Living the “American Dream”

I’m not usually one for a politically charged post, but I felt it necessary today. As I watched the first 15 minutes of the presidential debate today, I found it interesting that John McCain mentioned both “the American Dream” and affordable health care in one response. Oddly enough, I planned to write this blog tonight on health care, entitled “Living the American Dream,” before John McCain’s response…we must be on the same page.

There are approximately 46 million Americans that are living without health insurance today, the United States being the only industrialized country without universal health care. 9 million of these 46 million people are children, without health insurance.

Today, I decided to write this post, because to me, it seems that I am truly living the American Dream. I just recently graduated from college, and began working a job at which I have only been for 2 weeks. I am not insured as of right now, and will not be for at least 6 months. For the past few days, I have had a bevy of health issues, including dizziness, nausea, and several other scarier things that I do not wish to write here… but it has got me thinking. A year ago, there is no way that I would not have went to the doctor when I was feeling the way I have been lately, but because I do not wish to pay a 1000 dollar plus doctor bill, I have chosen to wait out the symptoms, hoping that they go away with time. Luckily, this has been the case, and have been steadily feeling better as the days go on, but it is very scary that I actually had to make that decision. I chose to sacrifice my health, in order to avoid future debt. This choice, which I venture to guess, millions of Americans make on a daily basis, is truly living the American dream.

Things that DON’T cross borders

Even though Toronto is just a hop skip and a jump away from the United States, there are several things that seem different here then in the United States. (Disclaimer: most of my realizations have been about starbucks or occured while AT starbucks…that doesn’t mean I’m addicted to coffee.)

1. In Canada, a normal iced coffee is referred to as “cafe Americano.”

2. In Canada, Starbucks has 4 sizes of coffee, short, tall, grande, and venti. The size short is not available (to my knowledge) within the United States, though this does not really effect me, seeing as I always opt for a venti coffee.

3. In Canada, you are able to say both shit and bitch on the television, though other swear words are still not allowed.

4. Women can be topless in public, because there are equal rights for both men and women.

5. While sitting at Starbucks yesterday, A women approached a table of 2 men and asked them for spare change for the phone. The men gave her money without any questions asked. If this was the United States, most people would ignore the request, pretending they did not hear the women, or politely respond that they did not have any spare change.

6. Universal health care? really?

stay tuned for more differences!