Dear Mr. President....

[frank alvarez]

....please read the 'Wake Up Leonel' thread in this section. This is what many people are feeling. After the disaster that was the PRD/Hipolito government of 2000/2004, most Dominicans looked to you with a great dealof hope to get things turned around. In many ways you have but, the impression you give by some inactions, unkept promises and how your collaborators act, do you and your party more harm than you appear torealize. In the end, the harm will be done to the country when the people go looking for another alternative in 2008 and we may fall into irresponsible handsonce again. Next year's congressional and municipal elections, where the PRD and others are already working tirelessly to continue in power to cause your further problems, are not looking too good for your PLD.

It's a shame. You lowered the exchange rate drastically and improved the
economy in terms of sheer statistics, but these numbers are important only to the ruling class and big businesses. The lower classes, the masses, where
most of the votes are, can be had by the opposition due to you and your party's 'attitude' of arrogance, your detached approach to the exercise of your office in this 'presidentially oriented society' and some questionable or clearly stupid decisions. Why in the world do you close gas stations at 8, on Saturdays at 12 and keep them closed on Sunday? Do you really think these measures save any fuel? Perhaps the contrary! Now we all have to run around with full tanks, worrying about weekend movement and the ill will towards your government by the masses is very widespread.

Perhaps it's not too late. Stop travelling so much, participating in these endless seminars, doing long, tiring professorial expositions and roll up your
sleeves, go out into the country, get rid of at least half of your government
officials and bring in fresh faces that you believe can do the job for you and us. Spent a lot less time with government officials, leading businessmen and their associations, the clergy, etc., etc., and go out to Guachupita, Gualey and Capotillo in Santo Domingo, Cienfuegos in Santiago and most communities in all provinces. Unless you do a 180 degree turnaround immediately your government and the country may be doomed.

 

[Porfirio]

I submitted the ¨WAKE UP LEONEL¨thread. You are totally correct in your submission. I doubt if Leonel reads our submissions. He would be in for a crash course in the true opinions of us who sincerely desire a Government for the people, and not just for himself, his friends and ¨hangers on¨, who do not realize the discontent within this Country. To continue his erroneous desire to build a subway and disrupt the commerce of the City for years, while a monorail would be less disruptive, cheaper and eye appealing. To continue his ¨whacky¨idea to build an island off the malecone is beyond belief. He continues to barrow funds putting us deeper in a quicksand of debt. He continues to neglect a decent educational system for the poorer families. He continues to neglect the implementation of a proper and decent health-hospital-medical system for all Dominicans, while he travels to New York or Miami for his and his families medical needs. Let´s hope for a better Government is in our future.

 

[project9]

you give by some inactions, unkept promises and how your collaborators act, do you and your party more harm than you appear torealize.

Can you please be a lot more specific? starting by saying which are those unkept promises, what do you mean by inaction and who(and what) are you talking about when you say "how your collaborators act.

From you (and Porfirio) i expect a reply like this: "if you can't see it you're blind" ... so please surprise me.

It's a shame. You lowered the exchange rate drastically and improved the economy in terms of sheer statistics, but these numbers are important only to the ruling class and big businesses.

What a load of crap, really. First of all the exchange rate was not lowered by the president ... remember: this country has managed floating exchange rate, in the case of any authority intervention it would be done by the CB and not the president. You say that the numbers in our economy are only important for the people with money, which leads me to a question: are the rich people the only ones who go to supermercados and colmados? No, the masses do that too and if they do that they too are enjoying the "sheer statistic" that says that prices have only increased 8% in the last year.

Your last paragraph is not worth of an answer ... it's the same political bs we heard in the past regarding the president's trips abroad, and we all saw the results of those trips 4 years ago.

