Are you thinking of becoming a Bush Refugee?

[bluestateguy]

Now that we are almost 3 months from the election, I wanted to check in and see what people's thoughts are now that there has been some time for cool reflection and deliberation.

[donco6]

1. I've bought properties in other countries.

I see my future outside the US in a few more years, after I retire.

[kiraboo]

6. If the draft is reinstated

my husband and I are poised to leave. We discuss it virtually every day. The only thing that makes it bearable is that we live in a blue state and there are plenty of like-minded folk who give us hope that all is not lost.

[donco6]

9. Lucky you.

I used to be in a red/blue state, but in the past few years, Colorado has just tipped over the edge.

[Red_Viking]

2. Can't leave until 2007

The Significant Other and I both jumped off the high-tech corporate ship last year and went to law school. We wanted more control over our paths. After November 2, we decided that control lies outside the US. School goes on until Mother's Day, 2007, but we are actively planning an exodus to the EU. This summer we're attending an overseas program, and we're getting things in place to hopefully have internships overseas next summer. It's all part of the plan. Networking, making contacts, getting it all in place...

I'm already mentally going through all my stuff and deciding what I absolutely have to keep, and what I can sell. Just about everything can be sold, except my teenage daughter and the pets!

This seems especially appropriate since the Dems can't seem to get their shit together and mount a unified front for opposition to the Christo-fascists. :P

RV

[bluestateguy]

5. Just stay registered to vote OK

We still need your vote. The conservatives like to make lots and lots of babies!

[Earth_First]

3. After finishing school...

The significant and I are going to talk about the option of taking a trip to NZ to explore options.

[Menshevik]

4. Well

I left before the election, but unless I can get a job out here before school ends in September, I'll be heading back to the US.

[sweetheart]

12. Be sure to look outside london

Your fortune might be in scotland or elsewhere in england, the
midlands, or for that matter, in konigsburg. Sounds, by your post,
that you're planning to return anyways, and that your time in london
was always planned to be temporary. If your potential employer snuffs
that out, you won't find the jobs you want.

Good luck in your job hunting.

[Menshevik]

14. almost right

Before I left for London, I had planned to return to DC after earning my degree so that I could work for the State Department...then again, I was also hoping for a Kerry victory, but with Bush in 4 more years and Condi as head of the State Dept, I'm really not interested in working for the gov't right now. I've really grown to love the UK, though, so I'm hoping to work for an NGO or company out here now (or yeah, maybe Russia if the opportunity arises)

[sweetheart]

25. Were you at the democratic caucus in london last feb 9?

I met several americans who were at the LSE (Holborn)... and perhaps
we've met. There is always further higher education as well, excellent
digs in Kiel, on the continent for a second dip in economics... berlin
even. The multipolar future of global economics will require a new
breed of american who is fully aware of mulitiple cultures, currencies
accounting systems and ways of tweaking econometric indexes.

I so wish "the economist" would get hip and start publishing and
adjusted GDP-per-capita which tosses the top and bottom 1% for a more meaningful
number indicating realistic average product.

Plenty of NGO jobs last time i looked at the guardian jobs section...
no problemo there. Check jobs on www.scotland.gov.uk as well, as they're
also gearing up to advise on economic matters international.

many blessings to you and yours,
-s

[Bouncy Ball]

7. I won't leave the US (I don't think)

but we are fantasizing about moving to another state, preferably in the northeast (we are in Texas now). It won't happen anytime soon, but someday, we are determined.

[bluestateguy]

8. I am also trying to leave Texas

Texas is a great place to live if you make a lot of money. There is no income tax and housing is mostly affordable for upper-middle class salaries. Public schools in wealthy neighborhoods are fairly good.

If you are poor, Texas can be a real hellhole to live in. Social services are minimal, sales taxes are high and regressive, criminal justice here is very much baised against the poor and public schools are underfunded (except football).

I am far from poor, but I'd like to live in a state that does not worship at the altar of social Darwinism.

[flobee1kenobi]

10. Would be more than willing to leave Ohio

for Canada if it meant employment. The IT job market in ohio is like being a snowplow driver in florida.

[Piperay]

11. Making plans

to leave within the next 5 years, it is just going to take that long. It's not just cause of Chimp, that is just a small part of it, it's mostly due to personal reasons. Even if Kerry had gotten in I was already in the process of making plans. I am not happy here any longer and want to find some peace. I don't have the same values as people here and want a place where my values count for something.

[smirkymonkey]

13. Same here....

right now I am in the process of getting documentation together to apply for Italian citizenship (I qualify, as my Italian grandfather wasn't naturalized until after my father was born and my father never formally renounced Italian citizenship.)

I don't know if I would stay in Italy or go elsewhere in the EU, but I at least want to have the option if things get worse than they are now.

