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Thank you for your service to our country and to me. I am a Vet and right now my son is active duty Marine on a MEU. So I have every right to have my own feelings. But with that said I know our country’s foreign policy is incorrect many times as far as bradbard goes if you have read all these postings as you said you did I have agreed with him on many things I disagree with name calling that is his stupid act. As far as the issue goes I would suggest that you understand gaming is a highly regulated industry in the US for many reasons mainly because of the money it generates and the tax dollars it brings in. As such there are many laws regarding gaming in the US and in the individual states. Those laws have been broken by the CR books and that’s why they were arrested in the US and prosecuted along with their assets held. Not to steal CR jobs or to hurt Costa Rica as a nation or it’s people. I don’t disagree that US policy have caused people to suffer all over the world. I disagree with our policy towards Cuba as an example it makes no sense to me to not have open trade with them. So before you think you have been on a tour inside my head and know my feelings I suggest that you ask specific questions. When I refer to the haters on here there are many who condem the US at every turn whether fact or fiction I don’t defend her unconditionally in these arguments I defend the lies or misinformation when it is spewed and I feel like getting involved. I have sat quietly by and allowed a lot of these so called expats who many of them are still living in the US and have never even left defame the US with conspiricy theory crap and I am tired of it. Read every post of mine that I wrote and see if I am not telling you the absolute truth. Whether it is illegal drugs or illegal prescription drugs or illegal anything isn’t at issue the fact is the laws had been written and they were broken by CR sports book operators and they have been enforced. If you as an American citizen don’t like the law use your vote to change it but don’t condone it being broken. Either you don’t know the history of gaming such as the Mob took gaming off shore in the 40s to Cuba and in todays times they have moved gaming operations off shore to avoid US laws and the US has reacted with new laws. They don’t prohibit or discourage gaming in these countries they allow US citizens to visit and gamble in these places they just enforce the laws on the books prohibating internet gaming out side of the state in which it is legal. Where it is legal in the US they still cannot take a bet from outside of that state. I know this may seem like a complicated issue but it’s very straight forward and laws were broken and people were arrested. Others have chosen not to try to beat the system by continuing to break US laws and closed up their off shore operations others haven’t. If they can sustain the cost of being in business without breaking the law they would keep their doors open.
Edited on Jan 30, 2007 22:29
Edited on Jan 30, 2007 22:32
Why do stupid people stoop to name calling instead of dealing with subject matter and facts. Is it frustration that they can’t bully people. I dispise this behavior I prefer dealing with adults who can debate facts and even agree to disagree. Yet with the haters on here that is never going to happen. Too much hate and anger and it comes out displaced. I wonder if you are enjoying your life with all this anger. In the end I truly do not care about the haters. Keep up the personal attacks if you must or better yet get a dictionary and expand your vocabulary when that’s done get back to me. It will be nice to debate apposing views with someone with original thoughts and the ability to interact with an adult with the tools to disagree
Brad: A little knowledge is dangerous Yes internet gaming is legal in the US but not between states the internet gaming is approved within the stae that had legal gambling Facts not misquotes. But then again someone who must stoop to name calling is expected to also lie. I never said illegal drugs how about is the internet company in Costa Rica is selling drugs via the net that require a prescription in the US but not in CR you can twist you can lie you can say what you will those who check will see you are just full of hate same as you have chosen to now have towards me with you name calling and such. Brad I wish you luck in you disproving my comments but you can’t so have at it and keep the name calling coming amd all the other signs of ignorance and stupidity. Keep hating and you will never enjoy life but that’s OK its your life.
Scottbenson: The IRS may have been a part of the investigation they follow the money but I see you didn’t mention what the full charges were. Yes they have a tax liability since the did accept illegal gamimng wagers if they wish to not pay the taxes return the wagers. Anyone that earns money illegally in the US will also be charged with not paying taxes on their illegal earnings this dates back to the manor that Al Capone was charged for tax evaison it is the easiest charge to prove and the hardest to defend against.
Edited on Jan 30, 2007 17:27
Edited on Jan 30, 2007 17:33
Yes they should have not accepted wagers from the US because it is against the law just as selling drugs is against the law The US didn’t take one Costa Rican Job the Costa Rican economy couldn’t sustain the sport books on their own so they closed. If a drug lord opens up a dealing operation via the internet in Costa Rica and hires and pays these same people top paying jobs should the US get blamed when their owners go to jail and the companies close for the loss of the same Costa Rican jobs. If you want to state that this is about taxes please provide one bit of documentation other wise don’t spread any more of your anti american lies.
