Americans Living Abroad: First Time You Realized America Really Messed You Up - American Reacts

[@jonntischnabel]

When you were referring to the US healthcare system, you said it's "heavily flawed" , no it isn't, it's working exactly how it was designed. To make as much money as is possible. And who are the best customers? Desperate, vulnerable people.

[@fitzy7079]

Yeah they're never going to fix it unless a politican can stand up and say hey, the way we fix this means some billionaires are going to make less money, without getting called a communist. I don't see it happening.

[@EpochUnlocked]

Corporations and Government collusion gauranteed this.

[@hypsyzygy506]

A vicious assessment, but so true.

[@rokibuca]

works fine for the big greedy companies but for average joe is "heavily flawed"

[@peterdavidson3890]

As a Brit my experience in the U.S. was a night in The Heart of Florida hospital for “observation” because I had a dizzy spell. I had to ask for food after 9 hours in the hospital which cost $43. Then 3 doctors popped into my room asking if I was O.K. Resulting in 3 extra bills coming my way. 5 different tests from separate clinics resulting in another 5 bills. Another doctor came to see me saying I could go home once I had paid the hospital charges but would I go to his office the following day which cost $430 for 10 minutes conversation. TOTAL COST $34.000.00 (thirty four thousand dollars) TOTAL COST in the U.K. = NIL

[@itsenergybob8917]

I'm an American and after three trips to Europe, 6 countries, I came away with the realization that Europeans spend their time and attention living their lives while Americans spend their time and attention preventing their deaths. The basic reason is they have the basic survival needs covered for all, then what you do after that is up to you.

[@Vlad-bs1js]

To me it looks like Americans spend their time paying off debt because nothing seems more important than "living" beyond your means over there

[@itsenergybob8917]

@@Vlad-bs1js That too. It's all about image.

[@SilentHotdog28]

Literally......I feel bad for middle class and poor U.S Americans. Like.....I broke my wrist, needed surgery to put a plate in and 13 screws......ali I had to pay for was pain medication....which was about $50-$100 for 20 oxycodone tablets.....I'm so glad I was born in and live in Australia.

[@davedave6010]

USA spends taxes on military... That's why health care is so expensive... Here in Europe u won't get that much money from ur salary but in return you're gonna get nearly free health care and so many benefits and also everything is cheap here in comparison to USA...

[@itsenergybob8917]

@@davedave6010 The military is not all. No taxes at all go to health care. It's all up to each person. There is a controlling middleman called private health insurance that takes twenty percent off the top just to do paperwork. It used to be unlimited until Obamacare capped it at 20 percent. And they can still deny treatment regardless of what the doctor says. The only way they can make money is to deny treatment. It's the third biggest scam in world history. Plus, the "Farmaceutical Defense Agency" makes sure that the drug companies continue to thrive because their lobbyists pay their congress people more. Then, they turned themselves into "Health Maintenence Organizations." They don't make drugs to cure anything anymore, only to control whatever disease one has. Greed at the expense of others sucks.

[@MonsieurNarlan]

How can an ambulance cost you 2000 to 5000 dollars ?! There is no way to justify such a cost. Once I was hit by a car, got the police, the firefighters and the ambulance taking care of me, bringing me to the emergency room, got a x-ray, and a nurse came and said: no fracture, you are free to go. I left the hospital like a GTA character, without paying any money. What's the point at being so powerful and rich if the most important things are not accessible.

[@RoonMian]

Even in GTA you get money removed from your score when you die and respawn at a hospital.

[@Jeni10]

In Australia, they won’t let you out of the hospital unless you’ve recovered well enough to take care of yourself, or unless you have family members who have time to take care of you at home.

[@mariahewitt9787]

And if you don't have anyone, we have NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme, they provide you with a place to live, and provide you with carers.

[@chrisrumble2665]

@@mariahewitt9787 The NDIS doesn't actually work that way.

[@MickH60]

@D G They don't detain you, and that's NOT what he meant, they Look after your best interests, you cause people in the hospital stress by doing what you do.

[@mariahewitt9787]

@@chrisrumble2665 Yes it does. They stepped in and provided me with accommodation, and carers, when my husband abandoned me, in Concord hospital in Sydney.

[@lindaferguson219]

@@chrisrumble2665Well it works alot of like that. I know the scheme very well. Yes it has its problems but overall it is has been a life saver to many. I know because my daughter has her own buisness and is an ndis provider.

[@craigslattery1901]

I'm an Aussie. I work an even time roster with annual and sick leave I work 23 weeks a year, for $120,000. One day I get a phone call to say I had cancer. After all my annual leave and sick leave was used up, I was still getting paid. I rang the boss, and he jokingly said, "I'll look into it" and then added, "come back when you're better." For nearly 6 months I didn't miss a pay, I've been back at work for nearly 2 years all good.

[@midnightkitchen8379]

Wow. I’m sorry to hear that but glad you got to take the time you needed off of work and still got paid. That is awesome. Hope you’re doing well :)

[@craigslattery1901]

@@midnightkitchen8379 Thanks very much. I'm doing very well. And on my way to work for the next 7 days right now. Stay safe everyone.

[@zimbo246]

Great to hear you beat that b+tch

[@jonathanodude6660]

@@midnightkitchen8379 workcover does the same if youre injured. not sure exactly how it works but its less of a good thing that you do and more of a bad thing if you dont. obvs insurance companies dont want to pay out more than necessary, but obviously if youre unable to work how can you live?

[@kevincarlson668]

You truly are the lucky country.I wanted to renounce my (Yank) citizenship.

[@peterwarner553]

An American friend was visiting me here in Australia, he cut his foot badly on broken glass, it took me ages to talk him into going to the ER, he wanted to tape it up with duct tape, he refused to believe that he would get stitched up for free, he only believed it when we were driving away from the hospital, he ended up moving here.

[@SilentHotdog28]

yep, that's how brainwashed U.S Americans are......They are like 35th in the world for Healthcare, not only is Australia's system much cheaper for everyone, but it is much more efficient and faster.

[@gingerdrake9158]

Was this before some laws changed or something? Because only Aussie citizens and residents (people with medicare cards) get free medical

[@peterwarner553]

@@gingerdrake9158 simple matter of loaning him my Medicare card

[@gingerdrake9158]

@@peterwarner553 ahh sneaky bugger :P

[@Davepompe]

American system profits before people

[@vencik_krpo]

The last girl talking about trespassing: I work for a US-based company here in Czech Republic and when we take our American colleagues for a hike around here, they're always concerned about trespassing... And we always need to explain that it's not a problem. It's actually perfectly legal---when it comes to properties like woods and meadows, unless fenced and/or clearly marked as "keep off", you can legally enter even if it is private property. Simple logic: don't cross fences, they're there for a reason. If there are none, you're fine... One of the American colleagues once told me "you know, it seems to me that here in Czechia, you actually have more freedom than we have back in the States..." ;-)

[@eleveneleven572]

I was watching a few American fishing videos a while back. A constant feature seemed to be people being threatened with guns, being shot at, being bawled out and accused of trespass. Absolutely crazy. What is wrong with these people?

[@vencik_krpo]

@@eleveneleven572 Well, you can't consider a few KZbin videos to be representative of a huge country like US... But yeah, the kind of freedom they opted for seems of the sort of "what you can keep _yourself_ is what you get". I don't think there's something wrong with the people, I think it's their system which forces them to a situation where they (think they) must protect what they've got literally by all means---because the system is not capable to protect them and their property for them. Some of them are proud of it and call it freedom. And the same people call Europe "socialistic" and "undemocratic" and so on... Well, suit yourself.

[@steveneardley7541]

I worked the Census in New Mexico. People in my crew were constantly threatened, had shots fired over their heads. My first day, I had a pit bull and a rottweiler sicced on me. I would go to meetings late so I wouldn't have to hear the latest "war stories." By the way, in Pecos, New Mexico, it is perfectly legal to shoot any dog that is unleashed. That's what animal control is like there. The sheriff admitted to one woman that he had already shot and killed over 100 dogs that year. P.S. I was in Czechoslovakia in '68, two weeks before the invasion.

[@vencik_krpo]

@@steveneardley7541 Wow, that's wild! 8-o The Prague Spring in '60s Czechoslovakia was an attempt to give socialism "human face" (that was actually the official motto of the government). When I say socialism, I mean "real socialism"---the dictatorship that we had in the '50s it was only vaguely similar to what socialism was supposed to be by the utopic socio-political ideas. And after 1968, the "normalisation" era reinstated the '50s terror again... So you probably caught the only narrow window possible to even get here in 'bout 40 years. :-) In any case, I'd definitely advice US to implement some regulations in the European manner; however, the communist monstrosity of the past must serve as a dire warning---of what happens if the state gets far too much power over the citizens. The world isn't black-n-white though, and what's the point of even having a state if it fails to fulfil such elementary purposes as providing safety and law enforcement?

[@steveneardley7541]

@@vencik_krpo There were plenty of signs of "Prague Spring," but the country was still totally repressive, with armed guards everywhere, and people whispering to each other on the street for fear of the police. Meanwhile, people were passing out anti-Communist literature on the street. I asked some students why they weren't afraid the Russians would come in, and they said that Russia was their friend. I brought up Hungary, but they thought that was "totally different." Anyway, I'm really glad you are out of that awful phase.

[@mrgrumpy6408]

Some Americans will tell you " it starts with socialized medicine, free education, a living wage and ends with no freedom, Gulags in Alaska and a Stalin like communist leader in the white house" As an Australian I think its wild to feel the need to be armed just to go to the local 711 for milk.

[@marionthompson3365]

Couldn't agree more

[@JanHejn]

We had no freedom under Russian communist oppression, political prisoners and murders, intelligence persecuted and forced to emigrate etc. After the 89 we now have complete freedom but free healthcare, education, minimum wages have obviously stayed because that is what makes you actually free. Not to worry about basic needs and not to be the slave of the system.

[@kerrymathers7439]

But women need a police escort to go to the toilet at Bathurst

[@gregmullins6927]

The American's have an illogical way of thinking about healthcare,socialised healthcare is a fantasy ideology that every other western country rejects except in US.

[@marionthompson3365]

@@bonnie7898 Couldn't agree more. Beyond belief. Their right to arm themselves is far more important.

[@ParisianParanoidAndroid]

Europe is more densely populated than the US, your homeless analogy is not correct.

[@mathiasfrecon475]

As a french man , seeing this made me laugh and cries at same time. Here in France (which is not the best Country for Healthcare in Europe btw) , we're paying taxes for our health. If you're sick, u go to your doctor, they stop u for working if its dangerous or difficult for your health, and most of the care is free, or nearly that. Very hard to see that a sickness can kill u because u need to work. and yes, we got 5 weeks of vacation obligatory (by the law), and yes, the days off for illness is limitless ... Sorry the my bad english btw

[@marco_grt4460]

Still better then the Italian Healtcare

[@Rusty_Gold85]

its better than some of the rubbish i see on line

[@waynebuckland7879]

Your English is very good. I read through your comment without any trouble.

