the Public Wins !

Whats that, capitolism at work.

Give the sindicatos the rubber bullets .....Ouch ouch ouch

"Whats that, capitolism at work"

I am shocked...Shocked I say!.

Sweet !

A real piece of positive news.

"Whats that, capitolism [sic] at work."

Correct me if I'm wrong but the metro was built by the government. It was not a private initiative so how is its effects on local transportation costs related to capitalism?

I am impressed.

Rather then protesting the Metro with violence they used their heads instead of rocks.

This is capitalism it provides the consumer with choices.

"This is capitalism it provides the consumer with choices."

Explain that to me. How is this an example of capitalism? It was a government initiative, the metro, which caused the bus prices to drop. I don't see how that relates to capitalism. If anything it sounds downright socialistic.

i must said that the metro would not alleviate traffic simple fact those conco and buses will still run they routes regardless where do you think they going to go, remember public transportation is the main sources of congestion

think Mr presidente bla bla

It is capitalism because in a communist country you would not have a choice in the matter.

"It is capitalism because in a communist country you would not have a choice in the matter."

Capitalism isn't a synonym for choices. It's an economic system and it is described as thus:
"An economic system based on a free market, open competition, profit motive and private ownership of the means of production. Capitalism encourages private investment and business, compared to a government-controlled economy. Investors in these private companies (i.e. shareholders) also own the firms and are known as capitalists."

That's a standard definition. From that point of reference the only capitalists in this whole tale, the bus owners for they are the ones who can profess private ownership, where the ones that were hurt and it wasn't due to open competition but because of a government initiative. So again, how is this an example of capitalism?

Why are people talking about capitalism? Is that our criteria of what is good or wrong? b/c with over half of the world's population living in poverty, and people who faithfully applied themselves to their jobs, yet are laidoff for no fault of their own, and when you have the Madoffs of the world stealing and cheating, this is not a moment in history to be touting the benefits of a weakened, if not failed, IDEOLOGY.

Anyhow, only simpletons and ideologues, no offense intended, talk about capitalism, b/c we don't have pure capitalism-- we have a mixed system, which the Metro best exemplifies.

So hurray for Mixed economic systems!!!

AS for the Guaguas, they're adjusting to the new reality... at least ridership is benefitting from lower fares. But I hope people ride the metro. Ladrondino Pena stoled enough, I mean we paid enough for it.

"In the Metro’s first day traffic jams from North Santo Domingo to the National District are still the same."

Que Paso!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is some sobering economic news from a "doom and gloom whinner!"


http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/new....=newsarchive&sid=a6A9lCHrtAqk

The only thing I am shocked about was Josean was not the first to post on this article!!!!

Here is some change of tune from a modern Baron of Laissez-Faire Capitalism!

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/new....=newsarchive&sid=aJ_fCKZXq9FY

PS

Some of you guys should a least learn to spell the name of your religion! "capitolism?"

Thanks Josean,

You are right spelling errors are ugly.



capitalista

In a non capitalistic system there is no competition of any sort. The fact that for now it is the government that is competing does not negate the fact that this is capitalism at work.

"In a non capitalistic system there is no competition of any sort. The fact that for now it is the government that is competing does not negate the fact that this is capitalism at work."

If the governmment is involved in a business venture then it IS NOT capitlalism. Go back and look at the definition I provided again. As matter of fact let me help you by highlighting that section which addresses your statement:

"...private ownership of the means of production"
The metro is NOT privately owned hence bus prices were brought down, again I will say it, because of a government initiative, which is basically socialism, which is defined as "any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is OWNED collectively OR by a CENTRALIZED GOVERNMENT that often plans and controls the economy". I'm not making an argument for or against capitalism. I'm just a little astonished that those who extoll the virtues of capitalism on t

cont'd
I'm just a little astonished that those who extoll the virtues of capitalism on this site have a weak grasp of what it truly entails.

A little news for our local Casino Capitalistas!

http://business.timesonline.co.uk....ness/economics/article5614520.ece

Maybe we should have said, "the consumer wins" that's all.
The metro is providing a safe, fast and quick method to alleviate the transit problem and provide some needed competition to the otherwise monopolized public transportation in the DR.
Regardless of any judgements or conceptions about the metro itself, I am glad that is working well and causing the effect of lowering the bus fares.
The reasonable prices for usage are very low and the metro is a most welcomed mode of fast transportation for those that utilize that particular route.

Professor ,

We should have gone to Davos, look at what we missed!

http://business.timesonline.co.uk..../economics/wef/article5617169.ece

Regarding: texasshoe, 30 Jan 2009 10:44 AM
Whats that, capitolism at work.

this is not capitalism. Basically is a "Free market " reaction. The "market " has been freed for a day.

Albeit with government help.

Congratulation to the President and his staff.

josean
Thanks for the thread. I enjoyed reading it. It is about time somebody with cojones stood up to the browbeating that the Israelis are always dispensing to others around them with such impunity.

Want to see more free market. Let Walmart open 2 Superstores in the country and watch how prices will drop.(granted they dont give in to evil forces)

I wonder if the Mini buses will remain with there prices lower, after a couple of months of the Petro Prices climbing back up?

The Capital of Capitalism, with a Billionaire Capitalist for mayor, ah yes and with a METRO, is in deep financial dodo!

Ah, but don't worry we got Lie-onel!

http://wcbstv.com/breakingnewsalerts/nyc.budget.mayor.2.921808.html

josean
You are doomsday prophet, and I must dock you some points off your term paper,
repeat after me:
All is well in the DR, all is well in the DR, all is well in the DR.
1000 times, that is today's class assignment. LOL.

ok

All is well in the DR.

Capitalism baby,see there we go people, the metro was a success. The public wins!

Now all we need is for the metro to lower their prices even more.

They bus drivers will have to implement hydrogen buses in order to compete with the metro because gas prices will keep going up, if not they will go out of business, And then our cities will be cleaner and less polluted.

I love capitalism, and it's the only way we can solve all our problems.

LOLOLOL...here we go again. Ambiorv, explain to me how this is an example of capitalism?

I am all for Wal Mart and the big box stores coming here and putting the fear of God into the oligarchs who own the stores we have to shop in and pay high prices because there is no alternative

Cibaeno

LOL, I have a better question, tell me how this is not capitalism.

This is capitalism because capitalism by definition is competition in the free markets. If a business isn't able to compete and provide the best product or service either by price or quality that is in demand in the markets, they will go out of business or something else will take their place.

