[bitcharmer]

I'll take my $300k UK tech salary over $400k in the US and not go bankrupt over a medical bill or have my child shot at school, or get beaten to a pulp by a cop for trying to exercise my rights, thank you.

[PhasmaFelis]

It's depressing but not surprising that everyone in this subthread who said that strong social safety nets are worth a pay cut is getting downvoted. There's a strong thread of social Darwinism among HN readers.

[bitcharmer]

I think it may also be American exceptionalism at play. It shows in the time the downvotes appear on any comment that dares to point out some deep problems that US of A have been struggling with for quite a while.

But then, what can you expect from people indoctrinated from early childhood by, among many other things, being coerced to pledge to the flag every day like it's North Korea.

[thrwy_918]

Anecdotally it is much, much, much easier to get a $400k tech job in the US than a $300k tech job in the UK, so this isn't really a fair comparison

when I moved from a tech job in the UK to a tech job in the US, my salary more than doubled

[l3uwin]

95-140 is more correct.

And I'd still take it over the US.

[lupire]

Your $300k is extremely rare.

[AnIdiotOnTheNet]

I make <$100k and I'd gladly make half what I do if I never had to worry about a medical bill ruining my life ever again.

[DontchaKnowit]

Your medical bill concern is valid- the others aren't really. The likelihood of being beaten by a cop or getting injured at school are probably about the same.