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Title: Expatriation: Is It Too Late? Rich Republican re-gentrification goes global
Source: http://www.conspiracyplanet.com/
URL Source: http://www.conspiracyplanet.com/index.cfm
Published: Sep 15, 2007
Author: AL MARTIN
Post Date: 2007-09-15 10:31:42 by robin
Ping List: *Travel - Live or Work Abroad*     Subscribe to *Travel - Live or Work Abroad*
Keywords: None
Views: 223
Comments: 14

Expatriation: Is It Too Late? Rich Republican re-gentrification goes global, and it's nothing but a bitch slap to the Republican working class

Today we see the same type of naivety that exists within working class Republican would-be expatriates that still think expatriating to the south-of-the-border countries is the same type of situation it was 30 years ago, i.e. that you can live for peanuts, that your dollar goes a long ways, that you're going to be welcomed with open arms, and that real estate prices and land prices are only a fraction of what they are in the United States. This is nonsense.

Working class Republican would-be expatriates are getting a real eye-opener when they actually go to investigate. Suddenly they find out that real estate prices south of the border, land prices with real estate are actually higher than what they are in the United States.

There were a lot of Homex development homes built in Mexico from, let's say, the late 60s to the mid-70s (1968 to 1978). Homex built an awful lot of $49,900 homes in these developed communities for middle class Republican expatriates, and it was really done throughout Mexico.

Then the retirees got priced out. It is these homes and the land that they sit on that are now being bought up by wealthy pro-Bush faction Republicans who are knocking down these developments to build new gated communities. They're 30 years old, so they're teardowns.

They're buying them, really, for the land value and the easement rights that go along with them, and they're building in their place the new preferred, wealthy pro-Bush faction Republican, ultra-high security, gated condo communities, where condos start at $500,000 and go up to $3 million.

In the process, what they're doing is, they're paying enough for these older Homex-built houses from now very old Republican, middle class retirees. The 250 thousand dollars or so that they'e paying for these homes gives these middle class Republican retirees enough money to move further south in Mexico and buy a house again in another middle class Republican expatriate zone, particularly the communities that were built just north of Cuernavaca.

So now you see wealthy pro-Bush faction Republicans coming further south, buying those homes, and giving the middle class Republican expatriates a little profit -- not enough to live in a wealthy pro-Bush faction Republican community -- but enough to move yet still further south where housing is cheaper.

You are seeing now Republican re-gentrification, which means that wealthy pro-Bush faction Republicans are coming in, developing new communities, as the demand for those communities far outstrips the supply because wealthy pro-Bush faction Republicans are now the largest class of expatriates from the United States.

The older, middle class Republican retirees, some of whom have only retired recently and have found out the hard way that you can't have everything you thought you were going to have south of the border anymore, are getting pushed down the food chain, as it were.

Where does this end? Ultimately, the retirement haunt of middle class Republicans south of the border is going to be somewhere in the wilds of Nicaragua because Nicaragua is the country that is the most beat-out. The infrastructure is destroyed. There is no public utility service to speak of, and this is the reason why wealthy pro-Bush faction Republican money won't go to Nicaragua...

If you understand what's happening in this country, that the American Empire is an empire in decline, and you understand that you want to be out in the next decade, which is what, of course, wealthy pro-Bush faction Republicans understand, then you also have to understand that you've got to have the financial means to do so.

For the rest of this exclusive analysis, log on to (or subscribe to) Al Martin Raw.com (Political, Economic and Financial Intelligence)

* AL MARTIN is an independent economic-political analyst with 25 years of experience as a trader on NYMEX, CME, CBOT and CFTC. As a former contributor to the Presidential Council of Economic Advisors, Al Martin is considered to be a source of independent analysis for financially sophisticated and market savvy investors.

After working as a broker on Wall Street, Al Martin was involved in the so-called "Iran Contra" Affair as a fundraiser for the Bush Cabal from the covert side of government aka the US Shadow Government.

His memoir, "The Conspirators: Secrets of an Iran Contra Insider," (http://www.almartinraw.com) provides an unprecedented look at the frauds of the Bush Cabal during the Iran Contra era. His weekly column, "Behind the Scenes in the Beltway," is published on Al Martin Raw.com

Al Martin's website "Insider Intelligence" Insider Intelligence provides a long term macro-view of world markets and how they are affected by backroom realpolitik, as well as weekly market trading recommendations. Subscribe to *Travel - Live or Work Abroad*

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#1. To: robin (#0)

Join the Ron Paul Revolution

Lod  posted on  2007-09-15   10:41:29 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#2. To: robin (#0)

Yeah, we tried mexico back in '96 for over a year or so...found it was cheaper to buy and live here in Okie-ville.

