Custom Search
Billy Bob: Why do you Live here?
Submitted by fyl on Wed, 2010/01/13 - 20:23.
I have not seen a positive post by you about Nicaragua in ages. Aside from your posts, you have directly complained to me about other issues. Clearly you could pick a different place to live. Yet, you live here and continue to invest in "infrastructure" here.
So, what's going on?
- fyl's blog
- Login or register to post comments
How stable is Nicaragua?
I am interested in visiting Nicaragua and have been trying my best to read and even asked people about what they think about this country. I have got mixed answers. I got beautiful and yes, it is from what I can gather but I also get dangerous due to its politically unstability. Is it really that obvious? I read that the party may change like in the next election? What will happen if so? I am actually interested in the indigenous as well and apparently one particular group is fighting for independence? Is it possible? I cant help but wonder how this country would change when they achieve independence? Would it be better?
a contrere, mon frer
My political comments have been Prodemocracy, which is a philosophy shared by a good portion of Nicaraguans.
My last 5 blog entries ( tropical agriculture, Buiding a house here, guidebooks to Nic., Somoto Canyon, mosquito born disease) have all been within the positive range of providing information for foreigners living or thinking about moving to Nicaragua.
I have actively promoted tourism here, which I do think is good for the economy and not yet being damaged by the minority ruling party and its obvious slide toward dictatorship and promotion of the Mussollini-like government of Venezuela. Even Sandinistas know they can´t GET CAUGHT destroying the economy!
As a foreign resident, I do not support individuals or parties in their election campaigns, etc. Although I freely express my opinions, I know it is up to the Nicaraguan people to clean up their government, protect their environment, and build their economy.
As you know, I decided to stay in Esteli for a personal relationship, which remains my primary reason for staying, despite the fact that Esteli does not have the quality of life I seek. I´m speaking specifically of the noise, traffic, air poluttion, and crime.
Our efforts to move away to a location just outside of town have been hamstrung by the all-pervasive corruption and incompetence that seems to plauge the government and public utilities. It´s pretty sad when you have to hassle with lawyers for a year and file a criminal complaint, accompanied by your lawyer, just to buy an empty lot and then have to wait an additional 1.5 years for someone in Enacal in Managua to signoff on a simple water connection.
Well. the good news is we are hooked up to water and our house is half completed. We should finish it the first half of this year, at which time I can get back to my plan of 3 years ago of living in relative peace and going into Esteli not more than one time a week.
¨Latin America devours its revolutionaries¨ -Simon Bolivar
Danielista!
As simple as that. I refuse to attach Sandino's name to this a***** as he has done absolutely nothing to merrit the right to name his political party after one of the greatest hero of Nicaragua. The current political system is a self serving one, one that serves El Tronpudo to the tune of of hundreds of millions of dollars.
___________________________
Viva Leon....... Jodido!
But that doesn't answer my question
Would you consider the current climate socialist or where in the nature of political ideology would you place it? Also, what has the political landscape and popular voting been since the civil wars?
I ask, because my husband's friend there is the son a surgeon who studied in Moscow. The father was a communist and the son views Nicaragua as a socialist country. And yet, I see many Americans living in Nicaragua who seem to have a more conservative view of politics, so I'm wondering if there is a strong movement in Nicaragua to move to a conservative political base with maybe some inside American financial support. Do you see this happening, regardless of what you think of Ortega? Or do you see more of the same in 2011? I'm asking as an outsider with no agenda for your country, but curious about varied opinions there.
Dunno about that FYL
I always find Billy Bob has interesting material when I read his stuff. He does offer good insight into gringo living in Nicaland and I'm not sure why you are knocking his posts as negative. Is it that he offers good counterpoint to some of your own writings on such topics as Honduras? He certainly seems to know his way around the Nica landscape ok is my own opinion.
hey fly
if i was Billy Bob i would say none of your business!!!!!!!!!
once a good while ago you had a post about banning a member because you thought that he was very negative and corrupt.
honestly as i said then if i dont like what i read i just dont pay attention but with a freedon of speech i feel that is what you have to do.
weather i like what some one has to say of not does not giveme the right to want to ban them of put them down in any way.
seems to me that fly wants to talk more that he wants to listen but that is just my openion. maybe i should be banned
No Hidden Agenda
His posts are negative. I didn't say incorrect, just negative. Add in what he has personally said to me and it is just an honest question.
