Thread: What’s it really like in the USA?

Originally Posted by Newman109

Well, for starters, an adequate comparison would have to use a country with at least as much if not more population than we have. While socialized medicine may work in your country, it's going to be tough in the US.

I'm an American through and through who is concerned about the budget and 11 million illegal aliens who will probably be covered under this upcoming socialist medical plan, and the list goes on.

I'll go away now and you can make some more comparisons. I'm still not moving to Denmark, however.

The EU has almost twice the population of the USA and "socialized" health care (whatever that is) works fine. You still haven't realized that the USA is, as far as I know, the only civilized country that doesn't have it? I agree it will be tough in the USA because not many seem to agree on what should be done and the two political parties are more interested in beating each other than anything as trivial as getting the USA back on its feet. Until the two parties decide to stop fighting in the sand box and throwing sand in each other's eyes nothing much will change.

As to you not moving to Denmark - thanks I'll sleep better nights although I don't have a problem falling asleep.

Gordon

In a thread a Danish American wrote "I have have a couple of examples as to why I find the health system in Denmark horrific."
and the examples were the extremely lengthy times for treatment. I asked if that had just been accepted as there are alternatives.

Here's a personal example and more relevant than I like at the moment.

Two weeks ago my head started itching and I had slight headaches. I phoned my GP and got a time for the next day. I was asked a row of questions and told that it sounded more like a skin irritation than anything serious like a tumour. If it didn't go away I shoud come again. A few days later it was worse with the heaaches. New visit to the GP. This time a prescription for an oil to rub on my head and, just to be on the safe side, he contacted the local hospital for a MR scanning.

Two days later I received a letter from the local hospital for a MR scanning in November! I was now taking 4 Panodil (aspirin?) a day to reduce the headache so there was no way I was going to wait 3 months. There were two other hospitals (within 20 miles) that had 5 weeks waiting time so phoned in to choose another hospital as is my right. I phoned the service part of my area NHS and explained that I wished to change hospitals. There wasn't a problem but I was told at the same time as scanning time was over 4 weeks I could choose a private hospital and it wouldn't cost anything. I'm now waiting for a phone call from the private hospital I chose (less than 20 miles) and expect to be scanned either at the end of this week or early next week. Even if I'd have had to travel further I'd have done so without hesitation.

I'm neither nervous or worried and my point is that the first reply doesn't have to be final or be accepted. There are rules and laws as to how long anyone need wait before treatment. It does though require doing something yourself. In my case a couple of phone calls and being friendly and polite did the trick.

I know two others, my brother's mother-in-law (cataracts now cured) and his wife (smashed up a leg in a skiing accident but after 6 months now almost as good as new) ) who've recently had similar experiences with lengthy waiting times and done the same as me.

No, we don't have a perfect system but who does?

Gordon

I suggest that we change the title on this thread to "What's it really like in Denmark".

Originally Posted by Newman109

I suggest that we change the title on this thread to "What's it really like in Denmark".

Now THAT'S funny.... LOL

You all know the feeling of seeing something that you do not like, but can't stop watching, don't you?
I think that most EU citizens have that relationship with the US. We do get bombed with movies, news, politics, even your weather is
reported about here. I too am fascinated by your country, but I sure do not understand it.

I have tried to talk weapon laws with an American, but he refused, with the reason that it was to emotional.
I hear all the time, that "it's the man, not the gun", that kills people. So true, but if the man had difficulties getting the gun, you might see
a difference. And yes, all the criminals would still find a way to get hold of one, same here. But the everyday Joe's shootout would decrease drastically I strongly believe.
And I know that the above will not make sense to a lot of you. That's what I don't get. Guess it's a cultural thing?
I know your history, and 'bout the wars you have had in the past. I have read books about your presidents.
The pioneer spirit is both your curse and your blessing I think. Ingenuity and self defense hand in hand.

