SANTO DOMINGO.- Dominican Republic’s top senator yesterday said he doesn’t see any type of “inconvenience” when his colleagues incur in nepotism by putting their relatives on government payroll.
“There are one or other relatives who if they do the job, I don’t see any type of inconvenience that they are employed in the offices of the senators. Now, if they have four, five, the spouses working in their offices, no, no way,” said Reinaldo Pared, and revealed that 17 of the 32 senators which he didn’t identify, abused his trust when placing their relatives on the Senate payroll.
He clarified that those people are paid by the Senate and not by the Social Fund or “little barrel” the lawmakers manage.
He affirmed that he didn’t know the senators’ relatives were on the payroll and reiterated the need for transparency. He said he’s “annoyed” by the nepotism and pledged to take steps to revert the practice.
“I believe so, they crossed the line,” Pared said when asked if with the senators’ behavior betrayed his confidence. “Those 17 had better assume their responsibility, because I cannot bear the responsibility of others.”
SOURCE: hoy.com.do
Written by: juanb, 4 Sep 2009 9:17 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Is he telling us that these overpaid, do nothing, lazy p.o.s relatives are OK if they are kept to a minimum? I object.
Written by: Belly, 4 Sep 2009 9:58 AM
From: United States, Seattle, W.A.
How about instead of accepting the "minimum" nepotism by mr pared he elimininates all of it until the 32 senators earn his "trust" and maybe go from there. Because i don't trust Pared or any of the 32 senators to begin with so how about we apply the common sense law of all paying for ones mistakes or should it be 17s mistakes, come Pared be real for 1 second in your life 4 days ago you said nepotism is unacceptable and today a little bit is fine. What happened you felt the pressure from the 32 to re-tract your words. Mr. Clown!
From: United States, Reality Check
Another fine graduate of the Dick Cheney school of "lets focus on ourselves and help our inner circle". Back scratching is ok as long as it is positioned right!
Incredible!
Apparently, this Senator does not want to make waves for other Senators (because he has his own skeleton's in the closet). Maybe is one of the RD Gov officials getting drug profits...so, lets just be "conservative" and keep things the way they are now (with me making money under the table). "There is no need for change at this point". "We do not want to make a change prematurely, so lets just 'conserve' with the current status quo"!
It seems the only Senator worthwhile with any integrity is the one whistle-blower from Bani!
Written by: MannyTav, 4 Sep 2009 10:47 AM
From: United States
How about we all come to the realization that our government, as much as we don't want to realize it or accept it, has us on the brink of being a failed state? I mean, is there ANY sector where corruption si not RAMPANT? I'm not talking about a little corruption, an isolated incident or incidents of malfeasance or lawlessness. I'm talking about a culture of corruption that envelops out whole government from top to bottom in every branch. Can anybody dispute that? I fear for our future. I just hope these politicians that 'cause these problems and partake in this culture get what's coming to them one day. I would welcome a limited foreign presence at this time if meant cleaning up this cesspool that's been allowed to grown in our country because it's become apparent the Dominican people have accepted the culture as normal and no one seems capable of leading them out of it before the country falls into the hands of another dictator.
Written by: HiHater, 4 Sep 2009 11:08 AM
From: United States, Brooklyn, NY
Manny,
Maybe its my pride, but we are not a failed state.
Instead we are a failing state!
The difference being that the failing can be stoped, for example 2000 jobs trimmed (like a hot knife through butter) from the CDEEE.
More is needed, I know but it's a start. And this corruption is all over the news. Many latin-american newspapers are running these stories. People are fed up, they are complaining and hopefully this will lead to results.
We need a populist movement, a platano-roots movement!!!!!!!!!
Written by: josean, 4 Sep 2009 11:29 AM
From: United States, Dedicating 4 more years to fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia
How do you spell Failed State = L.I.E-O.N.E.L F.E.R.N.A.N.D.E.Z and P.L.D.!
Written by: HiHater, 4 Sep 2009 11:44 AM
From: United States, Brooklyn, NY
Josean,
Repeat after me...
Failing, Failing, Failing.
F-a-i-l-i-n-g
Main Entry: 1fail·ing
Pronunciation: \'fa-li?Function: noun
Date: 1590
Written by: MannyTav, 4 Sep 2009 12:08 PM
From: United States
being on the brink of being a failed state and failing are one and the same.....lol....
I thought people would be more outraged at the thought of a more visible foreign presence to combat corruption, but I guess everyone sees the same thing; coruption is the culture here and sadly, it appears the public doesn't have the will or the wherewithal to deal with it on its own. Imagine....2000 jobs, and that's juts in one small sector and I guarantee you there are socres of other jobs that were protected there. imagine how big the problem is state-wide. terrible and shameful.