[@IrKeNoVa]

@@marco_grt4460 better than Mexican, here the waiting times are the problem, unless you're literally dying you can wait 6 hours for an appointment.

[@LM-oh3vw]

@@marco_grt4460 It depends on the place, but the worst problem in Italy is definately TAXES!

[@manuele.itriagom.728]

I also live in Austria, I actually get 36 days vacations and I'm just a bartender. Those 36 days are full pay. We can go have a beer after work to any park near by, there's no "no drinking in public". I saw a homeless guy that was bleeding for some reason and the amount of people try to help him out before the ambulance arrived was amazing. Guys in full suits taking care of him, giving him water. Once the ambulance was there, they took care of him and took him to the hospital. He probably didn't have to pay a dime for that service. One of the biggest thing I've seen here is that everyone minds there own business (shit you can be topless at the river and no Karen will pop up to you and tell you to put some cloths on). BUT, when someone needs help, everyone will try to help. It's not just healthcare. It's education, it's food quality, it's the public transport, it's the working hours, the vacations. The quality of life. America is the richest country in the world, but it's not the only rich country. And a lot of Americans think that all of what I mentioned is socialist. Bro, Austria is super capitalist haha Red Bull, KTM and fucking GLOCK are from here haha. But the government system is welfare capitalism, meaning that what's considered RIGHTS are payed with our taxes. You can have a private insurance, there are private clinics and private universities, but the public options are just as good and in many cases even better.

[@paddypleiner5518]

Actually, you are obliged to help as long as you don't put yourself into danger, otherwise you could be charged with failure to provide assistance (or in German Unterlassene Hilfeleistung) if you are a first-aider (a course every driving license holder has mandatory to do) you should know what to do if somebody is bleeding or going into any sort of shock, at least the basic stuff until professionals arrive, same with seeing people getting problems in the water, if you did a rescue swimmer course, what was at my time, quite some time ago, still pretty popular, you must help, as long as not putting yourself into danger. The only thing is, everybody is afraid to be the first to assist to not do any mistakes, as soon as the first aider is moving, more will come to aid as the barrier is broken...

[@maxschon7709]

But do have a Master or a PhD? No, most Austrian don't have because free education doesn't mean everyone can do it.

[@WanderfalkeAT]

@@maxschon7709 FREE EDUCATION EXACTLY MEANS THAT EVERYONE CAN GET A PhD! You realise that you need Education on University Level to get a PhD? What if you cannot afford it because your family is poor? No PhD for the Poor in Murica! Tough luck!

[@blackwater009]

@@paddypleiner5518 kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5fHkoeNhKiHpM0

[@dimiathan]

@@maxschon7709 You have the option if you want to though. In Germany university is free (with many English speaking universities too) for EVERYONE. Not just Germans. Literally people from anywhere in the world.

[@Geschichtelehrer]

homeless in USA: 1,500,000 (population 338 million) EU: under 700k (population: 450 million).

[@grzegorzach3891]

"EU: under 700k" Plus: vast majority do not live on the street (as there are public shelters available where you can seek help).

[@Thomas.deNorth]

Pepperspray is illegal in Norway as well. I am 48 years old, living in Oslo and I have never seen a robbery or assault of any kind. I might have seen a street brawl between drunks. Of course things happen here, but unless you seek out the areas where trouble is most likely to happen at night, most people here will never even witness violent crime or aggression on the streets.

[@danielsmith5088]

I'm 51 currently living in Iowa but moved extensively for work (including time in the military), living in dozens of places in America for 6 months to a few years. I have never seen a robbery, mugging or any other similar type of violent crime in my life either. This includes multiple years spent in both LA and Atlanta. And I am not unique. Nor was I particularly careful in my youth to avoid "dangerous" areas. I understand it's popular and enlightened to say how dangerous it is to live in America but if that were actually true would we still receive 1 mil immigrants per year? There's no doubt crime in some places in the US is out of control but it has nothing to do with guns being legal and everything to do with 'progressive' governance and courts.

[@johnj3577]

@@danielsmith5088 First time I visited NYC back in the 90's the cops shot someone dead outside our hotel entrance on day 2. Couple of weeks later, I was doing a road trip around the south west starting out from Vegas and passed some cops retrieving a body from the side of a deserted desert road. Looked like a robbery or maybe unpaid debt and some guy got shot and dumped at the roadside. Everywhere else I visited felt safe though (Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah), although I didn't visit major cities much apart from Vegas, San Francisco and Salt Lake City. I think all big cities int he world have their idiots, its just that in the US, they're very likely armed as well.

[@danielsmith5088]

@@johnj3577 Not a fan of huge cities, will never move anywhere with more than a million people again. Lived in KC for about 5 years (1.7 mil metro pop) and it wasn't bad, had my car broken into once was the worst I ever saw. But it goes in waves, too. NYC in the late 80's and early 90's was awful but cleaned up a lot since then getting down to crime rates lower than the 60's. Though that's pre-2020 numbers. With all the stupidity happening since then, crime had skyrocketed in many large cities.

[@bernadettelanders7306]

@@danielsmith5088 are people from other countries watching too much American criminal TV? I love NCIS lol. From what you’ve said, other countries have a false impression of every part of America. But still I’d be terrified living there. As for all our dangerous animals here in Australia, I’m of senior years and I’ve never seen a snake. Only One wandering kangaroo hopping down a street but houses backed on to acres and acres of land. We have those big huntsman spiders, totally harmless, mum used to say Re huntsman , ‘Harry’s visiting, he’ll eat the flies then go’. We were never scared of them. But people do own guns there, strict regulations and you need a reason and a license, but I bet there are illegal guns here, but I’ve never ever seen a real gun.

[@JB-yb4wn]

So you stopped with the long ships and looting abbeys? 😁

[@Raven-fh2yy]

Problem with your health care is NOT that its broken. It's working exactly as it has been designed to work. That being for profit above all else. Its of no use whatsoever to have excellent care if no one can afford it.

[@bordeaux1962]

I never will understand why one can be proud only because to belong to a nation. I say this as a German. I am proud of our social, scientific and technological achievements. Not about my nationality or a flag. Except during true football World Champion Ships. This is what it's all about. To live in peace and prosperity. For all people. I would be happy if America (US) would realize this as soon as possible.

[@eblita3698]

Yes, I had the same feeling 35 years ago when I moved from Denmark to Germany. "When do the Germans realize?". Up through the 90s, I saw Germany implement more and more of the good ideas about social welfare from the Nordic countries. Many old Germans still had to work because they could not live on the pension, I hope this has changed. My situation with small children, no daycare (priority: for kids of single mothers). At least this was changed somewhat, but only halfway: what is the use of a kindergarten that is only open 4-5 hours? I'm not sure you're quite there yet. Left 24 years ago. From the statistics compared to Scandinavia, Germany is still quite a gender unequal place. Deutsche Hausfrau is not a nice option for women with an education.

[@pureone26]

Gotta say when I first started meeting americans travelling in the 90s, I was so shocked by how much fear/ stress and anxiety they seemed to have, yet the next minute talk about USA being the greatest country on earth (and everyone knew there was no arguing with that, even by basic statistics). And their convo was constantly about drugs, divorces, pills, sleeping pills, dramas, mental health issues, trauma, ptsd, abuse... very sad. Hope that is changing.

[@brontepetropoulos4755]

Exactly Ozz

[@user-or6yn8pm3c]

It was easier to do that back then because America was less insane back in the 90s. The facade is gone now.

[@Saintphoenix86]

Its changing alright, its getting worse, the US has more than 1 mass shooting a day, its getting worse not better

[@MyBelch]

Your gall bladder is not my business. If you fall apart, it's not my responsibility to fix you. It's called personal responsibility. Look after yourself, eh!

[@Edmlady92]

@@MyBelch Health issues can happen to healthy looking people too. It's not always self inflicted. Things just happen. Keep up with that individualism mindset you have.

[@thebusinessfirm9862]

So grateful that when my parents left Italy as teenagers, both their parents chose to come to Australia, rather than America. I have cousins who grew up in New York rather than Adelaide...and their lives have been much more difficult as Italian Americans, than ours as Italian Australians. Thanks for making the thoughtful content that you do, mate.

[@IndyMotoRider]

Yeah, you left out the part where you were forced to stay in your homes like prisoners during Covid. No thanks. And New York is fine if you are not in the shit hole city.

[@SilentHotdog28]

You're Australian, wherever you're born, you're Australian as soon as you move here.

[@ehmzed]

​@@SilentHotdog28 You know you can be two things at the same time, right? Being Australian doesn't take away the fact that his parents are Italian immigrants. You can be Australian while still having the origin of your parents play a however significant or insignificant part of your growing up and life in general.

[@deividasnavickas]

​@@ehmzedyou can be two if you got experience of being in two. Having paremts, that is relating to two people doesn't mean you relate to entire country and culture.....

[@tyronevaldez-kruger5313]

​@@deividasnavickas I was born in Eritrea but my parents and I moved to Germany when I was a toddler. Do I have experience of being in both even though I have not one memory of Eritrea? If not would I have if made a trip to Eritrea for an experience? I have dual citizenship and I am a legit Eritrean German btw

[@AntPDC]

America is an odd country in many ways. My astronomer friend and I set up our telescopes to view Mars at opposition in a completely empty field in the vicinity of Tufts University Campus in Massachusetts USA. The field was well away from the campus buildings, pretty much a half mile distant from any populated area. After around 30 minutes a Tufts' police cruiser arrived (there are literally thousands of "police" agencies in the US) and shone searchlights on us as if a terrorist threat (destroying our night vision). We politely explained what we were doing, as if that wasn't obvious given our astro equipment, but it was clear these armed cops saw us as proto-terrorists and ordered us to dismantle our astro stuff and "get out of the area". We mildly protested, so they threatened to arrest us, touching their guns. Odd mindset.

[@albertvalerysmith2380]

Perhaps we should better evaluate the meaning of "land of the free."

[@timmy7201]

As a European, I would've solved this the American way, If I where in your place... Let them arrest me, followed by going to court and claiming a ridiculously high fee for "mental damages" caused by the whole unlawful situation...

[@AntPDC]

@@albertvalerysmith2380 Yes. It's an illusion propagandised by the usual suspects in the US.

[@ivicaanic5213]

@@timmy7201 yes but in US is anglo based legal system so european way of justice will not happen... it is strange, weird country in many aspects

[@vincentgwin7068]

Or did you ever consider that maybe you were on someone's property and they called the cops to have you removed? Crazy concept I know, something tells me you aren't telling the whole story in this situation.

