Who is seriously considering leaving the country?

[Cascadian]

I just want to get an idea of DUers who are seriously considering leaving the country now the Necons have solidified their control of the country?

John

[fugue]

1. I want to go

But no one wants a forty year old with a neurological disability, even if she has a telecommute job that will come with her.

[2Design]

20. if you have a full time job already and money in the bank

you can go to canada - being self supporting is part of it

and then they have health care

you have to pay their taxes

and you can still vote in the usa and help in future elections

[fugue]

29. I don't think so

The Canadian immigration lawyer didn't even return my e-mail.

I don't have much money in the bank; the new job pays two-thirds of the one I had before I was laid off in 2003.

[kayell]

56. Try some other lawyers. Lawyers in general can be like that with email

or even phone calls from people they are already hired to work with.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

2. Would never have considered such a thing in the past. Wife and I actually

talked a little about this tonight. Still probably would not happen, but it is in the discussion.

[mike_c]

3. I've considered it....

Don't see how I can at the moment-- I'm a wage slave working for my pension, don't really have any good prospects elsewhere. I wish I did.

[liberalhistorian]

16. Hey, Mike-

Wanna pool our resources and run off to Canada/England/Ireland/anywhere-else-but-here together (that is, if you don't mind a 13-year-old boy as well)? You can even "bug" me if you want!!!:evilgrin: :bounce:

[mike_c]

31. oh no--bug puns....

Howdy-- I never got to see your reply last night. It disappeared into the archives in minutes, I think, and I haven't been able to retrieve it because of the server load level. This place became rather possessed last night!

[liberalhistorian]

33. Yes, it sure did,

I was really surprised I was able to get on at all since I'm one of those techno-Neanderthals who still uses dial-up. Anyway, you never did answer my question????? :evilgrin: (And sorry about the bug punss-I promise NO MORE, okay)?

Actually, I really envy you right now, being in CA-a far saner place than double-bleeping,, g-d, neanderthal, clueless, idiotic #$@$%@$^%$#^@#%@#$%^@#^ Ohio!

[mike_c]

39. yep, I suspect you're right....

Northern CA feels like a refuge right now. I've got a fire in the stove and bunch of cats prowling around for the best spot to sprawl. I was up WAY past my bedtime last night and had an 8:00 class, so I'm following the cats, I think.

And I was thinking Mexico actually, or maybe even further south.... :evilgrin:

[liberalhistorian]

40. Well, I love cats

and sunny places with warm weather and I do speak a little Spanish! :evilgrin:

[vincent_vega_lives]

63. Good luck

Unless you are from what they consider a "refugee status" country they have tougher immigration laws then the US.

[dave502d]

4. See i have live my life so they don't want to fuck with me.

[mike_c]

43. is it just me, or is the non sequitur of the night award...

...in the bag?

[indigobusiness]

67. In the bag...

and nominated for The Hall of Fame.

[camero]

5. I'm not in the country at the moment

and I'm loath to come back but I have to because of my illness. I don't blame those who want to leave.

[deadparrot]

6. Well, I'm gonna be in college next year...

and considering I want to pursue studies in early European history, study abroad is a big option.

I don't want to go and have everyone hate me, but I feel the need to leave this country again. Went to Italy last year, and I felt truly at home.

[legally blonde]

7. I want to . . . .

but for right now, I'm staying. I have 3 semesters left of law school.

[ablbodyed]

8. I hope to be dead>>>>

before the shit hits the fan for us gays.

[wickerwoman]

9. Already have.

If anybody has questions about moving to China, I can help you out.

And before I get shit about cowardice, I donated hundreds of dollars I didn't have to Kerry and signed up 10 people for absentee ballots. And I'm here because I'll be damned if a single dollar of my taxes will go to support the travesty in Iraq.

[indigobusiness]

24. Fascinating, I admire your moxie. I feel Shanghaied....

What's it like for you there? China must be interesting, to say the least.

[wickerwoman]

50. It's fantastic.

Imagine living in New York except everyone was allowed to ride motorcycles on the side-walks. And you can make enough money to actually enjoy yourself because the cost of living is so low. I save more that $1000 a month without really scrimping. Find me a job in the US now that would let me do that.

And it's not nearly as repressive as you'd imagine. I've never seen a website blocked and it's pretty easy to get satellite TV. Everyone has it and the police don't bother them.

