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Sweikert
The political system here is alive and well and it has alot of problems that are associated with government in general.
I happen to have alot of respect for costa rica because here is a country that had the balls to put away 2 presidents for crimes. that is ballsy..
I do have a question and again please do not take offense 🙂
Democracy is based on a free expression of conflicting ideas so criticism of any government action is healthy
is this what you actually believe.. ???
Alex Epstein writes: Every Election Day, politicians, intellectuals, and activists propagate a seemingly patriotic but utterly un-American idea: the notion that our most important right–and the source of America’s greatness–is the right to vote. According to former President Bill Clinton, the right to vote is “the most fundamental right of citizenship”; it is “the heart and soul of our democracy,” says Senator John McCain
Such statements are regarded as uncontroversial–but consider their implications. If voting is truly our most fundamental right, then all other rights–including free speech, property, even life–are contingent on and revocable by the whims of the voting public (or their elected officials).
America, on this view, is a society based not on individual rights, but on unlimited majority rule–like ancient Athens, where the populace, exercising “the most fundamental right of citizenship,” elected to kill Socrates for voicing unpopular ideas–or modern-day Zimbabwe, where the democratically elected Robert Mugabe has seized the property of the nation’s white farmers and brought the nation to the verge of starvation–or Germany in 1932, when the people democratically elected the Nazi Party, including future Chancellor Adolph Hitler. Would anyone dare claim that America is thus fundamentally similar to these regimes, and that it is perfectly acceptable to kill controversial philosophers or to exterminate six million Jews, so long as it is done by popular vote?
Contrary to popular rhetoric,
[b]America was founded, not as a “democracy,” but as a constitutional republic–[/b][u][/u]
a political structure under which the government is bound by a written constitution to the task of protecting individual rights. “Democracy” does not mean a system that holds public elections for government officials; it means a system in which a majority vote rules everything and everyone, and in which the individual thus has no rights. In a democracy, observed James Madison in The Federalist Papers , “there is nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice the weaker party or an obnoxious individual. Hence it is that such democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention [and] have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property.”
The right to vote derives from the recognition of man as an autonomous, rational being, who is responsible for his own life and who should therefore freely choose the people he authorizes to represent him in the government of his country. That autonomy is contradicted if a majority of voters is allowed to do whatever it wishes to the individual citizen. The right to vote is not a sanction for a gang to deprive other individuals of their freedom. Rather, because a free society requires a certain type of government, it is a means of installing the officials who will safeguard the individual rights of each citizen.
What makes America unique is not that it has elections–even dictatorships hold elections–but that its elections take place in a country limited by the absolute principle of individual freedom. From our Declaration of Independence, which upholds the “unalienable rights” of every individual, among which are “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” to our Constitution, whose Bill of Rights protects freedom of speech and the freedom of private property, respect for individual liberty is the essence of America–and the root of her greatness.
Unfortunately, with each passing Election Day, too many Americans view elections less as a means to protect freedom, and more as a means to win some government favor or handout at the expense of the liberty and property of other Americans. Our politicians promise, not to protect the basic rights spelled out in the Declaration and the Constitution, but to violate the rights of some people in order to benefit others.
Today’s politicians want capital for failing banks–by forcing non-failing Americans to pay for them; subsidies for farmers–by forcing non-farmers to pay for them; prescription drugs for the elderly–by forcing the non-elderly to pay for them; housing for the homeless–by forcing the non-homeless to pay for it. The more “democratic” our government becomes, the more we cannibalize our liberty, ultimately to the detriment of all.
This Election Day, therefore, we should reject those who wish to reduce our republic to mob rule. Instead, we should vote for those, to whatever extent they can be found, who are defenders of the essence of America: individual freedom.
