By My posting about Korean illegal immigrants protesting for amnesty drew some heated debate and now here is something else that should draw just as much debate about the illegal immigrant issue:
When the afternoon sunlight streamed in her hospital window, slashing through the venetian blinds, the shadows made Soon Ja Kim, 83, look as if she were behind bars.
In a real sense, she was.
She was admitted Dec. 23 and spent all winter in a private room at Abington Memorial Hospital. She watched the record snows outside her window and was still there for the purple crocuses of spring.
Mrs. Kim was approved for discharge Dec. 27, four days after she arrived.
But she had nowhere to go.
Her family had left her in Abington’s emergency room with no intention of returning to get her. This was done not thoughtlessly, but in desperation, and with a heavy heart. There is slang in the hospital world for what the family had done: dumping.
It happens in many hospitals. One patient, for instance, just left after spending 10 years in a New Jersey hospital.
Mrs. Kim is 4-foot-8, speaks no English, and has been in America, illegally, for a decade. She has arthritic knees and can no longer stand. She needs a nursing home. But none will take her.
Because of her illegal status, she is ineligible for Medicaid, which pays the bill for two out of every three nursing-home residents. Without Medicaid, and with no means of her own, she became Abington’s problem. [Philly.com via a reader tip]
Read the rest of the article, but it is a sob story for this woman to get her health care paid for by the taxpayers. This elderly woman’s daughter married an American soldier and then eventually divorced. The daughter then moved to America with her mom and daughter. Her mom she brought over on a tour visa which she then proceeded to overstay for over a decade. Why would you move your mom who can’t speak English and is elderly to America knowing you can’t pay for her health care? Additionally what even further pisses me off about this story is that the Korean-American community where the daughter lives advised her to use the patient dumping scam, which shows that is probably advice they give to other Korean-Americans without health insurance as well.
So if you are wondering why health care is so expensive in America here is just another reason for it because the hospitals raise their fees to have the people with health insurance make up the difference for people like this who can’t pay. It is a tough situation this family is in, but I lost my compassion when the mom was so irresponsible to bring her elderly mom to the US with no health insurance and break the law by overstaying her visa.
I think it would be an interesting stat to see what the total unpaid medical bill is for illegal Korean immigrants? I also think the US government should send the Korean Embassy a bill with this woman’s medical expenses.
11:16 pm on April 4th, 2010 1
Disgusting.
11:33 pm on April 4th, 2010 2
As the hospital has been forced to take possession of her, it would not be unreasonable to allow the hospital to harvest her organs after she passes away.
In fact, she can give one of her kidneys now to help some poor, tax-paying American citizen on a waiting list.
Some might think I'm joking…
…but I'm not.
11:50 pm on April 4th, 2010 3
I understand. I agree that would be a logical course of action.
11:59 pm on April 4th, 2010 4
Where is American Immigration when you need them?
In all seriousness, though, I thought an emergency room was only obligated to assist a person until they were no longer in a critical / emergency situation. Wrong? Quite possibly – help me out here
1:10 am on April 5th, 2010 5
Why not just deport her? Yeah, that's not compassionate, and nobody wants to push around a grandma, but she's a Korean citizen, in the US illegally for a decade, call up the Korean Embassy and make arrangements for her to be sent back to Korea. Hell, call up the Korean Embassy and have it punch the daughter in the face, too.
Granted, she'll probably get better care at one-tenth the cost, so that won't make our country look very good.
1:51 am on April 5th, 2010 6
ROK has universal government run health care, right? Given how awesome such a set up is supposed to be, perhaps the best thing for Mrs. Kim would be to be deported from the unenlightened hell hole which is America
!
2:16 am on April 5th, 2010 7
Why would the Korean government be liable for her medical expenses?
Maybe in China, but I don't think we, as a people, are there yet. Besides, I don't think you do that with an 83 year old woman with diabetes.
I don't know what the solution is.
I have seen, somewhat, the flip side of this in Korea. I've visited a number of illegal immigrants in hospitals in Korea. They don't have insurance and, depending on their treatment, they often can not afford to pay the full amount of their expenses. They usually have a Korean they trust to negotiate with the hospital for some lesser payment. Then a collection is taken up in their immigrant community. When the payment is made, the patient is allowed to leave.
I don't know what would happen in Korea if an illegal immigrant were in Mrs. Kim's state and couldn't be released into anyone's care. In the cases I know of, the immigration office is never called or involved.
I have heard of one case where an illegal immigrant in Korea was taken to a hospital, treated, but eventually died. Her immigrant community took up a collection to pay what they could of her hospital expenses, then to have her body shipped back to her country.
3:25 am on April 5th, 2010 8
Yes, ROK has a pretty good universal health care, run by the govt. And it has a provision that allows ANYONE who is of Korean ancestry (I believe place of birth has to be ROK) to join the universal health care. And they allow people to join the program even if they had announced Korean citizenship to gain citizenship of another country, like USA. So basically even if you had not paid any tax to Uncle Kim, you still get the same benefit as others who had paid tax. You join, pay small monthly fee for a few months and than you are eligible for treatment. Some ROK residents who are paying taxes aren't happy about it but the program continues to exist.
There are tourist groups (formed by local ethnic Korean Radio stations and tour companies) that go FROM USA to ROK for complete medical checkup and treatment there. I personally know of a case who had immigrated to USA from ROK some 20 years ago. She is self employed and of course couldn't afford the expensive health insurance here. She started feeling pains so went over to ROK and signed up with the program. Turned out she had cancer and had a surgery done. Surgery went well and was hospitalized for recovery for about 2 weeks. Her out of pocket expense paid for the surgery and 2week hospital stay was less than a grand in US $$.
Even including her airfare, housing and etc, it cost WAY less than what would've paid had she gone to a US doctor.
America is great. There is no other nation like America. But when it comes to providing affordable healthcare, America is the unenlightened hell hole, at least among the G20.
3:25 am on April 5th, 2010 9
Correction:
they had GIVEN up Korean citizenship
3:31 am on April 5th, 2010 10
The daughter needs to be tracked down and prosecuted for conspiracy to smuggle an illegal alien into the US. I agree that she needs to be deported back to Korea & in the meantime let the Korean government pay her medical bills. Nobody would want an 83 year old diabetic woman's organs. Finally those in the local 'Korean-American community' who knew of and aided and abetted this scam should also be prosecuted and if any of them are not citizens they should be deported as well. I feel sorry for this poor woman but she is taking up a space that could be used for a sick American. Every time there is a war, revolution, coup, or natural disaster they always send people here. Since when did we become the world's garbage dump? I am not against LEGAL immigrants, my wife is a LEGAL immigrant who waited her turn in line to come to the US.
4:03 am on April 5th, 2010 11
Brian, you are 100% correct but it probably won't happen. President Obama has a 56 year old aunt by the name of Zeituni Onyango who was ordered to be deported in 2004 but she just stayed here so she is an illegal alien. Get this, she is living in PUBLIC(taxpayer supported) HOUSING in Boston, WTF!!! How in hades does an illegal alien get to stay in public housing? She has challenged her deportation and I believe the court case is next year. I say deport her now and let her challenge it if she chooses from Kenya but at the very least kick her out of public housing where she is taking up space that a poor AMERICAN could use.
4:31 am on April 5th, 2010 12
LOL!
I know many Koreans that DON'T like the "quality" of their health care in Korea. I know what you say is true (about Korean-Americans returning to Korea for medical care sometimes), but it's not because insurance is all that expensive here, it's that Americans (and immigrants here) can't prioritize what's important to them. My wife and I are self-employed and pay a total of just under $600 a month for insurance. That may sound high, but our car payment is $550 and our car insurance is $225, so if we had to give up something, it would be the nice car, not the health insurance. And think about this… so, I pay $300 a month for three years and never use my insurance other than for a few minor issues. Over three years I have spent $10,800 for me (I'm just splitting the cost of our insurance for sake of discussion), but only used say, $1000. Now, suddenly I need surgery… under my plan, I go to the hospital, pay a maximum of $1,000 and everything is fine. I get world class care, from world class doctors using world class equipment. So in the end I've spent, say, $11,800 for anywhere between $20,000 and $50,000 worth of care mimim. Not a bad return on my investment if ask me. Oh, and on that car I pay the total $775 a month… at the end of three year it will be worth 1/3 of what I paid for it – if I'm lucky.