The people are incredibly kind and generous. They've done things for me that were so amazing I can't even describe it.

You have to be very patient and flexible and watch your wallet, but otherwise I'd say living here is the greatest experience of my life. There's so much youth and energy and enthusiasm in China right now.

[indigobusiness]

62. Sounds exciting...

You are fortunate to be living in such a charged, upbeat atmosphere.
It is like old socks around here.

How long have you been there? Your work took you there? What about the language barrier? Pollution? etc... I'm thinking I'll pack my bags. LOL

[wickerwoman]

72. I've been here a little longer than a year.

Just re-upped for another one. Right now I teach ESL for a private language school. I make just around $2000 a month but you can get a really nice apartment in the middle of Shanghai for around $400 a month and food is about $200 a month eating in restaurants almost every day. So you have some nice walking around money. And after you learn some Mandarin they are desperate for translators and managers in all kinds of companies. You can make a lot more.

The language barrier isn't too bad in any of the major cities. All the signs are in English and most people under 30 have studied some. It took me about a month to get comfortable buying food, bargaining and giving directions to taxis. Now it hardly even registers that I'm living in a foreign country.

The air pollution isn't too bad in Shanghai. Stay away from Beijing, Xi'an, Chongqing, Taiyuan and Ulumuqi- all on the list of top ten most polluted cities in the world. They're doing a lot to reduce air pollution- requiring all new taxis and buses to have hybrid engines and planting lots of trees and new parks. You don't notice it at all in the summer. It's the ubiquitous smoking that affects you more than anything.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

[indigobusiness]

75. Thanks for

your considered response. There's much more I'm curious about, but I'll leave it there for now. Hope to run into you again in the near future. Good luck! Enjoy your time there. Lucky you!

[spotbird]

68. Isn't the air pretty dirty?

How about the standard of living for the typical Chinese?

We have an option that could land us in China, but I have two teenagers, how would they adapt?

[wickerwoman]

74. It depends on the city.

Like I said above, Beijing, Xi'an and Chongqing are atrocious. You can see a cloud of yellow smog as your plane descends into the city. But Shanghai isn't too bad. Beijing and Shanghai are pumping a lot of money into fixing this problem (and the overwhelmed public transportation system) on account of the 2008 Olympics and the 2010 World's Fair in Shanghai.

Most of my students are middle-class Chinese. They make about 2000-3000 RMB a month($300-400) but many of them don't have to pay rent- their apartments were given to them on 99-year leases when the system shifted to private "ownership". And many of them live with their parents until they get married. Food is extremely cheap- .25 cents for a 5 pound bag of rice. You can get a three or four course meal in a decent restaurant for $5. Most of them have cell phones, laptops and DSL. You can buy a DVD for $1.

The apartments are smaller than you're probably used to but not like the closets you see in Japan. And since you're making so much more, comparatively, than you would in the States, you can afford a really nice, centrally located place with a view.

I don't think teens would have a big problem adapting. You'd probably send them to the International school (although the tuition might be a bear- best case scenario you or your wife could teach there and then the kids get free tuition- or your company will cover it.) Then their classmates would be English-speaking, they would get Chinese classes (one of the most important job skills of the future- mark my words), and they would graduate with an international diploma. Depending on the school they attended this would mean they could apply to colleges in the U.S. or U.K./Australia or both. They'd meet a huge variety of different kids and make great contacts for later life. My friend's friend has three kids. The oldest is 19 and never wants to leave China.

If they really don't want to move, they'll be miserable anywhere you take them, but if they give it half a chance, I think they'd love it here.

[TexasSissy]

76. Interesting. What's the weather like?

Is it really crowded there? I've read the population there is over the top. Do people live in houses with trees and a yard, or do they live in apartments? (not talking about the rural areas, of course)

Do tell.

[TX-RAT]

79. What's the weather like?"

Cold
The lake where we fish every year will freeze to about 5 feet thick in the winter.

[wickerwoman]

92. Not as bad as you would expect.

It's a big country. In the north they get lots of snow every year. The south is tropical.

Shanghai is in the middle. It's quite humid and windy so the winters are very cold- it stays between 20 and 40 fahrenheit though and it snows maybe once or twice but doesn't stick. The summers are no worse than New York or D.C. 90-105 and pretty sticky in July and August. Everything is air-conditioned though.

