# Making plans to leave the country **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 5, 2008, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225 "2008-09-05T19:28:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/1 "2008-09-05T19:28:35Z")
No, it’s not hyperbole. My wife is recovering from two surgeries: 1.) to remove her colon and 2.) to construct a substitute “pouch” using her ileum. My five-year-old son is mildly autistic and requires forty hours a week of outrageously expensive ABA therapy that the state of California and the Culver City school district provide. Most people in our position could never dream of leaving, since, even if one were so inclined, one would have to forgo insurance, state, and federal disability benefits both for my wife and my son. We’re forgoing those. In fact, I’m leaving a dream job as a tenured professor at a large research university to take a far less prestigious position in another country. My wife and son will still get their benefits, although we will, when all is said and done, have had to pay far more out of pocket than we would have had we stayed. That’s just how the cookie crumbles. And that’s how badly we want to live in a democracy. And it’s all due to people like Bricker. All yours … ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/2 "2008-09-05T19:36:07Z")
Bye. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/3 "2008-09-05T19:40:33Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > Bye. Ahhhh, compassionate conservatism. ---
**Author:** ![Renob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8c91f0/32.png) [@Renob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renob)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/4 "2008-09-05T19:44:16Z")
I’m perplexed – you want to live in a democracy, which is basically meaningless since there aren’t any democracies around. There are democratic republics like we live in, so I assume you mean that. However, why are people like **Bricker** turning the U.S. into some non-democratic nation? If McCain wins, it will be because people voted for him. That’s pretty democratic. Being in a democracy doesn’t mean you get your way. It means you select your leaders (or, to be completely accurate, you make all your government policy) by majority vote. Am I missing something? It sounds to me like you’re overreacting based on an irrational fear that John McCain’s election will bring about some dictatorship or something. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/5 "2008-09-05T19:45:45Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > Ahhhh, compassionate conservatism. Bite me, bitch. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/6 "2008-09-05T19:48:09Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > Ahhhh, compassionate conservatism. I won’t tell you to read for comprehension (that would be awfully rude), but I think you missed the point. He is leaving to go to a country _where he will have to pay more for medical care_ because he wants to live in a democracy. He is not going somewhere else in order to get cheaper medical care. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/7 "2008-09-05T19:57:59Z")
I’m confused. Where does he live now? In America? Where is he going to that he’ll have to pay more out of pocket for medical care? And what, pray tell, does the reference to Bricker have to do with it? Anybody? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/8 "2008-09-05T20:15:12Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > I’m confused. > > Where does he live now? In America? > > Where is he going to that he’ll have to pay more out of pocket for medical care? > > And what, pray tell, does the reference to Bricker have to do with it? > > Anybody? He’s either trolling, or is claiming he will leave the country because McCain is going to be elected. **Bricker** considered voting for Obama for a while, but changed his mind. Seems a bit premature to me, but hey, anyone who defines democracy as “my side wins” won’t be missed all that much. If he really follows thru, that is. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/9 "2008-09-05T20:15:21Z")
I would imagine you are going through a lot right now. I’m not even going to pretend I understand, I’m just going to make a point that’s needed to be made for a while now. Assuming you’re talking about leaving the The United States, I admit this country has some serious governance problems that appear to be worsening. However, I think implying that the United States is not a democracy is a kind of hyperbole that is insulting to people who have actually had to live under repressive regimes. It reminds me of the picketers on my old college campus who were decrying our university as ‘‘fascist’’ for some reason. A guest speaker there _to support their cause_ stopped in the middle of the street and gave the picketers a full assreaming along the lines of, ‘‘I lived my whole life in a fascist state! You don’t know the meaning of the word fascism!’’ If you prefer the politics of some other country, fine. But saying the U.S is not a democracy is disingenuous and a slap in the face to every unfortunate person who has ever had to live under a true dictatorship. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/10 "2008-09-05T20:23:04Z")
I’m perplexed too. Aren’t you really saying you’re leaving for another democracy where they’re selected what you believe to be a better form of government? I mean, you’re not applying for refugee status, right? ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/11 "2008-09-05T20:23:24Z")
{{{{{UncleBeer}}}}} ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/12 "2008-09-05T20:31:08Z")
> [@Subterraneanus](#): > > No, it’s not hyperbole. Which leaves trolling. Real tenured professors at large research universities stick better than Superglue. ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/13 "2008-09-05T20:46:08Z")
Oh the joys of free posting. While my hackles are still solidly raised against Bricker and his ilk, I gotta go with UncleBeer on this one. Stay, go. Vote Obama, vote McCain, don’t vote or write in Mickey Mouse to make your point. Just quit expecting everyone to give a shit, huh? That said, I would like to know which country you’re shipping off to if you don’t mind sharing. > [@Shodan](#): > > Bricker considered voting for Obama for a while, but changed his mind. So much for fighting ignorance and untruth, huh? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/14 "2008-09-05T21:14:52Z")
I think we should make a law that people who say they’re leaving the country if their candidate loses, should then really have to leave the country if their candidate loses. Yes, the penalty for this level of hysterical inanity should be actual deportation. We all will miss you very much. ---
**Author:** ![Phatlewt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a698b9/32.png) [@Phatlewt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phatlewt)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/15 "2008-09-05T21:20:31Z")
I thought it was supposed to be satire. Not very well done, but still satire. :shrug: ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/16 "2008-09-05T21:21:14Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > But saying the U.S is not a democracy is disingenuous and a slap in the face to every unfortunate person who has ever had to live under a true dictatorship. I went downstairs to the vending machine this afternoon only to discover that they’re now charging an entire fucking dollar for a 3 Musketeers. If that’s not fascist autocracy, what is?! ---
**Author:** ![Borborygmi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/borborygmi/32/217_2.png) [@Borborygmi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borborygmi)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/17 "2008-09-05T21:21:49Z")
**Subterraneanus** has made me confused… …and it’s all **Bricker** ’s fault! Curse you, Bricker! ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/18 "2008-09-05T21:34:05Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > I’m confused. > > Where does he live now? In America? Yes, Culver City is a smallish independent incorporated city surrounded by Los Angeles, and, I think, Beverly Hills as well as some unincorporated L.A. County territory. Some major film studios are located there. > [@](#): > > Where is he going to that he’ll have to pay more out of pocket for medical care? I wish I could figure it out. I hope he’s not just a drop-in guest who stopped in to vent. > [@](#): > > And what, pray tell, does the reference to **Bricker** have to do with it? Perhaps he thinks, as **Bricker** goes, so goes the nation. If that really is true I might look into emigration myself. 😃 (Nothing personal, **Bricker** , it’s just politics. You just seem a lot more conservative than I am, so naturally I don’t want the whole country to go as you go.) To the OP, I do sympathize with your plight. We’re going through health issues ourselves right now, and it’s amazing how expensive it is to be insured, and a real shock when you start having to pay for it out of pocket after decades of being employed by companies which did that for us. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/19 "2008-09-05T21:41:26Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > I went downstairs to the vending machine this afternoon only to discover that they’re now charging an entire fucking dollar for a 3 Musketeers. If that’s not fascist autocracy, what is?! That’s _capitalism_, baby. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225/20 "2008-09-05T21:43:05Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > I went downstairs to the vending machine this afternoon only to discover that they’re now charging an entire fucking dollar for a 3 Musketeers. If that’s not fascist autocracy, what is?! That’s still only 33 and a third cents per Musketeer. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-plans-to-leave-the-country/462225.md?page=2)