That reminds me of comments I overheard when my unemployment experience was still fresh in my mind. "What's he/she doing buying lottery tickets? They can't afford it" (usually from some elderly posh sounding middle class bitch who liked to throw her weight around).

The quid per week I used to spend on the Lottery was so that I could dream a little. It helped you get through the weekend when you couldn't apply for jobs, you see.

Please also keep in mind that calling each other idiots, pedantic or not, is not acceptable. Continuing to do so may result in a short vacation from the forum.

I would have picked the web master job and used it to improve my skill set.

It would also fill a potentially widening gap in the CV.

... and that includes by Private Message, I presume?

Keep polluting the topic with rubbishes, and keep insulting "Foreigners" like you call them.

I have been fair enough to demand a temporary ban for both of us, hoping you realize or you are acting like an idiot.

and the fact that you are a senior with your set of friends here, does not excuse the respect you should have for others.

Now by respect for others and other British people I will not post anymore to this topic.

I begin to miss Morg and his 22.

Or as I found out, get trapped. The UK dole office (or whatever its name is this week) would not pay for interview expenses if the job was in another EU country, nor if the salary advertised was above GBP 20,000 p.a. This was back in 1994.

Fortunately I had assets to sell to get me out of that trap. Many are not so fortunate.

I trust that includes abusive Private Messages, then?

Now, can we get back to the subject of people who don't understand the principles of the National Health Service taking pot shots at it out of ignorance, which is what the original post was all about?

The US will never have the equivalent of the NHS.

Private enterprise must play a part, big business (health insurers and pharmaceuticals) are fighting for as much as they can get. They must defend their profit margin using any means possible. They must deride any type of nationalized scheme that seems to work, it isn't just the UK that is being critizised, we have had a mass of ads about Canadians dying of cancer, because they couldn't get treatment etc.

These companies will try to make it seem that any form of liberalism is the thin end of a socialist wedge and very "un-American". they forget the first 3 word of teh costitution " we the people" not "we the private interests"


The US is the only place that my life has been at serious risk because of negligent practice, but I will stay because it is where I feel happiest.

This weekend I went to a State campsite on the shores of a beautiful lake. There was such a mix of people- class, race, age, politics all getting on. Whatever the US finally decides on it will be distinctly 'American'

Irrelevant. We are discussing the UK system here.

But on the 70% figure, it's capped at something like CHF 120,000 per year, so if you were earning substantially more than that, it can be far less than 70%. I don't imagine it's much fun if you have large house to run and several kids in expensive schools.

Thanks for that info I haven't lived in Britain since 1978. I did continue paying NI until 1985 but when I realized I wouldn't be going back I stopped. I've recently found out that my previous NI contributions can be used to bulk up my AHV. The first time I've seen an advantage for starting work at the age of 14.

Exactly! I couldn't hope for anything better - for the English to have a system that suits their culture and is a natural outgrowth of it, and the Americans likewise.

I'm not English so it's not for me to say what a suitable, natural solution for them will look like - nor vice versa.

To wander off topic, but it's the same principle ...

We can talk about the Royal Family. We can moan about it, we can demand reform, we can even insist it be abolished, if we want. We are the citizens of the United Kingdom.

Just to clarify my position on 'foreigners', since reference has been made to it on this and another thread:

• I don't have a problem with foreigners moving to Britain to work.
• I don't have a problem with foreigners making use of the National Health Service, if they are resident in the United Kingdom, or if they are visiting and have an acute health problem.
• I don't have a problem with foreigners making use of our meagre welfare services, if they have worked in the United Kingdom and paid their stamp like anybody else.
• I don't have a problem with foreigners speaking their own languages, mixing only with other foreigners, eating their special foreigner food, going to their own foreigner churches and mosques.
• In a nutshell, I just don't have a problem with foreigners.

However,

• I do have a problem with foreigners who live abroad and don't understand our institutions taking pot shots at things we value for political purposes or otherwise.
• I do have a problem with foreigners willingly moving to the United Kingdom, happily availing themselves of the services provided there, and then proceeding to rubbish them on public forums. Especially when it is obvious that they really haven't a clue what they're talking about.

It has been made clear to me (both publicly and privately) that a certain member of this forum considers me to be a "Little Englander" and somewhat xenophobic. I hope this post goes some way to clarifying my position on these matters.

Thanks, I didn't realise that bit myself. I tried continuing payments in the 1980s, but nobody seemed to want to know, so I gave up.

Now I'm kicking myself for not signing on in the UK during periods between jobs. I didn't find out until too late that signing on even if you are not eligible for financial support keeps your NI contributions record up to date. Apparently full time education can count towards your contribution records too, though I don't know the exact details.

My father could retire at 55 because he had 40 years of "qualifying service" as far as his employers were concerned (local government). That included his time in the army by the way.

Progressive enough price-wise not treatment-wise

HTH

By the way it is now reduced to 30 years. Since I have 34 years contribution I dont have to pay anymore
Interesting comment about this being collectible here as part of the AHV entitlement.



My father could retire at 55 because he had 40 years of "qualifying service"

Some clarifications on the matter is a bit better!
ps: "Little Britain" was referring to the British Comedy show "Little Britain".
But you probably did not expect a foreigner to watch British shows, they should be only for "WE", good British.

There is always the darkened room and the lithium..

All the best.


Larry


PS Mr Retour - go for a walk and get some fresh air.

Please do not misquote me, Mr Return.