People need to get their priorities straight and stop worrying about trying to get something for free from the government. And they also need to remember… NOTHING'S FREE!
4:36 am on April 5th, 2010 13
Any idea how much the insurance cost would be IF you had 2 or 3 kids?
I think it's fair to say the American govt can't prioritize where to spend the $. Tax break/cuts for rich/corporations or spend $ to help control medical care cost/insurance.
Sure, ROK people may not like the quality of their healthcare but you forget that many COULD NOT get healthcare.
4:39 am on April 5th, 2010 14
I agree with some points. But I find it interesting that ROK citizens who immigrated to US legally and became citizens here end up going BACK to ROK to find affordable healthcare.
Just SO ironic…
4:41 am on April 5th, 2010 15
We have on in college and we pay, through the university, $1,200 a year for coverage. Last year he had an appendicitis and we paid an additional $2,500 for his hospitalization. We paid over $12,000 for his college room and board. Maybe we should all get free college tuition too… and a car, car insurance, house… hell, let's just socialize everything. We shouldn't have to pay for anything ourselves.
And yes, as an employer, I know how much it costs for insurance. I pay for my employees. My secretary has three kids and is a single mom. We pay all of her medical insurance less $150 a month. For her family we pay a total of $550 of which she pays $150.
4:46 am on April 5th, 2010 16
rich / corporations… we're a "corporation", but we aren't rich. We are comfortable, but far from rich. I pay a total of 54% in taxes when you consider 33% for personal tax (we're an S-Corp, so even if we don't pay ourselves that much, we still have to pay taxes on it) plus 15% for SS/Medicaid. We also pay property taxes, business taxes, and a myriad of other taxes. Corporations (especially small S Corps and LLCs) are the companies that employ the majority of Americans. Where's their breaks?
4:47 am on April 5th, 2010 17
48% not 54%… we did pay 54% until the Bush tax cuts.
4:51 am on April 5th, 2010 18
Good that you provide health insurance to your employees.
BUT we know many small companies don't for whatever reason. Otherwise we wouldn't have 30+ million uninsured.
4:53 am on April 5th, 2010 19
Sorry I wasn't clear on rich/corporations. Not saying you are benefitting from break for the rich/corporation.
But when I read stories like this I wonder…
http://news.slashdot.org/story/10/04/03/1815219/W…
"Exxon limits its tax pain with the help of 20 wholly owned subsidiaries domiciled in the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands that shelter cash flow from operations in the likes of Angola, Azerbaijan, and Abu Dhabi. As a result, of the $15B it paid in income taxes last year, Exxon paid none of it to Uncle Sam, and has tens of billions in earnings permanently reinvested overseas. Likewise, GE has $84B in overseas income parked indefinitely outside the US."
4:56 am on April 5th, 2010 20
Not a problem.
Of the uninsured though, keep in mind that most of the "uninsured" are illegals. The others are people that could afford insurance, but choose not to buy it (young entrepreneurs mostly) and those that qualify for medicaid, but haven't filed. I hear "horror stories", but nobody can ever point to anybody that is denied medical care in this country. You can't find any because it's ILLEGAL to deny medical care.
5:07 am on April 5th, 2010 21
I agree with you, but I know from experience (my wife went to Korea for medical care she could have gotten here) there are a myriad of reasons why Koreans choose to go back to Korea to have procedures done that they could have done in the USA and it's not because of cost or availability. My wife has gone back a couple of times and she says she chose to do it in Korea because 1) She felt more comfortable having a Korean doctor (a Korean-Korean, not Korean-American) do what she needed done 2) it gave her a chance to visit family and recuperate while having her family help her and 3) by having it done in Korea it doesn't go down in the US as "pre-existing".
Nobody is going to convince me that Koreans pay for airfare, etc. to get medical care in Korea because it's cheaper unless it's to get something done that isn't covered by insurance (i.e. plastic surgery).
5:10 am on April 5th, 2010 22
We've been the "world's garbage dump" since..oh say…the 1600s? Puritans, Quakers, British convicts, British highly in debt, Germans (Napoleonic Wars), Irish (Great Potato Famine), Italians (the Franco-Austrian Wars), more Germans, always lots of Hispanics, then with the Asians in the late 1800s – onward. So yea…nothing really new. Does this seem familiar to you in any way? "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
5:14 am on April 5th, 2010 23
@Thomas
The problem we have is NOT hospital refusing to provide healthcare. The case of the elderly Korean woman is a good example.
The problem is people can't buy affordable healthcare INSURANCE. Because people can't buy insurance for whatever reason, people just go to ER at the last minute. And they don't get preventive care/checkup which ER doesn't provide. All of these end up adding cost to the overall healthcare as we all know.
Yes, for-profit private healthcare companies are to help people find affordable healthcare insurance but it just hasn't worked out in US so far. I would love to have the private health insurance companies be the solution to the ever increasing health care cost, but we all know it hasn't been the case so far.
5:20 am on April 5th, 2010 24
In my post you replied to, I forgot to mention that the ex ROK citizens going back to ROK for medical care go there because they couldn't afford the medical insurance in US. They don't go to ROK just for the reasons you mentioned. They go because they can't afford the health insurance in US while the govt health program in ROK is affordable.
I'm telling you the case I told you about was because she was self-employed and couldn't afford to buy health insurance here. But you know what? She did have car insurance because state law required her to…
5:24 am on April 5th, 2010 25
State law required her to have insurance if she owns a car. If she doesn't own a car, there is no law requiring insurance. It's a CHOICE.
The liberals are all for choice except when it comes to personal responsibility.
5:27 am on April 5th, 2010 26
BTW: You seem to know this woman pretty well. So be honest here…
She's self-employed and can't afford health insurance… what kind of car did she drive? How many Gucci, LV, Prada, etc. bags and shoes did she own? Could she really afford it but just didn't think she should have to pay for it? That's the problem with most Americans. They can afford it if they would prioritize. I bet she didn't mind spending several hundred dollars a month on clothes and accessories.
5:47 am on April 5th, 2010 27
Does sound familiar, I think Jimmy Carter said that when he told Castro to send us all the mental retarded, handicapped, insane, and convicted killers he could round up.
5:59 am on April 5th, 2010 28
When Emma Lazarus wrote her poem, immigrants sought and received only opportunities and choices. Apart from Jane Hull's Settlement House and other private charities, there was little financial assistance for native-born and immigrant alike. No WIC, no food stamps, no subsidized housing, no free Head Start or ESOL classes for children and adults. 100 years ago, our industrializing economy needed only healthy, hard-working bodies. Now we need highly educated people with marketable skills. 100 years ago, we invested very little in our people. Now we do. US immigration was never about taking care of poor people. It has only ever been about opportunity.
I feel sorry for the sick, elderly woman, but the daughter who dumped her on the hospital and the community that abetted it would assist the woman if they were forced to do so.
6:34 am on April 5th, 2010 29
"Why would you move your mom who can’t speak English and is elderly to America knowing you can’t pay for her health care? "
According to the story, the couple separated soon after the family immigrated and the grandmother took care of the granddaughter while the mother worked. Sounds like some planning went into the move. A fair number of Hispanic families in my community include one or both grandparents. The prospect of middle-aged and elderly undocumented residents gaining a path to citizenship through amnesty worries me since Medicare has already started paying out more than it takes in and is set to go broke during this decade. Taxes will go up and benefits will go down. It's only a matter of when and how much. I respect the tangible and intangible value of elderly immigrant caregivers but question whether that value will offset the cost of their care; most medical expenditures occur during the last two years of life.
6:39 am on April 5th, 2010 30
You REALLY think a productive member of the society in USA can function without a car? In NYC maybe but seriously??
