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American Expat Considers Returning Home

July 30, 2014

aapanamacity.jpeg

(left, in spite of Panama City's impressive skyline, Panama is very much a third-world country)


Joe Spickard explains why he has soured on

Panama as a refuge from the United States.



'I think you would be nearly better off in an American Gulag than here in a strange land and culture where no one cares and life is much, much cheaper".


by Joe Spickard

(henrymakow.com)

(This was grafted from an article by Joe and an email.)


I came to live in Panama about seven years ago.

It was not a closed society or did it contain an exotic culture or a center of spirituality. But it was a refuge at the time.

You see, I was convinced that the United States would undergo cataclysmic changes. And, indeed, it has. Its economy has never recovered to its former strength as its economic recession started the month that I left the States. I believed that it would become a fascist security state, and that is still becoming very true.


I may return to the United States to live. There appears yet to be some time left before things go the way of Bible prophecy. The situation in Panama seems to be more volatile than the United States, as it does elsewhere in Latin America. In many ways, there is more chance of a revolution happening here in Panama before any such an event would occur in the States. Truly from political and social index charts, Panama is being compared to its not "doing so-great" neighbors such as Mexico, Columbia, and Venezuela in several aspects. 

My experience may mirror Mike Adams, of Natural News. He spent some time in Ecuador, before getting disillusioned and returning to the United States. Basically, he said that he was tired of being a "target," and wanted to go back when he blended in as opposed to sticking out. It is kind of like the proverb--"Birds of a feather flock together," to summarize his desire to return to the States.

I know many Americans down here. The rule of thumb is, that after about two, to five years, you see what it is going on here, and you figure it is no longer for you. For diehards like me, it takes about seven. I have seen quite a few go back.

EDUCATION

The underlying motive for me, is that I never had children before, and now, I have two. I cannot see them educated down here. The educational system is broken here, and the public schools are churning out misfits in practically every sense of the word... but it is not all their fault. The parenting here is abysmal.

For instance, kids here take English as a mandatory subject for acquiring a second language skill, which is highly needed here. They take English classes from Kindergarten to when they graduate, as a senior. This is thirteen years of English instruction. However, when they get out of school...hardly any of them can speak one legible, coherent sentence of English. Who is to blame? Primarily, the parents... many of them tell their children that English is not important!

As far as law enforcement goes... there isn't any. You can truly get away with murder here. North Americans are particularly vulnerable unless they are very conservative or circumspect with their behaviour.

As far as Panama being a refuge or haven... I cannot endorse that.
But it is the same in nearly all of Latin America, as several Americans I know, have checked out other countries down here, and end up, staying in Panama. However, Panama is a third-world country in practically every category. 

I think you would be nearly better off in an American Gulag than here in a strange land and culture where no one cares and life is much, much cheaper. Panamanians treat each other terribly. As one ex-pat told me, "the lack of compassion and courtesy (among Panamanians) is of Himalayan proportions. I have never seen anything this bad--and I have traveled quite a bit. In general, Panamanians don't treat each other very nicely."

At best, on the Marsh-Maplecroft 2014 Political Risk Map, Panama is regarded as a high medium risk for societal unrest and political instability. The United States is very low risk comparatively. Canada appears to be the safest in the world.

CORRUPTION

In Panama, which is true for much of Latin America, corruption is the predominant driving force for the widespread disregard for the rule of law which is pandemic and underlies the ability to govern equitably (BTI 2014, Panama Country Report, p.10). Corruption is a very serious threat to political stability in Panama. The "rake and pitchfork" crowd can get going in a hurry down here as seen in their ability to block major road arteries and bring the country to a virtual standstill on previous occasions in the few years that I have been here. It is unnerving at times... and really, unnecessary in a true republic.

When I came here seven years ago, I was no doubt, starry-eyed to an extent. I had fallen into the trap or belief as Rabbi Meier Kahane complained about, that most Americans and Western Europeans think that folks in other countries are just as decent as they are...

