Korean Job Discussion Forums

articulate_ink · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:02 pm Post subject: Expat controversy

Hi all. An article on why I left the US has just been published in Escape from America, which is a large online portal and journal for expats and people who are considering living abroad. The original title of the article was "America Is Over," although at my request the editor changed it to the less provocative "After America." (I'm giving some thought to asking her to change it back.) Whatever I ultimately call the thing, it seems to have hit a nerve. I've been getting both supportive, affirming e-mails and comments on my blog... as well as vicious (but stupid) personal attacks.

Here are a few links:

The article itself:
http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/92/art_America_is_Over.html

My writing blog, where you can follow some of the fallout (including what I suspect has been an attack against me via the writing competition one of my short stories was doing well in):
http://msminpdx.livejournal.com/

Discussion in AirAmerica's Randi Rhodes Show online forum:
http://forums.therandirhodesshow.com/index.php?showtopic=114007&st=0

I have to say, this is one of the more interesting things that has ever happened to me.

Thoughts?

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

I haven't read your stuff and it could very well be good. But in light of the "Bollocky Bill" Shertzer, most people on here think that posting your own writing in a new thread is not exactly kosher. Put it in your sig line and then reference any chance you get.

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

I don't have a problem with what he's doing. I, personally like to know what people on here are doing and will gladly support them (if I can). If it's about being an Ex-pat, then it is definitely relevant to all of us (since some of us might be able to resonate with what you've been going through). Reactions can be interesting as well. I will read it over a little later after I'm done what I'm doing.

Thanks for posting it.

hubba bubba · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

yeah, not quite the same as Jerky Boy's, "I wrote an article to the Korean Hearld about why all foreigners are incompetent, lazy, freeloaders (except me). Read about it in my blog, losers."

Hanson · Joined: 20 Oct 2004

How about this reply from "therandirhodesshow" link...

articulate_ink · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:41 pm Post subject:

The 'rant' about real estate is a thought I should have fleshed out. With the bubble bursting, there now seems to be a trend of foreclosures and negative equity as homeowners in expensive (but deflating) markets find themselves unable to afford payments on their subprime mortgages. I've read a lot of articles about this. It seems to be a big problem. If you're a first-time homebuyer in the US, then this trend might work to your advantage, but on a macro level, it's troubling.

The average household net worth is at an all-time high? Is it?

I already discussed the bit about being gay in the US and outside of it. I'm not sure what else to add. I didn't mean to state or to imply that it's going to be the downfall of the country. However (as I said), the US lags far behind other Western nations in this area of civil rights. This is an example that has affected me personally: not being able to make medical decisions for a partner in the hospital, not being able to sponsor a foreign partner for immigration purposes, tax inequality, etc. Fortunately, progress is being made, and that's great, and the forthcoming election may bring more positive changes. I'm not disputing that. I welcome it. I'm not trying to be a doom cheerleader. But for a long time, I've felt that there's a big disconnect between the American myth and the reality of living there. That was my point.

With regard to the deficit/surplus seesaw effect, yes, I remember the days of the surplus. Perhaps subsequent administrations will be more fiscally responsible. However, there's the 'pension bomb' effect of the aging Baby Boomers to take into account, the spiralling costs of the War on Terror, the national reluctance to invest in health care and infrastructure, and so on... that's a lot of reform for the American public to swallow. When was the last time Americans had to swallow that much bitter medicine? Is debate even possible in today's partisan environment?

What many of the people who've disagreed with the article have missed (or disregarded) is that I evaluated my needs and made an informed decision to change careers. I also wanted to experience living abroad. I'm making progress toward personal, financial, and educational goals. I couldn't have done this if I had stayed in the States. I don't want to hear some a$$hole tell me I copped out, because it's an affront to almost 3 years of research and 2 years of active planning. Some of the reasons are personal, and I'm not keen to bring them up for public consumption. (Although if you read my blog far enough back you'll probably see more of the big picture.) For some -- many, most -- people, expatriating would not be a realistic solution. For me, it was.