SANTO DOMINGO.- Tomorrow Tuesday and with great expectations begins the Dominican Constitution’s 38th reform since it was drafted November 6, 1844.
The National Assembly, in its function of Reviewer, will begin the works that’ll culminate with a new Constitution, with the debate on the regulation to be used in the votes.
Senators and deputies turned into assembly members will go to the Assembly Hall at 3 p.m., to start the debates on the constitutional reform bill, submitted by president Leonel Fernandez on September 19.
Prior to the introducing the initiatives, the Executive Branch conducted a long consultation process on the different sectors’ opinions on the Magna Charta the country should have.
Fernandez signed the bill into law on February 27, prior to his State of the Republic speech before Congress.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
keep doing it till you get it right
Written by: Gringo_1, 23 Mar 2009 9:15 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Maimon (Bonao)
Doing the math, that is one reform every 4.3 years. Which is more or less the term of current presidency. I dont think it should be changed so often, unless there is a fundamental flaw. What sort of reforms are we looking at? I hope they serve the people and not the politicians. Cheers!
Written by: jacirez 
, 23 Mar 2009 9:57 AM
From: Iran, Zähedän
God be with you, Mr. President!
The constitution is a living document and it should reflect the best and brightest ideas of the times. It is thanks to Dr. Fernandez leadership that we have been able to move decisively into the 21st century.
Written by: generoso, 23 Mar 2009 11:28 AM
From: United States, Quisqueya
Urgently need to place the "revocatory" measure on the citizens rights to exercise their power,
through public indignation and referendums to get rid of corrupt and inefficient bureaucrats.
All these clowns get a blank check for 4 years, then it's too late to get rid of them.
Written by: jacirez , 23 Mar 2009 11:31 AM
From: Iran, Zähedän
generoso,
The problem is not the politicians. It is us, the electorate, who elect them. Maybe we should be more discerning with our choices in the next electoral cycle...
We should educate ourselves and learn about the candidates view, reputations and intentions before we vote them into office...maybe we should include a re-call amendment to the constitution as well...
From: United States, Yonkers, NY
Well if the changes improve the government and the nation for the better then great. But like the other posters have stated, changing the constitution willy nilly for the just the sake of change is not good. At least there is no amendment making Leonel president for life.
Written by: jacirez , 23 Mar 2009 11:52 AM
From: Iran, Zähedän
El_Platano,
"...The constitution is a living document and it should reflect the best and brightest ideas of the times..."
Until I see President Fernandez renege in his promises I will continue to give him the benefit of the doubt. Remember, during his first term he pushed for as single, four-year presidential term limit. Once his term was over her handed over power to the PRD...Do you remember what ex-president Mejia then did? He revoked the same constitutional amendment for term limit...Thankfully, our people were smart enough to vote him out of office...
Written by: generoso, 23 Mar 2009 12:58 PM
From: United States, Quisqueya
jacirez
Re-call or revocation rights are the same thing I am proposing to add to the constitutional changes if they are ever approved.
The problem in DR is more of the "traditional" role of the politicians. Few politicians are not corrupt and the ones that are not are "semi-corrupt" which means that they are but not blatantly corrupt with all cylinders and might have been with their own pet projects, and might look the other way, but they do not make it a "full time 24/7 business" to be a politician.
There is little accountability and the politicians have life impunity to do as they please. The whole system is corrupt and is not working.
It will take a strong charismatic figure with unlimited powers to straighten this out and fire all the congressmen and senators and rule by decree.
Written by: jacirez , 23 Mar 2009 1:00 PM
From: Iran, Zähedän
"...It will take a strong charismatic figure with unlimited powers to straighten this out and fire all the congressmen and senators and rule by decree...."
I propose to make Dr. Fendandez that figure...
Written by: generoso, 23 Mar 2009 1:04 PM
From: United States, Quisqueya
jacirez
So far he as not shown the necessary "testicular fortitude" to make those changes,
and has shown a proclivity for "the good life" and the siren chants of the rich and powerful.
Caveat emptor are the red flags I see all over him, although he is a charismatic figure.
If he would just shave that outdated mustache that makes him look like Pancho Villa!
Written by: jacirez , 23 Mar 2009 1:06 PM
From: Iran, Zähedän
generoso,
If not Dr. Fernandez...them whom? Hipolito Mejia?!!!
Written by: generoso, 23 Mar 2009 1:13 PM
From: United States, Quisqueya
jacirez
Fó Hipolito, please no. I beg you, I could not stand 4 more years of that bozo.
Somebody with the charisma of Manolo Tavarez, Francis Caamaño or José Francisco Peña Gomez or even Joaquin Balaguer but in a new container.
Somebody without a tedious and corrupt political or business past and a long tail.
As much as I dislike Hipoloco and his antics, he was pretty outspoken and brutal, but did not have the necessary gray matter and was unduly influenced by smarter crooks.
He could be a good president of the PRD and their "tigres" if he ever renounced his presidential dreams.