[@taniaPBear]

It always hurts my heart how hard it is for Americans to afford healthcare, it should be a basic human right. We send aid to third world countries for this very reason. It seems to me there is no excuse in America, for this to be the case. Also people being forced to work such crazy hours to make ends meet, no life balance, it's so wrong. The reason we have better conditions is that our tax dollars go to pay for these things, yours don't I think, it's just not fair.

[@viktoriyaserebryakov2755]

If you want universal healthcare then stop talking about universal healthcare and start talking about figuring out why these pharmaceutical companies are charging a hundred times what they are elsewhere. When people say it isn't possible for America to afford that, they aren't bluffing. America can not afford to pay that price to ten times the population of Australia. Fix the price first, THEN it might be possible.

[@brainsmatterpodcast]

It IS a basic human right under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 25, section 1 www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/2021/03/udhr.pdf). Some so called “civilised” nations don’t follow it though.

[@davehocking4091]

@@viktoriyaserebryakov2755 Theyre doing that because the government doesnt regulate the prices like they do anywhere else. Its one and the same. Government run health care controls pharmaceutical prices.

[@akiram6609]

@@viktoriyaserebryakov2755 Oh we know why healthcare is so expensive here and a lot of us aren’t just talking about it but also working at it. Unfortunately, a lot more Americans would rather see healthcare as a privilege only available to the rich rather than make it affordable and available to the poor, especially to poor non-white Americans. Too many Americans worship the rich and hate the poor.

[@WombRaider_theoriginal]

Weirdest thing to me is price tag on insulin. When i go to pharmacy to buy insulin, it costs somewhere between 6-10€ for one month. That's how much it really costs, not 1000-1600. Insanity.

[@pedrodionisio8789]

About pepper spray, it's forbidden almost everywhere in Europe too. The thing some Americans don't understand is, once you allow any type of self denfence tool that is capable of causing harm to another person, it's out there and, people being people it's gonna be misused. Ta daaaaa....that's what happens with guns in the US.

[@MyBelch]

Criminals follow these rules? Yeah, didnt think so. When seconds count, Nanny is only minutes away. How emasculating.

[@yashjoseph3544]

Gun violence is at a historic low despite how many guns are in the country. If a state deprives you of self-defense, it is a state that cannot be trusted.

[@ondragirgosko2152]

Lmao in Czech Republic you can use both for self deffense (if you have firearms licence of course)

[@mremtb7689]

@@MyBelch In Australia it is banned. Can not imagine a reason to need it.

[@kevin_mitchell]

@@MyBelch In many countries pepper spray is legal to use, especially for women. Generally speaking, if you have nothing to defend yourselves with, a criminal will have a stick, if you have a stick, they will have a knife ... if you have a gun ... It's a mindset. Nothing about Dr Who using only his intellect to defeat powerful enemies is emasculating. The issues surrounding gun ownership is another issue, but in general doesn't make anyone any more or less safer, just that the consequences of an unfavourable encounter is generally much worse. And it's not the guns that kill, yes we know. The cultural differences between countries must be respected, which also means that saying that any country that allows its citizens to possess weapons more potent than another are somehow less emasculated is a stupid and condescending comment.

[@jesuschristpose896]

I lived in Memphis TN, for awhile and was dating a German girl, her parents came over to visit and on our way to Graceland we passed a large homeless tent village, her parents asked me who they were and when I explained that they were homeless, they got so upset and were actually crying that people were living that way, they said they have never seen such a thing like that in all of their travels in Europe, it really broke their hearts

[@Mamba-Kush]

We have those places too, but here they're full of migrants and illegals (golddiggers as we call them here, because they only come here to receive welfare and free housing... which is considerable).

[@jesuschristpose896]

@@Mamba-Kush sorry I have to call bullshit on this racist hateful comment, get real

[@Mamba-Kush]

@@jesuschristpose896 Come over here and look at it for yourself... I'm not lying, so I guess by your logic the truth is racist.

[@Mamba-Kush]

I one can travel 1000's of miles trough several perfectly safe countries, always to the same countries, it just proves it's only about money for them... and once they're there, good luck trying to live "with" them.

[@NEAAFFAIRS]

I have been to 24 countries. Only in the US do I see homelessness in numbers. (Was in LA). Other countries were sporadic at worst

[@Greg....]

On the healthcare thing. Talking from Australia. Went to the emergency room at the local hospital. Got checked over but the place was full. So they put me in a taxi (paid by the hospital) to a hospital with beds. Got plastic surgury as they had to rebuild my index finger. Only cost to me was $5 per day for tv. The anaesthetic person, surgeons and all the rest were government funded.

[@metarugia3981]

The anaesthetic person, surgeons and all the rest were -government- taxpayer funded.

[@Greg....]

@@metarugia3981 i pay my taxes

[@anserbauer309]

Similar story here.... This last March, I spent 8 nights in hospital (4 of which were in the ICU), had an air ambulance fly me 200km to the city, land ambulance to hospital, CT scans, x-rays, ultrasounds, daily endoscopies, 1:1 nursing for 5 nights in a private room, three IVs at 6-hourly intervals every day, nicotine patches, pain relief, free TV (because of covid changes) and a taxi voucher to the train station to get home. Total paid: $36 to get the train home. $25 for 4 prescriptions lasting a month. I've been paying my medicare levies for 33 years and it saved my life. In the US, I'd be bankrupt..... even with private health insurance.

[@AndrewFishman]

@@metarugia3981 We all pay a medicare levy on our taxes. I do not use the medical system in a normal year, my contributions are used for others to receive their care. However, if I do need the hospital or a doctor, it is there for me, little or no cost.

[@zybch]

Some years back I had a 3 and a half week hospital stay including a couple of surgeries, and ambulance transport the 160Km (100 miles) trip to the hospital itself. After the 4th day I was moved to a private room, had the option of a beer or wine with my lunch and evening meals, own TV etc; it was almost like staying in a hotel apart from the automatic drip in my arm. Total cost, $6.70 (I think) for painkillers when I left. Unfortunately our current government are doing everything in their power to rip the guts out of our health system and change it to a US-style user pays affair. Thankfully next weekend we get to vote those bastards out!

[@reclusenz]

I moved here to the states to be with my wife (from New Zealand to NYC). 'Healthcare' here is a joke - if something serious happened to me, it would be cheaper to fly back home on a private jet and get the care I needed for free.

[@eagle1de227]

Move back to NZ ...fast !

[@Luubelaar]

Australian living in NZ here. Trying to explain to people "no, seriously, your prescription is $5 no matter which pharmacy you get it from" and it blows their minds. My family is from Scotland, where prescription medicine is free. I just didn't have the heart to tell them that.

[@razzmatazz1974]

My husbands uncle is an important surgeon working in the US (he has loved there since the 60s). When he needs surgery he flies back to Argentina, he can have the same attention for a very little fraction of the cost that it would cost him in his own clinic!

[@ssgtblackmamba7991]

I just googled the EU population (447 million) , and the argument that it's hard to help the homeless because the US has more people (and thus more homeless) falls absolutely flat on its face.

[@Busha69]

and that's just the EU...the whole Europe is almost 800 million people.

[@ssgtblackmamba7991]

@@Busha69 exactly! I chose the EU because I can guess what the counter argument would be : "Yes but that's multiple countries, it can't be done in 1 giant country like the US." To which I'd reply, yes the EU has a large governing body (like the US federal government) and countries with their own laws (the individual States).

[@Busha69]

@@ssgtblackmamba7991 you got a point!

[@rdevries3852]

From the Netherlands here. Early last year I had an accident at work resulting in my foot being broken in multiple places. I spend 7 weeks recovering at home. For the first of those 7 weeks I got paid 100% of my normal salary, for the remaining 6 weeks I got paid 70%. I never saw a bill from the hospital. And for the entire period I was on sick leave (and for *_97 more weeks,_* if it had come to that) I was legally protected from being fired by my employer for missing work.

[@bentels5340]

Have you ever seen the movie "Sicko"? There's a scene in there with Tony Benn, a British old-school socialist, reading from the flyer that was sent to everybody when the NHS started. Said everything so clearly and simply it was enough to bring make you cry. Basically, "you pay your taxes when the taxes are due; when you're sick, you don't worry about money -- we've got you covered".

[@hillbillycatfishin5860]

We had a fellow employee get hurt on the job and he was paid 100% and medical was covered for just short of 8weeks. His job was secured the whole time. I hear these stories of the opposite here in the US mainly social media and social news but none in my community or in the surrounding area, until you get to big cities.

[@hannahgregor470]

I was afraid to even take the 1 day off when I broke my ankle and was still doped up on pain meds from the hospital. Then I was driving to work daily and navigating getting myself and my knee scooter in the car so I didn’t lose my job and still earned money.

[@rdevries3852]

@@hannahgregor470 That is, if you'll pardon the language, really fucked up. I'm genuinely sorry you had to endure that.

[@BillandcharliesPub]

In America it is all about personal responsibility. Americans aren't supposed to have the government tend to us, AKA high taxes. An American is supposed to take some of that extra money from having bigger pay checks and save it for "Things" . . . . . But Americans have gotten greedy and have a spend spend mentality , topped off with the government becoming bastardized . . . . . . . The American system could work much better if we get our government out of the equation !

[@nugrohoookarlianto7218]

I'm Indonesian and seeing this made me laugh and cry at the same time, I know about America but don't know about that situation. In Indonesia, a developing country with the fourth largest population in the world, health care is handled by the government. Call it BPJS. There are levels, for poor people to get free. For middle-class people, it can be free or pay half.

[@Jill-mh2wn]

@nugrohoookarliant07218, I visited Indonesia from the UK in 2022, to see my son, Indonesian daughter-in-law and grandchildren . I was very impressed with what I saw and was told about your country . I particularly remember hearing that people on a very low income can have a card to produce at a petrol station ,which gets them a reduction on the price of fuel ( Indonesia produces it`s own petrol and also many minerals )

[@Honerkamp]

Funfact: You said a lot of smaller towns don't have a lot of homeless people. Usually, in most other (or at least in European) countries, those smaller towns have none and bigger cities have very few because those countries actually provide services for people who lose their jobs and healthcare helps those who need help getting off drugs or other addictions.

[@MaticTheProto]

Most homeless are homeless because they don’t feel comfortable trying to integrate again into society (in Europe)

[@tomoliver2961]

Your logic in the homeless is flawed. Yes by the math there are going to be more total homeless people but you also have more cities, more houses, more people paying tax etc. the girl states that you don’t see homeless people in the Austria, I assume Vienna. I’ve been there twice and you simply don’t see them. I’ve also been to LA and there are homeless everywhere. It’s quite shocking coming from Australia to see it. Yes we have homeless in Australia but there appear to be far more services available Le here for people if they are homeless to assist them back in their feet. Most homeless in Australia are for mental health reasons or serious drug and alcohol problems. Very rarely purely economic as if you have your faculties here you will be able to access support.