The reason we have a metro is because there is demand In the markets of santo domingo for a safe, reliable, and cheap and affordable mode of transportation. The buses weren't able to provide that service so something took it's place. No that the buses have competition, they must compete and evolve or go out of business. The public always wins because they will always have a choice to use their money on what they what they like the most and the more options they have the better. The better the economy, the better the products and services.

Capitalism, capitalism, capitalism that's driving the "socialistic" crazy! lol The "public" transportation that has been forced to lower their price is not public at all, those cars and buses are privately owned. This is competion and they did a smart thing this time by lowering their price to compete with the Metro. No rocks, acid, machetes, violence or strike necessary.

The next 5 lines of the Metro will be build by the private sector. Also, the trains, the construction material, the technology, etc was provided by the private sector. The government doesn't make any of that.

give it up, cibaeno. you are wasting time.sorry to say, but you cannot argue academic points with people who do not understand the definitions of the words in play. you will not make a dent in their misconceptions. so, leave them to celebrate without any sort of caution. the thing has been running for one day, and ambioriv declares it 'a winner". cibaeno, you cannot strive against that kind of thinking.

The government is also competing for your money with the Metro, that's why it isn't free. The "socialistic" don't like progress, they would love their burros back.

lol, love it when they try to be logical. It's cute.

This METRO is being subsidized to the tune of $ 25,000,000 dollars a year and the nincompoops here at DT call it a successful Capitalist venture.

Adam Smith and Milton Friedman must be rolling in the graves!

josean, do not bother. remember you are addressing the audience that believes the next five lines will be built by the private sector.

dread,

I bow to your wise guidance!

boot licker

More Rosy News!!!!

Source DR1

Remittances will drop

Freddy Ortiz, president of the Dominican Association of Remittances Companies (ADEREDI) said yesterday that 2009 could see a steep decline in remittance levels as a result of the recession that hit the US in late 2008, as reported in El Caribe. It has been expected that the DR would follow the present regional trend of reduced remittances. Recent reports indicate that Mexico is showing a decline in remittances for the first time ever. Ortiz added that since August 2008 there has been a downward trend in remittances to the Dominican Republic compared to previous years. He explains that from January to September 2008, remittances were RD$2.33 billion, which was US$109.9 million more than last year, for a low 5% increase so far. He says there has been a significant decline in remittances as of August, reflecting the number of Dominicans losing their jobs in the US and Europe.

Continued:

Ortiz says the outlook for 2009 is bleak and that recent news reports coming in from the US and Europe focus on the downturn.

But the METRO will generate the revenue to cover the losses!

Things a looking a lot brighter in METROLANDIA eh, Lie-onel!

Source DR1

Consumer sales down

The president of ONEC, the association of shopping malls and large department stores in the DR, says they are already feeling the economic pinch in the shape of a lull in sales. Pedro Perez says that sales in January were lower than was expected and that the government would begin to feel the pinch when it collects less tax money in February. He said it is time to revise the 2009 National Budget with a focus on restructuring government spending. He also called for more capital spending to encourage job creation. Speaking on Telematutino 11 by Telesistema, he said that the investment in infrastructure would help reactivate the economy and create jobs. He also said that high interest rates have penalized the middle class, and called on banks to increase efficiency and to reduce the spread between loans and savings.

PLD monetary policy is fine, no need to adjust!

reduce the spread between loans and savings? and lose the opportunity to garner headlines like "Banco de Cojones records record third quarter profits"? then what will happen to people in this forum, when they have nothing to clap for like trained seals ?

Dumb and Dumber in their green fatigues, 'but boy can they spell!

oh I forgot one "Dumb-locks"

gc........member this is Josean's subject

Josean you have to go fix this...........this is your field of expertise

your system is just not functioning like its supposed to your supposed to make sure the traffic in the streets are relieved

do you suppose its because your not their at the main metro gate to greet them and make their day............better hang around their more often they probably look forward to that day

the sub illiterate Jander speaks his minimal piece. and boy, was it entertaining. Jander, must you always squander broadband? why don't you give yourself a few years between postings, to see if you can germinate an intelligent remark? have you never heard the bromide that if you cannot improve on silence, you should consider remaining quiet? i think the individual who coined the phrase had you in mind.

"Written by: ambioriv, 30 Jan 2009 4:42 PM
From: United States
Capitalism baby,see there we go people, the metro was a success. The public wins!

Now all we need is for the metro to lower their prices even more.

They bus drivers will have to implement hydrogen buses in order to compete with the metro because gas prices will keep going up, if not they will go out of business, And then our cities will be cleaner and less polluted.

I love capitalism, and it's the only way we can solve all our problems."


Wow Professor we must of missed the reports from Lie-onel, that the METRO is SOLAR POWERED or is powered by KRYPTONITE!

Um Josean,

you know we do use hydrogen and electric buses in NYC right. You might think that's far fetch living in Haiti. How's socialism working for you over there.

josean, there is an old saying "consider the source". be nice. you have to take into account that these observations are coming from the "mind" of ambioriv.

dreadlocks you always talking shit, but you never even try to argue your point against me. How the hell is this not an excellent example of capitalism, none of you bone heads have even tried to answer.


I understand, Haitan education isn't so good!

It's ok guys!

you see, josean, in the economics of ambioriv, the gas prices only go up for the bus drivers, and not for the metro. and, the metro will cause a lowering of prices among bus drivers, but the public will still use the more expensive form of transportation. i said it before; i love pseudo-economics. then again, as the metro lowers its prices, to attract the riders who went to the cheaper buses, the fare box receipts will fall, and we can up the subsidy from a mere 25 million, to maybe 35 million. ain't capitalism great?

To all the my beautiful Dominican sisters,

Reading the posts that ambioriv, writes is a powerful reason to always make sure that the rails are fully locked on your baby's crib!

Head trauma can have devastating effects on mental functions!

dread,

Stop insulting him with Knowledge and Facts!

ambioriv, get some literate friend of yours to read you posts by cibaeno on the subject of the metro and capitalism. better yet; after you have done that , do a simple exercise, and learn something. go to the dictionary, and read the definition of capitalism. in about five to ten years, when you have possibly understood the concept, then consider who owns the metro. put the two together carefully, like a jig saw puzzle, and you will get the picture.

dread,

How could we find out how much money Diadino made on this project? Either directly or through his associates.

http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/CAPITAL.HTM

ambioriv, go read that. then come back, and we can discuss some more

I beg you dread please stop it. I see smoke starting to coming out of ambioriv ears!

