With all of the cycles of political despair in the USA and the UK, as well as the talk of expatriation from some of my fellow Americans distressed by a second Trump administration, I started thinking of a curious question: What countries are pretty awesome right now? There are a lot of countries that aren't big on the global stage in terms of power, but they are relatively peaceful and prosperous with governments that are at least not blowing it, and in some cases being totally competent. The deep cuts of the world map if you will (there has to be an under hyped African destination someone can name). Of course any place/government has drawbacks, but that's to be expected. I'll try a couple:

Uruguay
Argentina's chill neighbor. They've managed to dodge Argentina's explosive inflation problem. Montevideo is a similar flavor of charm as BA, but in a smaller package. The rest of the place is pretty sleepy, but some pretty beaches, and forest up north. Since getting out of their political tumult era they've been peaceful for many years, and have embraced gay marriage.

Costa Rica
They figured out there was money in actually keeping your rainforest instead of bulldozing it. The greater San Jose area can be sketchy, but there's an overwhelmingly friendly bunch of people to be found across the country and the natural wonders are staggering.

Ireland
Higher in the Human Development Index than the US. Fearless in advocating for Palestine. A rich cultural history of storytelling and song.

I've read some good things about Portugal, and their govt is apparently left leaning enough that the population is benefiting.

Portugal has been inundated with tons of foreigners taking advantage of the Visa situation there. I have a few Portuguese ex-colleagues, and they resent the people moving there and pricing out the locals. I was also listening to Vish's podcast recently and heard that David Yow, FM Bob, and maybe David Sims are planning on moving there.

I have a pathway to citizenship in Croatia but don't know if I could live there. I've visited my family there a few times while I lived next door in Italy, and they seemed to be not happy with their gov't and talked about moving elsewhere in Europe. But I guess if you have Croatian citizenship, you can move about the EU now they're a full member of the group.

Wouldn't hold it against any American who wants to leave here for greener pastures.

This country isn't quite the worst, but it's not the best. And the direction things seem to be going in isn't too promising.

In addition to tangible issues that might affect a person's quality of life/standard of living, it could just be that the general "vibe" elsewhere feels more agreeable, less prone to dragging one down.

Anywhere not run by fascist grifters is kicking ass by comparison.

Krev wrote: Wed Nov 27, 2024 9:16 pm fascist grifters

I think this is the very definition of a “country”

Any country that has free healthcare, free higher education, and doesn’t persecute people for speaking out is tops in my book. I’m looking at you, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium, New Zealand, and Canada.

Dave N. wrote: Wed Nov 27, 2024 10:22 pm Any country that has free healthcare, free higher education, and doesn’t persecute people for speaking out is tops in my book. I’m looking at you, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium, New Zealand, and Canada.

Unfortunately university in NZ is only free the first year. We have a huge student loan problem like the US. Healthcare is state funded but there’s plenty of things you need to pay for as well. Nothing compared to the US though.

Gramsci wrote: Thu Nov 28, 2024 1:51 am

Dave N. wrote: Wed Nov 27, 2024 10:22 pm Any country that has free healthcare, free higher education, and doesn’t persecute people for speaking out is tops in my book. I’m looking at you, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium, New Zealand, and Canada.

Unfortunately university in NZ is only free the first year. We have a huge student loan problem like the US. Healthcare is state funded but there’s plenty of things you need to pay for as well. Nothing compared to the US though.

Similarly in Australia. Our universities are free upfront, but you come out with a debt that is indexed to inflation, with repayments being deducted automatically from one's salary once one's reaches certain thresholds. These may be found here:

https://www.ato.gov.au/tax-rates-and-co ... thresholds

We have universal healthcare - called medicare - and I have never paid for anything really. Medication is around $6/$7 per prescription. The trick is that since I do not have private health insurance of any sort, hence I am liable for the 2% of taxable income medicare surcharge at the end of the financial year. For me this year it is a lot, but I am happy to pay every last cent. Income tax for me in my income bracket is 37% (39% with the medicare levy). This is high by US standards but stuff works here.

Police here are relatively mellow. We have had them over to our building twice this last weekend as a meth head has been collecting piles of syringes and garbage and lighting it on fire. They pretty much just turned up and had a laugh with him and sent him on his way. You would have to be trying pretty hard to get locked up in Australia these days, and the crime rate in major cities is ridiculously low.

The downside is the super high cost of living. Salaries are high, but a pint of been is around $8.50(USD), and rent is easily $450(USD) per week in Sydney.

I’d second Portugal with the usual waffles. They’ve done some quietly successful programs over the years that go against Anglo ideas of a punitive justice system. They legalised drugs, and brought drug users into the healthcare system instead of justice. You can still get the book thrown at you for dealing but if you have use problem and are caught you get “compulsory help”. It’s not perfect but far better than criminalising people with a health problem.