Sodie Pop  posted on  2007-09-15   11:08:16 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#3. To: robin (#0)

I thought you had to be a Mexican citizen to own land in Mexico.

The "Department of Defense" has never won a war. The "War Department" was undefeated.

Indrid Cold  posted on  2007-09-15   12:45:39 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#4. To: Indrid Cold (#3) (Edited)

I thought you had to be a Mexican citizen to own land in Mexico.

I think that non-Mexicans are granted a 100 year "lease" on property rather than ownership, which means that if a crooked mayor or police chief in La Paz likes your beachfront house, the lease can be revoked at any moment.

They wouldn't dare do that to a major factory owned by a Multinational Corporation, though. That would be shooting themselves in the foot.

Rupert_Pupkin  posted on  2007-09-15   13:27:33 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#5. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#4)

Talking about 'mayors', we DO have the eminent domain thingy in the US, don't we? 'Ownership' is an illusion, my friend, unless you have the nukes to defend it.

Antiparty - find out why, think about 'how'

a vast rightwing conspirator  posted on  2007-09-15   13:29:57 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#6. To: a vast rightwing conspirator (#5)

The only difference between the US and Latin America is that when they seize your property in the US, they give you some token money as compensation.

And you don't need nukes to protect yourself, only money. As I said, the state will take property from private individuals, but they won't touch the holdings of the Multinationals. The government answers to higher masters.

Rupert_Pupkin  posted on  2007-09-15   13:33:32 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#7. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#6)

I used 'nukes' as a place-holder for 'power'. You have rights, including property rights to the extent that you can claim and defend them.

Antiparty - find out why, think about 'how'

a vast rightwing conspirator  posted on  2007-09-15   13:49:36 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#8. To: robin (#0)

i.e. that you can live for peanuts, that your dollar goes a long ways, that you're going to be welcomed with open arms, and that real estate prices and land prices are only a fraction of what they are in the United States. This is nonsense.

I can't speak for Mexico or a lot of other latin countries, but in Ecuador, the cost of living is definitely less. I'd say your dollar generally goes about 3 times farther than in the states. I wouldn't say gringos are welcomed with open arms but our money certainly is, and real estate prices are about a third of what you'd spend in the states, maybe a bit less. I.e. $800 a month will get you a really nice sizeable house in a gated community, and an above average home is easily had for $300/month. A decent apartment is $200/month.

And I do know that Ecuador is more expensive than Peru and Bolivia. Some young Peruvian women come to Ecuador to work as maids because the higher pay rate makes it worthwhile.

Gringos do need to negotiate carefully, however, as we'll often be quoted higher rates just because we're gringos, and latinos know that Gringos have lots of cash and will happily and ignorantly pay 50% more than the going rate since it's still a lot cheaper then what we're used to in the states.

If you're serious about relocating into Latin America, you do need local help and you do need to be careful and do your homework. The rules are different in every country and there are more surprises than you could possibly anticipate on your own without help, some that can cost you dearly (like buying a property only to find out years later that 2 or 3 other people claim to have bought it first). But for those that are careful, I'm (obviously) confident that there are plenty of benefits for those that do relocate.

Pinguinite.com EcuadorTreasures.ec

Pinguinite  posted on  2007-09-15   14:15:30 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#9. To: Pinguinite (#8)

Why did you chose Eucador rather than Argentina or Chile?

Zipporah  posted on  2007-09-15   14:17:10 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#10. To: Zipporah (#9)

I first came here to Ecuador because that's where I found the Spanish school that seemed to be the best for me. That's where I met my now fiance, and so I never got to visit any other latin country. I expect at some point I will but don't know when.

Argentina is supposed to be a nice country. Cheap prices compared to the dollar and very cultured. Cheap steaks since they have huge beef industry. Chile, from Flintlock's description, is a bit bureaucratic and regulated, but otherwise not too bad for some people. Both countries offer plenty of wines which are imported here in Ecuador (and even the USA).

Uruguay, located on the Atlantic coast next to Argentina, I understand is a great country tax-wise. No income tax at all.

It'll be nice to tour around whenever I can get to it. Had I not met my fiance, I expect I'd already have visited Bolivia and Peru by now.

