Moving to another country--have you ever thought about it?

[lizaanne]

wow, I thought she asked for people who have considered moving to another countries opinions, NOT the ones who never thought about it!

I have considered it, and in fact came within months of moving to England, even had a job lined up, until my husband changed his mind and decided to come here instead. That’s why I have considered much of this and have some insight into making such a move.

~Liza

 

[JustAnotherThou]

wow, I thought she asked for people who have considered moving to another countries opinions, NOT the ones who never thought about it!

Considered it for about one microsecond, looked at the Freedom that I have do to the bloodshed of many men through many wars and decided against it

 

[KCT]

I wouldn’t move for good, but I could live in Italy for 6 mos a year!

 

[whatevergirl]

Considered it for about one microsecond, looked at the Freedom that I have do to the bloodshed of many men through many wars and decided against it

You know, I had this pop into my mind too…and would I be painting a picture to my kids that this is what you do when you disagree with something…just flee? I also think that leaving the country, does make me pause at the sacrifice that many men and women gave for me…to have the freedom to choose the person I wish to see in Presidency. So…it was something that sprung to mind…that in some ways…I would feel like bad about leaving.

To the person who asked me if I can speak other languages…I can speak pretty decently–french, and my kids speak fluent spanish – but my husband is dead set against France. I agree with you KCT–wouldn’t that be the best of everything??

 

[deb1]

Whatever girl, why not simply work temporarily overseas. That way you could experience another culture but still come back to the good ol’ USA when you wanted to.

 

[mschrank]

The US is the most conservative nation in the english speaking world. …

Sorry, there’s nowhere to go unless you want to be a real sore-thumb.

Maybe South America if you wanted to learn Spanish, I’ve been to Nicaragua and I have to say, it was pretty refreshing to spend a couple weeks in a place that didn’t collectively reject God.

 

[stbruno]

Personally, I would not move, but you can guarantee that I will be sure that my elected officials will get gobs and gobs of letters of protest when things are being done that I disapprove. I will definitely work very hard to keep the pro-life agenda on top of the priority list as well. And hopefully in four years the tide will change and that person will not be re-elected. Hey, there is always the impeachment process of what they are doing is unconstitutional as well. For me, I put my trust in God who has the larger picture. And no matter who the elected official, I know who truly is in charge…G…O…D…who my family serves!

 

[Teakafrog]

I actually looked into this a few months ago when she-who-must-not-be-named announced candidacy. Anyway, it is HARD to get into most other countries. Do you realize how hard it is to get citizenship in Mexico? You sure can’t just walk across the border. Anyway, do your research, but I think you’ll just end up staying and fighting like we will. Just can’t afford it for one, and meeting the immigration requirements are very very difficult unless you have very specific skills in the areas they choose. We looked at English speaking countries mostly, and yes, most are way more liberal as a whole than here anyway, so what’s the point?

 

[ack]

I thought about moving to Latin America too. There are a lot of things about Latin American society that I like.

The problem is – learning Spanish is only the tip of the iceberg. It’s very difficult or impossible for a foreigner to assimilate into the culture. Culture is more than just language.

It’s a lot easier for a Latin American to assimilate to American culture than the other way around. (Read what I said about low-context and high-context cultures on my other thread…)

Even worse, the more conservative and religious segments of society are the hardest segments to assimilate into, because society is so dependent on lifelong family and friendly ties.

You could move to Latin America, and you would probably make some friends, but you would never truly belong there.

For an example of this, visit San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. This town has a very large population of American expats, but the American and Mexican populations usually keep to themselves.

The US is the most conservative nation in the english speaking world. …

Sorry, there’s nowhere to go unless you want to be a real sore-thumb.

Maybe South America if you wanted to learn Spanish, I’ve been to Nicaragua and I have to say, it was pretty refreshing to spend a couple weeks in a place that didn’t collectively reject God.

 

[whatevergirl]

Okay, I admit…I wear rose colored glasses at times. My husband has been begging me to remove them for years.:blushing:

You’re all so sensible on here! I had no clue at all, that it would be that diffcult to assimilate into another culture.

 

[yessisan]

The US is the most conservative nation in the english speaking world. …

Sorry, there’s nowhere to go unless you want to be a real sore-thumb.

Maybe South America if you wanted to learn Spanish, I’ve been to Nicaragua and I have to say, it was pretty refreshing to spend a couple weeks in a place that didn’t collectively reject God.