By Alex Epstein
[quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”watchdog”]…such as her openly criticizing decisions of the Constitutional Court, when being a member of the Executive Branch as the President, when such action contravenes the very tenents of a Democracy[/quote]
If all she did was criticize, that hardly seems unpresidential to me. Democracy is based on a free expression of conflicting ideas so criticism of any government action is healthy, no matter from whom. Or did she do more than that, such as refuse to comply with some decision?[/quote]
she should have alot in common with the Muslim King then :D:D:D:D
Democracy is another word for MOB Rules
[quote=”watchdog”]I’m of the opinion that the reasons for her unpopularity are two fold: 1. She doesn’t display any of the personal leadership qualities that one would expect in a President, such as her openly criticizing decisions of the Constitutional Court, when being a member of the Executive Branch as the President, when such action contravenes the very tenents of a Democracy; and 2. She has surrounded herself with what have to be considered the most inept group of advisors and Ministers that Costa Rica has seen in recent times, if ever before.[/quote]
[quote=”kwhite1″][quote=”costaricafinca”]Do you really think that you are the first ex-pat to have ‘development ideas’ there? Thank goodness you are headed for Belize, then.[/quote]
I know I am far from the first expat to “develop ideas” there. Just the best one…..
Signed the Swashbuckler[/quote]
Hey Swashbuckler 🙂
pay no mind to costaricafinca
if you have $$ as far as cushion to deal with the mistakes that come up.. you will adapt and learn and eventually profit. good for you
the biggest hindrance government-taxes-corruption
I owned a few brick and mortar business here in costa rica and they make it so hard to do business here
unless of course if your walmart 😀
I sold everything and will never hire a person ever again.. except outsourcing to the Philippines which i do
if I can make an opinion
don’t open any type of brick and mortar business
only internet related so that no one knows what you do.
living outside the U.S. is the best education one can give to thier kids
good for you my friend
saludos
David
[quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”davidd”]
no offense
[/quote]
I always get a kick out of people who say something deliberately meant to be offensive and then tack on “No offense” at the end as if that removes the offensiveness. Kind of like a reverse “Simon Says” LOL[/quote]Sweikert
Honestly I am just speaking in general terms and do NOT mean to be offensive.
As I get older I really try and speak my mind without any political correctness that is associated in todays speaking environment.
I myself respect people that speak frankly
in general terms I am saying the influx of foreigners have indeed caused many changes here
and I don’t mean individuals but more companies and the consumerism that the U.S. is so famous for.
anyway.. thats part of progress and it may be time to look elsewhere.
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]
[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
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.phpOverall 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]
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.phpOverall 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]
Oh yea those pocones.. those little rat bastards LOL they come out at dusk.. and it’s bite creates a little crust scab that if it falls off too early it gets infected and becomes worse. itches like a mofo
I wonder what Obama uses for these scenarios :D:D:D:D
this country is blessed with the tiniest insects that can leave large welts
I just bought a device that supposed to last 2 months and it cost me $11 bucks.. its a new product out here
lets see if this works.. I wanted to use my glock but the cost of ammo is too prohibitive
last night was terrible with these mosquito and I have screen windows. I can only imagine if I was an open area.. forget it
i can never find them during the day only at night..
bbzzzzzz bbzzzzzzzz.. and now they feast on this beautiful chubby body of mine 🙂
and I wake up with 10 to 15 little bites
[quote=”elindermuller”][quote=”puravidatexan”]Could anyone share info on a “no-see-um” bite. Is it just a BadAss variety of mosquito, or the CR equivalent of a chigger? It leaves a itchy knot on the body. I went into a pharmacia in Cartago, and was given a choice of a $5. cure or a $60. cure. Guess which one I tried? It turned out to be some type of menthol oil with asparin, but it did quiet the itch. The welp went down a few days later.
My wife attracted a different creature that bites in the Chirripo area (no, that is not a body part)…northeast of San Isidro del General. Could someone over an amatuer diagnosis from the oft-bitten? Would any of you long-time Gringos promise us the hope of eventual immunity? What about amnesty?[/quote]
There are chiggers (coloradillas, mostacillas) which are baby-ticks (larva). They sit in whole bunches on leaves and grass, once you walk by you pick them up. It looks like dust on the clothes, but the dust moves “south” slowly in search of the softest and tastiest body parts. When I go out to see the horses I spray pants and boots with “Baygon” or similar stuff. The chiggers still get on the pants but then fall off. When they are stuck to the skin it itches for 2 weeks, even if you get them off.
