[Riu]

Harmony, I partially agree with your point. Keep in mind that the economic slowdown has been felt at a global escale. Even countries as economically fit as the U.S. have been having problems. It takes time for countries to recover. It is a business cycle. Economies cannot grow continually. Every 10 or more years, you will see economies take a downturn and eventually come back up and expand. It is extremely hurtful for the D.R. because its economy is not a powerhouse. D.R. economy is largely dependant on U.S. 85% of the D.R. export are destined for the U.S., 92% of electricity is generated by fossil fuel (oil), and the economy is largely dependant on tourism which has slowed because of global economic conditions. The government centainly has not helped the D.R. The policies needed to help the country seem not to be in place and that also contributes to the country's problems. But like anything else, everything that goes up, must come down. I do believe it will get better once global economy picks up again as is evident with major economies which are seeing improvements across the board in their ecomic outlooks. Also, when econimies go south real estate go north. U.S. real estate prices are out of control. In the Tri-state area of NY-NJ-CT the average home price is $500,000 in a not so desireable neighborhood, taxes are incredibly high and the property itself is falling apart. In short, I think the D.R. will recover.