Brad I have a lot more than a clue I don’t buy into the same conspiriacy theories or printed fiction. I had said the US intelligence community has done and does do things to influence other countries. I am not livging in fantasy land I know the negatives and I know the positives the US does. Just as all the other misinformation on this thread about how the US is picking on Costa Rica’s sports books. First of all Costa Rica sport books have violated US laws and that is where there criminal charges stem from and they are only being enforced on US soil. I don’t know of one arrest in Costa Rica by or on behalf of the US government. And for the last time the crimes commited have nothing to do with a non payment of US taxes. Allegations not supported by facts are being thrown around here that the US government is sitting on the sidelines waiting to take jobs and money out of costa ricans mouths. This is just another lie. But as you anti american conspiricy theorists which to continue with lies and misinformation is as bad as all the crimes you accuse the US of. I will not respond to your anti american lies any further I have learned by reading other threads on here that the majority of members see through the likes of you all anyway. That’s enough for me. God Bless The USA and Costa Rica To all you haters try taking a good dump so you won’t be as full of crap as you have been. Good bye!!!!
OmniShare I agree that those who retire and choose to relocate to Costa Rica will do so whether they make a huge profit small profit or negative profit on the sale of their US home. However, I question you and anybody else that is relocating anywhere or even staying right in their same neighborhood do you want to pay higher than the market calls for? I know I don’t with in reason I might pay a few thousand over the market value because I want something specific and this home has it but that’s my limit. None of us has this crystal ball we have all mentioned but most of us have good common sense and good business sense. So if you are telling me you are willing to pay the asking price when it is not justified confirm that to me and I will buy your dream home at the right price and resell it to you at an inflated price. I could use the profit to asist me in buying my home at the correct value. The retirement buyer in my opinion will not be the market makers in Costa Rica the market Value will be based on supply and demand along with time on market. I believe the market will be influenced by investor dollars retiree dollars as well as other factors such as the cost of credit/money inflation cost of living just to name a few. The attraction of Costa Rica to many retirees is the low cost of living if that increases at a faster pace than it has been the attraction may tarnish a bit not that cheaper cost of living is everyones reasoning. Again in my opinion there is a lot more that Costa Rica offers me than just lower living costs. With all that has been written here along with what has been happening in the US housing market and write ups in Costa Rican publications I believe a proceed with caution attitude is the best course of action. If you are buying a primary residence and you are 100% certain that this is where you want to live out your life or even the next five years you may use a little less caution but if you have any reservations that you may be buying and moving to try it out you better be certain you bought right or when it comes time to sell you may lose your shirt and more. Paradise could turn into your financial demise affecting your retirement and forcing you back into the work force. I am not preaching doom and gloom I honestly don’t know what is happening right now or what will happen all I am saying is be cautious do your homework and don’t be pressured by sales people or anyone else. The purchase of real estate is a major purchase for everyone and should be traeted as such. Think of it this way on a 250,000 dollar home if you have to take a 25% loss in sale you are looking at 62,500 dollar loss yet on the same home if you buy it at todays correct value you may save 15% which is a savings of 37,500 dollars. Which position do you want to be in? I know which one I prefer. That’s why I am not running but I am walking slowly keeping my eyes and ears open testing the waters as I am putting a deal together for me. I am still relocating I know this is where I want to live without any doubt and I can sustain inflation and an increase in the cost of living so I just want to buy at the correct value.
Diego I would definately appreciate the oppertunity to get some more infomation or at least get your opinion and the benifit of your experience with the process in the purchase of my home. My email is vegasknite@aol.com If you could email me there I will give you my contact info via email. Thank you again.
I happy you had a great trip I will be there myself mid February. I hope I will be leaving to pack up some clothes and return for good.
I read your words and I agree with a lot of your arguments however, I don’t know where you read my words saying I want a mini USA or to charge in and change anything. When we talk about violent crime however, take note this is new to Costa Rica on a grand scale. I don’t know that the native population like it any more than I do I don’t know that they will accept it either. What I have done through my posts is identify it as an issue and yes when questioned if I would come charging in and form marches I clarified I never said that nor did I intend that. I do believe that we can all do things to assist in the minimizing or elimination of violent crime and stated such facts. I know the Costa Rican Government is looking into this and trying to combat it as well. The President has clearly stated that he is concerned with this new rise in crime and has proposed some immediate measures and will be looking into more long term solutions.
