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Scott is exactly correct about the North American unification. They met at Bush’s ranch in Crawford, and from what I have heard it was agreed upon to have this as a future treaty. The reasons were to protect ourselves from the Chinese industrial and economic giant it is becoming. NAFTA was the start, and this will consummate the deal. Now it becomes more apparent why CAFTA is coming into play. Eventually all of north and Central America will be able to be somewhat united like the European Union. Together, I’m sure it is thought we can be autonomous from the other economic giants. The deal will come out in the US’s favor because we are the only Superpower on the planet right now. Today MIkhail Gorbachev, former leader of the ex-Soviet Union railed against Bush and the US government for its seemingly Imperialistic ways.
The corridor of which is spoken would have been blocked by the “Wall” which has yet to be, and most likely never will be built. The government has allocated $800 million dollars to build it. I believe that was last year in around October. It is supposed to be 800 miles long. To date only 13 miles have been built and we are trying to get through immigration reform before another foot can go up.
There are forces at work here which none of us are privileged to know. Government works as they see fit because they are elected as representatives of the people and do not have to ask permission from the citizens for every thing they do. The problem is that they are not representing as they ought to. Our personal interests always seem to take a back seat to financial interests, as in “What is good for General Motors, is good for the country.” Unfortunately General Motors is on the balls of its backside, so the logic has to be rethought.Diego, This is the kind of survey that gets right to the core feelings and opinions, and gives us US citizens an opportunity to vent on what we like or don’t here. I would not want to impose my opinions on the Ticos though. It is ultimately for them to decide, but I would like to air my feelings.
1. Better roads and improved security through a better paid police force. This has to be carefully weighed and instituted as for Costa Rica not to become a police state.
2. NO! Corporate giants have all but ruined small business in the USA. The once backbone of business, small business entrepreneurship in the USA is overburdened by taxes and regulations that the big guys can sidestep. Once entrenched in an industry, the real wages go down for employees in big corporations, especially in the retail sector which they can prey on illegal immigrants and undereducated workers.
Costa Rica has, from what I’ve seen, a vibrant small business system.3. Yes and No. Government has only the means of taxation to operate. Unless all industries are nationalized, as in the telephone and electric companies there, the country has no alternative but to tax in order to run. However, with more income comes more waste and over spending and the inevitable corruption.. I don’t think anyone has come up with a governmental system to correct this. So for me it is a Yes, No.
4. NO! Not at this time. No one seems to be able to decipher CAFTA and what its short and long term implications will do to the economy of Costa Rica. The best, or should I say worst example would be to look at what NAFTA has done.
5. Yes, Infrastructure is the necessary means for growth in a nation that is willing to compete in the world market. If CR chooses not to be so involved in the world’s markets, it still needs the infrastructure to maintain a quality of life and growth for its own citizens.
6. Yes, If the Costarricense would contribute what is expected, by law, to the system, they would be more involved in how and where their legislators distribute the funds. I believe we don’t live in a perfect world, but in a Democracy the people have an opportunity to hold elected officials feet to the fire.
7. No. But that is totally for the Tico to decide. Agriculture is a tradition in Costa Rica and also one of their strong points. As the world population increases so does the need for food. In the long term agriculture may come full circle and be one of their best assets.
Also the young Ticos are becoming better educated and may find fields such as computer technology, engineering and the like to be a good option for them.
My personal opinion is, I like the agricultural society and its traditions and values.The last thing you asked for is an opinion if we think Costa Rica should become like the US.
An emphatic NO! In my thinking, which is purely self centered, I love Costa Rica because it is Costa Rica and not the US. This thinking comes from growing older and looking towards retirement. When one is youthful in the US, doors of opportunity are easy to open for most of us, if we choose. As we get older, the ability to be creative and the want to build new empires diminishes. I have had a relatively good life in the US, and the prospects when I am finished with my working days does not look so rosy here. We worship youth and try to hang on to it surgically, nutritionally and by any other means we can. I would love to grow old with my wife in a place that has a peaceful atmosphere, where the people still say good morning to strangers, where parents still take their kids to the park on Sunday, where older people are respected and looked to for the wisdom that their years on this planet has imparted to them, and where the celebration of religion is not looked down upon as some outdated belief.
When I get older, I want to be able to act my age for a change, but still have a youthful and wonderful outlook on life. I don’t know if all these things are possible, but I can still hope.Scott, Just to show any of us can be as enigmatic as Diego, I give you this link to a video that was sent to me. It is not very compimentary of the US government with regards to 911. I saw the entire one hour presentation. It is very interesting and quite scary at the same time.
Remember, “Anarquistas” are real people too.
Talk radio is something I listen to frequently on my commute from work. Some are indeed mouthpieces as was mentioned, and some are still free thinkers. The thing I have found out is even a broken clock is right twice a day. There is always some truth to be learned from what someone has to say.
The free thinking that goes on this website is one good example of open and free exchanges of ideas. We all have something to contribute, whether or not we always agree with what someone has to say.
The fact that the majority of us question things we see, hear and read shows we have not become automatrons…At least not yet.upeCity, You’re right, bad choice of one word. I should have said “Many.” It may have been a bit arrogant of me to use the word “Most.” I guess that’s what happens for having lived here so long. LOL
I was not only making reference to our southern border. Immigration from Ireland alone is second to that of Latin America.