Denmark has it's own flaws. We have a much to large administration. And for every single rule, we must have someone to look
after that the rules are obeyed. Politicians are no longer working men or women with life experience, but a over-studied professional book worm, who has never done a days real work in their life.

I do not hope that you base your perception of my little country solely upon Gordon's opinion, just like I do not base my opinion
upon the extremism and blind faith that I see so often from the US. The majority both here and at your place, is hard working people
concerned about their loved ones, care and health. If I were religious , I would thank God.

Just as hard you have understanding our system, we have understanding yours.
I like to keep an open mind, but most of what I see and hear, makes me wonder.. Just like Gordon..
But I guess we all live in a wonderful world, just not the same..

Best regards
Søren

Originally Posted by Newman109

I suggest that we change the title on this thread to "What's it really like in Denmark".

My post #1062 was a reply to a previous post. If some of you would open your eyes and minds then "The American Way" doesn't always have to be the right way or the only way.

Several of you hasn't a clue what goes on outside your own borders and it is a big country so a vacation in your own country can just about include all that nature has to offer. What I find mind bogling is those that seem to not want to know what happens and why around the world. If you really think your news media fills in the gaps you're in for a very rude awakening.

As slnielsen has pointed out we get bombarded with news, films, talk shows and documentaries on and about the USA daily. On a good day, if you're lucky, you might get 10 minutes (and probably interupted with commercials) on what happens around the world where you aren't directly involved.

RJ, I'd have expected you to have a more open mind about it but I guess not. Glad something amuses you. I'm sure when your wife compares the USA to her country of origin I'll bet she finds many more things better than I do. To many, but not all, the USA is the Land of Plenty and Opportunity.

Gordon

Originally Posted by Gordon B. Clarke

My post #1062 was a reply to a previous post. If some of you would open your eyes and minds then "The American Way" doesn't always have to be the right way or the only way.

Several of you hasn't a clue what goes on outside your own borders and it is a big country so a vacation in your own country can just about include all that nature has to offer. What I find mind bogling is those that seem to not want to know what happens and why around the world. If you really think your news media fills in the gaps you're in for a very rude awakening.

As slnielsen has pointed out we get bombarded with news, films, talk shows and documentaries on and about the USA daily. On a good day, if you're lucky, you might get 10 minutes (and probably interupted with commercials) on what happens around the world where you aren't directly involved.

RJ, I'd have expected you to have a more open mind about it but I guess not. Glad something amuses you. I'm sure when your wife compares the USA to her country of origin I'll bet she finds many more things better than I do. To many, but not all, the USA is the Land of Plenty and Opportunity.

Gordon

I'm not sure what you think I need an open mind about. I'm well aware of the differences in the two (and more) countries, but that's not what I think Newman109's post is about.

Perhaps I misunderstand him, but I'm pretty sure he was not talking about the differences, but rather, he was referencing the frequency of your posts about the differences and telling us about Denmark. It's a refrain we've heard from you many times, and repeating the same message many times.

We get it.

Denmark and other countries have many characteristics that are great. We just don't need to hear it so often. That, IMO, was the crux of his post. He just put it in a humorous way.

Originally Posted by rj newbould

I'm not sure what you think I need an open mind about. I'm well aware of the differences in the two (and more) countries, but that's not what I think Newman109's post is about.

Perhaps I misunderstand him, but I'm pretty sure he was not talking about the differences, but rather, he was referencing the frequency of your posts about the differences and telling us about Denmark. It's a refrain we've heard from you many times, and repeating the same message many times.

We get it.

Denmark and other countries have many characteristics that are great. We just don't need to hear it so often. That, IMO, was the crux of his post. He just put it in a humorous way.

Nemlig!

A Danish word that translates to "Exactly".

Best Regards,
Russ

I do get tired of Gordon's eager to post from time to time. Just to clarify it.
I've been a member here 4 times longer than him, but only written a 1/10th as many posts.
Not all Danes talk that much..

