"The clear majority of Americans don't see that the rest of the developed world does it differently. They don't realize they have the right to something else. There's this idea that if you are getting assistance from the government it's a handout, and it's shameful or smacks of communism. But in the countries with a social welfare state, they see this as an investment in their future."
Architecture doctoral candidate Yolanda Muà ±oz Lozano, 39, who re-located to Chile, attested:
"In Chile, there's a law that mandates six months of paid maternity leave, so I got 100% or my salary for those six months. This is great for women who are already working, but for women who are recently married in their childbearing years, it can make it really difficult to get a job. Maternity leave isn't paid by the company-it's paid by my own healthcare, which in Chile is more expensive for women than for men.
"After maternity leave ends, the government pays for your daycare until the baby is two years old, so you can go back to work. Once they turn two, though, you have to pay out of pocket. The university where I have a part-time job while I'm doing my PhD has very good childcare, and it's subsidized by the government."
International development program director Michele Bradford, 44, said:
"I don't understand how people function in America."
Moving to Turkey to start a family, she explained:
"There's this idea that everything is better in America-that healthcare is better in America. I just don't perceive it that way. I saw going back to the states to have a baby as expensive. (I've had two spine surgeries at Mt Sinai Hospital in New York. The first cost me more than $100,000 and the second $93,000.)
"Women in America are also discharged almost immediately. It's a systemic problem. And because I'm an older mom, I just didn't see why I would go to a subpar medical system that doesn't prioritize me and would kick me out of the hospital right away."
While it's true the United States is still a great country, there are myriad areas in which we could do much better.
Multiple studies confirm income inequality breeds civil unrest, substance abuse, crime, and depression.
But it doesn't have to be that way--anywhere.
America leads every G7 nation in income inequality.
Let's elect leaders with a vision focused on unification, not division; heath care for all, not simply those lucky enough to have employer-based coverage; childcare for all, not simply those wealthy enough to afford paying others to raise their children.
We can't be the United States without being united.
(Article changed on August 14, 2020 at 03:36)
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