 

[Andy B]

project9,
Some else on this board said previously that "Leonel is nothing more than Hippolito with hair," and from the horror stories about what is REALLY going on in Santo Domingo that I'm getting from my friends deep within the national government coupled with the way the PLD is running things at the local level, there is no doubt in my mind that this government is not as bad as the previous one,...it's WORSE! If you would remove your rose colored glasses and really see what's going on around you, you would know that what Frank Alverez and Porfirio are saying is dead on the money.

Out here in the sticks (and the real world of the DR), the average. everyday guy on the street is really beginning to resent what Leonel is doing with his grandiose schemes (which are ways to do nothing more than siphon off money into their pockets) rather than tend to his country's people. And these are not just PRD supporters I'm talking about, but people that I personally know who strongly supported the PLD in the last election. The PLD lost the election to Hippo and the PRD because of this and from the way things are going now, it's going to happen again.

 

[project9]

You managed to give the impression that threre's "something" wrong in the country ... what you didn't do was actually saying WHAT is wrong with the country and the way it is being managed ... that usually happens when people talk out of their asses.

there is no doubt in my mind that this government is not as bad as the previous one,...it's WORSE!

Do you have any tangible evidence of that? Or you just say it because "Leonel es un comesolo y no hay cuarto en la calle" ?

 

[Andy B]

Re talking out of my ass: no need to insult my intelligence which anyway, is probably a lot greater than yours. If you knew my background other than being a hotel owner on the Samana peninsula you would know that I don't speak lightly. And as a business owner here for many years I can tell you that there is "something wrong" and things ARE worse at all levels of government. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the country is not only rife with a greater level of corruption but is being mismanaged starting from the highest level on down. Even the local people that were somewhat above corruption during the previous government are now openly big barracudas and are doing all manner of ilicit things with their hands out constantly. And the rest of the local people are just getting more p*ss*d by the day. From the timbre of your posts I can tell you don't have your finger on the pulse of the everyday people, just those that buy the same, old, tired PLD political malarky, hook, line and sinker. "Come solo?" You bet it is and it ain't good.

And just to get the record straight, I have NO DR political preference other than good government and lately I don't see much of that on this island.

 

[project9]

Again, you gave the impression that "something" is wrong ... now all you have to do is put your money where your mouth is and say exactly WHAT is wrong.

I do have one question tho ... can you explain for us the comparision you made to arrive at the conclusion that "the country is rife with higher levels of corruption". I ask because i do believe that corruption is not particular to any political party but i also think that your affirmation is way over-exaggerated.

Re talking out of my ass: no need to insult my intelligence which anyway, is probably a lot greater than yours.

Ya but i can **** further than you! Can you beat that? eh? can you beat it?

 

[project9]

Too much talk ... very little substance.

 

[thepiper]

One load of crap deserves another !

"What a load of crap, really. First of all the exchange rate was not lowered by the president ... remember: this country has managed floating exchange rate, in the case of any authority intervention it would be done by the CB and not the president. You say that the numbers in our economy are only important for the people with money, which leads me to a question: are the rich people the only ones who go to supermercados and colmados? No, the masses do that too and if they do that they too are enjoying the "sheer statistic" that says that prices have only increased 8% in the last year."

This would be a very good point if the CB administrators did not answer directly to the president who gave him the job for their loyal political service. That is true now and always has been in DR. I hope you are just finding this out.

 

[RHM]

I would like to take moment to tell all of you how much I love reading threads like this. You guys sound just like Republicans and Democrats in the U.S.

Let me say this....those who are truly enlightened when it comes to politics are the individuals who don't get blinded by party and partisanship and come to the realization that under the surface politicians and parties are ALL the same. Their number one priority is to get in and stay in office. Then they take care of themselves and their buddies. Then they think about MAYBE doing something that actually helps their constituents.

I follow international politics pretty closely and I have yet to find a politician and/or party who can be supported whole heartedly although some are better than others.

Leonel would have to rape a nun in St. Peter's Square for some of his followers to denounce him and Hipolito still has tons of supporters. Go figure.

At least people are interested.

