Should England join the US and leave the EU?

I'm sorry. I really am. I have no argument with you, and if the OP were as balanced as you, this thread would be less of a slanging match than it is.

I take on board what you say, and recognise that neither the US not the UK are perfect, and that real life is complex. I just find the american system to be much harsher than the european, yes, there are more opportunities in america to do very well, but there doesn't seem to be the same support network there for those who don't succeed for various reasons.

I have no doubt that somebody such as myself would have a better standard of living in america than I do now, but since I already turned down a relocation to america with promotion, I don't think that that is the be-all and end-all.

As I have stated previously, and feel very strongly, I would never want to live in a country with the death penalty and where citizens are encouraged to have guns. Not because I am a wooss, but because I believe strongly in the sanctity of life. I love britain for the standards it is trying to maintain in an increasingly violent world, where life appears to get cheaper and cheaper. Plus, it doesn't have a bad history in economic prosperity, a bit of a blip at the moment, but we will recover.

I also feel that politically, therre is little choice in America, either you have the Right-wing Democrats or the Far-Right Republicans.

I don't think of myself as a political animal, but I feel that socialism when taken to an extreme can be just as damaging as capitalism is when taken to an extreme. I feel there is no balance in america - even the democrats are prety right wing in my opinion. I am neutral politically, but feel happiest when there are checks and balances put in place so that extreme politics (Bush, Reagan et al) are not possible

I saw a young gay couple on the bus today holding hands, arm in arm and the first thing that came to mind was; "Wow, I wonder what DYKWIA would do if he was in my position right now..."

LOL, never seen so many negs.

In britain or canada I'd probably be imprisoned if I said anything at all, apart from how superior gays are to the rest of us.

A lot of what you posted is simply incorrect. For example, are you not aware that many states don't have the death penalty? You act as if all 50 states have it, and the truth is that many dont and of the ones that do have it, many have never used it in modern times.

Regarding the guns, again, you make sweeping generalizations without understanding that the US is comprised of 50 states with different laws. Some states, like Massachusetts and New York have very strict gun control laws. Washington DC isn't a state but they have the the strictest gun control laws of all (and because of this they have the worst gun violence) so you can live in these places and be defenseless against criminals who want to shoot you, if risking getting turned into human Swiss cheese by burglars rings your bell.

And your missing the point of this whole thread that the OP is putting across. He is stating Americans are superior compared to other countries which is why the UK should join the US ..........

Only a smug, delusional and brainwashed American could make such a ridiculous OP.

Let me state what I said again, word for word

"I would never want to live in a country with the death penalty and where citizens are encouraged to have guns."

Where in that statement did I say about every state having the death penalty. If just one state had the death penalty, I would not wish to be associated with that country.

Where did I say about gun control laws? The fact is, gun ownership is encouraged AS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT - 2nd amendment - all citizens have a right to bear arms - or words to that effect. Also the NRA has a very strong influence in america, so please don't try and disagree with me when I say that gun ownership is encouraged in America because you are making yourself look foolish.

I don't make these statements lightly. I really don't want to be associated with a country in which the death penality and widespread use of guns exists even if it is only in one state.

As for Washington DC - I would suggest that you look at the root cause of the unrest and the violence there. You might find that with a better welfare system, the disparity of wealth between rich and poor would decrease and you may find fewer problems.

I am not saying we have the perfect system, but something must be very wrong with america with almost 1% of its citizens in jail (a bigger proportion than any other country in any period of history) and there STILL be more crime than most other countries

Edit: I do of course realise you have some mitigating circumstances bordering as you do with Mexico, and I have taken that into account. It's a pity all neighbours can't be like Canada!

3000 Miles away...
Slight problem?

Saying the country has the death penalty implies that all 50 states have the death penalty. Why not just admit you don't know what the hell you are talking about instead of backpedaling? The US functions similarly to the EU so using your flawed logic you couldn't live anywhere in europe if one member state had a law you didn't agree with. The US really functions like 50 countries and each one has its own way of life and own laws. I have said many times that there is as big a cultural difference between Michigan and Mississippi as there is between Scotland and Spain and I meant it and still stand by that statement.

Finally if you think gun ownership is encouraged in places like Massachusetts/NY/DC then you are a complete ignoramous and should just stick to the UK threads because you have no clue about this country. Gun ownership is encouraged in MA like ice hockey is encouraged in brazil

hawaii.

I'm not smug, delusional or brainwashed. I am just not ashamed of my country. I genuinely believe the US is the best country in the world.

I'm not smug, delusional or brainwashed. I am just not ashamed of my country. I genuinely believe the US is the best country in the world. Can you name a country with a better standard of living?



You're never gonna let that go, are you?

That's one of the reasons why you seem smug, delusional and brainwashed to me. USA - the best country in the world? You should travel abroad more - it has been said to broaden the mind .... some minds at least! )

This

I hate Americans who state this but have never even left their own country.

Good, so one reason you can't hate me. I spent a few months in england last year.

There are many countries with better standards of living and quality of lives than the USA, and I find it hard to believe that you actually believe the USA is the best in the world for THESE reasons.
By all means, be proud of your country (like a lot of us are), but for goodness sake open your eyes!

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/rankings_by_country.jsp
This is just one example, but these are all fairly similar. I'm sure you've seen many before. Countries like Norway and Switzerland top the charts, the UK comes a bit down the list (14th on this one), and the USA are further down (29th here).

Even if you really did, "one" country does not prove your country has the best standards of living in the whole world. The US has been factually proven to not have a great standard of living as most hardcore patriot Americans make it to be.