I am Glad I live in Costa Rica

[Imxploring]

[quote=”Scott”]I wholeheartedly agree with statistician John Williams (shadowstats.com) who calls the government’s latest jobs and unemployment reports “nonsense numbers.” ….

[url=http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2012/12/08/more-phony-employment-numbers/]”A government that wants to cut the social safety net[/url] doesn’t want you to know that the unemployment rate is 22.9%.”

Written by Dr. Paul Craig Roberts who was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and associate editor of the Wall Street Journal.[/quote]

And you can rest assured that the inflation numbers being reported by the US government are just as “cooked” as the unemployment figures.

Perhaps Uncle Sam has already applied a little of the “Chained CPI” mathematics to the inflation numbers he’s reporting.

Statistics are a wonderful thing. You can make them say just about anything you want if you have the power to “massage” the method by which they’re calculated. Having the power to include or exclude items from this calculation gives those that prepare them way too much leeway in manipulating the outcome. ANYONE that doubts that should consider how our unemployment rate is arrived at!

[Imxploring]

[quote=”DavidCMurray”]The exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Costa Rican colon (the “buy” rate) has hovered right around $1.00US = c495 for around two and a half or three years. The currency value of my dollars has varied almost not at all. That is not to suggest that some prices (energy, in particular) have not gone up here, but that’s true everywhere. Can you point to reliable numbers (actual data, not just assertions) that the inflation rate in Costa Rica is so dramatically higher than the inflation rate in the U.S?

And, I elect to live in Costa Rica for the experience of daily living here. My decision had nothing to do with the cost of living here. In my estimation, looking for someplace cheap to live is probably the worst reason to move here.

(BTW, I have never suggested that there are not far, far too many unemployed people in the U.S. nor that far, far too many of them cannot earn a living wage. I don’t know where you dredged that up. Please don’t impute to me things I have never said.(Goes for others, too.))
[/quote]

Since you asked for the numbers.

US inflation rates as reported (I make no claim these are accurately calculated nor a true number)

http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/historical-inflation-rates/

Costa Rica inflation rate.

http://www.indexmundi.com/costa_rica/economy_profile.html

It would seem, according to these sources, that the rate of inflation in Costa Rica is more than double that of the US. But then again…. I’m betting the US numbers leave out some energy costs as well as ever increasing taxes and some other items that might not provide the desired result for those presenting these numbers!

So the real question becomes, who’s BSing who? LOL

We can also debate the ever shrinking purchasing power of the dollar. But that’s a whole other discussion.

[jmcbuilder]

[quote=”kwhite1″][quote=”johnnyh”][quote=”critterhill”]kwhite, unless I overlooked it, you failed to mention:

estate tax
hospital district tax
3.8% tax on home sales

I’m sure there are more taxes to add the list that we just can’t think of right now.
[/quote

Yeah, leave it to each individual state to come out with a breathing tax, a pharting tax, in the name of protecting the environment, a walking tax for sidewalk repair, and a further talking tax for the additional oxygen depletion of the planet.[/quote]

I just heard of another new one today….”rain tax”, let that one steep for a minute. They are going to charge you a tax per sq foot of land that does not absorb rainwater, i.e. your house, driveway, parking lot, ect. Nice huh?[/quote]

That type of tax already exists in Lake Tahoe, although its not called a tax. My favorite tax is the view tax. Your property tax is based on whether your view is lake, mountain, or trees.

[Kwhite1]

[quote=”jmcbuilder”][quote=”kwhite1″][quote=”johnnyh”][quote=”critterhill”]kwhite, unless I overlooked it, you failed to mention:

estate tax
hospital district tax
3.8% tax on home sales

I’m sure there are more taxes to add the list that we just can’t think of right now.
[/quote

Yeah, leave it to each individual state to come out with a breathing tax, a pharting tax, in the name of protecting the environment, a walking tax for sidewalk repair, and a further talking tax for the additional oxygen depletion of the planet.[/quote]

I just heard of another new one today….”rain tax”, let that one steep for a minute. They are going to charge you a tax per sq foot of land that does not absorb rainwater, i.e. your house, driveway, parking lot, ect. Nice huh?[/quote]

That type of tax already exists in Lake Tahoe, although its not called a tax. My favorite tax is the view tax. Your property tax is based on whether your view is lake, mountain, or trees.[/quote]

Will they prorate the “tax” if you fill out an affidavit stating that you closed your eyes for part of the time so you don’t use up the view? Just saying….

