Sounds like I upset a few of you.
Now now. We all know that stealing is wrong and I do not condone it, but the situation in DR is not exactly a simple one.
I should let you know that I consider myself to be very conservative, and far from a “bleeding heart” type that my previous post may have lead you to believe.
You made reference to “other countries”. Okay, I would like to use the US as an example. There is a large population of Americans that receive free electricity either by subsidies or directly by the USA’s many entitlement programs; public housing is a fine example of this. Poor people receive free electricity by entitlements; Incredible. Do you think for one minute that there would be serenity in the urban centers of the USA if these entitlements were stopped? Do you think that it is even advisable to tell the poor masses that they should not be entitled to electricity because they can’t afford it? I’ll tell you that this is how riots and civil unrests are started.
I see the DR and the US system to be very similar in that the poor receive basic utilities for free, whether it is by stealing or entitlements, to stave off civil unrest. This is Sociology 101.
There are not enough jails or administrative resources to crack down on electricity theft.
Would I like these people to pay for electricity? Yes of course I would. But if they can’t afford it, and the folks in the government won’t give them any, it could be a social experiment “gone wrong”.
I strongly agree with you and Black Dog that it is the government’s function to find a solution for the people. And I agree with Conchman that they eventually will. Surprisingly Collingwood, who usually have very solid posts decided to be hoakey on this one. No Collingwood, you cannot have my address so that poor Dominicans can steal my TV. aranoid:
To really see that problem for what it is we need to look for the root cause. Yes inefficiencies and bureaucracy play a part, but as I have mentioned in other similar posts, the root cause of the problem in DR is the basic cost of refined, end product FUEL. Fuel produces the electricity, and I am sure you have noticed that fuel very expensive here.
Correct as you say via entitlement programs not via stealing the power, this is provided via the government, and fees assessed by the power company to the paying customers in other word PLANNING and taxes.
Condoned stealing and planned entailments are not the same thing big difference you cannot compare the 2. Also in the US and say Canada, you have to have the power as huddling over candles will not keep you warm as -20 that’s why they open the homeless shelters.
This is not necessary done to stave off civil unrest, but as a social benefit, unlike here where it is to stave off social unrest. Not to say social unrest would not happen but as its already been taken care of via planning, they don’t have to worry about it.
The major theft problem is not the poor resident anyway according to studies done here it is large companies.
They (Government) could issue cards with the new meters, which would replace the stealing, This would be much like the Bono program for cooking gas. As it is now I know some people in some barrios pay a flat 200rd per month, there is not a meter in the barrio.
Every one already knows the root cause. but nobody wants to effect the cure.