Well, Kahane was right... Many folks in foreign nations aren't as decent, kind, or have the same integrity or regard for rules or a rule of law as Americans, Canadians or Western or Northern Europeans.

When I came here seven years ago, I thought that Panama was on the cusp of a third-world nation rapidly on a different paradigm to become a second or first-world nation quickly.

I was wrong.

The very same problems that plague this nation then are still the same today. Nothing has been done of any consequence. The whole first-world possibility, or even second-world status is illusory.

CONCLUSION

Hence, for now I may stay here, or I may return to the States. Living in Panama or elsewhere is not for everyone. The United States, despite the many changes which have made its older and more traditional citizens feel more insecure, is still one of the very best countries in the world to live in.

The water here is polluted and hardly potable, electricity can go out any moment for hours without warning, computer signals can go down, and the sight of trash is everywhere as many Panamanians in the urban areas believe that water availability and refuse disposal ought to be "free" services. Although the trash problems are shown on the television news everyday, as to shame its citizens, the culture remains entrenched in abject ignorance and the trash keeps piling up, even in streams, rivers, and larger water bodies.

There are some indications that the moribund economy in the States is starting to pick up some and that home prices are increasing to a level of their former values in some locales. The "word on the street" in Panama among monied Ex-pats here, who wish to make more profits selling Panamanian real estate to gullible North Americans, is that they expect another "wave" of Americans soon who are disenchanted with the situation in the States, to be able to sell their U.S. real estate, and then come, invest and live in Panama.

In my experience, along with others, that may be a costly mistake unless they do their due diligence and research carefully the nation of Panama and their culture, people, and way of life. 

It is certainly not Kansas, and not the Land of Oz, either.

---------
Joseph Spickard is a 'generational Christian' (2 Timothy 1:5) as his family lineage on both sides of his parentage hail from a long line of ministers and persons of faith who came to the United States in the mid-18th century and fought in the American Revolution.He is married and has two children.Mr. Spickard has been an exegete of the Bible for over forty years.He recently published his first volume on Bible prophecy, entitled, "Living in the 'End Times:' How 'End Time' Prophecy Affects...YOU!" His websites are: spickardontheprophecies and: http://www.spickardssigns.com/home.htm

Related- Voyages of a Canadian Expat (Cayman, Panama,Uruguay)




Scruples - the game of moral dillemas

Comments for "American Expat Considers Returning Home"

Eileen said (July 30, 2014):

Finally some people starts to realize...
I've always told men and women who want to live in the third world, that it is very dangerous. But they seem to live in a bubble or fantasy world. Here (Argentina, and also Uruguay) we are much better than in the rest of Latin America, but if things continue like now, we are on the way to become like them.

There's a huge white population here (I would say 60 or 70 %), but the government always helps the amerindians, giving them allowances and benefits for every child they have. This way, the "villas" (poor settlements) are growing more and more. Sometimes, when I see foreigners go into that places (like Mormons or tourists) I feel sorry for them. Most end up assaulted or attacked, if not even dead. So, my advice is to stay in the 1st world, because it is much more safe and life really has value.

David S said (July 30, 2014):

The expatriot stories on this site are always of interest to me. Having read the article and perused Spickard's website, my only question is, why would a believer and teacher of the Bible move to a third world country seeking political stability and a better and more secure life? There are no examples of believers seeking political stability recorded in the New Testament. Jesus knew his fate far in advance of being arrested, and openly taught his disciples that he would be arrested, delivered to the authorities, killed, and raised on the third day. None of the disciples sought personal freedom but ministered where God wanted them. The teaching of Paul was to remain where one was living under the grace of God. Many were delivered up to authorities and put to death.
As storm clouds gather, the urge to leave this country is always present. I often advocate expatriation to others in conversations. But I cannot say that the Bible supports these actions, or any effort to find political freedom in foreign lands. The support of liberty in one's own land is a different story. I would be interested in Mr. Spickard's response.

