Why do Americans,who repeat the mantra about democracy all over the world, think it is ok to have political dynasties?

[moondog]

I mean,what the hell gave Dubya or Hillary the right to be in the White House beyond the fact that a relatave got there first?

In Hillary's case,it seems such a betrayal of her feminist convictions. I jsy don't geddit.

Still, good to see Obama doing well in Iowa. Maybe there is hope yet?

Oh please, my sister has been on welfare forever and she and her kids get excellent care. Much better than I get living here in fact.

Like I said, it can be luck of the draw. Both in the US and the UK.

I couldn't agree more, OverRated.

Both my sisters live on welfare in Chicago. They get better care for themselves and their children than I get here on the NHS -- single MMR jabs for starters.

Private medical care in the states is affordable for the vast majority -- not just the elite. The middle class has better access to medical care then I do here on the NHS.

I don't believe the numbers quoted on this thread. They sound very high.

the healthcare thingy is the main thing that keeps us here, tbh, especially in light of an increasingly tempting offer.

But, Expat, you don't like the US for a variety of reasons. I'm sure we've had sevral conversations about this.

How are you, BTW? Did you have a nice Christmas?

you are right, Eleusis.

many are the reasons for my leaving.

but i cannot hold these against my family, especially when i cannot afford to provide them with what matters most: a stable home of their own given the way private renting works here.

that's the lynchpin.

i cannot force them to pay for my own problems with their security. that would be wrong of me and i accepted a duty when i brought them into the world and married DH.

even if we could just get an assured tenancy on a decent house here it would swing the balance.

but that would take a miracle and let's face it, those are for those who desperately need them.

we had a good Xmas because my family was here.

hope you did as well.

I do sympathise with the housing problem. But, I'm holding out for that turn in the market, which does appear to finally be coming.

Fingers tightly crossed....

And the healthcare issue is one of the reasons I want to leave.

As someone who lives in Chicago, I can assure you that many people do not receive the care they need. And single MMR jabs were never an option for me. Again, I think it comes down to location as much as anything else.

Private healthcare can be available to many but it doesn't necessarily offer good coverage and often only covers the bare minimum

Anyway, I know this is something that Expat and I tend to agree on and many people seem to disagree with us. I suppose it all depends on personal experience.

i have a personal bankrupcy in the US due to not having insurance.

yes, i got good care.

but afterwards, it tipped me over the edge.

And I seem to be heading that way too. Because I tipped over the edge.

i was already laid off, working temp, living in a rented studio.

the car the uninsured drunk hit was my only asset, and he totalled it.

i was driving one of my boyfriend's cars when i had to file.

my boyfriend paid my rent, too.

and

it's more common than you'd think, too.

i was brought up straight up middle class, university educated and all that shit.

but the thing is, there is NO safety net when someone like that falls on tough times.

and that whole attitude that somehow you can always just haul yourself up by the bootstraps.

i don't know anymore.

i've not set foot there in six years now.

i'd feel like a stranger i'm sure.

but sometimes it's like, 'you and me have unfinished business, baby'.

lol @ the 'unfinished business, baby!'

It is a sorry state of affairs when you need help and can't get it. I'm not going to rant about this any more because it only gets me more wound up!

it's from Kill Bill, Vol. 1

I still haven't seen that

it comes on late at night when most people are in bed and those who aren't are drunk or whacked like me.

or both.

I get Dr Who (on PBS)