Is the UK worth the change in life style and uprooting from America?

I think living in the UK might be a better experience politically. What i mean is that elections possibly might not have the same impact on the direction that nation could take.

Hmmm. Three words come to mind. Scottish Independence Referendum

That's a pretty big impact on a nation(s) direction. 

Hmmm. Three words come to mind. Scottish Independence Referendum

That's a pretty big impact on a nation(s) direction. 

snap.

I think living in the UK might be a better experience politically. What i mean is that elections possibly might not have the same impact on the direction that nation could take.In America the act of voting could decide if a retired person has to deal with a social safety-net that is cut by 30%. I pay attention to uk politics but not living there, there is no way I can fully understand what all takes place between the various parties.But I hightly doubt either of Britain's main parties would want to get rid of the welfare system in order to give even larger tax breaks to the rich. I also doubt that issues such as ethnic voter suppression is a real problem in the Uk. Sadly it is in America.

The last election, people thought they were voting for a more centralised government and instead got a coalition thats ripping people of the same support systems that help keep them alive.  Forcing people who have terminal cancer back to work (as they can put their coat on without assistance, so thus, physically able to work 35 hours a week) or removing housing allowance for those between the ages of 16 and 25 (as we all know every young adult has a safe and healthy relationship with their families who are all willing and financially able to support them)

And the government isnt done YET and they have 2 more years left. . . .

Well, considering that one of the biggest things the current government has done is make huge cuts to the benefits system...

After those cuts were made to the welfare state, was the welfare system still able to help the old,sick and unemployed? In America there are political parties that believe old or young, you should look after your own needs regardless of how old, poor or sick you are. Some political parties equate "freedom" with the right to force upon others the decision to deny funds or any type of help via government assistance. I have a libertarian streak in me but I do not agree with the idea of a society were the strongest only survive.

I also do not like the fact that there are political forces primarily in one political party in america that use methods such as voter suppression in order to grab hold of power.I would be very surprised if voter suppression took place in the UK, and if certain ethnic groups were the target of such sleazy tactics.

Oh, I don't know, we had quite a palaver up here in Manchester at the last election as the polls were sending people away after they had stood in line for 3+ hours. And these were students, who were very likely to vote Lib Dem. And I think there are definitely sections of the Conservative party that wouldn't mind seeing all welfare state issues either taken over by the private sector or done away with. That said, even our conservative politicians are to the left of most of the US.

Also, the sheer amount of money spent during the US election boggles my mind, not on the running of it, but on advertising and the like.

Nothing you have mentioned thus far is specific to the US political scene. These things happen everywhere, including the UK. It's just easier to spot when it's in the country where you live.

Hmmm. Three words come to mind. Scottish Independence Referendum

That's a pretty big impact on a nation(s) direction.  

The decision to leave a National Union is a very big deal and who knows, it might actually happen.I can see the validity in both points of view about the Scottish succeeding. But I really wasn't talking about a referendum which imo is a choice that people are allowed to vote up or down.
My attempt was to point out major changes that take away quality of life.Healthcare,voting rights,the right for women to decide their own choices in regard to their body.I just happen to be one of those guys that believe women are equal to men and I reject the notion that men should decide what rights women have.
 In America,I must say, there are very extreme views on individual rights and this season has illustrated how some people think on certain issues.There are actually people in positions of political power in America who believe that if a woman were to be raped that she should be forced to have that baby.And in some States, the father(the rapist) of that baby would still retain his right to fatherhood,including visitation. I could be wrong, but I just have not noticed that type of out-of-date thinking in the UK. Would canidates in the major uk political parties espouse extreme positions such as the above?

There are actually people in positions of political in America who believe that if a woman were to be raped that she should be forced to have that baby.And in some States, the father(the rapist) of that baby would still retain his right to fatherhood,including visitation. I could be wrong, but I just have not noticed that type of out-of-date thinking in the UK. Would canidates in the major uk political parties espouse extreme positions such as the above?

Which candidate in the major US parties has stated they believe what you have described?

Which candidate in the major US parties has stated they believe what you have described?

They may not actually come out and say that a raped woman should be forced to have a baby (though I wouldn't be all that surprised if someone had said that), but the comments made by US candidates aren't all that far from what Overheadsmash describes, I'm afraid.

Read this article for some shockers.

Nothing you have mentioned thus far is specific to the US political scene. These things happen everywhere, including the UK. It's just easier to spot when it's in the country where you live.

So you have real examples of voter suppression in the UK and those tactics are systematically use to gain an advantage in winning power and certain voters are targeted? Which political party in the UK has a obvious history of doing this?

They may not actually come out and say that a raped woman should be forced to have a baby (though I wouldn't be all that surprised if someone had said that), but the comments made by US candidates aren't all that far from what Overheadsmash describes, I'm afraid.

Read this article for some shockers.

I agree that some candidates have said some ridiculous and outrageous things, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that their statements are the party lines for any major political parties.  These people are usually quickly disavowed by the party leadership.

I agree that some candidates have said some ridiculous and outrageous things, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that their statements are the party lines for any major political parties.  These people are usually quickly disavowed by the party leadership.

Absolutely. They represent extreme views. But ... they're still members of one of the two major parties. And that's terrifying!

Which isn't to say there aren't people with looney views in any country.

So you have real examples of voter suppression in the UK and those tactics are systematically use to gain an advantage in winning power and certain voters are targeted? Which political party in the UK has a obvious history of doing this?

As Jennie stated earlier, it happened in Manchester. I don't know enough about UK history and politics to cite statistics, but clearly these tactics are used by plenty of other major parties in other democratic countries. The point is that the US is not the only country where these things occur.  

Absolutely. They represent extreme views. But ... they're still members of one of the two major parties. And that's terrifying!

Which isn't to say there aren't people with looney views in any country.

Exactly.

Which candidate in the major US parties has stated they believe what you have described?

Rep Todd Akin of Missouri running for Senate and who was winning handily until he was crazy enough to actually admit in public his opinion on rape and women's right.
Vice presidential canidate Paul Ryan who has supported and co-sponsored legislation with Todd Akin and has said repeatedly that abortion should not be allowed even in the case of rape.
 There are several others and they are from various political parties,but you get the point I'm making.