[@FionaEm]

As an Aussie, it seems to me that American life is still based on the frontier mentality - survival of the fittest, every man for himself etc. It seems precarious and exhausting. We are lucky to have universal basic health care, even if the current govt would love to destroy it.

[@JB-yb4wn]

Just wait until some of those drop bears start mangling those Tory MPs, then they will think twice about getting rid of universal health care. 😄

[@kateemma22]

Former government! HIGH FIVE!

[@lagringa7518]

More like profit at any cost to the citizens while the health industry rakes in a fortune. America is run by and for the corporations.

[@JB-yb4wn]

@@lagringa7518 *ahem* Corporate gangsters.

[@FionaEm]

@@kateemma22 YESSSS!

[@kamilomar9134]

I have an American friend who is married to a Brit and has lived over here for 7 years. She broke her leg 6 months after getting married and i took her to the bospitsl and she was panicking all the way there. She was immediately checked in, x-rayed/scanned for any head injuries/prepped and made ready for surgery (all in 2 hours) and when i visited her with her husband just before she was taken in for surgery we found her in tears. She was panicking about the cost as she didn't know if she had enough health cover from America. Her husband called in a nurse and asked her to explain how the health system worked in Western Europe - on hearing that EVERYTHING was free including her post op medicine and physio treatment - she burst out crying again with relief and joy. American politicians call the Western European health care - Communist/Socialist policies - it's NONE OF THOSE THINGS - BUT, IT IS HUMANE/DECENT AND CARING FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE WHETHER YOU'RE A NEWBORN /LIFE LONG DRUGGY/WINO/RETIRED - EVERYONE GETS BEST FREE TREATMENT BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT 'DOING THE RIGHT THING'!!. In Western Europe we don't give you a life saving op then turn you out of your house to die like a dog on the street because you can't pay so your hiuse has to be sold. It's a catch 22 with only real winners beimg - the Doctors/Surgeons/Hospitals and Medical Insurance companies - that's not Commy/Socialist policies - NO IT'S NOT, BUT, IT IS BARBARIC !!

[@neildaniels3540]

You haven't said where you're from

[@TooTiredToCare-idc]

@@neildaniels3540 based on the "is married to a Brit and has lived over here" I would assume Britain(UK)

[@MrNatebain]

Hey Andrew ... Love being part of your community ... Just gotta say, when I saw you trying to weigh up your healthcare in the US vs the rest of the world and you sqid "Well, it is good healthcare here", .... Well, I believe healthcare is pretty good all around the world (if standards are followed) ... The pure truth of the matter is that the US medical "system" is corrupt, bias, negligent (in it's inaccessability) and just plain wrong.... Yes, it's THAT bad.... It's like an abuser and you have lived with it so long that you don't see the abuse, but everyone else who looks in is horrified. THAT bad sir.

[@christyzeeaquarianated2600]

Agreed. I'd also like to add that, unfortunately, most Americans who can afford healthcare believe that they have a good - or even great - standard of healthcare, which isn't exactly true when compared to industry standards around the world. What an American might think is a good standard in terms of the quality of care they receive, is often considered abysmal by metric comparison.

[@hillbillycatfishin5860]

Hasn’t been the case for my self and family. Nor anyone I know has had such a rough time with health care. I am not rich as my family is a middle class, if not under. So crazy how just town to town city to city or area in general makes such a difference in so many or these issues. Area is affordable, wages are fairly decent all around, healthcare is easy excess able with or without insurance. I’ve never heard nor seen anyone get turned away. I do know people who had no insurance and got medical attention and never paid the bill. Those individuals really haven’t lost anything nor even a credit score impact. Other than just self conscious thought about not having paid the bill.

[@verasambience]

@@christyzeeaquarianated2600this. Americans believe the rest of the world is midieval

[@neonknees]

Took my Kiwi wife (a nurse) and kids back to PA for a holiday. Her and I went to the local American Legion for a few drinks one night. We got talking to the bar maid about health systems. She asked my wife how much it costs us to have our 2 kids and my wife was confused. The girl said she still owed nearly 8000 for her childrens births and my wife was like "You have to pay to have kids here??"! We paid nothing, by the way.

[@brianmilosevic8400]

In Australia, parents get paid to $5,000 for each child you have

[@philipmccarthy6175]

It's all very well being the richest country in the world but , if 1% of the people own half the wealth It's academic.

[@braaitongs]

Not really free, it is paid for by your taxes

[@philipmccarthy6175]

@@braaitongs yes but it's free at the point of use for all citizens. American's need to realise their system is broken. Healthcare for profit is morally wrong and private healthcare should just be an option . Universal healthcare should be a human right

[@braaitongs]

@@philipmccarthy6175 Healthcare for profit is not morally wrong in my opinion. Also I don't think it should be a human right, because it implies that you have a right to someone's labour (ie doctors) which is just a fancy way of saying slavery. Only negative rights make any sense. Ie right not be harmed.

[@sparksmacoy]

I feel America should be brought before some sort of international court for their healthcare system and how they treat their people

[@littlecatfeet9064]

Congratulations on New Mexico having free education! I’m surprised. I wonder what other states think of that.

[@uni4rm]

Then you'd be disappointed to find out nothing is free.

[@littlecatfeet9064]

@@uni4rm I do know how tax works. But Americans pay roughly the same income, property and sales taxes as countries that have free education and then they pay for the education.

[@alalalala57]

@@uni4rm Then why are you paying more?

[@johnwilson5743]

Note: The girl at 3.25 was from LA but now lives in Austria, in Europe, NOT Australia. Yes, I know you were just using it as a comparison but Europe is quite different to USA.

[@IWrocker]

Yes I know that (I personally never mix them up like some people) haha thanks for the comment as it may help others

[@XxmillerniaxX]

Well considering some Americans seem to be confused at how well Australians speak English apparently Australia is quite different from the USA as well.

[@JamesDavy2009]

@@XxmillerniaxX Here are some differences I can list off the top of my head: • Our clocks are set way ahead since we're on the other side of the International Date Line. • We use a dialect of English that's like a foreign language to you Yanks-try translating into Yankee tongue, "I'll have a sanga with some snags and a bottle of Bundy." • We only (legally) use guns for hunting and the eradication of feral animals. • Our vote is mandatory. • Our food is unique to certain parts of Australia-in QLD a gyro is called a kebab and crumbed steak is a delicacy in their regional area; and we like pies with meat in them and meat rolled with puff pastry. • We eat the animals on our coat of arms. • We prefer to use the local names of certain Aboriginal sites like Uluru and Kata Tjuta (Ayers Rock and the Olgas respectively). • Our football codes are more easily understandable than gridiron. • We drive on the left hand side of the road like every other former British Empire country. • We measure things (mostly) in metric units. • We have cricket tournaments during the summer. • Our season cycle is the opposite of yours and because of that we celebrate Christmas during the summer. • Our view of Orion and the zodiacal sky is upside down. • We find the south celestial pole by triangulating the vertical part of Crux (the constellation on our national flag) with the perpendicular bisector of the line between the Pointers of Centaurus.

[@akiram6609]

@@XxmillerniaxX A lot of Americans are confused on how well the English speak English.

[@XxmillerniaxX]

@@JamesDavy2009 I am well aware being an Aussie myself...

[@pmdpaula]

I know a story about an US family who were on vacation here in Rio de Janeiro. The son had a problem with sunburn on the beach with a jellyfish. They went to the emergency of a public hospital and the boy was treated. In the end, the father was stunned when he realised that he wouldn't have to pay for anything.

[@Danceofmasks]

I've read some studies about homeless villages in the US, and apparently, homeless people move to those states because of the weather. You get disproportionate numbers in places where the winter won't kill you outright.

[@paulhadfield7909]

well it makes sense, same withmoving to cities where more people are,they have to survive

[@thetrustysidekick3013]

The US could fix everything wrong with how it treats its own people. The cruelty is in knowing they'll never do what's right. And that is ironic coming from a country that once stood for doing the right thing.

[@Rusty_Gold85]

The internet exposes the reality . While everyone was watching Rockets going to the moon they had racists laws against Black people drinking water out of drinking fountains, sitting in buses , going to schools etc

[@eagle1de227]

Because SOCIALISM is EVIL !!!

[@cheekyftoro8962]

I think half americas problem is the people dont realise its a problem. They have so little understanding about the outside world they dont know their is a better way.They cant possibly imagine that their country sucks after they have spent their whole lives being told its the best in the world. And they really have no idea what is actually going on in their own country. They are taught to love there amendment rights so much that they defend them even when you point out that free speech allows the spread of bigotry racism hatred and the recruitment of home grown terrorists. That freedom of religion is used to force underage children to be married of and rapped legally by adults. That their refusal to update the 2nd amendment has lead to the fact more children under 5 are shot and killed each year in america than on duty cops.

[@eagle1de227]

@@cheekyftoro8962 no further comment. So sad...

[@borissarmatov4391]

Being Russian i was studing in China in an american school... yeah i know that's messed up. so they advised me to get an american health insurance. i though sure better be covered and all, went for the top plan they offered, i think it was $1400 or smth like that. then i happened to have a severe case of tonsilitis. it was so bad i couldn't even eat. so i had to go to that american hospital to get my doctor's note for the uni. in russia you can call a doctor and he'll just come visit you if you're ill and give all the medicine for free. bet it's same in china with state hospitals cause they just modelled their thing after us but ok. i go there by myself having fever to see a doctor and get my note, must be a fancy private hospital i think, after all they charged me so much. i get the appointment.. doc recieves me for like 10 min, confirms that i have a tosilitis, gives a note, doesn't give any medicine and charges me for another $400. i could apply for refund from the insurance later but first i had to pay cash. that moment i realized communist propaganda wasn't lying us about the US lol

[@gklkjuhylpoiuyuiojhjklkjuh9976]

А нафига ты в Китае купил американскую страховку? Не проще ли было использовать местные услуги?

[@tomoliver2961]

Wow I can’t even imagine being allowed to be armed with anything here In Australia. We don’t even contemplate carry a weapon here ever. You can’t even buy pepper spray here.

[@Lupi33z]

only criminals are armed in Australia

[@MrAkaacer]

Well... rural Australia has guns. Lots of guns. Its actually very easy to get a gun in Australia if you live on a property or have access to a property. Guns are hard to get if you live in the city. Its not the guns, its the culture.

