Are you not yet screaming, hysterically angry?

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Viewing 15 posts - 16 through 30 (of 38 total)
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  • #193039
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    I’m sure the executive and his family from Venezuela working for a large US fruit company who bought my home would probably not appreciate the ‘suckerfish’ label, and since they have become friends of ours, we know they are are delighted with their home.

    But we agree on a lot and I would like to ask you something important… I absolutely agree that “Not all Americans are as dumb as people think” but what exactly do you mean by “The US economy WILL recover and if it doesnt, we will take everyone else down with us?”

    What exactly are YOU and the people you know and love prepared to do to “take everyone else down with us?”

    Scott Oliver – Founder
    WeLoveCostaRica.com

    #193040
    aguirrewar
    Member

    We the USA have impossed the way business is supposed to work. Just look at Wall Street to the Walmart way and the rest of the world.

    There is good capitalism and also a bad side to it. The USA and 75% of the world are in a financial mess because of wrong investments but things will change, we cannot go an inch down because we have reached bottom. There will be more bad news in the next 6 months which are consequences of 2005.

    Wait until after the USA elections when “THAT ONE” gets elected and start to see good things happening in the air of things. But, be warned that the next 18-24 months will be rough for a lot of people.

    And if you do not believe the US economy will be better in the future, then why? is Warren Buffett spending billions of his money in USA stocks.

    Warren

    Edited on Oct 19, 2008 10:44

    Edited on Oct 19, 2008 10:50

    #193041
    el hombre
    Member

    I must admit I have had the same fantasy regarding change being effected due to some drastic problem rearing its’ ugly head. I must also admit that I have felt strangely exhilarated by the idea that, yes, now things have got to change even if it is hitting me in the pocketbook. I guess it is the radical versus the bourgeois in me fighting.

    But I have this sneaking suspicion that it is not to be. The powers that be do value stability when anything remotely questions democratic capitalism and even with the mounting evidence that it is simply not the panacea for all our ills, they will throw unimaginable amounts of money to justify that it is.

    Up to now there has only been one rather half-hearted defence of capitalism . Good to know that I can look forward to meeting a bunch of revolutionaries when I arrive in the New Year.

    #193042
    maravilla
    Member

    forget “off with their heads” — we should put them on a barge down the Volga and use them as target practice. what i really don’t understand is how they can be allowed to profit from the financial collapse they caused. Isn’t that called unjust enrichment?

    #193043
    *Lotus
    Member

    I don’t find it funny.

    #193044
    stevebartle
    Member

    This is getting a bit combative, but I’ll respond to the question(s) posed.

    There is certainly no offense intended to the family who bought your home. I simply want to point out that a 30% profit over….a year and a couple months was it?….is certainly not the norm. In Costa Rica, the US, or any other country. Perhaps your timing was great, perhaps you got the house for a lower than market price when you bought it originally….whatever. People simply should not be led to believe that they will have that kind of profit on their investments.

    By saying the US economy WILL recover, I mean that I have faith in the country, it’s people and it’s basic principles and foundation. It’s a mess right now,true, but people are finally opening their eyes and beginning to do something about it. US people are resiliant, and smart, but sometimes gullible as things have been “easy” for a lot of years now.

    All I mean by “taking everyone else down” is that we DO have a world economy. If the US is in a mess, the other countries are affected. This has been proven rather obviously by looking at the economic activity in other world markets recently.

    I personally am not doing anything to “take everyone else down with us”. That is somewhat of a rude comment. Just pointing out that the US is the world’s police, as well as a major driver in the world economy. I think it’s a sad state of affairs that we wind up being disliked for that position. We get a bad rap for trying to make sure that Jihad dosen’t come to your neighborhood.

    Steve

    #193045
    Roark
    Member

    Who Lotus? Who is using illegal immigration “as a political distraction to rile up the masses” to divert attention away from this financial mess that we are in?

    #193046
    el hombre
    Member

    People, let’s try and keep partisan rancor on your respective party websites. And how did we start on the topic of the USA being the world’s policeman? Would love to discuss it but how about sticking to the topic unless there is at least some vague correlation with what we are discussing.

    #193047
    sprite
    Member

    If anybody here really believes that the American public will magically wake up and over throw their inept, pro-rich, pro-power government for a progressive, responsive government FOR THE PEOPLE, then show me where and when that has ever happened in our past. Maravilla, don’t be so reluctant to place the blame squarely on the masses. We always had the power to change our government. We just never had the will.

    #193048
    *Lotus
    Member

    Here’s what you said: “Who is using illegal immigration “as a political distraction to rile up the masses” to divert attention away from this financial mess that we are in?

    Here’s what I said: “It’s a bit ironic because it’s the wealthy and to some extent US small/medium business owners that really need the illegals to provide cheap/efficient labor to maximize there profits(like slavery in the past). But they use it as a political distraction to rile up the masses.” You added in “to divert away attention from this financial mess that we are in.”

