Member-only story
Happy Fourth of July!
Time to celebrate those hellish things you escaped from!
The terrible imposition of a universal, tax-funded, free-at-the-point-of-use healthcare system.
The disaster that was the abolition of slavery in 1833.
The horror of a multi-party political system, made worse by at least two parties being definitely left of centre.
The threat of a well-funded education system with an enforceable National Curriculum and national examinations held to consistent standards.
Having to drive cars with proper suspension and brakes, responsive acceleration, good handling and economical engines.
The confusion of having to choose between over 750 different varieties of cheese.
Sir Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lord Eastwood of Carmel, Dame Sigourney Weaver, Sir Barack Obama and so forth.
Having to have beer that isn’t always ice-cold fizzy lager.
Being required to call soccer football and having to play rugby without dressing up as a medieval knight. Also having to play cricket instead of rounders.
Having a decent level of line voltage and needing three-pin plugs.
Having a national broadcaster that doesn’t go into commercial breaks five times in a 30-minute programme.
