Interesting article

[siercia]

I found this today on Salon.

Raises interesting thoughts for me to ponder. I agree with the author, I often look around me and feel like I've moved into another country. I know most people believe that the US won't turn into Nazi Germany or Stalinist Russia, but the truth is, neither did most of the people living in those times and countries. While I certainly don't like to think I might actually really need to move, how do you know when you do? What price might you pay if you don't? Also like the author, I'm not the "person" the government's hoping to catch either - I obey most laws, I pay my taxes, I contribute to society in my own little way. But I find that little comfort, because I don't want to live in a country where fear, suspicion and terror reign supreme, and I don't want to raise my child in one either. I also realize that I wouldn't know the first thing about the mechanics of how to leave - what do you have to do to lawfully move to another country? If it came down to it, would I go illegally (Canada, anyone?)

How do you know when it's time to go?

Comments

[dchenes.livejournal.com]

I've been saying for quite a while now that in light of the political situation in this country, which seems to have spread to the rest of the planet, I'm going to move to Mars.

Seriously, though, we may be in for a regime change of our own next year (I hope).

[siercia]

I still think there are countries we could move to that would be better - even English speaking ones, like Canada or Australia. I wouldn't even know how to begin doing it, though.

[kaasirpent]

That decision is entirely a personal one, since each of us has a threshold of "bad" that needs to be individually crossed. When it's right for you, you'll know.

[siercia]

I'm still having trouble wrapping my mind around the thought that this might actually be becoming a rational thought instead of something to joke about.

[biophile6.livejournal.com]

I'm very glad I'm not the only one thinking this...

[siercia]

It's still just this vague feeling of disquietude and unease - nothing that I can quantify in any real way. Part of me feels silly for even seriously considering it, but another part of me fears that it really is getting to be time to jump ship and go. Who'd ever have thought it might come to this?

[asmodel.livejournal.com]

Well, I moved country, and I know other people who did the same, merely because either there was a better offer, or it was a change of scene. Nothing wrong with moving just for a change of scene.

[siercia]

Aaaaah, if only it were that easy. It's a little more complicated than just picking up and going when you've got a house to sell, a family, and what could be considered well-established careers to leave behind.

[siercia]

Shoot, I had a much more in depth reply to this before, and the system apparently ate it. Anyway, I didn't mean that to be a condescending as it came out - but the thing is, with what we have now, we're not really in a position to easily leave for a year or two to see how things turn out. If we go, it's much more likely to be a forever, or at least a long term move, and that changes the equation a good bit. After all, if it's only going to be for a year or two, we're probably better off staying, clinging tightly to what we've worked so hard to get, and hoping for the best.