Reply #93: Thanks for the link but I don't think I am

[eilen]

My grandparents never applied for American citizenship for my mother but she didn't find out about this until some time in the 1980's. She said she talked to the German consulate and he said she was no longer a German citizen either. So for a while until she could get her immigration status/citizenship she was a citizen of the world so to speak. It is too bad because I would have loved to go to Germany with her and gotten her settled as she went for many years without health insurance. Also, I think she would have liked to have extended family and I know she felt like she "fit in" when visiting Germany in 1989, a feeling that had eluded her since she arrived in the US. Although, I don't know that she would want to go as she really loves the American Constitution and has very low expectations of the President/administration.

I don't know that Germany will be much better for much longer. My friend Vanessa (in Hagen) says that the recent elections saw the Right Wing gain more power and prominence. Here is an excerpt from her October message:

" The economic and job market situation is not very good in Germany either. Since the stupid Germans elected the most "fat cated" party and this one is going to form a coalition with the second best fat cat party. They want to cut down on the social charges you pay with your taxes so that all the stupid people think that they get more money but on the other hand they want cut down on health insurance benefits and others. They are also against minimum wage and want to loosen the job protection. Hooray We still have a social safety net but it is getting more and more holey. I am still unemployed and only doing this 6h/a week mini-job with the kids. I see no chance to get into a adequate job anytime soon"

It is difficult everywhere, I'm afraid.