--

Joe replies:

David, Thanks for your thoughtful response.

The Bible is full of stories in which those that fear God or are believers are "led" to go to other places or refuges to avoid traumatic changes that may affect them adversely.

I will cite just a few.

~ The parents of Jesus were warned, when he was but an infant, to flee Judea and to dwell in Egypt. His parents later returned when the threat, King Herod, was removed. Bible prophecy had predicted this far back into the Old Testament.

~ The Messianic Jewish believers in Jerusalem fled to Samaria, Antioch, and other areas north and east of Palestine when Jewish authorities stepped up their persecution of them as recorded in the Book of Acts. The Apostle Paul, formerly Saul the Pharisee, had been "deputized" by the High Priesthood at Jerusalem, to travel to Damascus to prosecute Messianic Jews there who had fled Jerusalem, and to bring them back under his custody.

~ Paul again, was apprehended by Temple authorities who accused him of defiling the Temple. Paul pled his Roman citizenship and asked to be tried in Rome... not Jerusalem...where he would have met a far different fate than he did before Caesar.

~ Jesus warned his disciples to flee Jerusalem, and to go east into the Transjordan area, when they saw the "sign" in which Roman armies encompassed Jerusalem. When Roman General Cestius Gallus surrounded Jerusalem in 66 C.E., and then "inexplicably withdrew," what followed that was about 25,000 believers and "principal citizens" quickly departed from Jerusalem before Vespasian and Titus came to destroy the city and Temple.

~ David fled repeatedly from Saul into the wildernesses of Judea and eventually to the land of the Philistines to completely escape from him.

There are several more stories of such. So yes, the Bible is a substantial witness in which believers are recorded fleeing from destructions to come, or imminent threats to their survival.

The express idea of "political stability" was never one that came to my mind. Rather, to be in a place in which God could bless me for whatever length of time that I was there. This is subjective, but I felt, as I stated in my blog article, to leave the U.S. when I did. As a result of doing so, I married a Panamanian woman, and now have two children. I certainly don't regret doing this. One of the main motivations for returning to the States, is the education of my children.

Cordially, Joe Spickard

Mark U said (July 30, 2014):


from http://www.jewishjournal.com/rob_eshman/article/ayn_rand_rosenbaum_20120815


In her excellent 2011 book about Rand, “Goddess of the Market: Ayn Rand and the American Right,” Jennifer Burns tells the story.

Alisa Rosenbaum was born in St. Petersburg, Russia on Feb. 2, 1905, to Zinovy Rosenbaum, a pharmacist, and Anna Rosenbaum, the high-strung daughter of a wealthy tailor, whose clients included the Russian Army. The Rosenbaums were largely non-observant, but celebrated Passover and were by no means completely assimilated—Alisa sat out of class during religious instruction.

Intellectual, withdrawn and immersed in her fantasy worlds, Alisa yearned to leave her country behind. When she was 21, Jewish relatives in Chicago—the Portnoys, of all names—helped her arrange a visa. Once in America, she grew tired of her relatives’ insular Jewish world, and headed for the source — you could say the fountainhead — of her fantasy: Hollywood.

In Hollywood, the aspiring screenwriter Alisa Rosenbaum became Ayn Rand. An Eastern European émigré who breaks free from the claws of tradition and family, gentrifies her name, assimilates and devotes herself to creating stories about an idealized America — if that’s not the very definition of a 20th century Jew, what is?

Rand was a classic 20th-century Jew in another way as well: she was a devout atheist. She replaced God with her philosophy, just as Freud did with psychology and Einstein with physics. She loathed religion as much as the Communists, whom she loathed, loathed religion.

In a 1979 interview, Rand told talk-show host Phil Donahue that religion, “gives man permission to function irrationally, to accept something above and outside the power of their reason.”

