I just can't agree any less with the 'this isn't a bad nation'. This is a great country by any stretch of the imagination.
If you want a less aggressive lifestyle, move to South Dakota or northern Iowa. Pretty much just corn and beans for literally as far as the eye can see.
Also, as I indicated earlier, most people in this country have health insurance. The vast majority of U.S. citizens have coverage either through individual policies (farmers, sole proprietors, etc), small group policies in a small employer setting, or large group policies through larger employers. Many state laws are changing so that kids can be covered until the age of 25 on the parent's group policy. The working poor (who can't afford coverage) generally have decent coverage through the various state pools (SCHIP, or other high risk and subsidized pools), and Medicaid. Oldsters get heavily subsidized coverage through Medicare (my taxes), and affordable and guaranteed issue Medicare supplement plans. Nobody should fall for the notion that we have 47-million people hobbling around the countryside with club feet, wheelchairs careening into ditches, and little children dying in their mother's arms because of an anaphylactic shock that a doctor or emergency room wouldn’t treat immediately. Nobody is getting turned away for the inability to pay. Every single doctor that I have ever talked to in my life, provides free care when needed. Hospitals are required by law to provide free care (for the inability to pay).
Finally, you pay through the nose in Canada for an inferior universal coverage. Their system is in turmoil and it may eventually crumble under its own weight. Their Supreme Court is hearing cases about the plan. Check out Canadian tax rates vs. those of the United States. Nothing is free, especially universal health care. Also, they ration health care in a way that would take your breath away compared to what you’re used to here.
Originally Posted by sgallan  FWIW, this isn't a "bad" nation - it is way better than most. I only have to drive a couple of hours to see that given I am close to the Mexican border. It is probably the nation with the most opportunities. It just kind of depends on what your definition of "best" is.
Some of the harsh 'dog eat dog' aspects of this nation, are also part of what makes it so powerful, and filled with so much opportunity. Now that I am older, and not really in the rat race anymore, this aspect of our country isn't really what I am about. So the more laid back, less aggressive, generally more open minded, less crowded, with health insurance, life in Canada, would suit me just fine. |