Ortega's Election
November 16, 2006

You are probably aware that Daniel Ortega was recently elected president of Nicaragua. Since I have real estate interests in that country, many people have been writing me and asking what I think is going to happen there as a result of the election. There are several good reasons why I believe everything in Nicaragua will be just fine. Ortega's administration this time will be much different from the one he had when he was forced out of power 16 years ago. Here's my take on it ...

1. This is a different Nicaragua in a different world. There is no Soviet Union providing money and arms. Even if he wanted to, Ortega doesn't have the power to resurrect controversial policies like military conscription, private property confiscation, and censorship of the press. Nicaragua is now a democracy, and its Liberal and Conservative parties (ALN, PLC, and MRS) have secured a controlling number of seats in its National Assembly (Congress).

2. Ortega's platform clearly indicated a respect for private property. In fact, over the last 15 years , the Sandinistas abandoned that "Soviet era" rhetoric and have in their actions clearly accepted private property as a basic principle of life in Nicaragua. Throughout his campaign, Ortega said that he plans to support the Central American Free Trade Agreement and to maintain good relations with Washington.

3. The acceptance of the Ortega-led government by the U.S. government had been one of my main concerns. But there have been many indications that the Bush administration is willing to work with the new Nicaraguan president. Here's one example. The U.S. State Department recently stated that the United States has made a commitment to the Nicaraguan people. They also stated "We, the United States, have made it very clear that we want to have a good relationship with the Nicaraguan people and we've acted on that and we've shown that."

4. The election itself proved that Nicaragua is a working democracy. The election was peaceful and well attended, with nearly 70 percent of the voters casting ballots. The election was completed without trouble or accusations of manipulation. Despite earning only 38 percent of the popular vote, Ortega won and no one is contesting that. An engaged electorate is a good thing.

5. The Sandinistas have been a political fact of life in Nicaragua and, as a party, have evolved with the free market forces that have elevated the Nicaraguan way of life. The Sandinistas of today, unlike those during Ortega's last presidency, are very involved in the tourist industry and land development. They are aware that it is to the benefit to everyone in the country for the economic policy to remain pro foreign investment and non- interventionist. No one wants to put at risk the economic gains of recent years.

Beyond those considerations, there is another reason I feel confident about the future of our real estate holdings (and those in the surrounding area) under Ortega's administration. Ortega's first priority is to fight poverty. We have been helping to do just that since we first broke ground on Rancho Santana, our private development stretching along Nicaragua's Pacific Coast.

Rancho Santana is and always has been a responsible, community-oriented development. Since its inception, the developers have been committed to hiring local people, gradually increasing their wages and providing them with benefits.

Our sponsorship of the Roberto Clemente Clinic, where the community can get free or low-cost medical care, is just one example of that. Rancho Santana is the largest single employer in the municipality of Tola. More than 300 people work here.

For several years now, we have been working closely with the local Sandinista mayor of Tola, Loyda Garcia. Because of our financial, technical, and social commitment to the well being and development of the Tola region, the mayor's office has extended to us reciprocal support and consideration.

Rancho Santana is and has been the biggest tax payer in the Tola area. For a poor locality like Tola, the hundreds of thousands of dollars we have been contributing to the local government has been a great help. We have also, along with the Tola's Developers Association, been assisting with the maintenance of the road between Tola and Astillero.

I believe the future of Nicaragua is very bright. Here at Rancho Santana, and in the local community, life goes on just as it has before. All our employees come to work, on time as usual. Residents and guests are riding horses and walking along the beach. The surfers are still riding the waves. People meet every night on the terraces by the sea and enjoy the colorful Pacific sunsets. Rancho Santana is just as beautiful and peaceful as always.

I hope you get the chance to come down soon and see it for yourself.

Contact:
Tom Gordon
Rancho Santana Sales
Tomg@ranchosantana.com

posted by M. Masterson @ 9:52 AM,

2 Comments:

At 2:21 PM, Anonymous GoChristina said...

Hello Michael...I attended the AWAI conference a couple of weeks ago and it was an amazing few days. Very mind expanding experience. I had breakfast with Brian Tracy, met Bob Bly, the AWAI staff, met with Fred Gleeck and had drinks with Herschell Gordon Lewis. All lovely and approachable people. I actually went for the Copywriter's course, however, once I caught a glimpse of the internet/infopreneur sessions I had to change my major!

Now I'm in a quandry. There are so many seemingly qualified individuals selling "how to"s on infopreneurial success that I'm uncertain which person or strategy or program I should follow. In doing my due diligence I'm identifying much crossover amongst these competitors...but, can you recommend a world class individual? One who's really and truly made it, whose program is repeatable and successful, who provides a mentoring program, etc? /christina

 
At 2:26 PM, Anonymous gochristina1@yahoo.com said...

Hello Michael. I attended the AWAI Conference in Delray Beach FL a couple of weeks ago and it was an amazing experience! I was extraordinarily impressed with the content and presenters and the topics.

I had the distinct pleasure and special opportunities to have a happenstance breakfast with Brian Tracy, meet Bob Bly, chat with Fred Gleeck, a meeting with Herschell Gordon Lewis, and others.

I originally signed up for the copywriter's course but later "changed my major" to infopreneur as I just "got it".

My question to you is: Can you recommend someone who has a highly reputable, repeatable, successful infopreneur program to me? In doing my due diligence I'm finding plenty of experts touting their wares but it's difficult for me to determine who has the best program for me. Can you guide me, please?

 

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