[@Captain_Terp]

@@MrAkaacer you’re right here, Australia does have lots of guns, but they’re not cheap and they’re not easily acquired on the dark market or at swap meets. Guns need to be stored safely at all times or in suitable lockable transport containers when not in active use. We can’t just go and buy guns as we feel and amass a small guerilla army revolt’s worth of munitions. If you own guns you will be visited every 12 months by the police to inspect their safe storage. I have friends who have to let the cops straight into their house on arrival.

[@smartassdroid5149]

PLenty of people WISH they could eve defend themselves. But our Authoritarian govt doesnt want us to be able to defend ourselves against the govt. Why they ban everything. Yet criminals do not follow laws, so have free reign to commit crime.

[@MrAkaacer]

@@Captain_Terp Yeah, everything you said applies in the US as well. Difference is, in the US city folk can get guns as well. In Australia, only rural people can buy guns... well they make it really hard for an Aussie city dweller to own a gun. Yeah, I don't think the police visit gun owners every 12 months.

[@bobturtlefrog2846]

Here in Oz it's a bit of an institution to take a random day off work for yourself to just chill or catch up on things at home. We call it "Chucking a sickie".

[@irdairda514]

Here in New Zealand I've heard it referred to as a mental health day

[@thegallantsaint2034]

My company has made them official “wellness” days. 😀

[@xkimopye]

For lazy fucks it’s an institution. I’ve only faked one in 20 years of employment and that was because I was stuck in the other side of the state. We all get payed less because of fake sickies. Maybe we should remove sick days altogether and the money come out of savings rather than the company.

[@jurgentreue1200]

Usually on a Monday or Friday.

[@Luubelaar]

Yep. Chucking a sickie and "POETS day". Stands for "piss off early, tomorrow's Saturday".

[@johnbratley6926]

25 years ago I worked for an American oil company in the UK and I provided regular holiday and sickness staff cover for all of our 23 distribution depots. By a strange quirk of fate I was staying in a certain 5* hotel in Norfolk when our UK CEO turned up with a very senior US executive. (they were visiting Lotus with a view to sponsoring them) The Maitre D "helpfully" informed them that I was staying there also. After dinner I was invited to join them for drinks. Feeling mischievous I steered the conversation round to pay and conditions and managed to seriously wind up the American. First he couldn't believe that even at my lowly grade I automatically qualified for a minimum of 4* accommodation, had an expense account and a company car. I had a final salary NON CONTRIBUTORY pension, 35 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, I also qualified for 52 weeks sickness on full pay and 52 weeks on half pay. The one that really pissed him off was that I could retire at 50 with a lump sum and a slightly reduced pension, which I did and took redundancy on top.

[@Lei1600.]

American student speaking here. I'm currently in high school and you can actually see a lot of these things everyday in our highschools. (At least mine) My friends and I are so terrified of missing school for anything. The classes move so fast and if you miss just one day, it could take you about 3-4 days to catch up. I've seen fellow classmates literally choosing school over their health just to make sure they get good grades. Only if they have something contagious or super serious do they not show up. I've had friends, and myself included, force ourselves to go to school even if we have a rapidly declining mental health or have a cold. The schools give out certificates to students with perfect attendance at the end of every school year and almost every kid that had received one had at least gone to school twice sick or feeling massively depressed. They are rewarded for ignoring their health just to come and learn. It's so sad. And It is true that we are taught to run in a zig-zag pattern and other ways to survive a literal attack when we are young children. This was very shocking to me, watching this video and finding out how people in other countries are able to afford and take care of their health. I hope you all have a great day!

[@giuseppeanoardi3973]

The most shocking thing should be that even after that, Usa High school education does'nt fare that well when compared to other first world averages. Sad indeed.

[@tyronevaldez-kruger5313]

you can have a better high school education in developing countries like Thailand and Rwanda. These nations don't appear in global rankings but they provide schools for young students that are somewhere on European level

[@issey1456]

Just so you know, we genuinely feel sorry for you all. You are welcome to come and experience the European way of life. Not always perfect or stressless but ...so much worth it

[@archie1299]

I do the payroll for an Australian branch of an American company. Last US auditor I had was like "woahhhh wtf? This guy has 600 leave hours, what happened?!" I was going to get in trouble lol Had to explain to him that, if we don't use our leave (Annual and Long Service, not sick) it just accumulates and it gets paid out when you resign.. He's like "so people just sit on their leave, and that's their nest egg?! Back home it's use it or lose it, it resets each year!" his mind was blown. I've paid people out more than $25k in unused leave.

[@deadkodo]

I work for payroll in a NSW govt department and it's like that here. Often have payouts over 40-50k and that just for a retirement or resignation. You aren't supposed to have more than 40 days annual leave or they will tell you to take it but use it or lose it sucks, especially when they mostly only get 2 weeks leave a year how can you plan a real holiday for that. I use annul and LSL and go to USA for at least a minimum of 6 weeks. Will be 10-12 weeks this year as haven't been able to visit for last 2 years.

[@dorkiedoodles2297]

@@deadkodo most of the local people i know don't even get 2 weeks for vacation. My dad only got one week of paid vacation so he would save it for the week before Christmas because all the crews would be off the whole week of Christmas. Basically he "cheated" his way into a two week vacation every year. Same with my Aunt who works for a news station. One week of vacation.

[@raxxo69]

I had to take out my unused vacation and collected hours in cash at a previous place of work (here in Sweden).. I've still got the record in collected hours with over 900 hours (collected by working night and or weekend shifts) plus 90 vacation days.. 😳

[@TheProteanGeek]

Sick leave also accumulates but doesn't get paid out by default. Can happen but it is rare. My mum worked at a company for 15 years and rarely too sick leave. Had over 120 days when their area was sold to another company. 6 years prior we moved interstate and she had the option of a redundancy that included her sick leave at the time. Some organisations have policies in place pushing people to actually take their leave. For example most QLD government departments now start pushing you to take annual leave if you are going to go over 6 weeks accumulated. Ten years ago that was done at around 8. This isn't including long service leave which I imagine is a totally foreign concept to people in the US.

[@deadkodo]

@@TheProteanGeek I have worked in State and federal government and sick leave doesn't get paid out. I remember one time I had a guy who was going to retire so e had a friendly Dr arrange so that he took is last 6 months off as sick leave. 8 weeks ( 40 days) is the usual now that that they want you to start using up unused leave. IT also has some to financial situations and leave liability as the govt agencies are funded based on not having excess leave and it can throw out some budgets if too many people have excess. In some cases if you transfer between agencies within Government the agency you are with may decline to accept leave over a certain threshold so your previous agency will pay out that excess leave when you leave.

[@OnzaRob]

Great video content again! The concept of Universal healthcare is lost on Americans because they feel if they are taxed and don’t use it, they’ve lost money. In actuality with universal healthcare you pay less and if you never really need it, great. But being looked after when Ill and not having to worrying where your check book is how any society should work.

[@ronnyhansson8713]

also they pay private ensurance fees every month (usaly at a higher rate than the added tax would been) and still the insuarnce says - cool, you pay the first 5000 and we think we MIGHT pay the rest.... unless it is to expensive then we find some way to back out - now hand over this months money

[@ceha9517]

But they hate to pay for others. They have no interest in a social system. You have to look after yourself.

[@giuseppeanoardi3973]

@@ceha9517 which is moronic, since taking care of members of your community means taking care of yourself, even if not directly. A healthy neighbour is a working and law abiding neighbour, most of the time.

[@fionagregory9147]

Cheque* book.

[@fionagregory9147]

It's not vacation, it is called holidays.

[@IcanBePsycho]

One time I was in the US & there was an old guy sweeping the shop entrance, he must’ve been 80+, I asked him why he’s working? He said he has too, to pay for his medical. Poor old bugger, he should’ve been retired & enjoying his time left.

[@macman1469]

Something most might not know is in the US if you can't afford legal representation in a criminal case some one will be appointed for you. In Australia if you can't afford legal representation you can apply for Legal Aid which will pay for the Barrister/solicitor of your choice . That way you get quality representation. Not cut price service.

[@AndyViant]

Unless of course the other person you are in a legal stoush with has already accessed legal aid.

[@macman1469]

@@AndyViant In ccriminal cases only defence has access to legal aid.

[@ct96]

Not true, most good Barristers/solicitors won't do legal aid work.

[@craigsowers8456]

Bonjour from your native Texan living in the French Riviera. Had to take an ambulance last month ... it was 96 Euros (but included 28 Euros for EMT folks). I guess my first "lightbulb" on how America's culture shocked me compared to my Host Country. I moved from Fort Worth to Israel. One of the first things I noticed was how the streets of Tel Aviv were being manually "swept" by older folks ... complete with "Wizard of Oz" styled Brooms. So I asked an Israeli buddy why they didn't buy "Street Sweeper Machines" (Trucks) and he looked at me and said "We think that giving Older citizens the opportunity to make some extra money to supplement their pensions is better than buying a $250,000 machine".

[@carriebizz]

It'd extremely sad and makes me angry that Americans cannot get free healthcare. From a country that seems to think they are the wealthiest in the world, it treats its citizens like crap. I'm Australian and I am so thankful that we have free healthcare. If you don't have you're health you don't have anything. Health before wealth. It's very sad.

[@lallas92]

The biggest fears people in the United States have are (1) somewhere, someone is getting something they don't deserve (such as healthcare, an education, food), and (2) getting shot to death at a grocery store or elementary school.

[@uni4rm]

No one gets free health care. In the US, it is an insurance payment system. In other countries, it is a combination of insurance and taxes. For example, in Canada I would be taxed an additional $10,000 dollars a year for healthcare, that I wouldn't be using. Or I could be in the US, and my boss pays my insurance as part of my benefits so I am taxed nothing and get to keep my $10,000. Granted, that means my boss is paying for my healthcare, so again, it isn't free.

[@simrangill5459]

@@uni4rm in australia even if you don't work (so you can't pay taxes) you still get health care. If you do work and have to pay taxes it's generally not a lot. i probably only pay $10000 a year but I can claim all of that back so most of the time I'm only left with paying not even $1000. medicare levy is usually less than 2% of our pay tho and gets taken out every pay.

[@esaedvik]

The whole going to work sick is so insane and SO EXPENSIVE for the company if it's an infectious disease. It's also crazy how my flu rate dropped to zero after starting working from home like 6-7 years ago. One of my former employers made it even worse and started giving prizes for people who didn't take a single sick day that year. Just insanity. Rewarding for messing other people up...

[@couldbeworse1488]

We use this "bonus" system. A lot of sick leave is unnecessary or used as extra holidays. The countries average sick leave for last year was 5,4%, our company did 1,4%

[@mariainesxf5940]

"Some places are really safe and you don't even need a weapon". Meanwhile, me going to walk the dog at night and forgetting even to bring my phone, being super relaxed. I don't even need the means to call for help!