[davidd]

ok

now it seems we will be getting a flu tax

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/congress-prepares-100-million-bipartisan-flu-tax_719108.html

here is a current list of taxes law abiding citizens pay

can anyone else add new ones I missed??

List of taxes paid by Americans
(Source: http://www.electivedecisions.wordpress.com)
1. Accounts Receivable Tax
2. Accounting and Tax Preparation (cost to taxpayers $300 billion)
3. Accumulated Earnings Tax
4. Accumulation Distribution of Trusts
5. Activity Fee (Dumping Permit Fee)
6 . Air Tax (PA coin-operated vacuums)
7. Aircraft Jet Fuel Tax
8. Aircraft Excise Tax
9 . Alcohol Fuels Tax
10. Alcoholic Beverage Tax
11. Alternative Minimum Tax – Amt
12. Ambulance Services (Air Ambulance Services, SD)
13. Ammunition Tax
14. Amusement Tax (MA, VA, MD)
15. Animal Slaughter Tax (WI, others, Per Animal)
16. Annual Custodial Fees (Ira Accounts)
17. Ballast Water Management Fee (Marine Invasive Species)
18. Biodiesel Fuel Tax
19. Blueberry Tax (Maine)
20. Bribe Taxes (Pay If You Dare)
21. Brothel licensing fees
22. Building Permit Tax
23. Capital Gains Tax
24. California Interstate User Diesel Fuel Tax
25. California Redemption Value (Can and Bottle Tax)
26. CDL License Tax
27. Charter Boat Captain License
28. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Fee
29. Cigarette Tax
30. Cigarette Tax Stamp (Acts) (Distributors)
31. Compressed Natural Gas Tax
32. Commercial Activity Tax (OH – for Service Providers)
33. Corporate Income Tax
34. Court Fines (Indirect Taxes)
35. County Property Tax
36. Disposable Diapers Tax (Wisconsin)
37. Disposal Fee (Any Landfill Dumping)
38. Dog License Tax
39. Duck Hunting Tax Stamp (PA, others)
40. Electronic Waste Recycling Fee (E-Waste)
41. Emergency Telephone User Surcharge
42. Environmental Fee (CA – HazMat Fees)
43. Estate Tax (Death Tax, to be reinstated)
44. Excise Taxes
45. Facility Fee (CA – HazMat Fees)
46. FDIC tax (insurance premium on bank deposits)
47. Federal Income Tax
48. Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
49. Fiduciary Income Tax (Estates and Trusts)
50. Fishing License Tax
51. Flush Tax (MD Tax For Producing Wastewater)
52. Food License Tax
53. Fountain Soda Drink Tax (Chicago – 9%)
54. Franchise Tax
55. Fresh Fruit (CA, if Purchased From A Vending Machine)
56. Fuel Gross Receipts Tax (Retail/Distributor)
57. Fuel Permit Tax
58. Fur Clothing Tax (MN)
59. Garbage Tax
60. Gasoline Tax (475 Cents Per Gallon)
61. Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax
62. Generator Fee (Recycled Waste Fee)
63. Gift Tax
64. Gross Receipts Tax
65. Habitat Stamp (Hunting/Fishing in some states)
66. Hamburger Tax
67. Hazardous Substances Fees: Generator, Facility, Disposal
68. Highway Access Fee
69. Household Employment Taxes
70. Hunting License Tax
71. Illegal Drug Possession (No Carolina)
72. Individual Income Tax
73. Inheritance Tax
74. Insect Control Hazardous Materials License
75. Insurance Premium Tax
76. Intangible Tax (Leases Of Govt. Owned Real Property)
77. Integrated Waste Management Fee
78. Interstate User Diesel Fuel Tax
79. Inventory Tax
80. IRA Rollover Tax (a transfer of IRA money)
81. IRA Early Withdrawal Tax
82. IRS Interest Charges
83. IRS Penalties (Tax On Top Of Tax)
84. Jock Tax (income earned by athletes in some states)
85. Kerosene, Distillate, & Stove Oil Taxes
86. Kiddie Tax (Child’s Earned Interest Form 8615)
87. Land Gains and Real Estate Withholding
88. Lead Poisoning Prevention Fee (Occupational)
89. Lease Severance Tax
90. Library Tax
91. Liquid Natural Gas Tax
92. Liquid Petroleum Gas Tax
93. Liquor Tax
94. Litigation Tax (TN Imposes Varies With the Offense)
95. LLC/PLLC Corporate Registration Tax
96. Local Income Tax
97. Lodging Taxes
98. Lump-Sum Distributions
99. Luxury Taxes
100. Make-Up Tax (Ohio, applying in a salon is taxable)
