Some similar differences

David and Anita Hasbury-Snogles
Published: April 23, 2008

It was a busy time over in the U.K. for us the past few weeks, but time has flown by and suddenly we find ourselves back at the airport and about to leave the home country again.

That waiting time at the airport is often good for reflection, and I spent some time thinking about the “state” of our two countries today and how remarkably similar our “differences” are.

Recently in the U.S. there has been a lot of talk about the condition of the economy — recession looming and how the housing market is suffering from the sub-prime crash. On top of that, the price of gas continues to rise at an alarming rate, with little or no end in sight, and then we have the problem of illegal immigration.

These past weeks have shown us that it is not just the U.S. that is suffering. We can look at all the factors affecting you guys and pretty much the same applies here — just a little different!

The meteoric rise in gas prices is something we are smarting from on both sides of the Atlantic, and it is quite incredible to realize that it has risen by over 70 percent in just over a year since we first came to the U.S. — but it is still a lot cheaper in the here than in the U.K., where we have to fork out almost three times as much as you do!

Like you, our housing market is on the decline and, as in the U.S., our mortgage lenders have tightened up on lending criteria, making it harder for the few buyers there are to be able to get a mortgage in the first place. However, unlike your central bank, ours has failed to act swiftly and decisively to alleviate the situation. You get sweeping interest rate cuts while we get a meager one quarter of a percent reduction (down to 5%).

But hey what about the immigrant problem, I hear you ask? Immigrant problem? You guys have no idea!

It was definitely a shock to the system for Anita and I when we returned home this time. I mean don’t get me wrong, I am all for hard-working people having the right to live and work where they choose, as long as they are willing to integrate and become valued members of the community. We as a country are a fully paid-up member of the European Economic Community.

This wonderful “money pit” now comprises some 25 member nations, the large majority of which are former Eastern Bloc countries who are genuinely poor and lacking in opportunity.

The idea of a ‘United States of Europe’ with a common currency, common aims and ambitions, and the free movement of citizens throughout was a good one, but the reality of the situation is very different.

In the British government ensures that EEC regulations are strictly adhered to, so it is indeed easy for any holder of an EEC Passport to come over, get a job and settle down and claim benefits as necessary. The same cannot be said of some of the other members who have their own rules (some unwritten) and make it extremely difficult for others to gain employment.

The French in particular are very good at ensuring only a French national will be top of the pile for any job vacancy that comes up.

Meanwhile, back in the U.K., we are busy having to adapt to life as a Polish, Latvian, Romanian or Bulgarian, and so quickly. It really wasn’t like this when we left just over a year ago, and these are only the legal immigrants – the multitude of others trying to get into our tiny country aren’t even counted! But it has to be said that Britain’s problem is also one of emigration.

Perhaps it’s just the natural way of things as people move around the globe, but I can’t help feeling that we have unwittingly accelerated the process in the last few years. Green Card, anyone?
Until next week ……..

David Snogles can be reached at david_hasbury@ yahoo.com