I think the population is pretty well managed. It isn't noticably more crowded than New York or any other big city. Most people live in apartments but there are increasingly large sections of Western-looking suburbs going up all over the place as China gets a middle-class. You could get a Western-style suburban house but you'd have to be prepared for a 1-2 hour commute into a city-center job. You'd have a lot of ex-pat neighbors though- most normal Chinese can't afford them on their salary.

Shanghai is a two hour taxi ride from end to end- it's huge but that means the population is reasonably spread out. They're opening six new subway lines in the next three years and real estate near them is going to explode in value. Now's a pretty good time to get in.

[guitar man]

10. I would

If I could find a job outside the US. Anybody out there need a Television Master Control Engineer?

[liberalhistorian]

11. If I could find a job in Canada (preferable)

or England/Ireland, I'd be out of here and the wingnuts could eat my dust.

OTOH, I feel that way now, but I know it will be different in a few days. I will have allowed myself a few days of mourning, then it's on to the business of rebuilding and regrouping. This is our country too, you know, we're just as much Americans as the neocon nutballs, despite their total contempt and disdain for the entire half of the country that DID NOT vote for, and does not support, * (I cannot bear to spell his name right now), we love this country even more than they do, and we need to stay and fight for it. At least, I HOPE I'll feel that way in a few days! I'm too disgusted right now, though;; I feel if people are stupid and clueless enough to vote for their own Armageddon, which is assuredly what they've done, then they can go fuck themselves.

[mike_c]

46. "vote for their own Armageddon...."

Indeed. That's what I've been struggling with the most. I've written and erased several different sentences trying to express how tragic this seems. How absurd. I'm staggered by the thought of America embracing fascism, perpetual war, religious fundamentalism, homophobia, xenophobia, and indifference to the poor.

It's like night of the living dead. Brains! Brains!

[dogtag]

12. I have a native land to return to should I decide to go.

Luckily, it's one of the major 'blue states' of the world. I always took a lot of pride in both of my countries...can't say that anymore.

[Cat Atomic]

13. I'm staying. I'm going to plant my foot in some asses.

[Wols]

25. Dude, you rock!

I like the attitude. As for me it's a tough decision. Saying goodbye to friends and family. Plus the more I look into what is required and the hoops I will have to jump through, I just don't know. I do know I have to get out of the south. Born and raised here but there are just way too many ignorant fools.

[Jackie97]

37. I know what you mean.

I'm in the same boat. I'm from the south. I've always been proud to show off my intellect to the north and to non-Americans. I've actually been proud of my Southern heritage to a point. At the same time, I don't know if I can stay happy here. I think I do want to move eventually. If I'm going to make a new life for myself in New York, why not make Canada instead?

[Jackie97]

36. High five!

It's nice to see somebody still wanting to take the country back after Kerry is gone. Maybe I'll come around soon.

[2Design]

14. I know I need to make a plan to get out before we can't

or we are locked up like martha stewart for supporting dems

I am just not sure how to find out the countries that are free
canada seems to be socially progressive and good to its citizens

how many other countries? where and what are the requirements and obstacles

we need a consultant to advise people on what countries are open and the rules

I mean there are people who adopt kids from other countries and find out the rules....through agentcies (sp)....

[ObaMania]

15. I'm only staying because I don't have the money to leave.

If I did have the money though, I'd be outta here like shit through a goose!

Matter of fact I was thinking of creating a 1M reserve or dutch auction on eBaY to raise the funds to get my wife and I and our two dogs out of here. who knows? Repukes would probably gladly pay to relieve the US of a DEM.

Wouldn't that be a hoot?

[AG78]

17. To where?

These people(or corporations) are global.

Unfortunately, nobody can sail west anymore to find a new world. But if we could, I suggest not killing and enslaving entire populations of people. Again, just a suggestion.

There's nowhere to run. It's Humans vs Profits.

[hyphenate]

61. There's a little island in the Pacific

that has had a bit of a problem with population recently--seems 6 of the 47 citizens got jail sentences for rape or some other crime in the last few weeks. Perhaps they would be happy to welcome an influx of new citizens? (Or maybe not!) (Pitcairn Island)

[The Backlash Cometh]

18. Guess what? Bush has screwed us all over because we can

NEVER go abroad without being targeted as Americans. We're terrorist bait the minute we step outside our boundaries.

