Lambethlad Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 (edited) This appeared on Facebook today. Interesting set of observations from a visitor from the other side of the Pacific. David Mason is a US writer and professor, and poet laureate of Colorado. 1... Health care. I know the controversies, but basic national health care is a gift. In America, medical expenses are a leading cause of bankruptcy. The drug companies dominate politics and advertising. Obama is being crucified for taking halting baby steps towards sanity. You can't turn on the telly without hours of drug advertisements - something I have never yet seen here. And your emphasis on prevention - making cigarettes less accessible, for one - is a model. 2... Food. Yes, we have great food in America too, especially in the big cities. But your bread is less sweet, your lamb is cheaper, and your supermarket vegetables and fruits are fresher than ours. Too often in my country an apple is a ball of pulp as big as your face. The dainty Pink Lady apples of Oz are the juiciest I've had. And don't get me started on coffee. In American small towns it tastes like water flavoured with burnt dirt, but the smallest shop in the smallest town in Oz can make a first-rate latte. I love your ubiquitous bakeries, your hot-cross buns. Shall I go on? 3... Language. How do you do it? The rhyming slang and Aboriginal place names like magic spells. Words that seem vaguely English yet also resemble an argot from another planet. I love the way institutional names get turned into diminutives - Vinnie's and Salvos - and absolutely nothing's sacred. Everything's an opportunity for word games and everyone's a nickname. Lingo makes the world go round. It's the spontaneous wit of the people that tickles me most. Late one night at a barbie my new mate Suds remarked, ''Nothing's the same since 24-7.'' Amen. 4... Free-to-air TV. In Oz, you buy a TV, plug it in and watch some of the best programming I've ever seen - uncensored. In America, you can't get diddly-squat without paying a cable or satellite company heavy fees. In Oz a few channels make it hard to choose. In America, you've got 400 channels and nothing to watch. 5... Small shops. Outside the big cities in America corporations have nearly erased them. Identical malls with identical restaurants serving inferior food. Except for geography, it's hard to tell one American town from another. The ''take-away'' culture here is wonderful. Human encounters are real - stirring happens, stories get told. The curries are to die for. And you don't have to tip! 6... Free camping. We used to have this too, and I guess it's still free when you backpack miles away from the roads. But I love the fact that in Oz everyone owns the shore and in many places you can pull up a camper van and stare at the sea for weeks. I love the ''primitive'' and independent campgrounds, the life out of doors. The few idiots who leave their stubbies and rubbish behind in these pristine places ought to be transported in chains. 7... Religion. In America, it's everywhere - especially where it's not supposed to be, like politics. I imagine you have your Pharisees too, making a big public show of devotion, but I have yet to meet one here. 8... Roads. Peak hour aside, I've found travel on your roads pure heaven. My country's ''freeways'' are crowded, crumbling, insanely knotted with looping overpasses - it's like racing homicidal maniacs on fraying spaghetti. I've taken the Hume without stress, and I love the Princes Highway when it's two lanes. Ninety minutes south of Bateman's Bay I was sorry to see one billboard for a McDonald's. It's blocking a lovely paddock view. Someone should remove it. 9... Real multiculturalism. I know there are tensions, just like anywhere else, but I love the distinctiveness of your communities and the way you publicly acknowledge the Aboriginal past. Recently, too, I spent quality time with Melbourne Greeks, and was gratified both by their devotion to their own great language and culture and their openness to an Afghan lunch. 10. Fewer guns. You had Port Arthur in 1996 and got real in response. America replicates such massacres several times a year and nothing changes. Why? Our religion of individual rights makes the good of the community an impossible dream. Instead of mateship we have ''It's mine and nobody else's''. We talk a great game about freedom, but too often live in fear. There's more to say - your kaleidoscopic birds, your perfumed bush in springtime, your vast beaches. These are just a few blessings that make Australia a rarity. Of course, it's not paradise - nowhere is - but I love it here. No need to wave flags like Americans and add to the world's windiness. Just value what you have and don't give it away. Source: http://www.theage.com.au/comment/put-away-the-flags-and-enjoy-your-country-on-australia-day-20140125-31fm4.html Edited December 13, 2015 by Marisawright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calNgary Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Great post, but im not sure id agree on the Roads bit, yes they are not as congested as in some countries but a lot are of bobbins quality and could have been laid by pre schoolers!! lol Cal x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celt Down Under Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 LL, can you provide an internet link to the post. Reason is that I want to repost it, but want to provide a link to the original post. My sister lives in the USA, and thinks that is the best country in the World to live in. I disagree of course. :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 LL, can you provide an internet link to the post. Reason is that I want to repost it, but want to provide a link to the original post. My sister lives in the USA, and thinks that is the best country in the World to live in. I disagree of course. :wink: http://www.theage.com.au/comment/put-away-the-flags-and-enjoy-your-country-on-australia-day-20140125-31fm4.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Great post, but im not sure id agree on the Roads bit, yes they are not as congested as in some countries but a lot are of bobbins quality and could have been laid by pre schoolers!! lol Cal x Maybe the poster lives in Los Angeles. The freeways there are an absolute nightmare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzukiscottie Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 I agree with the OP about crumbling roads in the USA. I've driven extensively over there, mainly in NY State and I was shocked at the state of many road surfaces, especially on the freeways and not-so-FREEways. Large potholes, lumps of gravel from said potholes strewn across the roads, roadworks which take an eternity. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petals Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 I think its basically as it is here in Aus and we want it to stay that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 I agree with the OP about crumbling roads in the USA. I've driven extensively over there, mainly in NY State and I was shocked at the state of many road surfaces, especially on the freeways and not-so-FREEways. Large potholes, lumps of gravel from said potholes strewn across the roads, roadworks which take an eternity. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I noticed that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
