Brexit and our government - a personal story

[jackjone]

Originally Posted by Hugh

'Biased' - someone who doesn't agree with you...

The pension age is going up because, on average, people are living longer - basic economics...

You're saying it's tough, but you have a salary coming in to your family - why not be happy for what you have, rather than be miserable for what you haven't?

I'm probably about the same age as you, I'm ex-forces, and I was made redundant last year - I'm now working away through the week, only home at weekends; my choice.

I could either complain, blame everyone else for my situation, or do something about it.

Hopefully, I'll get a local job soon, but until then, I'll keep on doing what I need to...

Not everyone has the options I do, but it's about making the best of a bad situation, versus blaming the world for your problems...

Do people not get 'tongue in cheek' comments anymore! Perhaps I should have put a smiley face.

I have not said I am unhappy. I am certainly not miserable. You have probably missed some of my postings! Have you read where 'our' money goes, obviously not! Please do... It is also about self pride. I am not a military wife who has sat at home looking after kids for many years, I have always been independent and worked so to have that taken away is soul destroying for me.

I cannot get help to fund a course whilst a migrant just released from prison for murder can be given a house and benefits. My tax has contributed to those in need for many years so why should I not have a little back. We house our elderly parents as the housing department wanted to put them in a high crime and drug area. They don't take the extra expense you have into consideration, only your net salary! We are worse off than someone on benefits.

I don't have to tell you this but I will as it is very relevant. I lived with a health issue for many years which became more debilitating over time yet the NHS didn't think it was quite serious enough to provide treatment. It lowered my every day quality of life so I had no option other than to pay for the operation myself privately. It is frustrating when you look at health tourism, treatment for those who have never contributed within the UK, implants on the NHS etc. Do you know I had to pay thousands of pounds for this operation (5 figures) and it cleared out my life savings. Money I could be living on now to make things easier. Read this posting!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-taxpayer.html

Do you know some EU citizens have had (and probably still do) treatment in their country and charge it to the UK? Read this posting..

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...t-card-GP.html

I would also add that have a sight problem so therefore cannot cannot drive. I am in a little village. I don't have many choices... I have a limited bus service so yes, there are other circumstances I need to contend with. Jobs are limited in the area I am able to travel to, the town has a high economic migrant population which limits my chance of work so it isn't at all that fantastic!

I am not blaming the world on my problems, I don't want any more than anyone else but a little help would be nice. I am sure you would feel a little of what I do when you see what is going on and you watch your bank balance reduce to zero. I think that, given the circumstances, I am handling it quite well.

If people say that this would not frustrate them then they are obviously not being honest! It is always the same, people will comment when they don't have the full story! Perhaps now you might just understand although in all honesty, I don't care if you don't. So I don't think your comment 'I could either complain, blame everyone else for my situation, or do something about it' is really suits my situation. I try my best. Seriously though, I think I have a right to have a little moan and I won't apologise for that. If my thousands of pounds was still in the bank, then I would feel a little better! So how would you feel? The money you saved for your future was gone whilst you watched the NHS fund the above! I answered, now will you do the same out of respect and please be honest.

On a positive note, I have a wonderful future ahead of me and I know I only have to keep my chin up for a few more months.

I am pleased you have a job and yes, it will be so much better when you get one closer to home. I hope you received a redundancy payment to help soften the blow. Hopefully you will also have an army pension which you can use to contribute to your travel expenses until you do sort something out. Good luck with your continued job hunt.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by jackjone

I don't wish to argue with someone who doesn't read posts correctly. I actually commented on a post from someone who liked America. I said I love the country and I do. I didn't offer up America as a comparison in any way shape or form so please get your facts right before you comment. If I recall, you made a stupid comment in the first instance which I don't think was in any way relevant to the topic being discussed. You have taken everything out of context. I recall you referring to Americans as yokels, it is very derogatory. I assume you don't like America. You certainly don't sound as if you have ever actually been there!

.. and by the way, if you don't have money, your basic human rights entitle you to healthcare in the USA. You will not be turned away in an emergency. There is Obamacare and the marketplace to shop for your insurance. You pay a level of insurance dependent upon your earnings. Some hospitals write off bills if there is no way the patient can afford to pay. Hospitals make financial arrangements with patients to pay up their bills over a period of time. Companies provide jobs with health insurance. Pensioners are provided with medicaid and medicare when they retire.

Federal and income taxes etc. are cheaper in the US than here as is nearly everything else. You have more free income than you do in the UK. In effect what you pay for your medical insurance is what is deducted directly from your salary in the UK from your National Insurance so many people have a little more free income in the good old US than they do in the UK. .. .. and the lifestyle is great!