Best regards
Søren

Of course a remark like that could be funny. It's all a question of who's writing it and why.

As I've already written, my post was in fact a reply to a previous post that I can now write from personal experience.

Yes I write a good bit on Denmark as it is my country. At the same time I do know that not all Danes see it as I do just as opinions are varied among Americans as to what the USA is like.

slnielsen and I don't agree on everything but I think we agree on more things than we disagree on. What I write is how I see things from where I am and how I see and experience them. I wish more non Americans would do the same but I understand why many are reluctant to do so.

On a positive note - the Mars landing was a fantastic achievment. Like threading a needle while blindfolded and both feet in boiling water. Amazing.

Gordon

Originally Posted by slnielsen

I do get tired of Gordon's eager to post from time to time. Just to clarify it.
I've been a member here 4 times longer than him, but only written a 1/10th as many posts.
Not all Danes talk that much..

Best regards
Søren

Søren, you must have forgotten I am originally Scottish and most of us do talk too much
"Real" 100% Danes do tend to be reserved and at times almost silent. Guess I just can't fight my DNA. My daughter takes after me (try shutting her up) whereas my son takes more after his mother.

Gordon

If you notice the stand-up comedian that appears most often then it is a Scot
Mock the Week Preview - UNLIKELY THINGS TO HEAR ON A TV TALENT SHOW - Series 7 Episode 6 - BBC Two - YouTube




Gordon

I manage and engineering department, the engineers who work in my group are in the $40-$50/hr range, with 10% bonus and other benefits. Benefits have been scaled back recently, but wages have been increased and partialy offset the cutbacks. For highly skilled professional workers things are okay, particulary now that housing prices have stabilized. For hourly workers without significant post secondary education things are going backwards.

I beleive this is mostly due to foreign competition, unions don't have bargaining power as it is too easy to pack up a factory and move it oversees, often in only a few months. Making it easier to form unions will just push more jobs oversees, I don't know that taxing everyone so that no one can succeed is a good solution either. Making sure that foreign competitors have to pay good wages and benefits, allow unions, and have good saftey and environmental laws would be much better way to level the playing field. I think over time (decades) this will happen, but it is very difficult for a large segement of the population who can no longer make a living with a HS diploma.

T.R.

I am self employed and most of my friends are self employed, being self employed in the US means you need to buy health insurance and it is no big deal til you get older and have kids. I have watched two friends go bankrupt this year over medical bills, one had insurance but it was shit insurance the other had none because his wife had too many prexisting conditions and they couldnt afford it. They both are loosing there homes and cars and businesses they already lost their reitrement savings trying to pay the bills and then maxed out the credit cards buying medicine. The state will not pick up the tab until you are down to your last 200 dollars of net worth. They were both lucky because they had children, in Arizona if you do not have dependent children the state will not step in to cover any medical expenses. If you cant pay you die. My friends mother is in that catagory. Here kids are all in their late 20s. She was told she needed to come up with 60 grand to start chemo treatments she works in a pharmacy part time for minimum wage counting pills. She has no insurance since she is part time and no money. She has been to the emergency room but all they can do is give her pain meds they do not have to treat her. Our government better do something this is getting stupid

"The pioneer spirit is both your curse and your blessing I think."

Wow....That is a pretty insightful observation from a ferigner. I agree.

"Politicians are no longer working men or women with life experience, but a over-studied professional book worm, who has never done a days real work in their life."

Whew....that's almost a relief. I thought maybe we were the only country breeding mutants....


Also, I have only worked with one Scottish guy. The most stubborn guy I've ever met, thus, a great machinist. We got pissed at each other once and started talking to each other again two years later. I went to him one day and said, "Ian....we've been friends for over ten years and then we got mad at each other.....and I can't remember what over....do you?" he couldn't either so we decided that we were idiots, shook hands and have been friends since. And no I'm not Scottish......

Oh, fwiw, Ian has a rippin' good sense of humor.....just don't get him mad...he'll use it on you.