Written by: josean, 4 Sep 2009 12:13 PM
From: United States, Dedicating 4 more years to fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia
HiHater,
Failing if you live in Arroyo Hondo, Naco, Gazcue, but almost every where else its a Failed State!
From: United States
I told you that Reinaldo Pared was a hippacrite when he said all should be fired.
From: Dominican Republic, Cabrera
I have to say I think some of the comments here are a bit harsh and not in the context of what Pared is actually reported as saying. He says "if one or another relatives who are doing their job" I would say this is a fair comment. If the relative is suitably qualified, competent, doing a good job and being paid the appropriate salary should he or she be barred simply because he is in some way related. This smacks of reverse discrimination. He goes on to say "Now, if they have four, five, the spouses working in their offices, no, no way,” On that basis I am of the opinion his comments are both fair and reasonable and his additional comments are that he expects those who have "crossed the line" to correct the matter. I do not see this as someone condoning an unacceptable practice.
Written by: josean, 4 Sep 2009 5:08 PM
From: United States, Dedicating 4 more years to fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia
It’s amazing how people try to rationalize everything.
Written by: HiHater, 4 Sep 2009 5:10 PM
From: United States, Brooklyn, NY
Things are bad, but we have come a long way!!!
That cannot be denied. The main problem is as Manny states, the culture of corruption. There should be punishment, not just a slap on the wrist.
Leonel does have to be stronger on the domestic front, and curtail corruption. Yet when it is soo ingrainded in society it is difficult, so what he has to do is get the ball rolling. I don't expect him to do it all. We need to do our part too.
Pared is a total suit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Written by: josean, 4 Sep 2009 5:33 PM
From: United States, Dedicating 4 more years to fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia
Yes we have come a long way:
1. More crime
2. More drugs
3. More corruption
4. More do nothing government workers
5. More national and international debt
6. Less spending on public education
7. Less services in the public hospitals
8. Less electrical services at a higher cost
9. Less water
Pero Eh Pa' Lante Que Vamos!
Buddy that Dog wouldn't hunt anymore!
Lie-onel Fernadez a failed president!
The PLD a failed party!
The Dominican Republic a Failed State; that can’t even guarantee 24 hours of electrical service to its people in the 21st century!
Yeah Right, we have come a long way, to NOWHERE!
From: Dominican Republic
Great point, the underline issue is corruption...
1-More crime & drugs... for sure, if you can buy your way out
2-too many gov nonworkers... friend and family members of other Gov nonworker
3-Debts... richer friend and family member of the above mention group
4-less spending .. igual que 3
5- electricity issues...un poco de 2, un poco de 3 (es donde eres el $ … no en nuevos proyectos)
6- water...igual que 5
Corruption is the main issue, with the Gov, police, army,companies, citizens. If you live wigth it for long enough, it just becomes a way of life.
The Gov is good at spining things, making people fear. If you keep people uneducated, un survival mode and liquored up...And make sure that the young educated want nothing more then to get the hell out... You dont get much resistance...
Written by: fedadiaz 
, 4 Sep 2009 6:25 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Que mentalidad tan corrupta tiene este individuo. Dios lo agarre confesado.
From: Dominican Republic
Dios no puede ayudarles !
From: Dominican Republic
en frances decimos: "Tu se ayuda y el cielo le ayudara"
From: Dominican Republic, Cabrera
Josean.....you forgot to mention there is a Metro lol!
In Engish the saying is "God helps those who help themselves" and it does not mean helps themselves to what does not belong to them either!
Written by: HiHater, 4 Sep 2009 6:58 PM
From: United States, Brooklyn, NY
Josean,
sensationalism I love it,
Your telling me things are worse now than when hippolito was there???? What about all the bank frauds??? What about the same exact nepotism?
All of the problems that you have mentioned have been there for a while. Before leonel.
i merely stated that the buying power is better for citizens $1USDto$60RD(hippo) vs $1to$33.
Oh when you state that we've come a long way to no where, please bear in mind that corruption isn't only found in gov't it permeates all over our society.
i realize that we as a country are very bad on spending on education but my parents were campesinos from the outskirts of santiago with no education and they know the difference between right and wrong, that is human nature. It is innate.
The politicians are a reflection of the society. So if you ask me in the case of a corrupt society yes we have progressed.
Written by: Helen, 4 Sep 2009 10:22 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Nagua
it's on a par with being 'a little bit pregnant' jaja
From: United States, Port Washington, LI (New York)
Remove this pig !
From: United States
It's tax payer money, fool !
You inbred, entitled scumbag.
Fire him.
From: United States
He has admitted his guilt fire him, take all his families assets , and send him to jail.
Written by: Trujillo, 6 Sep 2009 4:20 PM
From: Dominican Republic
HiHater, how could you say we need a "populist movement"? Populism is exactly got us into this mess.