Scandall

Edit to: fix a whole bunch of stuff...I'm in a hurry

 

[bochinche]

it has been proven time and time again that democracy does not work everywhere.
what is good for the u.s. and europe is not necessarily the best for everywhere else.
people use democracy as a reason to make money from those more unfortunate than themselves.
latin america is a prime example of that.
to stop people like me making money from you..........let me rephrase that.......for this country to work, as in most other latin american countries, you need to put a dictator (or something pretty close).
chavez knows this.
fujimori knew it.
balaguer knew it.
hipolito knew it, but luckily for us.....he couldn't pull it off.
truillo mastered it, but unfortunately scared the bejesus out of everyone who dared cross him.

leonel doesn't understand this and will never be effective for this country as a result. he is great for the u.s., but you have to understand that he is just a stop-gap until the next "dictator" pops up. could be a few years yet though......so make as much as you can now (and stick it in accounts outside the d.r.).

yes, i am selfish, i am bad, etc. etc..........but i am not going to sit around waiting to see if the next crop will grow, when there's plenty for harvesting right now.

i wish the new 'dictator' would hurry up though.......we need to lower the crime rate.

 

[RHM]

it has been proven time and time again that democracy does not work everywhere.
what is good for the u.s. and europe is not necessarily the best for everywhere else.
people use democracy as a reason to make money from those more unfortunate than themselves.
latin america is a prime example of that.
to stop people like me making money from you..........let me rephrase that.......for this country to work, as in most other latin american countries, you need to put a dictator (or something pretty close).
chavez knows this.
fujimori knew it.
balaguer knew it.
hipolito knew it, but luckily for us.....he couldn't pull it off.
truillo mastered it, but unfortunately scared the bejesus out of everyone who dared cross him.

leonel doesn't understand this and will never be effective for this country as a result. he is great for the u.s., but you have to understand that he is just a stop-gap until the next "dictator" pops up. could be a few years yet though......so make as much as you can now (and stick it in accounts outside the d.r.).

yes, i am selfish, i am bad, etc. etc..........but i am not going to sit around waiting to see if the next crop will grow, when there's plenty for harvesting right now.

i wish the new 'dictator' would hurry up though.......we need to lower the crime rate.

You are right to say that "domocracy" in the US/European form is not for everyone. I will stand by you 100%. Sin falta.

However, I am not a big fan of the "leaders" that you mentioned and some of their tactics. But until I come up with an alternative solution I will refrain from criticizing too much.

Viva la revolucion....

El Scandall

 

[mondongo]

the majority of humans don't want to live in subjugation. dictatorship is not the answer. when people get frustrated with the democratic process, it is born out of impatience and lack of understanding.

democracy takes generations. when a country leaps from autocracy to democracy, what results is a voltatility. but this volatility eventually wanes and converges toward a more inclusive, self-deterministic society.

 

[RHM]

the majority of humans don't want to live in subjugation. dictatorship is not the answer. when people get frustrated with the democratic process, it is born out of impatience and lack of understanding.

democracy takes generations. when a country leaps from autocracy to democracy, what results is a voltatility. but this volatility eventually wanes and converges toward a more inclusive, self-deterministic society.

Well said, my friend.

Suffice it to say that democracy requires education.

?Es verdad?

Scandall

 

[mondongo]

Agree 100%, Scandall. Education is a pre-requisite....but, sadly, it is not on the politicians' radar screen...

 

[daddy1]

No, President in the D.R. will ever be successful!!

If current president's and future one's do not have education and the social development of children as there first agenda... then a country cannot start fresh and properly develop, nor stand on there own two feet! they will always be playing catch up with the rest of the world..Back in college I had a professor tell a classmate.. that was this hip hop looking thug like figure who did not care for his classes or grade etc..he turned to him one day and said ...a poor person with a poor mind is a disaster, but a poor man with a smart and sharp mind has options and potential.... case in point:

Leonel's over-passes in Santo Dominigo, and the sports facilities, Amet, the school system, Olympic athlete's etc,, and youth development have all crumbled with no improvement, because he does not had a surrounding network of real intellectual's around him to maintain and support his projects..so if he build's a rail system it will fall,, if he build's and island it will lose business,the more he builds and the less he educates...the less chances he will have of being succesfull...in order to flurish as a community and a powerful sociaty, is to give the people the tools they need to better themselves first!! FIRST..then proceed to rebuild your country...

