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But didn’t you love the dress and matching shoes Michelle was wearing on their big date night in NYC? LOL
Funny how people are in love with this guy… perhaps when the bill comes due they’ll feel differently! But then again… he’s got everyone fooled that has a moment to come up for air! Folks are in for a BIG wake up!
“Snow Job”…. I think not… it’s a damn BLIZZARD… and the roads to safety are under 12 feet the white stuff already. If you haven’t gotten out by now… sad to say it’s most likely too late!
Edited on Jun 30, 2009 19:47
Glad you got my point… as for the US… it’s been “too late” for a long time! The debt racked up in the last 6 months will be the final straw that breaks the camels back and brings this house of cards down! And what are the politicians talking about… universal health care that will add another 9 zeros on Uncle Sam’s debt!
Much like the average American… when things get tough… you go shopping! And we all know how that’s worked out!
Here’s the big picture. I’ll keep it as simple as possible and I’m sure other folks will provide input as to my views. It should at least make for an interesting conversation.
The folks in Honduras took the steps to make sure that their county doesn’t fall victim to what Hugo has pulled in Venezuela… the president of Honduras was using the Chavez playbook to become the “democratically” elected president for life by attempting to change the constitution in direct violation of it’s terms and against the advice of the courts, elected government officials and the military. Hugo pulled the same thing… and by the time the people knew what was going on… it was too late. Remember Hitler was elected by the people and played the same game.
As for Oscar and all the other Bozo’s jumping to the defense of the deposed president… that’s a bit more difficult, each has a reason… but not necessarily the same… there are leaders such as Hugo and few others that are supporting the president… because they’re cut from the same cloth and want to see Central and South America become somewhat less than free. They’re supporting this president because not to do so would fly in the face of what they’ve done… or are in the process of doing in their own countries.
As for Oscar… he’s a peacemaker… he doesn’t want to make waves so he’s supporting the deposed president… the guy was elected by the people after all, just like Hitler was! And remember Oscar had to get a supreme court ruling and interpretation of the CR constitution to run again. Lucky for us he doesn’t have more motivation, an army, or a largely uneducated population that would buy into the moves made by Hugo, or he might have tried to follow in his footsteps. Oscar has also become more and more reliant on handouts and favors from folks like Hugo. He’s the same guy that dumped Taiwan for China in spite of their human rights record.
Then there’s the rest of the “leaders” out there as well as the UN… their angle is keeping the peace… none of them want this type of power exchange to become the norm… it is a threat to their very existence!
Edited on Jun 30, 2009 13:54
Sounds a little risky to me… how about 1/3 the day he SHOWS UP to start the job, 1/3 when the job is half complete and the final 1/3 on completion? If he plays the “upfront cost of materials” game tell him you’ll pay for (directly to the supplier) the materials and have them delivered to the site prior to him starting.
I NEVER hand someone upfront money and HOPE they show up as promised. When you do so you’re then at the mercy of the contractor. I’ve seen too many problems… and besides… if you remove the materials issue there really is no reason that the contractor should be getting any payment prior to working. If there are upfront material expenses that are at issue I pay for them myself and thus not only know what they cost but that they will be delivered and owned by me! If he balks… find someone else… there’s LOT’S of people looking for work and negotiating a deal such as the one I’ve detailed shouldn’t be a problem.
Normally split on most transactions… but in today’s market EVERYTHING is open to negotiations! Depending on the price you strike and how long the property has been on the market… and how motivated the seller is… see if you can get the seller to pay the closing cost! If nothing else is a good point to start your negotiations.
Looks like another “Costa Rican” real estate company working out of South Florida… my guess it it may be a very long time before you see your deposit back. Perhaps when Satan is selling snow cones and ski lift tickets.
Sorry to give you such a poor outlook… but that little voice didn’t win out when you were wiring the money… perhaps he deserves a seat closer to the decision making center in the future.
sjknowles… Scott is right on target with his reply… but don’t let that end your dream! You could always look to start a business here in Costa Rica! If you’re able to overcome the residency issue and file under one of the current schemes you could start a great woodworking business here! While Scott is very correct that you could not be legally employed in your field… and even if you were… does $10/day make much sense as a realistic income by your current and future needs, don’t stop dreaming!