Sure, I would love NOT TO have to pay for the car and insurance but I can't. It sounds like a choice but it's not…
Let's not stoop down to name calling here. I don't remember calling you a teabagger, although maybe you may consider that a badge of honor…
6:40 am on April 5th, 2010 31
I see this all to much in the Korean community (which is what I am around more than anything… probably the same in other immigrant communities). I have a friend that married a Korean (here illegally by the way) and then after she brought her sister and mother over, she left him. Sure, he was naive, but this happens way too often. I'm sure when her mom gets too old to take care of the kids, cook for her and clean up after her, she'll, like this woman apparently did, will dump her mother off on the system too. It's a sad, but when the state promises to take care of everybody, people expect em to do it.
6:45 am on April 5th, 2010 32
Where has any name calling (other than by you in this last post) occurred here? Who said anything about not using a car? People have choices… buy the Lexus or the KIA. So, since we need a car in this country, shouldn't the government provide that too?
I'm bemused by your comment, "Let’s not stoop down to name calling here. I don’t remember calling you a teabagger, although maybe you may consider that a badge of honor…". Can you point to a comment I made directed at you? My comment about liberals was based on the fact that EVERY poll shows that it is only the liberals that are pushing for health care. I wasn't talking to you, sorry if you thought I was. Are you ashamed of the term liberal? At least it's not derogatory like the term teabagger is. It's a position. I'm not ashamed of being called conservative. Somebody lost a debate and had to resort to creating an air of contempt that didn't exist.
6:53 am on April 5th, 2010 33
I think name calling occurred when you stated.
"The liberals are all for choice except when it comes to personal responsibility."
You didn't call me a liberal but your statement tries to imply I'm liberal and therefore guilty of etc etc.
I don't think I lost any debate here. I'm sticking with facts. Is it not TRUE for a productive member of a society to have a car in US?
6:56 am on April 5th, 2010 34
I don't know the woman. I heard about it only because a family member was going through treatment for cancer. Maybe she had prada/lexus etc etc. I don't know. All I know is she didn't have health insurance so she ended up going to ROK for treatment.
And note that just because someone is 'self-employed' doesn't mean he/she is well off. In fact most 'self-employed' I know are just barely breaking even, even at that, WITHOUT splurging on any luxury items.
7:06 am on April 5th, 2010 35
Obviously you didn't read my entire reply.
1. If one needs a car, then choose wisely. Don't buy the Lexus if that's going to cause you to not be able to buy insurance. Buy the Hyundai or Kia instead.
2. Taking your position on health insurance AND your stance that one MUST have a car to be a productive member of society, the next logical step is to demand our government provide us all with an automobile and car insurance too.
3. As I mentioned above, I am self-employed, so I know we're not all wealthy. But if we run a business, we make choices. If she couldn't make enough on her own to buy health insurance, why not try to get a government or other job?
4. Have you ever noticed that the health-care horror stories never apply to anybody we know, but always to "somebody that knew somebody"?
5. If she was Korean, I almost guarantee you she spent more each month on clothes and accessories that her insurance would have cost her.
It's all about making choices in life. Most people don't need insurance until they need it. Therefore, they make every excuse in the world why they can't pay for it while they buy themselves all kinds of toys, expensive cars, clothes, etc. I understand the mentality, but don't make me pay for it.
7:09 am on April 5th, 2010 36
We all have been paying for it through increased health insurance cost. Why do you think health insurance premium increased in the past decades.
7:10 am on April 5th, 2010 37
I was just thinking about how a Korean hospital (and the Korean government) might deal with this if the situation were reversed… I had to stop.
7:13 am on April 5th, 2010 38
I actually agree with you.
"Most people don’t need insurance until they need it. Therefore, they make every excuse in the world why they can’t pay for it while they buy themselves all kinds of toys, expensive cars, clothes, etc. I understand the mentality, but don’t make me pay for it."
We have to live with these people, whether one likes it or not.
7:16 am on April 5th, 2010 39
No need to stop.
JoeC already posted his observation.
"I’ve visited a number of illegal immigrants in hospitals in Korea. They don’t have insurance and, depending on their treatment, they often can not afford to pay the full amount of their expenses. They usually have a Korean they trust to negotiate with the hospital for some lesser payment. Then a collection is taken up in their immigrant community. When the payment is made, the patient is allowed to leave."
7:18 am on April 5th, 2010 40
But John, don't you see that there's no end with that kind of mentality? We have to stop being spoiled and start taking responsibility. It won't happen until people start making people take responsibility by not coddling them.
There's actually a very good website that talks about this called Generational Dynamic (www.generationaldynamics.com).
I know rates go up and I know I have to pay for it, but under the system as it is right now, it's my choice and it's not being forced upon me. Once the government controls your health-care, they control you.
7:22 am on April 5th, 2010 41
When the payment is made, the patient is allowed to leave.
So they're basically "jailed" until they can pay. Interesting.
The problem is that in Korea, the "immigrant" community will take on the responsibility because they know the government won't. In American, the "illegal immigrant" community would NEVER do such as thing as they know the US government will take care of it.
JoeC needs to correct his post. If the person were in Korea as a 'legal' immigrant, they would be covered under the government's plan. Obviously they're there illegally and hence the reason they are "imprisoned" until their debt is paid.
7:23 am on April 5th, 2010 42
You can afford to have the choice. Happy for you to have that choice.
7:26 am on April 5th, 2010 43
"Jailed" in a hospital where room/board is provided while you don't really have to work? Sounds not too bad.
7:30 am on April 5th, 2010 44
Unfortunately there are many others who can't afford to. Think about it, you can afford to hire people (good for you) but that's possible ONLY because they can't afford not to work.
You are relatively at the higher end economic ladder, which means there are people of lesser means under you. And they don't have the 'choice'. It's a privilege that you have.
7:32 am on April 5th, 2010 45
I've worked hard to enjoy the choice. If you knew my background, you would understand my mentality about all this. I guess you can call me old school (even though I'm not THAT old) in that I believe that nothing is more reliable than hard work and accepting personal responsibility.
I've enjoyed the debate. It's obvious neither one of us is going to change the others' mind, but it was fun. Just know that I do care about those less "fortunate", but there are other ways to help them such as churches, charities and other non-profit, NGO groups. The federal government was never meant to be our nanny.
7:38 am on April 5th, 2010 46
Think about it, you can afford to hire people (good for you) but that’s possible ONLY because they can’t afford not to work.
But none of this came free. I mortgaged my home, my credit cards and my life to build what I have. Frankly, if I go out of business, they get unemployment and have little risk other than being out of a job for a while. Meanwhile, I can't draw unemployment (even though I have pay unemployment tax on my own payroll), I'll be saddled with corporate debt that is personally guaranteed and (if you've ever owned a business before you'll understand) I will most likely be out of work for months if not years because business owners HATE to hire people that were previously self-employed.
7:53 am on April 5th, 2010 47
I know. It's a big risk to strike out on own. I salute you for that.
My parents tried to strike out on their own in Korea and lost it all, hence the immigration to US.
BTW, I can't believe we are talking about illegal immigration in ROK. In living people's memory, you couldn't pay people to go to ROK…
7:53 am on April 5th, 2010 48
Once you peel off the illegals, people who don't feel like getting insurance, the independently wealthy, young healthy people opting not to get insurance to save money, etc., there aren't 30 million uninsured. Quit listening to Obama and his minions.
8:02 am on April 5th, 2010 49
"“Jailed” in a hospital where room/board is provided while you don’t really have to work? Sounds not too bad."
Ever been in a Korean Hospital? (Not Samsung or one of the fancy smancy ones, a normal one)
John, sometimes comments do not show up. I guess I didn't see JoeC's, maybe it will show up later
8:04 am on April 5th, 2010 50
BTW, I can’t believe we are talking about illegal immigration in ROK. In living people’s memory, you couldn’t pay people to go to ROK…
It is funny! I hate to say it, but I see Korea heading the direction of the USA in this regard. I was in Korea a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't believe how many illegals are obviously in the country now. I'taewon's subway station looked more like a NYC subway station than one in Seoul.