movingback Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 I agree with the OP about crumbling roads in the USA. I've driven extensively over there, mainly in NY State and I was shocked at the state of many road surfaces, especially on the freeways and not-so-FREEways. Large potholes, lumps of gravel from said potholes strewn across the roads, roadworks which take an eternity. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Depends where you are in the US. I think northern states with severe winters have a lot of trouble maintaining the roads - too many freeze/thaw cycles play havoc with the surface. Have found roads much better in the south. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzukiscottie Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Depends where you are in the US. I think northern states with severe winters have a lot of trouble maintaining the roads - too many freeze/thaw cycles play havoc with the surface. Have found roads much better in the south. You're probably right about the weather. But the ongoing road repair doesn't seem to be a high priority. That's how it seemed to me when I worked there. Maybe Southern areas have different issues? I don't live there so it doesn't bother me; just an observation. [emoji2] Northern European countries with equally severe Winters seem to have a higher priority for road maintenance. Different economies, different issues, different priorities, different budgets I guess. [emoji106]? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
movingback Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 And much less population density in America as compared to Europe means less of a road repair budget per mile of road. Much less. More snow and extreme cold temps as compared to most ares of Europe as well. They do what they can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyraceway Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Mason has nailed it in that article. Bravo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Nice to hear something really positive about Australia- hope we stay as we are and don't go the way of the USA in health provision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canada2Australia Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 (edited) My sister lives in the USA, and thinks that is the best country in the World to live in. I disagree of course. :wink: I was wanting to move to the US, specifically Arizona, for the last few years. However, I've seen the progression of that country go down the pooper in so many regards that now I would never consider moving to that country; ever. I've turned down several job offers. Apparently they treat you like underpaid slaves there, and that is something I am not interested in whatsoever. I'll take Canada and/or Australia over the USA any day, thanks! Edited December 12, 2015 by Canada2Australia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinkla Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 If Mr Mason thinks Australia has advantages over the US, just wait until he sees Europe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 If Mr Mason thinks Australia has advantages over the US, just wait until he sees Europe. My first thoughts exactly Stacey. Has this man travelled at all? Meanwhile our politicians from the right side of politics will us ever further down the American road of sink or swim, never mind the sharks, rip tides, and other dangers lurking underneath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 Nice to hear something really positive about Australia- hope we stay as we are and don't go the way of the USA in health provision. WE are drifting that way. Be nice to go their way with housing affordability though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 LL, can you provide an internet link to the post. Reason is that I want to repost it, but want to provide a link to the original post. My sister lives in the USA, and thinks that is the best country in the World to live in. I disagree of course. :wink: The truth probably lays that neither are best in the world, but both offer positive contributions towards the discussion as to what contributes the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 http://www.theage.com.au/comment/put-away-the-flags-and-enjoy-your-country-on-australia-day-20140125-31fm4.html He wouldn't have been sponsored would he to come out and write such a trite article would he? Build up morale in a time of downturn, something much the population has never experienced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 It's all a matter of opinion surely? It's where you feel content. I've lived in the USA, France, Belgium, Switzerland and the UK .................. but I am happiest living here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 He wouldn't have been sponsored would he to come out and write such a trite article would he? Build up morale in a time of downturn, something much the population has never experienced. Are you capable of writing anything positive, about anything? You apparently know everything about everything and are such a misery guts about it all.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 It's all a matter of opinion surely? It's where you feel content. I've lived in the USA, France, Belgium, Switzerland and the UK .................. but I am happiest living here. Well yes but also what leads to that contentment. A decent pension with age? Entitlements if one partner is older than the other? Cost of Living? To socialise? To travel? There are many considerations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 Are you capable of writing anything positive, about anything? You apparently know everything about everything and are such a misery guts about it all.. Keep the positive compliance for Facebook and other outlets if you must, lets keep something real.We don't have to like one another for you to say a point well made. We do need to look behind things to see what really is. I question unlike you appear to do and hence that is the first thought that comes to mind. As for apparently knowing everything I don't claim that, but I'll take it as a compliment if you think that way. I note you have yet to win an alternative argument but still no need to hold me in awe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 Well yes but also what leads to that contentment. A decent pension with age? Entitlements if one partner is older than the other? Cost of Living? To socialise? To travel? There are many considerations. If you are referring to me Flag ............ well we are self funded retirees. So no age pension come the time we would have been entitled. It doesn't cost much for us to live and we have a good social life - more so my husband - I enjoy my own company .......... don't get me wrong, I do have friends but I'm certainly not one of those co-dependent types of people - I like to do my own thing. Travel? Not so interested these day. Wouldn't mind a trip to Queenstown, NZ to visit a cousin and other friends - maybe back to the UK sometime next year. Och, I'm just a happy soul here. Would I have been as happy if we had stayed in Sydney? No, I wouldn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 If you are referring to me Flag ............ well we are self funded retirees. So no age pension come the time we would have been entitled. It doesn't cost much for us to live and we have a good social life - more so my husband - I enjoy my own company .......... don't get me wrong, I do have friends but I'm certainly not one of those co-dependent types of people - I like to do my own thing. Travel? Not so interested these day. Wouldn't mind a trip to Queenstown, NZ to visit a cousin and other friends - maybe back to the UK sometime next year. Och, I'm just a happy soul here. Would I have been as happy if we had stayed in Sydney? No, I wouldn't. Some want little which is fine. Not that I want a lot but useful to compare before blowing the trumpet too loudly for Australia. I'll be self funded also but would have got a very decent pension on top of my personal wealth,(in a European context) which is not taken into account. Nor having a partner considerably younger. In theory I would need to run down saved wealth and she take care of me leaving her with little. You most likely would have been if stayed longer in France or Belgium as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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