countries? There's money in tham thar hills!
And then there's politics. Nobody will be able to win the Presidency in this country ever again without spending a billion dollars. A billion dollars!! And all that money is spent on getting only 50% of the country to vote - in a good year. 35% the rest of the time.
America is just one giant money-making machine for the rich. Everything is more expensive here than in other places because people have figured out a way to squeeze profit from every inch of everything there is.
And the end result is that the average person is screwed. Worse off than ever before, at risk of losing everything at any time because of one illness, and without any bancruptcy protection if that happens because the big banks have bought and sold congress.
I find it impossible to close my eyes to all that. But even if I wasn't horribly disillusioned by realizing that the American dream is a big lie perpetrated by the rich to rip off everyone else, I would still miss my mum and would still be heading home.
[end of rant!]
Feb 14th 2011, 4:52 pm
#48
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Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Tunbridge Wells KENT
Posts: 2,914
Re: Anyone Regret Moving To USA
Let's not forget that the reason there was an explosion of credit card debt in the US was mostly due to this - keeping up with the Joneses (at all costs)....apart from receiving twenty unsolicited credit cards in the mail no questions asked that is.
Feb 14th 2011, 9:01 pm
#49
Senior Moment
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,008
Re: Anyone Regret Moving To USA
I moved here for love, and I thought it would be a grand adventure. I didn't bank on years and years of financial hardship and feeling isolated and displaced. Its been an incredible experience and I've learned a hell of a lot, but essentially there's been way too many difficult times that don't balance out the good.
Again, if I'd known then what I know now, I'd probably settle for living in the UK and visiting the US for nice long holidays.
Again, if I'd known then what I know now, I'd probably settle for living in the UK and visiting the US for nice long holidays.
Feb 14th 2011, 9:34 pm
#50
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 148
Re: Anyone Regret Moving To USA
I moved here for love, and I thought it would be a grand adventure. I didn't bank on years and years of financial hardship and feeling isolated and displaced. Its been an incredible experience and I've learned a hell of a lot, but essentially there's been way too many difficult times that don't balance out the good.
Again, if I'd known then what I know now, I'd probably settle for living in the UK and visiting the US for nice long holidays.
Again, if I'd known then what I know now, I'd probably settle for living in the UK and visiting the US for nice long holidays.
Feb 15th 2011, 3:10 pm
#51
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Location: Gaadnah MA
Posts: 597
Re: Anyone Regret Moving To USA
Nah not really. Wife is pleased as punch to be back in New England; I get to work from home. Having all the snow dumped on the house sucked this winter but I got to build some decent snow sculptures in the backyard and go sledging.
It was like that in the UK - especially during the boom years in the South East and where I lived in the suburbs of London. Who knows maybe Austerity has chilled the atmosphere a bit. I think in both countries there was something akin to an orgasm of greed from the end of the dot-com boom to when the shite hit the fan in 2008 and the kind of materialism you are talking about was rampant.
It was like that in the UK - especially during the boom years in the South East and where I lived in the suburbs of London. Who knows maybe Austerity has chilled the atmosphere a bit. I think in both countries there was something akin to an orgasm of greed from the end of the dot-com boom to when the shite hit the fan in 2008 and the kind of materialism you are talking about was rampant.
Feb 16th 2011, 10:28 pm
#52
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Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 351
Re: Anyone Regret Moving To USA
For me, the dissatisfation is not with individuals wanting a bigger house or car. Frankly I don't have many friends here and the ones I do are not like that at all. They can't begin to aspire to a big house because they can barely stay afloat. And that's my beef with this country.
It goes much deeper that individual materialism. I had an epiphany after about 15 years here (I'm slow!) when I realized that the entire culture is a huge cash machine for the use of the wealthy and corporations. It's not a democracy at all - we just pretend it is. As an example, the US spends more money than all the other countries in the world added together on national defense. And yet we're not talking about France, which has been continually invaded and attacked throughout its history, but America, a country that has ever been invaded and only ever attacked twice (and both times in very small ways). The reason is that war makes money and so entire huge money-making machine has sprung up around waging war. Who cares if a few soldiers have to die in far-flung countries? There's money in tham thar hills!
And then there's politics. Nobody will be able to win the Presidency in this country ever again without spending a billion dollars. A billion dollars!! And all that money is spent on getting only 50% of the country to vote - in a good year. 35% the rest of the time.
America is just one giant money-making machine for the rich. Everything is more expensive here than in other places because people have figured out a way to squeeze profit from every inch of everything there is.
And the end result is that the average person is screwed. Worse off than ever before, at risk of losing everything at any time because of one illness, and without any bancruptcy protection if that happens because the big banks have bought and sold congress.
I find it impossible to close my eyes to all that. But even if I wasn't horribly disillusioned by realizing that the American dream is a big lie perpetrated by the rich to rip off everyone else, I would still miss my mum and would still be heading home.
[end of rant!]