I live here because I like it here. If I didn't, I would move.
maybe..
I don't think that is a honest or fair question.
Been honest is let him know what you consider negative opinions, and make the appropriate comments, but coming with that questions ,is not.
Maybe the point of view is different..you must be honest and admit that everybody that don't share your political and ideological concepts...will receive a negative opinion from you.
You say Billy Bob post are negative, i think are OK ... \
In the other hand, i think you make a abuse of your post, converting nicaliving in Fylliving...but i don't have any complaint about, because is your site...but i enjoy it your experiences and your special way to interact in our society, that is unique...
So let the people express, i think in the mean time our comments and post keep the line , is not important if somebody like or not...i read everybody and when i consider something is not important, i don't read it , and if is something i consider is wrong or i want give a second opinion, so i do .
i agree with your post nicanor
hey when i lived hear i complained worse than anyone. let me waif 4 hours for a lawyer to do business and he just blow me off like what ever man. no problem. than would make me mad as you know what. but then i would just have to remember where i was at but i would still have to complain.
Why ??
Why you live here instead of Venezuela or Cuba ???
Question about the political climate of Nicaragua
How would you label the current government of Nicaragua, politically speaking?
Typical
That's the word that comes to mind. Power==Corruption. Having worked both for a sub-contractor to the U.S. government and for state government, I have more first-hand knowledge in the U.S. and I can assure you there is a lot of scary stuff there.
How does that compare to government in Nicaragua? I don't know enough about what really happens here (that is, as a semi-important player within the government) to really know. I don't know anyone who has the internal knowledge of both governments to make that comparison.
All that said, the really positive thing in Nicaragua (and that doesn't just mean with the current administration) is that there is just a lot less government here than in the U.S. On an external level that means no international wars to fund which is a huge cost saving. But, most important, there is just a lot less government interference in your life.
It's actually funny to say that because we have been talking about the free health care here and people have been picking on it. That, and free education (which people can also pick on) both should be in the plus column just because they exist. There are more government services including a postal system, roads, water and sewer, miminal police and fire protection, and such but, beyond that, there just isn't a lot of money to "get in your face".
As much as an Ortega-run government seems to get defined somewhere between Socialism and Communism, what you really see is a lot less socialistic than in the U.S. If you don't believe that, add up your income tax, sales tax, gas tax, property tax, vehicle registration, ... and then look at what you, as an individual, get back from all those taxes.
i moved here in 97 from
hondurus..i was part owner of a bar and resturant,bought and sold a couple of houses,have a small finca now..no matter who has been in office i have never had any problems here..i can see why the nicas here care what is happening with the govt..but,why are some of u gringos so worried what is happening here..im hear because i have a good life here..a lot of u guys should worry about ureselfs and quit caring about whats happening in hon. and here..enjoy the country..it has a lot to offer us..how the nicas care to govern themselfs is there problem..my 12 yrs. here have been 12 good ones for me..and i plan on a couple of more good ones here
This one takes some "Geting your head around"
But what you say is the same as very successful business man that I know. He is a Nica but has lived about half and half in the USA. He marvels at us coming down and enjoying it, he loves the country. We love our political conversations but he always says the same thing.... "Ignore the politics, you can't do anything about it, but enjoy the country and the people and have fun". I personally find it hard to separate the two but a lot of times you have to follow his advice. Or go crazy or leave. I personally envy your finca idea; I could get away from a lot of things and talk to my carrots.
i dont have a phd or am a college grad.