What a clever bastard.

[ZanZaBar]

22. start working on your accent. N/T

[PoliticalJihad]

19. Depends

Just how bad is this going to get with our 4 year lame duck president.

Too depressing to think that far ahead right now.

[reeree]

21. Did anyone see the article

on harpers.org about options for potential expats? After reading that article I decided to just form my own country... The People's Republic of Marie. The national boundary is a three foot radius around me. Now if things get bad in the U.S. I can just retreat into my own country...

[TexasSissy]

77. I think that's called autism, when you retreat into your own little

country. Hmmmmm. ;)

[Gloria]

23. I've already done the research....easiest route for me would be a

part time deal, over the border in Canada for the legal limit...during the summer.

[DemBones DemBones]

26. Weird choices. How can I choose "I'm outta here" when I don't know if it

will be possible to get out?

I very seriously want to leave. This is absolutely no longer my country.

[expatriate]

27. I also live outside the US

and yes, I too have donated hundreds of dollars I couldn't afford to, worked like a lunatic to get expatriates here to vote Kerry, phone banked from my home for weeks, and had a lot to do with various email campaigns, including the ones to try to stop Sinclair and to keep Rush Limbaugh off NBC on election night - so please, don't flame me and call me a coward and a quitter. You can fight from the outside and be effective.

Expatriates are American citizens, and they are liable to pay American income tax, so they DO have a voice, no matter where they live.

I just put a lot of basic information regarding emigration in the thread titled Am I Wrong To Leave America. Emigration is not as easy as a lot of people here seem to believe it is. It can be done, but you MUST know what you are doing, or you could end up being deported back to the USA, and possibly doing time in the country you try to emigrate to as well.

People from America have attempted to emigrate to Canada as refugees or political asylum seekers and have ended up being deported back to the USA as much as ten years later, when their cases were finally heard, appealed and finished.

Not to dissuade anyone from leaving, but know what you're doing and getting into before you leap.

Also, Americans living overseas are still legally liable to pay American income taxes, despite being outside of the country. Only American taxes its citizens on the basis of citizenship, not residency - so though you don't get the services, you still are supposed to pay the taxes. Just a bit of info for those who believe they will not have to pay American taxes if they leave. You can not do it, but it can cause you massive problems should you decide to return to live in America at some future time.

There is much more in my post in the thread I mentioned above.

Best of luck to anyone who does wish to leave, but be warned - it isn't a matter of packing a suitcase and picking the country of your choice.

[Donkeyboy75]

60. Many countries have "tax treaties"

so you can't get double taxed by the U.S., FYI. I live in Ireland, and it is one of many countries that has such a treaty with the U.S.

[expatriate]

81. Yes, I am aware of this

However, the tax treaties vary from nation to nation, and there are some nations that do not have such a treaty. In some places, there is only a partial credit given on US taxes, in others, there is no such protection. In all cases American citizens are supposed to file income tax forms. There are many who do not do so, thinking that since their incomes are not reported to the IRS by their employer that there is no way they can be made accountable, but then run into massive problems should they decide to repatriate to the USA and the IRS gets curious about just how they supported themselves while they were abroad. It's best to be very sure of what the situation is before expatriating to another country.

So many people here are posting as if they think they can just hop on a plane or drive across the Canadian border and be completely free of all ties with America. It just isn't that way. It takes time and research to successfully move to another country, unless you have some previous advantage, such as dual citizenship, that makes it possible for you to move quickly and be able to find employment in the country of your choice.

[sweetheart]

93. the 70K limit

Hello from across the irish sea... cork (south)... me (thurso) north.. slan gival!

You don't have to "file" taxes until you repatriate, as the laws
on this were drafted a gazillion years ago before internet and whatnot,
figuring that people will get the forms and file once they're in a
situation to do so.

If you made less than 70K dollars this year, it don't matter anyways.
And frankly, if i did, i wouldn't tell them anyways. I PROTEST
paying for criminal war, war criminals and election shams. They
should be in prison, not threatening american expats with tax bills
and prison. Tax exiles have a long economic history in society, as
no country has the natural right to overtax as the US does with its
ridiculous war culture.

I protest, not taxation without representation, when i can find
someone in the government who even remotely represents me, then i'll
reconsider. As it stands, i pay ransoms to no hyjakkers.

