Can Hippo Change Constitution Again?

Jasper · #1 05-23-2004, 02:03 PM

Can hippo change the constitution again so that a former president can run for 3 terms rather than just 2? he has a majority until august 16th to do so. i have no doubt that he would stoop that low. i am afraid that we haven't seen the last of him. if his sidekick jaquez were to run for president, can hippo run as his vp? then jaquez wins an election then has to leave the presidency, let's say for health reasons, would we get hippo again?

ERICKXSON · #2 05-23-2004, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasper

Can hippo change the constitution again so that a former president can run for 3 terms rather than just 2? he has a majority until august 16th to do so. i have no doubt that he would stoop that low. i am afraid that we haven't seen the last of him. if his sidekick jaquez were to run for president, can hippo run as his vp? then jaquez wins an election then has to leave the presidency, let's say for health reasons, would we get hippo again?

NOT GOING TO HAPPEN>>>>>>>>>>>>

Ken · #3 05-23-2004, 02:48 PM

The president can't change the Constitution. And considering how badly he was beaten at the polls, the PRD majority isn't going to make any moves in that direction since they must now think about saving their own positions in the 2006 election.

Dolores · #4 05-23-2004, 03:04 PM

Technically he can do so. But this would cost lots of $. Remember it has been openly confirmed that money was "borrowed" by the PPH faction of the PRD from the collapsed Baninter bank to grease the way for Congress to pass the changes that allowed President Mejia to run for reelection. This money did not cost the PPH faction anything, as it was just put on the tab of the collapsed bank that all Dominicans are paying for in the increased inflation. Where the money would come from now to push a constitutional modification through Congress before the swearing in of President-elect Fernandez is an unknown. I don't think there will be many takers of a second Hipolito Mejia gamble so soon after his resounding defeat in the polls.

As to whether he can run as Vice President... that also is a possibility. But take note that for Hipolito Mejia to be a vote-gainer on a presidential ballot, the Fernandez government would have to be an even worse one than the one we have had under Mejia, which should be a difficult feat to accomplish given the numbers Mejia will be leaving the country.

In the 2003 constitutional modification it was also included that a President could only run once for reelection, so technically President Mejia used up his chance. Unless the constitution is modified again -- always a possibility -- Mejia is out. From what I understand, Mejia now seeks to become the spokesman for the PRD, which is yet to be seen given what his leadership has accomplished.

In the meanwhile, the legislators have a bill pending that would extend their own terms two more years in order to unify presidential and congressional election. After the Dominican people are feeling good about penalyzing through their vote the present authorities with a big NO on their bid for four more years, this motion, while also possible, is also unlikely as to do so the legislators would be have to forcefully charge the bill through while it surely will have the rejection of all sectors of society, including the next President as of 16 August.

Texas Bill · #5 05-23-2004, 04:21 PM

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER take the attitude that incumbents of a defeated political party will abrogate their intentions! Hippo's party may have seen the handwriting on the wall, vis-a-vis the election, but if they are planning to extend their tenure, they wil certainly do so. Even if it means political suicide! They're just that stupid and conniving! They have proven that over and over again by TOTALLY disregarding the opposition to their MANY unpopular legislative actions.
The only way to combat such a situation is to bring such actions to the public notice on a day to day basis until they are voted out of office at the next election! Essentially that is what happened to Hippo's bid. His misdeeds were so widely publicised that even though he vigoursly denied them and tried to place the blame elsewhere, his own actions eventually did him in in the public's eyes and they voted him OUT!!!

Texas Bill

Jasper · #6 05-23-2004, 05:06 PM

thanks for the explanations!

frank alvarez · #7 05-24-2004, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Bill

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER take the attitude that incumbents of a defeated political party will abrogate their intentions! Hippo's party may have seen the handwriting on the wall, vis-a-vis the election, but if they are planning to extend their tenure, they wil certainly do so. Even if it means political suicide! They're just that stupid and conniving! They have proven that over and over again by TOTALLY disregarding the opposition to their MANY unpopular legislative actions.
The only way to combat such a situation is to bring such actions to the public notice on a day to day basis until they are voted out of office at the next election! Essentially that is what happened to Hippo's bid. His misdeeds were so widely publicised that even though he vigoursly denied them and tried to place the blame elsewhere, his own actions eventually did him in in the public's eyes and they voted him OUT!!!

Texas Bill

TOTALLY TRUE TEXAS BILL AND I HOPE IN 2 YEARS, AT THE LEGISLATIVE AND MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ON MAY 16, 2006, THE PEOPLE WILL FINISH THE JOB AND THROW A LOT OF THE PRD/PRSC 'LEGISLATORS FOR SALE OR RENT' OUT. HOPE 'E PA FUERA QUE VAN!' BECOMES A SLOGAN AGAIN TO SEE IF WE CAN BEGIN TO CLEAN-UP THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH TOO!