like a lot of the people on here..but if u read what i said..i had a bar and reasturant..to do that..u have to know how to use the system..i sold a couple of houses..no i did not use a realator..u dont need one u need a good lawyer..i have a finca..and had a bar..so i had employies ..so i had to know the rules,i read some of these post and i think the people that write them thinks the government is reading them and there trying to brown nose the gov.i had a nica wife who i sent to law school..now she is my lawyer..yes,u better know what the hell is happening in a country u live..but,why not just enjoy it ,instead of spouting a lot of politicoal b.s..,,billy bob..there a system here..and it works great..if i wanted a water connection i would of walked into the office..give someone a 100 cords and tell them to get everyone a coke..then sit down and talk to the boss person..when u are done shake his hand and slip him a couple of bucks..and u probably would of had water in a couple of weeks..the cokes for the office staff works great..there the ones that are going to do the paper work.yeah i know its called corruption..but thats the system..i'll take good common sense any day over a phd.
You have MORE than education!!
You have valuable experience, and any college grad should know that. College provides you with theory. Life provides you with practice. Your valuable practice mirrors everything my husband says about this city, so far too. Not to mention what he is being told by every one of his Nicarguan friends with education.
I think one should understand their surroundings and the politics of the area, but I'm not sure you CAN understand it completely until you've gleaned the experience you have and the familiarity with the culture. Keeping yourself as an outsider by shoving your political views down a person's throat who doesn't buy it isn't going to give you an entry into that person's culture. And that's why I question all the political mumbo jumbo here, which seems to differ from those who voted in the current leaders in Nicaragua.
Connections
Some of the "caring", at least for some of the gringos, stems directly from local interests shaped and defined by in-country marriage, children, adoption, relatives, friends, small business interests, etc. - which are all local. If people were to move down here tomorrow without any of these aspects shaping their life, and proceed to lead a life untouched by such things, then they might have little reason to be involved in or care about the country. But, for some people (surely not all or even most, but some), the lack of citizenship doesn't mean a lack of a connection that matters.
World politics should be of interest to any expatriate
That is not to say that anyone, "gringo" or otherwise, should have the right to dictate to Nicaraguans how they should run their country...on that I agree. But understanding the political climate of a country you live in can save your life if things begin to change. Ignorance can be a very dangerous behavior when you are not a citizen of a country.
And that "good life" can change in moments when things are expropriated or if you aren't aware of what is going on. I spent nine years in Mexico much as you have in Nicaragua, and then things changed suddenly and we fled. So, I think it is prudent to be aware of your surroundings and the political climate of the area. But having said that, I have no intention of butting my nose into the politics of Nicaragua, even if I have my own opinions. I think the U.S. has done enough of that throughout history and I'm not sure it has been helpful to Central America.
i didnt say, i dont know
whats going on..what im saying is i mind my own affairs.
But you said...
"a lot of u guys should worry about ureselfs and quit caring about whats happening in hon. and here..enjoy the country"
And that was why I responded as I did. It sounds like you have taken the right approach and one I hope to duplicate. But I hope that anyone moving to any country will care about what is happening, both for humanitarian reasons and for self protection.
corrupted
its don't have any ideological or political definition..their rhetoric, preaches and alliances have nothing to do with their perform implanting a merely dictatorship, what its goals is to build a economic and political empire for its party.
Then how does this differ from
Venezuela or Cuba?
Cuba..
I can talk about Cuba, because i have the experience to live there and be more involved in relations with their people....corruption is not a problem...but how we can compare wit us ? In the mean time they live under a police state, here the liberty ( libertinage, impunity ),is the common ground for the thugs...
What the FSLN lost in honesty, sacrifice and identification with the poor, in some measure has been keeping in the Cuban regime...aside is repression to the civil liberties and the fail of its economic model.
You can research about the incrimination , prosecution and execution of a bunch of government officials, including minister in the 80's because wrong doing....must of our politicians and government officials ..easy can fell under the same destiny if they were in Cuba.
About Venezuela you can read what the ideologist of the socialism of the XXI Century Heinz Dieterich say about:
http://barricada.com.ni/2010/01/07/el-ideologo-del-chavismo/
This ought to be interesting
I wanted to ask that a while ago...form the same reasons, but was chicken.
ZZT