However, my impression from those I know is that Ticos aren’t outraged because they are accustomed to politics being a mess.

They are not unaware of or unconcerned about the country’s problems, and when given the opportunity they do express their opposition. Note that they voted out the PLN after seriously flirting with the FA. This was a pretty significant voter revolt.

Even so, Ticos are more resigned than the Johnny-come-lately expats. Many Ticos remember the economic meltdown of the 1980s, others learned about it from their parents and teachers, while most remember some of the really massive government scandals of a decade or two ago. Actually, most can tell us expats some stories of corruption and bad governance that we haven’t even heard.

Thus, while expats are shocked and outraged, Ticos are more apt to roll their eyes and take it all as normal. They don’t like it and aren’t fatalistic, but reserve their actions for the times when they have an opportunity to do something, like vote. In the meantime, they argue mostly about soccer (which they often suspect, not without reason, to be corrupt too).