But have you noticed how bad of a situation most South American countries are in? Civil wars, guerrillas, kidnappings, presidents boycotting democracy and advocating communism… for that, then move to Mexico (a Catholic country and very conservative for the most part). Most people nowadays speak English and it’s in better condition than most S. American countries. But then again, why even go to a place like that when the US gives you many freedoms. Latin American countries have very corrupt police officers. If you have an emergency, and call their 911 (I’m speaking of Mexico here), the police will NEVER get there. My mom was alone at home with my brother and some psycho rapist was trying to break in. She called the cops, they didn’t show up. She grabbed my grandpa’s riffle and shot him. Well, that made him leave, but if it wasn’t for that, my mom would’ve been either dead or raped. Later on someone turned this man in and he had already raped several women. My mom was very lucky.

Anyway WG, anywhere you go, you’ll find something worse than having certain person as president. Your kids won’t have the future they could have here. That’s the only thing keeping me from moving back to Mexico (I have dual citizenship), but my husband has mentioned it several times, and now FIL is offering him a job down there, but all my family is here and what future can I offer my future kids there?

Think about it well. I think you’re better off here. I agree with duskyjewel.

 

[ack]

Spain is nice, but it’s also the most anti-American country in Europe.

When polled, not only so Spaniards disapprove of the American government, but they also dislike the American people themselves.

aei.org/publications/filter.all,pubID.27459/pub_detail.asp

From the link:

*In other surveys where respondents are invited to freely characterize Americans, the three words most often used are “greedy,” “arrogant,” and “violent.”
*
…and a lot of this has to do with the fact that Americans elected George Bush. If you express support for Bush in Spain, you’re not going to make many friends.

I just thought of Spain! My neighbor relocated from there last year–and she boasts about how wonderful it was there…how the schools are great…lower kids to teacher ratio…how friendly and warm the communities are…how much she misses it. Her husband is ex military, so their experience living on a base, might be different than living off of it…but I have heard good things about Spain. I agree–this would be a bit scary…I actually have researched some of the things this candidate stands for morally, and surprisingly, it’s better than I thought–but I don’t ‘trust’ this candidate. Strikes me as someone with a personal agenda, who will say anything to get elected. I dunno–it would be a hard decision no doubt.

 

[ack]

Your feelings are understandable, because I think being American gives us a different perspective on the world. America is the easiest country in the world to assimilate into (possibly excluding Canada, Australia, and England, but we ruled these out for other reasons…)

We see millions of foreigners moving here, so it’s easy to think that the reverse would be just as easy…but that is not the case.

You’re all so sensible on here! I had no clue at all, that it would be that diffcult to assimilate into another culture.

 

[armywife]

We lived overseas for six years. Three in Germany and three in Italy. I would never permenatly live in Italy. It’s just a 3rd world country with great tourism and shoes! My husband and I talk all the time about him getting a DOD job in Germany after he retires from the Army. We both speak German, although mine’s very rusty now. It’s the best of both worlds, live overseas and still keep citizenship and use of the commissary for those little American foods you would dearly miss. We know lot’s of people who have lived and worked for the govt overseas for more than 10 years. I would LOVE it.

 

[lak611]

Spain is nice, but it’s also the most anti-American country in Europe.

When polled, not only so Spaniards disapprove of the American government, but they also dislike the American people themselves.

aei.org/publications/filter.all,pubID.27459/pub_detail.asp

From the link:

*In other surveys where respondents are invited to freely characterize Americans, the three words most often used are “greedy,” “arrogant,” and “violent.”
*
…and a lot of this has to do with the fact that Americans elected George Bush. If you express support for Bush in Spain, you’re not going to make many friends.

From Wikipedia:

In recent years, the close relations of George Bush and John Howard, as well as unconditioned support for the War on Terror, has led some to believe that Australia has become a “lap dog” to the U.S. The continued war in Iraq has also led to an increase of anti-Americanism.

Europe

Rammstein’s 2004 single Amerika was widely perceived as anti-AmericanDuring the George W. Bush administration, public opinion of America has declined in most European countries. A Pew Global Attitudes Project poll shows “favorable opinions” of America between 2000 and 2006 dropping from 83% to 56% in the United Kingdom, from 62% to 39% in France, from 78% to 37% in Germany and from 50% to 23% in Spain.[33]

In Japan and South Korea, much anti-Americanism has focused on the sometimes criminal behavior of American military personnel,[citation needed] aggravated especially by high-profile cases of sexual assaults on locals by U.S. servicemembers. The on-going U.S. military presence in Okinawa remains a contentious issue in Japan.

