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A "Consumption Empire", that pretty much sums up the way the United States is perceived by much of the world today.

Now, whether that characterization is accurate or fair is a subject of heated debate in many quarters. But the fact remains we consume a disproportionate amount of the world's resources given the population of our country.

What is as equally disturbing as the notion that the United States is a gluttonous "Consumption Empire", is the growing perception among many that Americans as individuals are little more than "imperialist consumers" themselves.

Here in Costa Rica, with the recent explosion of American ex-pats looking to retire in some mythical "paradise", there is some less than subtle resentment emerging among native Costa Ricans over what they see as the "consumption" of their country walking hand in hand with an often arrogant brand of neo-colonialism.

For example, many Ticos, when they refer to the Pacific coast of the country often say, "Aye, It is Costa Rica no more, it is Nueva Calfornia."

One community, officially named Tamarindo, has grown so "Anglo-ized" in recent years the locals now call it "Tamagringo".

Increasingly, such references are not expressed in the context of warm or fuzzy feelings, but rather in the context of annoyance and frustration over what many locals see as their being priced out of some of the most beautiful places in their own country.

In addition, even though most Americans who come here claim it is because of Costa Rica's reputation as an ecologically responsible and conversationist country, their actions, in terms of clear cutting large tracts of tropical land and forests to make way for mega-hotel and condo complexes, "world class" golf courses and marinas, and sundry other American style "amenities", have left many locals deeply skeptical as to just how genuine the American wash-a-shores' commitment is to Costa Rica's magnificent flora and fauna.

Throughout this beautiful country, just the size of West Virginia but with seven distinct eco-systems within its borders, unbridled and inadequately regulated real estate development, much of it American driven, is threatening the very natural assets that made Costa Rica so appealing in the first place.

It is, for me as an American who's lived here for extended periods of time for a decade, both a source of concern and embarrassment.

The concern comes from knowing once a tract of tropical forest is cut down to make way for a Southern California style subdivison, that very few Ticos can afford to live in, that tract of tropical forest, and many of the creatures that inhabitated it, are gone forever.

The embarrassment stems from knowing that much of this damage is being done by my fellow country men looking to score a quick buck marketing Costa Rica's natural beauty to affluent Americans, and then destroying that beauty by building the trophy homes, hotels, condominiums, and all that comes with them, that the affluent Americans believe are essential to their happiness and wellbeing.

So, back to the original question, with one addendum.

Is the United States a "Consumption Empire" and, as a result, are Americans then little more than "consuming imperialists"?

The jury seems to be in and, sadly, the verdict reads "Guilty as Charged", at least here among growing numbers of Costa Ricans.

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