[Wols]

28. What about if you buy a house in Canada

and have like another 30 grand to live on. Want they just leave you alone? You know, "Listen my Canuck friend, I bought this property and have money and am not taking a job and...aw, screw it man, I'm seeking asylum. They don't like my kind back in Amerikkka. Let my refugee ass in. And I mean now! Got it. Eh?"

[malmapus]

30. I'm up in the air

I too feel as much as others here, if I had the money right now I would be outta here so fast. But right now just about everything I make is going to rent, car payment or what not. I just don't have the reserves to do this.

Sucks, I gave the best years of my life to this country willingly and am living with the pain (emotional and physical) still. But today, it just doesn't feel like my country anymore.

[steely]

32. gotta freeper wife, mortgage & a shitty job - where'm I gonna go?

[Stuckinthebush]

35. Oh my god

a freeper wife?

Jeez...my wife is the only thing holding me together after this farce. I can't imagine how I would be if she was a freeper.

[steely]

41. it's ruff of late, bud - tnx

[Jackie97]

34. I don't know.

The idea of a bunch of conservatives chasing us out of our own country seems wrong. It seems to me we need to fight them.

Even I sort of want to leave though. I'm Bushed out. I'm disgusted with a lot of the country. At the same time, I feel an urge to fight like hell for it. I just don't know what the heck I'm fighting for. It looks like I'd be fighting for least about 50% of the population.

Plus, I'm concerned about the other countries that will be hurt without our influence.

I wanna leave though. I don't even begin to know how to start that process though.

[PretzelWarrior]

38. my wife and I are talking New Zealand where her sister is.

I just don't know. I want to fight this thing too. I'm wondering about fighting it from afar for a year or so and then making a come back.

[PotatoBoy]

42. Staying put.... I can do more good here than elsewhere n/t

[baltodemvet]

87. I'm with PatatoBoy

You & me, dude.

[sugargoose]

44. How about strategically moving within the States?

I myself will be out of the USA as soon as my house sells and my exit strategy finalized. However, another consideration for those who for one reason or another Cannot leave the country might be:

Identify states "in play"

Identify liberals in hopelessly red states.

Move those liberals into the states that need a little more blue vote to tip the EC vote.

Of course, BBV trumps this strategy, but maybe if everyone moves to paper ballot precincts..........

[sr_pacifica]

45. I had been thinking Nevada anyway.

Clark County, from what I last saw, was the only county that voted Kerry. Nevada needs me and I may need Nevada with my respiratory condition!

So that is also on the burner for me as well as Canada.

[sugargoose]

47. Terrific---That's One! Let's keep dripping :)

[Hog lover]

48. How about the Peace Corps?

You get out of the country for a bit over two years, you do good work and you have basic living and health care provided. Plus you can learn a language and go to third world countries.

Maybe we would appreciate the USA (with all its political problems) more if we experienced some of what others in the world have to put up with.

[rucky]

49. Don't know yet.

But I do know that I exist today because my granparents knew early enough that Austria & Poland weren't good places for Jews to be in the thirties.

[Carl Yasutomo]

51. I'm already gone!!

I live in Japan!! I can't tell you how great it is to be in a country that is pro-choice, pro-gun control, and pro-environment, with universal health insurance and a truly progressive tax system. And all of these things are accepted as common sense. There is no perception that these things are especially "liberal."

[fujiyama]

52. What is the reaction of the people there?

They must be shocked.

[Carl Yasutomo]

70. Japanese people's perceptions

Even though the majority of people here oppose Bush, they are not that passionate about American politics. There are definitely Bush supporters here as well, but they too do not feel that strongly about it. I suspect that anti-American sentiment is much stronger in Germany and France than Japan.

For me personally it's probably good that Japanese people don't feel that strongly about Bush. It means I get less flak for being American.

[Dangerman]

53. I don't have enough money...

To leave this damn country yet.

[Piperay]

54. Making plans

to move to Mexico. I'm in CA so it shouldn't be to bad, I can gradually do it and still come back to Los Angeles whenever I get homesick. I was planning on it whether we won or lost because the 'values' here in the US are bringing me down and stealing my 'soul'. Even a gradual move will take some time and I have a lot of research to do but I am making the move. Repukes are still going to have to deal with me because I am still going to continue voting as an absentee Democrat.

[indigobusiness]

65. Where's a good spot in Mexico

these days? I've thought things similar.