I'm thinking of moving to Korea on a D8 visa since most of my business is in Korea anyway and my customers in Korea have expressed their desire that I was in country more often than not.
8:06 am on April 5th, 2010 51
let me see…. hmmm….. room and board is provided in a prison/jail too.
8:08 am on April 5th, 2010 52
Yep, not too bad—if the only thing your good for is crapin in your bed. Who thinks like that?
8:22 am on April 5th, 2010 53
Yes, we took really crappy care of our immigrants back then (and Americans in general). I'm not trying to compare 19th century America to present day America and paint the past as some glorified boom of happiness and prosperity. It wasn't. However, when we inscribe those kinds of words into the pedestal of our Statue of LIBERTY – a beacon of American freedom, you think we would live by these words in some way. The hospital should continue to take care of her – but not at the expense of the American taxpayers. Reading the article, it's appalling how awful this woman's daughter is. I pity them – but it is their responsibility and they should pay up. Maybe not immediately, but in gradual payments. Still, do not turn this woman away in her condition. How can she be sent back to Korea the way she is now? Treat her, bill the family, send her back.
8:53 am on April 5th, 2010 54
There was one illegal immigrant who was first taken to a hospital in Pyeongtaek with heart problems. His condition was found to be so serious that they transfered him to Ajou University hospital in Suwon.
There staffs were fully aware that he was an illegal immigrant and probably would never be able to pay for his full cost, but that didn't seem to enter the decision to transfer him to and accept him at Ajou hospital.
I doubt very much that would happen in many places in the USA.
8:57 am on April 5th, 2010 55
I doubt very much that would happen in many places in the USA.
Goes to show what you would know! LOL
It happens EVERY DAY in the USA. It's THE LAW! Nobody can be refused medical service if they go to an emergency room. In America we even treat people with colds that go the emergency room. Obviously you're not an American and you're trying to debate something you know NOTHING about.
9:01 am on April 5th, 2010 56
In a way all this moaning about the price of health insurance is somewhat irrelevant. From my experience with Korean immigrants, they seem to be deathly allergic to insurance of any kind. My wife and I have been assisting her brother and his family over the past few years. Although they make a nice chunk of cash from a donut shop (I've seen the books) they have refused every suggestion to get health, life, renter's, business, etc. insurance. They grudgingly acquired automobile insurance but only after my wife explained there were criminal ramifications for not carrying automobile insurance. Even then they've never maintained full coverage car insurance despite having financing on some of their cars.
My brother-in-law's family is just one example. We know a number of Korean immigrants who just wont insure themselves.
9:02 am on April 5th, 2010 57
EXACTLY!
9:03 am on April 5th, 2010 58
No in USA, hospital cannot refuse treating someone because they think someone is illegal immigrant or can't pay the bill. US hospital must treat all patients…
9:13 am on April 5th, 2010 59
Well, looks like i should listen to you. There aren't 30 million uninsured.
47 million are uninsured.
1/8/2008, during Bush years.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/567737
"For the sixth consecutive year, the number of Americans living without health insurance has risen, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data."
Thanks to you, I learned something new today.
9:14 am on April 5th, 2010 60
Alright how about having a nice bed and not having to deal with bars?
9:15 am on April 5th, 2010 61
…and health care, many states move felons to the head of organ waiting lists.
9:15 am on April 5th, 2010 62
Liberty is just that – freedom. Liberty has nothing to do with taking care of or providing for people. The concepts of liberty and freedom have nothing to do with the concept of social welfare. The hospital took her in only because they were legally obligated to do so. The hospital knows it will never collect hundreds of thousands of dollars, not even in installments over years, from a woman who works as a retail clerk. Hospitals tend to write off costs of caring for the undocumented uninsured because they know they can't get blood from a stone. What happens when a hospital can no longer spread out the costs of caring for non-paying patients among paying patients is that the hospital may shutter a loss-making facility like obstetrics or close altogether. This happened to the kidney dialysis wing of an Atlanta hospital serving mostly immigrants with no means to pay. The hospital was able to find alternative care for some but not all.
9:33 am on April 5th, 2010 63
"Treat her, bill the family, send her back."
Reread the story. The hospital provided appropriate care. The hospital did not discharge her early. They discharged her more than two months late to a daughter who was avoiding contact with the hospital. The hospital had to keep her because there was no appropriate person or facility to release her to.
9:55 am on April 5th, 2010 64
Well John, thats the latest lie the Democrats are pushing. The real number is around 10 million.
9:58 am on April 5th, 2010 65
I can assure you I am an American citizen.
The thing I was referring to that likely would not happen is for a university hospital accepting a patient that probably would not be able to pay most of his bills.
Hospitals in that States do refuse to accept patients when they don't show up by surprise at their emergency rooms.
10:04 am on April 5th, 2010 66
I disagree with your assessment. Really there is no such thing as a "university hospital" as all hospitals train interns. US training hospitals such as Baylor Medical Center in Texas, University Medical Center in Las Vegas and many, many others are famous for treating the indigent and those with special needs that cannot afford medical care, so I'm not sure where you get your "facts". Additionally, are you going to tell me that if a person is dying, they're going to call their local hospital first to see if they'll accept them? No, they're going to call an ambulance or get a ride to an emergency room where they won't be turned away. I'm sure some hospital refuse patients… if a woman comes in wanting a boob job or a guy comes in needing hair implants… but if they are truly in medical need, they cannot be turned away regardless of their insurance status. Why are you making stuff up?
10:21 am on April 5th, 2010 67
According to the story, the GI husband remained in Korea while his wife went to the US without him and then divorced him. I don't think this GI husband was naive.
11:15 am on April 5th, 2010 68
I was speaking about my friend being naive.
In my opinion the GI is complacent, but the wife seems to have this planned out with or without his knowledge. She's to blame. It's her mother.
11:19 am on April 5th, 2010 69
A few lessons on this story:
1- This is what you get when you marry a GI – a life of poverty and divorce – 80% of GI-Korean marriages end up in failure.
2 – So much for the life of pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, called the U-S-A. I think Koreans have now wisened up that living in the US doesn't necessarily mean it's an upgrade anymore. Look how the number of Korean emmigrants to the US has shrinked the last few years – down to a few hundred a year. Look at the fact that Americans can't even provide basic health care to their people, like Korea is.
11:27 am on April 5th, 2010 70
Tom.
1. She left the GI, she made a lot of bad choices which have nothing to do with him. She chose to move to the US on her own and she chose to dump her own mother. She is a very bad person but I will not transfer that blame to all Koreans like you attempt to do with Americans and GIs.
2. Korea is so good at providing health care that it's citizens sit in US hospitals sticking the cost to the US without any intention to pay. Can you imagine an American sitting in a Korean Hospital refusing to pay? Nope, didn't think so.
11:31 am on April 5th, 2010 71
"As the hospital has been forced to take possession of her, it would not be unreasonable to allow the hospital to harvest her organs after she passes away."
"Maybe in China, but I don’t think we, as a people, are there yet. Besides, I don’t think you do that with an 83 year old woman with diabetes."
Drat. You are right. Another cunning plan not fully thought through.
O.K. Plan B.
I calculated that she is worth close to $1000 if, upon death, she is processed into Spam and sold back to Korea in gift sets.
11:39 am on April 5th, 2010 72
That woman made a bad mistake eleven years ago when she decided to enter the US after being abandoned by the GI. If she had stayed in Korea, her family would not be in this shape, as the grandmother would have been taken care of by other family members, and the hospital bill wouldn't certainly come out to something ridiculous like %400,000 for a few weeks of stay in the hospital! Now the daughter has no job because the American economy is broke.
11:41 am on April 5th, 2010 73
Furthermore, where is the proof that the Korean community told them to dump the grandmother in the hospital? So you're telling me that's Korean culture now? So people, explain to me how white Americans don't dump their parents in nursing homes.
