Comments on: The Expat Life and Views on US Politics

By: Jerrelli

Jerrelli — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:49:44 +0000

Very insightful look at the 2008 race! Since Bush stole 2 elections already (Fl fiasco in 2000 and Ohio fiasco in 2004) I figure it likely he did not do this out of a lack of desire to hold the office…Given the Constitution allows for a President to “suspend” the elections if we are at war (yeah, it IS true, read it and weep) and since we will always be at war while he tries to start a new one someplace else almost weekly…chances are he will suspend the elections, remain in power, pull Bin Laden out of his hat as a diversion with a long drawn out “trial” and then never reinstate free elections…so much for freedom. Do I recall correctly? Did we not impeach Nixon for lying to the American people? I dearly love my country, am a staunch patriot, did 2 tours in Viet Nam, and all that, but I fear my government.40 years ago every country loved the USA now nobody does at all…Politics and Government are killing us… (read that U.S.)

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:15:17 +0000

I suggest you first go to http://www.therealcostarica.com and read carefully the section on “Working in Costa Rica” Use search to find it.

Second, I suggest you go to http://blog.therealcostarica.com select the category “moving to Costa Rica” and read that very very carefully.

By: Suyana

Suyana — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:27:14 +0000

Tim, You seem to have a bit of knowledge about which folks will do well moving down to Costa Rica. I’m curious to hear any suggestions you may have for us. My husband, one-year-old son and I may be moving to CR within a year or so. My husband is from Peru, moved to California with his entire family as a teenager. I was born and raised here. We’re pretty unattached to the luxuries of city life and are looking to detach from all of the stress and materialism here in the states. We’re both hard workers. But we feel we spend all of our time working and never get to “live”. I work full-time as a Quality Analyst at a Hospital and he is a skilled Jeweler. We’re not attached to our trades here. We’ve considered possibly opening a Peruvian Restaurant near the coast on the Caribbean side, or maybe opening a jewelry shop, also selling other art artifacts, clothing, etc. from all over Latin America. Still brainstorming here. Ideally we want for me to take care of my son at home or live above our business. Any suggestions for getting started? He of course is a native Spanish speaker, and I understand most Spanish, at least in context. I am actively learning. Thanks for any input.

By: Jon Graham

Jon Graham — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:30:45 +0000

Costa Rica is not the country it was 4 years ago when we moved to San Joaquin de Flores, Heredia. Prices for basic needs at the feria have gone up by leaps and bounds. Gas prices, like the rest of the world are climbing rapidly. My concern is that as the cost of living rejoins the marginally middle class to poverty, crime will continue to surge. We live in a nice neighborhood and have adjusted to having a community paid guard. That being said, we have not been robbed. I love so many things about Costa Rica from its friendly, good-looking people to charming customs, to an openness not usually seen in a 3rd world Catholic dominated country. Our local mini-super owner insists on shaking my hand daily and asking about my partner and our standard poodle. Maybe we are viewed as eccentic creatures, but we are welcomed. DO encourage people moving to learn basic conversational Spanish and then improve it. Your advice about renting first is excellent. We rented 6 months then bought and remodeled a house from top to bottom. Just finished the 2nd one in Rohrmoser and it was a challenge, but only small details remain. Keep up the good work and as a suggestion, update the feria prices as I bought french bread yesterday for 400 colones that I paid 250 colones for last year.
Jon and Timo Montz-Graham

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:58:10 +0000

Well you and I agree on 5 of 7! Not bad.

Still, Obama lost my vote when he said he would all but disband the military. That is the comment of someone totally out of touch with the reality in today’s world. Maybe 30-40 years ago, I could have voted for a trainee… back when the world was much different. Back when I was an optimist and thought the President could do anything. Sadly, all has changed. I am way too old to believe that and too old to vote for a person whose naïveté could cause the country to be weakened irreparably. I also learned long ago not to vote for anyone either too far left or too far right, and they just don’t get further left than Obama. Hell, he makes Ted Kennedy look like Ghengis Khan!

However, as aid, we agree on 5 of 7 and you seem to at least have thought about your vote which places you miles ahead of the masses.