I would certainly pay for my healthcare as I know I would get quality treatment. I would choose my doctor/surgeon if I needed treatment. I would not have to lie in a hospital corridor waiting to be seen. I wouldn't have to wait 2 weeks to see a doctor. I wouldn't end up committing suicide because I cannot get treatment for mental health issues. I wouldn't die of cervical cancer because I can't get a screening until I am over 25 or bowel cancer until I am 55. I am not downing the NHS as on the whole they do a great job but unfortunately, services are at breaking point in some areas and it will only continue to get worse.

There are advantages and disadvantages in both systems.

If you are going to quote me, please put the quote in your message so that I know what you are talking about!

.. and yes I will stick by my point that people commit suicide and/or lose their life due to the inadequacies and cutbacks made by the Department of Work and Pensions. If you did your research on this subject, you would have an idea of what is actually happening in the country. I have provided you with some examples to start with as you obviously cannot be bothered to research anything yourself.

http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com...ated-suicides/

https://www.rt.com/uk/316524-dwp-bla...bled-reporter/

https://www.theguardian.com/society/...r-benefits-cut

This is about the EU and our government, not about America so I hope this answers your questions. If there is any other information you require, best you research it.

Have a wonderful evening.

You recall incorrectly, Jamie never called Americans yokels, neither did I for that matter, I said I found it funny when I heard some redneck hick yokel demanding to take America back and wondered who they planned to take it back from and what the intended to do with it once they had it back, i found it relevant to thr discussion as you reminded me of said hick yokel by demanding Britain gets taken back.

I also find it mildly amusing when a poster demands people read their posts correctly and gauge the correct interpretion from them but can't be bothered to not only extend the courtesy to others or even correctly name them and instead grossly exaggerates what was said as well. I'd suggest you take your own advice about getting facts right or else you'll end up looking very silly.

[jackjone]

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

You recall incorrectly, Jamie never called Americans yokels, neither did I for that matter, I said I found it funny when I heard some redneck hick yokel demanding to take America back and wondered who they planned to take it back from and what the intended to do with it once they had it back, i found it relevant to the discussion as you reminded me of said hick yokel by demanding Britain gets taken back.

I also find it mildly amusing when a poster demands people read their posts correctly and gauge the correct interpretion from them but can't be bothered to not only extend the courtesy to others or even correctly name them and instead grossly exaggerates what was said as well. I'd suggest you take your own advice about getting facts right or else you'll end up looking very silly.

I would have perhaps gone to the effort if it referred to a comment which demanded an intelligent response! Why is it such a big issue I didn't state it verbatim. It would have just been an absolute waste of time and energy. So does it make it any better that you referred to some redneck hick yokel (the statement implied it referred to an American, probably a particular individual in fact), it is a derogatory term whatever the contextl! You say I can't be bothered! What a silly argument, I have spent a LOT of time responding to people's comments in a polite way and I have been frank and open about my experiences personally. I think I have been quite eloquent!

You call yourself TheDaddy - mmmm there are many ways I could interpret this!!

What can I say, dum de dum de dum de dum de dum dum dum...

Please don't go to the effort of responding again as I find it boring and I won't entertain your small mindedness!

Have a wonderful day. Give me six!!

I rest my case.

[techguyone]

Still at least you know what you can do if/when we lose the ref, go and live in the USA, I'll stay here I think.

[jackjone]

Originally Posted by techguyone

Still at least you know what you can do if/when we lose the ref, go and live in the USA, I'll stay here I think.

Don't throw your toys out of the pram.

Yes, that is a very good idea. I appreciate your input. Now that you mention it....

Good luck with that - my brother-in-law works/lives in Connecticut, and is a VP for a major pharma/biosimilars corporation; the hassle of getting a work permit, never mind a green card, is almost overwhelming, and he was sponsored by his company.

The big thing to worry about in the USA is Medical Insurance - most companies won't cover pre-existing conditions, so you would have to pay for anything related to those yourself, and there is also co-payments, which means, unless you have very very expensive Health Insurance, you pay a percentage of the bill up to a limit (which can be up to $100,000).

Medical bills are the biggest cause of bankruptcy in the USA, mostly from people who have medical insurance...

[techguyone]

No toys, no prams.

You see, you've been here all of what. 5 minutes?

Yet with all your 'passion' and !!! exclamations, you're running the risk of scaring away the people you are presumably trying to influence.

Debates are not won by whoever can screech the loudest, neither are they won by stifling or refusing to accept dissention to your own particular point of view.

I also want to leave the EU, I'd also quite like a decent Government, I just don't choose to go off like a cheap Chinese firework about it.

Considering the length of service held, and the alarming way you've ramped up your rhetoric to near hysterical level at some posters in a short time frame, you're seriously undermining your credibility on the points you have made that are valid.

Take a step back, give your head a wobble and breathe.

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Good luck with that - my brother-in-law works/lives in Connecticut, and is a VP for a major pharma/biosimilars corporation; the hassle of getting a work permit, never mind a green card, is almost overwhelming, and he was sponsored by his company.

