In addition to Haiti, think
about the ponzi victims

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

Today, when the focus is on the plight of those less fortunate than us, try and remember the old adage that "Charity begins at home."

Many persons in this country and others are living close to the poverty line, not because of a natural disaster but because of the callousness of the Costa Rican government.

I am referring to the Villalobos Brothers and Savings Unlimited run by Louis Milanes which have been in the courts since 2002.

In the case of "The Brothers," Osvaldo Villalobos was convicted and sentenced to jail. The moneys confiscated at that time were to be distributed to the victims in accordance with the court awards as published by A.M. Costa Rica on May 18th, 2007. The lawyers representing the Brothers and the lawyers representing the victims negotiated a settlement of 38.6% of the court awards to be distributed last summer (2009). However the judge in charge of this recused herself in August, 2009. No reason given. Since then nothing has been reported or happened. If an agreement was reached by both parties, why is it not being honored?

It makes one wonder what has happened to the confiscated moneys and property held in trust for the past 7+ years by the Costa Rican government. Even at today's low interest rates, the sum must have grown considerably.

Milanes is another travesty of justice. [He] has been living in relative luxury since his arrest, reported in A.M. Costa Rica in June 2008. His lawyers were to have negotiated a "settlement" with the victims who have filed criminal charges against him to avoid a trial and prison time.

So far, after over a year, Milanes is still free, and victims are still unpaid. Apparently he has not even met any of the criteria set for his freedom.

I know that the above cannot compare with the devastation happening in Haiti, but many persons' lives were just as ruined by the Brothers and Milanes. Most were left with nothing except perhaps a meager pension as their life savings were wiped out. They lost everything: Their homes, their dignity and in some cases their lives out of despondency.

The Costa Rican government is an intricate maze, but surely justice should prevail! and be their chief goal. That is all we ask. Costa Rica has risen to the call from Haiti. Are we just a voice in the wilderness? Help us to achieve justice and closure.


Bull baiting defenders
transfer the responsibility

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:
 
It seems to me that some of your readers are using the old ploy called "transfer of responsibility." In other words, if someone gets attention for acts that are not acceptable to a majority of people, they point fingers at others rather than admit that what they are doing is not right.
 
Costa Rica needs to deal with this situation internally rather than say "well other countries are doing worse." Other countries commit genocide. Does that mean that one can condone this type of behavior for all. Your readers and responders need to examine themselves and determine why they would condone such treatment of any living creature.
 
I applaud Mr. Garcia. It is time for someone to say enough is enough, regardless of where it takes place.

Bemoaning the boredom
leaves him frankly insulted

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

Sometimes, not always, a meaningful life is an inside job.  60 percent of the lead article on Wednesday was yet another call for others, government etc., to insure that we are happy and not bored.  I am frankly insulted by your staff extolling the horrible state of boredom which pervades the expat community.  It does not exist for my family, friends, acquaintances or me here in Costa Rica, not all of whom are expats, so I may be biased. I would suggest that those bored brought the boredom with them and thought a geographical change would cure their malady.  I personally love it here, and if I didn't, I'd move elsewhere instead of bemoaning my fate. Happy, Joyous and Free in Costa Rica,

Florida reasonable choice
along southwest coast

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

Mr. Swindell's letter, in Wednesday's edition has hit the nail on the head. Some confused Costa Rican homeowners are twisting the facts with regard to the cost of living there vs. the U.S.  Like Mr. Irwin's long diatribe on Tuesday about "The Calculated Cost of Living"  where he compares vague, meaningless percentages. Señor, ¿porque no numeros?  Afraid they would reveal what the real story is? However, most readers of A.M. Costa Rica are more perceptive.
 
Mr. Swindell is one, his insightful commentary asks "why not compare the majority of coastal areas of the U.S. instead of the most costly ones?"   —  like where Irwin lives?   I live in a very reasonable and picturesque area on the southwest coast of Florida.  We have many oceanfront beaches, offshore barrier islands and nature preserves. This area is similar to the rest of the SW coast with the exclusion of Boca Grande, Sanibel Island and Naples, where the millionaires are being kicked out — by the billionaires. Why compare such areas to Costa Rica as far as living costs go?
 
Having no mortgage or car payments, I can live easily here on $200 to $300 a month less than it'd cost me in Dominical, Jacó, Playa Hermosa, Escazú or Sámara.  I now, have talked to many realtors, rentistas and pensionados all over the country, and know what it takes.  Unless you want to live like St Francis of Assisi, cooped up in a dingy apartment in San José with no car and making the rounds of the Gringo friendly bars "hablando solamente Inglés." No me gusta !
 
After having my rental SUV broken into for the second time and getting ripped off on my last lot sale by a crooked local attorney, I decided to remain in the U.S. and just visit whenever I felt like instead.   To those who moved to Costa Rica and bought a home, buena suerte! Just had to address an obvious misrepresentation.

Happiness not the same
as true satisfaction

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

Satisfied expats live meaningful lives and encounter happy events on their path to satisfaction. Expats dissatisfied with Costa Rica living result in many returning home after a year or two.

Justin Wolfers and Betsey Stevenson recently questioned a New York Times travel article written by Nicholas Kristof, regarding Costa Rica being the happiest nation on earth. In a New York Times opinion article, the authors reveal that the measures used to declare Costa Rica as the happiest nation are better suited to naming Costa Rica a most-satisfied nation. The authors later write, “let’s not lose sight of the fact that economic development is overwhelmingly the strongest explanator of which countries top the happiness tables.”

I agree that developed nations rank highest in happiness with their endless buying that trigger repeated events of happiness, at the expense of devouring the earth’s resources. However, these happy events seem unsatisfying — never enough.  Happiness can be defined as “a pleasurable or exciting experience:" “Linda was happy after the amusement park ride.”

Satisfaction can be defined as “the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or task; "the chef tasted the sauce with great satisfaction." Satisfaction is more durable, last longer, whereas happiness seems according to the moment.

Traditionally, Costa Ricans experience deep ties to the land and the family. They walk a lot, which may be the least efficient travel method but is most satisfying as you earned your arrival. Earning your way satisfies. Whereas gifts or winnings bring happiness, they are often not satisfying events. Catching a fish brings satisfaction: your effort paid off. Receiving a fish as a gift may make you happy, but probably not satisfied.

Production brings satisfaction. I authored "Costa Rica Now" and experienced tremendous satisfaction from holding the hard copy in hand and knowing the book and my consulting services will help other to avoid the mistakes I have made and witnessed over my many years here. For me, writing and helping others bring meaning to life. Books originate from life experience: Therefore, one could say you are what you write: and you are whom you help.

Children bring satisfaction. There is nothing easy or short term about raising children. There are happy moments (and sad), but it is the reflection of their growth and the effort parents put into teaching that give satisfaction to parenting and meaning to life. Fatherhood has been the title of my self-definition, the most meaningful part of my life.

Rather than unbridled materialism and competing with the Jones to see who has the biggest television or most expensive car to compliment their socially isolated life, I prefer living with the Gracias and watching real life challenges of raising and educating children (not shuffling them off to daycare) and participating in community events.

Expats who integrate with the community, help others, work within a team by owning a business or by participating in a group effort in service seem to lead the most meaningful lives. Those who come here to abuse gambling, sex, drinking and drugs and exploit the land through shoddy developments may find short-term happiness but rarely find the satisfaction that brings meaning to life.