Comments on: Nearly 30% of Costa Rica GDP comes from informal economy

By: Walt Zielke

Walt Zielke — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 18:18:35 +0000

I agree with Danny’s comments. The street vendors are a part of Costa Rica that help to make it Costa Rica and they are also apparently a large part of the economy here as well. I buy from them regularly. The move to change Costa Rica into something else is ruining the country. Progress is fine when directed with the citizens in mind and to what they favor but NOTwhen it is what the government decides is best for the citizens. A government should not intrude in, or it’s administration profit on a persons labors. These street vendors work hard and work long hours almost everyday of the week. Many make their own products to sell. These are not “imitations”! There are of course many that sell products that they do not make themselves but what is wrong with that. Be it a coloring book or a fake aeropostale t-shirt sold in Costa Rica it does not break the bank of a major international company. Not even a dent in the profit from these companies! Nor does the sale of a cheap pair of sunglasses or a cheap car charger bought on the street corner hurt anyone. It simply means that there will be another sale down the road when they break. If the consumer desires a higher quality product that MAY last longer then they are free to buy from the vendors that have established stores and higher prices.
How about simply making the paperwork less work for those working as street vendors and free of cost if there needs to be paperwork at all? I would prefer no paperwork at all and a government that serves it’s citizens and their desires and stays out of their lives but that will not happen with this administration or likey the next one or the one after that either. Regardless, the new law being enacted to prevent people from selling their products in the streets or to perform in the streets will punch these vendors directly in the pocketbook and make these hard working independent people even more poor than they are now which of course will drive them to goverment entitlement programs which of course is what this administration wants…..subjected people!

By: Jimmy Kirk

Jimmy Kirk — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 15:48:44 +0000

So where is the big deal there? I see it as a way for the small less fortunate person to make ends meet and feed their families instead of looking to government for handouts. Don’t rock the boat, as it will get worse.

By: Donna Castleberry

Donna Castleberry — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 15:18:33 +0000

just cant leave well enough alone!!

By: Danny McBrayer

Danny McBrayer — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 14:33:34 +0000

CR really doesn’t prosecute petty theft with any real urgency or harshness of penalty. I love CR and hate the transition it’s attempting to become more than a third world country. The street vendors are a part of what makes CR CR. Prices for restaraunt food is equal to or more than here in the US. I read an article recently which claims that even food at the local market is higher for domestic products than imported in many daily use items.

By: Danny McBrayer

Danny McBrayer — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 14:03:54 +0000

so they close down the street vendors as the gov proposes then what happens to this 30% of the economic stimuli? My guess is most of it goes further underground.