There have been many posts recently about polictical and social developments here in our adopted country. I know we are accused of being a load of old moaners, but I think all these developments are truly deserving of our moans.
Which brings me to my point . . .
If it weren't for the various things keeping us here (job, house, pets), me and the wife would, I think, be seriously looking to leave the US at this point. Things look pretty gloomy. Going to have to watch developments and see how things are in a couple of years.
I have been here 17 years and am a US citizen. I thought I was here to stay. Until about 18 months ago it would not have even occurred to me to consider leaving, but that is changing rapidly.
Anyone else feeling this way? (
EDITED TO ADD -- PS. Please don't move this to "I want to go home" as I don't. England would not be at the top of my list of places to move (it probably wouldn't even make it to the top five)
Can you please expound on " but that is changing rapidly"
What has happened that has changed your views so much.
Is it just the "war" with Iraq?
Texas Brit, don't you dare leave. What's another four years?
Or then again, is there anywhere safe left to go?
I've thought about this. Thing is, there isn't a place on earth that isn't affected by US Foreign policy. Perhaps better to be inside it's borders than outside? -? As to going to the UK, we don't have the judgemental right wing zealots on our TV screens but their rights are being just as eroded as in the USA.
Whether you pay HM taxes or US taxes you're still going to be funding Iraq.
Have to agree with TexasBrit.
Not liking the way Chimpy and his cohorts are taking this place.
Not liking a lot of things about this Administration.
Other than that I like it here. Although I hear that Canada is a nice place to be. Apart from the cold and having to get used to their money.
Anyone else feeling this way? :(
)
YES!
I don't think it is entirely Bush himself, but his influence might well be to blame for a lot of it. Things that really annoy me, in no particular order, with lots left off I am sure
The increasing right wing bias in the media, coupled with the right continuing to go on and on about the pervasive liberal media ALL THE TIME.
More and more and more of the "America is the best country in the world" "We're Number One" etc.
The insane witch hunt by the FCC and ridiculous self-censorship by artists and the media. The Saving Private Ryan thing just killed me. And John Ashcroft and the Spirit of Justice statue . . . aghhhh.
Generally, my inability to fathom how on earth so many of my fellow citizens actually voted for Bush.
The chucking of civil rights out of the window in the name of the war on terror (where to start?).
The continuing rapid ascent of a christian theocracy that wants to bring "values" (but only theirs) into absolutely everything and is destroying the separation of church and state with the domination of school boards, constitution amendments on gay marriage, etc.
There's a few. I'm just starting to feel incredibly disconnected from my fellow citizens. Even though Austin is a bit of liberal oasis, maybe I would be better off back in NYC or LA, where at least I would be surrounded by like minded equally p***ed off people.
Oh well, just a rant. Thanks for letting me blow off some steam.
Mark[/code]
There have been many posts recently about polictical and social developments here in our adopted country. I know we are accused of being a load of old moaners, but I think all these developments are truly deserving of our moans.
Which brings me to my point . . .
If it weren't for the various things keeping us here (job, house, pets), me and the wife would, I think, be seriously looking to leave the US at this point. Things look pretty gloomy. Going to have to watch developments and see how things are in a couple of years.
I have been here 17 years and am a US citizen. I thought I was here to stay. Until about 18 months ago it would not have even occurred to me to consider leaving, but that is changing rapidly.
Anyone else feeling this way? :(
EDITED TO ADD -- PS. Please don't move this to "I want to go home" as I don't. England would not be at the top of my list of places to move (it probably wouldn't even make it to the top five)
Hope you enjoyed your stay in paris :)
You mentioned in a previous post a uk group that meets in austin once a month when is the next meeting i was unable to go to earlier ones ??
