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I would not sign anything either unless I was fully able to understand what it is I am signing. Then again, many things are worded to make it difficult to understand in the first place… Hence, the need for lawyers. What am I saying? Those are the guys who write the agreements in the first place!
Scott, I have to agree with you on some of those points. Natural remedies will always be suppressed, because they cannot be patented. If you can’t patent it, the profit motive is removed by the competition of other companies being able produce it.
Oddly enough, many medications have their basis in natural forms such as plants. The drug companies synthesize these compounds in order to patent them, thereby eliminating competition… Lovely huh.
I still think there are some scientists working for drug companies that are compassionate and do not have a profit motive. Maybe it is just wishful thinking, but I like to think there are some decent people left in this world.Scott, I don’t think anyone has any real idea how CAFTA(TLC) will fully affect any industry in CR. Remember when Pacheco appointed the committee to try to interpret the document and they came away with a mixed and confused feeling about it? The impact of the agreement will depend on what CR does once they adopt it. If they ever do. If they just let another nation come in unhampered and take over every industry, they will lose their sovereignty. The basis for accepting any treaty or agreement should be if the country accepting it is getting a distinct benefit from it. If there are too many questions about it, it might be best for CR to try to renegotiate the treaty or simply not come on board.
We have all seen what NAFTA has brought. I don’t think anyone has benefited. Mexico still has poverty, and thousands trying to cross into the US. Canada doesn’t seem to be much better off, but at least they are not running into the US. The US has lost manufacturing jobs to US companies that have gone to do business in Mexico. So, I don’t think this was a big winner for anyone… Except some companies that wanted a cheaper labor force. You can use most favored nation status given to China as well for this. Some people blame it for NAFTA not being a success.
Until wages worldwide reach some sort of parity, these agreements will only continue to serve a minority of people and companies.Just my opinion.
Maravilla, I want to commend you on your research and the writing of a book. I wasn’t aware of this, and sometimes thought you came off as someone who just hated drug companies and was getting information off the Internet. This adds a great deal of credibility to your arguments. I respect anyone who does due diligence and doesn’t just shoot from the hip.
All good intentions of drug manufacturers, and other companies as well, goes out the window once huge profits are there to be made. It appears the motive for making money compromises ones ability to think compassionately and clearly.
The days of the healing arts being practiced as an honorable profession are seemingly disappearing. There are, I am sure, many doctors and research scientists that still have the patient and individual’s health as a priority. The few that do what they do for profit alone can taint the entire field of curing and preventing disease.I don’t remember how we got from “reservations regarding buying in Costa Rica” to drug companies, but it has been interesting conversation.
Maraviila, With regard to your first sentence, I thank you for clarifying my point. It is a corporation’s “mandate” to be responsible for a profit to the shareholder.
Where we part company,where big pharma is concerned, is, I take a good guy, bad guy approach. In certain instances of trauma, drugs can save lives. We both know and have to admit it is proven. During heart attacks and strokes there are drugs (clot busters) to return normal blood flow to the heart and brain. Antibiotics are a good example of life savers as well. Some vaccines have done well also. Not that these are without side effects.
We do share the opinion that raping and plundering by putting out bad drugs that are not fully tested is a bad thing. The drug companies use federal monies for R&D, not their own, but get to keep all the profits, except for taxes. But then again, they hire the best tax attorneys they can. They “bribe” doctors by sending them on exotic trips, A fact I know firsthand. They Give away sporting events tickets, I’ve seen the sign up sheets in a doctor’s office, along with all the free samples they provide for the doctors to give away to their patients. This practice is coming under government control for about the past year and it hopefully will go away.
We can’t hang all the blame on big pharma. A government, not responsive to the needs of its citizenry, is also to blame. The FDA should also be looked into for their diligence, or lack thereof, in investigating thoroughly, all new drugs before they are approved.Scott, I’m glad to see that your being involved in the investment world has still left your conscience intact. Most investment counselors know, companies have an obligation to the stockholder first and foremost. This however has been translated to profits and bottom line at all costs. Layoffs and cost cutting strategies that leave communities and people in financial ruin seem to be of less and less concern to corporations. The only thing they seem to care about is share price nowadays. Every time a stock gets beat up, another round of layoffs is sure to follow. With Halliburton now moving its CEO to Dubai, to bring him closer to the goldmine of the Middle East, more and more companies will be shifting locations and assests offshore for the tax benefit, and dump the tax burden on the middle class once again.
