http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/73934.html http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/03/13/carney_what_chu_said_about_wanting_higher_gas_prices_doesnt_matter_now.html Victoria: Certain people here want “free” health care as it is supposed to be in the UK. The UK government has to get money from somewhere to pay for it: Gasoline Prices – I just did an Internet check for my home town in Yorkshire and the range for a US Gallon equivalent for regular unleaded was $8.38 – $8.78 The difference from here is more taxes. National Insurance Contribution which pays for Medical and Pensions is currently 12% of employees’ salary and 13.8% for employers. There are minimum and maximum limits, but compare this to your, and your employers, contribution here. Value Added Tax – currently 20%. When I lived in England this was 10% and was not on such things as utility bills. It now is. Even with all these taxes, the UK government has a serious debt problem. Local people should be careful of what they want, because the consequences will not be pretty. Mick