Politics and facades.........

[Rick Snyder]

Having arrived here one month before LF took office in 96 I am basically aware of the situation of the politics here but needless to say I’m far from an authority on the subject.

Having studied the history and having lived some of it I think it is fair to say that the DR has progressed under the leadership of LF when comparing all the other leaders. The problem with this progression is that it has failed to reach the major portion of the population, i.e., the poor Dominicans. There are those that will say that this progression has expanded the middle class but I must differ from that assumption and say that the middle class has in fact gotten richer but hasn’t expanded. The same can be said about the upper-class. They have become richer but too haven’t expanded.

Regardless of who the leader is or has been for this country their failure to actively partake in programs with the ultimate intension of helping the “below middle-class” is evident. The argument about the failure of those that supposedly have or had the ability to help themselves brings up this article. Almost on a daily basis there are reports about how the DR economy is or has grown by leaps and bounds but those that have no personal iron in the fire will point out that this progression hasn’t related to any improvement in the life of the “below middle-class”.

In my opinion the aforementioned brings up two questions that should be asked as it relates to this country. Has the DR improved, progressed or gotten better? In answering that question then the question ‘for whom ?’ is appropriate. The main reason for questions as such is due to occasional article that I come across like this one which was written by a very intelligent Dominican. While on that web page I would suggest that you read other articles by him which you will find in the right-hand column of that page. The one titled “Nos hace falta vergüenza” should be a ‘must read’. You may notice his reference to ‘education’ as a means to a cure.

I find it sort of amusing and excruciating how that word ‘education’ continues to come up in conversations with no changes ever been applied in its enhancement. The continued reference by some that the upper-class has no desire for the lower-classes to have an education are proving to be true at this point. Almost 11 years of watching this charade of words being thrown around without action substantiates that thought.

Just venting……………………………

Rick

[NALs]

Originally Posted by Rick Snyder

There are those that will say that this progression has expanded the middle class but I must differ from that assumption and say that the middle class has in fact gotten richer but hasn’t expanded. The same can be said about the upper-class. They have become richer but too haven’t expanded.

Rick

What data do you have to back such statement?

Can you effectively prove it? (Anecdotal evidence does not count).

Have you ever asked many older Dominicans if they think life is better today vs. in the past without making it obvious what is the purpose of your question?

Just asking.

-NALs

[aegap]

What about the working class?

[Texas Bill]

I'd like to interject a scenaario here, if I may.
it deals with a conversation I had with an Engineer working on thenew road from Santiago to Tamboril and was an "eyeopener" for me where "technical" education was concerned.
When I asked this engineer why there weren't any tech schools forteaching youg people how to operate the draglines, the front-end loaaders, the road rollers, etc., he responded that there were such but they were very expensive. "Besides", he said "the techniques and operation of heavy equipment is taught to their sons by those currently operating those machines". He said further, that it would virtually be impossible for an "outsider" to break into the "circle" of these operators, since they all know each other and are very jealous of their prerogatives of selecting their heirs.
This struck me as demonstrative of the "hands-off" attitude exhibited by the government where it come to "education".
So, I ask, is "Education" (of quality) a priviledged aspiration or is it really available to those who can afford it with the Public sector being fed a low level of accomplishment to "keep them in their place"???
It sorta seems to be that way, to my way of thinking.

Texas Bill

[Mirador]

Bill, no cojas cuerda, Rick is not just venting, he's also trying to amuse us all. He knows very well that it's all a façade, no different than a feudal society.

[Bartolomeo67]

Rick,
bear in mind that:
1/ being in politics is a 'job', it's a way to make a living. Politicians do it for their own personal interest, pride and power, and their own 'wellbeing' first, and for the country's and people's interest if they still have time left over and when elections are nearby. That applies to everywhere in the world.
2/ dominican policiticians are financed by the rich and the business community. Once elected, they are obliged to pay them back. Now, that may not be a big problem to the people's prosperity in countries like the U.S. but in 3rd world countries like the dominican republic it surely is responsible for the lack of general progress in society. None of the campaign financers gets better when more school books are supplied or when kids get to spend more hours at school. They do get better from infrastructure works and the likes.
my two pesos,
Bartolomeo

[bilijou]

same politicians, same citizens, same situation...