A little light reading for ambioriv and his other fellow expert s on Capitalism!

"Finally, the international financial system must be reformed. Far from providing a level playing field, the current system favours the countries in control of the international financial institutions, notably the US, to the detriment of nations at the periphery. The periphery countries have been subject to the market discipline dictated by the Washington consensus but the US was exempt from it.

How unfair the system is has been revealed by a crisis that originated in the US yet is doing more damage to the periphery."


http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/49b1654a-ed60-11dd-bd60-0000779fd2ac.html

A little more info. for the Capitalistas!

US set for ‘big bang’ financial clean-up!

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/15f37800-ef05-11dd-bbb5-0000779fd2ac.html

Interesting to see how things settle down. When Thatcher introduced bus de-regulation in the UK in some cities chaos ensued. Three bus companies were on one route. They competed on fares and by 'racing' from one stop to another. The first to get to a stop picked up all the passengers. Because of the time taken for the passengers to board the other two buses from competing concerns did not stop and raced to the next stop, sometimes not letting passengers get off. Of course everyone tried to cut costs so the oldest beatup up buses were the most profitble. A guy called Brian Souter managed to form a company Stagecoach that would always undercut any competition till the competition was eliminated by fair means or foul. One penny ( about 2c . ) were offered for example.

Controversy was never far from Stagecoach as it expanded its bus operations after deregulation. The company often found itself on the wrong side of the Competition Commission and faced sharp media criticism over its predatory approach to smaller operators. Bitter bus wars broke out in towns and cities throughout Britain as Stagecoach took on the local competition, often forcing the competitor to abandon traditional markets and sometimes causing the collapse of smaller operators. Practices included aggressive pricing and timing, running services outside of its registered routes, or registering routes to compete with other operators rather than serve the public interest.
From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stagecoach_Group
I guess transport services are best with regulation in the public interest - but also copetition when a franchise expires or in many instances the syndicate approach in DR seems to work with some fare regulation. Feeder services are needed and it will be

interesting to see how this is resolved.
S.

Dread and his psycophant { psychotic sycophant } are amused as they bash the sane and civil with their Comrade Frick and Frack routine kind of a " George and Lenny " routine with the psycophant playing the rat

then the Imperial Wanker speaks on the subject of union busting in the UK as he longingly yearns for Maggie " The Iron Lady " to return and discipline his socialist ways.....A good thrashing is what he needs to teach him a little respect....The sindicatos shall be crushed under the boot of authority and as I have said on many occasions " give em the rubber bullets... fire when ready " Ouch ouch ouch !

Maggie was a disaster and got kicked out. GC is a disaster. Needs to adopt a cow so he can have some cheese to improve his nutrition. And grow some spicy peppers to make some hot sauce to wash his mouth out ..... and a few other things besides.
S.

a few observations for the gullible amonst us who believe private concerns will build the next metro lines. let us say, for economy of mathematics, that each line costs, conservatively, one billion dollars to erect. the current projections are that the government will have to subsidise the santo domingo metro to the tune of 25 million per year. that is just to achieve BREAKEVEN, since the profit margin has not been factored in. but the private sector is not in the business of investing for breakeven. they want a return on capital (they are CAPITALISTS, remember). so, we consider that they are going to seek a rate of at least 3% per annum as their risk premium. so, we are now at 55 million subsidy per line, ceteris paribus. multiply that by 5 , and, add in unforeseen undercalculations, and we are looking at 300 million per year in subsidies alone. bearingin mind the fact that there are gas station owners who cannot collect a few thousand peso from the government on the redemption

of gas coupons, you know that there will be a dog and pony show when these guys call for their money. but, guess what? a train is not the same as a ship, or a plane. if the owners of a ship get into a miff with the government, they can just fuel up the thing, and bugger off to San Diego. what are the private owners of the metro going to do when a PRD government, who wants to squander all the government funds in Santaigo, decides to stiff them? get out the pickaxes, dig up the line, pack the railroad cars and stations in cardboard boxes, and skeedaddle off to Nassau?

It depends if much of the work can be done loacally this time. In Thailand the government clamped down on imports for skytrain and metros and insisted on local content.
S.

ABC, remember that if you are really in the UK, there is a time difference. so, us guys here are not fully awake yet. some of us have not yet had a cup of coffee, and some poached eggs. so, in the interest of comfort, would it be too much to ask of you to hold off with the nonsense until a later hour? local content for the metro? the current one has local content; it is called LABOR. other than that, what local content are you alluding to? the engines, perhaps?

He emerged from his cardboard box in Las Terrenas not but a few moments ago and nonsense is all he knows .....it is from eating all that free American spam after the war

cement , copper wire, ceramics, train fabrication, staff uniforms, Could finance some by congestion charge on private cars entering the city maybe five dollars, also hiring out station commercial space, maybe co-development - shopping centre permission for site on condition metro station is funded. I told you I would not eat spam. GC is just fed up that the nearest metro station is a mile away and his broken down TV land won't be as attractive as those nearer the metro stations.
S.

In the Metro’s first day traffic jams from North Santo Domingo to the National District are still the same.

oooo

Like every city at the US that owns a Metro, thats why they haven't built more.

This is a scam on "Steroids"

ABC, i though you byline said you are posting from the UK...are you sure it is not the moon?train fabrication? in the DR? congestion charge of 5 dollars? it is a little early yet for the bong.

"This is a scam on "Steroids"

Great line!

josean - the message is not as in these articles - rather that in good societies much of economic activity needs to be divorced from market economics. Otherwise the externalities of the economic activity and the 'race to the bottom' mentality outweighs any supposed efficiency from market operation. In a few situations 200 independent operators operating the aerelons of a plane can produce steady flight in many it is in their inerests to act against each other and the plane goes slower and is more unstable than if there was some co-ordination between the operators.
S.

