No, I wouldn't agree totally on that Dodo. Some things are higher priced than the States, over here? Yes, but some things are cheaper over here also. I saw that for myself when I visited the States a few years back.

Turkey has paid maternity leave and life is a lot less expensive as well...but in Turkey there is a tradition of respecting mothers.

I had respected the Turkish example of secularism for many years in this sh*tty Middle East , but unfortunately for them , and because of being ruled by an Islamic party since 2002 , tide has started to turn in Turkey ... respecting mothers and females has gone so far .... "��women should not focus on any career other than the career of motherhood"�� Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu .
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/02/turkey-government-early-marriages.html

Regardless what country one is a citizen of, what you're saying doesn't make a lot of sense...
With that attitude there won't be room for growth & development. Things would mostly remain the way they are OR only change when the ones in power want a change. Why can't ppl voice their opinion and want change? That's what democracy is about, innit?
Weird ... as soon as someone doesn't agree with how the country is run, you tell them to FO and leave? What about fraternity?

We sometimes get that here as well, i.e. when a refugee complains about our country, but never heard it used against a fellow countryman or woman

We have paid maternity leave as well, even for daddies :) But not for 2 or 3 years.
But I always thought Sweden had the best system? Also for both mums and dads.

Dads get 3 months over here Crystal, but I can't take time off, as my company can't run itself!

yeah, always two sides to a coin ... but at least you got to go abroad a few times... that must have been real nice!
And you managing to keep your company going strong, is great, esp in these times ... If I'm not mistaken, a lot of building comps over here are in shite. Mostly renovating, not many ppl in vest in building stuff, scared to spend money... crisis ain't over yet.

My business is going from strength to strength Crystal and I have 20 people working for me now and 2 new branches. I run one, my brother runs one and my oldest son runs the other one, but at the end of the day, I'm the big cheese and they answer to me at the end of the day! My missus and the wee boy are fine, but I do pull my weight with my son also and I sit up with him when he can't settle at nights sometimes while my wife gets a sleep. Only fair, eh?

Mothers are respected just about everywhere, but not everyone agrees with the way that you define "respect".

maybe, until they don't do what the man says...same as most other muslim countries

it happens, but its not so much the tradition here

here you only get respect when you 'earn' respect and its not as automatic with being a mother or elder,, as it is other places,,

specifically, a 'mother' who pays bills while others raise the kids is respected

a father who pays bills while others raise the kids is respected

a mother who walks away from the kids is not respected and the father is shown empathy and adored for staying the course

a father who walks away from the kids is barely mentioned, and the mother is shown disdain for ending up in that situation if anyone else is paying the bills

my mother recently visited and was very impressed with that,,,,,we also had roadside service recently from a man who was Turkish and he was very impressively respectful of us,, especially my mother as 'an elder'

It's arrogance of the highest degree to suggest that people should leave the country because they express a point of view that doesn't chime with your own.
People have a right to tell it like it is, in the hope that things might change one day, it's called free speech. Long may it continue.

who is that Society everyone is talking about?
Anybody could perhaps introduce her to me?

Try that straw-man argument elsewhere. I don't know of anyone who shows disdain for a mother because she has to receive financial assistance because her child's father is absent.

and we also have a right to say what we think about the first person whining about a country shes not even in... or do the rights just extend one way, your way?

I have no problem with people complaining about the U.S. I do have a problem when people constantly complain about what the U.S. should be doing more for them and then benchmarking the U.S. against another country. As opposed to them doing more for themselves and making things happen. Like their parents and Grandparents did.. That is the American way.

Because frankly I feel that a slap in the face to all who have gone out and made their mark.. made a name and career for themselves. struggled and made it..themselves.. Especially women

If you read the OPS posts she wants more more and more. To include free college, free rent while going to college and paid daycare up to a certain age. amongst other things. In her words on another thread. " it is the governments job to take care of me"... yes, I have a problem with that. Because at the end of the day it is people like me that have to pay for that. And I do not think that is fair.

And if you read my posts you will see nowhere else where I ever made such a comment other then on this tread.. why.. because that is how I feel on this subject.. and this person.

So in my opinion, if you are going to match the U.S up against a country whom you feel is doing a better job.. then by all means... move there.

So I stand by my statement.. and that's my opinion, I don't expect everyone to like it or agree.. that's also fine

Or if you are already there, then stay there.

The one thing I don't get, is how one could claim something from - in this case - the US when you don't live there no more?
If I'd move to another country, I can't claim benefits etc from my country anymore. Unless I leave for a temp job I think, but even then.. not entirely sure..