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everyone has the right to vote how they please, just as everyone has the right to critisize the government, no matter how they voted.
I would like to point out that the Fed is a public corporation, and not a gaovernment agency. Every time they print money, they sell it to the treasury for face value plus interest. This in itself creates instant debt. GWB is closely linked to the Fed, his grandfather was the head of the fed 40 years or so ago… All profits from the fed go directly to shareholders like JP Morgan and Rockafeller and similar ilk. With the current fiscal policy and the behaviour of the fed all that is happening is the richest 5% get even richer and the rest of the American public get poorer. Unless something is done to balance this the US will go bankrupt.
Dockers…
Firstly you have no idea whether I could afford to live in California… I said I wouldn’t not couldn’t!
you made some valid points about what’s not right in Costa Rica, however you are comparing a third world country to the US. Hardly a fair comparison.
You mentioned the Mortgage crisis… who’s to blame for that? From what I see it’s big business running rampant doing whatever they want to because GWB is too busy making money himself to regulate the system. Where did you find the 0.5% of GDP figures from? It would be interesting to see your source of that. I don’t have figures to disprove it, but claiming such things should be backed up by facts (or where to find them).
The US fiscal policy (is there one?) under the Republicans just helps big business and not the majority of Americans.
In your seclusion of the Bay area have you not noticed that New Orleans is still waiting for infrastructure to be repaired from Katrina, whilst 60 billion dollars is spent rebuilding Iraq.
You mentioned earlier that your house was worth 1.6 million so you have money… or are you mortgaged to the hilt like most Americans… henceforth the mortgage crisis!
As far as I can determine real estate (built to NA standards) is not necessarily being lowered in price… just there are fewer buyers slowing the market in some regions.
Given the choice, which I do have, I would pick Costa Rica over anywhere in the US… because I can. It suits my requirements therefore it will be where I go when I retire.
My Choice for my own reasons
ttfn
Enduro
Well I have been reading this discussion and I have to agree with you IMX, although a little on the curt side, you have summed up exactly what I was thinking about dockers. He states he lives in California,,, that could explain a lot… It had to be one of my worst experiences going there. I found the people to be austentacious and fake, well most not all. There were some good people there too. It was not somewhere i wanted to live. Costa Rica on the other hand was just the opposite, very welcoming and friendly. There were exceptions there too, but they were the ones “locked” into their “why can’t this be like home?” mentallity.
I’ve lived in several countries in the world and always RESPECTED the locals and their culture. I personally WILL be moving to Costa Rica to live/ retire and will assimilate into the culture. I’m one of those “adventurous” ones that doesn’t want the gated community… give me a modest home in the middle of the Ticos and I’ll be happy.
As to Dockers original “slamming” of Scott, I only have one thing to say… “Do your own homework”. You will find it very difficult to find all the information you need without help. This website provides that help if you read and or ask. Whether Scott makes money from real estate through this website is entirely up to him. If his advice is not what you are looking for … look somewhere else!
There are many people on this site that provide lots of info because they want to help others get through some of the pitfalls they might encounter. To those people I say thank you.
To dockers I say.. “get a life and stay in California!”
Website worked for me and it is about “buying” 1/4 share in a condo allowing 13 weeks throughout the year. Ownership is through a costa rican LLC and fees are pro rated. prices start at $125K
Seems to me to be a “timeshare” type deal.
This story appeared in AM CostaRica today
http://amcostarica.com/morenews2.htm
If it’s any help to anyone
As an outsider to the US, I see no solution being offered for the dire economic difficulties the country finds itself in. Printing money as the Fed has been doing creates instant debt for the US treasuary, as the Fed “sells” the money to the Government. (The Federal Reserve is after all just another corporation owned by stockholders – GWB’s Grandfather was president of the Fed…)
Being in countries they shouldn’t be in is fiscally crippling the economy quicker than the mortgage crunch… that’s just a correction of state by the banks because they got too sloppy in granting mortgages to people that wouldn’t qualify anywhere else in the world.