The big thing to worry about in the USA is Medical Insurance - most companies won't cover pre-existing conditions, so you would have to pay for anything related to those yourself, and there is also co-payments, which means, unless you have very very expensive Health Insurance, you pay a percentage of the bill up to a limit (which can be up to $100,000).

Medical bills are the biggest cause of bankruptcy in the USA, mostly from people who have medical insurance...

my mother in-law lives and works in Florida and it is in my opinion the best thing that has ever happened to this country i love America for taking her in

[jackjone]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Good luck with that - my brother-in-law works/lives in Connecticut, and is a VP for a major pharma/biosimilars corporation; the hassle of getting a work permit, never mind a green card, is almost overwhelming, and he was sponsored by his company.

The big thing to worry about in the USA is Medical Insurance - most companies won't cover pre-existing conditions, so you would have to pay for anything related to those yourself, and there is also co-payments, which means, unless you have very very expensive Health Insurance, you pay a percentage of the bill up to a limit (which can be up to $100,000).

Medical bills are the biggest cause of bankruptcy in the USA, mostly from people who have medical insurance...

Thank you very much for your comment. Yes, they are very valid points you have made.

I am familiar with The Marketplace, the Affordable Care Act, co-payments etc.

There have been some positive changes, HealthCare.Gov state:

"All Marketplace plans must cover treatment for pre-existing medical conditions.

No insurance plan can reject you, charge you more, or refuse to pay for essential health benefits for any condition you had before your coverage started.

Once you’re enrolled, the plan can’t deny you coverage or raise your rates based only on your health.

Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) also can't refuse to cover you or charge you more because of your pre-existing condition."

I have no doubt you already know this given your insight above but I will mention it anyway in case anyone else finds this discussion interesting.The amount you pay is based on income as subsidies are given to make availability of healthcare more affordable (or you can opt out and pay a penalty).

I had a friend in the US who became extremely ill, he could not afford medical insurance/expenses yet all of his medical needs were met. The bill was written off. His house wasn't used as collateral as it was his primary residence. There are people who slip through the net in one way or another in both the US and Britain, there are positives and negatives to both. It shouldn't be this way, it is a sad fact it is.

UK and US passports are classed as two of the most powerful passports in world' and I hold both. I know how lucky I am to have the option to live in either country and I of course will take advantage of this.

Can I assume your brother-in-law enjoys the American lifestyle given he made an informed decision to live and work there. It would be interesting to know which country he would prefer to remain in on a permanent basis if he had to make that choice.

---------- Post added at 13:05 ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 ----------

Originally Posted by techguyone

No toys, no prams.

You see, you've been here all of what. 5 minutes?

Yet with all your 'passion' and !!! exclamations, you're running the risk of scaring away the people you are presumably trying to influence.

Debates are not won by whoever can screech the loudest, neither are they won by stifling or refusing to accept dissention to your own particular point of view.

I also want to leave the EU, I'd also quite like a decent Government, I just don't choose to go off like a cheap Chinese firework about it.

Considering the length of service held, and the alarming way you've ramped up your rhetoric to near hysterical level at some posters in a short time frame, you're seriously undermining your credibility on the points you have made that are valid.

Take a step back, give your head a wobble and breathe.

I am no more opinionated than many others in this forum covering many topics, I have been polite all the way through. I have responded nicely to people even though there are the odd one or two who seem to be quite rude (with the exception of one who used a derogatory term and you are already aware of this.)

I did not realise it wasn't appropriate to use exclamation marks so I will leave them out in future. It is simply a habit of mine and I will try and become more aware of when I use them. I seem to have upset you in some way, it is not my intention. Please try and remain calm, it really isn't good for you. Take a deep breath, in, out, in, out.. Does that feel better.

Have a great day.

Jackjone I think what techguy was referring to is the way you come across it can be a little condescending and that alienates people that might agree with the points you've made. Like it or not internet forums don't translate intent or emotional feelings unless very well worded so at times people can come across as something they are not. Also in my experience telling people to calm down generally has the opposite effect, just for notice I am perfectly calm as I type this .

[techguyone]

I'm also being totally calm as I agree with Rizzy

LOL

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by jackjone

I would have perhaps gone to the effort if it referred to a comment which demanded an intelligent response! Why is it such a big issue I didn't state it verbatim. It would have just been an absolute waste of time and energy. So does it make it any better that you referred to some redneck hick yokel (the statement implied it referred to an American, probably a particular individual in fact), it is a derogatory term whatever the contextl! You say I can't be bothered! What a silly argument, I have spent a LOT of time responding to people's comments in a polite way and I have been frank and open about my experiences personally. I think I have been quite eloquent!

You call yourself TheDaddy - mmmm there are many ways I could interpret this!!

