Electrical power fails
again for second time


Electricity failed again early Tuesday just as editors were about to post today's edition of A.M. Costa Rica.

The Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz could give no reason for the outage that covered the same area as the one early Monday.

Consequently the current newspaper was not posted on the server and made accessible to the public until about 6 a.m. Costa Rica time.

The problem has to do with the underground electrical system in northeast San José, which until now has been reliable. A dispatcher at the electrical company continued to point out that the underground service is handled by a separate department in the company, and there are no 24-hour repair crews at work.

Coco man  will keep reading
Jo Stuart's Friday column

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

I just read your letter from the writer commenting on Jo Stuart’s column and must come to her defense.

First of all I am an admitted "liberal" by the writers definition, but I consider myself an independent thinker.

As a regular reader of Jo’s column I am never lured into reading any of them. I find them quite entertaining and introspective, traits many conservatives will never quite grasp. And I will listen to any view I so desire. If it bothers me enough, I will indeed stop reading.

As to the fuming for hours over the content, this is the typical conservative reaction. They do not seem to be able to read or hear something that they disagree with without flying off the handle.

When it comes to pushing the liberal agenda, Jo has the right to push any agenda she likes. You have the equal right to disagree with that agenda.

This is also a typical conservative reaction to people or ideas with whom they disagree. They cannot seem to comment on any statement they do not like without pulling out some derogatory and disparaging words about the concept or the writer, instead of just making their point.

By the way there are a number of aliens in the U.S. who are, in fact, asylum seekers. I.e. they are escaping persecution of some kind in their native country.

As to having the ability to look at all views, the writer obviously lacks that capability.

I will assume that Jo will have no problem with the writer no longer reading her column. And neither will I. I, however, will continue to read and enjoy her very entertaining column.



In defense of immigrants
working in United States

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

We were glad to hear Pam Cohen of Grecia has sworn off Jo Stuart’s columns.  Now she won’t be tempted to write lengthy letters ranting about Jo’s “liberal” views.  As if being liberal or conservative (whatever those labels have come to signify) has anything to do with sympathy for those immigrating to seek employment and a better life.  Of course, to Ms. Cohen they are all criminals and outlaws, even though undoubtedly her parents or grandparents came to the U.S. as immigrants, but at a time when immigrants were welcomed. 

We just returned from the U.S. and each time we go there we remark about how any business we do, those employees at the minimum wage level or slightly above are more and more immigrants, whether store clerks, bank tellers, waiters/waitresses, taxi drivers, etc.  Apparently these jobs aren’t being sought by native born citizens and the business community willingly employs them and doesn’t see them as criminals, although some are probably not legal.


Luxury home tax appears
to be fair and needed

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

I have read the recent flood of articles and opinions about the new luxury-home tax with great interest and some dismay.  I share those concerns about implementation of such a change before all details have been worked out, although I have come to expect such a process from the government here (e.g., the transit law).  I fully sympathize with the uncertainty felt by those individuals who own properties to which the tax would apply, and would like to see some clear statements regarding mixed-use, domestic-agricultural property and the litany of other issues raised in A.M. Costa Rica.  Also, the issue of self-assessment of property value, but steep fines if you low-ball it, is ill-conceived.  I feel that fines should be assessed only if one fails to file based on the value currently assessed by the responsible governmental entity – that would make it incumbent on the government to make reasonable assessments in a timely manner.

Where I disagree with most of the opinions I have read is on the question of fairness.  The figures that you have published make it clear that the luxury-home tax amounts are quite reasonable by the standards known to the U.S. expatriates for whom you advocate.  The taxes on any property of comparable value anywhere in the U.S. would be several times the luxury-home amounts quoted for Costa Rica.  Re: fairness, even “back home,” the owners of more valuable property pay more in taxes than do others – this is not a new concept. 

Such a new tax does takes a little of the “haven” from the “tax haven” many expats have sought here, but one must hope that we will see better funding for much-needed government projects and services from this tax.  

A.M. Costa Rica regularly directs its readers’ attention to the needs for improved roads, bridges, law enforcement, etc.  It seems that everyone wants to complain about this country’s infrastructure but nobody wants to pay for it.  It is time for Costa Rica to make some expensive changes, and for those who enjoy living in “paradise” and can afford it to pay their fair shares.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The luxury home tax on homes that are valued at more than 100 million colons via the government's obscure methods will go to build homes for current slum dwellers. The money will not be used for infrastructure.


Civil disobedience urged
for two-tier price structure

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

The Costa Rica government continues to do nothing in the fashion of the countries’ passive aggressive behavior model. I don’t know about all you out there, but I think it’s time for the Costa Rica government to outlaw price discrimination based on nationality or ethnicity.

A perfect example is the new small gauge train in Monteverde: Foreigners pay a whopping $65 and residents and citizens pay only $8.50. That kind of price difference is punishment.

With the luxury tax on real estate, all of this has gone too far. I say boycott all business that have both Gringo pricing and local pricing. That includes the government and its discriminatory tax. Use civil disobedience to protest these injustices. 

Moreover, if you pay money to an establishment that uses discriminatory pricing, then you are part of the problem. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem. It's time foreigners use passive aggression. Let’s learn from our Tico brethren. When in Costa Rica, do as the Costa Ricans. Nike says, “Just do it.” I say ”Just don’t do it.”