WITHOUT..education as priority and the development of young social, spiritual and ALL.. athletic programs, then the chances for progress is slim to none, history has shown us that the development of humans are first, then you can build a city, because history has also shown us that without it, you raise a sociaty of bandits, thiefs, and pirates...look! President Fernandez have not understood that you must build a strong foundation first before building a house, not take or issue hand me downs, but a hand up..this is key, not to intimidate, or dictate, that didn't work in the past, it will not work now, nor in the future, a presidency is not temporary relief these men are public servants! elected official's to do the people's work, to impower the people, it's setting examples, and offering long term result's.. everyone there,,thinks a good president is one that give you free things...but remember this...you will always remember a friend, but you will never forget your teacher! even if you do nothing else...people will remember that they are successful today, because you provided them the tools to succeed! now this would make a true leader! this is called a legacy... Leonel has the potential to do this...but because he has alternative ambitions he will Fall just like the rest of them...but despite this, he is the best thing the country has to offer as a present leader.

 

[Porfirio]

Want a big laugh ???? A deliberately doctored pole by the Government controlled newspaper identified Leonel?s Wife as the most popular person living today. Another one of Leonels jokes and tricks he continues to inflict on us. Leonel and his ?famous?wife are only famous for wasting our money on their life style of the ?rich & famous?. Long trips paid for by us, dinners to fatten themselves and their friends at our expense, fine clothes to wear which is paid for by our blood and sweat, riding around in big Lincoln Cars with a dozen more cars and motorcycles with flashing red lights escorting this wasteful duet, costing us millions to inflate their never satisfied egos, is a disgrace. Our young men cannot find work, and are relegated to menial low paying wages, or commit criminal acts to support their families, and our daughters are forced to work in zona franca or clean homes, or work as prostitutes. The only famous act Leonel?s Wife committed was to see that her friend Margarita Gomez was awarded a $350,000,000 (that?s millions) Government Contract to deliver furniture to the new court building while our schools and hospitals are deteriorating daily. Times are tough, and getting tougher while Leonel continues his impossible quest to become wealthier and famous on our horrendous living conditions. Take your famous wife and live on the island you want to build off the Malecone where corruption will put billions in your pockets, and leave us in peace.

 

[project9]

Want a big laugh ???? A deliberately doctored pole by the Government controlled newspaper identified Leonel?s Wife as the most popular person living today. Another one of Leonels jokes and tricks he continues to inflict on us. Leonel and his ?famous?wife are only famous for wasting our money on their life style of the ?rich & famous?. Long trips paid for by us, dinners to fatten themselves and their friends at our expense, fine clothes to wear which is paid for by our blood and sweat, riding around in big Lincoln Cars with a dozen more cars and motorcycles with flashing red lights escorting this wasteful duet, costing us millions to inflate their never satisfied egos, is a disgrace. Our young men cannot find work, and are relegated to menial low paying wages, or commit criminal acts to support their families, and our daughters are forced to work in zona franca or clean homes, or work as prostitutes. The only famous act Leonel?s Wife committed was to see that her friend Margarita Gomez was awarded a $350,000,000 (that?s millions) Government Contract to deliver furniture to the new court building while our schools and hospitals are deteriorating daily. Times are tough, and getting tougher while Leonel continues his impossible quest to become wealthier and famous on our horrendous living conditions. Take your famous wife and live on the island you want to build off the Malecone where corruption will put billions in your pockets, and leave us in peace.

Candelier 2008-2012!!!