Ben;

The couple you call "the Smithenbergs" and their financial affiliates and preferred political leaders created the financial collapse by deregulating the loan industry, promoting a push for unsustainable loans and then selling off debt through multiple derivative schemes, while real estate prices were driven to ridiculous levels by the superficial demand that the shady lending practices created.

Not to mention supporting a war that was not needed or wanted by ANYONE except those who stood to make money from it.

They got their millions bankrupting America and now they are headed for Costa Rica to do the same to real estate here. They and their political "friends" wrecked the American economy, made piles of money and now they want to run and hide so they won't have to pay their fair share of taxes.

These kinds of people care about nothing BUT money. No birds, jungle ecosystems or indigenous population will stand in their way of bulldozing a pad for building a gawdy mansion or their "Tiger Woods golf course".

If Costa Rica is where these kinds of people are headed then it won't be long before they destroy the natural beauty of the place while driving prices out of the reach of working people.

dil