Comments on: A Land of Extremes

By: Stuart Warner

Stuart Warner — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:45:34 +0000

Panama is a land of contrasts, but there are many places like this around the world and I have seen the same level of disparity in the United States. The reason why the vast differences between the multiple populations in Panama is the varied levels of education. As a Panamanian, I see the same disparity of wealth all over the U.S., where and you can go from Camelback mansions to the impoverished Navaho huts; the Bel Air manses to the Watts slums; the Westchester estates to the Bronx hovels. As an outsider, what jumps out at you in Panama, is just like what I see when I travel around the U.S., and the root causes are the same.

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:43:03 +0000

I believe the issue of extremity is manifested in each country, I believe its even worse in Africa. Many people live for less than a dollar a day while the big fish swim in luxury and lavity using ill gotten wealth. Its crazy, barikiwe sana.

By: Zeta

Zeta — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:22:56 +0000

The extremes are glaring, but you don’t have to leave to country to see them. Have you ever visited Appilachia, a reservation, or even some of the southern states. There are plenty of places in Mississippi that aren’t much different from what you are describing.

By: Jim M

Jim M — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:14:29 +0000

Very nice depiction of your surroundings. I think Dave is correct, we need not travel far from home to see the wide gap in prosperity no matter where we find ourselves. The metric with which we measure wealth needs to be kept in in focus. There are so many dimensions to poverty beyond ones own financial wealth. Those who are rich with the fruit of the Spirit are among the most content individuals I have met, no matter what their “net worth” may be. Those poor in Spirit are among the most destitute. I suspect you are going to meet a few wealthy folks in these next days. Take care. Blessings friend.

By: Dave Rod

Dave Rod — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:12:41 +0000

Maybe Panama is just a microcosm of the rest of the world. Has there ever been a time in history with such world-wide economic extremes? And it feels like the gap is widening. God can’t be pleased.