I find it disgusting how many people are now seeking media face time now that Jaime Escalante is dead. Many of these people refused to even acknowledge his existence previously. Where were they when money was being raised to help Jaime and his family with his mounting medical bills which were not covered by insurance? Now that the cameras are rolling and reporters are doing interviews, these fame-whores are coming out of the woodwork to claim their moment in the sun. Perhaps this will inspire you to help someone in need -- before they die -- and before it becomes a media circus. -- steve 4/1/10
UPDATE: 03-30-10 JAIME ESCALANTE IS IN A HEAVENLY CLASSROOM, SURROUNDED BY WILLING STUDENTS
Jaime Escalante, 79, died today. A far better teacher than most of his peers because he cared. Cared not about the administration, the unions, his title or even his income -- he care about the people he served, his students.
Original Blog Entry ...
Where would Jaime Escalante, the local high math teacher that bucked the system to teach advanced mathematics to ordinary students, be today under Obama’s proposed healthcare plan?
Clearly a senior citizen at 80, Escalante is fighting cancer and is facing mounting bills not covered by insurance. Would the Obama Administration calculate his worth using some variation of “quality adjusted life years” and deny any advanced life-saving treatments in favor of pain pills and palliative care? Would he be given credit for belonging to a union? His life achievements? His ability to attract media attention?
“While claims about euthanasia and ‘death panels’ are over the top, senior fears have exposed a fundamental truth about what Mr. Obama is proposing: Namely, once health care is nationalized, or mostly nationalized, rationing care is inevitable, and those who have lived the longest will find their care the most restricted.”
“From the point of view of politicians with a limited budget, is it worth spending a lot on, say, a patient with late-stage cancer where the odds of remission are long? Or should they spend to improve quality, not length, of life? Or pay for a hip or knee replacement for seniors, when palliative care might cost less? And who decides?” – Wall Street Journal
Jaime is in trouble and needs our help …
The Daily Breeze is reporting …
“'Stand and Deliver' teacher has cancer”
“Jaime Escalante, who gained international renown for his work teaching advanced math to unprepared students at Garfield High School in East L.A., is fighting cancer, but his family has run out of money to pay for treatments, it was reported today.”
Vanessa Marquez, who appeared in ‘Stand and Deliver,’ the 1988 film that dramatized Escalante's experience at Garfield High, said in an interview on Fox 11 that so far $5,000 has been raised toward the $30,000 needed by the family.”
I have spoken with both Vanessa and the President of the Garfield Alumni Association and they both urge your assistance.
Mail contributions can be sent to ‘Friends of Jaime;’ C/O FASE; 236 West Mountain Street; Suite 105; Pasadena, CA 91103. Those who wish to make a contribution by credit card can call (626) 793-5300.
FASE is the Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education and a supporter of Jaime’s work in education.
Bottom line …
Here is a man who risked his career to help his students overcome their mediocrity and move on towards individual achievement. An educator who exemplifies what a teacher should be – especially when you consider that most of today’s teachers are little more than baby-sitters and disciplinarians whose student’s drop out rate of 50% is unacceptable. Help Jaime if you are able.
Now consider what senior citizens will be facing under Obamacare and the democrat’s plan to manage the entirety of healthcare. Already they have proposed to cut out $500 BILLION, mostly from the Medicare Advantage program to fund their monstrosity which is rife with special-interest deals with the insurance companies, the pharmaceutical manufacturers, the makers of medical equipment and others. The end result will be an enlargement of the government’s bureaucracy, significantly increased taxes, reduced personal freedoms – and yes, abysmal medical care for aging senior citizens. Remember this when you VOTE in 2010 – which party tried to physically kill you with their political agenda and pipedream of assuming control over every American citizen.
If they were serious, they could simply extend Medicare to every legal American citizen – oh I forgot – that government program is going broke. What do you think the outcome of Obamacare might be?
-- steve
Reference Links …
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