London has large metro, congestion charge, bus services etc. People voted in a Conservative mayor and he doesn't change the policies. Munich, Madrid, Paris etc. have good systems. Why not SD? When I used to live in Munich I cold get to work in 20 minutes right across the city - approx the same size as SD. Journies in SD can often take 1 hour. A congestion charge could employ man people. Or perhaps a weekly surchage on the tax on a car if the car was to enter SD.
S.

you and Belial whos demise we all lament would be a great comedy team wanker you could be strait men for each others absurdities

GC stick to your special subjects of expertise - caviar, hot peppers ( for mouthwash) and broken down TV's.
S.

why did you live in Munich when you could have lived in E berlin or Dresden or another commie city....were you trying to get a job with Stasi

ABC, sometimes you make so much good sense, then others you meander off in flights of fancy, and fantasy. but i like your position on collective effort in advancing the cause of society. the americans, with their brutally individualistic, self centered, every man for himself, dog eat dog, last man standing, me first, you last, i won, so i take it all , style of capitalism, has gotten them exactly where they are. nobody is against some degree of free enterprise, but when the economic system is built around uncontrolled avarice, no good can come of it. this urge to race to the bottom, paying slave wages and reducing benfits, in order to fatten bottom lines, so execs can flit around in lear jets, is no longer acceptable, if it ever was. when the dust settles, we are hopefully going to see a paradigm shift in the way societies and economies are ordered. evolution is not static; other powers are on the horizon. a new day is coming, so brace yourself for adventure!!

two drowners fighting over the same Pollyanna life raft.....The real world will surface like a submarine and machine gun it

GC, in case you are chronically inattentive, the real world of which you speak is in need of its own lifeboat.

If GC were in the arctic part of a team trying to build an igloo for protection against an oncoming storm he would kill his fellow igloo builders make a small snow hole and eat their flesh! We need to progress to the life in a yellow submarine where each has all that is needed.
http://www.delta.ro/beatles/lyrics/pyellowsu.html
S.

then, ABC, he would characterise the events as the "triumph of capitalism".

his time under the Fascists in Spain!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80lLU5-yji8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BddVfcQX-v4
All praise to American furhers now!
S.

"Written by: abc200, 31 Jan 2009 1:28 PM
From: United Kingdom
If GC were in the arctic part of a team trying to build an igloo for protection against an oncoming storm he would kill his fellow igloo builders make a small snow hole and eat their flesh! "

And you and your commie friends would freeze to death as you discuss creating a committee to name a committee to see who would be in the committee to study the enviromental impact of the igloo.
That is after the committee to find an eskimo to consult on the building of the igloo so as not to offend the Eskimos but before the formation of the committee to explore bringing in an eskimo Shaman to bless the igloo.

He is off medication again!

i tell you that the guy is just an unrepentant imbecile, josean. he sees only two extremes, because he has the mind of a child. either one guy kills the others, or they all starve to death. the third option, the one of collective solutions, bounces of his granite cranium. this is the kind of creature not even a mother could love.

I am told on good authority that the present president shared his toys when a child. Definite communist tendency - I bet Geoge Bush and aC hired theirs out and charged for anything broken.
S.

actually, ABC, George Bush is really an affable sort. not bright, but affable. i can see him lending his toys to friends. on the other hand, i can see anthonyc inviting over some of his buddies for the superbowl, and charging them for the beer and pizza. notice, i did not use the term "friends".people like that do not have friends; they have victims.

Josie, ABC and Dready.

The Circle Jerkers of wannabee revolutionaries.

I particularly like Dready saying that President Bush isn't bright.

Right.

he became President of the United States. Dready is a low-mid level civil servant. And he says Bush isn't bright.
What an jealous Idiot!

you are not bright, either. do not rely upon me for an assessment of his intellectual abilities; just get his college transcripts. he did not get to be president because he was bright. then again, why would i argue with a guy who can barely read?

dread you and Igor were so bright your mothers called you Sonny

GC, bright is relative. to some compared to some posters, i am dull, compared to antonyc, i am the supernova.

Written by: dreadlocks, 31 Jan 2009 4:04 PM
compared to antonyc, i am the supernova.
So your a insignificant dim speck of light in a crowded sky.

Go expree your outrage on the Daily Kos. Here your just another momentary amusement.

read your last sentence, and syntax, anthony. i know four year olds who can write better english. and you say you have a PhD? yes, Piled High And Deep.

dread
Phd in occult arts.

abc200
What is with the crazy fascist videos?
They were an impressive bunch the sig heil nuts, couldn't people tell that they were all crazy?
Glad I am too dark skinned to fit in that crowd. LOL.

just to add a little comedy to this thread

check out this link:

http://www.imagenesdominicanas.co....su-saco-cuestas-porque-no-le.html


by the way this blog is cool

I can't wait for the government to announce the companies that won the concession for the second line and the cargo train.

I hope you are sitting as you wait!

It seems that the subway's second line will connect with the Haina-Santiago train.

Gen GC is well known for his days in Fascist Spain and his Goebbels suite in his land of Broken Down TV's . So the will has triumphed - Hence the video 'Triumph of the Will' ( Triumph des Willens) by Riefenstahl. Of course 2 years after the film Hitler helped General Franco in the Spanish Civi war - -dive bombing villagers. GC still hankers aftet those days of his U - boats trying to sink British ships.........
So videos a small contribution to GC's shrine......
http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/triumph/tr-will.htm
S.

well well the wankers favorite director Lili is always front and center in his " Film Hall of Fame " always pointing to his extremist views National Socialist or Communist it does not matter as long as it is Totalitarian

So says a suppporter of crypto fascist Thatcher wilh her police bully boys!
Margaret Thatcher was portrayed as a crypto-Fascist who had private conversations with a still-living Adolf Hitler, while John Major was so dull he counted the peas on his plate.
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/3152318/8929803
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/u....-secrets-revealed-by-creator.html
Who was Lili?
The saviour of the human race?
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/3152318/8929803
S.

Maggie was talking to him {Hitler} begging him to come back and begin the 4th reich....he refused stating that he was now the head waiter in a very nice restaurant in Buenos Aires with a dental plan and all and he was finished with politics and Germany but after many hours of cajoling....He said " Alright enough enough I will do it on one condition Maggie " she says " Adolf what is the condition " and he says " This time no more Mr Nice Guy "

Lili Marlene ...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNRuNdVveeg

the version you prefer by Vera Lynn...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO8XeS3lsgc

Lili Lini Lota Lanya ....I work from memory not wiki like you...."the Wanker from Wiki "

You guys are much better as comedians than warriors.
Lenny Bruce is laughing in his grave.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCmfEWDU7pQ

genoroso since this is a very long thread and only the diehards are tuning in I must confess that I personally know abc from before DT and enjoy reading his posts and pulling his leg ....just dont tell anyone

trujillo, i hope you have a lot of ventures to occupy your time while you wait for the announcement about who will build the next line. i am sure that they are piled three deep in the line, waiting to invest in excess of a billion dollars, in these economic times, in a venture which can neither be removed, nor easliy sold. at least the guys who build apartments and condos can sell cheaply and get out; if they get out of the metro, they have to leave the assets behind. maybe the businessmen will be people who think like you do, without considering the issues at stake.