Teaching our children to be fiscally responsible starts with education, but the education system doesn’t even attempt to inject that sort of philosophy. Maybe because of under funding…because the Government is too busy spending money they don’t have on wars…
Unfortunately, the general public in the US just doesn’t grasp the idea of freedom of expression, they can only have two choices for President, a Democrat or a Republican… That will never make sense to me, especially when a lot of people vote the same way no matter what… always Dem or Rep. Surely there must be someone out there that has some NEW ideas and can maybe find the backing to run even as an Independant. There are lots of “tree – huggers” out there… why don’t they have a political party in the US… like just about everywhere else… (I apologize if I offend anyone by using labels… but that seems to be the way it’s done in the US)
The whole world is watching the US presidential race believing that the next President will be the saviour of the US economy… but the administration pulls the strings… the President is effectively just a “frontman”
The whole system in the US needs to be looked at and maybe changed completely… or maybe just some key areas… but SOMETHING needs to be done and SOON!As a Brit, living in Canada and about to retire to Costa Rica, may I offer some insights to this discussion?
The original topic was the Homeland Security issue… I think this IS an attack on civil liberties and another step to keep the American people “in place”.
I have no problems with tightening security, but to have such sweeping rules is going too far. Airlines have to send passenger lists to the TSA prior to take off if the plane is on route to or over American air space. Say a flight from Germany is taking off for New York. This is an 8 hour flight… more than enough time to cross – reference the passenger list against ALL known lists the Government has. If then the computer spews out somebody or bodies that are “suspicious” then detain them on arrival and check their “stuff”.
If someone is acting suspicious then, sure check them out too… but have reasonable cause to act, not just because…Here’s a question… In the political arena… how come there are just two candidates for President? Why is it there are only two parties running? Most countries in the world that I have experienced elections in, there are usually four, five even more parties running, Why is that?
There have been lots of comments made that I have both agreed with and disagreed with but that is the essence of freedom of speech and the REAL democracy. It makes me sad that the 360 million Americans can only have two choices to head a government. Notice I didn’t say run… that is done by the Administration. The President is just the hero or fall-guy for their efforts.
In MY opinion, I think GWB has been railroaded by corporate America and the military into the mess the US is in now. It will take someone with enormous intestinal fortitude to right the wrongs done… Neither of the candidates in my opinion has it. It will, unfortunately be “more of the same…” no matter who gets in.
Either candidate may have good ideas… but getting them implemented is another thing.
As for the “cut down the trees…” ideology, that is just plain stupid, I apologize if that offends anyone, but trees are essential to the continuance of the planet. They clean more of the pollution than we will ever do. Oh and by the way… Al Gore is just getting rich from his “crusade”. When he turns up for a speech, he insists beforehand that there will be no discussion, no questions,,, just his lop – sided views, many of which have been proved to be wrong.
Footprints… The Toyota Prius is “reported” to be eco friendly, but when you compare the Hummer H2 and Toyota Prius and EVERYTHING that goes into building them, the Hummer has a smaller footprint and it would take 20 years for the Prius to catch up, but by then it will be junk (battery life is said to be 10 years).
I feel that everything a person can do to reduce their own footprint will help, even if it’s just their own wallet!Terrorists… well what defines a terrorist. It is a noun – a person who uses violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.
(Source – http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/terrorist?view=uk )I would add that monetary gains are another pursuit of a terrorist too. I would say that the US is guilty of being the terrorist in their attack of Iraq… for the control of oil, not because Saddam reportedly had WMD’s.
This brings up the question “why does America or more so it’s government, think it has the “right” to invade another country?” To do so on intelligence that a country MAY pose a threat is not a good enough reason for me.
Why did the US invade a British sovereign territory when they went into Grenada? What gave them the right? I could bring up lots of other things the US government has done but this is probably not needed here.