11:49 am on April 5th, 2010 74
Nice to hear from you again Tom. I've missed you
Your correct. When a GI falls for some bargirl and takes her home, she often starts workin the "korean bars" off base, or otherwise trying to "Upgrade" her position. GI then leaves the loser. These days that more often happens with the Flips. I "dated" many a "happily married" Korean woman in Texas, while they were scaming some Korean guy or looking for an Officer to wed next.
As for the number of Korean emmigrants to the good ole US of A decreasing in number—GOOD! Don't need um.
As for health care—Tom, you should see my Doctor. Man she is a Hottie
Her nurse is a young and slim Flip.
I'll keep my health care. Thanks anyway
11:53 am on April 5th, 2010 75
11:58 am on April 5th, 2010 76
Tom, it's your second language so I understand why you would not understand everything in the article.
1. If family support in Korea was so great, she wouldn't have moved to the US. Korea has a great reputation for taking care of divorced women and multi-cultural children, something you seem to take pride it. So she might have actually been in worse shape to stay.
2. I thought Koreans were good with math. Only in your world is a "few weeks" equivalent to the better part of four months and counting. It must be why so many Koreans overstay their visas…3 months…15 years what's the difference.
3. The daughter has no job because she made a lot of bad choices and doesn't have any skills, same with the mother. The mother spent 10 years in the US and doesn't speak English, good luck with that job hunt.
It all comes down to personal responsibility and integrity, the daughter has none and neither do you. You can't even admit she created this mess.
12:00 pm on April 5th, 2010 77
"Furthermore, where is the proof that the Korean community told them to dump the grandmother in the hospital? So you’re telling me that’s Korean culture now?"
You're right in a sense, Tom. The article doesn't specifically say other Koreans told them to dump Mrs. Kim in this hospital. But Korean culture is to blame in another way.
Note Mi Cha came to America for her daughter Krystal. If Koreans weren't such jerks to mix breed kids they might have stayed in Korea!
12:33 pm on April 5th, 2010 78
So if all that the GI's know is to hang out at whore houses in the camp towns, what the hell do you GI's really expect from these women who only know how to sell their bodies? Have you ever heard of the phrase, losers…I means..birds flock together?
12:35 pm on April 5th, 2010 79
So, look how they ended up. So much for a better life. So much better that the grand daughter has to change her grandmother's diapers at home. Yeap. Fine life there.
12:38 pm on April 5th, 2010 80
If you really examine the stats of marriages between GI's and Korean women in the past few decades, the overwhelming numbers of the women that the GI's married are camp town professional prostitutes. Not surprisingly, most of the marriages end up in failure. GI's only looked for sex, while the whores tried to attach themselves to rich Americans (now a days that doesn't happen anymore, as the Russians and Filipinas took over that role).
12:41 pm on April 5th, 2010 81
The Filipinas and Russians have that role now because not many Korean women will give poor GI's, their time of day (except for maybe a few hard core old women in their 40's or 50's who are really desperate). Those days are long gone.
1:09 pm on April 5th, 2010 82
Prove it!
You hear that from your senior Tom?
1:28 pm on April 5th, 2010 83
Tom: The losers, or birds, flock together, or should I say live, in the various Korea Towns around the world.
It's time to send all those illegal Koreans back to Korea. It's bad enough Korea is sponging off of America in Korea. Stop their sponging in America. Those unqualified losers can't get a job in their country or what? Go back to Korea and pump some gas. Sound familiar? They don't like it when their shit gets thrown back at them do they?
As usual, I'm sure more Korean nationals like Tom will blame their problems on America, Korean nationals are about the last people on Earth that can accept responsibility for their actions. It's ALWAYS someone elses fault. Tom's already written such things to prove it.
If it's not the fault of Americans, who of course usually don't include Korean-Americans, then it's Japans fault.
2:39 pm on April 5th, 2010 84
Link a statistic Tom. You can't because the type of information you site isn't collected by anyone except that creepy Anti-English spectrum guy which I suspect is you.
—
Korean on Korean marriages fail over 50% of the time, I will not do some "Tom Math" and assume they were all Korean men with prostitutes. International marriages have an added level of stress and fail at a much higher rate in Korea for all races. Are all those Vietnamese, Chinese, and Russian brides of Korean men also prostitutes Tom? No they are not, again you show your racism.
–
Some GI took your girlfriend, get over it and look at yourself. He was a much nicer person and wasn't stuck with his mind in the toilet like you.
2:48 pm on April 5th, 2010 85
Get rid of worthless feces mixed race Chinese and American like you, we solve all our world problems.
2:49 pm on April 5th, 2010 86
You're no American, you're a red Chinese. Pirate race.
3:28 pm on April 5th, 2010 87
With a 10% unemployment rate and 10-20 million illegal aliens I think we can say that we really don't need or want anybody else coming here at least for a while. We are full to the brim.
5:52 pm on April 5th, 2010 88
So Tom drops all pretense and shows himself for the racist he truly is. Amazing, he sees it everywhere he looks but cannot see it within himself. That's why your girl left you Tom, nothing good inside just hate. She's much better off.
8:48 pm on April 5th, 2010 89
Tom, this article recounts a couple months of very bad luck in America. Do you really think things would be peaches and cream for Mi Cha and Krystal over the past 19 years living in Korea?
8:59 pm on April 5th, 2010 90
I know a whole bunch of Americans who married Korean women "in the past few decades". Exactly one of their wives was a hooker. While most had fairly humble backgrounds, two of the wives graduated from Korean universities. One was a Seoul National grad who went on to get a law degree here in America.
Go crawl back under your rock, Tom.
9:06 pm on April 5th, 2010 91
I like you Tom. Really, I do! You're Honest with us. Nothing good comes from America is what you feel and what you say. While that is a bit racist, unlike many, I like to know the extent of ones racism. We are all racist to a degree. Some insanely so. All of us have it right under the surface. A person that tells me they are not racist has just lied to me and likely themselves as well. Some are raised to be. Some, like me are racist from first hand experience. I know, as do you, that everyone from one race is not exactly the same as another from that same race. But they will have things in common, for better or worse. Lets not forget sexism either. Women are not the same as men. Therefore, not equal. Personlly, I don't understand why they wish to lower themselves to the level of men. But I will not stand in their way. I just don't see it as a very intelligent move. Be that as it may, back to racism.
Koreans are known for their desire to never lose "face". But they lose it on a regular basis. They then seek someone or something to blame their failure on. It becomes comical sometimes. I was driving in my POV to Itaewon once and a Korean guy missed his exit. Rather than keep going and turn around, he hit the breaks and attempted to turn anyway—and got rear ended. I'm coming up, in my old "GI" car, and as I'm going by, he looks at ME. Like I did it! I smiled and went on my way. No way I'm going to see if he needs help. It would have been the ugly American's fault somehow. I wasn't raised to feel that way about Koreans. Koreans taught me to think that way.
Just one example Tom. As for the losers that work the bars. Not all are bad, just losers. It takes a few months working the bars to turn a loser into a cold piece of meat. Known a few.
The Army at the "hump" used to give a briefing on these women and other concerns of life at the Camp. That is no longer "politically correct" to do so. So now the young and dumb GI has to learn for himself, what could be passed down from the older and more experienced. Sad really.
One thing is sure. A bar girl is a bar girl. No matter her skin color or race. Just a bar girl.
What about your girl Tom? Surely, only a bad experience with a GI and your woman would cause your dislike of all things American. You must have lost some serious "face". Not that it is any of my business. Not that I really care either. Just wondering as the coffee cooks.
But on a passing note, Hate takes energy. I'm far too lazy for that. But racism is fun to express sometimes. There are so few places where it can be done without the chance of serious bodily harm as a consequence.
I think this blog is good for you Tom. Work thru it. I know it is good for me.
Sorry for the long post people. Just got up, still sick. Got to plant some roses in the yard today. They just won't wait untill I feel better.
Peace Tom! Untill I feel better at least
Then we can go at it again. You can tell me how much America sucks and I can tell you how much Korea sucks 
12:41 am on April 6th, 2010 92
Is Tom racist or nationalist or culturist?