In South Korea, two junior high school students were killed by American military personnel in a traffic accident at the final stage of a presidential election in 2002. As a result, the Korean public opinion was enraged and Roh Moo-hyun, who advocated anti-Americanism, was elected President. President Roh Moo-Hyun and his administration considerably weakened the alliance of the United States and South Korea.[44] Also, the Iraq War and foreign policy of America was invoked as rationales for inciting negative attitudes towards America in South Korea[citation needed]. In 2007 anti-Americanism spreads rapidly. [45]

 

[whatevergirl]

Your feelings are understandable, because I think being American gives us a different perspective on the world. America is the easiest country in the world to assimilate into (possibly excluding Canada, Australia, and England, but we ruled these out for other reasons…)

We see millions of foreigners moving here, so it’s easy to think that the reverse would be just as easy…but that is not the case.

Yes, a point I hadn’t considered. Actually, that is an excellent point.

 

[OnlyAmbrose]

Whatevergirl,

I actually just wrote a blog post somewhere along these lines.

I’ll quote some key excerpts from it… link to full article is in my signature.

I think it’s time for Republicans to face some facts. The Democrats are probably going to win the presidential election. But don’t worry! We can discuss how to deal with it.

…

So… I’m thinking we’re going to have to deal with the fact that a Democrat is most likely going to be in office for the next four years at least. I know a lot of conservative Catholics aren’t too happy about the concept, myself certainly included, but worry not Christians! Don’t fret too much about it.

We are, after all, called to have a certain stoicism in regards to worldly politics. Ours is the Kingdom of God, after all, and something I think a lot of American conservative Catholics forget is that no nation lasts forever. No nation is infallible. No nation is above evil. It’s dangerous to think along the lines of John McCain when he says, “the greatest service is service to your country.” Isn’t it obvious that the greatest service is service to God?

So the Democrats take office. So what? Christianity has survived under far worse conditions. It was an underground religion under Emperor Nero. Followers were tortured and martyred for their faith. And guess what? It’s because of those martyrs that the Church grew and gained credibility! Don’t you see how God makes such good out of evil?

Some scripture to think about:

16And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know that thou art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou dost not regard the person of men.

17Tell us therefore what dost thou think, is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

18But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites?

19Shew me the coin of the tribute. And they offered him a penny.

20And Jesus saith to them: Whose image and inscription is this?

21They say to him: Caesar’s. Then he saith to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God, the things that are God’s.

Render unto the Democrats the things that are the Democrats. They want your tax dollars? Cough ‘em up. Dollars are finite, our rewards in heaven are eternal. Heck, a Democrat in office could be good for us, just as Emperor Nero’s persecution was good for early Christianity.

So my final message to you is: don’t panic! The politics of this world are insignificant next to the infinite happiness we are promised.

 

[whatevergirl]

Whatevergirl,

I actually just wrote a blog post somewhere along these lines.

I’ll quote some key excerpts from it… link to full article is in my signature.

I enjoyed that–good blog! Good thoughts!

My concern too is that if we are too lax on terrorism, and too lax on being accomodating to other countries, that we will see another 9/11, and that concerns me. I know to put my trust in God–I know. But, I still think that our ‘leader’ should protect this country–and realize that many lives will be at stake if you take the threats of our ‘enemies’ lightly. I am not for war–but I wonder about a future president being too ‘soft’ when it comes to standing firm with other nations seeking to harm us. I pray for God’s protection every single morning, and night–I really do. I know He hears me. We as a nation, must keep praying.

You know–a coworker of mine told me about a program that aired a while ago, asking for people to take one minute of silence at 9pm every night, and pray for the safety of our country, and our troops overseas. I pray that whoeever ends up in office–will do the morally right and just things for this country.

 

[duskyjewel]

Be careful. Anything that can be construed as direct discussion of actual candidates has been banned and will be deleted.

 

[whatevergirl]

Be careful. Anything that can be construed as direct discussion of actual candidates has been banned and will be deleted.

Ok–I deleted that line…thank you!