Sunday, March 14, 2010

Rush issues an ultimatum

I am a little behind on this story because I religiously avoid anything connected to the obnoxious windbag. But I have heard from multiple sources now that Rush Limbaugh has vowed to leave the United States if Health Care Reform passes. Where will he go?

Costa Rica.

Yep. Limbaugh will protest America's slow slide into socialist communism by emigrating to one of the most progressive countries on the planet. Costa Rica already has Universal National Health Insurance and has for decades been ranked higher than the United States by The World Health Organization in terms of both its health care system and the overall health of its population. Costa Rica abolished its armed forces concluding it was a waste of money that could be better expended on other things like education and... universal national health insurance. Costa Rica is one of the most environmentally friendly countries on Earth with large tracks of the country set aside as wildlife refuges and parks.

Of course with this new threat to their nation they may have to rethink their decision to disband the armed forces.

On a side note; why is it that everytime I hear Rush Limbaugh's name I keep recalling that old quote from the (in)famous Hollywood film star and libertine Tallulah Bankhead? (Que the deep southern drawl with the floor length mink coat, dark glasses and long cigarette holder...)

"Well you know dahling, my daddy warned me about men and alcohol. But he forgot to mention cocaine."

10 comments:

David said...

I met a guy who just moved back from Costa Rica. He had to pay for his own private security force like is the case in many Central and South American nations. He left Costa Rica because it was next to impossible to even hire a contractor who would or could do the work he needed done on his villa. You pretty much have to fly people in from the states to do the work and then there is no such things as building codes so there is no guarantee that your wiring is going to work with the utilities. I have long wanted to do some field collecting in Costa Rica and was told that you have to bring your own anti-venom because many of the hospitals don't have anti-venom. Costa Rica doesn't need a military because we are their military. Much of the world is able to take advantage of the protection and stability America provides. Look at Israel, America pays for their socialized medicine in the form of foreign aid and Republicans don't say a word because the dispentationalist need Israel in order to force the second coming of Jesus.

John (Ad Orientem) said...

David,
Good points. It was not my intention to portray Costa Rica as the new Garden of Eden. They have their share of problems including a nasty rise in crime in recent years. And yes the United States does subsidize a lot of Israel's social benefits via our military aid. I am not sure that the same can be said of CR. They disbanded their military in the late 40's. I think it would be more fair to say they rely on the OAS for security. But then again who would want to invade them?

Anonymous said...

Compare Costa Rica to *any* other country in Central America: no contest in terms of living conditions and quality of life. I've received medical care there in a relatively poor town and it was as good as many places in the US. Education is universal and free. Most areas are quite safe - again even dicey areas are better than high crime US locales. Those countries that have received the benefit of US military involvement - well, measure that benefit in bodies.

Other telling indicators: relatively low emigration and tremendous pride in the country.

rabidgandhi said...

On behalf of those of us who live in Latin America, we hereby withdraw our support for the health care bill.

Anonymous said...

"Villa", "private security force"?

I couldn't get past those words to take seriously any comments about Costa Rica.

John (Ad Orientem) said...

Anonymous,
You haven't gotten around some neighborhoods in LA or Miami lately have you? Villas and private security forces are not that uncommon in this country.

In ICXC
John

Matthew M said...

I find this story hard to believe. Bunkum and balderdash!

Steve Hayes said...

What's the abortion rate in Costa Rica?

John (Ad Orientem) said...

Steve,
That's an interesting question. After a very quick and by no means exhaustive search the most recent reliable statistics I found were from 2005. They show an abortion rate of slightly less than 1/2 that of the United States.

In ICXC
John

L. Vance said...

The only problem with this is that he didn't say he would MOVE to Costa Rica, he said he would go there for his health care, which is his choice. I'm not a particular fan of Rush, but anytime the msm reports what he's supposed to have said, I check. They've usually twisted his words in some way. Makes you wonder why they hate him so much.