Even though I do agree with quite a few of things said here, I wouldnt agree with the concluding statement..

"We could die a slow death if they chose to leave us."

I belive in "Nobody is indispensible". One wave goes back, another wave comes in.

Would like to add....IF at all a country/society/culture 'dies' because of some section of an expat society leaves, they DESERVE the 'death'. or rather they have committed suicide, but I guess the chances of that happening are too remote.

Somebody told me, "You are what you eat".Now I know why I'm nuts!!