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The list of things needed cannot be accomplished under the present system.
The situation in this respect is similar to that in the US and UK, where necessary reforms are blocked by those who would be most effected and control power.
In CR these include: private monopolists with relatives in government; The rich, who form the main power bases in the country and do not want to pay taxes; corrupt officials and the judiciary and public sector unions who want to keep their feather bedded employment.
So listing the things that need to change is largely a waste of time, but here it is anyway:
1. Introduce a real anti corruption agency with special powers and a special court. This was done very effectively in Singapore. Immediately suspend and isolate from influencing events anyone accused of corruption.
2. Abolish all monopolies including state owned ones. This requires powerful and independent regulators.
3. Devalue the currency by 30%, default on foreign debt
4. Make labour courts more balanced and stricter in collecting evidence. Follow best international practice in benefits and labor legislation to avoid favouring labour too much.
5. Introduce free trade as Singapore did and end subsidies and tax breaks to special interest groups, state or private, including farmers and the tourist industry
6. Clean up the law on property to stop people being cheated out of their land.
7. Pay the police so that they do not need to be corrupt.
8. Open state managed drug points of sale under strict management and make all drugs legal, pure and taxed.
This list could go on, but you see it will not happen.
Realistically, the country will bumble along. Eventually there will be a crisis, whereby debt default and currency devaluation will occur.
Hard times will follow and then a new bunch of corrupt officials will take over. Or maybe even the same bunch.
[quote=”maravilla”]where in costa rica are you living that makes pine needles a problem?[/quote]
San Isidro de Grecia at 5000 feet. We have a row of 100ft pines which are beautiful, but drop 9 inch needles.[quote=”maravilla”]none of the campesinos in my hood have such a high tech contraction. they simply pile up all the dried stuff, pour some alcohol on it, and light it! my husband did the same thing the other day and got rid of a three-foot high pile of leaves, cuttings, etc. before the rains start. and it’s raining like hell right now![/quote]
My only concern is not to start a fire that can get out of control.[quote=”costaricafinca”][b]maravilla,[/b] we also dig a wide, shallow hole and pile in the leaves, grass cuttings, branches etc and let them partially rot. When the top and outer edges are dry, a fire is set, and the burnt parts/ashes are dug into the remaining ‘stuff’ in the hole and the result is some of the best and quickest compost ever seen!
But, in more residential area a ‘bin’ can be used.
We had the thunder storms and very heavy rain yesterday and lost power.[/quote]Thanks, We are building a compost heap, as you describe, as a second project. We need the incinerator for pine needles, which would ruin the compost, because they are highly acidic and stop vegetation growing beneath pines. We also need to be very careful, as the incinerator can throw out burning embers and start a fire. An old guy in the UK burnt three nearby yards and outbuildings only last week.
[quote=”costaricafinca”]Consider making your own using a metal oil drum ….that’s what we did.
We also have a plastic one, for making ‘manure tea…’ :roll:[/quote]Thanks,
I will use the oil drum approach if i cannot find a ready made.[quote=”pranaspakeywest”]I know it may seem crazy to want to heat a pool here, but we do.
I am familiar with “SolarCostaRica” as a company, but they have closed their business.
I’m looking for any names of companies here that carry and install solar panels specifically to heat swimming pools.
We’re in Manuel Antonio.
Any ideas?
Thanks, Mark.
BTW, still looking to share a container from South Florida if anyone is interested……[/quote]Try guillermo.ramirez@swissol.net<guillermo.ramirez@swissol.net
They are firm with swiss technology or
dalvarez@enaturalca.com; I have just received quotations, both have been recommended by neighbors
Regards,
Chris Clarke
