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Comment by mrbluecoat | Hacker News Reader

Every time I have to research and purchase a new U.S. health insurance plan, I'm reminded there's a spectrum with private equity on one end and me on the other. I'll sacrifice a life of luxury if it means I don't have to bow to the golden calf.

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I don’t understand this. Last time I bought insurance it was easy, just go online, pick one of the options and fill out a form. What does this have to do with “bowing” to anyone? It’s no different than many other transactions.

Personally, I like that I have options about what insurance to buy.

You could always move to Canada or Finland, but I bet you won't.

Canada and Finland don't just let people move there. They have immigration laws like everyone else.

You need to find a job there first. Canada has a points system - my wife an I were going to Canada, she for a doctorate, I as the significant other working remotely for Canonical. The only reason we didn't went there was a nice job offer from Ireland.

Also less freezing than Toronto.

Heh, this is the first time I've seen someone cite the weather as a reason for moving to Ireland.

We also don't have mosquitoes.

Had plenty of mosquito myself around Cork and Galway, but maybe it's different in the east.

Fair. I live in Dublin.

As someone who's been to Scotland but not Ireland, do you have midges?

The Little People are hard to find, but you might be able to, if they like you.

Oh… that kind of midge. Yes, but they don’t try to bleed me at least. And they are somewhat rare. I see them mostly by a nearby creek, in summer.

Wishing people off the island like this is so foolish. There are a lot of scientists who will be leaving the US due to funding cuts, and the result for you is decidedly worse, not better.

You need to add /s to comments like these or people might mistake you for a total tool.

Not trolling. I'm making a rather serious point.

The article is about money. The OP made a comment about giving up luxury for health security in a heartbeat. Both countries have a strong safety nets and multinationals have branch offices there. For many people it's as simple as asking for a transfer. For others making high tech salaries, it's just a matter of buying a citizenship. They are for sale and relative to high tech pay, don't cost that much. Less than $1M USD to buy a Canadian citizenship.

But they won't. Why? Because the pay is less. And that's the harsh truth. Migration patterns are driven by economics. It really is about money most of the time.

So there are zero people living in the bay area who work normal jobs and don't make tech salaries? Because the only reason people live somewhere is the money, so all those people must have moved away since their money would be worth more in a lower cost of living area?

Never thought 'love it or leave it' would be presented as a valid argument on HN.

You didn't address any of points, nor those of the OP's. I suggest you read both carefully and frame your response accordingly.

I'd move in a heartbeat, if they'd have me.

Too cold ;)

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