Opportunity for a better life still exists here, although I believe it is becoming less of a great one.
I also do agree about the simpler life. This was the main reason we considered CR an attractive place to retire.Thanks,
AlI read Diego’s article early this morning, then realizing it would take to long to pen a response, and it would make me late for work, I went out to earn my living. I wasn’t sure there would be any responses, and I’m surprised by the amount of them. Lotus I especially enjoyed yours. I guess it’s the bit of New York in you that I appreciate.
I thought this had the potential to be a hot button issue and I have to weigh in with my own opinion after allowing it to set in all day.
I live in the USA, and at times I get my fill of the loss of freedoms, the over taxing, the frenetic pace at which we live and all the consumerism that goes along with life in our country…But! It is still my country, I live, work and raised my family here. Sometimes I have done very well and other times not so well. Still, I had the freedom to chose how to make my living and even to have been an entrepreneur a couple of times. I have the freedom to worship how I please, and I have the freedom not to if I choose. I can still go shopping in the middle of the night if I want to. I don’t live behind bars, and am not worried to leave my house unoccupied for any length of time. I have had the opportunity to do pretty much as I wanted most of my life. And I still have the right to vote!
Having said that, I think Costa Rica, if it has not gotten too expensive for my wife and I to live in by the time we retire, is a great option. An option that was afforded to us by living and working in the USA. Our being in this country has allowed us to be able to make those choices simply because of the system that has given us so much.
The USA is not a perfect country, but neither are many others. And I’m not here to say we have the best one on earth, but if I’m not mistaken, Costa Rica based its system of government on ours. There are attributes of our country that are noble and decent, and there are many people who are as well. The entire country is not made up of politicians.
As far as the politicians in Costa Rica being like children with the money they are entrusted to from the public, I think that might be a bit off. They were elected by the people, and by association, I think it reflects poorly on the electorate. Most of the Ticos I’ve met are intelligent and take their right to vote seriously. They do complain a lot however, and I think that is healthy. They want better government as we do, and realize its shortcomings. Also it is a very young democracy and it will take time for them to correct the problems their country has.
In closing, Diego, you are the enigma. Sometimes I find myself cheering you on, and other times, like this one, I’m banging my fist on the monitor. I am glad to have read the article you wrote, because it does reflect the ideas and opinions any of us might have. I know I’m thankful to be able to have those opinions to read and to respond to. Thanks for taking the time and effort to voice them.Just some food for thought. I would like to know if anyone knows why most peoples of the world are trying to get into the USA, instead of trying to leave it?
I can tell you from our visit to Jaco and Manuel Antonio last August, it did rain almost every day. Usually somewere between 4 & 6 pm. It only rained for about 20 minutes to an hour, tops. It rained some nights while we were sleeping, But the mornings were always gloriously sunny!
The rains are refreshing and the Ticos make light of them, and seem to enjoy them. Never did rain interrupt any of our plans, and they should not be a problem for you.
It is part of the experience of Costa Rica. And if you are at the beach enjoying the water anyway, why should a little rain from heaven ruin a beautiful vacation in paradise?The “OMG” bridge is a sight to behold. Make sure you look out the window to see the steel vibrate in air as you go over. Then check your undergarments when you reach the other side.
We got caught in a traffic jam for an hour returning from Manuel Antonio, while they were performing repairs on the bridge. It was exactly the same when we got to it. I think they were just exchanging old rusted beams for fresh old rusted beams.
I believe this bridge must be considered a tourist attraction, as I saw it on a travelogue, being passed over at night in a rainstorm.Megan, Thanks a lot. I think this is the one I’ll be getting. From the description it looks exactly like what I want. I appreciate you having done my research for me. Thanks to you too Lotus. I’m a bit north of NYC, and usually only go there a few times a year.
We definitely have to be coffee freaks to be going on like this about getting a good “Cup of Joe.” lolThanks, Lotus. Nice site, although the company locator did not work. I’ll try again later. I purchased my 8 cup at Linen and Things, but they only carried one model.
Two quick questions, Megan. Does it really make 12 cups? My Bodum 8 cup glass, only makes about 4. And where can I get one of the 12 cup stainless models in the states?
They are still under communist rule. And are doing a good job as quasi-capitalists. They are beating us at our own game.
I know what you mean. One cup at a time is slow, but the Pura Vida pace makes it somewhat easier to deal with. One last suggestion is the French press. Makes up to 8 cups of fabulous coffee and is about as convenient as the percolator.
No electricity, not even a generator? Sounds like you’ll be roughing it, but I guess it could be fun,if not challenging.Buena suerte.
The traditional way to brew coffee in Costa Rica was with the “Choreador.” I love mine and it’s great for just one cup. It does look like a sock hanging on a wooden frame. It makes an excellent cup of coffee though.
The percolator is not the best way to brew, because the coffee water just keeps getting recycled over the grounds. Also water at the boiling point is not all that great for true flavor. “Mr coffee” will work just fine or any other drip coffeemaker.
I may sound like a coffee snob, but I do enjoy a good cup.Just a footnote to my above post. If a country of manufacture was really making the counterfeit product, would they use their own county’s name on it? And again, don’t you at least think they would know how to spell it correctly?
Something is wrong with this picture. We’ll just have to see if Colgate and the FDA will be “working closely” to get to the bottom of this.