I have no problem with corporate profits. They have made America into the financial powerhouse that it is. But now with the new world economy, it looks like the loyalty to the people that supported and worked for these entities will be forgotten in the name of higher profits.
This is just my opinion, for what it’s worthIt is amazing how making the move to the third world can be a challenge that is self inflicted. People tend to think the way things are done in our own country is the standard by which other countries will perform. Such is not the case. Tico’s have their own unique culture, language and protocols. They have survived. They get things done at their pace, not ours. I think many people go with the thought, I will show them how it’s done. Then get totally frustrated when it doesn’t go their way. We cannot show another country how to live.
They got along without us, and will continue to manage despite the shortcomings we think they have. I’m sure Ticos laugh at many of the things we say and do.
If you are not willing to immerse yourself in their world…Don’t go. As most people are resistant to change anyway, why would you put yourself in a position like this without thoroughly thinking it through. To me, you are only setting yourself up for trouble and disappointment. Paradise is paradise when you are willing to accept the changes and be truly happy living a new lifestyle. Just going for the weather, cheaper housing, beautiful beaches and the like, will leave you missing out on what is Pura Vida. When we go, we avoid being stuck in the tourist only mode. We try to interact with as many locals as we can. We have talked and laughed with Ticos about the differences in our culture, and encourage them to tell us what they don’t like about Americans or our way of life. Believe me, we do not get insulted by honest criticism. If you can get them to open up, you will find yourself laughing at some of the things we do. You will realize many of the things we value are not really that important to Ticos, and furthermore, not really that important to you as well, when you understand what is basic to having a happy life. As one told me when I asked about how they feel driving older cars and not wanting to buy new every few years. His answer was, “Why would I want a new car, when then I would not be able to put food in my refrigerator.” They don’t use credit cards as we do, they like not having to owe money and are happier with not keeping up with the Jones’. They do not need the new car, the big home, the boat or other toys to be fulfilled and happy. Maybe this will change in years to come, with the many gringos and their money moving there, but I hope not.
We have been brought up with different value systems. We, the outsider, have, an always have to win and be first mentality. They apparently do not. They run on their own time schedule, and do not feel the urgency to get it done Ahora! If you can’t live with these and many other changes, why would you want to move there in the first place. Or is it just the allure of being in a country where you are undoubtedly wealthier than most of the population, and whatever money you have will go almost three times as far, making it seem like you hit the lottery? If money the only reason for wanting to live there, and not for the experience of living with new and wonderfully different people, then my suggestion is, don’t pack your bags just yet.Guru, I like your thought on the conditions of the roads. We can rationalize anything. It puts a positive spin on why I would want sit in the car longer than I think I should.
GringoTico, I truly enjoy reading your complete and insightful answers to questions. If you have stopped blushing, please let me know, have you written any books? If so what are the titles? If you haven’t authored any, may I suggest you start…Immediately!!
I am in need of literature that is able to ground my ever wandering mind.
On this board, in its calmer moments, there is much knowledge to be gained about Costa Rica, human nature and people’s hopes and dreams. We all share the love of a country, that in many ways is different from the land of our birth. This is probably what attracts us so much. We long for a paradise we might not be able to attain in our native countries, and find something here that offers promise.
For myself, I have found my ability for being tolerant and accepting of other peoples diverse attitudes, as well as realizing there is more than one “right” way to do things, has grown since visiting Costa Rica and participating in this forum. Sometimes I still get carried away, but I’m learning to live the “pure life.”Thanks for being the “Professor” of WLCR.
Pura Vida tambien mi amigo
GringoTico, You are as eloquent and informative as ever. I truly enjoy your comments, and actually look forward to you joining in a discussion. No, I’m not being patronizing, I just love reasoned and informative posts.
You are right, about Cuba being one of the safest places on the planet. I’ve read that numerous times, and heard of many foreigners and Cubans saying the same thing. You are also correct in that it comes at a high cost … to civil liberties.
While in Costa Rica this past summer, I asked our driver about what would happen if CR was invaded by a foreign power. He said, they fully expect the US to come to their aid. This is why they are comfortable not having an Army. The US and CR have had a long standing friendship, as evidenced by the US Coast Guard acting in concert with the Ticos on drug interdiction. I too, believe the US would be there to assist the Ticos, should the need ever arise.