What can I say, dum de dum de dum de dum de dum dum dum...

Please don't go to the effort of responding again as I find it boring and I won't entertain your small mindedness!

Have a wonderful day. Give me six!!

I rest my case.

Its really not much of an effort to ensure your quoting the right person, it's basic forum etiquette and courtesy really

Originally Posted by jackjone

Thank you very much for your comment. Yes, they are very valid points you have made.

I am familiar with The Marketplace, the Affordable Care Act, co-payments etc.

There have been some positive changes, HealthCare.Gov state:

"All Marketplace plans must cover treatment for pre-existing medical conditions.

No insurance plan can reject you, charge you more, or refuse to pay for essential health benefits for any condition you had before your coverage started.

Once you’re enrolled, the plan can’t deny you coverage or raise your rates based only on your health.

Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) also can't refuse to cover you or charge you more because of your pre-existing condition."

I have no doubt you already know this given your insight above but I will mention it anyway in case anyone else finds this discussion interesting.The amount you pay is based on income as subsidies are given to make availability of healthcare more affordable (or you can opt out and pay a penalty).

I had a friend in the US who became extremely ill, he could not afford medical insurance/expenses yet all of his medical needs were met. The bill was written off. His house wasn't used as collateral as it was his primary residence. There are people who slip through the net in one way or another in both the US and Britain, there are positives and negatives to both. It shouldn't be this way, it is a sad fact it is.

UK and US passports are classed as two of the most powerful passports in world' and I hold both. I know how lucky I am to have the option to live in either country and I of course will take advantage of this.

Can I assume your brother-in-law enjoys the American lifestyle given he made an informed decision to live and work there. It would be interesting to know which country he would prefer to remain in on a permanent basis if he had to make that choice.

---------- Post added at 13:05 ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 ----------



I am no more opinionated than many others in this forum covering many topics, I have been polite all the way through. I have responded nicely to people even though there are the odd one or two who seem to be quite rude (with the exception of one who used a derogatory term and you are already aware of this.)

I did not realise it wasn't appropriate to use exclamation marks so I will leave them out in future. It is simply a habit of mine and I will try and become more aware of when I use them. I seem to have upset you in some way, it is not my intention. Please try and remain calm, it really isn't good for you. Take a deep breath, in, out, in, out.. Does that feel better.

Have a great day.

The company (Israeli) he was with at the time transferred him there (to NJ originally), and it was then taken over by a US company, which fired 20% of the staff, including him; he was headhunted by another NJ Pharma company, and he stayed because he was in a relationship; he enjoys living in New Haven, but intends to retire to the UK.

[jackjone]

Originally Posted by RizzyKing

Jackjone I think what techguy was referring to is the way you come across it can be a little condescending and that alienates people that might agree with the points you've made. Like it or not internet forums don't translate intent or emotional feelings unless very well worded so at times people can come across as something they are not. Also in my experience telling people to calm down generally has the opposite effect, just for notice I am perfectly calm as I type this .

Thank you for your comment RizzyKing. Yes, I agree with your point. You say it so well I am not a condescending person whatsoever so it is simply misinterpretation of the written word as you say. I am new to forums so I try to be as clear as possible; perhaps to a fault! Please let me have this exclamation mark. I simply care. Let us just accept that techguy and I are both at fault, I feel the same way about some of his comments as he does mine. Obviously, we are both passionate about our cause and that isn't a bad thing. I suggested he calmed down as I don't think a discussion should cause upset or anger and it appeared from the wording in his last couple of posts that it did. It just isn't good for your health. Breathing techniques are wonderful if you feel a little stressed. It was simply a suggestion, again misinterpreted. I hope you conveyed the same message to techguy, it is only fair you do so and we can start afresh.

Please feel free to step in any time as moderator if any of us get out of hand, even though it is unintentional!

PS this debating stuff is hard work, I don't think it will be a full-time hobby for me...

---------- Post added at 15:35 ---------- Previous post was at 15:31 ----------

Originally Posted by Hugh

The company (Israeli) he was with at the time transferred him there (to NJ originally), and it was then taken over by a US company, which fired 20% of the staff, including him; he was headhunted by another NJ Pharma company, and he stayed because he was in a relationship; he enjoys living in New Haven, but intends to retire to the UK.

mmmm that's American companies for you. Best of both worlds too then

---------- Post added at 16:09 ---------- Previous post was at 15:35 ----------

I'm also being totally calm as I agree with Rizzy

LOL

Good for you Techguyone, of course you would. You are an absolute card.... Nice to see that sense of humour and that huge LOL. Did the breathing exercises work LOL

[ntluser]

No matter what the outcome of today's vote there will always be someone who is not happy at the result.

Which ever way it goes we will all have to adapt to any changing circumstances and live within our means as best we can, though it may be harder for some than others.