From a Beetle to the Big Dome in just a few years.
SANTO DOMINGO.- Opposition presidential candidate Miguel Vargas Maldonado said he’s willing to discuss his wealth in a public debate with president Leonel Fernandez, where the chief executive will have the opportunity to explain how he managed to go from "a totally insolvent person to become one of Dominican Republic’s richest men, owner of numerous investments inside as well as outside the country."
The PRD party candidate, through his campaign, said Fernandez, “instead of responding to his challenge in 18 opportunities for the disappearance of 130 million dollars obtained under the contract with the company Sun Land, evades his responsibility when using underlings to slander the opposition."
"Instead of carrying out one's duty to explain to the country this serious violation to the Constitution and act of corruption, what the president did went was to try to distract the Dominican people, with a press conference which placed in evidence, again, his irresponsible conduct of not frankly facing society," Vargas said in a statement read in a press conference.
PRD press spokesman Carlos Gabriel García said Vargas, “shows his firm disposition to debate, in front of the country, the main problems that affect the Dominican people.
Vargas’ campaign was reacting to allegations by the ruling PLD party, that the PRD candidate bought protected lands in Samaná (northeast) and profited from them by reselling them to the State, and on the sale of the then State-owned Hispaniola Hotel.
From: Dominican Republic, NATIONAL DISTRICT
I BELIEVE THAT VARGAS IS A HATER AND NEEDS TO GROW UP. MY OPINION IS THAT OUR PRESIDENT LEONEL IS A WONDERFUL MOTIVATION FOR THISE THAT ARE STARTING AT THE BOTTON. I MEAN LOOK AT ALL THE CELEBRTIES LIKE B.I.G, JAY-Z, ROBIN LEACH ETC. WE ALL HAVE TO CRAWL B4 WE WALK. THEREOFORE VARGAS NEEDS TO STOP BOASTING AND ADMIT THAT HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT COMING FROM THE BOTTON.
Written by: Belial, 16 Jan 2008 4:31 PM
From: United States, Texas
Both the PLD party and the PRD seem to be telling truth, stating that my opponent steals too much.
The stealing of the peoples' money is often mis-portrayed as a proclivity of the DR people rather than of, largely, the reactionary and pro-US imperialist sector of the DR bourgeoisie. The DR people are blameless.
The DR reactionaries feel smug and secure because, their friends, the US imperialists have invaded, occupied, and bombarded the DR so many times that if today the revolutionaries or the liberals somehow snatched power, US imperialists will come in and beat up and murder the revolutionaries and liberals and hand power back to the cringing pro-US DR reactionaries to resume their stealing.
From: Dominican Republic
ginger0829 you must be daft in comparing celebrities with a politician and equating their increased wealth to the increased wealth of a sitting politician. The celebrities earn their wealth through the commerce they generate. The only way a politician can acquire the kind of wealth we are talking about is by stealing, corruption, influence peddling, fraud and a myriad of other illegal activity. Of course, one could also inherit that wealth. I believe that it is not unreasonable for the citizens of this country to demand that their politicians, (All of them), explain the source of their wealth. They should be audited before they take office and after they leave office and every year their after for at least 10 years. This should also apply to their family members as well. They go from rags to riches and we end up footing the bill. Note. They should be paid a very good salary while in office. After all company executives are well paid for running enterprises much smaller than a country.
Written by: dagtan, 16 Jan 2008 4:56 PM
From: United States
As long as President, Leonel Fernandez can prove that his whealth was acquired legally, then what is the problem with that. I emulate people like President Fernandez because he has provent that people are able to come from the bottom. President Fernandez knows that his ascension to such position in the Dominican society would have not been possible if he would have grown up over there. Coming from the poor class, Mr. Fernandez' chances would have been slim to none. Only in the U.S. people have the ability to move up in society through the use of the pen. Please, Mr. Fernandez, that is if you or your subordinates read this forum, put into play the advantages that allowed you to become what you are and end the repression of the poor, from which class you came according to your political strategies. Your draconian ruling does not represent a person that have humble beginigns.