Dreams because they will never become reality, and neither will the dream of Miguel Vargas either, they are neither fit to lead.
Written by: jacirez , 23 Mar 2009 1:16 PM
From: Iran, Zähedän
generoso,
Dr. Leonel Fernandez Reina is the new José Francisco Peña Gomez...or as close as we will ever get the emiptome of Dominican Nationalism.
May you rest in peace Dr. Peña Gòmez....You will always be my hero!!!
Written by: generoso, 23 Mar 2009 1:22 PM
From: United States, Quisqueya
jacirez
So true about Peña Gomez, I met him personally and was very impressed.
Balaguer's anti-Haitianism and the prevalent Dominican racism at the time cost him the election.
Peña was also very informal in keeping appointments and very impetuous and prone to volatility, not good attributes in a politician that must be able to compromise.
Balaguer screwed him at the end when he did win the elections in '94 and he made a bad deal, instead of sticking to his claims and being more persistent.
Written by: jacirez , 23 Mar 2009 1:25 PM
From: Iran, Zähedän
generoso,
I agree with you. It is a shame that a true successor to Peña Gòmez has not emerged...I guess Dr. Fernandez is the best we've got...Although I did not like one bit what he said during the last election about him being the heir apparent of the new Balaguelismo. I think Balaguer and its philosophy deserve to be consigned to the garbage heap of history..
From: United States, Yonkers, NY
Seems to me that many of the readers are wearing their purple colored glasses today.
Written by: jacirez , 23 Mar 2009 1:31 PM
From: Iran, Zähedän
El_Platano,
Considering the alternatives, I guess that Dr. Fernandez is a very good choice...
From: United States, Yonkers, NY
Compared to Hipolito he's way better. However not to turn this into a Leonel bashing discussion but can you honestly say the country is better off since he has been President? He saddled the country with an economically unsustainable Metro, the schools still turn out functional illiterates, the roads are a mess and the electricity situation is far from fixed, if not worse.
Written by: generoso, 23 Mar 2009 1:43 PM
From: United States, Quisqueya
jacirez
Sad to say but Fernandez was the best of the worse, and the sadder thing is that here are no credible opponents in sight.
Written by: jacirez , 23 Mar 2009 1:44 PM
From: Iran, Zähedän
El_Platano,
Riddle this, my friend: Compare this so-called "midiocre achievement" against the policies of Hipolito Mejia, Juanquìn Balaguer, Salador Jorge Blanco, and Josè Antonio Guzmàn Fernandez/Jacobo Majluta...
Written by: generoso, 23 Mar 2009 1:49 PM
From: United States, Quisqueya
El_Platano
You forgot how bad things were in 2004. It was a fricken nightmare then, how soon we tend to forget.
I get sick to my stomach when I remember the blunders and thievery of the PRD. And the daily verbal abuses from Hipoloco.
Even a monkey from the zoo would have done a better job than Hipoloco in his 4 years that paved the way for the mega corrupt PLD "come solos" to return, this time with a vengeance and hungrier than before. They stuck it to us with the metro and all the other blatant corruption cases, but the truth is that the things in aduana and Hacienda do run better, and the country is going forward, with all of our true and imaginary misgivings.
Written by: jacirez , 23 Mar 2009 1:52 PM
From: Iran, Zähedän
generoso,
"..but the truth is that the things in aduana and Hacienda do run better, and the country is going forward, with all of our true and imaginary misgivings..."
This should be the quote of the day!!!
From: United States, Naples, Florida
There should be a question in every general election as to what is the majority of voters feelings about amending the Constitution. This way, it is the people's wish prevailing. If this National Assembly does not include the name of the country in its reviewing, our Constitution will soon be the target for another change or amendment. Our country doesn't have a name. The form and "style" of our state is a "REPUBLIC", the "DOMINICAN" way. Let us correct the mistake now. Lets name our country by her proper, correct, patriotic name: QUISQUEYA. She can still be a Dominican Republic as long she is part of the island of Santo Domingo. Wait for us at the Book Fair before the Assembly comes up with another "incomplete" Constitution. By the way, congratulations on your third anniversary www.dominicantoday.com.
From: Spain, Ibiza, Minorca, Mallorca
Forget about all the posturing and pontificating; they represent nearly 10 million citizens that are expecting them to do their jobs of legislating for the improvement of the welfare of its constituents;
Not to line their pockets, and to pass Draconian New World Order - Internationlists "entregistas" laws. These will dig a deeper hole for the poor and destitute, who are hungry and desperate, and can do without all the fanfare: Fanfarria! Preambulos falases!
Written by: jacirez , 24 Mar 2009 1:25 AM
From: Iran, Zähedän
While I agree we should be on the look-out for initiatives that do not have the populace best interest; I am quite confident the current administration is at heart dedicated to the betterment of the country...
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
It is quite amazing that the constitution can be altered solely by politicians and not by a referendum of the people ..I can just imagine the furor in any country in Europe or in any country that has a British constitutional tradition if a parliament tried to alter their constitution. Even in Venezuela , the constitution had to be altered by a vote of the people .
