Is Florida One of the Worst Parts of America?

[Icefrisco]

Anyone who has been to Florida understands how much **** happens in that state because of all the environmental damage. Building Developments, Gated Communities, Strip Mall, Draining the Everglades, Chopping down the Forests, Overuse of Water, ect. have all left Florida in a very precarious position. The recent droughts have caused tight restrictions on people and have left much of the wildlife without necessary water. In addition, without the vegetation environmental caused diseases will continue to increase.

If the environmental decay is not enough the education system is terrible. Schools are just getting worse and worse. Kids are not going to college and many teachers are getting paid blue-collar salaries.

Finally, the amount of ignorance of the terrible driving is absurd. Everytime I am in Florida I witness the driving. Old people flying into sidewalks and passing through stop-signs. Even the young people cant drive. The number of accidents in the state is unbelievable.

Is Florida the a bad example of America? Bad education and environmental practices are not why people come to America.

[JP226]

Where in Florida did you go? Gainesville? And what does apitamy mean?

[Atheist Peace]

Where in Florida did you go? Gainesville? And what does apitamy mean?

Probably something similar to rediculous.




If Florida is the epitome of America (better wording would be "...of American states"), that's quite a shame for America.

[Poisoner]

Isn't everyone that lives Flordia from another state?

The schools are getting bad because of illegal Cuban immigrants. They should of sent them off with little Elian.

[the_mango55]

Isn't everyone that lives Flordia from another state?

I have no idea, but that reminds me of the talk radio station on GTA: Vice City, where they were interviewing the guy who wanted Florida to dig a river along the border and secede from the US. At the end of the Interview they said something like this.

Interviewer: So I guess you have lived in Florida your whole life?

Crazy guy: Hell naw, nobody is actually born in Florida. I'm from Alabama originally, but I've been here almost 10 years, which is a mighty long time!

[JP226]

Last time I checked, North Florida is one big forest. I haven't had any tropical diseases, nor noone else that has. Our water situation is based off of rainfall. We don't get it during the rainy season, we have water controls.

What's so bad about a gated community and a strip mall?

[Evariste]

The northern part is very, very rural.

I haven't been south of Tampa/Orlando, and I hear that it's very different down there.

From talking to others (mostly here), it seems that Florida's private schools are very good, and public schools much worse than those up north.

As for secondary education, I can't remember where I read it, but the University of Florida's academics ranks pretty high.


Florida's an enigma, for several different reasons, but I like the island (off the coast) where I live. It's a bastion of civility.

Gainesville (the city where the University of Florida) is also a great town for college students (natch), but most things there feel a little run down...

[ErikinWest]

Public schools suck? Gasp, why could that be?

Erik

[Last Roman]

Public schools suck? Gasp, why could that be?

Erik

before you go into your "the government is the creator of all things evil" mode

please note I went to a public school, and I think I am doing fine.

plus, florida being in the south automatically makes its education pretty crappy.

[JP226]

We've just recently begun to implement a voucher system. It'll take some time, but if you want a good education go private (surprise, surprise). If you have the grades and the work ethic usually you can get a scholarship if you can't afford it.

[Rush Limbaugh]

Whats Apitamy ? Arm pit of America?

I take it you meant epitome . And no it certainly is not that. Far from it. That would mean it represents our best

[Big War Bird]

Whats Apitamy?

I'm guessing it means he was "educated" in a government school.

[Kiljan Arslan]

Now to put it correctly here the ARMPIT of america is not Florida yeah the schools and drivers suck but at least they have theme parks, to me it would have to be Mississippi because that state has worst in infant mortality 47 in state education, 50 in per capita income, plus they have extreme restrictions on abortion, and they have banned the sales of sex toys. Thats the armpit of the USA.

[ErikinWest]

We've just recently begun to implement a voucher system. It'll take some time, but if you want a good education go private (surprise, surprise). If you have the grades and the work ethic usually you can get a scholarship if you can't afford it.

Well the more private schools are, the cheaper they'll become. Glad to hear that Florida is getting a voucher system. Ironically enough I believe Sweden has a voucher system, and an incredible amount of school choice. It's one of the few policies the world should emulate from Sweden.

Erik

[preston]

Florida Rocks!!! But seriously to the OP you should take a look at other states in the south before you go on about Florida, read about my little **:wub: state Mississippi and then you will see the worst education (edumacation, skewl roks hiiir, well grahmer tew.) in America. if i'm not mistaken i could be wrong but about 65% of the state cannot read and is illiterate. there are places far more worse than florida will ever be. i think its a fantastic state, and i haven't heard about this draining of the everglades last time i checked they are into preserving that

[JP226]

if i'm not mistaken i could be wrong but about 65% of the state cannot read and is illiterate

no way in hell is that true.

[Rush Limbaugh]

More like 80%

[UnderdawgIV]

More like 80%

I heard it was something like 65% cannot pass the national reading tests (the grade 4 students)... but 85% can pass the state reading tests, what does that say about the state tests....

[preston]

http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/disa...ississippi.pdf

no way in hell is that true.

you'd actually be surprised at how many people really can't read and write
EDIT:
Mississippi National ranking was 49 for 2005-2006
http://www.morganquitno.com/edrank.htm
thought it appears Arizona is the dumbest

[Lord Condormanius]

This reminds me of one of my favorite pieces of dialogue from the Simpsons:

Dr. Hibbard: What you need is a good, long rest. I suggest Florida.
Homer: Florida? But that's America's wang!
Dr. Hibbard: They prefer, "The Sunshine State."

I certainly hope it is not the epitome of American states. But what would I know, I live in Connecticut (which I think, it is safe to say, is also not the epitome of American states). We only have a few swamps and none of them have Alligators.

The last time I was in Florida was 10 years ago...bike week in Daytona. Now there's a sight to behold!