OK, let's start with the exception. Why Panama? The canal, of course. Global interests allow for interesting geopolitics. Every nation benefits from stable access to Panama's waterway. Hence there is a financial incentive for all nations to ensure stability, a higher standard of living for the populous to discourage coups and revolutions, and a guarantee of access to basic amenities such as food and utilities.
On the other side of the equation, one can clearly see the absence of any type of global morality, ethics, and altruism. Saudi Arabia, who choses to chop up dissenting reporters, Iran who allows the stoning of women who dare walk outdoors alone and execute LGBTQ, Venezuela, a hotbed of dissent and repression, Nigeria, where corruption and murder are national sports are all given a free pass. Why? Oil. Apparently if your country floats on dead dinosaurs, you can abuse, ignore, castigate, and kill. A free pass in exchange for a product that powers the world (simultaneously destroying it with carbon emissions).
Now we come to the good guys, realizing that there is no panacea. Not even in Pan-Oceana, which sounds like it should be one. High on the list is our current host country. We have not been here long enough to gather irrefutable and deep, deep analyses, but hey, that's never stopped me before.
But let's start with the basics. See this picture?
It is a Tican (short for Costa Rican) drinking water out of a tap. A pedestrian event in much of the 'civilized' world. But three points come to the surface here - water is plentiful, water is well distributed through the nation AND IT CAN BE DRUNK STRAIGHT FROM THE TAP. No need to boil it, add chlorine, or let the sediment settle prior to ingestion. Perhaps we should invite some of the locals to help our indigenous folks who have been promised potable water for 30 years now. Kudos to those Canadians working to right those wrongs. I suggest that we stop with the symbolic apologies for actions and misbehaviours of a century ago and offer clean water as an appropriate apology over Justin saying that he's sorry.
A step back to 1948. Costa Rica experienced a civil war, lasting 44 days. The election results of that year were contested, apparently with significantly more evidence than the lunatics south of the Canadian border had.The net result was a victory be the rebels. Immediately thereafter, the new President, José Figueres Ferrer (no relation to the actor), disbanded the army and pledged all funding previously used for the military to be reallocated to health services and education. Imagine teaching children instead of killing them. Turning women into nurses and doctors instead of the sex slave trade. What a concept!!
The net result? Today Costa Rica boasts a 97% literacy rate, a universal free health care system, and free education for both primary and secondary levels. In 2021 99.98% of the country's electric power comes from renewable energy sources. Mostly hydro, 12% from wind, a touch of solar and biomass, and here's the coolest- geothermal provides 12%. The average family has a utility bill of $20 per month. Health care premiums deducted from salaries amount to $55 for a family of four.
Let's hope that after China completes its ascension as a the dominant world power it takes a lesson from little ole Costa Rica and learns the right way to run the planet. Peace out.
A few pictures just to feel good.
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