i see a dire scenario ahead with the metro. the road transportation guys are going to fight for their turf; not with bombs and grenades, but with price wars. the metro is 30 peso, then 20 peso to recharge. it puzzles me because it appears that the first ride is 30, then subsequent rides are 20. whatever; the street boys are going to chop to 10. that is a saving of 20 per day, which , for the very poor, is a bonanza which translates to a saving of 600 per month. that means a lot to certain demographics, which are more prone to train ridership; students, factory and office workers, and meanial laborers. the metro will then become a sort of economic apartheid transportation vessel, relying on the more economically stable. the subsidies will have to be expanded, as fare box receipts fall below projection. you heard it here, but read the article above, which says the road boys were busy on the first day, and metro languished for ridership.

Dreads the only problem with your analysis is that government controls fuel prices. Remember the instability of prices. If concheros drop their price to low they will not be able to hold out longer than the govt. Govt. may resort to a costly strategy, raise fuel prices inorder to subsidize the metro and weed out the concheros. Those who cant compete will exit the market and will need to resort to other career opportunities(yeah).

Also this leaves the question will concheros also provide vouchers to be used on feeder routes with other concheros? Will they too recharge the fairs paid? Yeah, this would be epitome of third world mass transit.

I think the Govt has had this planned for a while. The metro was built with this in mind. It is not so much to strike at the concheros but at the Union. Which from my point of view the Unions are a necessary evil but in DR’s case they are more evil than necessary.

a valid economic analysis, ladronaso. and so valid, that it can be directed to those who assert that the metro is an example of capitalism at its best. because, if the functioning of the market is distorted by governmental intervention and strategy, we do not have a free market, and the product will be characterised by severe deadweight loss.

Not that I agree entirely with the idea of The Metro. I believe those resources could have been used more efficiently to further and secure future prosperity. But the elephant is in the Building and something has to be done, or he will die there and then….

i see your point, and it is well taken. we already have it , and have to deal with the eventualities as they occur. the massive opportunit cost of the project determines that it must survive, or there will be severe dislocations in the economy.

Regarding:: dreadlocks, 1 Feb 2009 1:38 PM

=====================

Several days ago when I wrote " the market has been freed for a day" it s exactly what I meant. But forgot to add or clarify "free" until the government intervenes by/with manipulation.

They will never be able to do away with the concheros or the traffic jams. The Metro would not be able to handle all the volume without the concheros. As people become more affluent either in reality or perception they will want to be "montado" and they will get some type of vehicle anyway they can. That is the social status symbol par excellence!

Add to that the unbalanced economic development model, of either all investment in the Capital or resorts, the campesinos will continue to move in droves to La Capital eradicating almost immediately any possible gain or relieve.

That economic development model long ago reached its point of diminishing returns. The METRO is nothing more than a face lift on a rapidly decaying nightmarish urban model!

Santo Culcutta , Es Pa Lante que Va!

solid analysis, professor josean. and, if the PLD wins the next electoral sweepstakes, the problem will only be aggravated by the urban focus of development, wherein rural issues are placed into oblivion. the urban drift will magnify itself, and the gains will all be offset by burgeoning population swell in the cities, principally the capital

josean, and all who wish to see other opinions on the current financial crisis, grab a read of this

http://www.moneymorning.com/2009/01/29/franz-muntefering-bankers/

capitalism at its best.

Dread,

You see this is what is at the core of my anger with the PURPLE PLAGUE, just to take off on what another poster calls the "purple pest!" I have friends who are very educate and bright who belong to the PLD but they lack the testicular fortitude to speak out againsts this insane economic development model. Although, privately they tell me josean you are absoluetly correct, but I could never say that in public.
This is my constant disagreement with Professor Generoso regarding "St. James" aka Jaime David Fernández Mirabal. Given this man's heroic pedigree, obvious intelligence and apparent passion for the environment you would think that he would speak out against this disastrous economic development strategy. But no he goes along to get along. He puts self interest above the people and the country, possibly knowing that it s totally wrong and corrupt. He, like Lie-onel, has sold out to the Balageristas and Trujillistas (if their is a diffrence) just to stay in power.

Thank you Dread very interesting article.

The story about "this spontaneous combustion" that sparked the financial crisis is in the embryonic stage of being told. The rouse of the original cover up that this was all due to poor people getting sub-prime mortgages because of CRA mandates is starting to unravel as the onion is peeled.

If the investigations are done objectively and fairly there will not be enough paper to print the subpoenas and arrest warrants or Federal Marshals and FBI agents to serve and carry them out!

no one is trying to get rid of all the concheros but let us hope that by this tightening only the best will survive

actually, GC, if the scenario plays out in a free market, the concherors will get rid of the metro!

Dejalo bruto, Dread!

I agree that it wont get rid of the concheros, but there is an excessive amount of concheros and if the government gets involved in competing and it decides to expand the metro then many conchos working any route parallel to the metro will be forced out work. Unless its a route that is not served by concheros. And again I have spoken to many business people who work and are dependent on the transportation system, and are welcoming the metro as a tool to weaken the Transit Union.

Second, old habbit are hard to break. It may take a while for Domincans to get accustomed to riding the metro, but once they do it may be harder for them to drop it, granted it is efficient.

ladronaso, you know that the oldest habit is trying toget the cheapest price. the metro might be nice and snazzy, but 20 pesos per day is real money to people who make 2500 pesos per quincennal. so, if the concheros drop their prices to 10 pesos, the metro will have to rely on a contingency plan B, be it government intervention,such as increasing gas prices (bad idea) or simply banning them from the metro routes. (worse idea)

When the first metro opened in London in the middle of the 19th century concession tickets were given to workmen. The marginal cost of a passenger is practically zero so pricing structure should maximise welfare - congestion also is an externality of not using the metro.
S.

the marginal cost of a passenger might be zero, but you have to realise fare box receipts also, so you cannot just give the service away

Dreads I seriously dont think that concheros will be able to sustain 10 peso fair for a long run without imposing a burden on passengers. Consider depreciation of the peso, fuel increases, the fact they do suffer from the marginal cost of passengers.

The metro has an advantage which it needs to capitalize on now while equipment is new and warranties and maintenance contracts are current, before time there will be a marginal cost.