    I simply pointed out that in my opinion immigration is used as a political distraction, it is a general observation, if you disagree fine. Regarding slavery: No where did I state it was “the moral equivalent” of using illegal workers, I did point out that it is a way for business to maximize profits, again if you disagree fine. Now if you do a little research on how illegal farm workers, restaurant workers etc are treated you may find some of the conditions these people work under pretty deplorable, then again maybe you wont?. Now before you get your panties in a twist I didn’t say all-I understand some are treated very nicely and are grateful a US farmer or meat packing plant will hire them.

    Roark I won’t argue about this stuff as I have found it’s a waste of time but I won’t let you spin what is written in black and white to serve your single pointed mindset. It is like trying to explain to a “born again” Christian that there are other cultures with there own ideas about religion and God and perhaps they are not all going to burn eternally in hell for not believing the same as they do. I have a diverse group of close friends across many strata of the political, religious spectrum and what we all share in common is a mutual respect for each other.

    Edited on Oct 20, 2008 05:32

    #193049
    maravilla
    Member

    You’re right, Sprite, we are truly the “know nothing” society after having been dumbed down for 45 years, doped with a bunch of mind altering drugs that have cognitive dysfunction as a side effect, bombarded with mindless TV that promotes nothing but violence or sheer stupidity; yep we got just what we deserved. I just read an article that talked about this “know nothing” phenomenon and how the choice of Sarah Palin pandered to this segment of the population — gee, she’s just like us, not too bright, doesn’t know the global issues, can’t name a supreme court decision she disagrees with (except the one on abortion), etc., golllllyyyyy, i think I will vote for HER! I’m so disgusted with all of this that I don’t even know where to begin to voice my complaints — i guess the voting booth is a good place to start.

    #193050
    ticopaz
    Member

    Gee..I’m glad to know that the World Police is looking after my best interest and keeping a Jihad out of my Tico neighborhood! If the World Police would go home and mind their own business they would never have to worry about a “Jihad” or get a “bad rap”! You should Google/YouTube Shawn Lorenzo Yorks suggestions above and stay away from CNN/FOX for a while. What the US has for a Government today is nothing as the founding fathers envisioned… in fact it is the very Government they warned you about…

    Respectfully,
    TicoPaz
    Peace

    #193051
    maravilla
    Member

    Bingo! You are so right. Even Eisenhower warned us about the military-industrial complex and the destruction it could wrought. And look where we are today?

    #193052
    aenaze1
    Member

    Well put.

    Value in a large sense is in the eye of the beholder whether its the value of a particular piece of real estate or the compensation of an individual. In the US very few people balk at paying athletes huge sums of money for their skills and very many of them are nonperforming for various reasons. Granted the fallout isnt nearly as severe but it happens.

    I dont begrudge an executive making the salary he is entitled to based on performance. Whats funny is that the disfunctional political structure of the US still pays out its legislators and executives regardless of the outcome of their actions. I would more likely move to make them work for free based on performance. Most of them are financially secure already anyway. Let them work their first term for free and get paid based on reelection. No more lobbyists period…let em get a real job. Bribery is easy.

    Lastly I dont believe that it is grossly off topic to discuss the real estate market in CR or anywhere in relation to the thread. It is the deleveraging of the derivative assets secured by real estate that has created the crisis. I am already on record in this forum regarding my thoughts on the future of CR real estate values and I empathize with Scott and others who count on a robust market in CR. It is what it is however. The revitalized strength of the USD will have its downward effect as will the recession economy and especially the obscene oversupply of real estate in the US. Emerging markets are the last to be affected. I believe that if Scott looks inwardly on that basis he will see the root cause of his frustration and its relation to the impact at a personal level.

    #193053
    guru
    Member

    Off with their heads. . . That has been MY big question. When a VERY few cause such destruction SOMEBODY should be going to jail. Instead there has been months of closed door meetings to assure certain people keep their bonuses.

    Where are the arrests? Why have not the crooks accounts been seized? Time passes and I’ll bet those that should be arrested have a plan and have already moved their money. . .

    The problems that caused such disastrous loses are part of a global economic practices that allow huge profits to made on doing nothing. Moving money makes NOTHING. The profits from loaning money makes nothing. Riding the wave of an emotion driven market that is not based on reality makes nothing. . .

    True wealth comes from mining, manufacturing, farming, invention or technological advances, (making things). . . all other human endeavors including fuel, food, shelter and transportation all rely on the creation of true wealth. Money markets, interest, the WHOLE financial market is and SHOULD be a low third tier of the economy, NOT the primary driving force. In the U.S. our industry has declined and the things that suck off the profits have grown. Shuffling paperwork is an EXPENSE not a wealth generator. Insurance cannot be a bigger industry than those it helps support. Banks cannot be bigger than the economy they service. . . But what has happened is that our economy has been turned upside down. The non-productive aspects have grown larger than the productive aspects. The money movers have managed to take most the wealth out of the economy without doing anything REAL. Making iron, building ships, discovering new energy sources. . those are REAL. Manipulating the stocks to make a profit does nothing for the wealth of the world.

    We need to get back to doing REAL things. Not profiting on others who do.

Viewing 15 posts - 16 through 30 (of 38 total)
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