Expat Community > Ecuador

OceanHideaway
Joined 2010
Posts: 6876

Leaving the U.S. for More Freedom?? Seriously???

11 years ago

This is a blog post from a friend now living here in Ecuador up the coast a bit. He is a decorated Vietnam war veteran and my go-to guy for all things Veteran and VA related. He is a straight talker and does not mince words -- loves living here in Ecuador but does not by any means wear rose tinted glasses. I post this with his full permission...without further ado:
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Leaving the U.S. for More Freedom?? Seriously???
by Donald Murray Sr. on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 6:46pm ·

I’ve been asked on several occasions if we moved from the states because of political reasons…discontent. My answer is a firm no!

Again today, I received an email from another Vietnam veteran who is planning to come to Ecuador for his retirement. After several exchanges, he stated that his primary reason for leaving the states was because he was afraid his liberty was being threatened. Give me a break!!!

While we do love Ecuador and have made quite a nice life here, I have been stopped, without cause, 5 times this month at armed roadblocks. Each time, my documents are requested and we are treated sternly, without common courtesy. Even today, as Diane rode her scooter to tennis, she was stopped at a roadblock close to home. There is no requirement for probable cause.

Only recently has Ecuador begun the process of moving from a “guilty until proven innocent” legal system to an “innocent until proven guilty” system. The old ways still prevail in many outlying areas and the mentality will take longer to change than the laws.

One cannot practically own guns here. I understand there is a process but it isn’t easy! The United States is still the gun owners Mecca on the whole planet!

All Ecuadorian residents are issued a national I.D. card (cedula) and many purchases are logged using your cedula number. Conspiracy theorists would freak out!!!

Many crimes go unpunished and often un-investigated. The system of justice in Ecuador does not approach the quality of the justice system in the United States. If you are involved in a traffic accident, it is not uncommon for both drivers to be taken to jail while the investigation ensues. While in jail, your family must provide food for you as the jails do not and there is no guarantee that you will even be able to make a phone call.

Recently, Ecuador’s President called for an investigation of those who were tweeting their displeasure at his administration. Yep! Freedom of speech? Not so much!

I am only writing of these things because some folks allow their emotions to lead them down the wrong path for the wrong reasons.

If you decide to leave the United States to live elsewhere on the globe, good for you! We did it and many others have done it and will do it in the future.

We remain thrilled with our choice.

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