Robert said (July 30, 2014):

Joe is disappointed with Panama. He probably lived in urban area, didn't he? Urban or at least densely populated areas are different almost everywhere.

Living in the country often gives an opportunity to experience pre-industriall agrarian society lifestyle. This is my observation from SE Asia. Morris (http://www.youtube.com/user/108morris108/featured) is in this region now, he has interesting remarks from Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, etc.

Lukas said (July 30, 2014):

As an person who lived in 4 different countries so far (im 35, 8 - germany, 4 - usa - 4 ireland - rest poland) I can tell you that you have to try and make your best wherever you are. An geographical location won't give you any fulfillment or happiness (with some exceptions like war, or lets say you live in North Korea etc) That really can only come from God.
What many American expats count on, is some apocalyptic event, where the USA will be in major trouble, while other countries will be doing well. But it is very naive to believe this will be the case. Especially as an foreigner with weak social ties to the local community you will be on your own. In addition the turmoil in the US will most likely spill into the majority of the world.

Ray said (July 30, 2014):

I am a US citizen who lived the expat existence starting two weeks after 9/11/2001 until January 2013, living mostly in rural Canada but also in central Mexico and Bogota, Colombia.

Now I'm living in Blaine, Washngton, on the Canadian border, and loving being back in the good old USA. What I like most is reclaiming the many rights that I had taken for granted, but which were denied me as a foreigner living in Canada, Mexico and Colombia. I also like being able to to have anything I want delivered by Amazon within a couple of days; call me materialistic.

In addition, I discovered that Mexico is going to hell, Colombia has too much poverty and street crime and Canadians are generally too anti-American for me to feel comfortable as a long-term resident.

I still love all three of my expat countries, especially Canada, which is why I live on the border and visit Vancouver frequently.

But as for the expat existence as a way of life. twelve years was enough for me.

Dave Jason said (July 29, 2014):

Joe Spickard's experience in Panama is similar to my experience in Guatemala. Although Guatemala has high crime like Panama, it does have police, tourist cops, and military in major cities like Antigua and others. It makes no sense for authorities to not protect foreign investors as they bring in needed money and human capital. In my opinion, Canada might be one of the safest countries in the world, but has the most frightful people in the world where they are even afraid to say hello to their neighbors.

Canadians are a scared bunch afraid of their own shadows. I agree that Panama and Latin American countries are not good places to raise children, but those like me who are going to remain child-free won't have those problems. I noticed a marked amount of community spirit in Guatemala, and apparently this country has the 3rd happiest people in the world. There is a huge amount of negative press that these countries receive mainly because of media sensationalism and trying to sell more newspapers.

JG said (July 29, 2014):

I really never could quite understand how some people can just get up and go to a foreign land to reside in a country that they have no cultural or racial ties to.

As long as the US dollar is strong in Latin America I'm sure there will always be takers.
It's that heavy duty exchange rate that get's them every time.

America still has some of it's Constitutional Republic left for now but will only retain it if the people are willing to fight to preserve it and I wouldn't really bet on that happening. A lot of American's today have become complacent zombies who are drunk on meds and entertainment. Their government supports them and they're really not ready to bite the hand that feeds them quite yet.

It's always been the quality of the people who make the community what it is and not government dollars or new sports arenas.

America can never be the country it once was without having a strong Anglo Industrial Capitol presence. Capitalism has been replaced with a global economy of corporate and government welfare.

Those Anglo " lilly white" neighborhoods that was once the recognized standard of the American dream where everyone flocked to are getting harder to find. The code word for these neighborhoods is "nice areas", meaning non cosmopolitan with little or no non European integration with the exception of those with large sums of money.

Anglo Capitalist America is continuing to disappear with the remnants being dead alongside their vacant factories and once prosperous neighborhoods.

Henry Makow received his Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Toronto in 1982. He welcomes your comments at

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