Don't Like It? Why Not Just Leave?

[Antilon]

Personally speaking, I dislike US culture, politics and economics. I'm not like most Americans (ethnically, socially, culturally) and I don't think like most Americans. So I'm planning to immigrate to a country that is more reflective of my personal ideals. Probably Norway or Sweden.

But this isn't a "let's talk about how much America sux and how Europe/Asia/the world is awesome" thread.

Rather I 've wondered why do people who are significantly at odds with their nation in whatever terms stay, often to work fruitlessly for a change that will never come (i.e. Communist Party USA)? Why not just leave and go to a nation that you identify more with?

Granted, I'd think that there are many people who were raised and lived in the US then became expatriates for whatever reason. But this is mostly on the individual level. For instance, it seems to me that it would be more convenient for communists/socialists/leftists to just up and leave the US to the capitalists/right-wingers, and go somewhere they are more appreciated.

[Forster Keys]

Personally speaking, I dislike US culture, politics and economics. I'm not like most Americans (ethnically, socially, culturally) and I don't think like most Americans. So I'm planning to immigrate to a country that is more reflective of my personal ideals. Probably Norway or Sweden.

But this isn't a "let's talk about how much America sux and how Europe/Asia/the world is awesome" thread.

Rather I 've wondered why do people who are significantly at odds with their nation in whatever terms stay, often to work fruitlessly for a change that will never come (i.e. Communist Party USA)? Why not just leave and go to a nation that you identify more with?

Granted, I'd think that there are many people who were raised and lived in the US then became expatriates for whatever reason. But this is mostly on the individual level. For instance, it seems to me that it would be more convenient for communists/socialists/leftists to just up and leave the US to the capitalists/right-wingers, and go somewhere they are more appreciated.

Because politics aren't everything. There's family, friends, a sense of belonging to place, a fondness for a particular part of the culture etc.

[Conserative Morality]

Even as a left-leaning individual, I'm all for the communists/socialists/leftists who want to leave to leave. If you think leaving your country is the best solution to disagreements with it, then good riddance.We don't want people who lack loyalty to their country and dedication to their cause.

[Antilon]

Because politics aren't everything. There's family, friends, a sense of belonging to place, a fondness for a particular part of the culture etc.

But that doesn't stop people from immigrating (legally or illegally) to the US, or anywhere else, for economic reasons. And considering conventional social media, it doesn't seem that would be a very significant issue.

[Ovisterra]

Because some of us don't have the luxury of being able to leave a country whenever the fancy takes us. We may have family and friends, we may be under 18, we may be living with someone who doesn't want to move, we may have a good job that we don't want to lose, we may not have the money, we may have kids that wouldn't react well to a move, we may not have the languages necessary to move where we want to etc etc.

[Kirrig]

I think that there are a few reasons:
1) Immigrants are never really accepted in most places.
2) Language issues.
3) Separation from family and whatnot.
4) Money.

Then again in some places, NZ, people are all too willing to leave, especially to Australia. This suggests that Money is the main reason. (Ironic given that my family came to NZ for better opportunities, well part of it.)

[Antilon]

Even as a left-leaning individual, I'm all for the communists/socialists/leftists who want to leave to leave. If you think leaving your country is the best solution to disagreements with it, then good riddance.We don't want people who lack loyalty to their country and dedication to their cause.

I never really saw it those terms.

If the people/government of the nation you live in don't appreciate you as a leftist, then why should you have any sense of loyalty or dedication?

[Ovisterra]

Even as a left-leaning individual, I'm all for the communists/socialists/leftists who want to leave to leave. If you think leaving your country is the best solution to disagreements with it, then good riddance.We don't want people who lack loyalty to their country and dedication to their cause.

I never really saw it those terms.

If the people/government of the nation you live in don't appreciate you as a leftist, then why should you have sense of loyalty or dedication?

True story bro. I have zero loyalty to my country.

[New Hayesalia]

Here's six reasons.

[Mad hatters in jeans]

well it really is dependent on the individual lots of factors play into whether someone would like to leave their country or not.
In most cases if they have decent job prospects some friends and family they're probably gonna stay even if they hate their government, course this changes if there aren't great job prospects.
For instance a number of folks from UK moved to Australia to find work a few years back and quite a few are moving back, simply because it's difficult to make new friends and keep long distance relations with family.

With shorter distances, ie US to Canada, or maybe UK to somewhere in Europe this isn't quite so bad in terms of keeping up relations but there will always be that strain i suppose.

This is assuming we're talking about folks in "Western" countries there are a few countries where the reasons change considerably, ie Asylum seekers.