Have you ever been in Santiago during rush hour waiting for a concho on a busy route? I have. You could wait for an hour before you are able to get one. Rush hour 5-6pm one can wait 15 20 30 or more minutes depending on the route You will pay 10 pesos or 20 if two routes to get home. Or 30 pesos and know when you will arrive all while you ride in comfortably in AC. Perhaps people wont gravitate immediately towards the metro as their primary option but if it is an option, people may make the sacrifice 2-3 days a week. This will hurt the conchos.

screw the conchos.... you are the same guys that whine about pollution

whining about pollution? moi? i love carbon particulates. wherever did you get such scurrilous misinformation?

The electricity used to run the METRO is produced pollution free, that's news to me. Unless you eliminate a significant amount of concheros (extremely doubtful) the net gain in reducing pollution will be particly negligible.

very salient observations, josean. the question becomes "which generates more pollution? the conchos, or the power generating stations?"

To all you liberal fascists...Bite Me

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-....e/2009/01/30/AR2009013002760.html

Now you are reading the Washington "Compost" as one of your gurus Mark Levin calls it!

The author is Amity Shlaes a right wing revisionist nut!

"In July 2008, Shlaes wrote a column defending Senator Phil Gramm's comment that Americans were "whiners" with respect to the economy. Shlaes endorsed Gramms's argument that the United States was not in a true recession, saying that at the time, the US GDP had not shrunk during two consecutive quarters, which is the technical definition of a recession."

She was wrong only six months ago and now she is to be believed as expert on what occured 80 years ago!

how about some of your prescriptions for economic recovery, anthonyc? it is easy to criticise, but what would you suggest as a plan to bring the economy around? apart from using labels like liberal fascist? i mean, a man with a doctorate should find this to be small potatoes. fire away..

Nice try anthonyc but we are always careful of Trojans (not the kind you buy at the Piggly Wiggly before you take your goat for a night out on the barn) bearing gifts!

What Schales and all the other Monday morning right wing nut revisionist quarterbacks fail to realize is, that Obama and the people around him are not ignorant of the errors that were made by FDR. Plus Obama has an advantage FDR didn't have; being able to study FDR!

HAHAHAHAHA

You insult.

I am the voice of intelligence, reason and FREEDOM!

Keep insulting. Every one I wear like a badge of honor and victory.

Oh. Sorry about mentioning honor. I forget that Liberals have no grasp of that concept.

Conservative Honor Roll

Rush Limbaugh did not serve

Marc Levin did not serve

Sean Insanity did not serve


Liberal Honor Roll

John Kerry Vietnam Vet

Al Gore Vietnam Vet

Jimmy Carter US Navy

aC wants to be Ubermench while all the slaves have no money. Back to the gold standard! He knows economic growth is bad because it destroys his powerbase and clutters the roads he drives with vehicles of the Untermench. It also means his houshold - drinks wallah, chauffer etc. reduce his hoard of gold at a higher rate and heaven forbid start demanding chicken and beef in addition ot rice and beans. He hates Chevez - because he dares to provide medical services for the Untermench so instead of having lots of babies and dying off at 40 when they cease to be good at cutting sugar cane and waiiing in restaurants they incoveniently live on and even vote.
S.

c7' defnition is wrong - you can have state capitalism as well.
http://www.answers.com/topic/state-capitalism-2
S.

ABC, you are in fine form this morning. could it have anything to do with that fine breakfast of kippered herrings, marmalade, and a scone, washed down with some Earl Grey?

Just my general commentary on this new antideluvian age.....
S.

well, it is characterised by the presence of many antediluvian minds.

Liberal Honor Roll

John Kerry Vietnam Vet

Al Gore Vietnam Vet

Jimmy Carter US Navy

Honor? John Kerry? That man never had any Honor.
Al Gore was a reporter for Stars and Stripes.
Carter..........You are best served by not mentioning that person's name.

Did Clinton Serve? How about Obama?
How about Bush? Forget he was a Fighter Pilot? How about GHWB? Youngest Fighter pilot in WW2.
McCain?

But the biggest question is.....DID YOU SERVE?:

My Plan for economic recovery?
Easy.
Lower the Corporate tax rate
Abolish the Death Tax
Lower the Capital Gains Tax.
Flat Tax.
Pass a federal "Right to Work" law.
Open up the Gulf, the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean to drilling.
Streamline the Atomic energy Plant permitting process.
Name Oil Refineries and nuclear power plants as a National Security asset. Stoping NIMBYs
Increase Tax incentives for "Alternative" energies...except Corn Ethanol(Remove those)
Institute a 5 year plan to remove all farm subsides.
Cancel the "Stimulus" package.
Halve the Tarp fund and use that money to provide Small business Start up loans.
Mandatory 10 year prison term for anyone convicted of financial fraud of over $1 Million
Mandatory 10 year prison term of any Elected Official convicted of Bribery.

Flat Tax to match your Flat Brain!

how about selling your radio, so you do not listen to idiotic talking points. then using the money to buy some books? you have not made one intelligent remark in that post, and NOTHING in what you say will have any effect on the current state of the economy. you heard me? NOTHING.

i bet dollars to donuts he does not know what it means, josean. flat tax to turn the economy around..what a dope!!

anthonyc, would you mind telling us what your "flat tax " rate would be? then, could you give us mere mortals the methodology by which you arrived at that number? and how you would address the regressive effects on senior citizens on a fixed income? and , since it is a tax on consumption, what steps you would take to avert widespread bootlegging? we would all like to benefit from your storehouse of knowledge, and insight. and, incidentally, if you cancel the stimulus package, what means you would apply to recapitalize the banks?

anthonyc, would you mind telling us what your "flat tax " rate would be? then, could you give us mere mortals the methodology by which you arrived at that number? and how you would address the regressive effects on senior citizens on a fixed income? and , since it is a tax on consumption, what steps you would take to avert widespread bootlegging? we would all like to benefit from your storehouse of knowledge, and insight. and, incidentally, if you cancel the stimulus package, what means you would apply to recapitalize the banks?

aC your recepie is to double people living on food stamps. Yes hand out cheques for all these small enterprise punters to import from China and employ ficticious employees. aC loves Tent Cities!
Of course all good fascists know they can only rise to power when the population is discontented and it is to this end that they promote their polices. The 5th column in American politics. Petit criminals operating as supposed small businessmen with state handouts are a backbone of fascists everywhere!
S.