There is a difference… and the difference is very important… as it clarifies motivations.
Tom… what do you think?
12:52 am on April 6th, 2010 93
I have two thoughts that might be diametrically opposite each other….
I've wondered if "Tom" is truly a Korean or just some western guy trying to get our goats. Some things he says just don't come across as truly Korean… but then again.
IF he is Korean…. well, then frankly, I think he is just saying what many Koreans (many, not all) think.
I've often said I have a love hate relationship with Korea and all things Korean. One thing I know about them, is that deep down, they're some of the most racist people on earth. But it's not just racism, it's also nationalism.
The example I often use to explain to my Korean friends is this:
Let's say I'm in a life raft with a Korean I've known 20 years and one we both just met… now let's say "one" of us HAS to go or we all die. Who is going to get kicked out? The new guy that neither of us knows or the non-Korean?
2:26 am on April 6th, 2010 94
@JoeC
You are SO not an American Citizen. You are just trying to cover up a slip that exposed you pretending to be an American (what's with saying I am an American CITIZEN) when you are not.
2:31 am on April 6th, 2010 95
@Chris in Dallas
Read the link carefully. I had no idea Democrats controlled Census Bureau in 2006. Wasn't Bush in charge?
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/…
"…The number of people without health insurance coverage rose from 44.8 million (15.3 percent) in 2005 to 47 million (15.8 percent) in 2006.
These findings are contained in the Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2006 report [PDF]. The data were compiled from information collected in the 2007 Current Population Survey (CPS) Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC). "
2:40 am on April 6th, 2010 96
In another scenario, which army (at this point in time) would you want on your side in case of a war?
Japan
French
UK
ROK
I'm pretty sure you'd pick ROK army.
BTW, I think some people post on internet pretending to be Korean/Japanese/Chinese to make other look bad. Not sure if you've been following internet scene in ROK long enough to know but ROK's major/prominent sites require you to use your govt ID # (like SSN) to register to post comments. This was implemented when they found out that (at the beginning of the internet explosion) N Korean agents were posting subversive/false comments on comment section of major newspapers. They found that out by tracing the source IP of the comments. Hence the rule requiring comment posters to prove their real ID before commenting.
This would never fly in US but it exists in ROK.
2:40 am on April 6th, 2010 97
Of those, 11-12 million were illegal aliens, approximately 20-25 million were those that could afford insurance, but chose not to pay for it and the rest qualified for medicaid, but were too lazy to fill out the paperwork.
2:49 am on April 6th, 2010 98
Why are you sure I'd pick ROKA? They're good, but not enough experience. I would choose the UK.
As for the need to use a KID #, yes, I'm familiar with the process. My wife has a YAHOO Korea ID and she had to use her KID to register.
My last name is "Lee", but I'm a 100% WASP from Texas. Think "Rober E., not MB".
4:13 am on April 6th, 2010 99
I could just feel myself getting stupider having read this thread.
4:26 am on April 6th, 2010 100
Stupider?
4:34 am on April 6th, 2010 101
"The regular British Army had a strength of 150,240 active personel in 2009"
That's why.
4:39 am on April 6th, 2010 102
For Chris in Dallas and Thoams
@Chris in Dallas says 10 million
@Thomas says 20-25 million.
So which one is it?
4:44 am on April 6th, 2010 103
But it's not the size of the Army, it's how well it's trained, equipped and motivated. Generally, ALL VOLUNTEER military units are much more effective than conscripted units.
That's not to say the ROKA isn't a capable fighting force, but you asked who I would want on my side in case of a war.
Plus, if all else fails, the UK has nukes!
4:46 am on April 6th, 2010 104
I'm breaking down the numbers you used. I agree with Chris, the number of "uninsured" is much less. But that's not the point in the debate… the point is: Should the government, in a free society, be able to FORCE me to buy something I might now want?
6:50 am on April 6th, 2010 105
6:56 am on April 6th, 2010 106
Source: <a>dailywritingtips.com
8:59 am on April 6th, 2010 107
I'm sorry, but the word "stupider" has only started being accepted recently as our nation's education system has been systematically "dumbed down"
10:19 am on April 6th, 2010 108
As in purpler? I guess that's why that rule is qualified with 'usually.' If it sounds awkward to say, just say more or most.
10:51 am on April 6th, 2010 109
I had never heard the rule about syllable accent, only the rule about 2-syllable words ending in -y. As the website itself noted, there are exceptions. <Pleasanter pleasantest, commoner /commonest, politer / politest, and profounder / profoundest. may be acceptable according to the dictionary, but I don't believe they are preferred in American English. Stupid isn't used in formal English anyway, so take your pick.
10:58 am on April 6th, 2010 110
Now I'm ignoranter than ever!
11:34 am on April 6th, 2010 111
No one says "most stupid", so why is "more stupid" natural?
12:06 pm on April 6th, 2010 112
I'll try.
It is possible for me to be MORE stupid than some. But it is not possible for me to be MOST stupid than others.
I know that didn't help, but some things in english just are.
Disclamer: I am not an english teacher. When I visit up north, no one can understand me and if I stay longer than a week, when I come home, no one here can understand me.
12:30 pm on April 6th, 2010 113
Apparently there was a debate on this issue at Yahoo answers, and seems like opinions are evenly divided.
12:54 pm on April 6th, 2010 114
Just because opinions are evenly divided, that doesn't mean it's right.
You're probably only going to have old farts like myself argue with you on this use of grammar because, as I stated previously, it has become accepted to say stupider in recent years. However, when I was a kid, you would get a quick rebuking from your teacher if you said "she's stupider than me". And actually, people do use "most stupid" as in, "that's the most stupid thing I've ever heard". Sure, some will say stupidest, but most stupid is correct grammar.
I was just having fun with you about this, but seriously, stupider is "bad English".
1:42 pm on April 6th, 2010 115
Actually I am a huge grammarian as well, so I love arguing this point also.
The rule above is exactly how I learned it, way back when I was 13. (Say what you will about Korea's English education, but they are absolutely strict grammarians.) But the rule does leave room for colloquial usage.
So what IS the colloquial usage? Here is a quick survey. Googling "stupider" gives 496,000 results. Googling "more stupid" gives 659,000 results. But wait! Googling "stupidest" gives 1,680,000 results, while "most stupid" 576,000 results.
I am operating on the presumption that comparatives and superlatives are formed in the same manner. In other words, it's either "stupid – stupider – stupidest" or "stupid – more stupid – most stupid", with no crossovers.
The most dominant colloquial usage is "stupidest", which nearly triples the alternative. Since "stupidest" is the most dominant usage, it makes sense to follow the "stupid – stupider – stupidest" formation instead of the alternative.
Also, the final arbiter HAS to be the dictionary. And American Heritage Dictionary clearly states that "stupider" and "stupidest" are grammatically correct.
1:55 pm on April 6th, 2010 116
I could just feel myself getting more intelligenter having read this thread.
2:24 pm on April 6th, 2010 117
These comments are supposed to be about weather or not an elderly Korean illegal alien lady should get free health care. All this discussion about good grammar is getting me more confuseder. Me ain't feeled rite all day.
3:15 pm on April 6th, 2010 118
This is much more gooder.
5:08 pm on April 6th, 2010 119
Put a warrant out for her daughter's arrest. Since she dropped mom off she can pay for her stay.
You can track her down through her IRS documentation, unless…….she is also a tax cheat.
2:50 am on October 14th, 2010 120
Tom Langley, my name is Krystal and I am the grand daughter of Soon Ja Kim. I do not like you, and do not like your comment at all. I know she needs to be deported, how will she if we have no money and she can't even walk. Think about it, there is nothing we can do in this situation. And she is my grandmother, not an extra person just laying around. She babysat me when I was younger and had to come here. Who would of thought she would ever get sick? I'm sure if you had someone illegal here and someone talked negative towards them you would be bad. So keep those bad comments to yourself. You are no way in any help towards my family and really don't appreciate that negativity. How about you were 83, weren't able to walk and lived in my country aka South Kore and was illegal? Yeah I would think of you as a another useless person to. People like you in this world are heartless.
