Throw us a rope....we are coming aboard!

kat1 (Moderator) says on Sep 11, 2005, 12:42:

pembroke dock! my sister in law owns a holiday cottage in Little haven,near haverfordwest.and we go there a lot, and tenby too.

BTW Godd luck

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utopiacowboy says on Sep 11, 2005, 13:27:

I find it interesting that everyone comments on how terrible the US schools are. I went to Canadian public schools and I have three stepchildren who switched from Colombian private scools and now attend US public schools. They managed the transition very well but they were not any more advanced than their peers.

I also have four of my "own" children who attended and are attending US public schools. The two who have graduated I will put up against any other two high school graduates anywhere.

When I was getting a B.S. in Computer Science, I had a 3.94 GPA - even the Asians had to ask me for help. At work we have a lot of Indian contractors, another heralded race of geniuses. Right! They have as many morons and incompetents as anywhere. I frequently have to show them how to do something.

In my own experience, the superiority of foreign educational systems is highly overrated.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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adrimm says on Sep 11, 2005, 14:28:

I dunno maybe by upper grade levels...

But I did most of grade 2 in Colombia, and I came back at a grade 5 math level (according to the provinial curriculum). Grade 2 kids in Colombia (at the time) learn mulitplication and division, beyond single digit calculations. I was learning from Colombia books in Spanish (not English immersion or anything).

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IMorcombe says on Sep 11, 2005, 16:15:

Maria Ines

Maria Ines

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Crazy4Cali says on Sep 11, 2005, 16:26:

U.S. Schools It's almost impossible to say anything accurate about U.S. schools since each school district is vastly different from another. In my state, they can be in the same county or even the same school district and be completely different in terms of quality of buildings, resources, curriculum, teachers, etc. Since each school and district is funded locally and differently, it's impossible to make National statements in any but the most general of terms.

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Hunter says on Sep 11, 2005, 16:31:

IMorcombe Whats the USA school system got to do with Colombia?

Hunter

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iamtheanimal says on Sep 12, 2005, 06:48:

It's easy enough to say that the public school system is subpar in the US. The fact is that the government guarantees the right to an education, it doesn't do its best, nor does it attempt comparison. It's limited in its ability thanks to both federal and state beauracracy. I've had friends from various other countries who studied physics at the age of 12-14, thats considered an advanced topic in NYS HS. I've had friends that learned calculus at the same age, and you won't even touch it until you are 16-17 in NYC. But, the difference is, these are public schools. Most educated people in these other countries either paid to go to private schools, or were taxed more heavily to get that education.

As for the healthcare industry, its ripe with corruption, uncaring, corporate rhetoric that causes so much unnecessary work. Take that combined with the amount of money that it costs to become a medical professional, and the amount of money made as an MD, and it only multiplies the problem.

And now, retiring in the US? Why on earth would you want to do that? The US is the land of oppurtunity. I'm a System Admin making damn good money in a big corporation. I'm seriously considering trading that in to become a Police Office so that I can make decent money, but work overtime, and retire in just twenty years. And take my retired butt over to another country where my money will actually mean something. There really is no point in retiring in the US unless you are rich. Even then, I'd still prefer another country, where the climate, culture, and food tend to be more interesting. :)

Just my 2 cents.

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utopiacowboy says on Sep 12, 2005, 08:17:

Good post, iamtheanimal. I agree with you.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Albatross says on Sep 12, 2005, 08:56:

Would you like paper or plastic ? Yes, we are increasingly becoming a nation of dumbasses...

I was at the grocery store yesterday behind a guy who was buying 125 cans of cat food (seriously). He had them all stacked neatly in a 5 X 5 X 5 matrix. Unfortunately the cashier, a young guy (should have been able to count), apparently could not grasp the situation and thereby ring up the purchase price times 125, so he proceeded to scan EVERY SINGLE CAN.

Finally, 10 minutes later, he handed the customer a three-foot long receipt...

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

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IMorcombe says on Sep 12, 2005, 13:49:

Throw us a rope..... My husband seems to have hit a nerve when he stated that K-12 education is a problem for the USA. Education is very important for us as our youngest son still has six years before he graduates from high school.

At the moment we believe that our education opportunities in Bogota will be superior to those available to us in North Carolina but it will take time to be sure.

While my husband is not an educator, he spent many years working to improve K-12 schools in North Carolina. He helped to create seven small schools with a total of 1,200 students, including one that has ranked in the top three (out of 350 public high schools statewide) for the last four years. He has written extensively for publication on many K-12 education issues. This is not the right forum to get into much detail but please feel free to contact him directly at pmorcombe at comcast.net if you want to exchange information.