As far as members with knowledge on here are concerned I am always happy to listen to and learn from experienced members that is why I always take what GringoTico posts to heart as well as others. Then there are those I have no respect for what they type because they post to see their own words in print or some other reason I don’t know or care about. I find those members to give misinformation many times and also make arguments that are invalid. In fact some of them don’t even live in Costa Rica yet they write as though they are speaking for every Tico/Tica. It would be fine if their words were just a biproduct of ignorance however, I read it as youth combined with stupidity and mostly stupidity. I can forgive ignorance and youth without making a comment. It is the real stupid comments I can’t let go of all the time yet I do most of the time.
To be clear I don’t find anything you have written to be stupid or ignorant in fact I agree with almost all you wrote. Thank you
I will not start or get into anyones religious beliefs. The crime problem in my opinion are acts of free will which we all have so I will keep God or the words written in any bible or book out of it. If parents had parented if children didn’t become parents if drug addiction was treated as an illness instead of crime against humanity maybe we would have less crime. True when you have more people in a concentrated area you have more crime but is it more per capita you may find out not in many cases. If you take a good look at the US over the past 30 years you would find the number of street gangs have increased and the locations they pop up in might surprise you. Just as prostitution is one of the leading past times of the surbuban female youth. They patrol the malls at 15 years of age soliciting men to get the designer clothes and bag of pot they want. While mommy is out doing 6 different men week nights daddy is with his 15 years his junior new wife in his new apartment and their daughters are having sex for money with tow truck drivers mechanics or the married neighbor who hasn’t left his wife of 20 years yet for his new young wife.
Blame yourselves for the problem of crime in our society because as they said in the 60s if you aren’t part of the solution then you are part of the problem. You want to do things report crime when you see it help the guy getting mugged if you are there form and participate in neighborhood watch programs vote for the best people allow drug treatment centers in your neighborhoods or stop your whinning. If you think Costa Rica is your escape from crime get your head out of the hershey highway you carry behind you while it is better there than most US cities it is getting worse and that will continue without changes there. It’s not about the papers reporting it it’s about the drugs lack of parenting and the younger generations lack of caring for human life. Its about the hopeless feelings in poverty stricken areas of discipline you get with single parent homes and also yuppie to busy to parent homes. Crime isn’t the end of the world it is the end of peace as we know it.
Edited on Jan 28, 2007 14:00
Mr. Oliver: All is forgiven come on home.
In all seriousness I think you do an excellent job and I am thankful to you for this site as well as personal insights you have shared with me. I remember getting an email from you explaining how many emails you have to respond to on a daily basis. Add that to all the posts on different threads it is understandable for you to post in one place with the intention to post in another. Even it you chose to get your point out here due to what may have been read in another thread.
I am sure you can also relate to what I and others have been posting about the excessive bashing of the US. To be clear I don’t feel you fall into the list of those that do over bash. As GringoTico had correctly posted in another thread it is necessary to compare or address US issues to explain some points. I have found that is what you have done in most cases and in others you have brought up US issues of concern for all the citizens of the world.
In this last comment I believe I can speak for all members thank you for this site and its content.
David I have to question your math what makes Costa Rica the primary retirement location for affluent Americans. Based on last years million using your numbers how many eneded up in Costa Rica? Now I don’t have that answer but I know it’s not even close to 20% maybe less than 1% again I am talking without facts or even my opinion just hypothetics. If someone has the facts please share them. I want to be clear David, I am not disagreeing with you for any reason other than the math doesn’t make common sense to me. I hope you are wrong for many reasons one I don’t wish to live with an overcrowed Costa Rica filled with retired expats. I know in an article in AOL finance taking about the most desireable retirement locations outside the US for babyboomers Costa Rica wasn’t even on the list the other day. The estimates I have read about babyboomer retirees living outside the US were less than 1 tenth of 1 percent which is an upward move. Again I don’t have real knowledge or facts and I just quoted 2 different articles that I have read within the last 6 months both on AOL. I don’t know where they get their data and what are just estimates based on the writer’s opinion. I do know that of the US citizens & US expats that bought in Costa Rica in the past few years some were current retired people some were those buying with plans to retire some were investments from speculators some were 2nd or 3rd homes purchased during a strong US real estate market. How that breaks down into the aforementioned groups I have no idea. So it’s just me questioning your rational and your math. If you have real numbers and facts to support what you are predicting please add them I would love to read them to ease some of my concerns and also to assist me in my assumptions which are very flexable this time and subject to change based on good information.
