God bless you all!
The dog eat dog philosophy. Shameful, but I will give you the benefit of the doubt because as you said in post #3 "you are moderately educated".
Unfortunatelly it is true. Dog eating dog philosophy. That is all our modern "civilized" life in our "civilized" world with "enrons" and such.
In this particular DR case if young dogs become richer and stronger they will "eat" (actually price out of life) old dogs (elderly and infirm whose fixed retirement income will never increase). Those in their 60th-70th-80th with their $2000-$2500 a month just won`t be able to afford to buy food or to live in a more or less safe area in the Caribbean paradise.
Or old dogs will "eat" young dogs if they keep them poor (but themselves still will be able to live, to buy food, to have cleanning service , medical help etc). But in this case young dogs at least will not die physically. No third option exists.
Nobody is going to protect old and infirms.
Only themselves within their very limited powers.
Economic reality is such that for the society is desireable if people die the very next day upon retirement.
Pension funds could only dream about it.
SS funds could only dream about it.
Medical insurance companies could only dream about it.
Federal governments could only dream about it.
Old people who still are alive mean - spending money on them without getting nothing in return. Who wants it? Scientifically and economically.
If your income is fixed, with 10% increasing purchasing power and wages and prices around you you automatically become 10% poorer.
With 50% increase - 50% poorer.
With more "development" and "prosperity" around you at some point you`ll have to relocate to Charomico to find un $500-$600 apartamento. And when you are stubbed the very next week your last thought before going to the other world will be - It is so good that this people became more developed and rich! Right??
If you can contradict this without hate, personal remarks and emotions but with valid arguments and sound reasons and figures I will be more than happy to change my opinion. If you help me to see our modern world as just, fair, human and honest - I`ll owe you very big!
I want to be optimist, not pessimist. Optimists live longer and do not have cancer.
Yes, I can call my education only moderate, but after many years lived practically in all biggest and richest capitals of the most developed countries in America and Europe I came to a sad conclusion that development is good for at most 0.001% of the total population. For the rest it means losing freedom and happines, if not actually slavery. Huge stress caused by loans, mortgages, tickets,traffic,unhealthy food and environment.
Look at yourself - do you have more free time and less stress than you had say 10 or 15 years ago?
All - IMHO (if I am given the right to have one)
I love all people of all colors and religions. God bless you all!
I know all above said sounds ugly, disgusting, cynical. But it is the true life as I see it after spending in this world many-many years.
P.S All the above said is just theoretical and abstract considerations of pure academic nature. No particular country or government is mentioned or implied.
P.S.2. Before accusing me of anything please note that I did not say to which group of dogs I belong myself. Very possible to those who are interested in "development" (making more money). You can even find a post of mine (How to invest $50G-$100G in Dominican Republic?).
The only and main idea was that for retirees community in DR development and prosperity of the country will be disaster and ruined hopes for decent and happy golden years.
Loosing a beautiful, relaxed,inexpensive place to spend an hour or so with a bottle of beer without noise and crowd, peacefully watching the sea - Long Beach area in Puerto Plata - was truly symbolic and horrible event.
To see a multi-store Mariott or Sheraton in this place with auto traffic and herds of stupid tourists and NY prices- a worse nightmare cannot be imagined...
I`ve seen enough of it in Hurgada in Egypt, Antalia in Turkey, Hedonisms in Jamaica, Alicante in Spain, Pattaya in Thailand,Sousse in Tunisia and Punta Cana and Playa Dorada of course...
Peace!