Seems to me the only politicians Americans should vote for are those that were intelligent enough to to avoid the criminality of the Vietnam war.
S.

what I don't understand is how ppl can actually be ticked off with the implementation of infrastructural projects. Isn't it proven that when a country invests in its infrastructure that it will most likely be better positioned for growth? I mean better roads do mean better transportation and avenues of approach for commerce. How about a Metro? Let's see... Well a Metro might help provide for better mobility of its people. imagine NYC without a subway. Do you believe that there would be so much going on without it? It does make sense that a metro would benefit the people's quality of life and ease of movement. The Pres. is on the right path with all the spending on infrastructure. it makes more sense to spend it on something that will last and give the country growth, than to spend it on treats for the people that will be gone tomorrow.

Dominica, I would wager that the bulk of criticisim of the Metro and other Mega projects would be against HOW THESE PROJECTS WERE PLANNED AND EXECUTED; e.g., the lack of transparency, of accountability, of reaching out to local people to ask for their input. So it's not what's done, but HOW it's done.

I'm hope the metro is going to be a positive thing for traffic, consumers, the environment... but what if the metro costed twice as much? would it be worth it then? or 10 times as much? There was no clear tender for this job, and still the Gov. is hard press to pin-point some of the details of how this proejct was design and excuted - e.g., were there environmental and engineering assessment done before construction started? We just don't know.

Another criticism is whether such mega-projects should be the priority, in the face of so much more pressing social issues. The exclusion of the public & CSOs, essential allows the executive branch to do whatever it wants.

Insults, insults, Insults.

That is all a Liberal is capable of expressing.

I present ideas and facts and you cannot refute them and all you children do is just insult.

You hate flat tax because it is fair.

You hate me because I stand for freedom and fairness. In my world you would have no excuse for your failure.

My expereince in the UK is that transparency is not possible in large projects. Even in public enquiries - wheich can be long and appear trasparent - the ministers decision is supported by expertes etc. and the ordinary citizen does not have the data, often confidential, on whcich the deal is based. So people who long for transparency long for something that cannot and does not exist. All one can hope for is that the government servants are sufficiently well rewarded that they do not swing the project too far away from the public interest. Althouhg the ggvernment project may appear inefficient it is in historical terms far more efficient than the capitalist/interest group/free enterprise system that preceded it and unfortunately still persists in some countries. For example two competing complete rail lines wrere often constructed joining quite small communities. Eurpoe is well served by a planned system of high speed trains rather than airlines under free enterprise comping over

every rounte. In a similar vein a planned health service is likely more cost effective and inclusive than one based exclusively on competing private practice.
Long term of course - if transport is not efficiently organised cities develope into donuts with a small centre holding deprived groups and a ring of newly developed countryside created on a slash and burn( leave in ruins ) moving for ever outwards over time.
S.

baldoria23, of course. There is an article on the home page today entitled, "Senator confronts Dominican military chiefs over drug plane sighting." In this article, I posted a response on state corruption. It is something sort of an epidemic. However, all that aside (because corruption has to be a battle in it's own right and not just a complaint on all that goes on in the DR), let's see what the outcome would be. btw, I do believe that a number was made public on the amount of costs that were generated with the metro. Not sure exactly, but will try to find out. You see, the thing is that Corruption is a major problem in the advancement of the state, so it has to be battled from an outsiders perspective. The gov.appoints it's own friends to help with the elimination of crooks and then creates more crooks. In the U.S. it is harder to manipulate because there seems to be a system in place that has eyes for every office. Within these offices should exist a level of policing.

Corruption is more endemic in the US. I have visited severely corrupt countries and met people from severely corrupt countries and the DR is not one of them. Yes, societies with a Catholic heritidge have a different mode of operation than those with a Protestant heritidge - modes of business are different - but less or more corrupt?
S.

baldoria23, in response to the argument of, "whether such mega-projects should be the priority, in the face of so much more pressing social issues," you have to understand that pressing social issues occur even in the richest of the richest countries. Now the argument that the gov should disregard infrastructure in order to eliminate poverty, desease, crime, etc., is void simply because investing in the structure of the country would eventually eliminate some of these issues anyway. building better hospitals, better schools, better roads, better lines of transportation, and to update the country technologically would all be great benefits towards improving social discrepencies. There is not enough money to just dedicate to social issues. In order for a country to progress globally it has to invest in it's own property. Social issues will never disappear from DR if they haven't disappeared from the US. monetary resources have to be allocated accordingly and infrastructure is top 5.

There is no more important infrastructure for any society that the infrastructure of EDUCATION carajo!

How the hell did the engineers, architects, electricians and other professionals who worked on the maldito METRO learn there professions by riding the NEW YORK SUBWAy?. How dumb can people be ... Coño!

The METRO is not the issue; its priority spend on long term institutional development. Education is the horse that pulls society forward, in this case the METRO is the cart and in DR we have the psychological illness of putting the CART before the proverbial HORSE.

Education was not good in mid 19th. Century in UK. Modern enterprises of the time, such as the first metro inspired the creation of universal education - it could be seen by all what could be achieved. The mass expansion of litereracy, trade schools etc. followed. In the DR I saw someone in the DR trying to mend a leaking roof. He carried the patch up and down his ladder over an hour trimming bits off. With the capability to measure the repair could have taken maybe 10 minutes. But it is true ' necessity is the mother of invention' . Many Cubans are skilled mechanics becasue they look after 50 year old cars. Farming likewise needs model farms and agricultural schools to achieve self - sufficiency along with acceptable lifestyles. But transport is essential and one can hope that further metros, rail lines etc. are created by younger people inspired by the first metro to obtain sufficient education via the net etc. to contribute, Perhaps there could
S.

be prizes for design of further metro stations open only to Dominicans.
S.

the thing is that many ppl are focusing on one issue. Such as social issues, EDUCATION, and such. What do you propose for the president 2 do? 2 implement the 100% of the budget 2 social issues? How about 100 to education? or should it be 90% education? How about the goverment hands out 1 million pesos to every citizen? Spending on all these areas are mandatory. There are certain areas that are NECESSARY & not just important anymore 4 a gov 2 invest in if it wants it's state to prosper & be competitive if it wants other countries 2 invest and do business with them. Let's say they invested all that money in education, when do you think that the fruits of that education will be displayed? if a kid gets a better chance 2 go 2 school today, do you think tomorrow he will fix the system? or do you think that if they build better hospitals, better roads, better infrastructure period, that DR might be able 2 persuade foreign interests to invest in its EDUCATION? DR needs money

you also have to understand that to invest in its infrastructure is to invest in its future. you can invest all your money on social issues and education, and then watch what happens in 5 years from then. You need to upgrade the chasis if you want to keep on moving. the investment in infrastructure, NOT JUST THE METRO BUT ALL INFRASTRUCTURE, will allow DR to move at a faster pace. To be able to ask to foreign aid on a grander scale. Who the hell wants to help a beaten down country where the main line of transport is still 20 ppl to a car? DR needs to stop thinking about only accepting sorry aid. the kind of aid that the US & europe give to countries it feels sorry for. Instead it needs good investment if it wants to save it's country. Look at haiti, what can education do for them? what can social investments do for them? the country has schools with missing floors. Roads with holes so big that you can build a lake in them. I mean who wants 2 go there? build & they will c

Cada loco y loca con su tema!

