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Emigrating To a Freer Country?
puroresu writes "I currently reside in the UK. In recent years I've seen privacy, free expression and civil liberties steadily eroded, and I can't see anything changing for the better any time soon. With people being banned from the UK for expressing (admittedly reprehensible) opinions, the continuing efforts to implement mandatory ID cards and the prospect of a Conservative government in the near future, I'm seriously considering emigrating to a less restrictive country. Which countries would you recommend in terms of freedom and privacy? Distance is not an issue, though a reasonable level of stability and provision of public services would be a bonus."
Somalia?
New Zealand, the last Western bastion without a socialist government. (Well... in name anyway) We just had elections and kicked out the socialists while even the USA has embraced socialism/communism/totalitarianism under Obama. Damn, even the Aussies got damn socialist government.
Unfortunately we do have a democracy (Force by numbers) which unfortunately doesn't equate to freedom which is what you desire. The best country for you currently would be New Zealand but if the USA once day remembers what it's true foundations are and starts adhering to her constitution then the USA has got to be the best place for any freedom loving person.
Although I do find that having at least two public service adverts every commercial break, telling you how to drive or feed your baby, incredibly annoying.
Anyway, NZ sure doesn't have the police state laws that UK seems to have but the political system is such that the Government can pretty much legislate how they want (no upper house, no entrenched bill of rights, no entrenched human rights etc) - so a paranoid executive could quickly lead the country down the UK's path.
There have been many abuses of power by the NZ government (eg the 'clyde dam affair' where the govt used legislation to get its way and build a dam, after the courts supported an appeal against it), most recently
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_foreshore_and_seabed_controversy
although this was shrouded in knee-jerk bullshit, the simple fact was that once again the govt didn't like a court decision so passed legislation to circumvent it.
Democratic principles anyone? Rule of law?
Just because NZ touts itself as a forward thinking, liberal wonderland, and the rest of the world basically has no idea where it even is, doesn't mean it's 'free'.
New Zealand suffers from small town mentality.
Its very rural, even the cities are really just very large 'small country towns'.
The shops are pretty limited in what they stock, theres very little variety in the stores.
The people are slack, lazy and highly disorganised.
NZ businesses are, by and large, extremely poorly run and the management style leaves a LOT to be desired.
Theres a saying here "She'll be right mate"
It means "Don't worry about something that appears to be almost a disaster, it'll be ok"
Usually when you hear a kiwi say this phrase DUCK because something is about to explode.
I'm even considering going to the UK.
In the free world the media isn't government run; the government is media run.
Screw the weather, 12 states have territory north of the southernmost point in Canada, including California, and I was in southwest Alberta for 2" of snow earlier this month...
The reason to come to Canada is to be free of the fear-mongering media of the US. Seriously, spend a month outside the US, see what's really going on, watch how it's reported, and you'll both laugh and puke over how it's reported in the US.
For starters, fire these strings into your favorite search engine:
"fox news bullshit"
"cnn news bullshit"
Compare those results with:
"cbc news bullshit"
"bbc news bullshit"
(and those are possibly the most bullshit of the G8 outside the US)
War as we knew it was obsolete
Nothing could beat complete denial
- Emily Haines
if you do move to an English speaking country you will still have to learn new vocabulary and, if your job involves written reports, how to spell. Failure to do so will provide you colleagues with many hours of amusement....
Screw them! They'll learn to do it my way, or else!
What? I can't bring Yankee imperialism with me?