3:16 am on October 14th, 2010 121
She babysat me when I was younger and had to come here.
No, she didn't HAVE to come here… That was something her and your family chose to do. Now deal with the consequences and, if you have to, go into debt paying for her care. You at least owe her that and it shouldn't be placed on the shoulders of the AMERICAN people.
5:48 am on October 14th, 2010 122
Gee, and people here constantly say I'm the heartless bigot….
I actually sympathize with Krystal. She wasn't the one to bring her grandmother over to the US. And if her family could borrow from the bank to pay for grandmom's care, I'm sure the family would have. But as she said, they have no money, which probably means no bank is going to lend them $400,000 so that the family can pay for grandmother's few months of hospital stay. Even if they got the loan, they can't pay back, and the banks know that. To all the commentators, If you think she should be deported then that's one thing, but talking about somebody's grandmother.. the same grandmother that took good care of Krystal when she was young… like she is some sack of garbage is pretty bigoted and hateful and I don't blame Krystal for getting upset. I would be too if I was her.
The mistake was done by the mom. She made three mistakes. She married a wrong guy, a GI, which by all statistics and odds, the marriage was bound to fail. But she chose to do so anyway. Mistake number two was when she decided to pack up and move to the US. I understand that was 13 years ago, right after the IMF crisis in Korea. That was when things were looking pretty bleak for Korea as a country, so I'm guessing the mom decided to abandon ship. Little did she realize she was jumping from a pot to a frying pan. Mistake number three was when she brought over the grandmother. If the grandmother had stayed in Korea, she certainly wouldn't have been stuck with a $400,000 hospital stay with substandard care (wow, that's just a rip off of epic proportions). The grandmother would have been able to stay at a Korean government funded nursing home with good care, which is far better than being stuck with $400,000 hospital stay with nowhere to go and no help from anyone.
This thread, the commentators, and the US system are all obscene. What is so obscene is that here you are, the entire Wall Street taking out a yearly pay bonus equivalent to $150 billion of worth of tax payer's Wall street bailout money, and they can't afford to take care of a little grandmother from Korea? She's considered to be, and treated as, a sack of garbage to be thrown away. Mean time, nobody says anything about the crooks that are running up America's deficits via uncontrolled printing and then looting of public funds.
The Korean mom made some costly big mistakes in her life, and she is responsible for the consequences. But she sure picked a wrong country to make a mistake on. Krystal, if there's any consolation to you, it won't be long (I say in matter of less than 10 years or so when the US dollar won't be worth the toilet paper that it's printed on) before we begin to see Americans who are the ones trying to stay illegally in Korea to take advantage of the system there. The reversal of fortune will be so painful and so shocking for the Americans, but it's coming (if not already here). By that time, I hope they demand any sympathy from anybody.
5:48 am on October 14th, 2010 123
I think had to come here refers to the granddaughter not the grandmother.
5:50 am on October 14th, 2010 124
Sorry, "I hope they don't demand any sympathy from anybody."
6:39 am on October 14th, 2010 125
#122
Who was it that recently suggested that poor, uneducated Koreans should hurry up and die?
6:43 am on October 14th, 2010 126
Yes, I understand this is just a blog, but it hurts to see some people post the most unnecessary and negative. I get it she made a mistake. Everyone does. Seriously I just want this website to be deleted. I don't care what those people think. Right now I only need positive people in my life. Not these people who are talking smack shit on my family.
6:45 am on October 14th, 2010 127
And I appreciate for the ones that does agree with me and are positive. Thank-you. My mother did not want to come her because for herself, she had to come here so I could get my education since I couldn't anymore down there.
7:50 am on October 14th, 2010 128
Krystal,
I respect your courage in giving us your perspective as the granddaughter. You've admitted that your mom made mistakes, and that thsoe mistakes led to your grandmother's plight. Your grandmother entered on a visa and overstayed. If your mom became a citizen, she could have petitioned your grandmother for a green card, the process taking about a year. Owing to your grandma's age, she could have gotten naturalization tests waived and become a citizen, too, by now, making her eligible for Medicare and SSI. You asked, "Who would of thought she would ever get sick? " As a young woman, you cannot imagine the common and serious health problems that afflict the middle-aged and elderly, but your mom must surely have thought about your grandma's health. It may not be too late. If ICE has not started the process of deportation, your grandma may still be able to legalize in the US, provided that your mom is now a US citizen, and not just an LPR/green card holder. Perhaps a local Korean community organization can assist your family in navigating the process of getting a green card.
8:42 am on October 14th, 2010 129
#125, JoeC, I'm not that kind of cruel bastard. Come on, you don't believe that do you? I believe in helping people (whatever their race) when they're in desperate situations even if they made mistakes which I may not agree with. So the mother made mistakes trying to unite her family and trying to live happy. How terrible she is! Now compare that to the banks who are illegally foreclosing on hundreds of thousands of homes without proper documents, in essence, stealing from home owners. They steal much more from the tax payers than any illegal Korean grandmother who can't walk or talk.
9:04 am on October 14th, 2010 130
"I believe in helping people (whatever their race) when they’re in desperate situations even if they made mistakes which I may not agree with."
OK. Maybe I have a comprehension problem and misunderstood what you were saying in that other thread.
3:23 pm on October 14th, 2010 131
Krystal Mason, Are you serious? We are talking about an 83 year old woman and you are asking who would think that she would ever get sick? This woman was apparently brought to the US with the intention of sponging off the American taxpayer to pay for her health care. I am happy to help with my taxes fellow American citizen who may be down on their luck but what is the moral obligation to help someone who has no business being in the country. If you launched a fundraiser in the Korean community & in the community at large I am sure you could raise a large amount of money to pay for your grandmothers medical bills. When people make bad choices then bad consequences happen. The other Tom made a point about American taxpayer money being used for bailouts. This is wrong too but two wrongs never make a right. Ms Mason if I was 83 & living illegally in Korea I would have to accept the consequences of my actions. With the socialized health care law that was passed I would assume that illegal aliens could not receive 'free' health care. If I am assuming incorrectly then Representative Joe Wilson would be correct when he said "you lie" to President Obama during the state of the union speech.
4:13 pm on October 14th, 2010 132
If I am assuming incorrectly then Representative Joe Wilson would be correct when he said "you lie" to President Obama during the state of the union speech.
Assuming incorrectly.
The Joe Wilson "You lie!" shout was against the claim that illegal aliens would be eligible buy coverage under the new health care system. Not that they would receive free health care.
3:08 am on October 15th, 2010 133
"Owing to your grandma’s age, she could have gotten naturalization tests waived and become a citizen, too, by now, making her eligible for Medicare and SSI."
Thanks, Sonagi.
So my grandmother worked 40+ years, paid her taxes, saved her money, turned down her heat in the winter (while the welfare housing residents across town opened a window if it got too hot), blah, blah, blah.
When she retired, she paid her own way for everything using money she made, saved and invested… combined with a company pension and social security she paid into all her long working life.
But your suggestion is for an illegal alien to cut in line, get expedited as a citizen-twice-removed and get some of that free Medicare and SSI.
Thanks for nothing, Sonagi.
This should give you a hint why a lot of people… especially ones that work hard but can't get any of that free money… are starting to HATE illegal aliens with their hands out… and legal aliens, who all too often, have their hand out the moment they get legal.
(before you start to argue the official story that illegal immigrants can't get public assistance in any way, do a little research on how their "U.S. citizen" children CAN get everything from food stamps to HUD/SSI housing… and 30-35% of "American" children with illegal parents are getting it… shocking)
3:17 am on October 15th, 2010 134
If I understand correctly, Krystal is not asking for any hand outs or any special treatments for her grandmother.
All she asks is that you GI retards stop saying mean stuff about her family in public, and delete this thread. If that can't be done, at least bring down the disgraceful picture of her dying grandmother on this page. At least let the family have their moment of shame privately. Too much to ask from GI and ESL teacher retards? Probably. That's why I always have to get on you guys.