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The constitution is a living document and it should reflect the best and brightest ideas of the times. It is thanks to Dr. Fernandez leadership that we have been able to move decisively into the 21st century.
through public indignation and referendums to get rid of corrupt and inefficient bureaucrats.
All these clowns get a blank check for 4 years, then it's too late to get rid of them.
The problem is not the politicians. It is us, the electorate, who elect them. Maybe we should be more discerning with our choices in the next electoral cycle...
We should educate ourselves and learn about the candidates view, reputations and intentions before we vote them into office...maybe we should include a re-call amendment to the constitution as well...
"...The constitution is a living document and it should reflect the best and brightest ideas of the times..."
Until I see President Fernandez renege in his promises I will continue to give him the benefit of the doubt. Remember, during his first term he pushed for as single, four-year presidential term limit. Once his term was over her handed over power to the PRD...Do you remember what ex-president Mejia then did? He revoked the same constitutional amendment for term limit...Thankfully, our people were smart enough to vote him out of office...
Re-call or revocation rights are the same thing I am proposing to add to the constitutional changes if they are ever approved.
The problem in DR is more of the "traditional" role of the politicians. Few politicians are not corrupt and the ones that are not are "semi-corrupt" which means that they are but not blatantly corrupt with all cylinders and might have been with their own pet projects, and might look the other way, but they do not make it a "full time 24/7 business" to be a politician.
There is little accountability and the politicians have life impunity to do as they please. The whole system is corrupt and is not working.
It will take a strong charismatic figure with unlimited powers to straighten this out and fire all the congressmen and senators and rule by decree.
I propose to make Dr. Fendandez that figure...
So far he as not shown the necessary "testicular fortitude" to make those changes,
and has shown a proclivity for "the good life" and the siren chants of the rich and powerful.
Caveat emptor are the red flags I see all over him, although he is a charismatic figure.
If he would just shave that outdated mustache that makes him look like Pancho Villa!
If not Dr. Fernandez...them whom? Hipolito Mejia?!!!
Fó Hipolito, please no. I beg you, I could not stand 4 more years of that bozo.
Somebody with the charisma of Manolo Tavarez, Francis Caamaño or José Francisco Peña Gomez or even Joaquin Balaguer but in a new container.
Somebody without a tedious and corrupt political or business past and a long tail.
As much as I dislike Hipoloco and his antics, he was pretty outspoken and brutal, but did not have the necessary gray matter and was unduly influenced by smarter crooks.
He could be a good president of the PRD and their "tigres" if he ever renounced his presidential dreams.
Dreams because they will never become reality, and neither will the dream of Miguel Vargas either, they are neither fit to lead.
Dr. Leonel Fernandez Reina is the new José Francisco Peña Gomez...or as close as we will ever get the emiptome of Dominican Nationalism.
May you rest in peace Dr. Peña Gòmez....You will always be my hero!!!
So true about Peña Gomez, I met him personally and was very impressed.
Balaguer's anti-Haitianism and the prevalent Dominican racism at the time cost him the election.
Peña was also very informal in keeping appointments and very impetuous and prone to volatility, not good attributes in a politician that must be able to compromise.
Balaguer screwed him at the end when he did win the elections in '94 and he made a bad deal, instead of sticking to his claims and being more persistent.
I agree with you. It is a shame that a true successor to Peña Gòmez has not emerged...I guess Dr. Fernandez is the best we've got...Although I did not like one bit what he said during the last election about him being the heir apparent of the new Balaguelismo. I think Balaguer and its philosophy deserve to be consigned to the garbage heap of history..
Considering the alternatives, I guess that Dr. Fernandez is a very good choice...
Sad to say but Fernandez was the best of the worse, and the sadder thing is that here are no credible opponents in sight.
Riddle this, my friend: Compare this so-called "midiocre achievement" against the policies of Hipolito Mejia, Juanquìn Balaguer, Salador Jorge Blanco, and Josè Antonio Guzmàn Fernandez/Jacobo Majluta...
You forgot how bad things were in 2004. It was a fricken nightmare then, how soon we tend to forget.
I get sick to my stomach when I remember the blunders and thievery of the PRD. And the daily verbal abuses from Hipoloco.
Even a monkey from the zoo would have done a better job than Hipoloco in his 4 years that paved the way for the mega corrupt PLD "come solos" to return, this time with a vengeance and hungrier than before. They stuck it to us with the metro and all the other blatant corruption cases, but the truth is that the things in aduana and Hacienda do run better, and the country is going forward, with all of our true and imaginary misgivings.
"..but the truth is that the things in aduana and Hacienda do run better, and the country is going forward, with all of our true and imaginary misgivings..."
This should be the quote of the day!!!
Not to line their pockets, and to pass Draconian New World Order - Internationlists "entregistas" laws. These will dig a deeper hole for the poor and destitute, who are hungry and desperate, and can do without all the fanfare: Fanfarria! Preambulos falases!