There are tiny little flies (pocones) that come out late afternoon. They are tiny black dots and by the time you feel the bite they are gone, leaving a red dot on the skin.
And the regular mosquitoes of all brands (dengue and others).
Repellent helps for those (Spray or cream, available in grocery stores).[/quote]Jerry
your 100% correctamundo
[quote=”Jerry4711″]I recently wrote this about places I’ve lived in a blog about the difference between there and CR.
“However the UK is just a puppet of the USA, and just as unsafe as the USA, I left it as well and now live in Costa Rica. No it’s not perfect here, but how often have you heard of school shootings here?
For that matter how often is Costa Rica in the news. I’m not going to extoll the virtues of CR. In fact I really don’t want most of you to come here – you’ll just bring what I’m getting away from. (Yes if CR turns out to be another US/UK I’ll leave it too). I’ve done my homework and I am very sure CR is the last place for me.”
I recently was in a place frequented by expats, and one said to me how lazy the Ticos are and went on, and on about what he didn’t like here.
He was also wearing a ‘I (heart) NY’ cap. I asked him he was from NY and he said Yes. “So why don’t you go back there?” His answer, “I can’t afford to.”
I’m reminded of the red neck saying during the Vietnam war – AMERICA – LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT, now I say, COSTA RICA – LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT.
Just call me a CR Redneck ;-)[/quote]
[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.
Amen :D:D:D:D
it’s even more amusing that enough people actually believe anything the gov sais at face value.
I remember in early 90’s when the quick pass was just being introduced. I think I was one of the last hold outs but crossing the throgs neck bridge had become a daily obligation for me.
and in the end they only have 2 cash lanes open and 7 quick pass so it kind of forces you to participate.
I finally gave in.
what happned 2 years ahead.
I get a ticket in the mail for $350 for speeding.
it appears that they took information between 2 bridges and caculated tat I went over the speed limit.
now most of the sheep will say.. “well you should not be speeding””
when truth is whether I was speeding or NOT is irrelevant.
what is relevant. is city officials using information that was NOT initially intended for and using this for their own purposes.
which is a typical example of how this plays out.
[quote=”kwhite1″][quote=”davidd”]Scott
cmon man.. are you not being a little paranoid??? :D:D:D:D:D:D
according to David m the goverments role is to help us and they will take care of everyone.
so all is well and using any kind of brain matter to read between the lines of whats going on .. even if history teaches
is totally insane man
:wink::wink::wink::wink::wink::wink::wink:
[quote=”Scott”]Ha! This just got a a LOT more interesting … Take a look at this from the [url=http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=928&which_year=2013&SUBMIT1.x=-643&SUBMIT1.y=0&SUBMIT1=Normal]Connecticut General Assembly website[/url]:
[url=http://dollarvigilante.com/blog/2013/4/30/connecticut-begins-gold-dealer-shutdown.html]AN ACT CONCERNING PRECIOUS METALS OR STONES DEALERS.[/url]
To require precious metals or stones dealers to provide a periodic statement of transactions in an electronic format to the local licensing authority and retain any goods purchased for at least ten days, and to make the requirements applicable to precious metals or stones dealers similar to those applicable to secondhand dealers.
Introduced by: Public Safety and Security Committee
As economist Gary North pointed out concering this bill: “You may recall that the terror of the French Revolution was run by the Committee on Public Safety.” In the section on “Bullions and Coins”, the bill says:
For bullion and coin sales, in addition to the requirements under current law, the bill requires dealers to keep the record in English, be consecutively numbered, and include the seller’s general description.