It goes much deeper that individual materialism. I had an epiphany after about 15 years here (I'm slow!) when I realized that the entire culture is a huge cash machine for the use of the wealthy and corporations. It's not a democracy at all - we just pretend it is. As an example, the US spends more money than all the other countries in the world added together on national defense. And yet we're not talking about France, which has been continually invaded and attacked throughout its history, but America, a country that has ever been invaded and only ever attacked twice (and both times in very small ways). The reason is that war makes money and so entire huge money-making machine has sprung up around waging war. Who cares if a few soldiers have to die in far-flung countries? There's money in tham thar hills!
And then there's politics. Nobody will be able to win the Presidency in this country ever again without spending a billion dollars. A billion dollars!! And all that money is spent on getting only 50% of the country to vote - in a good year. 35% the rest of the time.
America is just one giant money-making machine for the rich. Everything is more expensive here than in other places because people have figured out a way to squeeze profit from every inch of everything there is.
And the end result is that the average person is screwed. Worse off than ever before, at risk of losing everything at any time because of one illness, and without any bancruptcy protection if that happens because the big banks have bought and sold congress.
I find it impossible to close my eyes to all that. But even if I wasn't horribly disillusioned by realizing that the American dream is a big lie perpetrated by the rich to rip off everyone else, I would still miss my mum and would still be heading home.
[end of rant!]
BTW.... I enjoyed your 'rant'!
Feb 16th 2011, 10:37 pm
#53
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Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 351
Re: Anyone Regret Moving To USA
So it was for me as well. My 'love' was back in the states (1966). I returned, we married, had our children and grandchildren. My guy passed away not 2 years ago.
I was offered a fine opportunity when I worked for Nestle Ltd. in Croydon back in 1965, but I declined, as I just had to get back here. Have often wondered over the years 'what if' I had taken that opportunity with Nestle..what would my life look like today? O! Well .... would'of, could'of, should'of.
and the beat goes on!
I was offered a fine opportunity when I worked for Nestle Ltd. in Croydon back in 1965, but I declined, as I just had to get back here. Have often wondered over the years 'what if' I had taken that opportunity with Nestle..what would my life look like today? O! Well .... would'of, could'of, should'of.
and the beat goes on!
Feb 16th 2011, 10:44 pm
#54
Finally Home!
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Used to be New York, now North Yorkshire
Posts: 3,610
Feb 17th 2011, 1:44 pm
#55
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 13
Re: Anyone Regret Moving To USA
You have many that will agree with your thoughts as well as many who may not. What we see is all subjective in the end.
Now if only hubby and I could afford to get back to the UK sooner rather than later.
Feb 17th 2011, 2:50 pm
#56
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Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Tunbridge Wells KENT
Posts: 2,914
Re: Anyone Regret Moving To USA
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...ry?INTCMP=SRCH
The whole "show" is being run for the benefit of big business and the politicians who are for the most part millionaires due to their own direct or indirect (thru family) participation in big business. Of course in addition, the big corporations are being given carte blanche by the Tories as they are their principal party donors.
The Big Society plans put forward by Cameron are considered a cynical attempt to create the illusion that the party actually care about the average Tom Dick & Harry or (Jane).
Like USA Like UK!
No democracy in sight!
Last edited by Pistolpete2; Feb 17th 2011 at 3:47 pm.
Feb 17th 2011, 3:44 pm
#57
In the pink
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,324
Re: Anyone Regret Moving To USA
Where's Rosie - video of Frome in the news today!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...=ILCNETTXT3486
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...=ILCNETTXT3486
Feb 17th 2011, 7:44 pm
#58
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Quincy MA
Posts: 56
Re: Anyone Regret Moving To USA
I moved here for love to, i never thought i would be homesick, but 8 years later i have the urge to move back home, I have enjoyed my time here but I'm really missing my family and friends. I regret not being there in the last few months that my Dad was alive, missed not being there at the end for him even though i managed to get back for one last visit.
So now I'm torn between my family here in the US and my family back home.
I think that might be part of the problem here doesn't feel like home, every time I land at Heathrow that's me coming home, I have friends here but nothing like my friends in the UK.
Not sure what the future holds but I want the feeling of being home again. If i did it all again I probably would of stayed in the UK, But you have to take every chance you get and try it just to see what happens I guess.
So now I'm torn between my family here in the US and my family back home.
I think that might be part of the problem here doesn't feel like home, every time I land at Heathrow that's me coming home, I have friends here but nothing like my friends in the UK.
Not sure what the future holds but I want the feeling of being home again. If i did it all again I probably would of stayed in the UK, But you have to take every chance you get and try it just to see what happens I guess.
Feb 17th 2011, 8:39 pm
#59
Finally Home!
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Used to be New York, now North Yorkshire
Posts: 3,610
Re: Anyone Regret Moving To USA
Where's Rosie - video of Frome in the news today!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...=ILCNETTXT3486
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...=ILCNETTXT3486
