An independent representative or representatives of the Quisqueyan Diaspora should be included in the Revised Constitution of the Republic that occupies two third (Eastern Part) of the Island of Santo Domingo.

Over twelve million lives will be positively affected if this piece of legislation is passed.

There are over three million Quisqueyans ("Dominicans" living abroad, out of which there are at least double that amount of decendants who could claim their citizenship as such.

This mean that if for each 60000 people there should be a representation, then there could probably and potentionally be 600 representatives from the Diaspora.

The institutionalization of such a system requires a special set of laws that have to be protected by the Constitution. The first step is to approve the representation.

I, for one, am of the opinion that funding this project should come from the Diaspora itself and that the costs and expenses of such representation is paid for by the Diaspora, administered and regulated by governmental agencies.

I propose an ample and international forum with the purpose of creating a committee with delagates from all parts of the world where Quisqueyan ("Dominicans" live, whether or not the Constitutional Revisory Assembly approves or disapproves the representation now.

I won't be able to attend this meeting at 4pm Sunday in Miami called for by Dr. Manuel Campillo, but, I am available and open for discussion of this issue.

Cosme Perez
Naples, FL
cosmeperez45@hotmail.com
http://www,quisqueya.name

Cosme once again a very ambitious proposal on your part. I personally don't know how exactly the mechanics would be set up but I do believe whatever representation is granted would have to be minimal ... one senator or just a couple of reps for the entirety of the diaspora sounds like enough. For obvious reasons I personally think this delegate should more or less be centered in US Northeast . As for funding his expenses it would be reasonable for the DR gov to pay his/her travel expenses, but leave it to the diasporan community to fund any staff and other expenses. There is no shortage of diasporan institutions that could facilitate his work.

Now get ready Cosme because unfortunately there will be chorus of claims about corruption and scamming. I can't challenge that there would be potential for that, but this corruption situation already exists so it is a question of weighing the potential bad against the potential good. On the positive side you don't have to worry about arguments against it based on principles of classical liberalism, of modern democratic arrangements, principles of parliamentary governance, or any discussion of whether interests of diasporans somehow clash violently with those of their kin back home. The one and only meaningful point I've seen the opponents of the idea claim so far, with astonishing certainty, is that it would result in corruption. To that I say why have a democratic republic at all if one is so convinced Dominicans are so congenitally crooked? If this is true then why not let your allegedly crooked cousins and brothers abroad practice their Dominican-ness alongside you ?

More discussion on the topic here....
http://www2.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2009/5/27/32115/NYCs-Dominicans-demand-congressional-seats-back-home