Let us compare America with Europe

[Losos]

Ok let's keep the politics out of this thread and just compare the 51 (Or is it 52 :?: ) States which make up the USA...

Alright ! No one tells me anything around here! :evil: When did we get one or two new states? And how come they don't get to have stars on the flag? :lol: :lol:

Thanks Dave, like I said I should know and very embarressed that I didn't Thanks for correcting me.

I would like to be able to say with certainty what the member states of the EU are but like I also said they keep adding new ones.

Wish I could be around in 200 years time, then we really could be comparing like for like.

 

[Losos]

Not bad, three days and no ones 'locked it' yet :lol:

Will come back latter to reply to WHW

 

[gatesmr2]

America had often been discovered before Columbus, but it had always been hushed up.
:shock:

Sorry old Oscar Wilde quote could not help myself always makes me smile
:lol:

Marty

 

[andycorleone]

Tax Rates in america are a lot lower than here (the band $63,700 $128,500 only pay 25%) here is 40% anything over $64.000.

Over there you had to pay about $2000 a year for medical insurace but at least you know if you get sick you are going to receive a very fast responce.

maybe the real diference are Universities. but in the UK if you want a better education for your kids you have to pay Public School for a bout 4 years in america is quite the oposite really good free schools but paid universities (But you have the option of affordable community colleges)

In general american have a diference vision of work (those guys live to work) customer service maybe is the best in the world is a pleasure to buy anything over there.

What I relly love about europe is so many cultures and lenguajes all so close . you can drive 4 hours and cross 4 contries with more than 5 lenguajes wich are totally different each other.

I think if you earn less than £25.000 UK is a ideal place but if you earn over £80.000 I think America is the paradise.

 

[andycktm]

Andy you seem to have the earnings wrong way round there,
I would say if you earn £40k+ the u.k is great

 

[White House Workshop]

Tax Rates in america are a lot lower than here (the band $63,700 $128,500 only pay 25%) here is 40% anything over $64.000.

Over there you had to pay about $2000 a year for medical insurace but at least you know if you get sick you are going to receive a very fast responce.

maybe the real diference are Universities. but in the UK if you want a better education for your kids you have to pay Public School for a bout 4 years in america is quite the oposite really good free schools but paid universities (But you have the option of affordable community colleges)

In general american have a diference vision of work (those guys live to work) customer service maybe is the best in the world is a pleasure to buy anything over there.

What I relly love about europe is so many cultures and lenguajes all so close . you can drive 4 hours and cross 4 contries with more than 5 lenguajes wich are totally different each other.

I think if you earn less than £25.000 UK is a ideal place but if you earn over £80.000 I think America is the paradise.

I'd love to know how old your figures are Andy!

Back in 1996 I was paying $350 a month for self and spouse medical cover and that was a 'preferred clients'. As pensioners, even with Medicare, we have to pay more than that in 2008. Plus we have no prescription drug coverage worth speaking of. Think of paying £50 every time you go to the pharmacy.

I can imagine a really good employer plan that would cost maybe $2000 a year, but that's only if you're employed because the employer picks up the real cost as a 'benefit' (on which you may be taxed). And you need to check plan benefits. The lower cost ones would certainly come with high deductibles and co-payments, and the limits of treatment would be predefined. E.G. our dental plan might only cost $75 a month but only provides up to $1000 of cover a year - not a lot when one crown or root canal can cost upwards of $1500 and even a 6 month check-up and clean is $300.

I'd also take you to task over response in the US. Our experience is that both countries are similar - e..g. my wife had to wait 3 weeks in the US to see a specialist and 2 1/2 weeks for the same specialist in the UK. If you need emergency treatment in both countries you get it - although I was left on a gurney in a hospital outside Boston for 6 hours after I'd smashed my wrist in a bad fall before anyone even took an x-ray of it....... Makes our A&E response limit of 4 hours seem positively speedy!

Of course everyone has their good and bad experiences to relate. You can't compare over short periods as it's unlikely you'd experience, either yourself or knowing someone who has, the full range of treatment options. My own experiences from being married to an American and having lived there since 1990 (full time for 11 years - until GWB got in!) are as I've related. Oh, I forgot - in 1990 I was in an exceptionally good employer medical/dental plan that I paid $200 a month for with $2000/$5000 individual/family deductibles. I suspect $2000 a year won't buy you very much in 2008.

 

[doorboy]

Losos,
I'm enjoying the topic and the discussion.
Leaving economics and politics out of it, I would like to think of a natural born Texan and a Scottish Highlander as being kindred spirits. There's a colorful history to both--albiet only about 500 years of European influence here in the Lone Star State. There's an intense sense of independance and self-reliance
that we both share.
Plus, I like the whisky!

 

[RogerS]

......, I would like to think of a natural born Texan and a Scottish Highlander as being kindred spirits. .......

Had to smile when I read this as I conjured up an image of a Texan wsearing a 10-gallon hat and a kilt!