American thinking of moving to Australia. some questions.

I thought it would prove the opposite. I thought that if I just assumed that you have states because America has states, that would be narrow-minded and ignorant. I know about provinces because I have been to Canada.

It is "kinda sorta" like that here, but we want people to have the freedom to believe what they want at the expense of rational thought and good judgment.

 

That is not how Makedde makes it sound.

 

Oh, ok then, forgive me for treating you as the stereotype.

The thing with Australia is that we're level headed and whilst we have a certain belief in 'self determination' and the freedom of opinion, there are few (like a real minority) of people who hold pathetic beliefs. Our freedom of opinion is more based upon social and economic issues, we don't try to dispute the fact that is right in front of our eyes, it's an Aussie thing.

 

Well Spanky you know I am sometimes terrible at explaining things.

 

We have certain uniform laws where the issue in contention is not considered as something up for the States to decide. But, even with the Uniform laws, there are minor variations, like in our gun control laws, whilst it is pretty uniform, there are variations between rural and urban and even that can vary from state to state.

 

No, i think this one was my fault.

 

Oh okay...

 

Look, Spanky, let me show you an example of the Australian political psyche.

[ame="http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=jxgP3heHU5k&feature=related"]YouTube - Farmers Union Iced Coffee[/ame]

 

That's interesting, but now I want iced coffee.

 

Interesting thread. Add us to the growing list of people who will very likely become citizens elsewhere if McCain should somehow get elected. As BobWilson notes, Canada isn't welcoming us with open arms these days - and will be even less welcoming should McCain get elected as I imagine they will see a mass influx of immigrants from the south.

We plan to attempt to buy enough land to accommodate our rather large group of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren because I have a feeling it will become necessary for them to have a safe place to come. Because of that, we will need to be close enough to a large city for the younger members to work, go to school, etc. and for us dinosaur-types to have access to medical care. While I could happily live way out in the woods right now, I know as I get older this won't be the case.

The reason I believe moving will be necessary:

• I believe McCain's erratic, rash behavior will get the US in wars on many avoidable fronts (and he will have to reinstate the draft). The family members under age 35 will need a place to come to avoid being drafted. While all would fight to defend the US, I'm not about to have them used for quagmires like Vietnam and Iraq - and I fully expect McCain's lack of understanding that the US can no longer bludgeon the rest of the world into doing its bidding or count on the support of the rest of the world any old time it goes to war to have the US at war with much of the ME, Russia and former Russian states, and/or possibly with China or a related country.
• I believe the US will become a state similar to Russia during the cold war years - a rouge state that many other countries will refuse to deal with any more than absolutely necessary. The US's research & trading partnerships and military alliances have already started to decline under GWB and would rapidly accelerate that decline under McCain. To be blunt, I think the only reason that other countries have not already pulled away from the US is they know the neo-cons are likely on their way out. If another neo-con puppet is installed, I believe the world's reaction will be swift, decisive and permanent.
• I also fully expect the US economic system to collapse from the many years of "reducing taxes and just keep borrowing the money to live on' type of economic thinking. No one, not even the US, can live on credit forever and GWB has left this country in a fine mess in that department. McCain's talk of freezing government spending is all talk - it cannot actually be done - and most of his other plans are 'iffy' at best and will continue to raise the deficit ad infinitum. The failed 'trickle-down', cut taxes on the rich to stimulate growth policies coupled with failing to regulate things like global outsourcing and offshore financial management will cause America to continue the rapid decline seen during GWB's reign.

The things that are important to me in looking for a new country:

• Don't absolutely despise US citizens or immigrants in general
• Educational opportunities - a sound system for young children that provides education that competitive under world standards and higher educational opportunities (the US would currently fail the first part)
• Leadership that understands the country's global position in the wold and understands the importance of good global citizenship
• Government that is not given to theocracy of any sort - Christian, Muslim or any other
• Civil rights and human rights are honored. Some of the family members are GLBT and/or mixed-race. I want them to have the same opportunites and freedom from hatred that others enjoy
• Health care is universally available to everyone
• Prefer a flat rate or tiered-flat-rate system of taxation - taxes can be somewhat high provided the services provided are good (infrastructure, education, health care, long-term senior care)
• Prefer country that has already recognized that dependence on fossil-fuels is bad and is already traveling on the path to switching to other energy sources
• Prefer a country that provides varied recreational opportunities - access to cultural events, playgrounds for children, museums, places to backpack. These can be in near-by countries provided traveling between the countries is an accepted practice

 

Come to South Australia Dino, what you desribed is what we have.