[@mikeythehat6693]

Countries as rich as ours should have ZERO homelessness , and full access to healthcare . It's just disgusting to treat access to healthcare as a business .

[@ToddSauve]

The problem is you get people who won't work. Or would rather sit around and get drunk and stoned. Or who are criminals and get put in jail and no one trusts them enough when they get out of jail to hire them. I agree we are certainly rich enough as western nations to not have homelessness, but we don't have enough character either as employers or employees for that to ever be the case. Greed is what does everyone in.

[@steffensegoviahelbo5065]

@@ToddSauve we hear this argument of people who won't work all the time in my country. however Every single empirical investigation of this comes up with results that basically says this is a non issue. everyone who can work want to work. everyone who cannot work still want to work. the percentage of people that don't want to work is negligible at worst and none existent at best. it is such a small issue that it really should not affect policy at all, as any policy that want to take it in to consideration to motivate people to want to work cost society more on a whole than just ignoring them all together..

[@ToddSauve]

@@steffensegoviahelbo5065 I'm 64 and what I wrote is what I have experienced in my life. I think health care is a human need not a want. But I have met people who are such screw ups that they can't be trusted with a job or simply don't want a job. They certainly do exist and tend to drift off into a life of petty crime and drunkenness or drug abuse.

[@steffensegoviahelbo5065]

@@ToddSauve I talk about emperical evidence and you choose to counter with anecdotal evidence... The kind of evidence that you always try to avoid as it has several possible flaws, like feelings, cherry picking, being a statistical odd ball, low sample sizes, etc.

[@ToddSauve]

@@steffensegoviahelbo5065 I trust my own life experiences before I trust you, but have a good day!

[@evaadams8298]

Ian, but in Austria and many other countries, people with higher wages pay higher taxes. A lot of people in the US try and get out of paying taxes (including your #45!), Most people expect to pay tax as it helps pay for amenities, including health care, infrastructure etc. I have been to the US and was shocked at the Wealth divide. The US does not take care of its poor enough.

[@T0MT0Mmmmy]

That's the American dream. But only 1% of the people get rich, the others stay poor and go on dreaming.

[@NemanjaRajic]

My wife and I live and work in Germany. Couple years ago she had stomac surgerry and she had some problems with her backbone, nothing so bad but she pain from time to some and she was prohibited from doing her job as waitress so Germany paid her to go to some kind of school where she will remind her self to work in pc in office package and some other thing like that for full year, school costs nothing and she was getting paid aroung 1000€ monthly and after that they found her a job where she can work without lifting anything heavier than 5kg...year and a half later, she sent her to rehabilitation for three weeks where she can additionally rehabilitate her backbone with some kind of trainings and it was also free, stay and 3 meals, trainings and everything and she got paid her salary as she was working. In case jou stay without job, Germany is providing you with around 1300e monthly which is enough to pay rent and bills and live normally while you are searching for another job and you don't have to give them that money back. Germany have the best social system in world

[@Goatcha_M]

Pepper Spray is completely illegal in Australia too, as are credit card knives, tasers, batons and a whole lot of other weapons. Pocket knives and multi-tools aren't illegal, but you need a valid work reason to carry them, otherwise they are an illegally concealed weapon.

[@chrisrumble2665]

It's crazy that people can't use it to defend themselves here.

[@IcanBePsycho]

You can buy pepper spray in WA.

[@aprocessofchange6251]

We all carry multi tools and have never had an issue.

[@badwerds]

Even using an improvised weapon can get you into trouble

[@Kayenne54]

Even a rifle, licensed, has to be broken down into its constituent parts, locked away in a burglar proof lock box, with the ammo in a separate lock box. Also local police have to be informed that you have said weapon and up to date licence. As a woman, if I carry a metal nail file in its pouch in my handbag, apparently I could be prosecuted for carrying a concealed weapon.

[@hammer8809]

I think it’s way scarier living in the US than Oz even with our wildlife 😳🇦🇺.

[@LouisTheBlackCat]

I'll take drop bears over dropping bombs any day 😉🦘🇦🇺

[@patdavis6383]

Yeah, the most dangerous wildlife in the US is the people!

[@AndyViant]

All the Australian wildlife combined would only kill 1/1000th of what the US "healthcare" system kills each year.

[@dentray]

Australia second most dangerous place in the world for Backpackers just behind Brazil and it aint the wildlife!

[@bobbiusshadow6985]

The wildlife is dangerous in the US .. by wildlife I meant people

[@lindakarlsen4459]

Aussie here. Nearly three years ago I had double surgery. Two days later I had a heart attack that was not connected to my surgeries. I spent one day in hospital after my surgery and five days in hospital after my heart attack. I am currently waiting for a possible double surgery. The cost to me so far for all of this. ZERO. I do pay about $8 a month for some meds that I am now on as a result of my heart attack but that is it. I love our system and hope it never changes.

[@countrye3013]

if the liberals win again they're definitely going to push through some more policies that will lead to the americanisation of it all

[@lindakarlsen4459]

@@countrye3013 Agreed. We do not want them getting back in!!!!

[@valerieh84]

Best wishes for your recovery

[@lindakarlsen4459]

@@valerieh84 Thank you so much!

[@bigoz1977]

Gotta love POETS day (piss off early tomorrow’s Saturday) hahaha

[@BrapMan]

Dude, I'm from the UK, and I found you earlier tonight while watching your Kimi Raikkonen funny moments vids, and have started to binge watch your reaction vids.. your vids are great, man ;)

[@philliplynch5943]

Hi Ian: Being homeless in Australia is more about family breakdowns or personal choice. Every unemployed Australian gets $650 per fortnight from the Government. Also Australia's GDP per capita is $53,000, whereas in the US it is $59,000. So I'm a bit confused by the lack of support for Americans. So Glad to see education in New Mexico is Free. Keep up the good work.

[@aussiebornandbred]

The trouble is that ,,,,that $650 is barely enough to cover rent, let alone food ,power, phone, transport etc,etc,etc, which makes it almost impossible to get off the streets

[@philliplynch5943]

@@aussiebornandbred. True and it could be much better. But there is $142 per fortnight rent assistance and free medical. I was comparing what happens in the US. They do not get any sort of support like us.

[@TitanSummers]

@@aussiebornandbred As someone who is in the system they also give you a hand to get into a renal plus ongoing rent assistance and a discount on phone power and transport. This is on top of your fortnightly payment.

[@jacobgnech5187]

No every unemployed does not earn 650 p/fn. If you're under 22 and classed as a dependent. Meaning living with a parent - even if that parent barely makes enough for their rent and their bills- it's 350p/fn with no rent assistance. Or less than 200 a week to co er your share of rent, registration, food and bills etc. If you're classed as independent and under 22 then it 550 and rent assistance p/fn. So no, every unemployed Australian does not get 650

[@readhistory2023]

You sound like the EU living off the US's largess while they depend on the US for their security.

[@katymcdonald5481]

In Australia in rural areas there are a lot of dirt roads, it can sometimes be difficult to tell if you’ve crossed from a public road to private property. Many years ago my partner and I would go on lots of country drives and occasionally we’d accidentally end up on private property. A few of those times the farmers simply gave us the directions back to the main road. Unless someone was going near their livestock or maybe rolling up at night I cannot imagine farmers threatening people with a gun especially if their property backed onto walking tracks etc. After living in the country myself I think If young hikers walked on to their property they’d probably ask if they were ok/lost/had enough water etc.

[@mrtim5363]

If I'm not mistaken at 3:28 the country the lady is from is called 'Austria', a country in the southern part of Central Europe, situated near Eastern Alps. People seem to be talking as if she said Australia, which is in no way related to Austria. I could be wrong but that's what I heard.

[@lalyc3705]

Me too, but its also interesting to see the aussies discuss their own situation. Here in Austria, we actually do sozial work for homeless ppl, and in vienna (population 2 million) there usually is a major addiction problem (normally alcohol) or a psychological problem which causes about 1000-2000 ppl in vienna suffer homelessness. Especially in winter there are about additional 1500-2000 hungarians and other ppl from the surrounding countries who come to the winter shelters of vienna, usually provided by our public transport companies. We also have an institution which is called "Cold telefon" : if the temperatures go under zero Celsius, there is a public call if you see a homeless sleeps anywhere, approach him and call the "Kältetelefon" which is a cell number for a social worker, who tries to convince the homeless to come to a shelter and finds him a free place in a shelter, so nobody freezes to death in winter at night. Works really well. see: www.meinbezirk.at/tag/k%C3%A4ltetelefon-wien

[@TheGrace020]

She did indeed say that!

[@javiervelasco3921]

Thanks for doing this! I appreciate your channel, it takes some guts. I'm from Chile and spent 10 years in the US, and I was shocked of how the clueless people were to the rest of the world. One of the things I appreciate about bein back in Chile is my son doesn't have to learn to run in zig zag at school, that makes so sad for all the great people I met there and the friends I left behind. I discovered your channel from the ones you start to look into F1, but this is priceless content. In terms of cars, I'd recommend looking into Ayrton Senna!

[@IWrocker]

Thanks for your kind words!! Welcome to the channel, I’ll take a look at Senna 😎🎉

[@PBMS123]

I don't see how the population has much to do with it? Yes, America and Australia are the same size by land mass, but not by populated area. It comes down to rate. In the US people who are homeless who are not sheltered (rough sleepers) is 231,000. In Australia it's 8200. That's 0.07% for the US more than double Australia's at 0.0328%. As far as taxes go, the US and Australia pay almost the same average taxes per person, with the US population paying approximately $500 a more per year. At $USD 61,500 for the US and $USD 61,040 for Australian people when you take the combined tax revenue of all levels of government. Yet America is still unable to provide anywhere near the same amount or quality of services, no healthcare, barely any welfare that requires you to have worked first. Americans pay the same amount of tax per year, but get fewer lower quality services than Australia.

[@erose1710]

If the Republicans get their way the US will lose Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, and because it is a 'popular entitlement' they haven't quite worked out how to get rid of it without pissing off the vast majority of Americans. In Australia we call social support a right, but in the US they don't even classify access to food as a Human Right - so messed up.

[@LaraCroft]

the difference is usa is all about captialism and oz less so

[@Luciphag]

Waging war and upkeep of that army is expensive

[@essmkay]

@@LaraCroft - just a personal observation, but political corruption is really really expensive and a big drain on the public purse that might otherwise have significant benefit to the people. I’d like to see them all tossed out (maybe with the help of the 2A), anti-corruption laws instigated, then start all over again. Cheers 🥂

[@essmkay]

@@Luciphag - so is defending the moochers in NATO and elsewhere. 🥂

[@AbsoluteAbsurd]

im really getting into your videos recently, i like learning stuff so learning how your country works is always enlightening, also I think you're funny lol

[@sigmaoctantis1892]

I became interested in what the actual cost of health care was in different countries. That is, cost inclusive of out of pocket, tax and insurance. I found various reports about the cost in the US versus other OECD countries. Two major reports came to the same conclusion comparing US costs to other OECD countries. Bear this in mind when you hear the "it isn't free you pay for it with tax' argument. When averaged across populations, in the US health care costs twice as much (per annum) compared to other OECD countries, for less care and poorer medical outcomes.

