What has dolorisation done for Ecuador?

[tena]

What has converting to dolars done for the people of ecuador? I dont see a miraculious cure of all there problems as promised! I see prices at alltime highs, and wages at a low. For instance, my friend Jorge, He is poor, and cuts grass, and helps on farms for a living. He made: 3 dolars a day(in sucres)... then the dolar comes in and prices still go up... and how much does Jorge make? 3dolars a day. The bus to work costs him 50 cents one way. that leaves him with 1 dolar... what does he do with it? Buys the basics... pan... azucar... platanos... he trys to feed his family of 3, and help out his mother who has worked like a donkey for all her life also. He cant cut it. What can he do? There are plenty of people in Quito/Guyaquil who have more than enough! That ticks me off. What do you think Jorge should do?
Tena

[tena]

fine turn a blind eye. All you ignorant rich, stealing, corrupt faggets out there can kiss my furry but
Tena

[hot500]

I don't know if I really understand dollarization. Since ecuador switched over didn't pay just convert on the same scale? I am visiting in the fall- do things cost the same in Ecuador as in the U.S.A- are prices very high in Ecuador, our recession has made prices rise here?

[sachagringo]

Yes, the prices did go up. this is only because the poorer 3/4 of the country get "scared"and individual stores take advantage of the doloriz. and use it as an excuse to raise their prices and make a pretty penny. As everyone hears of the change, everyone follows suit, and raises their prises as well. It is a vishious circle and it is caused by the people themselvs. As to the prices: alot of things are MORE expensive than in the states, as they feel it should cost lots. it is alot of the time, just the individual stores and owners changing prices. well have a good day
sacha gringo pila pila

[JBF]

Yes, things have changed in Ecuador since adopting the US dollar as our currency, but i feel they have changed for good. Tena, sorry about your friend Jorge, but for the majority of people, dollarization meant stability. I don´t know your friend, but surelly there are many things he can do to improve his life, get an education, for instance, or look for another ocupation. And yes, there are FAR MANY things that are cheaper here, when compared to the US: cab rides, education, going to the movies, the stuff you buy at the supermarket, etc.

[sachagringo]

ok thats funny. i think you are giving a very distorted view of ecuador. Are you a rich guy in quito or guy. who hasnt been out of his shell. have you been to the states? At the supermaxi casi todo es mad caro que en mi país o en los estados! Im not chalenging your "knowledge" but i really think you have no clue dude!

[JBF]

Originally posted by sachagringo
ok thats funny. i think you are giving a very distorted view of ecuador. Are you a rich guy in quito or guy. who hasnt been out of his shell. have you been to the states? At the supermaxi casi todo es mad caro que en mi país o en los estados! Im not chalenging your "knowledge" but i really think you have no clue dude!

HA HA! No, I´m not a "rich guy". I´m a middle class professional, working hard, and making a very decent living out of my work. You´re right! At Supermaxi (one of the biggest retail chains here) all the imported processed stuff you surelly are accostumed to eat is expensive, just because THEY´RE IMPORTED. How much do you pay in the States, Canada or Europe for freshly harvested foodstuff? Much more than here, for sure. How much do you pay for your rent, car lease, and so on?

In brief, what has dollarisation done for Ecuador? These are a couple of figures for 1999: (before dollarisation, and in the middle of the worst economical crisis we have ever lived)

Inflation rate: 95%
Lending rates: 70% (!!!!)
Economical Growth: -7% (!!)

...and these are the estimated figures for 2002:
Inflation rate: < 10% (the economy is still adjusting itself)
Economical Growth: 3%
Lending rates: < 5%
Economical Growth for 2001: 5.4% (the highest for "latin" America, as you people call us).

So, "sachagringo" stop speaking out of your gutts, and pretending to know everything about us, just for spending a couple of years in the middle of nowhere. I LIVE HERE, I KNOW WHAT I´M TALKING ABOUT.

We didn´t choose the US Dollar "just because". We chose it because is the strongest and more stable currency in the world right now. Patriotism does not reside in money, it resides in love for your country and pride for what you are, and where you come from.

Take care and begin to see the world from another standpoint, not just yours.


[Edited by JBF on 9th May 2002 at 18:12]