Truth of the matter is that unless poverty, inequlality, crime, and injustice become an explicit goal of development programs, no amount of infrastructure programs will address these issues.

Can't get into the logic now, b/c I'm a bit press for time. But essentially, is that indirect ways of dealing with these social issues, have proven ineffective not only in the DR but pretty much everywhere. That's why the development community came up with explicit "pro-poor," "pro-women," pro-children," etc., ways of channelling resources to addressing the special needs of these population.

And a flat tax doesn't make sense b/c the marginal value of 30% of income for someone who makes RD$10,000/month is not the same as someone making RD$100,000, or RD$1,000,000. So if the point of tax policy is to maximize utility, then flat tax does not make sense. Moreover, if tax policies are intended to reduce inequality, then a flat tax REALLY doesn't make sense.

baldoria, you are such an urbane and polite gentleman. a hooligan such as myself would have asked anthonyc to explain the flat tax.

A flat tax is only fair.

Can somebody explain the morality in a person who makes works hard and suceeds has to pay a higher percentage than somebody who just punches a clock?

Those on the left love to scream about equality and yet they are the first to deny it's implementation.

people who pay higher percentages of their incomes in taxes are people who earn more money. there is absolutely no correlation between working hard and making money. drug dealers can launder multi millions in real estate, and make tremendous profits. some fool on a corner can think up a rhyme, make a rap song, and end up with more money than most people (excepting you, of course), will make in a lifetime. what is iniquitous about charging a higher rate of taxation upon a 20 million dollar lottery winning, than the salary of a garbage collector, or fireman? i am a little exhausted listening to the cretinous assertions that the people who have more money are the ones that work the hardest. yes...Paris Hilton works harder than construction workers.

While there are a small percentage that slide into wealth for the vast majority or people earned income is directly tied to effort.

Numbers prove that a person with 4 years of college work makes more money than a person who didn't even finish High School.
Aside from Pop Stars, Actors and lotto winner most people earned made their money the old fashioned way.

But that doesn't really matter.

What right do you or anybody else demand that one group should pay a higher percentage than another?

if you understood the flat tax, and the concept of regressive taxation, then you would be addressing that question to yourself. go Google the term "regressive taxation". if and when you have it figured out, come back for a continuation of this debate.

Paris Hilton works harder than construction workers, jajajjajaja doing what...........running around the strip with a mini skirt and no undies. i understand very HHHHOOOOOOTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!! thats why alot of men sweat so much, gggeeeeeeessssss

anthonyc, i want you to show me one sociological study that shows that the majority of people who have great wealth got it by hard work, as opposed to other variables. may i suggest, for your perusal, issues such as inheritance, heredity and its attendant nepotism, connections of family, and others too numerous to mention. what about all the crooks on wall street? tell us, if you can, how much of the wealth in america is held by people who have advantageous connections, those like Bernie Madoff and his ilk, and all the "old money" types, many of whom have never lifted a straw, except to drink a cocktail?

You know I have ben reading this thread and have concluded AnthonyC must be juvenile. I cant comprehend how you have the Gull to say you own a business, when you have no understanding of basic economics. You really need to revisit high school and learn the basics.

You stated in a previous thread that Business School is over rated or something of the sort. Well Anthony do yourself favor go back to high school and learn basic micro and macro economics there are some high schools that teach this material at night.

You must be another joe the plumber that doesn't understand the progressive tax system. Since you are an elitist complain to momy and papi for not sending you to college.

"go back to high school", ladronaso? that suggests that he did, at one time or another, go to high school. i think not. mumsie and dad bequeathed him some money, and he started an ice cream truck, or went into landscaping. now, if you hear him tell it, he is the mentor to Donald Trump.

are you saying in other words " He was born on third base an thought he hit a triple "

well, lets say that he was born on third base, and someone told him he hit a triple. this matter of thinking is outside the scope of his capabilities.

Dread,

I will give you those studies as soon as you show me how Taxing people a higher Tax rate due to income is Just, Fair and moral

Many previously socialist nations do have the flat tax legislation and they have shown considerable
economic growth rates.
Some avant garde forward thinking economists do believe that a consumption tax such as the ITBS
or the European counterpart the IVA would generate more income to the state, as cash only enterprises would be obligated to pay their corresponding share regardless.
Such presently tax free mostly cash occupations such as prostitution, illegal drugs, unregulated gambling, would automatically pay taxes upon consumption making the tax base more even for all.
Malcom Forbes was a big advocate for this and I believe the libertarian party as well.

even pres obama likes the idea of infrastructure spending I see. It seems like his top agenda on the economic stimulus package is more infrastructure spending. I wonder why? maybe the more you invest in your product the more likely it is that it will prosper? Maybe spending on building the country from the ground up isn't such a bad idea. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/18331.html

I thought in several countries and Nevada prostitutes pay federal tax.....
http://www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=28790
S.

Ambioriv:
"This is capitalism because capitalism by definition is competition in the free markets. "

Let's define exactly what the term "free market" means:
Business governed by the laws of supply and demand, not restrained by GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE, regulation or SUBSIDY.

Again, the metro is a GOVERMENT initiative. Once the government steps in to the equation you no longer have "free markets". The metro is basically the dominican government subsidizing transportation in the capital which makes the "free market" label to this whole business moot.

" Such presently tax free mostly cash occupations such as prostitution, illegal drugs, unregulated gambling, would automatically pay taxes upon consumption making the tax base more even for all." ......these are very good ways to make money ....but even better is extortion as long as you are the extorter and not the extorted or extortee

I shall return

"I shall return"

Eta bien McArthur...