Not for at least 30 years. Haiti is actually a 'failed state' will little hope of any future not bartered and cared for by the rich nations of the world and the Dom. Republic. The DR's #2 trading partner is Haiti with a very favorable BOT.
However, Haiti is without schools for 95% of the population. Without effective health care for a similar number. Withour forests in the same proportion. And, worst of all, without a effective government, unless backed by United Nations troops.
The problems in Haiti are staggering. They need a school system the size of NYC right this moment. They need health care facilities the size of the Bronx and Brooklyn, right now. They need electricity, water, sanitation the size of Rhode Island.
I wonder where the $8 billion that was pledged is, was or has gone to??? It has not made a dent, as far as can been seen.
While this might seem unfair, it is reasonably factual, it is reality. If you go into the whys and wherefores, you only find a series of governments that were predatory, and I have yet to find a truly "good" government in the 206 year history of the country.
So:
1) Massive international help to
a-train teachers
b-build schools
c-build hospitals and equip them and man them for 6 years
d-launch a Cuban-style program of "assembly line doctors" , like Special Forces medics.
e-massive, mechanized reforestation projects over the entire country
f-huge infrastructure projects (semi-make work for people) such as roads, canals, aqueducts
g-top level instruction in the process of governance from officials in Canada and France, with maybe some velvet covered iron fists behind the scenes.
The list could go on, but that would be a good way to spend the $8 billion...IMHO
Of course, a lot of the same could be applied to the DR, but with a big head start. What we need here is a social revolution, not an eraser and clean blackboard every election cycle. "I'll forget what you did and you forget what I am going to do...."
Yes, Virginia, I do believe in Santa Clause. Unfortunately, I also think we could make good use of Castro's }pared?n{ as a way to clean up a lot of things around here.
Hummm, I see the old curmudgeon is out and about..
Oh well,
HB