Florida is not user friendly

I am so angry that I just had to vent. I live in sunny Florida year round. I love it down here as far as the weather and the beaches. There is always something to do. Nascar is here. The climate is great for my health. I love my gardens. But…….and that is a big one………This state is all about the money. It is truely the tourist trap of the century. People don’t even realize it. Here is a perfect example:
We have several vehicles. All plated and insured. One of the vehicles is being repaired. This is going to take some time to get parts, ect. So we took it off our insurance. Did not renew the plate on it and have it parked out of the way so as not to create an eyesore on the landscape. We just got a letter saying that my boyfriend’s driver’s license was going to be suspended because he did not have insurance on this vehicle. I argued that it was not being driven, and in fact, could not be driven due to the repairs being done. I was told that we had to turn our plate back into the state and when the car was back on the road, we could get it back. For a fee of course. Did I mention that I had to pay a processing fee when I turned the plate in? When we got the plate, there was a fee and tax of $150. To get the plate back is another $18.50. So it totals to be $170.50 just for the stupid license plate on this car.
Then I get a call from the school telling me that one of my beloved children is in danger of being held back. I asked what needed to be done to prevent that. I have been in contact with the teachers and guidance office all year because she is having trouble adjusting to middle school. The classes are more intense than grammar school. I have tutored her, read to her, had her read to me, practiced math facts with her, tested her, drilled her, everything it takes to make sure she comprehends the material. Now the school is telling me that it should have been caught with in the first 6 weeks of school and special arrangements should have been made. After 7 conferences with teachers, discussions on preparing for tests and classes, NOW they say this???? There is only 6 weeks of school left for this year. I also found out that there are 68 counties in Florida, and not one county school district passed the Federal guidelines for school education. They all failed. I could see maybe one or even two. But ALL 68?!?!?! What happened to no child left behind?
Then there is the homeless situation. There are so many homeless people down here, it is not even funny. These people have no where to go and nothing to eat. So people from local churches got together to start making sure that they get at least one hot meal a day. Guess what? They are getting banned. It seems people do not want to see the lines of homeless getting their meals. So public feedings (that’s what they are calling it) are now illegal! Ok we will just let them starve to death and we can have public morgues instead!
Get real!
Oh and the best one yet. Because of all the hurricanes, State Farm has decided to start cancelling policies. I know this because one of my inlaws just got a cancellation letter. He has never filed a claim. EVER! Not one claim. He has never been late with his premium payments. Ever! Not even once. Seems it is the luck of the draw, they decided to cancel in case there may be a claim. How can you just tell someone, sorry, you been a great customer, but we don’t want you anymore? They have done this to 60,000 other home owners this month. What is this world coming to? And don’t even get me started on what it takes to get insurance in the first place.
If you are coming to visit, don’t get sucked in thinking it is a wonderful place…it is not kid friendly, Disney or no Disney. Most of the places down here, have an age requirement. If you aren’t 55 or older, they don’t want to rent to you. The schools suck. And if you happen to have a child on medical assistance, like my neice, they will pay for Viagra, but not medicine for ADD or ADHD.
What I said about the schools, let me get a little more specific. If you want to be a substitute teacher here, just fill out the application and bring in your high school record. Some of the teachers here do not even have a degree to teach. You can sub even if you are not a real teacher. And if the teacher takes an extended leave of absence, you can fill in for her for months. With no experience at all. And they wonder why the schools all failed.
Ok I am done venting now. Thanks for listening.