Hate to say it, but with the devaluation of the peso and the partial collapes of the govenment to provide basic services it seems like this is giving rise to street gangs that have more control than the govenment. If this trend continues, might the DR look more and more like Haiti than we ever dared imagine.
Now let me step back, I know a lot might say this is all doom and gloom but many small businesses that could make it a year ago not (definitly) can't make ends meet, I'm talking about every mom and pop salon out there basically can't meet electric and telephone costs. I'm sure other small businesses are in the same boat. The ones that have jobs that are safe, know through family and friends how bad it is. These basic utility costs, and I'm including telephone here, are driving these businesses into >locked-in< poverty, at this rate then are not saving, they are just slowing thier decline. I can mention one other business type that is not soo great, the over abundance of internet cafes, seems like the ones I know in POP are not making alot now.
ONe other change, it seems the second capital (Santiago) that use to always be viewed as the rich insulated town of the country is getting (economically) hit hard, because the only inflow of money now is through tourism and export trade.
I know this is rambling, but take this conversation where you think it should go, what do you see in the future?
-Lee
Now let me step back, I know a lot might say this is all doom and gloom but many small businesses that could make it a year ago not (definitly) can't make ends meet, I'm talking about every mom and pop salon out there basically can't meet electric and telephone costs. I'm sure other small businesses are in the same boat. The ones that have jobs that are safe, know through family and friends how bad it is. These basic utility costs, and I'm including telephone here, are driving these businesses into >locked-in< poverty, at this rate then are not saving, they are just slowing thier decline. I can mention one other business type that is not soo great, the over abundance of internet cafes, seems like the ones I know in POP are not making alot now.
ONe other change, it seems the second capital (Santiago) that use to always be viewed as the rich insulated town of the country is getting (economically) hit hard, because the only inflow of money now is through tourism and export trade.
I know this is rambling, but take this conversation where you think it should go, what do you see in the future?
-Lee