Depending on your area of skill, level of possible business investment, and goals you might be better off looking towards starting a business here. Make a few more trips, take a look at the market, talk to people, gets some ideas started, see where the potential needs are, and above all… be realistic about this plan… get as much advice as possible and take your time with your plan!
Sprite… I’d agree that there are social and cultural differences between workers in the US and Costa Rica. But on a personal level I’ve always been the type to treat everyone with respect, even if for some reason they felt they didn’t deserve such attention. Inviting our gardener/caretaker into the house when we first built it and had moved in was a real eye opener! It was as if he was afraid to come past the doorway… then having him sit at our dinning room table and offering him a cold drink and some cookies… it was as if he was afraid I was going to kill him and harvest a kidney! LOL He’s warmed up to us now and seems to spend a lot of time making sure our place is always taken care of. He and his family are always welcome at our home, and we’re lucky to have such wonderful people in our lives!
I hope the confrontational attitude that exist in many labor relationships never occurs here in Costa Rica, but I for one can only do my part, other folks I’m sure might not have the same concern!
Glad you were able to find some amusement with my posting! However, slaves weren’t paid an honest days wage for their labors… and if I’m not mistaken they weren’t allowed to go “home” at the end of their shift!
Treating someone with respect as one would want to be treated never goes out of style… but as is often the case in Costa Rica… many employers somehow feel that inviting a worker in for a cold drink or lunch is beneath them. I enjoy the look on their face and taking a little time to serve them a drink or a meal… and surprisingly… I have never had a problem with a worker or their work…. imagine that! LOL
Enforced????… Like everything else Scott… someone drops a dime on you or files a complaint, or your worker gets fired with cause and then makes a complaint against you … you wind up in kangaroo court… it cost you big money to play the game… you get a “fair” hearing as the employer after which you’re found to have violated rules you had no idea existed… you wind up paying a fine… as well as all the associated hearing cost… in addition to whatever the judge awards the worker.
It’s getting to be so bad that you’re better off cleaning up your own house and cooking your own meals! My Roomba does a pretty nice job and doesn’t complain too much! I’m not sure that what Costa Rica needs right now is more unemployed people. The more complicated and difficult they make it to provide domestic jobs… the more likely those jobs are lost.
Construction, tourism related work, real estate, and most other business is way down. Many women employed as domestics are single mothers or the main breadwinner at home at the moment.
While I have no problem with work rules that protect folks from being abused… that’s never been my way. I look at many of the people that have worked for me as friends and in some case family. It’s funny how they respond to such treatment, I guess it’s not always the case, but it’s always been my way and has served me well!
I don’t think that the current “protect the worker” theme is a great idea at the moment… in fact I think it’s a couple of year behind the times… let’s hope that the government sees that now is not the time to make it more difficult for folks to find honest employment.
If squatting and attempting to steal someone else’s land to avoid paying for it is your first action in Costa Rica… why get hung up on the notion of “self sufficiency”… your actions fly in the face of the very concept of providing for yourself.
I agree with the idea in Scott’s posting … no need for courts of lawyers… if it’s my land…. just decisive action and a shovel.
I’m sure you can find some reasonably priced remote land that will fit your needs and budget… you’ll sleep much better at night.
Perhaps a blessing to those of us that have them to start a family…. others seem to think they’re a short-cut to living in paradise!
So for $100,000 I get 10,000 sq/mtrs of land in a remote location with no home? On site management of the trees is included in this investment program? And if I finance I have to hope that the trees pay off my note and the accured interest at the end of this investment? While that may be an attractive option for residency for someone without other options, it’s doesn’t make much sense financially. I have to guess that this land is part of a larger project. Perhaps we might have a link to the outfit running this program to check it out for ourselves… as well as a link to the government resource that provides the details you say such investment provides?
I’m interested in reforestation programs. Management and government benefits are why I ask. Residency isn’t a problem, but I know there are other government programs that provide assistance and funding and was looking to see if the folks running this program are versed in those as well.
Thanks for any info you can provide.
Edited on May 06, 2009 10:50
