TexasAlex

Maybe it is just my perception, but it seems to me that many European born USC vote for the Democrats. I would really like to know why. If that is you, what is your reasoning?

I left Europe, moved to the US and became a USC, b/c I couldn’t stand the creeping socialism, government run national healthcare, high taxes and nanny state anymore.

Now, the US is not as capitalistic as I wish it would be, but it is a significant improvement to Europe.

What I don’t get is why so many Europeans leave Europe for better opportunities in the US, but then try to implement the same failed socialistic policies in the US (i.e., by voting for the Democrats) that impaired/ruined Europe.

I don’t mean to offend anyone, but I honestly don’t get it. If someone likes national healthcare, government interference with the free market, etc., and doesn’t mind paying high taxes, why leave Europe. It is all there

MsElui

people have many reasons for coming to the US. For a lot of us its NOT about 'leaving' the uk - its about opportunities in the US. politics wasnt anything to do with the move for us (although I am very pleased to be leaving Brown behind).

English Muffin

My reason for coming to the US had absolutely nothing to do with politics. I'd be very surprised if there are many people on here who came to the US because of it.

Tootsie Frickensprinkles

Well, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

meauxna

In what ways could the US be more capitalistic?

Or, what level of capitalism would be your wish?

lapin_windstar

When did you leave, 1946? Socialism in Europe has been in retreat for the last twenty years, at least. Private ownership of the means of production, and free capital and labour flows are at the core of the EU. State provision of healthcare and education (the last vestiges of the welfare state) is being rolled back even in Sweden! There are a few parties that bear the label but they're hardly going to nationalize anything if elected.

To answer your question: I suspect it's because they're less enthralled by the xenophobic lies and distortions of the Republicans and the right. (The Democrats have a different set of lies and distortions).

chicagojlo

I agree, it's probably a case of not wanting to see the Republicans in power. If that means voting for the Democrats then so be it. I'd take Hillary or Obama over McCain anyday.

TexasAlex

I appreciate all your replies.

I guess not everyone (of course) has the same priorities. For me politics is important. You get born where you get born, but I picked a country (US) and a state (Texas) that most matches my political leanings.

To answer some of the questions:

What level of capitalism would be your wish?
Capitalism in the style of Ayn Rand and Milton Freedman.

When did you leave, 1946?
I left in 1998. I agree with you to some extend. It has gotten better in Europe. At least we are not talking anymore about the nationalization of industries. And there are promising developments in Eastern Europe (flat tax). But the basic philosophy in Europe has not changed. The main philoshopy is still that capitalism need to be controlled, that government has the right to tell you what to do with your private property, that if you make a lot of money, you have to pay a lot of taxes, and so on.

Europe might come around, or it might not. As for me, I have to think on how to optimize my life. It seems to me that I rather spend my lifetime (still a lot of that ahead for me) in the US, where I have more of that I want (capitalism) now, than to hope for a change in Europe that may or may not occur.

lapin_windstar

Oh, God...

Hove

Oh my God from me also.

fatbrit

Holy Moses! Is there a full moon this week or something?

Thydney

Thank God for that because I was trying to word 'total bollocks' in a polite way.

valis

Anyone recall where the Euro is against the dollar at the moment?

fatbrit

Below the belt. America's always #1! Don't listen Alex!

Lothianlad

Gordon Brown will turn out to be a Prime Minister who never actually won an election. He achieved the position by default and will lose it at the hands of the British electorate come next General Election, which has to be held before June 2010 at the very latest. He will play for time but time will run out for him. Everthing he touches seems to crumble to dust in his paws. Even the Pope outshone him in America. Every American knew the Pope was on their soil. Very few knew that Gordon Brown was there, too, and a BBC TV crew out interviewing on the streets of New York City asked people in the streets if they knew who the guy in the photo they showed them was, and only one guy knew he was the UK Prime Minister. The rest didn't have a clue who he was.