Introduction! This is serious, I hope!

Edited in August 2009, to eliminate some senseless junk.

I intend to devote my retired life to sustainable and equitable economic development between and within countries focusing on the Americas. I don't care whether I am one of those who finds "solutions" or gets the fame. I just want the misery index in the world reduced and intend to spend the rest of my life trying to do my bit.

I've already started the education, having completed (well almost, there is ONLY the thesis left) a masters in social and economic development. And that leaves out the practical (but we'll see how useful) 30 years in big business and 9 years
overseas, including 6 in Lat Am. Of course to work at the level I would prefer will require a doctorate, a daunting task at my age (pushing 60). But if not I'll pursue my goals with what I have, hopefully finding some useful place to fit in.

So this blog will be free-wheeling in the area of sustainable economic development, exploring numerous issues as my "career" develops. Of course, my primary focus right now is my thesis (benefits-if any- of free trade zones in Central America), but more on that later. I also hope that my ideas will become clearer and more useful (to me and my readers) as time goes on. Read that as less rambling and more concise.

BTW, I think of myself as a liberal or progressive, but I could care less what philosophy the policy or solution derives from. If it helps lower the misery index for people, I'm all for it! Many might see the "Capitalist Corporation" and it's profit motive as the source of all evil. I (in my present novice economist form) consider that as superficial and naive, no less so than many (neo) conservatives and libertarians, who say that if you work hard, have the decency not to get pregnant in high school and educate yourself, you will succeed. Oh gee, is that all there is to it?