[/quote][/quote]I am positive that the only “intention” is to protect the consumer, there is NOOOOOO way that the honest Abe gubment would use in any way, shape, or form, information gathered for anything than less than honest to goodness protection of the consumer….right? Can I get an Amen?[/quote]
Scott
cmon man.. are you not being a little paranoid??? :D:D:D:D:D:D
according to David m the goverments role is to help us and they will take care of everyone.
so all is well and using any kind of brain matter to read between the lines of whats going on .. even if history teaches
is totally insane man
:wink::wink::wink::wink::wink::wink::wink:
[quote=”Scott”]Ha! This just got a a LOT more interesting … Take a look at this from the [url=http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=928&which_year=2013&SUBMIT1.x=-643&SUBMIT1.y=0&SUBMIT1=Normal]Connecticut General Assembly website[/url]:
[url=http://dollarvigilante.com/blog/2013/4/30/connecticut-begins-gold-dealer-shutdown.html]AN ACT CONCERNING PRECIOUS METALS OR STONES DEALERS.[/url]
To require precious metals or stones dealers to provide a periodic statement of transactions in an electronic format to the local licensing authority and retain any goods purchased for at least ten days, and to make the requirements applicable to precious metals or stones dealers similar to those applicable to secondhand dealers.
Introduced by: Public Safety and Security Committee
As economist Gary North pointed out concering this bill: “You may recall that the terror of the French Revolution was run by the Committee on Public Safety.” In the section on “Bullions and Coins”, the bill says:
For bullion and coin sales, in addition to the requirements under current law, the bill requires dealers to keep the record in English, be consecutively numbered, and include the seller’s general description.
[/quote][quote=”DavidCMurray”]Pour a few rounds into the back of an unarmed burglar and see about who gets to write the history.
______
Whatever. It’s you delusion.[/quote]
David
[b]why would you pour a few rounds into the back of an unarmed burgler??[/b]
you obviously should not be able to carry a gun as you miss the whole point of self defense
that statement falls under the same propaganda that is perpetuated in the States concerning responsible gun ownership.
why would you say something like that???
I remember when I was taking the psych exam and the doctor had noticed since I have been in costa rica for 15 years and only recently why I wanted to get a gun carry.
I thought about that and replied simply
protect my family. she nodded and confirmed.
before being single I never felt i needed a gun but I am now responsible for not just myself but for a few lives as in children plus the fact I am not the young stallion I used to be.
:D:D:D:D
Wasag
this is not about being in anyone’s camp my friend
and Scott is entitled to his belief and opinions
is he not???
just as your entitled to yours.
My point??
is that based on your life experience you will see the world differently thus have one’s own beliefs.
think about this
I do think the world would be a better place if we all just migrated towards communities of like minded people and let people believe what they want.
as long as we agree in the primary directive so to speak “non aggression”. no physical or mental force trying to force your opinions on other people. :?:?:?
and let the free market do its thing
would this so bad???
[quote=”wasaga”]Wow Mr. Oliver
I have to be in Mr. David C. Murray’s camp on this one. Mr. Oliver you always seem to bring up and tout the fact that you were a Royal Maarine Commando with the British Special Forces. Do you include yourself in your thoughts about paid government employees? So you were in the R.M.C. for what? If not to protect the safety of others, or were you just there for??? It is really very unprofessional of you to paint everybody with that brush of disdain. If that is the case stop bragging about the R.M.C. because of your own definition you were not there to protect others. I myself am a retired Intelligence officer and, Mr. Oliver I take umbridge with your analysis of ALL government employees. I have much more I would like to say but I will end this with: HOW in all conscience can you say those things when so many first reponders and military loose their lives helping others on a daily basis? HOW?? Wow as I was thinking about this “imxploring”,kwhite1,and DAVIDD got in ahead of me, now don’t you all gang up on all at once. However many times we stopped serious crimes from occurring,no press,. I am not advocating that you should not and can not protect your own family,but do not loose perspective of men and women who do the JOB because of committment to duty and to mankind. You all want to find fault in that, hel yourself[/quote]