[Conserative Morality]

I never really saw it those terms.

If the people/government of the nation you live in don't appreciate you as a leftist, then why should you have sense of loyalty or dedication?

It scares me that some people think in your terms. The world is not made to appreciate how everyone is a super special snowflake.

[Dravesgarde]

Here's six reasons.

Did you really just pull a Cracked article out?

[Natty Narwhal]

It is financially difficult and, well, difficult because, despite what one thinks one knows about another culture, being there is very different than just reading or studying about it, while others may just want to stay because their family is where they are currently living.

[Forster Keys]

Because politics aren't everything. There's family, friends, a sense of belonging to place, a fondness for a particular part of the culture etc.

But that doesn't stop people from immigrating (legally or illegally) to the US, or anywhere else, for economic reasons. And considering conventional social media, it doesn't seem that would be a very significant issue.

Exactly. Depends on the individual and their situation.

[Meowfoundland]

My views aren't in line with the rest of the population, but I love my country. Why would leave? My family and my friends are here, and this is my home.

[Antilon]

I never really saw it those terms.

If the people/government of the nation you live in don't appreciate you as a leftist, then why should you have sense of loyalty or dedication?

It scares me that some people think in your terms. The world is not made to appreciate how everyone is a super special snowflake.

I have no idea where the hell you got that idea, but I'm referring to the reality that left-wingers/liberals are pretty much treated like shit in the US.

[Kvatchdom]

It is foolish to be proud of your nationality, as you never chose it. Nationalism and patriotism annoy me quite a lot. Especially here in Finland, where you can't say "Swedish person" without someone adding "Gay" afterwards. I suggest Denmark, New-Zealand or Sweden. Best places to be in right now. And remember, you are not a "traitor" of USA, USA just sucks.

[Forster Keys]

It scares me that some people think in your terms. The world is not made to appreciate how everyone is a super special snowflake.

I have no idea where the hell you got that idea, but I'm referring to the reality that left-wingers/liberals are pretty much treated like shit in this the US.

If you're overtly political odds are you're gonna cop some shit from some corner.

[Ovisterra]

I never really saw it those terms.

If the people/government of the nation you live in don't appreciate you as a leftist, then why should you have sense of loyalty or dedication?

It scares me that some people think in your terms. The world is not made to appreciate how everyone is a super special snowflake.

I don't want them to appreciate my individuality, I want them to give me, as Aretha Franklin would say, "R-E-S-P-E-C-T". Anyone further left then center-left in my country is labelled as a member of the "loony left" and ridiculed. Asking around those who have been doing the ridiculing has led me to discover that most of them don't have the slightest idea what left and right wing mean.

[The USOT]

Because politics aren't everything. There's family, friends, a sense of belonging to place, a fondness for a particular part of the culture etc.

But that doesn't stop people from immigrating (legally or illegally) to the US, or anywhere else, for economic reasons. And considering conventional social media, it doesn't seem that would be a very significant issue.

Note, not all people are the same.

Some people are happy to move to other countries on a whim for x reason.
Some people are not happy for the same reason.

I know a guy who moved to America from Britain just for the fun of it.
Likewise I know people who have wanted to go to America but have had family keeping them here.

There isnt really a universal reason why people move, nor are their universal circumstances which keep them from going. Its very much an individual thing.

I for one would love to live in Canada. I however have too many commitments here to go on a whim, both familial, relationship wise and work wise. Its not always so easy just to go.

[Ovisterra]

I have no idea where the hell you got that idea, but I'm referring to the reality that left-wingers/liberals are pretty much treated like shit in this the US.

If you're overtly political odds are you're gonna cop some shit from some corner.

Tell me about it.

[Conserative Morality]

I have no idea where the hell you got that idea, but I'm referring to the reality that left-wingers/liberals are pretty much treated like shit in the US.

Treated like shit?

Really?

I find this amusing, please, elaborate.

[Kvatchdom]

I have no idea where the hell you got that idea, but I'm referring to the reality that left-wingers/liberals are pretty much treated like shit in the US.

Treated like shit?

Really?

I find this amusing, please, elaborate.

Look and the candidates. Good. This was elaboration for you.

[Conserative Morality]

Look and the candidates. Good. This was elaboration for you.

Not having people agree with you en masse is being treated like shit?

The sense of entitlement is astounding.

[Ovisterra]

Look and the candidates. Good. This was elaboration for you.

Not having people agree with you en masse is being treated like shit?

The sense of entitlement is astounding.

Indeed. I think American Liberals are actually quite lucky. I mean, look what they're up against in 2012.