nice MissMisa that is quite true what you just said and very well put. :vsign:

The parity purchasing numbers used by the Wold Bank chart take into account government benefits received. It is the most accurate barometer for financial quality of life, which is why they use it.

As for a working class Americans who need health care, they are entitled to receive it whether they can afford it or not.

Here's an example why health care in America costs so much. First, you have to figure in malpractice insurance. Insurance companies have lobbied for mandatory insurance for all licensed doctors, and insurance is required by law. But a $100,000 policy can cost $150,000. It's ludicrous, and it defies logic, but it is the law. Next, all patients are treated, regardless of lack of insurance, or ability to pay. And then there is the illegal immigration problem. Illegal immigrants do not have insurance, don't pay income, or property tax, and yet they make full use of America's health care system. The cost is estimated at anywhere between 10 and 20 billion dollars each year. This loss must be made up for by increasing the price of care to those who can pay.

If your own country had an illegal immigrant population of 5% who paid nothing into the health care system, but received all of its benefits, how long would your health care system remain solvent?

I second that, I will always be grateful to live here. I believe the USA has come a long way sense the old days of starting up but currently this president has really f**ked up this country and it's reputation. It's embarrassing to even think that the USA voted in this president in office not once, but twice.

I feel that way too.

I'm not "proud" as such but I'm happy I was born here, wouldn't have it any other way. I voted YES cause even if I wasn't, I'm too proud to admit it x) :mtongue:

I am proud i live in the states but i believe it was going down the whole before bush tho i dont care for him :vsign:

Two words that make me proud to be scottish... the great invention of "IRN-BRU" Makes me proud to have Scottish blood.

I wouldn't really say i have particular 'pride' for my country but i don't think England is a bad place. I am not so proud of things it's done in the past, such as involvement in the slave trade, colonisation, "being America's Bitch" (couldn't put it any better myself) etc etc but I think it's done good things too.

My grandma had a view on the Germans that i don't share; she thought that all German people should be ashamed of their country for its atrocities in the wars but this is only because she lived through both of them. I think that although Germany has a somewhat tainted history, they should be proud of how they recovered and re-built from them- after all, Hitler, the Kaiser and their followers did not make up the entire German population and many of them only followed out of fear; therefore, i think German people today have my respect and should not hide from their past but be proud of their country as it is now.

Why wouldnt u be proud of? Germany is great country that actually mantains the EU economically stable.
About my country im not really sure, like lulu 's country Greece, people here also drive like they r drun.. and under influence of heavy drugs, and thats in a good day.
People here dont pay the taxes or only part of it, and they like to do things only in last minute.
But i cant say i hate it, i like living here actually, its not bad.
Since i cant decide i go for yes, since we have only 2 options (the person who made it is for extremes only, yes or no hehe)