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[quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”imxploring”]So in so few words we can take it that a Peace Prize winner is willing to SELL his loyality and values, as well as that of his country, to the highest bidder? [/quote]
Loyalty and values have nothing to do with this. Did the US surrender its values or demonstrate some kind of loyalty by switching recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1978?
China has a reprehensible record on human rights and any of a number of other areas but its foolish to keep pretending that they aren’t an official government worthy of diplomatic relations.[/quote]
Simple answer to your question…..YES! Who might be the largest holder of US debt… willing to lend Uncle Sam cash to continue the lie the US is living? Which country does the US have the largest trade deficit with? Which country has a worse human rights record than Cuba yet enjoys most favorable trading status with the US? You guessed it, right on all three accounts!
So as far as a value system I would make the argument that the US has NONE when it comes to picking “friends”…. but I’m guessing when the Chinese make their next move against the dollar and it’s reserve currency status and their true goals become obvious that will suddenly become perfectly clear to everyone!
As far as China’s conduct on the issues I highlighted…. I guess we can agree on that issue!
[quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”imxploring”]Remember….It was also Don Oscar that dumped Taiwan in favor of China…..[/quote]
By the time Arias switched official recognition of China’s government from Taipei to Beijing almost every other nation in the world had done so, including the US. In fact, the US had done so 30 years previously. The fact that Costa Rica did was absolutely due to financial incentives (it was no secret) as [url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/13/world/asia/13costa.html?_r=0]this New York Times Article[/url] makes clear:
“[i]…in return for Costa Rica’s shutting its embassy in Taiwan and expelling Taiwanese diplomats, China agreed to buy $300 million in bonds…It also agreed to give $130 million in aid to Costa Rica, as well as other incentives, including 20 scholarships each year for Costa Ricans to study in China.” [/i]
If Arias hadn’t done so it would have amounted to criminal malfeasance since Costa Rica got quite a nice benefit and the recognition was simply a statement of reality. Hundreds of millions in aid merely for saying something that was undeniably true? Why wouldn’t they do that?
What makes you think that Taiwan wasn’t doing the same thing in order to induce those last holdouts from switching their recognition? They simply got outbid by Beijing.
As for whether President Arias benefited personally, well, it’s possible I suppose, but I don’t know whether or not he did – and neither do you.[/quote]
So in so few words we can take it that a Peace Prize winner is willing to SELL his loyality and values, as well as that of his country, to the highest bidder? There is quite a big difference between the social, humanitarian, environmental, and democratic conduct of China and Taiwan…. but I guess your definition of “criminal malfeasance” glazes right over that! Perhaps China’s latest action in attempting to take control of the China Sea is to protect the dolphins and the environment?….. NOT!
As for Oscar benefiting…. I leave that thought open… but doesn’t recent history tell us that leaders that make such major changes in their loyalties usually have more than the concerns of the public at the center of their decisions? Seems Oscar’s brother lost interest in leading the country after Oscar scored big with the Chinese… perhaps Oscar was willing to share! LOL
[quote=”orcas0606″][According to todays “La Nacion” and ex minister Rene Castro it looks as if maybe Oscar Arias may have quite a bit to do with the Infinito mess. You can check it out here in Spanish or Google translator. http://www.nacion.com/nacional/politica/Oscar_Arias-Industrias_Infinito-Rene_Castro_0_1350465078.html
b][/b][quote=”orcas0606″][quote=”waggoner41″][quote=”johnnyh”][quote=”orcas0606″]Maybe Infinito should sue Oscar Arias!!!!
[quote=”waggoner41″]It is one thing for individuals to pan for gold in the streams and rivers of Costa Rica and quite another to begin open-pit mining at the cost of the virgin forest.
The company clear cut a section of forest before permission had been decided and Costa Rica should be suing to have the forest restored to its original condition.[/quote][/quote]
Didn’t he win some kind of a prize? Peace prize I think, but so did Barry. Did his bank account grow as a consequence of his signing contracts with the mining operation? But then I’m getting cynical here. Hang me from the highest tree![/quote]
Has nothing to do with Arias or a peace prize.
Infinito got out way ahead of the legal proceedings against them and figured they were going to waltz in before the legal issues were settled and cleared about a hectare of virgin forest to start an open pit mine on the basis of a trade agreement between Costa Rica and Canada.
The Costa Rican Supreme Court ruled against them on the basis of destruction of the environment and they had to pull out.
