"Crisis of thought"?!

[RonS]

I just can't resist posting a comment about the President's remark that there is a 'crisis of thought' in the DR, hence his refusal to debate his opponents for re-election. Is he kidding?! Someone please tell me that this is simply campaign rhetoric. Whenever anyone I have spoken with in the DR is asked about politics and government the response I have gotten is a thoughtful discussion, and from what I've read the opposition candidates believe there are multiple issues worthy of discussion and debate. From the perspective of a frequent visitor from the US I think the President has done a good job and deserves re-election. However, when political leaders begin arrogantly thinking that they have the only thoughtful solutions to problems and the only right way for the future, there is, indeed, a crisis.

[Squat]

There must be some kind of a crisis, within this corrupt society...I think it is a big one, from the poorest to the richest... but I am not sure it is anything new...

[Hillbilly]

Most outside observers have serious questions about his ethics as well as his fiscal policies.
There have been, at last count, 20 important scandals during his administrations. Not the least of them is the Sun Land issue, the CB payrolls issue and the 40 or so billion spent on the subway without any public bidding, no apparent accounting and curiously handed to his largest campaign supporter, Diandino Peña.
The refusal to debate issues, perhaps because of the way in which it was refused, has been the butt of many comments, and none of them is very nice.
What issues?
Well, taxes for one. We are paying a 16% sales tax, but nobody knows where the money goes.
Subsidies represent another issue for debate. Just how much of my tax money (and Yours) should go to those who do not pay for their electricity? Or why should I pay for you to put Propane into your gas-guzzling SUV???
And the list could go on and on.

Some philosophical folks, fellow dreamers like Bosch, Peña Gómez and others, who believe that re-election is, in and of itself a "bad" thing, would like to debate just how this acolyte of Bosch, became a 19th century pragmatist, just like Balaguer, but without Balaguer's ability to "spread the wealth" ...

Still other would like to question the PLD party motto: Serve the party to serve the Fatherland. Like yeah, this is why they are known as "come solos!" and it is not a complement.

Still others would like to know who finances the First Lady's wardrobe and other expenses, and how can that be justified in a country where the hospitals are in ruins and the schools a mess.

It is obvious that the President cannot expose his frailty at this juncture, and thus he, who has been called a liar in public, is forced to place himself above the madding crowd and hope that the short memory of the Dominican people lets him get through this election. He knows what awaits him if he loses.

HB

[Chirimoya]

Up to a point he is right. The main candidates - including him - just spout meaningless feelgood slogans combined with preemptive attacks on each other.

The truth is that a real debate would be questioning clientilism as well as corruption and skewed priorities, and none of the candidates, not least the Prez himself, wants to expose themselves to that.

If there were true justice in this world, their misdeeds would cancel each other out and they'd disappear in a huge puff of smoke during the debate.

The statement is arrogant, though. Like Mrs F, it's all gone to his head. A more humble human being would have kept his mouth firmly shut.

[Skippy1]

I am told problem here lies in the poor quality of the opposition, lack of accountability and the corruption of the legal system. Total absense of transparency, trust and honour.

How does one choose between thieves, liars and robbers.....perhaps its easier to forego any responsibility to the people as a whole thus vote for self interest.

Reminds me of a joke about a credit card......if I may!

Mans wife looses joint Amex card, he tell friend it has been stolen for over 3 months.
Friend says: did you report it stolen..?
No its actually not that bad....the thief is spending less than the wife.

Oh well accept it or reject it but its a certainty ......Power corrupts and total power corrupts totally.

[Chip]

Problema numero 1 for Dr politics - politicians refuse to discuss the issues or failures or corruption in their administration. If the big man himself won't do it, what example does this set for the rest of his minions? Bigger question, why is the voting public so ignorant to the ramifications of allowing this to happen? Also, it must be cultural, but it appears to me to get any type of backing from the public here one has to be basically a demi-god, ie a person who can do no wrong. Perfect example of Miguel, who has a commercial where he bats 1000 and hits a hr every time he is at bat. If this doesn't say something about the level of the education of the voting public, I don't know what does.

[catcherintherye]

I am the first to admit I do not have enough information to comment on the job performance of Leonel. However, I am not without knowledge of politics in general. I am commenting only on the general concept of dismissing critical opposition.

When a politician of any stripe resorts to denigrating opposing opinions, or the populous in general, you can be assured there are hidden agendas at work. The rhetoric, in Leonel's case, the term "crisis of thought", is simply a means of covering up his own shortcomings, and moreover to marginalize the opposition. Apparently, Leonel is a skilled politician. He has also proposed and brought about some monumental projects. By monumental, I mean projects created as monuments to himself and his administration. Building monuments is a classic sign of egocentrism, and often indicates a personality that is unwilling to accept criticism.

There are reasons for wanting to marginalize the opposition, and there are a variety of ways to accomplish this. Usually, the means of marginalization are subtle, yet the use of defining words can be very effective. When a person is labeled as "thoughtless", or another dismissive term, everything that person says is subsequently diminished and marginalized. Leonel should be brought to task for his simplistic generalizations of the opposition. In addition, there are others who should examine how easy it is to dismiss others with generalized, throwaway terms. As an aside, I think it is fair to equate the dismissive terminology used by Leonel to the dismissive terminology (terms such as "newbies") used to negate posted comments on this board.

[Berzin]

Here are his exact words-

"If you notice, there is a deficit of conceptualization and this is why a debate would be meaningless - it's ridiculous," he said. "There is a crisis of thought." Fernandez, quoted in Listin Diario, said that the point is to maintain a constructive dialogue to instruct the public, with a vision of the future. Fernandez added that he is trained as a criminal lawyer and is skilled at debating, but he insisted there is no point in debating when the opposition can only offer attacks and insults."

The last part of this statement is what strikes me-the arrogance of such a patronizing, condescending remark, as if he's the only one who has the intellectual skills and training to debate the issues.

There would be more dominicans capable of meeting these intellectual criteria if the public school system wasn't such a disgrace.

But that's not a point thats' up for debate.

[Squat]

Originally Posted by catcherintherye

When a politician of any stripe resorts to denigrating opposing opinions, or the populous in general, you can be assured there are hidden agendas at work.

Excellent point !
The only reason that I would favor my Dominican family to vote PLD is my complete aversion of the PRD... However, I am so disillusioned that I won't even drive them to the voting station (like I did in 2004)

[RHM]

More arrogance on display.

There's nothing worse than a smart person who thinks they're brilliant.

He should have the debate and let his own actions speak.

If the others are so intellectually inferior he should jump at the chance to show the country how much smarter he is.

PS: His comment about being a trained criminal lawyer is also a bit blown out of proportion. He has a law degree from UASD, not exactly the Mecca of thought.

RHM