8:21 am on October 15th, 2010 135
Well, at least the Koreans who go to the United States on student visas and take their sick kids and pregnant wives get free medical and birthing care. I think it is "mighty white" of you taxpayers in the US
to "share the wealth."
8:57 am on October 15th, 2010 136
134. Tom, she doesn't have to visit here if it bothers her.
Why should all the folks here be denied their 1st amenment right to free speech? Because she doesn't like it? Wrong answer.
If I don't like what's on tv, I change the channel. I don't call them up and tell them to change the program.
She needs to grow up and "change the channel".
Her situation is sad, but not the fault of anyone here.
She should be attempting to help her family rather than telling people not to discuss it.
Oh and the picture of her dying Grandmother is not "disgraceful". It is where we all will end up, and that is if we don't die in a more sudden and violent manner.
It is sad, but many do not reach that age and have a bed to die in.
10:38 am on October 15th, 2010 137
Retired GI, maybe you would like to see this sweet grandmother kicked out onto the streets? Maybe you would like her to die off and take her misery with her? Maybe you would like somebody to kill her and get rid of the garbage? I know you're a GI, but have you ever had a grandmother before? Can you post a picture of your dying grandmother lying in bed so that I can insult her and swear at her?
12:52 pm on October 15th, 2010 138
137, Guess you didn't read the last 5 or 6 lines before making an asss out of yourself.
As for Grandmothers, I had two, and other older people in the family. None of them were "dropped off at Hospital" for others to watch them die. I was at my Dad's side when he died.
What was done with the Grandmother in the picture is unforgivable. The pain of being thrown away is what you see on her face. No hope and no loved ones. Her family did that to her.
I really don't care what happens to her. Not my Grandmother. But I find it interesting how her family dumped her for "others" to care for.
Nice bait there Beijing Betty. Must be two or three of you posting under the "Tom assignment". You don't sound anything like comment #134 who called her disgraceful.
4:16 pm on October 15th, 2010 139
But Tom, you would be jumping for joy if some "Whitey" grandmother were thrown into the street. You are racist scum, no sympathy at all for anyone not of your pure minson-jok or have you forgotten your comments on the foreign wives thread?
5:00 pm on October 15th, 2010 140
"Never wrestle with a pig. You'll both get dirty but only the pig will enjoy it."
You guys are killing me.
Every now and then, somebody brings up an interesting point worth further consideration and discussion… but it is lost upon you all… never to be spoken of again.
On the other hand, Tom pokes at you guys with some stupid, whacked-out crap off the top of his head and there are 10 huffing responses of almost equal stupidity…
…mostly because you all take him so seriously and treat him as if he is a rational person with mistaken notions instead of a crazy person using the crutches of racism and nationalism to feel important…
…or, more likely, just someone who is bored and enjoys watching the long-term effect he has on a large number of seemingly-intelligent people after 2 minutes of half-hearted writing.
Please ignore Tom unless his points are intended to provoke thought rather than response.
Tom is starting to sound like the irritating drip of a leaky faucet on this blog… but all the responses to Tom are starting to sound like an injured rabbit drug by its fingernails across a chalkboard with a Nickelback CD playing in the background…
…and all the responses to Tom are diluting the debate and poisoning the mood of the blog.
5:39 pm on October 15th, 2010 141
ChickenHead 140, which is a better use of your time, arguing about Tom, or reading "Somewhere Inside" and "The World is Bigger Now"?
11:58 pm on October 15th, 2010 142
Tom,
You have more valid points than people give you credit for… but, for some reason, they never address them… probably because they are drown out with all of your completely wrong or hateful-yet-not-amusing comments.
This case is probably not the best example, though, as your request for respect for the family is reasonable. I probably should have posted my comments in another place.
"I thought we had something there together."
Hmmm… I'm not sure I "have something" with anyone on an anonymous Internet forum. I speak the truth as I see it without regard to others' feelings… and, of course, I respect those most who agree with my thinking… as well as those who disagree but make a good case for their disagreement.
As for "us", we have some common thinking. I support certain aspects of Korean nationalism and I support the success of Korea. I also support valid criticism of America… because, without that criticism, the apathy of the masses will end America as we know it faster than any foreign enemy or "terrorist" attack.
I'll leave you with a gift, Tom. If you use it wisely, it will satisfy some of your anti-American Korea-centric urges while, perhaps, doing some small part of changing America for the better.
If you use it foolishly, you will be ridiculed and ignored.
http://beforeitsnews.com/story/213/115/Is_America…
Good luck, Tom.
2:38 am on October 16th, 2010 143
Glans,
I see your point.
Better to spend 30 seconds to make fun of Tom’s crazy ideas than have to sort through the lies, half-truths and self promotion in the ghostwritten scribblings of Ling and Lee as they get rewarded for their selfish carelessness.
It’s always good to put things in perspective. Thanks for setting me straight.
5:47 am on October 16th, 2010 144
ChickenHead, I’m dissapointed in you. I thought we had something there together.
I don’t get what I wrote is so offensive to everyone here. I just asked for a little common courtesy for the family in discussion here which I felt was very lacking. Is that such a bad thing to write?
6:57 am on October 16th, 2010 145
#134, Tom
I have read this entire comments section because I find this topic quite fascinating. I do not recall one poster using direct racial or demeaning slurs toward the Korean family in question. This discussion is based on the economics and choices made, in this situation. No one said "mean stuff" with the intention of hurting those in Krystal's family.
You, on the other hand are quite a piece of work – "GI retards" and "GI and ESL retards". Yes, we're retards because you don't like what is being said. Your're losing face and it stings.
Krystal is a young girl who is in a difficult situation. She does not understand the magnitude of the topic at hand. When she matures, she is in for a major wake up call, as we all are/did.
We are all quite aware of your one way bias towards anything related to Korea. Try turning off the Minjok bullshit amplifier for once, and look at topics related to Korea from a neutral perspective. You just might actually find some true enlightenment.
12:05 pm on October 16th, 2010 146
ChickenHead 144, your link has some interesting points, such as #19 American 15-year-olds do not even rank in the top half of all advanced nations when it comes to math or science literacy. Here's a science literacy test: Do fossil fuels increase the amount of carbon on and above the surface of the earth? Does carbon dioxide absorb infrared light? Does use of fossil fuels increase global climate change? Are glaciers melting and raising the sea level? Will climate change make inhabited regions uninhabitable?
12:08 pm on October 16th, 2010 147
Some filter prevents me from commenting on ChickenHead 142. Since no-one else will read those books — Tom, will you please read them and comment on them?
1:01 pm on October 16th, 2010 148
Glans,
Here’s a science literacy test:
Can complex systems with numerous interdependencies, multiple-step feedback loops and a variety be of external influences of unknown magnitude, be described accurately with simple algebraic equations that are dumbed down to make 3 minute news segments and soundbite talking points designed to be understandable to self-appointed armchair climatologists?
Here is a critical thinking test:
Should we make sacrifices in our lives to prevent the possibility of climate change when the people who tell us we must believe in climate change don't act like they believe in climate change.
Extra credit: Make me give a funk about the habitability of Bangladesh.
Literacy Test:
Instead of harping on the need for everybody here to drop everything they are doing and read “Somewhere Inside” and “The World is Bigger Now”, why don't you spend a few minutes to explain WHY we need to read them. Give us a mini-review.
Ability and excellence should be rewarded… but many here are irritated that Ling and Lee have become richer and more famous for their mistakes rather than their accomplishments.
Explain why we should read their books and reward their failure.
5:03 pm on October 16th, 2010 149
ChickenHead 148, you didn't answer any of my questions. You have earned a zero in scientific literacy.
5 of 7 people found my review, "Baby Girl's Hostile Acts" helpful.
http://www.amazon.com/Somewhere-Inside-Sisters-Ca…
I wanted people who know about Korea to comment on the two books. So far, none have. My only hope now is that Tom will do it.