Canadian organizations Mine Watch and The Council of Canadians are up in arms and telling Infinito they should back off.[/quote][/quote][/quote]
Remember….It was also Don Oscar that dumped Taiwan in favor of China…. seems for a Peace Prize winner, human rights and democracy have little meaning when picking friends with deep pockets. Wonder how much his bank balance went up with that move? Once China gets it hooks into an economy and a country’s natural resources the writing is on the wall for who will benefit and who will lose!
The term total fraud comes to mind with that deal and others that took place during Oscar’s term. Have we forgotten the money he was passing around to political “friends”? Many many questions…. but few honest answers.
[quote=”Scott”]It’s my understanding that with the Costa Rica/U.S. double taxation agreement – Costa Rica will NOT be able to tax SS payments … I will try and get one of my contacts to confirm this …[/quote]
If the latest information about required participation in CAJA and the associated percentage fee of declared monthly income (10%-13%) from your residency application is correct, I’d say CR is shooting themselves in the foot when it comes to attracting investment or higher income expats. That’s one heck of a tax for one to swollow for the pleasure of residency!
While we may look at “income” taxes and believe they won’t subject folks to double taxation how about those of us attempting maintain health insurance in the US (just in case you need the best care available) who will now be slammed with a healthcare TAX of $600+ /month for health insurance in CR should we apply for residency? It makes it a whole lot less attractive to spend that much time in CR. It’s a rather large TAX for services not likely used for anything other than routine care.
Governments do a good job of milking folks with money. But much like milking a cow if you pull the utter too hard you get kicked in the chest and watch as your cow walks off to a greener pasture.
[quote=”sweikert925″]Important News Update on This Topic:
Apparently SOMEONE in the US government has thought about this question and provided US citizens living abroad with a definitive answer to it.
[i][b]U.S. citizens living outside the U.S.[/b]
U.S. citizens living in a foreign country are not required to get health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. If you’re uninsured and living abroad, you don’t have to pay the fee that other uninsured U.S. citizens may have to pay.
[/i]https://www.healthcare.gov/am-i-eligible-for-coverage-in-the-marketplace/%5B/quote%5D
Not so fast there my friend! That answer is much too simplistic to be a legitimate resolute answer to a complicated issue! Must a US citizen living abroad have legal residency in the foreign country they are living in to avoid the health insurance requirement? If not just how is Uncle Sam going to verify your residency status/living location and give you an exemption to the requirements of Obamacare?
I doubt VERY much that simply claiming to live in a foreign country gets you off the hook. There will be more. Legal residency in a foreign country and a minimum period per year outside the US will no doubt also be required. Uncle Sam is not going to let all the perpetual tourist off the hook that “live” outside the US.
It also brings up the issue of US citizens living (legitimately or not) abroad that might be exempt from required insurance purchase who run home to the US for medical treatment when confronted with a serious life threatening health issue. How will they be dealt with under Obamacare when given an exemption from it’s requirements only to use the US healthcare system for what can often be medical treatment that runs into hundreds of thousands of dollars as is often the case with cancer?
I think the answer given above needs to be expanded on as it is much too simple to be used when making meaningful decisions. Two sentences is far from providing a “definitive” answer to such a complex and important issue.
[quote=”sweikert925″]There was a pretty long thread here about that a few months ago and I have been trying since then to get an answer to that very question. I tried asking the US State Department, both of my senators and my Congressman and NONE OF THEM ever replied.
I sent another request to the US Embassy in CR to see if they can now provide an answer that makes sense (their original response was: [i]Health coverage is a requirement of the Costa Rican Immigration Office according to the Costa Rican Immigration law not the U.S. law. Any questions about it should be directed to the Costa Rican Immigration Office http://www.migracion.go.cr or a Costa Rican attorney knowledgeable in Costa Rican Immigration law.[/i]) which of course is a ridiculous answer.
We’ll see if they have a better answer now that the individual mandate for coverage portion of the law is about to take affect – assuming they’re not all on “furlough” at the moment.[/quote]
In order for your elected officials to reply they would have had to have READ and UNDERSTOOD what they voted on! Apparently they did neither. Pretty sad and the norm these days. Much like a lot of laws time will define the rules, there will be surprises, and unintended consequences.
No matter what the outcome some people will not be happy. And as the case with most government programs working productive people will pay the price and get little!