Diego: I wanted to add this, I too am a patriot and I don’t live with my head in the sand. I dislike many of the changes that have taken place within the US through my life, I agree & I dislike many of the US women and the way many men have changed into whimps. I dislike many of the policy changes in our government I dispise the loss of individually owned business and the creation of big box business. Those reasons along with the ability to live a better life on less income are some of my reasons for leaving the US. I love the lifestyle I see for myself in Costa Rica which will require many changes in my mind set some of those changes will take me back to how I use to think and live. I want to enjoy a slower life filled with peace the ability to enjoy smoking Cuban cigars dining at family owned and operated business shopping at farmers markets interacting with women that understand and like their role in life. I don’t wish to live like a King drive a big expensive flashy car wear designer label clothing damn I am happy in shorts tee shirts and berks. I want to leave all my suits and ties behind except maybe one that will sit in the closet for funerals. I never owned jewelery except a cheap watch so that isn’t an issue for me. I really have no interest in changing Tico’s to an American’s way of doing anything including business. I am a believer learn the rules so you can play the game and I am here to learn the rules be it a fast food lesson. I am able to read between the lines and figure out who is spewing rhetoric and who is writing from experience. Which is why I thank you GringoTico and others for the lessons you have shared and I ignore others who I will not mention by name. I sincerly do thanks you men and women and Scott Oliver for his input & for facilitating the venue.
Thank you Diego: I undertsand you thinking I knew the answer I posted by the rest of my wording however, it wasn’t a rehtorical question. I knew things are different in Costa Rica. While I know the US system backwards and forwards I didn’t have a clue what was the correct thing to do in this case. I want to avoid making a major mistake I will deal with a minor one. Your response actually broke things down the way I needed for me to understand and make the correct decision. After reading your post I realize I was using incorrect terms and names of people. I know the developers sales person is paid by him and works for him, I didn’t understand about consultants I was told I needed to hire a real estate agent which I would pay a fee to buy property and that didn’t compute. I truly am trying to forget everything I know about almost anything when it comes to relating to business in Costa Rica. If I sounded somewhat arrogant I appologize. The other big lesson I have learned is Lawyers aren’t your friend and don’t rely on them to be looking out for anyone but their own fees. Now I know Scott has said the ones one WLCR are of a different mentality so I guess that is where I should start with skeptisizm only to be involved enough to make sure I am safe. I believe we all need to be responsible for every thing that happens to us and not foster that to another. Like if we rent a car don’t rely on the agent to be sure the tires are good and there is a spare walk around the car and check the trunk after all it’s your safety you are looking out for. Same principal applies to Lawyer consultant and so on. Even having the knowledge to read spanish or have a translator you know and trust.
While I know some of the things I will have to do upon the transformation from buyer to owner I now know I have to add it to my checklist which I didn’t before your post. As for your advise about bite the bullet on the first purchase and be savy for the second right now my goal is to buy just one that I want for the balance of my life. I know that may change in time as my life or conditions may also change causing me to sell and buy again. But the original plan is still my base plan which I will keep an open mind with because stubborn doesn’t make sense to me.
Unlike you my time is not valuable as it once was in fact as long as I am happy doing what ever it is I am doing then my time was well spent.
I truly thank you for the insights you shared they are a wealth of knowledge for me to process and utilize in protecting myself.
Hi Diego: Sounds like things were in the wild west between farmers and ranchers. What are the chances that you will face criminal charges if you take such actions and then have to hire a criminal attornet instead of the civil one. Don’t get my question wrong I have the cajones and would much prefere to pay the right caretaker and have a quick resolution than go through the legal system and pay and pay while waiting and waiting.
In my case I doubt if I would ever fall into that type of situation since I am looking at the purchase of a condo inside a 24 hr security complex. But I could see it coming up if I purchased a used car and was cheated with an unclear title or some other form of fraud.
I was raised to protect my family, myself, and my belongings. I never looked for a fight walked away from as many as I could but I never gave up my lunch money in school. I also though at my age don’t want to spend a hour inside a jail cell that’s why I asked how the police might be used to bring criminal charges in cases where you defend your property by those methods you mentioned.
I truly respect you taking the time to share this information with us offering an option to hiring an attorney to resolve such issues.
well GringoTico: another great informative post from you. I don’t think anyone has an issue of some comparisons and even some bashing where it is necessary or pertanant. I am sure every poster thus far in this string including myself have compared and bashed as well as wrote about pitfalls we know of Costa Rica.
I believe you have rolled many of my feelings and maybe even those of other’s with your post.
I have been guided and learned from reading your posts on this forum many times. I also know you jump in on many strings to help answer a concern or question that has been asked in your always caring way. So I tip my hat to you again for a clear honest and on point post as you have done so many times in the past and I hope you will in the future.
As a side note I click on some strings that I have no real interest in just to read what you had to say on the subject and I have never been disappointed. Kuddos
