I think the problems with this country are many and varied, but there are a few that I feel particularly strongly about that make me think more and more about getting out.
1. Tax. The quite astonishing levels of taxation in this country is shocking. Talk to people who live in other countries and they will look at you in slack-jawed incredulity at the amount we pay to the Government.
2. Violent crime. Nowadays, it seems that even the lower levels of criminal acts (ie. shoplifting, bag-snatching, etc.) seem to be accompanied by a ever escalating level of violence � even if the victim is compliant, it is becoming more and more regular for them to be subjected to excessive force.
3. Punishment. When the police actually catch a criminal, they are presented before the courts and if found guilty, often receive the most pathetic sentences. As a former police officer, one incident really sticks in my mind. I saw the CCTV of a guy hitting, kicking and stamping on the head of another person who was unknown to the offender � it was a completely random attack. The attack lasted several minutes, even though the victim was rendered unconscious by the initial strike. Every blow I watched made me sick to my stomach. The victim suffered a broken jaw, broken cheekbone and a fractured eye socket, as well as losing several teeth. The offender was caught and put before the courts. Even though, in my humble opinion, it looked like attempted murder, he was charged with a Section 18 offence. He got 18 months�
4. The benefits system � See Keyplus�s comment above.
As usual, I could go on and on, but I've gone on for far too long already.
Simply put, the British public are being seriously short changed by the powers that be.