101. Marriage License Tax
102. Meal Tax
103. Medicare Tax
104. Mello-Roos Taxes (Special Taxes and Assessments)
105. Migratory Waterfowl Stamp (addition to hunting license)
106. Minnow Dealers License (Retail – For One Shop)
107. Minnow Dealers License (Distributor – For One+ Shops)
108. Mobile Home Ad Valorem Taxes
109. Motor Fuel Tax (For Suppliers)
110. Motor Vehicle Tax
111. Music and Dramatic Performing Rights Tax
112. Nudity Tax (Utah)
113. Nursery Registration (Buying and selling plants)
114. Occupancy Inspection Fees
115. Occupation Taxes and Fees (Various Professional Fees)
116. Oil and Gas Assessment Tax
117. Oil Spill Response, Prevention, and Administration Fee
118. Parking Space Taxes
119. Pass-Through Withholding
120. Pay-Phone Calls Tax (Indiana)
121. Percolation Test Fee
122. Personal Property Tax
123. Personal Holding Company (undistributed earnings)
124. Pest Control License
125. Petroleum Business Tax
126. Playing Card Tax (Al)
127. Pole Tax (TX – A $5 Cover Charge On Strip Clubs)
128. Profit from Illegal Drug Dealing
129. Property Tax
130. Property Transfer Tax (DE, ownership transfer between parties)
131. Prostitution Tax (NV – Prostitute Work Permits)
132. Poultry Registered Premises License (Sales License)
133. Rain Water Tax (Runoff after a Storm)
134. Rat Control Fee (CA)
135. Real Estate Tax
136. Recreational Vehicle Tax
137. Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Fees
138. Regional Transit Taxing Authority (Trains)
139. Road Usage Tax
140. Room Tax (Hotel Rooms)
141. Sales Tax (State)
142. Sales Tax (City)
143. Sales And Use Tax (Sellers Permit)
144. School Tax
145. Service Charge Tax
146. Self Employment Tax
147. Septic And Drain Field Inspection Fees
148. Sex Sales Tax (UT, when nude people perform services)
149. Sewer & Water Tax
150. Social Security Tax
151. Sparkler and Novelties Tax (WV Sellers of Sparklers, etc)
152. Special Assessment Tax (Not Ad Valorem)
153. State Documentary Stamp Tax on Notes (FL RE Tax)
154. State Franchise Tax
155. State Income Tax
156. State Park Fees
157. State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
158. Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) Fuel Tax
159. Stud Fees (Kentucky’s Thoroughbred Sex Tax)
160. Tangible Personal Property Tax
161. Tattoo Tax (AR Tax On Tattoos)
162. Telephone 911 Service Tax (some states)
163. Telephone Federal Excise Tax
164. Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
165. Telephone Federal Surcharge Taxes
166. Telephone State Surcharge Taxes
167. Telephone Local Surcharge Taxes
168. Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
169. Telephone Recurring Charges Tax
170. Telephone Universal Access Tax
171. Telephone Non-Recurring Charges Tax
172. Telephone State Usage Charge Tax
173. Telephone Local Usage Charge Tax
174. Tire Recycling Fee
175. Tobacco Tax (Cigar, Pipe, Consumer Tax)
176. Tobacco Tax (Cigar, Pipe, Dealer Tax)
177. Toll Road Taxes
178. Toll Bridge Taxes
179. Toll Tunnel Taxes
180. Tourism or Concession License Fee
181. Traffic Fines (Indirect Taxation)
182. Transportable Treatment Unit Fee (Small Facility)
183. Trailer Registration Tax
184. Trout Stamp (Addendum To Fish License)
185. Use Taxes (On Out-Of-State Purchases)
186. Utility Taxes
187. Unemployment Tax
188. Underground Storage Tank Maintenance Fee
189. Underpayment of Estimated Tax (Form 2210)
190. Unreported Tip Income (Social Security and Medicare Tax)
191. Vehicle License
192. Vehicle Recovery Tax (CO, to find stolen cars)
193. Vehicle Registration Tax
194. Vehicle Sales Tax
195. Wagering Tax (Tax on Gambling Winnings)
196. Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) Fuel Tax
197. Water Rights Fee
198. Watercraft Registration Tax
199. Waterfowl Stamp Tax
200. Well Permit Tax
201. Wiring Inspection Fees
202. Workers Compensation Tax