Whats the addy of your store ill look for it next time im downtown ??? :)
Yes, to a point. Don't particularly want to move back to the UK, however this Administration is causing me some concern and consequently makes me somewhat wary about where this country is heading. Of particular concern is my (soon-to-be) 16yr old son's future, in regard to the Universal National Service Act of 2003, which has been introduced in Senate. This Bill, if passed, would be applicable to all youths between the ages of 18 to 26 and who resident in the USA, not solely American citizens. Although there 'appear' to be deferments (eg for High School youths; or students who cease to pursue satisfactorily such course of study), the President could/can, at his discretion, over-ride any such deferment. This is only one of a number of concerns I have. (
Yes, to a point. Don't particularly want to move back to the UK, however this Administration is causing me some concern and consequently makes me somewhat wary about where this country is heading. Of particular concern is my (soon-to-be) 16yr old son's future, in regard to the Universal National Service Act of 2003, which has been introduced in Senate. This Bill, if passed, would be applicable to all youths between the ages of 18 to 26 and who resident in the USA, not solely American citizens. Although there 'appear' to be deferments (eg for High School youths; or students who cease to pursue satisfactorily such course of study), the President could/can, at his discretion, over-ride any such deferment. This is only one of a number of concerns I have. :(
Is he a permanent resident? If so, he already is required to register. http://www.sss.gov/must.htm
When I became a perm resident, years ago, I tried to register as I knew that failure to register affect ability to get federal loans. But I was already too old by that time so I was in the clear.
I've thought about this. Thing is, there isn't a place on earth that isn't affected by US Foreign policy. Perhaps better to be inside it's borders than outside? :-? As to going to the UK, we don't have the judgemental right wing zealots on our TV screens but their rights are being just as eroded as in the USA.
Whether you pay HM taxes or US taxes you're still going to be funding Iraq.
Totally agree with you Dianey. You can't get away from the US no matter where you live. Better the devil you know, and all that.
I've become more like Monster as my time over here lengthens - NO TV! Well, hardly any anyway :wink: That has made a huge difference on the way I feel and the way I react.
I also belive that we are very fortunate to live on Long Island where many people don't like Bush, don't agree with his policies and are not afraid to say so. I wonder if I would feel very differently if I lived elsewhere, especially in Texas!
The comment about it only being another 4 years - is it though? with the Republicans dominating the whole house at the minute, will anything change even if a non Republican President is in office next time. And who would be in next time? No one wants the job! No one of any decency, anyway.
No, TB, he is not yet a PR (we're STILL waiting on his AOS Interview being scheduled :roll: ). Also, he's only 16yrs old (in April), so he's ineligible to register at the moment, on both counts.
I believe this Bill will almost certainly be passed, given the current (and prospective) political climate and the inability of the various branches of the Military to entice voluntary subcription, regardless of how many incentive 'carrots' they dangle under the noses of the eligible public. They're hurting badly for manpower, morale is at an all-time low (regardless of propaganda to the contrary, spewed by GW and his cronies) and I don't foresee that changing within the next few years. This Bill would be the only way to remedy/temporarily relieve the manpower situation, IMO.
No, TB, he is not yet a PR (we're STILL waiting on his AOS Interview being scheduled :roll: ). Also, he's only 16yrs old (in April), so he's ineligible to register at the moment, on both counts.
I believe this Bill will almost certainly be passed, given the current (and prospective) political climate and the inability of the various branches of the Military to entice voluntary subcription, regardless of how many incentive 'carrots' they dangle under the noses of the eligible public. They're hurting badly for manpower, morale is at an all-time low (regardless of propaganda to the contrary, spewed by GW and his cronies) and I don't foresee that changing within the next few years. This Bill would be the only way to remedy/temporarily relieve the manpower situation, IMO.
I guess, worst case scenarios, if drafted, he could legally relinquish what status he does have at the time and return to England. I believe dual citizens can do that (not a legal opinion :) ). At least that's what my friend's dad did during Vietnam. He was living in England and marines showed up at his door one morning telling him he had to report there and then to go to boot camp back in the US. The only way out of the draft was to relinquish his US citizenship which he went (immediately, with the marines) to the Embassy to do. No one there could believe he was actually doing it -- that someone would actually give up US citizenship. A couple of the secretaries there actually tried to talk him out of it and cried during the process. It was no big deal for him. He had not lived in the US since he was a small child and considered himself English.
Although I hear that Canada is a nice place to be. Apart from the cold and having to get used to their money.
Dear oh dear VRB, you're sounding more like an American every day.... :lol:
Y'know what - **** being cold. I don't want to be up to my nads in snow, don't want to have to spend an afternoon shovelling snow, hate driving in snow, and think the only place ice belongs is in a long cool refreshing alcoholic beverage.