[sweetheart]

15. Ciao bella!

How excellent! Italy has a serious population decline issue, and needs
quality wood like yourself. Unlike the US, where people get about the
whole place all over... europe is very local local, so likely you'll
stay local to where you land, presuming economics and such. Best to
plan for your destination (end), as the committment is long term, and
the european view is long term. One can always change, but in my own
experience, after going through the transatlantic move, it exhausted
me, and the need to stay put for a while to get bearings is not uncommon.

Its so inspiring, this, as from the point of view of "now" it looks like
a daunting future, but in that future, there will be a community, even
stronger of internationally savvy expats who's awareness of other
cultures will be critical.... I think its F scott fitzgerald who said,
"American lives don't have second acts." Emigrating is a second act,
and for a single act culture, what a godsend. :-)

[smirkymonkey]

18. Thanks!

Good to know that the population decline should work in my favor. I am healthy, educated and relatively young but don't speak the language fluently. However, that can be remedied. :)

I like the F.Scott Fitzgerald quote and I think the idea of staying put for a while appeals to me. Thanks again!

[Doctor_J]

33. Isn't Italy headed the same way as US?

Berlusconi just went ahead and bought all the major media, to avoid annoyances like Helen Thomas. Italy may be the next US client state.

[smirkymonkey]

34. Probably, their government tends to be too conservative for

my tastes, but if I were a citizen I could work or live anywhere in the EU, and would most likely end up in a more liberal northern European country.

[Zensea]

16. People who leave do not help

If you leave it only makes America go further to the right.

I understand the emigration from Germany when Hitler was elected, but that was from people whose lives were actually being threatened.

People should stay and make their voices heard. If you run away, it will catch up with you anyway in this global world we live in.

You know that right wing cliche "America Love it or Leave it"? Why give them what they want by leaving?

I say if you love American you should stay.

[radwriter0555]

28. I tried to prevent this mess, what on earth makes you think you can SOLVE

the coming debacle? It took a world united to bring hitler down, and it will take NATO with guns drawn against the US Military to take down the bush regime... and that may well take up to 10+ years.

I don't have any reason to stick around. Nothing any of us can do as individuals can make a difference at this point.

[Zensea]

32. there are plenty of philosophical answers to that question

I don't really need to tell you what they are, I'm sure you know them.

I'll just say if everyone thought the way you suggest, then defeat is assured, & if everyone thought the way I'm suggesting, victory is not guaranteed, but possible.

Each person has to make their own decision.

[radwriter0555]

17. I'm marrying my frenchman and moving to the south of France... he talked

me out of moving to Italy...

I leave in June. The contractor starts tomorrow on tweaking the house to perfect it for sale in March.

And, to top it all off, I will become the Countess Radwriter0555 and I wish I was kidding.

He's titled. What more can a gal ask for?

oh, and I adore him. He's smart, clever, handsome, sweet, kind and adoring and affectionate. And, to perfect the marriage, he'll stay here looking after business on this side of the pond whilst I take care of our mutual business in Cannes.

**sigh** life is what you make it.

[smirkymonkey]

19. Wow - sounds like a dream come true!

and a Countess, no less! I have to admit, having a European significant other just seems like it would make the transition so much easier.

Well, I haven't given up hope yet! :)

Best of luck to you!

[radwriter0555]

27. Well considering the battle to become established in italy would be

pretty arduous, it will be significantly easier. However, just so you know, Monaco has pretty easy residency requirments. Owning property is the pre-requisite.

[CBHagman]

20. Thought about it today.

With the real possibility of losing health care coverage if Bush's plans go through, I thought maybe I should look into Ireland or at least working abroad. Canada is another consideration, and I do have relatives living there.

[Hollowkatt]

21. My wife and I

are finishing our degrees in Buisness and education respectivly and then jumping the pond to England or Europe somewhere

[lonestarnot]

22. Nope staying to fight the bitches!

[Kukesa]

29. Me, too -- I'll stay and fight. n/t

[jdots]

23. leaving the planet and solar system

found a nice little place,will make radio contact in 7 years . The beings on Shmengdar have been through all this crap and figured it out.

[Sentath]

24. I'll never afford it

but its a nice thought *shrug*

[BamaGirl]

26. No. I'm 13th generation

American and know my family history well. (Long line of liberal thinkers. ;)) My grandfather would haunt me till the day I die if I dared to leave lol. Besides with global warming and peak oil in our future I doubt we could find many places better than where we are that we can afford. I'll take my chances where I am.

[Orsino]

30. Been planning it for years...

The "reelection" of Bush has just made it more urgent. This is *not* going to be a good country in which to grow old.

As soon as the house sells, we're off to British Columbia.

[KurtNYC]

31. I just got back from a country-shopping trip

Went to Toronto for the weekend. I love Montreal but the economy and the language are the downside there so I went to Toronto for the first time in about 12 years. Purposely went in the dead of winter since that is one of the issues people cite.

Toronto has been on the upswing for about 30 years straight. The most obvious thing to me was the number of condos that are going up and those that have been built. They are pre-selling condos that won't be completed until September of 2007, etc. And there are dozens of these things going up. I'm still sorting out my reaction to the city but it didn't move me strongly the way Montreal does.