QBLOGS – While we stop traffic in protest over one thing or another, spend lots of money that we do not have, and make international fools out of ourselves such as the UN “Walk Out” by our president; so many places on our globe are on fire but we are not. At least not yet, anyway.
We have our share of violence, and we have our share of corruption. We also have our share of organized crime, but nothing like the reports from CBS News, ABC News and/or CNN from all other places around the world.
It reminds me of the film, “Mad Max,” when there is nothing left on earth but war, tribal killings and the deadly struggle for water, food and even gasoline.
Costa Rica is a relatively peaceful place. This is especially true compared to the anger and violent racism charges in the United States, the Middle East wars, Mexico assassins; we are, so far, unscathed by terrorism and our sense of racial discrimination is not five stars, yet we have not seen reports of killings while DWB (Driving While Black) or WWBN (Walking While Being Nicaraguan.)
However, I argue hate and anger have no national boundaries and make no doubt about it; we are living in a global community.
Sometimes I worry that Costa Rica, while stumbling over its own feet will, one day not so far in the future, experience national strikes and violence as in Brazil, Argentina, and Venezuela.
Once the public protesters hit the streets and taste blood, it is hard to stop.
What might spark violence in the land of Pura Vida?
I fear it boils down to economics. If the lower income folks can’t find a way to escape poverty and middle class cannot sleep at night for worry of paying bills and finance companies (Banks) who have pushed credit with the theme that, “We will make your life just like that in the U.S. and Europe,” then the people will rebel when their money runs out and jobs are cut.
Costa Rica is in a delicate balance of contradictions and we must absolutely pay attention to the qualities of life for those who call this country “home” and those poor, downtrodden refugees who either really need political asylum or really need food on the plate.
Historically we welcome Nicaraguans who generally take jobs Ticos don’t want. But not Haitians or Africans who for years have been devastated with extreme poverty, ruthless dictatorships and finally suffered the ultimate poverty maker, a wipe out from an earthquake. They are not on the list of, “Welcome, and have a nice day.”
We, as a country that advertises peace, social justice, no military (although there are some 22 police agencies) must soon live up to the moral values being advertised of helping others in need. It is the humane thing to do and cannot be supported by those who got up and simply walked out of the United Nations during the speech of the acting president of Brazil, Temer a country, a wealthy country, having its own struggle serious internal crisis and how to manage poor.
If impeachment was possible, perhaps any of the last three presidents would qualify. But in Costa Rica we need to live with what has been elected for four years and simply grind our teeth in frustration.