Maria Ines

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IMorcombe says on Sep 12, 2005, 13:53:

Retiring in USA...who said that? iamtheanimal: we are not retiring in the USA, this is what we posted:

"Even though we love the USA we cannot afford to live here once my wife retires. We will be pensioners living on a fixed income with no health insurance. While we would have access to Medicare we have seen socialized medicine at first hand and would not wish it on our enemies. We plan to move to Bogota in June 2006 with the intent of being “poor but happy” and enjoy the great and affordable medical care.

Wish us luck"

Maria Ines

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Diez Y Siete says on Sep 12, 2005, 14:09:

US schools I have to say our public schools are a little lacking, academically i go to the #2 high school in virginia, so we have a very hard curriculum, but my school is plagued with an over crowding problem in my history class i have 1 teacher and 37 other kids in my class, we dont even have enough desks for everyone! And there are ALWAYS oppertunities to learn more and take more challenging classes, but the people in my high school are lazy, so in turn our high school students are less educated, not becasue of the lack of curriculum but because of not wanting to be better in school

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CaryGrant says on Sep 12, 2005, 14:11:

crazy4Cali What he said. I considered a career in teaching, and decided to try it out; in some areas in the US, no teaching credentials are required due to a teacher shortage (California and Arizona that I know of). Of course, these uncredentialed teachers get the schools in the poor and dangerous neighbourhoods, compounding the problem. I taught grade 7/8 Science for a year, and here are some of the problems:
* About 1/3 of the teachers in the school lacked credentials
* Although the school was new and well-maintained, teacher turnover was high because the experienced teachers went to the better neighbourhoods
* Too many "needy" kids in the class. It was extremely frustrating, because about 75% of the teacher's time is spent on discipline (no, not yelling at kids) because of about 6 kids in each class who had issues.
* Kids in the class who speak little or no English. Of course, you can't flunk them. You're supposed to make individualized study plans and tests, etc for them. I had about 200 students, and as a new teacher, it's too much to do this. So, these kids tend to get passed along.
* School demographics: 1/3 each Hispanic, Asian, and black. That can lead to race problems in the later grades.
* Many parents speak very little English and rely upon their kids to deal with officialdom. Guess what? The kids lie, and end up running the house. Then the parents are surprised when the school calls and reports that little Juanny is flunking and causing problems.
* Ridiculous bureaucracy that the teachers have to deal with, along with being blamed for the poor quality of education. Standardized testing is a crock. When I left, Long Beach USD was planning to post class test scores with the teacher's name. Sucks if you have a few non-English-speaking kids transferred in, because you know your score is going to go down.
* Racism: Sometimes when I gave a detention or some other consequence, I'd get the "you wouldn't do this if I wasn't black" crap.
* Gangs

Overall, teaching has the potential to be extremely rewarding, but not the way it is currently done in schools in poor districts in the US. But then, nobody gives a crap about them, anyway - same attitude towards health care for the tens of millions uninsured.

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tomtom33 says on Sep 12, 2005, 14:20:

Medicare is not socialized medicine in any way, shape or form. It is merely an insurance plan to pay for medical costs incurred.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Sep 12, 2005, 14:34:

I believe Medicare is socialized in every way, shape and form.



To keep it simple and in constant dollars: A worker earns $40,000 USD per year and contributes about 2.6% of that to Medicare. He/she works for 40 years and thus has contributed $41,600 to the "system" at retirement. Even in reasonably good health, from age 65 to 80 or so, he/she may use up that amount in prescription drugs and preventive care alone. Obviously, hospital stays, surgeries, rest homes and the like will wipe out a multiple of that $41,600 rather quickly. The insurance premiums are not risk-adjusted and someone who earned $20,000 per year gets the same care as someone who earned six figures or more. Finally, the system is running a huge deficit (not even close to being supported by paid-in premiums). That defines socialization in my book.



The U.S., Colombia, Europe, Canada, wherever...we all socialize some institutions and their products/services to varying degrees.

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tomtom33 says on Sep 12, 2005, 14:42:

Guess our definitions differ. The delivery system is not socialized. I agree that the insurance end very much is. Does it make any sense to try to risk-adjust premiums for the Medicare population?

When I think of socialized medicine, I think of waiting for months for treatment.

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BAQ says on Sep 12, 2005, 15:15:

Medicare SUCKS Medicare sucks. I wouldn;t wish that system on my worst enemy. They pay very little and then the doctor wants the balance from the patient. They have really screwed up limits and the type of services they will pay for.

On top of that, the CURRENY MONTHLY PREMIUM is $78.00

Now keep in mind a little old lady getting her social security benefit (Average SS benefit is $680.00 per month), DEDUCT the 78.00 for medicare part "B". As you can see, our Govt is charging seniors out the ass for a health program that stinks.

And for 2006, they are expecting another LARGE increase in the Medicare premium.