[@Thedemonlord66]

Yeah, because healthcare is a business like any other in the US which is really sad and It really should be a basic human right.

[@jonasandersson5778]

When adding things up you end up paying more of your paycheck to cover your basic needs but lack the safetynet that paid by taxes options provides. The harsh difference between for profit and for people

[@sigmaoctantis1892]

@@jonasandersson5778 The difference is that, as far as health costs are concerned, when it is for profit, you pay more and get less than you do with a socialised health system.

[@baktru]

@@sigmaoctantis1892 Yeah that is the biggest problem with US healthcare. Healthcare is for profit companies and some of the healthcare companies in the US make massive profits. Here in Belgium by law health insurance providers and hospitals must be non-profits or they are excluded from the tax paid system.

[@sigmaoctantis1892]

@@baktru Just checked OECD figures, Belgium is slightly more expensive than the mixed system we have in Australia. What attracted my attention to health care is that in many on street interviews with Americans, they mention socialism. That is, the ideas expressed are that a socialised medical system is one step on the path to the dreaded dark, evil sin of socialism (whatever that might be). My current speculation is that these beliefs are a product of cold war era (1950s) propaganda. In support of this speculation, I note that, during the 1950s, many social welfare programs were removed for being unAmerican.

[@craighowarth9728]

I’ve watched several of your videos , and I actually feel sorry for you , because in the process of learning about other countries , you’ve in essence learned that your country is so flawed.

[@blindfreddy9157]

@@Quickstepz-OG off you go then.

[@cbisme6414]

@@Quickstepz-OG only if you want to be a franchise business, you can start up whatever business you want!

[@markboardman100]

Europe is amazing, lived here for the last 22 years. 12 years in Germany(Dresden, Berlin) 10 years Romania (Brasov, Cluj , Bucharest) speak fluent German, Romainian lovely latin language that it is not quite fluent but working at it, been a fan of F1 since i moved to Europe. NASCAR , short track lover before and Still am. But F1 blew my mind.

[@jameswitt605]

1. My first job in Australia, they did not have a position open for me, but hired me anyway because I had experience too valuable for them to pass up. The week I started was after a long weekend, so I started on Tuesday, on Thursday before noon the pay lady came around, and to my surprise I got a pay packet. Not only that, it was for a full weeks pay and I was only half way through my third day. 2. Finding out I got 4 weeks paid vacation per year, after 6 months I decided to take a 2 weeks off. When I got my pay packet the Thursday before leaving, it was bulging. It had 3 weeks pay plus a lot more. It was then I found out we got 17.5% leave loading when on vacation. That's right you got more money being away on holiday than working. 3. I was asked when employed if I wanted to have the private health insurance aromatically deducted from my pay every week. A bit unsure about the cost, I asked how much. It came out a 50 cents a week at that time. ( It now costs @A$1700.00 per year for me). 4, I was involved in a serious motorcycle accident and when I woke up in the hospital I was in traction with a broken hip and told I would be there for 10 weeks at least. I was frantic about what would happen with my job, my apartment and of course the cost of it all. My employer said no problems all is ok, My friends rallied around and kept my apartment for me. The hospital visit which ended up being 6 weeks cost me nothing, not a bloody cent. It was covered by the third party insurance we pay as part of the cost of registering a vehicle. I was on crutches for 6 weeks after the hospital and all my out of pocket expenses until I was deemed fully recovered were also reimbursed. An additional point, I had only been in Oz for @ 10 months at that time, yet in the 6 weeks I was in hospital i only went without a visit from someone on 1 day. of the entire period. Made quite an impression!

[@marvindebot3264]

"not a bloody cent", we have successfully converted you sir :)

[@TheMrJoshTaylor]

From Australia here, thought I broke my foot on a night out, knew it wasnt worth waiting for an ambulance becuase the system works on severity and potential harm basis so I jumped in an uber. Saw a Dr, had an X-ray, saw the Dr again. The uber was the most expensive part of the whole thing

[@defeatstatistics7413]

Same here when I broke my elbow. Paid £4.50 in bus fare in total, for the A&E visit and the followup two weeks later. That was the total cost of the whole thing. I fucking love the NHS.

[@CaptianInternet]

I had a Major Burnout in 2017. I went to a rehab clinic for 8 weeks. I never paid anything but I asked the doctors how expensive this would be and they told me it is about 18.000€ per day upwards. I can not imagine to live without the freedom to just care for my health.

[@kempaswe4022]

here in sweden most of us works 5 day/week 8h/day. 4-5weeks paid vacation, if we work on the holidays (red days) we get the double pay, if we start work before 06:00 or after 18:00 we get more paid per hour. when we get a child we have to take 14 days of with pay and we have another 365 days that we can take with pay until the year the child gets 8yo. and you get totaly free health/toothcare/meds until you get 18yo. 2 of our kids got autism (soon 11 and 13yo) they are getting everything for free, I even get paid when I have to take a day of to take them to doctors, school meetings etc. I was home for 1 1/2 year when I stressed too much and finally hit the wall. First 365 days I received 80% of the salary the other days 70%. If you feel like going out into the forest and picking mushrooms, berries or just camping in the forest, you can go out into any forest you want. It is called the right of public access where you have the law on your side to enjoy nature.

[@tSp289]

As a Brit visiting Japan, I almost couldn't believe the trains. They have this system where they tell you what time the train's coming, and then you go there for then... and there's a train! You can get on it, and it doesn't break down and you don't need to sell a kidney to afford the ticket. Amazing.

[@Davey-Boyd]

As a fellow Brit... Are you sure you weren't dreaming lol!

[@MultiMattRogers]

The really wild thing about the American healthcare system is that the government spends more per person on it than the UK does and the public still needs to pay thousands and thousands of dollars each time they use it. Government money is just syphoned to private companies. That would not fly in the UK. People get really angry when their tax money goes to shareholders.

[@alexwtf80]

The population density in Europe is 34 per Km2 (87 people per mi2), in the US is 36 per Km2 (94 people per mi2). But this is because eastern countries are less developed. If you take western countries you have Netherlands 508 per Km2 (1,316 people per mi2), Austria 109 per Km2 (283 people per mi2), Belgium 375 inhabitants per km², Italy 206 per Km2 (532 people per mi2). Homelessness rate has little to do with population density and all with social support. I will talk about Italy: - free healthcare means people a) don't go bankrupt and b) mental illness (primary cause of homelessness) is properly threated. - special loans: to buy your first house loans interest rate is set by law and it's much lower than normal - social housing programs: not only there are house available from little to zero rent for family in needs, those family can also apply to slowly buy the house they were assigned too. All of this doesn't erase the problem, but makes it much smaller for sure

[@Captain_Terp]

I like the sound of that Alex, they sound like ideas australia could have implemented to prevent the impending housing crisis

[@alexwtf80]

@@Captain_Terp yup, it's a policy that pays off over time. In Italy 73% of population owns at least an house

[@deviouskris3012]

@@Captain_Terp technically we do under the housing commission loans and first home buyers grants.

[@jonathanodude6660]

if youre going to cut out eastern europe you should also probably cut out the deserts in america my dude.

[@alexwtf80]

@@jonathanodude6660 it's a different matter. You americans have the bad habit to compare yourself to Europe as a whole, but Europe ISN'T a country. So maybe you should start to compare US to Italy, Germany, France, UK, Belgium, ..., ono by one, and see the results, Because if you want to compare to Europe, let's also include Canada, Mexico and the other minor countries... But that wouldn' t make much sense. In the specific analysis, EVEN taking into account eastern countries the difference in density is less than 10%. Also, crime rate is LOWER in western countries with higher density. My point is therefore absolutely valid: high density isn't an excuse for an insane crime rate.

[@GenesisDanes]

Mine was when we first moved to Iceland and my kids got super excited that they didn't have to have clear or mesh backpacks. The teachers who were showing us the school looked a little confused and I explained that our district back in the states had had a shooting a couple years prior and all the kids had to carry clear or mesh backpacks since.

[@MaticTheProto]

Wow

[@karlbark]

Welcome to you all from Iceland. 😄 🇮🇸 -Karl Trausti

[@michaelmiddleton8098]

Watched a few of your videos I like the balance approach

[@rosiec1974]

In Australia..trespassing MIGHT get you prosecuted..not shot. I had a Csection.. Babu spent days in NICU.. we were in a single room and in for a week. All Baby Specialists, Therapists, Consultants.. nothing out of pocket.

[@julesmasseffectmusic]

In oz 9 times out 10 wandering on to someone's property gets you someone to have a beer with at the local once you find it.

[@kateemma22]

Most of the time trespassing will get you laughed at.

[@MadameCirce]

I lived in the UK for a few years, and the healthcare difference is immediately what I thought of when I saw the title of the video. So I'm not surprised it was the very first clip. It is absolute insanity how broken things are in the US when it comes to seeing a doctor, affording medication, etc. But yet politicians have somehow convinced a large amount of people that universal healthcare is a bad thing.

[@linomoto]

I still am amazed by americans that say they don't like universal health care because they wont pay for other peoples use of the system when they don't need it. How do these people think insurances work?

[@tubaduk]

This is what shocks me, people get sick they don’t choose to, last thing anybody wants to think about is money when ur unwell. Price of life in USA is cheap if it wasn’t they would do anything to make sure you don’t die either from lack of money,housing ,health care or food. Every Life is precious

[@hypsyzygy506]

So many 'pro-life' people won't help ill people.

[@may51973]

​@@hypsyzygy506because that people are only pro-birth.

[@billfarley9167]

From Canada: I have a cousin who moved from Canada to Phoenix (with his parents) when he was 12 years old. Eventually he married an American woman and had two sons. My 2nd cousins. I hadn't seen my cousin in 40 years so went for a visit and stayed a few weeks. His sons would come for Sunday night supper and that's when I met them for the first time. About the third Sunday we got into comparing systems between the US and Canada. When I described our universal healthcare sytem they accused Canada of being communists. I was absolutely blown away. When it came to geography it was even worse. They knew very little beyond Arizona. Once they challenged me to name the 50 States and I did. Our Sunday discussions went south from that point onward. I gave up in disgust.

[@croat1455]

I like your character. Nice vibe bro. And on point in your videos. Cool and keep it up.