[Kwhite1]

Coming to a computer near you……..INTERNET TAX. Just saw this one and heard it on the radio thing.

[davidd]

[quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”kwhite1″]Coming to a computer near you……..INTERNET TAX. Just saw this one and heard it on the radio thing.[/quote]

And god knows everything you hear on the radio must be true, just like everything you read on the internet is. :wink:[/quote]

sweikert

I know exactly what you mean you can’t believe everything you read on the internet

for example I recently read Chicago although having very strict gun laws in place has had a dramatic increase in murder and gun deaths.

[Kwhite1]

[quote=”davidd”][quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”kwhite1″]Coming to a computer near you……..INTERNET TAX. Just saw this one and heard it on the radio thing.[/quote]

And god knows everything you hear on the radio must be true, just like everything you read on the internet is. :wink:[/quote]

sweikert

I know exactly what you mean you can’t believe everything you read on the internet

for example I recently read Chicago although having very strict gun laws in place has had a dramatic increase in murder and gun deaths.

[/quote]

Sorry sweikert, I did not qualify my comment with an actual link so here ya go…. http://news.cnet.com/8300-5_3-0.html?keyword=internet+taxes

It is in debate in the senate now.

David, that cannot be true about Chicago could it? I mean….guns are outlawed there right? How could the gun deaths be so high? Must be a misprint, I’d like to see some proof of that, do you have a link so others can follow along?

[Kwhite1]

[quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”davidd”]
for example I recently read Chicago although having very strict gun laws in place has had a dramatic increase in murder and gun deaths.[/quote]

Well once again you read it wrong. The homicide rate in Chicago has dropped dramatically since the mid 90s. In 1994 the murder rate peaked at 931 and by 2011 it had fallen more than half to 435. The gun ban law was passed in 1982. This year there was a small spike that put on a pace to reach an annual rate of about 500, but that is still drastically reduced from what we saw in the 80s and 90s.

And that strict gun law that you refer to was struck down in 2011 by the Supreme Court. Isn’t it interesting that murders increased after that happened?

See stats for murders in Chicago here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Chicago#Murders%5B/quote%5D

Hmmm..interesting http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/08/chicago-homicide-rate-alr_n_2433329.html and….. http://www.npr.org/2013/01/07/168771088/u-s-murder-rate-declines-but-chicagos-goes-up

Notice I used the liberal web sites for the info so as not to be accused of being too right wing.

