To think the USA and UK should become 1 country

[FortyDoorsToNowhere]

As the title says.

I think it should happen, not sure why exactly other than to pool out resources.

I have lived the States very happily but would not want to raise children there.

We are very different people. Not better not worse just different.

Although the comedy is cringe worthy.

My local grocery store has proper malt vinegar, its in the ethnic food aisle

YABU!

I don't want the uk to be part of US. Let's face it, the relative sizes of the countries would mean that we would be a tiny state, part of US of A.

Gun laws, healthcare, social security, education. These are things that are markedly different and incompatible.

No thanks!

I can get malt vinegar at my local supermarket. I wouldn't though. It's gross.

yes. I was agreeing with you completely.
private in the uk equivalent to US system.

NHS vastly superior to the rest of the US system.

"The bully of the world".

I agree. Irish people would love an nhs. Why would amybody not want free medical care.

OTOH you could take your kids out of school for holidays without getting imprisoned.

But also they have crap maternity leave and only a couple of weeks of statutory holiday a year. (doesn't help that I'm self-employed though)

Fwiw, for my own family, the healthcare in the US is much better than anything we ever received on the NHS. By a million, million miles. That said, we have good insurance. I do really feel for those that don't.

Yes we'd want to switch generally over to the UK holiday entitlements. Although I get 6 weeks a year so it wouldn't really affect me. But longer maternity leave would definitely be a plus.

Exactly, you can't compare what you have is equivalent to the UK private system Thezeeteam

Honestly, US healthcare is AMAZING if you have good insurance. I gave birth in a standard military hospital and not only was my care fantastic but the amenities were great too.

Single, ensuite room post-delivery
Lovely food
Cable TV
Epidural within 30 minutes of requesting it (which still let me be mobile)
Extensive support to assist with breastfeeding
DH could stay overnight on a pull-out sofa

Saw the same OB/GYN for all appointments for DS1 and usually the same midwife for DS2. Follow-up appointments were with the same individuals.

Most of all, the nurses, doctors, midwives I encountered were pleasant, polite, professional and seemed happy to be providing care. No one seemed overworked or overtasked from my perspective as a patient.

This is all within the military healthcare system which is great, but not generally very posh compared to the private hospitals in the area.

I would love another baby, but having one in the NHS is scary as hell to me!

Any maternity leave at all would be a plus.

What???

Being one with the septic tanks??!

"US healthcare is AMAZING if you have good insurance."

I don't doubt that. It's IF though.

MinnesotaNice You think UK chocolate is nice you'll have a fit if you try Aussie chocolate! No comparison. Miss it immensely and it sucks that UK chocolate is what's imported to most of the foreign markets :(

wobblyweebles I have. I prefer the US personally. UK is very cliquey. Of course it depends where in the US :P

As for taxes... very true. Thank goodness for Turbotax though!

Am I not right in thinking workers have far fewer rights in the US than in the UK?

OMG, Aussie choc is better?

"Vinegar in the ethnic aisles"

No. Malt. Vinegar?

Yes if you can afford it US healthcare is amazing but try getting any type of mental healthcare and it is a nightmare. Hopefully the law changes that are to be implemented this will make a difference.

Pretty sure malt vinegar wasn't difficult to get back in the US.

However, white vinegar has been a challenge to find here in the UK.

I don't like vinegar