It's funny how some of the comments you made about Canadian views about the U.S. actually mirror American views about Canada... particularly, the "you have better healthcare options" and "your government is more efficient" bits. Americans are still largely under the impression that they would be better off under a major medical need to go to Canada to get it done (certainly much, much cheaper). And the U.S. government also gets very little done, due in our case to lobbyists who bribe and cajole politicians to maintain the status quo. Oh, yes, you complimented our public transit systems, when they are generally despised by most Americans, and sub-par compared to those in Europe.
Regardless, I wouldn't call life in the U.S. "hard" by any means, especially compared to the lives of those in so-called "third-world" countries. It reminds me of a line from Finian's Rainbow":
"But Father, are there no ill-housed, or ill-clad, in America?"
"Well, yes... but they're the
best ill-housed, and the
best ill-clad, in all the world!"
And work may not always be "fun" in the U.S., but compared to the working conditions common in many parts of the world, I wouldn't call it "hard." We get vacations and sick time, we get paid comparable to our local standard of living, and we have reasonable opportunities to advance.
And as it's been pointed out, there aren't too many products, produce or amenities that are not available to U.S. citizens. And no places in the U.S. where its citizens are forbidden to go (except some government installations).
In the U.S., freedom also means the freedom to complain... and we do that, in spades, whenever we get the chance. But if you put it to most of Americans, whether they'd prefer to live anywhere else, the answer is usually: "Hells, no."
Why? Because we know it's not that bad.
I rather suspect your brother is like most young people, fresh out of school, who are simply looking for an easy lifestyle for the minimum effort possible (a common attitude, especially once the busy years of college are done), and he perceives that the work-to-lifestyle ratio may be greater outside of the U.S. I wouldn't dispute that, other than to suggest that the U.S.
may have more lifestyle options than in Canada and elsewhere.
But if he has a degree, and a willingness to try new things, there are very few opportunities closed to him in the U.S. People with willingness and no degree have done as well... like me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by desertgrandma
Interesting outlook, since 'undocumented workers' are still pounding the doors down to live here.
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In fact, DG, the latest surveys indicate that fewer immigrants, legal or otherwise, are coming to the U.S. due to its present economic issues. (This may not indicate a trend, of course.)