I grew up in England where we were “terrorized” by the IRA. I was only 3 miles away from the first bombing at the army barracks occurred, I was 2 blocks away when Harrods was bombed. I passed the Chelsea barracks 5 minutes before the bomb went off… I consider myself lucky that I am still here. Did I “hate” all catholic Irishmen because of it… no, some of my best friends fall into that group. Did I hate the IRA… no, I had an understanding of their situation, but I didn’t agree with their methods. The use of violence belittles the whole process of equality and fairness. They lost lots of support by their indiscriminant bombings, but the people won in the end, because they demanded the government find a resolution, peacefully, which eventually happened. That’s what needs to happen in the US… The people need to make government more accountable for their actions or inaction as the case may be.
I’ve added enough for now… I know what I need to do to survive in this world, I just hope that other people will allow me to do that.
In life sometimes you are the dog, sometimes you are the hydrant.
Enduro
Wow…. this one really sparked some interest… guns, oil, CIA, Archie Bunker…
I’m a Brit… living in Canada… intending to retire in CR
I tend to agree with Scott and know that whatever you want in the UK, there will be “someone” who can get it for you. I, personally owned guns in the UK, legally, gave them up when restrictions started to tighten just before I moved to Canada. I own guns here, legally and restrictions are tight on gun ownership here too. Biggest thing here is the “Gun Registry” shambles the Government started to institute, but REALLY messed up. Canada as a whole is “safe”, however Toronto has seen a large increase in gun related crimes… mostly committed by gangs on other gangs. The press dubbed it the “Summer of the Gun”.
As for the CIA… They have to be the biggest reason everyone worldwide distrusts Americans… I’m talking generalizations here and mean no harm personally, so don’t be offended.
ALL the conspiricy thoeries involve the CIA somewhere… they can’t all be wrong… I tend to see a lot of truth in most of them… but that’s another thread somewhere else…
I’ve always felt safe everywhere I’ve been… maybe sometimes from ignorance… maybe from trusting blindly… or just maybe because my Glock was loaded.
Have a great day and remember… sometimes you are the dog and sometimes you are the hydrant.
Here’s the link to the story of the “air car”… there is a video link on the page too
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7241909.stm
Quite amazing really… video actually shows the principle but you have to be quick to see it. Quite simple, totally ingenious.
Apparently there is a go kart track in UK that runs air powered go karts on the track for hire… can’t find where I saw it, but will keep looking.
Air tanks on “air car” are carbon fibre so if in crash, the split with a bang, but no flames… Car also has on board compressor which can be powered by plugging into mains to recharge tank. Could easily use 2 tanks… use one for running and recharge other using on board compressor powered by battery power charged off altenator driven by motor. when one tank empties, flick a switch and run on recharged tank and recharge empty… could run forever!!!
I have a degree in Statistics and basically can make any information look good, it’s all in what’s included in the report.
There are lots of alternatives to gasoline that need to be explored.
cellulosic ethanol is definitely a good idea.
There has been terrific strides made in other areas too… there is a vehicle being developed that runs on compressed air… now that would be relatively cheap. They say it can do 80 mph and travel up to 300 miles on one tank of compressed air. The first versions look very boxy, but asthetics was not their first concern. Big factor was that it could be recharged with air at ANY gas station with a tire inflation hose, or at home with a small compressor.
Other than still using oil as a lubricant, it was terrific. Maybe they could use palm oil or something similar rather than mineral oil (10w40).
Another scientist managed to get sea water to combust… by accident, he was looking for something else and his experiment burst into flames!!!
Not sure we should use sea water though… THAT could have adverse effects on climate too.
I could go on but won’t…
Thank you Don for the discussion… and yes Saab’s engineering is excellent. I have always admired their uniqueness and desire to be different. Just their looks beats anything coming out of Japan (boring…yawn!) or even the US. GM made a good investment when they bought into Saab.Life is amusing… make the most of it, but remember some days you are the dog and other days you are the hydrant!