[quote=”Carl”][quote=”Scott”]These problems may be “circumvented” Carl but my Discussion Forum will not be the place where the immigration laws of Costa Rica are “circumvented”.
On a personal note, having been in professional sales and marketing for the past 35 years, you may want to reconsider using ‘CarlosMakesMoney” as your Skype address as this clearly demonstrates a passion for something that most people probably don’t want to see when they hope to hire someone for “engineering, hillside/engineered foundations and project management.”
Scott
[/quote]Hi Scott,
I have been a fan of your site for a few years now. Thanks for allowing me to post this, and if I may address your comments:
I am not looking to circumvent any immigration laws, although I will admit I do not know every detail of whatever laws would apply in the prospective situations I outlined in my post, and would leave those details to a qualified CR Abogado. As to my Skype handle, if I were managing a project for an investor, I believe it would be preferable to “CarlosLosesMoney” but I understand the intent of your suggestion.
Also, I would hope that a clearly demonstrated passion is reflected in the photos of the work that I posted on my profile page as opposed to a consuming lust for money. One of the big reasons I want to leave the USA is that I believe the government (and society to a great extent) has become so corrupt because of that reason alone.
Thanks for all the great work you have done informing the world about what living as an expat in CR is really about.
Sincerely,
E
Carl[/quote]Nothing to stop you from owning and managing a business in your field of expertise that employs some of the very talented and hardworking carpenters and craftsmen in Costa Rica. Taking the time to share your knowledge, skills, and experience with those you employ would be a benefit to the folks in Costa Rica as well as provide you with an outlet for your time and energy and hopefully provide you with a source of income.
If done properly you shouldn’t run afoul of the law. Be sure to look into the residency status you seek if that’s your goal and be realistic about your ability to compete with the locals. And as Scott has pointed to be sure that your ownership status of a business and participation does not conflict with a working status that will cause a conflict with Costa Rican law.Good luck in your efforts to escape America and enjoy a simple relaxed life in CR!
[quote=”jerry”][quote=”dundalk1″]I recently rented out my condo again in Tamarindo, shocked to get the electric bill today which is $320 for the last month.
I know Aprils a hot month so lots of air con being used but that seems outrageously high. Is that normal for the area ? Thanks[/quote]
OK… I see LOTS of high users here. I live in the mountains near Turrialba, have 2 TVs, a computer, fridge, lights, ect., and my bill runs $30 to $40 a month. Get real, folks, get down, go Tico if you live hereor take your high usage NORTH.[/quote]
Oh the joys off mountain top living! Beautiful views, wonderful breezes, less insects, and NO air conditioning! That’s the killer! The beaches are beautiful but after a day of baking in the sand it’s nice to “chill” out with a cold one in a cool place…. but that comes at a cost.
To each his own. Small price to pay for those so inclined.
[quote=”finca2″]I need some information from those of you who have appliances that use propane. I brought a GE stove here from the US, the instruction said it could be converted to propane… Well.,
the burners work but the oven does not. We have changed out the converter, nothing. Has anyone purchased an oven here, and had any luck. Thanks in Advance for the information.[/quote]When you say it doesn’t work are you getting gas flow to the oven burner? Converting from natural gas to propane requires replacing the orifices for each burner unit. They normally come with the appliance or can be purchased from the manufacturer at a minimal cost. With a GE product the information should be available on line. The tough part might be getting the part in CR or having it shipped.
Having control or access to a canal cutting Central America in half has both military and more importantly commercial implications! Think long term people. The Chinese are LONG TERM thinkers, they always have been. Look at their current expansion and new alliances worldwide. Some seem to make little sense today, but in the long term it is all about developing future markets for their goods as well as locking in their access to raw materials and resources!
Look at the level of China’s current gold buying and internal production that is now being kept from export. That should give you some idea where they see the dollar going as well as their intention to challenge the USD as the world’s reserve currency. They know the US can never repay their current debts.
[quote=”sweikert925″]A little off-topic, but for something like Romex cable that you buy online from Amazon – is it at all practical to do so given shipping costs and import duties?
I took a quick peek on Amazon and for 250 feet of Romex cable it’s priced anywhere between $69.59 and $436.29. (I’m not an electrician and I know there’s different grades of cable but that seems an awfully wide range in price. But I digress).
Amazon does ship internationally (including to Costa Rica based on what I read) but what kind of taxes/duties you might be expected to pay on something like that. Anyone have any experience to share?