Obama well may win. The mass media will see to that with lies and sound bites. The nitwits in Hollywood will use their star status and deep analytical minds to influence the hoi polloi

Thanks for your comment.

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:08:46 +0000

As you stated, each of us has our own agenda when it comes to politics and electing a politician. Mine is the Environment. After enduring the insanity of the last Bush and his adamant denial that Global Warming exists I have no faith in the Republican party. My vote will go to Obama.

I’m not a straight party voter. I think I fall firmly in the crack between parties. Some of the issues that both parties hang their hats on are not important to me.

I refuse to believe one party is more loved by God than the other. I refuse to let my Preacher tell me who to vote for.

I know I do not think like the majority. I believe in the death penalty, I believe abortion should be legal, I believe in stem cell research, I could care less if people of the same sex are married, everyone should be allowed to carry guns. Welfare should have a time limit and be an aid only, not a lifestyle, people should be taxed based on what they use. (Why should I pay taxes for a road I never use?)

My brother and I voted Libertarian one year, during the news we saw there were 2 votes for the Libertarian candidate. We made a difference. LOL.

I loved Costa Rica when I was there in 1998. It was my favorite place to be. If I could work there I would move there for good. Just know I am envious of you.

I enjoy your blog and your writing style. Keep it coming.

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:34:14 +0000

Just think with your big head and not the little one. You are traveling a very dangerous road. You are a target under the best conditions and most assuredly if you met via the Internet. Laws here are ALWAYS against the man or the visitor, especially where women are concerned.

Use EXTREME caution. Meet only in public. NEVER ask her to live with you… oh hell, you won’t pay any attention anyway… Good luck.

By: Leo in Las Vegas

Leo in Las Vegas — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:38:31 +0000

I am visiting Costa Rica for the first time in about 2 weeks to meet my girlfriend whom I met on an internet site and we have been commmunicating via snailmail and telephone since about mid December. I am 56 semi retired mortgage banker after 24 yrs with Bank of America. Every Tico/Tica I have met in Las Vegas have been extremely friendly genuine people. Any suggestions when I come to visit. By the way your posting on the politics was dead on. As I have gotten older I have become a Liberterian . Give less government! I wanting to retire to CR for my new girlfriend and a slower pace of life where there are still family values .

By: Jack

Jack — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 19:44:31 +0000

Tim,

Your piece is a good as it gets. Insightful, concise, perfect! You NAILED it!

Thank you, thank you

I trust you won’t mind if I send the link to my friends.

By: Greg Peisert

Greg Peisert — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:16:44 +0000

Hi Tim;

Really superb post. Thank you. As to the problem many wives have with the ex-pat life, I’ll just compliment you on your elegant solution (ML) and leave it at that. Well done.

As to the politics, if enough U.S. voters are anywhere near as clear-thinking as your post in the months to come, we’ll be fine. It does look like it could be McCain and for exactly the reason(s) you outlined. And while security is and must be the overriding concern, the economy is also an important issue, in part because it indirectly impacts national security (albeit can be a delayed effect). China, however, is providing the latest obvious example. With rising economic power comes rising military influence.

I don’t know if you saw the recent piece by noted playwright David Mamet in The Village Voice entitled “Why I Am No Longer a Brain Dead Liberal.” It is an entertaining and excellent piece, as one would expect from someone of Mamet’s caliber and accomplishments. The link is:

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0811,374064,374064,1.html/full

Mamet is of course no “conservative” either, the title of his piece notwithstanding. He has apparently landed with those of us in the “independent thinking” group. Come to think of it, many of my Republican friends are extremely “liberal” on some issues (many of us, for example, believe the “war on drugs” is an excellent indicator of insanity), and many of my Democratic friends are exceptionally “conservative” in many areas of their lives (very strong families with conservative values, for example).

All these labels seem to be little more than divisive mechanisms that serve, it seems, as weapons of convenience to make each other wrong, and to protect us from what George Will once characterized as “the unaccustomed torture of thought.” That is the appeal of your piece. You have unstintingly subjected yourself to said torture. I thank you for it.

Enjoy. And all the best to you, Tim and ML! (I very much enjoy your blog!)

— Greg P.
Dayton, OH