BrianEdited on Aug 02, 2008 10:43
Just a point… the original poster mentioned the amount of land RECOPE would require for sugar cane production for ethanol… 16000 hectares.. 40,000 acres. In a small country like Costa Rica… that’s a LOT of land to dedicate to fuel production when there are people needing food…
Ok lets look at just the first point I made…
“1. It takes 3 – 4 gallons of gas and/or diesel to produce 1 gallon of Ethanol”How can this be??
Most Ethanol in North America is derived from corn. This is grown the traditional way … in fields (*). The Farmers plant, grow, fertilize, insceticide and harvest the corn in the tradtional manner using farm equipment powered by gas/ diesel engines. The corn is then transported by trucks (using diesel) to a processing plant where is is turned in to ethanol. This is then transported by diesel truck to delivery points around the country. All these factors are taken into consideration when pricing Ethanol at the pump, so why shouldn’t the use of fossil fuel be factored in when looking at the “cleaness” of the product.
(*) Fields used for ethanol use corn are fields NOT producing food for local comsumption. This has an adverse effect on food prices world wide.
The final product of ethanol does burn cleaner than gas… I’ll give you that, but what about all the emmissions from the production of the corn…
points 4 and 5 are explained above… ALL factors have to be taken into account when looking at costs of production.
Point 6 – Because of the lack of lubricants in the fuel, more exotic metals are used for internal parts of the engine, thus increasing the cost of production and therefore the final cost to the consumer.
You mentioned Saab… Built in Scandanvia and a long time “well built, well respected car” I personally have owned one many years ago… no problem there… However, Scandanavia is a very small area compared to the North American continent, and distribution costs will be phenominal, or have more processing plants…at more cost!!!
Now, don’t get me wrong I’m all for finding alternatives… but fuel from corn (or sugar cane as in Brazil)where it takes away from our food supply is not necassarily the best option… IF it were from bio waste ONLY then it would make more sense as that is recycling to produce energy from waste, which, I believe was the original concept.
Here are some facts about ethanol… These are all commonly discussed topics on recent news programs here in Canada.
1. It takes 3 – 4 gallons of gas and/or diesel to produce 1 gallon of Ethanol
2. It does NOT burn cleaner than gas… it produces MORE CO2 than gas
3. If your vehicle has a “plastic” fuel tank… Ethanol will dissolve it!
4. Corn grown to produce Ethanol is “B” grade and only good for animal feed and ethanol production. (Loss of food for human comsumption land)
5. It costs 30 -40% more to produce a gallon of Ethanol than a gallon of Gas
6. Ethanol has no lubricating factor that Gas has… therefore wear and tear on Engines is moreDoes this make sense to anyone…
Just for thought…
OPEC recently (may 2008) stated that oil wells capped 20 years ago due to being empty were now full again. Oil IS a renewable resource!
Recent geological studies show 3 trillion barrels of Oil in NE Colorado. Shell is said to be going to build wells and a refinery in the area to recover it.
The US gets most of it’s oil from Canada. Mexico #2 and Saudi Arabia is #3
Just some food for thought
Oh and by the way… Funny cars run on Methyl Alcohol or methanol… not Ethanol
Edited on Aug 01, 2008 00:20
Edited on Aug 01, 2008 00:23
grb…
You make some very interseting points as far as construction strength in CR. What size rebar would you recommend as being adequate for a single storey house on the Pacific side of CR.
I currently live in Canada and most all residential construction is done with wood framing ( 2×6 on 16″ centres for exterior walls). Could this be sufficient for an earthquake prone zone such as western CR. Foundations here are concrete and at least 4′ underground (more if a basement is included) Rebar is not used, but could easily be incorporated into the foundation.
For CR homebuilder or anyone else with specific knowledge,… would this construction method be allowed in CR (wood frame on reinforced concrete foundation). Would it be feasible from a cost perspective… (availability of wood framing materials)
Any help would be greatly appreciated…