[/quote]Like a lot of products that might not be available or reasonably priced…. or for which the CR equivalent is far from acceptable…. I throw it in the luggage between trips or have someone bring it from the states. I’ve never had a problem with customs and have brought in tons of things over the years for myself or others. Save your receipts and just put your luggage up on the conveyor belt like the rest of the tourist!
[quote=”VictoriaLST”]We are having our house rewired as soon as a reliable tech is available. Is Romex cable available here?[/quote]
It may very well be available in Liberia. Romex will most likely be expensive in CR but well worth it for new construction or a retrofit of a substandard electrical service. While you’re at it have your tech check everything back to your meter including your electrical service line to the house. Undersized wire and poor electrical connections (including the Frankenstein cutoff switch) can be blamed for a lot of problems.
If possible upgrade your electrical panel and breakers at the same time as well as putting in a whole house surge protector. All money well spent in the long run! Trust me on that!
I’ve used Alfredo in Arenal for a number of different project over the years. He’s jack of all trades and makes great suggestions for corrections and improvements. I’ll be using him in September for a ceiling fan installation and some additional electrical work at the house. I trust him completely. He doesnt work as cheaply as some folks but he’s well worth it!
Him and his wife own the Hollywood internet cafe across from the soccer field in Arenal. You can contact him there.
Tell him the big gringo from Vista Surena on Guatuso road up in San Antonio referred you! LOL
[quote=”waggoner41″][quote=”VictoriaLST”]A friend of ours felt like her bills were too high. Three electricians later, she found one who knew his stuff and her bills dropped by 60%. He also told her not to turn on the lights in the garage as the wiring was dangerous – a problem he will fix.
So, have things checked out. You may be in for a surprise.[/quote]
We had our 2900 ft home rewired within months of moving in. All of the wiring was sub-par. Our electric runs about $200 per month with 12 residents.[/quote]
When I had my home built in Arenal I paid extra to have a heavy duty electrical service and 200amp panel put in to wire the house. Cost was minimal and unlike a lot of folks I find no problems with wildly varying bills. Also put in a whole house surge protector that seems to extend the life of anything using electricity.
CR electricians use low grade light wire in my opinion which leads to many of the issues folks bring up about cost and reliability of their electrical service. Best advice if building a home here… pay for a better grade of materials or bring several rolls of Romex cable from the states to wire your home. Money well spent in the long run!
[quote=”sweikert925″]Here’s an article I came across today that I found interesting:
So the lesson here is: If you [b]MUST[/b] go out somewhere in CR that may have a large mosquito population take along one or 2 friends who have type O blood, drink lots of beer and could stand to lose a few pounds.
LOL[/quote]
That’s a simple task…. just hang out near any gringo watering hole in Costa Rica… the skeeters must have a field day sucking blood in those places!!!
[quote=”elindermuller”][quote=”imxploring”][quote=”elindermuller”][quote=”imxploring”]
I don’t like the idea of a hold back since in my experience it can sometimes lead to legal action when the parties disagree as to whether or not the conditions have been met to trigger release of final funds.
[/quote]
The hold back would be for things like “pool and club house” in the contract but never built. Not for nitpicking….[/quote]
So they put in a pool half the size you had been told would be built, th$185ke “clubhouse” is nothing more than a large cabana with a sign that says clubhouse on it, nothing like the artist drawings that you were given when you bought into the project….the one with the exercise area and tables and chairs for meetings…. and all the beautiful landscaping around the pool and clubhouse in the pictures on the website…. well that’s just mud and some gravel when the project is completed.
So the builder has supplied the items required for you to release the hold back… are you writting out that check?
That’s not nitpicking, nor is it something that can’t and doesn’t happen. Better call that attorney because you’re in for a battle![/quote]
Well, off course more details would have to be written in the contract, not just “Pool – yes or no” ! Plus renderings, construction plans and drawings including all the details and materials used. I am a construction person as well and know what needs to be on the list.[/quote]
My point was that no matter how detailed an agreement or contract is it’s always open to the interpretation and manipulation of the parties involved. Just spend a little time reading the cases that come up in the civil courts relating to contract disputes. All those folks thought they had a clear and mutually binding agreement.
Any time you leave the table after a real estate closing with “open” issues you’re inviting trouble. I prefer to close and be completely done with my business and hence my dislike for hold backs or escrow issues that often lead to problems down the road.
Some attorneys seem to forget it’s called a “closing” for a reason…. it’s the CLOSE of business! LOL 😉
