The Utopia Myth

(www.fas.usda.gov)

In the U.S., during every Presidential election cycle, the particularly fervent profess: "If So-and-So gets elected, I'm moving to Canada!"

And then So-and-So gets elected and no one really moves.

Well, I met an American expat today who didn't just move to Canada, she moved to Australia. She's been here since 2000 (you can infer her political persuasion from there), and I had the most enlightening conversation with her.

While she may have left the U.S. in a huff a decade ago, she told us how she now finds herself deeply sad about the divisiveness that has beset the country. She, like most expats that I run into, follows American news closely, and could talk intelligently about most current news items in the States.

On the flip side of this discussion, I soon found out that she's become rather disenchanted with many aspects of life in Australia. Yes, she escaped Bush, but she found some serious social and lifestyle hurdles to overcome, in return.

It was an eye-opening conversation because, while I did not come to Australia to begin my own Lost Generation, I've definitely been one of those, "I'm moving to Canada" threateners in the past, and I've most certainly had my bones with many, many aspects of American government and life, of late. It's easy to think that your "Canada," wherever that may be, is going to be a utopia of (circle your choice) liberal/conservative thought, a socially progressive/traditionally-minded hub, and a more acceptable place to raise your children/retire. When, in fact, every country has its share of problems and things that won't fit you as snugly as you'd imagined.

As I've talked to Australians and people from around the world, it's become clear that everyone has an opinion on American politics. Everyone. They may not have an opinion on politics in their own country, but they have on opinion on U.S. politics.

I've started to feel defensive. If I say that I disagree with one President, will you think that is an indictment of the entire system (and then tell all of your friends that The American Spokeswoman is disgruntled)? Are you astute enough to understand that my opinion is not indicative of the opinion of an entire nation, or are you looking for an ambassador? I understand that America impacts the entire world, and it is precisely for that reason that I feel I must tread lightly on questions of politics, the recession, and U.S. foreign policy.

It would seem that, in my expat life, the U.S. is like Crazy Aunt Tilly. Your family is allowed to gossip about how batty she is all night long, but that doesn't mean that you want the whole neighborhood talking about her. She's your genetic kind of crazy, and no one else can understand the way that you can. Why don't they turn their attention to their own wacky kin?!? Besides, you love her like mad, the wonderful, nutty old coot.