Pinguinite.com EcuadorTreasures.ec

Pinguinite  posted on  2007-09-16   14:27:51 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#11. To: Pinguinite (#10)

I've been to Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela. Argentina is pretty expensive unless you have a favorable rental, which is unlikely for an outsider. Apartments are scarce in BA and are generally kept in families. It's a wonderful place, but even though they've unpegged the peso from the dollar, it's still unfavorable for people with dollars.

Brazil is cheaper, and Venezuela is cheaper still.

I'm considering Cuba and Belize and Venezuela as places to retire. You can get cheap apartments in all three, in decent neighborhoods, and my needs are few. Cuba has superior healthcare, but unless we stop the ridiculous embargo, I'd have to set up a bank account in the Bahamas or Mexico to access my money.

I've found that most of Latin America is pretty friendly to gringos, although not so much in Mexico. Lot of hard feelings there, and generally Americans in Mexico are not well-behaved. In South America, there's a lot more identification with the U.S., including music and movies. Mexicans tend to look down on the U.S. and feel that we've screwed them for centuries. Which we have. If you get outside the tourist zones, there's not much love for Americans.

I'm curious about Uruguay. I've heard good things about the country. A lot of Argentines vacation there and own small vacation homes.

Mekons4  posted on  2007-09-16   15:56:50 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#12. To: Mekons4 (#11)

I've been to Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela. Argentina is pretty expensive unless you have a favorable rental, which is unlikely for an outsider. Apartments are scarce in BA and are generally kept in families. It's a wonderful place, but even though they've unpegged the peso from the dollar, it's still unfavorable for people with dollars.

Buenos Aires is a very big city. It's got almost as many people as all of Ecuador. When you say expensive, is that BA or Argentina in general? I didn't know they unpegged from the dollar, but that's probably wise of them.

Brazil is cheaper, and Venezuela is cheaper still.

Brazil speaks Portugese so I'm not attracted to that. I've heard police corruption there rises to the point of there being mass shootings by them without any serious investigations.

I'm considering Cuba and Belize and Venezuela as places to retire.

Hugo Chavez is one to be wary of. My fiance's aunt lives in Venezuela and there are some scary things being suggested. Recently she received an alleged constitutional amendment that would force children into state custody when they turn 3 years old. As written, it's completly and literally Orwellian. Who knows if it's true but that's what's being rumored. Chavez most definitely has political opponents.

That's the worst, but it also proposes to confiscate homes above a certain value and ration housing to 3 people per room. My fiance's aunt, who has rentals, says she recently turned away someone that came and told her she wanted to move in. Not into an apartment, but into her home. So the rumors, true or not are apparently being circulated. Other proposals: no internet access, no cable TV, no expensive cars, no credit cards and things of the like. If true and if attempted, it would destroy the economy, obviously, but Chavez, for all we admire for essentually giving Bush the finger, is certainly one of the worst socialists/communists ever.

The concern here in Ecuador is that Correa might try to immitate him. Then again, the average Ecuadorian president gets forced out of office here, looking at the stats over the last 10 years.

If you get outside the tourist zones, there's not much love for Americans.

I can't say I've experienced that. Many are curious, but if you act like a big shot gringo, you deserve any animosity you get.

Pinguinite.com EcuadorTreasures.ec

Pinguinite  posted on  2007-09-16   17:51:32 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#13. To: Pinguinite (#12)

The Chavez stuff sounds like scare tactics. I'm not talking about moving in the next five years or anything, and I'll look at various countries carefully. I have a friend who spends a part of every year in Havana, and he loves the place. If he could get a job there, he'd move tomorrow.

In Argentina, it's definitely BA that is the problem. Outside, in small towns, prices are still pretty low. But the US dollar is looked at as a profit center. You don't get much bang for the buck. Brazil is marginally better, but as you noted, the language is a problem. I can speak a bit of Spanish and when I'm there, I pick it up quickly, then forget most of it when I get home. Portuguese is a tough language, particularly the patois spoken in Brazil.

Another place I'm considering is Viet Nam, but it's so far away and expensive to travel that I'd worry about seeing family. Havana is a pretty cheap trip.

Mekons4  posted on  2007-09-16   18:11:39 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#14. To: Mekons4 (#13)

I heard somewhere about someone who lives in Costa Rica most of the year, and is state side only 3 or 4 months to earn some money.

Right now Canada's loonie is looking better than our greenback.

Ron Paul for President - Join a Ron Paul Meetup group today!

robin  posted on  2007-09-16   18:15:59 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


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