The murder rates are climbing my friend…

[Kwhite1]

[quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”kwhite1″]
The murder rates are climbing my friend…
[/quote]

No, actually, they aren’t. While we had a large spike in murders in the first couple of months of 2013, the numbers have gone down dramatically in March and April. The article you cite were written in January and are therefore out of date.

In fact:
Chicago Marks Lowest March Murder Rate Since 1959
http://chicagoist.com/2013/04/01/murder_rate_2013.php

Overall for 2013, we are down from the recent trend of number of murders committed through April. There were 90 through the end of April this year, which is itself significant as you can see by reading this:

“Chicago is on track to buck a nearly decade-long trend of hitting 100 homicides in the first four months of the year.

It may be cold comfort for the families of Chicago’s more than 90 homicide victims of 2013 so far, but falling short of the perennial benchmark is a small victory for in Chicago Police. The department has been working to stem killings on the street after a dramatically violent year in 2012. “

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/27/chicago-april-homicides-2_n_3170482.html

[/qu

davidd……are you having a tough time getting ammo too? I know I am so I don’t think it is an isolated problem….

[davidd]

yea.. I should have stock piled these past few years

as this is an investment taht will always go up in value

[quote=”kwhite1″][quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”kwhite1″]
The murder rates are climbing my friend…
[/quote]

No, actually, they aren’t. While we had a large spike in murders in the first couple of months of 2013, the numbers have gone down dramatically in March and April. The article you cite were written in January and are therefore out of date.

In fact:
Chicago Marks Lowest March Murder Rate Since 1959
http://chicagoist.com/2013/04/01/murder_rate_2013.php

Overall for 2013, we are down from the recent trend of number of murders committed through April. There were 90 through the end of April this year, which is itself significant as you can see by reading this:

“Chicago is on track to buck a nearly decade-long trend of hitting 100 homicides in the first four months of the year.

It may be cold comfort for the families of Chicago’s more than 90 homicide victims of 2013 so far, but falling short of the perennial benchmark is a small victory for in Chicago Police. The department has been working to stem killings on the street after a dramatically violent year in 2012. “

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/27/chicago-april-homicides-2_n_3170482.html

[/qu

davidd……are you having a tough time getting ammo too? I know I am so I don’t think it is an isolated problem….[/quote]

[davidd]

I am glad to hear that things are picking up for the windy city

this is good so people will just stay put and stay in chicago because they see the light in the horizon.

[quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”kwhite1″]
The murder rates are climbing my friend…
[/quote]

No, actually, they aren’t. While we had a large spike in murders in the first couple of months of 2013, the numbers have gone down dramatically in March and April. The articles you cite were written in January and are therefore out of date.

In fact:
Chicago Marks Lowest March Murder Rate Since 1959
http://chicagoist.com/2013/04/01/murder_rate_2013.php

Overall for 2013, we are down from the recent trend of number of murders committed through April. There were 90 through the end of April this year, which is itself significant as you can see by reading this:

“Chicago is on track to buck a nearly decade-long trend of hitting 100 homicides in the first four months of the year.

It may be cold comfort for the families of Chicago’s more than 90 homicide victims of 2013 so far, but falling short of the perennial benchmark is a small victory for in Chicago Police. The department has been working to stem killings on the street after a dramatically violent year in 2012. “

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/27/chicago-april-homicides-2_n_3170482.html

[/quote]

[davidd]

[quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”davidd”]I am glad to hear that things are picking up for the windy city

this is good so people will just stay put and stay in chicago because they see the light in the horizon. [/quote]

So you’re disinviting me to Costa Rica?[/quote]

no not at all.. I could care less what you do :wink::wink:

but in all honesty being the selfish bastard that I am I just wish no more Americans come here that is all.

no offense

we have Blackhawk helicoptors flying all over the place this week. we have Gmen prepping the area

they scout out the hotels and check the guest registries for names and passports numbers

I have friends that own hotels in san jose

American Taxpayers money being spent and all this security

for what exactly?? peace and goodwill towards men??