[Piperay]

82. I'm thinking around

La Paz, lots of Americans are settled there. I still have lots of investigating to do but checking into that area first.

[athena]

55. I'm leaving, but I'm not an American.

OK, I guess that seems a bit irrelevant, but I'm a Canadian who's been here for over nine years as a student, and I am leaving as soon as I get my degree. If Kerry had won, I would have looked for a post-doc in the U.S. I was so certain he would win. Now, I'm definitely going back to Canada.

I feel so bad for all the Americans who feel unsafe here and want to leave but can't afford to do so. :cry:

[Clintmax]

57. Greekspeak and I have discussed it

We don't have the money it would take to move to another country right now. I'm quite sure it would be EXPENSIVE! If we DID go, though it would be Italy or Australia. We lived in Missouri until a year ago when we moved to Tallahassee, Florida so he could go to Florida State University, and we don't want to go someplace that has a real cold climate.

[Spike from MN]

86. Suddenly Canada doesn't seem all that cold.

I live in MN and should be "used" to the cold but I have always wanted to live in a warmer climate. Screw it. I'll move to Canada in a heartbeat when/if I can get the money together. ANYTHING is better than another 4 years of *. And that is comong from someone that hates the cold. Obviously I hate * even more.

Yeah, I know I should stay and fight and believe me I have nothing but admiration for those that take that route. But I really have a problem with paying taxes to a fraudulent government. The election was stolen (again) and my tax dollars are largely going to Halliburton and the rest of the military/industrial complex. I'm paying into a Medicare system that will be defunct before I can ever use it. Same with Social Security. I just don't see where the situation will get any better in the near future (10-20 years) and I really have a hard time justifying giving my tax dollars to a government whose sole purpose seems to be to funnel those dollars to the rich and undeserving. I would MUCH rather pay into Canada's system even if it means I pay a higher tax rate.

[hyphenate]

58. If I could, I would

But without money, there is no way I could do it right now. I have a lot of relatives in Canada, and if I seriously needed a place to stay, I would have the chance to do that, but it's not going to happen now or anytime soon. In the meantime, I'll stay in Massachusetts until the time does come to make the change.

[American Tragedy]

59. I'm staying, though I may move to a swing state

This fight isn't over. Nothin more left to lose, and thus no better time than right now to kick em in the fuckin teeth.

[Delphinus]

64. It's on my mind ...

when I looked at how the states turned out, I realized (again) that I don't belong in this country. Often I don't feel I belong in this world, but that's another subject.

[vincent_vega_lives]

66. Get in line

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=6704292

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Disgruntled Democrats seeking a safe Canadian haven after President Bush won Tuesday's election should not pack their bags just yet.

Canadian officials made clear on Wednesday that any U.S. citizens so fed up with Bush that they want to make a fresh start up north would have to stand in line like any other would-be immigrants -- a wait that can take up to a year.

"You just can't come into Canada and say 'I'm going to stay here'. In other words, there has to be an application. There has to be a reason why the person is coming to Canada," said immigration ministry spokeswoman Maria Iadinardi.

[spotbird]

69. If your parent or grandparent is/was a foreign national

it is very likely that you are eligible for dual citizenship in that country. If it is an EU country you may work anywhere in the EU.

[Phillycat]

71. Absolutely, the sooner the better.

I am too tired to fight for another four years. And I don't think it will do any good anyway.

I'm off to Europe as soon as I can afford it.

[ballcap1776]

73. If things go further south

and we begin to lose more rights, I'm taking my kids and leaving. Even if I have to start over in the UK. I have a sponsor and we are ready. And it's scary as hell to think that, isn't it? It reminds me of people leaving prior to WW2 or during Hitler's advance...

[TexasSissy]

78. I've heard the UK is VERY expensive, though. Otherwise, that

would be a great place. Canada would be best because it's so close, and it's beautiful. Then the UK. At least there they have the decency to hate Blair.

[sweetheart]

98. The UK is not expensive if you earn pounds

The dollar is in the shits... bush-fact. As well, most people say
the "UK" but they mean "london". These are not necessarily the same
thing... and a well accepted joke amongst brits, is that london is
a separate country from the UK and there will soon be border
checkpoints on the M25 (ring road surrounding london).

