Well yeah.... but the USA has the lowest prices for petroleum products of any country. It's a joke how cheap you guys can run a car compared to here.

Oh, I know! First time I went over to England and rented a car, I was shocked at how high your gas prices are over there. On the other hand, I was amazed that I could treat my man's entire family to a meal out for about what it would cost a couple to dine out in the States. I don't know if the cost of dining out in England is still much lower than here in the States, though. Not having to tip over there cuts the cost, too.

-- Nephele

It's gotten a bit more expensive last I checked, but it's still trivially cheap to eat out in the UK compared to here. I can't remember the USA too well, but it was pretty easy to go nuts on food over there too from my shakey decade-old memories.

People up north (MN, SD, etc) think it's crazy how high the gas prices in Chicago are, and people in Chicago think the prices up in MN and SD are a steal! It really comes down to perspective. Yeah, our gasoline is cheaper in the eyes of people from, say, Europe. So is clothing from what I've been told (had a friend from Northern Ireland tell me how inexpensive the Macy's in NYC was ).

As far as Obama's thoughts regarding same-sex marriage, perhaps he personally doesn't believe in it, but really, that's everyone's right to have their beliefs. He's not pushing his beliefs (including those about same-sex marriage) on us though. I think that is the difference.

It brings a particular saying to mind, how does it go again? I may not agree with what you say, but I'll fight to the death your right to say it.

Northern Ireland is cheaper than England in general, which is cheaper than London specifically, which is cheaper than Southern Ireland in general, which is *marginally* cheaper than Dublin.

My mother used to fly to NYC twice a year to do her clothes shopping because it was cheaper than shopping here.

He's definitely one of my preferred presidents. That's great.

And as for price differences in the U.S., my mom's French foreign exchange partner goes nuts shopping every time she comes here.