To think that this country (UK) is going downhill?

[gem1981]

first please let me explain I think I am quite a normal (!) person and try to have a positve attitude towards life but recently well I am getting tired of constantly trying to find the positive in our country.

I don't know if my perspective has changed since I have become a parent or if things have actually got worse... but over the past couple of years I have noticed a significant shift in people's attitudes towards the country ...

Everyone complains about all sorts, petrol prices, food prices, taxes, council tax etc.

I go to my local high street and shops are closing left right and centre, there is litter everywhere, things look generally grey and most people look miserable.

It seems that no matter where you are in society you have some sort of struggle - paying for childcare, getting your kids into a decent school, even getting an appt with your GP.

I know I am moaning too ... but I just wanted to check with you lot ... do you feel the same or am I falling into a pessimistic hole?

I am not looking for a fight I just want your honest opinions - are you happy living in the UK or do you dream of emmigrating?

Thanks

It's been a long winter - in a few weeks / days ( if the forecast is to be believed) when the sun starts to shine, the fog will lift and everything will seem better for you UK haters !

People complaining about prices in Britain may be onto something.

I think I read somewhere that there is a case pending against iTunes because tracks cost twice as much to download from a UK computer as they do from a computer in the US.

And I noticed in Artichoke's "do you like this bag?" thread that the handbag in question retails for over US$100 more in sterling to UK customers than it does in US dollars to American customers.

There's obviously a reason companies call Britain "Treasure Island".

But other than that I love Britain and could never understand all the whingeing when I lived there. I'd go back in a shot but my British husband would rather eat nails.

Fantastic song, sea!

can i just clear something up - i don't hate England or the UK

I am just getting v frustrated that society is crumbling and we are not doing anything about to make things better.

Surely we all have some social resonsbility to make the most of where we live?

I agree people should use their vote but there isn't a great deal of difference between the three parties now in the UK is there? The British government meddles far too much in education and health. The only way things are going to really change is if power is devolved down.

I think it's good that people move around and experience life in different countries tbh and in doing so foster an exchange of ideas and expertise- it's been happening for thousands of years - when it became possible to analyse the DNA of western European citizens, wasn't it found that we all have a huge mix of ancestors from a variety of continents? And when we move around, we are bound to form opinions about the things that work well and less well in different countries. It's only natural.

[Digression alert] I think the notion of nationhood is pretty outdated tbh and is becoming increasingly meaningless. By all means, let each nationality celebrate it's individual culture and heritage but increasingly political issues such as environment, terrorism, pandemics etc can only be effectively addressed on a global scale.

If I was PM I would offer every British 18 year old a year's education abroad ...

But quite a few of us ARE trying to improve things, gem1981, rather than whinging and moaning. Who is this 'we' you are talking about?

"we" the citizens of this country.

Have decided OP is right. Some petty pilfering bastard stole our vegetable bag from our doorstep today. Who steals carrots ffs?

Kerrymum, I've read the op and your three posts here and I'm sniggering. I certainly hope that's the right reaction!

Satire's all very well Kerrymum, but what about my carrots?

And when considering moving to Aus, which I do periodically, it's worth noting that the whole country seems to be being completely buggered by drought, probably caused by climate change, to the extent that you have to wonder if it can continue to support a first world population into the next century...

and your answer to the problem of society crumbling is to move abroad not sure whether that counts as "social responsibility" and "doing something about it"
and "abroad", presumably, society isn't crumbling
so nowhere else in the world is experiencing any of the problems you have described

I don't think you have thought this one through tbh

I'm not on the 10/10 thread Kerry. Do you think it was one of them?

Hmm. I'm seeing potential vegetable thieves everywhere now.

pmsl tutter @baking,i was like "what the fuck!....i don't bake..how very dare she!"

Can't believe the amount of squabbling! Especially after St georges day, hasn't the combination of boring flag, drizzle and beered up tossers completely sapped your spirits?

I love the UK. People often slag it off but it is a great place for me.

Would like to move abroad when the kids get older though for the weather. Not too far away.

As the song goes - i want to go where the weather suits my clothes............

I have been living in Southern Spain for 17 years and want to move back to the UK (Scotland).

I have not spent the last 17 years drinking sangria in the sun. No, I have spent it working a 7-day week, paying taxes and doing endless paperwork.

Weather isn't everything...