The one thing I was not aware of, and was surprised to find out, was that the dregs of Europe settled in Costa Rica. Unlike Australia, which was a penal colony, I thought CR was settled by the more “upper class” Spaniards looking to increase their holdings and income. They were trying to enslave the natives to do the farming and building of cities. Finding not much of an indigenous population, and little money coming from Spain because of the lack of gold to be found in CR, they took to farming themselves and settled the country. It could very well be these were the dregs of Europe. At least their original intentions and actions may have lead to this conclusion. The history, in books I have read, seemed to paint a more noble image of the original Spanish Conquistador inhabitants of Costa Rica.I guess we can now get back to “Real estate downturn.”
Tbone, You bring up a very good point. If I am correct in what I remember about Switzerland, it was mandatory to have a fully automatic firearm in one’s home. I assume that was for the head of household and also they may have had some training.
In Costa Rica from what I know, you are able to have a pistol even if you are not a citizen. I believe the requirement is residency and passing a proficiency test and a psychological evaluation. This should make for a safer country by the standards you have described above. But, as you know, in the US it is becoming more difficult to own a handgun and longarms are coming under ever increasing restrictions.
I don’t know how we got from “real estate downturn” to this subject, but it makes for interesting conversation.T-Bone and GT, Maybe I’m the only one thinking like this, but, doesn’t not having a defensive force in place leave a country exposed to things like, invasions from foreign powers? While I totally agree with Costa Rica’s reasons for not having a standing army, I would however feel it a little unnerving should neighbors to the North or south do a little saber rattling. Possibly this is only a paranoid feeling, having lived my life in the post WWII era in the USA.
Costa Rica enjoys a stable government, basically stable economy and a standard of living that would affirm their choices have for the most part, worked. I’m not implying a nonmilitary country is bad. Just with the world in a state such as it is, real or perceived, I feel a trifle uncomfortable not having a military presence. Any thoughts?Scott, Thanks for putting that into perspective. New York City is not indicative of the rest of the country, but I think I was trying to grab on to any good news up here to keep hope. You are correct about the subprime market and the negative savings rate. This, I think, also comes from a live for today attitude most Americans have adopted over the last decade.
The foreclosure rate is also of great concern. This could totally collapse any Real estate comeback.
Just yesterday I was talking to a customer who was a real estate broker. He told me he buys his homes with 10year ARM’s. The RE market, he tells me, has traditionally always gone up, despite short downturns, and no one lives in their homes more than 10 years anyway. I found this quite interesting for a broker to use this buying strategy. I guess this feeling is what has been driving the market recently.Cindy, You’re very welcome. Thanks for the offer, but I bet you would most likely beat me. I’m like the shoemaker with holes in his own shoes. When you are around pool tables all day you really don’t seem to play all that much of it. I know this sounds strange, but we don’t even have one at home. I guess we’ll save that for retirement in CR, when we have enough time to enjoy playing.
Well, have a great time playing and honing your skills. It will be wonderful to have that pool table with the onset of the rainy season. Just like the winter up here, a pool table can be a fun thing when you are spending more time indoors.
Pura Vida!Lotus, Good to hear the NY market is turning around. Most of us didn’t expect to see a turn around until late 2007 or early ’08. This is welcome news and should bode well for the entire US economy. We have recently seen an uptick in our business, and the beginning of March looks like it could set a good pace for the end of the first quarter. This should translate well also for the CR real estate market and tourism down there too.
Great to finally hear some positive news!Cindy, I believe you found a winner. I checked out their website and indeed the pool tables look like they are of excellent quality. The styles are unique and appear to be solidly built. They look in some cases to be over built by US standards, which is a good thing. Their choice of woods used for the environment there is perfect. The cloth they use (Granito) is one of the best in the world. I also noticed Artemis cushions being available. If it is an option, get them. They are made in Germany and are the finest in the world for accuracy. The slate is Italian, which has been the country of choice in the US for over 40 years. I’m not sure why they are not using Brazilian slate as we do now. The Brazilian is harder and cheaper, but the Italians have been at it for many more years than the Brazilians, so the slate will aassuredly be top notch.
You would not go wrong with this manufacturer. Being native to CR is also a benefit for service, when you need it.
Good luck on your purchase. I’m sure you wil be happy and satisfied. Thanks for providing me with the website.
When we visit CR next time I will try to visit the factory to see how they do things down there.
