About people leaving the United States...

Of course the number is low. But look at the numbers of US citizens going to Canada... there hasn't been such a "rush for the border" since the Continental Army began kicking butt, and the Tories started running.

One reason why people don't leave is because they don't have enough money to just go someplace else.

Another reason why many people don't just leave the US is because they can't. To go to Canada or Australia (examples because they speak english, and it would be easier) you actually must have higher education, solid professional work skills, or an amount of money to invest.

A lot of US citizens have left the states. I don't blame them. When you're raising a family, you want the best for them, and the current educational system isn't that good (intelligent design, and all), and the US is 42nd (1st being the best) or higher in terms of infant mortality.

Even the money to be made in the US is horrifying. Even with the raise in the minimum wage, your money is worth far less than 12 years ago, if you make the minimum.

Only a few years ago, there was a federal surplus of money, now it's a deficit again, since six plus years ago, and into the TRILLIONS of dollars.

I'm sure everything will get better, and that's where all the folks who left end up winning. If you become a citizen of another country, the US government still considers you an American citizen. These people hold two passports, and two completely different identity backgrounds. Earning euros is much better than earning dollars these days. And once you leave the US, the health care really is a lot better, and MUCH more affordable. Without problems, too.