The more I read and see, it is impossible for Costa Rica to join the developed nation world as so much desired by Laura Chinchilla.and Oscar Arias.
And, why should we?
To borrow more money where we means to pay it back? Numbers are data until they reach the level of information but if 47+% of all revenue (Including borrowings) is used to pay government salaries; do you think we should pull the plug and start again? Perhaps do a bankruptcy?
And why not revert to that mystic Costa Rica” culture” we once were and do what we did best? And that would become again a delightful, safe, even a banana republic with jungles that meet the sea, cities with weekly festivities and the kids would play in the streets at night and even adults would feel safe. (Plus, only limited fast food joints LOL). Other countries would be more advanced but we would be more civilized.
Or is it too late? But Argentina did it?
I have read most all the comments to clean up Costa Rica and the answers seems to be we need to depend on our “culture”. Hell, Guatemala has 1,000 times more ancient cultural than us and moreover, what is our special culture?
We are ranked right up there in violence.
Running below the radar are the major drug cartels equipped with arms, helicopters and clandestine helicopter pads who kill each other on a limited basis as in Mexico; they are too close for me. Who is bribing the Limon judge and the other court officials of justice, who let the big-time trafficantes walk, or even those who have enough money to make the pay off and escape justice with political “ins”? What ever happened to the mayor in the Oso Peninsula who had his driver search the streets of San Jose for poor, very poor under aged girls and allegedly sold them for sex? (He’s still mayor) What happened to the two convicted former presidents who now walk free only because of judicial manipulation designed to fine the guilty but not do jail time? (Sounds like Sodom and Gomorrah but not that bad, yet)
Even the Tico leniency of shark fining is appalling as the Thai lady went home unabated because she only docked here to refuel her boat which was safe since she did not off load the fins which is illegal. I guess, using that as a point of law, I can kill an entire yacht crew and so long as I do not drop their bodies on CR shore, I’ll sail on to the next port? Or better yet, as the finers do, literally tie body parts to the fish skeletons and have not committed a Tico crime. Okay. I killed a guy at sea, chop him up but strung him together: Free of law?
I want to go, “To Back to the Future”, no matter how naïve that sounds.
My heart returns to when we were naïve and not a country where the Chinese built a spectacular stadium that is useless for international sport because the track and field events have been installed incorrectly. Ah! But the place is great for concerts and soccer events.
We have a president who reminds me of Papa Francisco, a populist.
The difference is our populist needs to be elected by the people and governed by a mixed legislator and there is no such thing as a transitional stage, assistance from the last administration who took a deep sigh of relief on the May 8, inauguration day, and hit the road to Guanacaste for a well deserved vacation. It is a hard job to dodge bullets.
Is it time to stop being what we are not; developed. I mean, is it really possible by the longest stretch of imagination to unrob the bank?
The list off mistakes and almost infantile pages of corruption are endless, but one of my most important are the thousands of people in the north who eat, drink and clean with arsenic laced water. How bad can that get?
We are not a developed country and far from it. Do we really want to be developed?
I’m not sure.
To understand why Costa Rica may never be a Developed country, is to first understand that Costa Rica is a class structured society, with power and the wealth resting in the hands of a few, who don’t want change. Legislative projects to reform the law in an apparent move to greater development and prosperity in the Country, will be given “lip service” by this ruling class, many of whom are directly involved in the political process, or alternatively, are in positions of influence, but when it comes time to vote in the Legislature, the project will be defeated, or frustrated. Possibly, President Solis has the populist personality of the “benevolent dictator”, who could rule Costa Rica by Presidential Decree, a step away from the supposed model of Democracy currently employed, which appears to have failed in its application in Costa Rica. I believe that Costa Rica has to become a truly Developed country over time, as it is the natural evolution of events for countries to follow as is dictated by the global community. However, how and when that status arrives, is yet to be determined.
Yes culture is behavior – just as character is behavior – so what behaviors are you examining – I see that the majority of companeros are very decent people. Sympathetic, tolerant and understanding. Why Juan do you define us by the bottom dwellers – because they are in power? Or because they are rich? They are still the bottom dwellers.
Years ago when no one had money in Costa Rica we developed a hierarchy, not based on money and material symbols, but on community standing. Who received the most saludos en la calle were the highest among us! Who earned the “Buens Nota” badge were esteemed. Status was a matter of civilty and graciousness – not power and putting people over a barrel to get them to do what you want.
Those who reside at the top are the kind dentist who greets you with a smile and does not charge you to simply “take a look.” The honest small fetreria owner that comes to work everyday with a smile and is truly interested in your home repair challenges. The two senoras that run the verduria honestly and graciously while a santo peers down from above. The humble local attorney who does his best to help your situation rather than see how he can manipulate it for his personal gain.
The mentally and physically challenged who smile broadly. The many community members who say out your name and greet you with affection. These people do not exist to the same degree in developed countries. Lets face it money usually makes people mean and arrogant.
Are there “good” people everywhere> yes there is and the US has a lot of them. But there is a big difference between being “good” and being “kind.” Costa Rica is a world leader in “Kindness”. A graduate with a double major in kindness and civility and a minor corruption and robbery.
Which nation do you want? Rich good and indifferent: cold and aloof – there; but unapproachable. A place where you don’t dare make eye contact – alone in a crowd – or one in which people welcome you with a hand shake and help you with a broken vehicle and gladly offer you a cell phone when needed.
What does it mean to be a developed nation? I think we like Colombia and Cuba have a high degree of civil development – and I hope money doesn’t ruin it like “The Love of Money” ruins all people.
In Costa Rica we are rich in soul. What better richness is there?