A new America?

If ever there was a time I felt like walking around waving a little American flag, this would have been it. I didn't actually do this, but it's the thought that counts. While remaining skeptical about how much change is likely to occur under Obama, the fact that there is so much hope is undeniably, irresistably uplifting.

Hope is good.

Nevertheless, the number one reason that caused me to flee the US 21 years ago still remains firmly in place without any change in sight: the cruel parental leave policy - 6 weeks off of work, unpaid (unless you've bought insurance), to include both time before and after delivery. Wikipedia says it's now 12 weeks off as of 1993. Unpaid. My medical issues required much more time off, but insurance overuled doctor's orders. I spent a lot of time coming to work just to lay down all day on the job. The first year of baby care involved me coming up with excuses, sneaking out of work, playing sick, leaving work early etc to be able to cuddle with and coo to the new baby, as well as stealing time off for sick baby care. My boss hated me. Little Daniele was 15 months old when I finally came to Europe in 1988, never to return. Today, "socialism" still seems to be sneered at as if it were a dirty word despite the desperation that I know I wasn't alone in experiencing. One might argue that Sweden has gone too far in the other direction: 480 days off at reduced pay to be divided between both parents - less if BOTH parents don't participate - plus 10 extra days dedicated to Dad at the birth. Not including the paid leave to care for sick children up until age 12. Hmmmm... Could there be any connection between the time spent parenting and the fact that Sweden is an extremely peace-loving nation?

There are actually a few more issues I have with life in the US. That was just the one that broke me. There's still enough to prevent me from returning. Maybe I'll elaborate sometime.