Among other reasons

17 January 2008

Just as poor economic conditions are the driving forces behind these young Mexican immigrants coming into the United States, the same is true for the majority of retirees who feel driven out of their own country.

The increasing cost of health care, an uncertain future for the Social Security system and a cost of living that keeps rising are a few of the factors that compel U.S. retirees to look beyond our borders for where they might spend their golden years.

Syndicated finance expert Scott Burns predicts that thousands more baby boomers will be crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in years to come just to sustain a lifestyle that will be harder to manage once they find themselves on fixed incomes.

Burns estimates, based on a range of data, that a retired couple living off $26,400 a year in Social Security benefits can raise their standard of living, without paying Medicare expenses, to $42,400 by moving to Mexico, where the cost of living can be up to 40% lower than in the USA.

U.S. retirees who can’t afford private Mexican health insurance can qualify for the Mexican Social Security system. Mexico’s health care system charges only $270 annual premiums that include access to hospitals, outpatient clinics, and all medications and care at no additional costs.

I’ve yet to hear a single politico from any party address this in the United States. I imagine those who think “citizen = consumer” (the Libertarians and Republicans who whine when their taxes go up, but whine even louder when they can’t get the government services THEY want) might see this as somehow good… but then, most of them are the kind of morons who make common cause with David Duke and the Nazis — you know, Ron Paul’s deluded supporters.

There’s nothing inherently evil about immigration to (or from) Mexico — or anywhere else for that matter. The generational shift is going to create some interesting problems. Especially with us geezers locked into our own way of thinking… though the Mexicans don’t get bent out of shape by gringos raising the U.S. flag or demanding Mexicans speak English (or complaining the food isn’t what they’re used to), we need to remember we are living in a foreign country. And, for no other reason than it’s good manners, should at least learn Mexican history….

Uh.. I just happen to know a book coming out on that subject.

See you South of the Border in a few weeks.