Hi Gabe Thanks for the info about the poor in the USA. This has been common knowledge this side of the pond whatever Mario says. I had actually met with the respected black author and columnist, Gary Younge, last year to explore Mario's position on the American poor compared to the middle classes in Europe and got confirmation of the the true picture you and I have always known, and of course, you lived in the States longer than I did and we both freely chose to settle in the UK with no regrets.
Re emigrating to the USA, we in the UK are creatures of habit, as are others of course, and would not now readily opt for the USA. Minimally life isn't bad at all in the UK even if we are somewhat congested in the big cities. Where on earth would one get free comprehensive medical care without questions asked about insurance cover etc and with absolutely no payment once one hits 60? Yes, Mario, it is free for us old cogers! We stop paying for health cover at 60. Unfortunately we were cheated on dental care by that comedian of a Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Where would one get free (yes free at 60) travel by train, tube, bus etc in Greater London that makes a car quite unnecessary? Where would one get the fantastic social and ethnic diversity that say London offers? Where else would one get quite the comprehensive quality of media and intellectual stimulation so easily and readily? And where can one be quite oneself as in the UK especially with its great pubs? OK it is far from perfect but for my money choosing between the UK and the USA is no brainer. Further, with a composite population of some 400 million and expanding, the EU of which we are an integral part, has a lot of diversity, history and sophistication compared to the smaller USA---population wise (300 million) and until very recently, blowing cash as though there were no tomorrow! However, there is nothing to beat the USA for those young people keen to get a good post-graduate scientific, engineering and medical education that opens wide career opportunities. On this count, I think the USA surpases any other country for considerable scope in PhD and post doctoral study---notwithstanding Edward's recent 'dictum' in his specialist area of 'knowledge' about the PhD! And oh yes, republicanism appeals to me and the space and its diversity is incredibly attractive in America. Above all, as in Australia, the greater availability of space reduces the need to live cheek by jowl that, in itself can generate tension in a society even though living in big cities is so attractive on both sides of the pond. Let me finish by suggesting that you have had two bites of the cherry on this issue of UK versus the USA. Poor Mario had responded by suggesting that the only test to ascertain the 'greatness' of the USA was to visit the place and note how many want to get there as migrants etc. However, a nameless moderator blocked his post ( I have a copy), saying, quite incorrectly of course, that Mario was "off [to]pic". How on earth a reply to a post can be off topic can only be understood by the incredibly strange logic of Goanet moderation! How do I know? I have been moderating Goanet moderators for a while and have found them seriously unable to adequately do the jobs they have taken on. Cornel --- Gabe Menezes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > It seems that the Middle class in the USA are really > equivalent to > 'the poor in Western Europe'
