
[BOR]
0: Safe
1: Be civil and nice.
2: Try not to excessively repost, as a rule of thumb, wait at least 2 months to do it if you *have* to.

[EOR]
[BOC]
I believe that we agree on a lot more than you think. I'm getting ready to retire in the next 3-5 years and also plan on leaving the U.S. I lived in Europe (Germany) and know exactly what you are talking about when it comes to social programs. There is one HUGE difference between Western Europe and the U.S. and that is bureaucracy works really well there, in the U.S. it is a haven of waste and abuse. I plan on moving to Costa Rica or maybe Panama. What drives me crazy and makes me want to leave the U.S. is 1) the police and the power that they wield since 9/11 and 2) Taxes and what I receive in return. I will still have to pay taxes on my retirement income but at least I won't have to see what I'm paying for if I'm in Panama.

I saw 9/11 too. I'm pretty sure that it affected us both but perhaps differently? I work in Army Special Operations and respectfully disagree with the need for one to pay their dues. When I was young, I thought that I knew all of the answers. The more that I've learned and experienced has made me realize today how little that I actually know. What scares me is how little that people calling themselves experts know. If you don't pay your dues then you really don't "know" a whole lot, you just think that you do. 

Honestly. I appreciate your thoughtful response and respect your passion. You guys all sound a hell of a lot smarter than I was when I was your age. It sounds like your generation feels the same way about Wall St./ corporations as my generations feel about the government; mistrust and maybe some cynicism? 
[EOC]