[b]could have saved the trip and had a video conference[/b]

:D:D

EDIT: boy can things change rapidly

http://rt.com/usa/chicago-killed-shooting-crime-695/

[Kwhite1]

[quote=”davidd”][quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”davidd”]I am glad to hear that things are picking up for the windy city

this is good so people will just stay put and stay in chicago because they see the light in the horizon. [/quote]

So you’re disinviting me to Costa Rica?[/quote]

no not at all.. I could care less what you do :wink::wink:

but in all honesty being the selfish bastard that I am I just wish no more Americans come here that is all.

no offense

we have Blackhawk helicoptors flying all over the place this week. we have Gmen prepping the area

they scout out the hotels and check the guest registries for names and passports numbers

I have friends that own hotels in san jose

American Taxpayers money being spent and all this security

for what exactly?? peace and goodwill towards men??

[b]could have saved the trip and had a video conference[/b]

:D:D

EDIT: boy can things change rapidly

http://rt.com/usa/chicago-killed-shooting-crime-695/%5B/quote%5D

Damn Davidd…that was cold…haha!

Well, you’ll have 1 less in CR now, I have commited to starting out in Belize, although I will be making trips to CR, I promised my daughter that I would teach her to surf and Belize does not have much surf unless you go out as a hurricane is bearing down on you!

I am spending the summer in Belize and moving full time after the 1st of the year. CR is a bit expensive for my taste, I moved all over Florida to get away from the “keeping up with the Jones attitude” that is so prevelant here, I ran out of places to run to, that combined with everything else that is going on here…I’m out.

David M, don’t worry, Belize will let me have some of my bang bang toys!!

[davidd]

Kwhite

my man- you are a swashbuckler at heart and I admire that 🙂

good to see your experimenting different areas. I don’t like Belize. too poor and VERY Corrupt. so its alot tougher to blend in thier especially if your a foreigner.

John mcafee http://www.whoismcafee.com/ had his exploits there

I have friends that bought into the dream and cannot sell their house there.

Your right about costa rica and prices are rising quickly here.

I mean look at this house. I know the area well.

http://costarica.es.craigslist.org/fod/3719103981.html

its not bad BUT $325000??? please

your smart to explore other areas..

take a look at Equador

and let me now when you are here in costa rica and we can meet up for lunch

[quote=”kwhite1″][quote=”davidd”][quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”davidd”]I am glad to hear that things are picking up for the windy city

this is good so people will just stay put and stay in chicago because they see the light in the horizon. [/quote]

So you’re disinviting me to Costa Rica?[/quote]

no not at all.. I could care less what you do :wink::wink:

but in all honesty being the selfish bastard that I am I just wish no more Americans come here that is all.

no offense

we have Blackhawk helicoptors flying all over the place this week. we have Gmen prepping the area

they scout out the hotels and check the guest registries for names and passports numbers

I have friends that own hotels in san jose

American Taxpayers money being spent and all this security

for what exactly?? peace and goodwill towards men??

[b]could have saved the trip and had a video conference[/b]

:D:D

EDIT: boy can things change rapidly

http://rt.com/usa/chicago-killed-shooting-crime-695/%5B/quote%5D

Damn Davidd…that was cold…haha!

Well, you’ll have 1 less in CR now, I have commited to starting out in Belize, although I will be making trips to CR, I promised my daughter that I would teach her to surf and Belize does not have much surf unless you go out as a hurricane is bearing down on you!

I am spending the summer in Belize and moving full time after the 1st of the year. CR is a bit expensive for my taste, I moved all over Florida to get away from the “keeping up with the Jones attitude” that is so prevelant here, I ran out of places to run to, that combined with everything else that is going on here…I’m out.

David M, don’t worry, Belize will let me have some of my bang bang toys!![/quote]

[Author]

Posts