Written by: josean, 16 Jan 2008 8:48 PM
From: United States, Dedicating 4 more years to fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia
Debate Lio, debate!
You are so modern and pro-American way of life and want to turn Santo Domingo into a "little new York." Well Lio in America, as you well know, presidential candidates debate. As a matter of fact a super intellectual like you should blow away a "peasant" like Mr. Aristy and "overblown realestate agent" like Mr. Vargas."
Do not be afraid Lio you got nothing to lose but your dictatorship, I mean presidency.
Written by: joop2, 17 Jan 2008 4:25 AM
From: Dominican Republic, San Pedro de Macoris
A lawyer who will do a honest debate .. you just made my day ..
and he will loose the censorship .. sry .. freedom of political press as well
Written by: dagtan, 17 Jan 2008 8:01 AM
From: United States
Joop2, there are a lot of honest attorneys out there still.
From: United States, New Jersey
I mentioned in a previous posting that Leonel made a lot of his wealth making motivational and political speeches throughout the US and Europe from 2000 – 2004. I’m also not sure how many books he has writen during that time (if any) as well.
I remember he made a speech at my former University which cost the latin organization (FELA) close to 6 figures back in 2001.
Nevertheless, I do agree there must be debates in DR allowing each candidate to openly communicate there strategy for the next 4 years and shed some light on all the criticisms.
I also think it would be great if all candidates conduct open forums in public universities such as la UASD, and allow the students to pressure them for some time with their concerns.. Ultimately they are the ones who will benefit or suffer the most from the outcome of the coming election.
Written by: joop2, 18 Jan 2008 9:36 AM
From: Dominican Republic, San Pedro de Macoris
There are thrustworthy lawyers out there, i never wrote that all lawyers are scamming, but just this ione running a country is the one that hurts us all ....
Written by: BASTA, 18 Jan 2008 8:45 PM
From: Dominican Republic, =Ghetto/Legalize Drugs
I just would wish Fernandez would come out of the closet.
From: United Kingdom
Written by: dagtan, 17 Jan 2008 8:01 AM
From: United States
Joop2, there are a lot of honest attorneys out there still.
Yes..but how many honest politicians????
Written by: joop2, 19 Jan 2008 4:37 AM
From: Dominican Republic, San Pedro de Macoris
out there maybe YES, but IN-Here ???
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The stealing of the peoples' money is often mis-portrayed as a proclivity of the DR people rather than of, largely, the reactionary and pro-US imperialist sector of the DR bourgeoisie. The DR people are blameless.
The DR reactionaries feel smug and secure because, their friends, the US imperialists have invaded, occupied, and bombarded the DR so many times that if today the revolutionaries or the liberals somehow snatched power, US imperialists will come in and beat up and murder the revolutionaries and liberals and hand power back to the cringing pro-US DR reactionaries to resume their stealing.
You are so modern and pro-American way of life and want to turn Santo Domingo into a "little new York." Well Lio in America, as you well know, presidential candidates debate. As a matter of fact a super intellectual like you should blow away a "peasant" like Mr. Aristy and "overblown realestate agent" like Mr. Vargas."
Do not be afraid Lio you got nothing to lose but your dictatorship, I mean presidency.
and he will loose the censorship .. sry .. freedom of political press as well
I remember he made a speech at my former University which cost the latin organization (FELA) close to 6 figures back in 2001.
Nevertheless, I do agree there must be debates in DR allowing each candidate to openly communicate there strategy for the next 4 years and shed some light on all the criticisms.
I also think it would be great if all candidates conduct open forums in public universities such as la UASD, and allow the students to pressure them for some time with their concerns.. Ultimately they are the ones who will benefit or suffer the most from the outcome of the coming election.
Written by: dagtan, 17 Jan 2008 8:01 AM
From: United States
Joop2, there are a lot of honest attorneys out there still.
Yes..but how many honest politicians????