 

As an unbiased world traveler , I have a top ten of places that I have visited that I would like to live in, Australia is third, America did not make the cut!

 

What's first and second?

 

Greece, Croatia, Aus, Serbia, N/Spain,Holland, S/Africa, Eire, France, Vietnam.

 

You're kidding! How do Greece and Croatia top the list? They're full of Greeks and Croats!

 

Serbia and Vietnam, but no Israel?

 

Spankers I may have fought for there survival, but I don't wish to live in the country, Israel is behind America in the list.

 

We once considered an extended trip to Australia. This changed our plans:

Australia's Top Ten Dangerous Animals
http://www.australianfauna.com/t10dangerous.php
Australia definitely has its fair share of some of the world's most painful and poisonous creatures. We have deadly spiders, and of the top ten most deadliest snakes of the world, Australia has six on the list. Did you know even our humble platypus produces one of the most excruciating venoms known?

Below we have listed Australia's top ten dangerous creatures, of what we believe to be Australia's top ten dangerous animals.


1. The Box Jellyfish-The Jellyfish has extreme toxins present on its tentacles, which when in contact with a human, can stop cardio-respiratory functions in as little as three minutes.

This jellyfish is responsible for more deaths in Australian than Snakes, Sharks and Salt Water Crocodiles.



2. Irukandji (A Jellyfish)-The Irukandji jellyfish is only 2.5 centimeters in diameter, but can cause death to humans within days.

3. Salt Water Crocodile- These amazing creatures are found on the northern coast of Australia and inland for up to 100 kms or more. The Saltwater Crocodile has been reported to grow to lengths of 7 metres!

4. Blue Ring Octopus-The Blue Ring Octopus is a deadly venomous octopus which inhabits warm waters and shallow reefs off the coast of Australia.


5. Stone Fish-The venom of a stonefish can kill a human in two hours.

6. Red Back Spider-They are found all over Australia, and are common in urban areas.Only the female red back spider bite is dangerous to humans.

7. Brown Snake-They have venom which can cause death to humans relatively quickly if left untreated.

8. Tiger Snake-These are venomous snakes, They are also found in suburban areas, even in the newer suburbs.


9. Great White Shark-They attack their prey once, and then wait and let their prey bleed to death. They have an amazing sense of smell, and can pick up blood in water a long way away.

10. Funnel Web Spider-They are probably the most venomous aggressive spider in the world, all funnel web species should be treated as dangerous to humans, not just the Sydney or Northern tree dweller.Their massive fangs can penetrate a child's fingernail. The venom also causes changes to blood vessels which can lead to shock and coma due to brain damage.Bites are dangerous and can cause serious illness or death.

 

Don't believe the rumours, i have lived in Australia for 18 years and i haven't died once from any of those animals.

 

I thought you believed in God

 

What is disagreeable about Israel?

 

ooh I've got a question! Do y'all have Drunk-Driving Schools yet?

One of my uncles is australian and last time I saw him years ago he mentioned wanting to start a driving school for drunks.. something about the problem with alcohol related accidents isn't drunks that drive, the problem is not knowing how to drive while drunk.


editps
oh and to any 'murcan moving to Oz, don't get into a drinking contest with the locals. 9 times outta ten they'll drink you under the table.

 

The food and my relatives

 

Okay, your relatives. What else?

 

What??? We're Australian, we don't need a school to learn how to drive drunk, it comes naturally to us. We're not binge drinkers, just Aussies.

That's because you have (*)(*)(*)(*) beer compared to us.