THE SAME $78.00 WILL BUY A COUPLE A DECENT HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY IN COLOMBIA WITH A $2.00 DEDUCTABLE FOR OFFICE VISITS.

They should rename it MEDICARELESS

Semper Fidelis !

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aztec says on Sep 12, 2005, 15:44:

BAQ is... ...there a limit on age. For example can a person 65 or older get catastrophic (major medical) health insurance in Colombia? Assuming he/she is in reasonably good physical condition.

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Rubiazo says on Sep 12, 2005, 15:58:

Imorocombe: you won't have a problem finding a good school here. The BEST schools in Bogota are around 500k a month including tuition, almuerzo and la ruta (transportation). PM me if you need a specific recommendation.

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tomtom33 says on Sep 12, 2005, 16:06:

BAQ What do you want for $78 per month? My current monthly premium is $821 for $1000 deductible, and I pay up to $25 for each prescription. After the deductible, I pay 20%.

Is this nuts? Hell yes.

Medicare is simply a balancing of need versus taxpayer ability to pay. Most seniors should have Medicare supplemental insurance.

Aztec-you should be able to get such insurance with evidence of insurability. I managed at age 57, and I'm not very insurable-previous heart attack.

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BAQ says on Sep 12, 2005, 16:28:

TINTO & TOMTOM OK, here is how I view this. Some might not agree, but these are my thoughts.

I think basic health care should be a "Right" for every person in America. Honestly, what is more basic than medical care?

Let me put it in this context: Most people live in the CITY and they pay CITY TAXES. When you pay your taxes, you expect "Basic" city services such as Police, Fire, and Ambulance service. If someone told you tomorrow your city was going to stop providing police and fire service, I immagine you would be outraged and probaly raise holy hell about it.

As citizens, we all pay federal taxes and we expect our Govt will provide "Basic" services", so my question is why does our Govt NOT consider "Good Health care" as a basic service. I know this is a political issue so there is no easy answer.

It amazes me that living in Colombia, I can buy antibiotics for about 25% of the cost of the same RX in America.

I could go on and on but anyone living here in Colombia knows what I am talking about with health care costs. Here, it is a fraction of the cost as in America.

Again, I know there are no easy answers but I find it sad that I can retire, move to Colombia, pay about $80.00 USD a month for me AND my wife to have good health care, AND pay a $2.00 deductable for office visits, $3.50 deductable for X-rays and lab work ect. When my wife had surgery last year, I paid ZERO for the doctor and hospital. TOTAL costs of her medication when she got home was about $20.00 USD.

For the elderly, sick and poor, Medicare is a national embarrassement.

Semper Fidelis !

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Rubiazo says on Sep 12, 2005, 16:39:

I certainly think you should get what you pay for. At $800 a month and at 32 years of age I would probably just take the risk of paying out of pocket!

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utopiacowboy says on Sep 12, 2005, 17:14:

In our school system, from an early age every student is required to be polite and courteous and this includes "Yes, Sir" and "No, ma'm". The kind of zoo you describe, CaryGrant, is just not the norm in our public school sytem nor in the small towns surrounding ours. Everyone knows everyone and all parents feel free to reprimand any student that they see misbehaving or report them to their parents or the school authorities. If I see some student out in the middle of the day, I don't mind in the least asking him why isn't he in school. He better have a damm good explanation or I'll drive him to school myself.

I have often thought, when visiting California, that society was breaking apart there.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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ws244 says on Sep 12, 2005, 17:41:

over 65 Of course one can have catastrophic health insurance in Colombia over 65.

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cam0940 says on Sep 12, 2005, 18:00:

Play nice UTC. It's not just California. It's other major metros too like Atlanta, NYC, Chicago, Seattle, even Las Vegas. Cary said he was in Long Beach. I'm sure he'll attest that some parts of the LBC are as bad as it gets anywhere.

I went to public school in LA, and it wasn't a zoo. EVERYBODY was in school, and you were teased for not getting good grades, teased for not being able to keep up.

Alas, times have changed.

If you live in a nice area with decent property taxes to support the school system, then public school is fine. If it's run down and there's no money, it can be a very different story.

In any event, la mujer and I are planning to go for a private school. The Brentwood School if you're familiar with it CaryGrant.

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tomtom33 says on Sep 12, 2005, 18:14:

BAQ I can't disagree with your thoughts. However, if the Federal taxes were to pay for health care, the tax burden would have to be greatly increased. Ya gets what ya pays for.

Many US cities no longer pay for ambulance service. You get billed. The more you can charge for user fees, the less you have to collect in property taxes.

One time after I had a root canal in Cartagena, I rode the bus home. Who did I run into on the bus? The endodontist who had just done my root canal. You'd never see that in the US.

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