Written by: josean, 8 Sep 2009 3:49 PM
From: United States, Dedicating 4 more years to fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia
Written by: HiHater, 9 Sep 2009 11:54 AM
From: United States, Brooklyn, NY
Tru,
And it is what will get us out!!!
Josean that large power outage may have been sabotage, no???
Seguras cousins out for revenge??
Untill we know, ......
From: United States
This country is pitiful. They keep the masses ignorant just so this Moron can make idiotic statements.
LF, where is your laughable "Zero Tolerance"? You are an empty suit and have failed your country miserably.
Written by: HiHater, 9 Sep 2009 12:13 PM
From: United States, Brooklyn, NY
Who is the moron???
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Incredible!
Apparently, this Senator does not want to make waves for other Senators (because he has his own skeleton's in the closet). Maybe is one of the RD Gov officials getting drug profits...so, lets just be "conservative" and keep things the way they are now (with me making money under the table). "There is no need for change at this point". "We do not want to make a change prematurely, so lets just 'conserve' with the current status quo"!
It seems the only Senator worthwhile with any integrity is the one whistle-blower from Bani!
Maybe its my pride, but we are not a failed state.
Instead we are a failing state!
The difference being that the failing can be stoped, for example 2000 jobs trimmed (like a hot knife through butter) from the CDEEE.
More is needed, I know but it's a start. And this corruption is all over the news. Many latin-american newspapers are running these stories. People are fed up, they are complaining and hopefully this will lead to results.
We need a populist movement, a platano-roots movement!!!!!!!!!
Repeat after me...
Failing, Failing, Failing.
F-a-i-l-i-n-g
Main Entry: 1fail·ing
Pronunciation: \'fa-li?Function: noun
Date: 1590
I thought people would be more outraged at the thought of a more visible foreign presence to combat corruption, but I guess everyone sees the same thing; coruption is the culture here and sadly, it appears the public doesn't have the will or the wherewithal to deal with it on its own. Imagine....2000 jobs, and that's juts in one small sector and I guarantee you there are socres of other jobs that were protected there. imagine how big the problem is state-wide. terrible and shameful.
Failing if you live in Arroyo Hondo, Naco, Gazcue, but almost every where else its a Failed State!
That cannot be denied. The main problem is as Manny states, the culture of corruption. There should be punishment, not just a slap on the wrist.
Leonel does have to be stronger on the domestic front, and curtail corruption. Yet when it is soo ingrainded in society it is difficult, so what he has to do is get the ball rolling. I don't expect him to do it all. We need to do our part too.
Pared is a total suit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1. More crime
2. More drugs
3. More corruption
4. More do nothing government workers
5. More national and international debt
6. Less spending on public education
7. Less services in the public hospitals
8. Less electrical services at a higher cost
9. Less water
Pero Eh Pa' Lante Que Vamos!
Buddy that Dog wouldn't hunt anymore!
Lie-onel Fernadez a failed president!
The PLD a failed party!
The Dominican Republic a Failed State; that can’t even guarantee 24 hours of electrical service to its people in the 21st century!
Yeah Right, we have come a long way, to NOWHERE!
1-More crime & drugs... for sure, if you can buy your way out
2-too many gov nonworkers... friend and family members of other Gov nonworker
3-Debts... richer friend and family member of the above mention group
4-less spending .. igual que 3
5- electricity issues...un poco de 2, un poco de 3 (es donde eres el $ … no en nuevos proyectos)
6- water...igual que 5
Corruption is the main issue, with the Gov, police, army,companies, citizens. If you live wigth it for long enough, it just becomes a way of life.
The Gov is good at spining things, making people fear. If you keep people uneducated, un survival mode and liquored up...And make sure that the young educated want nothing more then to get the hell out... You dont get much resistance...
In Engish the saying is "God helps those who help themselves" and it does not mean helps themselves to what does not belong to them either!
sensationalism I love it,
Your telling me things are worse now than when hippolito was there???? What about all the bank frauds??? What about the same exact nepotism?
All of the problems that you have mentioned have been there for a while. Before leonel.
i merely stated that the buying power is better for citizens $1USDto$60RD(hippo) vs $1to$33.
Oh when you state that we've come a long way to no where, please bear in mind that corruption isn't only found in gov't it permeates all over our society.
i realize that we as a country are very bad on spending on education but my parents were campesinos from the outskirts of santiago with no education and they know the difference between right and wrong, that is human nature. It is innate.
The politicians are a reflection of the society. So if you ask me in the case of a corrupt society yes we have progressed.
It's tax payer money, fool !
You inbred, entitled scumbag.
Fire him.
http://www.listin.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=114125
And it is what will get us out!!!
Josean that large power outage may have been sabotage, no???
Seguras cousins out for revenge??
Untill we know, ......
This country is pitiful. They keep the masses ignorant just so this Moron can make idiotic statements.
LF, where is your laughable "Zero Tolerance"? You are an empty suit and have failed your country miserably.