London is very expensive for housing. Other parts of the UK, are
quite reasonable, and cheaper than the US. Keep in mind, as well,
that living in the UK, you don't pay for medical insurance, as it is
socialized, and there is no property tax. If you buy a home, it
is much cheaper long term than in the USA, as the equivalent of
property tax is called "council tax" and it is really cheap
on a comparative scale.

Many americans live here in britain, and you'll find here, the
largest expat community of democrats abroad of any country outside
the USA itself. In that sense, there is enough cultural similarity
and OUTSTANDING universities, that really make the UK quite
excellent.

Scotland has a separte immigration scheme that you can find on a
link on the right hand of this webpage www.scotland.gov.uk

peace,
-s

[feminazi]

80. i have a draft age son.

i am seriously thinking about. i need to do some research and get some financial affairs in order, but it's a real possibility.

[carnie_sf]

83. I really like Halifax

[info being]

84. Transfered my money today. I'm not far behind.

[Coyote_Bandit]

85. Don't Know

But I live in JOklahoma and am now nearly two years jobless. I am well educated - though not in any technical fields. I have a small stash of cash that is only depleting here. I have my resume listed on job boards in several countries. No spouse or kids - just a couple of almost perfect little doggies. I do have a house that is not likely to sell quickly in the depressed economy here. I'm middle aged and feel like I really should be working and saving now. I'm tempted to say that I will go wherever if I can find work. Labor is after all a global commodity. But I know a couple who are returning from New Zealand after living there for a couple of years because they had difficulty adapting to the culture. And I also have the needs of aging parents to consider as well. Unfortunately, I do not have any positive expectations for my future here in this country. I fear that it will never again be the land of freedom and opportunity for all as it was for my parents and for the geneations before them.

[frank frankly]

88. i got a second job already. i have no hope for usa.

saving money. going to see what happens. the King already is off to a fast start. i see a depression coming. the social security privitization will be just like enron.

i am seriously examining all options, especially leaving.

i am encouraging draftable males to get the fuck out asap.

a draft will not be suficiently resisted if there is another attack, regardless the magnitude.

bunker down. whatever that means for you.

i am keeping my bumper stickers and signs up. i will never acknowledge the King.

[JSG]

89. Staying for now, but putting together a backup plan n/t

[Zorra]

90. Unfortunately, I am about to begin my second four year "term" outside

the country. I would have come back if * did not steal another election.

Damn, I really wanted to come home, but the only way I will is when the US has an elected President.

[sweetheart]

94. Are you in canada?

I was considering, like yourself, maybe returning to the pacific
northwest if bush was tossed out, but it does appear that the
decline is permanent, and i will probably live the rest of my life
elsewhere. Frankly, home is where i am, though i miss the little
things like: popcorn salt, pink and white animal cookies, good earth
tea, excellent salsa, and decent tortilla chips. Outside of those
things, life is pretty much the same on this side of the atlantic.

I doubt after 4 more years of horrorshow, that there will be much of
an election ever again. A packed supreme court will permanently
attack womens rights and gay rights forever. A packed congress will
further serve their corporate masters, and a right wing media will
further secure its blathering idiocy on the airwaves.

Best regards to you and yours,
-s

[Zorra]

97. No, Mexico, and possibly moving to Brazil soon. I want to get as far away

from the Amerinazis as possible, and I like living in warm places with beaches nearby.

[Onlooker]

91. Let's get some perspective people

It's only four years ago that we finished enjoying 8 years under Clinton. We'll make a turnaround. Just give Bush time to screw up more. At that point, not only will the Repugs be discredited, but so will the Christian right.

[HappinessPie]

95. I'm leaving anyway, but will continue to fight for democracy in the US

[tnliberaldemocrat]

96. If I had the money...

I'd go in a heartbeat. Unfortunately that's not the case.

[St. Jarvitude]

99. I'm going to stay and fight two more years

I'm forced to stay here anyway because I'm not yet 18 and my parents aren't going anywhere out of the country any time soon. Nonetheless, even if I weren't forced to stay, I would certainly stay to fight to take back our country in 2006 (and vote!).

I'm 100% committed to going overseas for college (fall 2006). I'm leaning towards Germany, Austria, France, Ireland, or England.

[swhisper]

100. I will take a job offer in Asia I cannot witness the next 4 years

without getting ulcers.

[pstokely]

101. not yet

but I'm preparing

[pstokely]

102. not yet

but I'm preparing