I had to look twice to see if I was still on the Europe site as all of your answers have been from America!
I've never lived anywhere but the UK so have no comparisons, other than how it is here in England now compared to how it was twelve years ago.
We're not allowed to discuss politics on here, otherwise I would be having a real old rant about what this Labour government has done to this country, begun by an ex PM now making a mint in the States.
If I was much younger I'd seriously consider leaving.
xx
Meggie