[@Goatcha_M]

The reason the US homeless situation is so out of control, especially in cities like LA is a combination of local ordinances, complete lack of provisions for the mentally ill or those who simply cannot afford rent, the impossibility of being hired with a prison sentence when 1% of the population is incarcerated at any given time... the list goes on. Australia has homeless, and the way things are going with housing we are rapidly heading towards the Japanese situation with an entire class of Gainfully employed people who are homeless because rents are too high. But most destitute or mentally ill people do receive some form of welfare and care.

[@minishaw280]

Need to build capsule hotels that are 20 bucks a night! Build them out wests etc

[@sunisbest1234]

Here in Aust. there is definitely room for improvement in regards to help for ppl with M.I. However, after speaking to many ppl in U.S. with kids who have M.I. , we are way, way ahead. So, so many of them are living on the streets because they cannot be included on their parents healthcare any more, so no meds to help them. Broke my heart!

[@Rusty_Gold85]

Our problem is Negative gearing or "Get reduced or zero wage taxes on a investment home". Which builds cost pressure into the housing market and we get new families missing out on a 4 bedroom that gets demolished for 4 poxy dog box units. There isnt a survey on how many share a home these days . My younger days it was an easier market to get into

[@Goatcha_M]

@@Rusty_Gold85 That's certainly a major contributer. But the lack of high density housing projects is also a large factor.

[@callen6893]

You missed one huge contributing factor to homelessness in the US. What about illegal immigration when you have millions of people crossing the southern border overwhelming the social systems.

[@stephennewton2777]

Lived and worked in the US for four years. I have never seen so many homeless people on the streets in any other industrialized country.

[@bogdanmihai7106]

Belgium VS United States Population: 11,593,000 vs 331,894,000 Inhabitants/km²: 379.7 vs 33.8 The argument you are a lot of people is not an argument. Belgium has 10 times the density yet probably 200th of the homeless people of US.

[@nwinburn]

I'm from Mexico and moved to the States in 1995 at the age of 21. I had never seen a homeless person until then. Things have changed, of course, but in Mexico City, you still see fewer homeless people than in any major US city. So much for the wealthiest country in the world. On the other hand, I lived in the US (Washington, DC and SF) for 12 years and I never got mugged and never carried pepper spray - lol

[@enriquerivero2951]

In general, you don't see many homeless in the whole Mexico. Even low wage people normally have a roof over their heads, not to mention that most of the people have access to free health care and education. The problem is corruption and now violence... violence fed from the US with guns, money and an insatiable consumption of drugs.

[@supermaximglitchy1]

they were afraid to get mugged themselves

[@gingerdrake9158]

I had never seen a homeless person either until I moved from Sydney to Florida. Men and women beg for money at intersections like it's their job. So weird. I know we have homeless in Australia but I had never seen any begging for money on a corner.

[@pipo4158]

Mexiko is great. Take away cartels and its a reqlly safe nation.

[@Inferiis]

the problem is already explained in your words "The wealthiest country", not the wealthiest people (although the top live there, that economy can help you to get rich, but if you aren't, you're fckd)

[@DenBlackburn]

Your channel is graet, Im from th UK and I love my country to, but there are things we could do better, its really nice to see someone else that loves their country but is not blind to its faults, no place is perfect. It is so anoying when you see people that are so blinkered and will not accept the problems in the place they live. Keep up the great work you are doing and stay true to yourself ;)

[@herculanovalada2910]

In Portugal calling a ambulance in a emergency is free of charge

[@vaughanellis7866]

Situation 1; I’ve lived and worked in the US for my UK employer who took out health insurance for me ($2.5 Million & repatriation) they tried through a US Insurance Company which would have charged them tens of thousands of dollars for the coverage, they ended up getting the same coverage from a UK Insurance Company for a premium of $500 per year. Every-time American go on about the 'socialist health care' in Europe they fail to realise that we all pay for it through our pay packets, but the costs are far lower as the health services in each country can buy in bulk be that drugs, plaster of paris bandages or operations. And if you have had a major operation no matter the type you will not be leaving hospital until you have recovered. If footpaths go through farmers fields over here there is a public right of way but you must remain on the footpath.

[@Paul_Allaker8450]

Love your reactions, especially to the trespassing incident, here in the UK way ha e a Law called "The RightTo Roam", farmers and landowners have to maintain public access and public right of way.......which is fantastic, I've walked over 15miles just by walking through fields and parks it just feels so natural that we don't give it a moments thought.. Great videos as always Ian. 👏👏👍

[@VoidCosmonaut]

3:52 In the company i work for (French company) in Poland i have 30 days off sick and still being paid 100% and after that it is 80%. Days i can be ill are limitless but after im ill for 3 months i have to see a doctor to check if the illness isn't pernament.. Normally Polish law states if You are sick You get paid 80% of Your wage.I have 26 holiday days (ruled by Polish law) and within that i have 4 days when i can just call my company and state i won't show up without even giving reasons. Normal working week is MAX 40 hours. If you work anything more you have to get paid 150% of your wage during working d ays and 200% on sunday (in the company i work for, working on Saturday is also paid 200%). Fun fact too: If a holiday (bank holiday or a day free from work because it is some kind of our national holiday) happens to be saturday and saturday isn't your normal woking day (fe. if You, by contract, work only Monday to Friday) then the company is obligated to give you work-free day within working week.

[@pureone26]

I've had the strange experience of being told several times by americans that they 'find my simplicity and lack of drama really irritating' (nearly word for word each time). To which I find myself saying 'sorry..?'..I finally realised americans seem to need more confrontation, drama, emotions, words, concepts, talking to feel comfortable.. which is sad really. So I actually often make up some drama now when I sense the discomfort coming on, to make them feel better (eg bf dramas etc) and start projecting my voice.

[@poruatokin]

Please don't lower yourself to their standard.

[@TNM001]

oh god, we have enough fake drama (especially on TV with americanized culture shows), don't induldge them. on the contrary, show them life needs LESS drama.

[@punkizm]

Just found a channel “Nate Lawson” he’s ex US military and he’s taught me so much about the states and how bad you guys actually have it and not even know it, he was a huge patriot before his service. He’s in the midst of leaving altogether for Germany. (Oh and pepper spray is illegal here too)

[@countrye3013]

His channel was recently recommended to me too and I almost couldn't bring myself to watch his stuff because I can't deal with nationalism but then it became clear that he's pretty disillusioned so he can give the perspective on both sides a lot of the time.

[@punkizm]

@@countrye3013 I definitely had a look through his content before clicking too honestly, but it’s very interesting stuff

[@arnodobler1096]

Seine Frau ist Deutsche und er war auch öfters hier und war in DE stationiert. Er kennt also beide Seiten.

[@arnodobler1096]

@@countrye3013 His wife is German and he was also here several times and was stationed in DE. So he knows both sides.

[@countrye3013]

@@arnodobler1096 i know

[@gmb2006]

Just found your channel 💜 (I did search up for these type of videos 😂)

[@LikkieAU]

Pepper spray is considered a weapon here in Australia and is definitely illegal to own and carry in all states except WA. Even in WA it’s dubious if you’d get away with carrying and/or using it.

[@lizgreer6888]

I was interning at a primary (elementary) school in Notting Hill and living in London proper. I put my cell phone in my purse like I always do for the work day and at the end of the day I went to look at it. I had 20 missed calls from my Mom and the house phone and 10 voicemail. Mom sounded frantic so I called right away. Turns out there was a car bombing in Piccadilly Circus, a terrorist attack and I had no idea. It wasn't on the news or in the morning newspaper. No one talked about it during breaks at work. There was nothing and yet my Mom, 1000s of miles and a whole ocean away knew about it. Apparently it was all over the American news. When I asked my coworkers about it they said "life goes on. We just don't give them the power." Mind blown.

[@suomenpresidentti]

First time heard of the zigzag running... 😮 And I am pushing 60. Greetings From Finland!

[@GreenGibbon]

Jeez, that must have been hard to take, mate! I commend your courage. Cheers, from Australia, and loving it! 🤠

[@Honzicek29]

I live in Scotland on small island and thank God for NHS.I had some health problems last year,spent one night in local hospital,next day airlifted by Airambulance to better hospital where I spent 5 weeks,lots of different tests,x-rays,couple of small surgeries.All for free!!!Bonus to this is,that NHS even purchase me plane ticket back to island and pay for taxi to airport!!!

[@fissummusic]

That was all probably tax paid, not free.

[@Honzicek29]

@@fissummusic how much you'll have to pay for all this in US?my 20 pounds a week is not that much!

[@fissummusic]

@@Honzicek29 I don't know what the real cost is. I don't live in the US. 20£ per week sound like a good deal :)

[@mistylee717]

I just had major surgery. I had the cartilage removed that was broken connecting my ribs, and then 3 plates were attached to hold my ribs in place. Didn’t even stay over-night. I was recovering in a hotel room. I couldn’t even reach most parts of my own body to clean or anything.

[@AntonGudenus]

As a small retort to your "population density argument": The US (36/km2) actually has a rather low population density and Los Angeles (3200/km2) also has a quite low population density for such a large city. For comparison Austria, which the woman in the referenced video talks about, has a population density of 109/km2, with its capital city holding at 4630/km2. The homelessness problem in the US is to a great degree due to the missing social security net. So people end up on the street only because they lost their job or got some unexpected medical bills, as especially low income people have their whole security and medical insurance bound to their jobs. Homelessness in Austria is something that should be close to impossible for a citizen, so it is very rare compared to the US. Most homeless here are either foreigners (and therefore not eligible for many of the benefits) or people who somehow manage to slip through the net contrary to its design.

[@karenglenn6707]

On my third trip to the US my husband came, and we went shopping at a place called Ontario Mills in California. Walked into a KMart or Walmart and there were guns lining a whole wall. Our eyes were boggling as we couldn’t believe what we were seeing, even my husband who is a Corrections Officer was gobsmacked. You can’t have that here (thank goodness).

[@glennllewellyn7369]

Cool name! NSW here - we have rifles and guns. What’s the problem?

[@karenglenn6707]

@@glennllewellyn7369 of course we have them here, just not in Kmart. And not at swap meets where anyone can buy them. Checked the juvenile murder rate lately with guns there? Or the mass shootings. Thanks for the comment re the name, yours is good and spelled the right way.

[@glennllewellyn7369]

@@karenglenn6707 Hello again! yeah...I'm a dedicated farmer/gun nut...from a long line of nuts. We even shot a few baddies during the wars. Kids with guns is not good. Stupid drugged up gang members? I say give 'em more guns and let God sort them out.

[@xXSinForLifeXx]

@@glennllewellyn7369 We definitely don't have rifles and guns lined up and being sold in Kmart or BigW. Idk what your trying to imply or say but I live in NSW and that's not true. You can legally own a gun sure but more regulated.

[@Just_For_Kixz]

@@glennllewellyn7369 not enough IMO…