Peace has Arrived. But all joking aside, all these Global jaunts have as a result the furtherance of DR's presence and identity on the Global scene. Perhaps this is a secondary aspect of all the trips, but DR was, before LF, strangely missing in the annuals of Global discussion. Part of being notice is to travel and make your presence known. So we should give the man a break because he's doing something no other DR President has attempted: making DR known to the rest of the World. Now let's hope some of these travels develop into lasting economic trade and cultural exchanges.

In the grand scheme of things a little Banana Republic like ouselves. Does not matter.

We are like the ant with an erection, floating down the river, yelling, " raise the drawbridge, raise the drawbridge".

LF continues to spend and waste our money at a dizzying pace.

Not for the glorification of the country, but rather for his own personal glorification.

From: United States
Peace has Arrived. But all joking aside, all these Global jaunts have as a result the furtherance of DR's presence and identity on the Global scene. Perhaps this is a secondary aspect of all the trips, but DR was, before LF, strangely missing in the annuals of Global discussion. Part of being notice is to travel and make your presence known,
YOUR CORRECT TO A POINT.
THINK ITS BETTER THAT HE INVEST INTO EDUCATION FOR THE YOUNG. IT WILL TAKE 15-20 YEARS TO SEE THE REWARDS, BUT FOR SURE THEIR WILL BE RWARDS.
AS THINGS ARE NOW THE DR'S PRESENCE IS WELL KNOW THOUGH THE DRUG TRADE, IN NEW YORK CITY ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS ONE CAN FINE A STORY ABOUT DOMINICANS BEING ARRESTED FOR THE SALE OF DRUGS. LIKE TODAY IN THE DAILY NEWS, DOMINICAN SACREFACE BUSTED!!!

I have been away for more than 6 weeks but am now on my way back to Santo Domingo ...During my time in England, Australia , Thailand , France and the USA, not once could I see anything about the Dominican Republic in the papers , on the TV nor in any shop.
We are a very small and unimportant country and maybe that is not a bad thing ..I wonder how much of this travelling is undertaken to give LF a profile and how much is undertaken to give the DR more prominance . I have been sometimes reading on line the Dominican news, both english and spanish sites, and there is not the slightest doubt in my mind that there is a great push for the government to bring the civil service into a more effective and modern service that will cost much less to the taxpayers . I agree that LF is doing something no other President has done but is it really necessary . I personally do not think so and I think the reduction in costs of travelling would set a good example.

bronx couple busted in new york city.
a dominican who said he was like scareface, they the police could never get him.
well he was dead wrong and has it looks like the rest of this life in jail to think things over. he was in the wholesale business on the upper east side mr. ceferino [papo} perez, better know to this customers as "scareface the untouchable". the police got $300,000 in cash and pounds of jewelry, the police said their where pounds and pounds of gold jewerly both in his apt in the bronx and his safe deposit boxes the police got them also.
this was a family affair, with his brother and wife also where arrested.
he was a big man when he went back to santo domingo on vaction, guess many looked up to him, shame they cant see this so-called gangster, scareface now hes doing today?
man this fool does not know that his life is finished as he once knew it, and he took down his whole family with him.

Written by: Ricardolito, 18 Jun 2011 10:23 AM
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
I have been away for more than 6 weeks but am now on my way back to Santo Domingo ...During my time in England, Australia , Thailand , France and the USA, not once could I see anything about the Dominican Republic in the papers , on the TV nor in any shop

NICE TO SEE U BACK.
TRY THE NEWSPAPERS ALMOST ANY DAY OF THE WEEK IN THE NEW YORK AND MIAMI AREA, NOT TO MANY DAYS GO BY WITHOUT A STORY ABOUT DOMINICANS AND THE DRUG TRADE.
LIKE TRY TO GOGGLE THE DAILY NEWS TODAY YESTERDAY, U CAN SEE SEE WHAT IAM SPEAKING ABOUT
FORGOT THEY ARE ON TV. ALSO THE LOCAL NEWS.

france and the usa,

miss this part of your comment.
in the united sates and uk. thats crap every f---ing day almost they make the papers and tv news shows, hey! the united states marshals. most wanted has their own tv show and i my self have seen them hunt down dominicans on this tv show.

some comment by mr. ricy just when i posted my comment about the bronx couple today.. !wow! see now easy its to mislead people?
if i bull then go and goggle what i said.

have a nice day in la-la land.

glad to have you back, Ricardolito. i sincerely hope that you are in the pink of health. Atabey gushes

But all joking aside, all these Global jaunts have as a result the furtherance of DR's presence and identity on the Global scene.

it appears that this prominence, of which he speaks, is evident only to him.

I am surprised that King Abdullah gave LF an audience, considering he could lose his throne in the next year. The pueblo of Jordan is " NOT" happy, just as the masses in many neighboring middle eastern nation. DR is unimportant in the scheme of world events. The reason LF travels as much as he does, is because he can! It is all for & about him, as he is bucking up his resume for a possible UN appointment. He is buttering his bread on the back of the dominican people (taxpayers) !

a brilliant observation from Juango

The reason LF travels as much as he does, is because he can! It is all for & about him, as he is bucking up his resume for a possible UN appointment. He is buttering his bread on the back of the dominican people (taxpayers) !

only Atabey could see it as some initiative to improve the fortunes of the country. as investigative journalists have revealed, all his foreign jaunts have germinated absolutely nothing to speak of.

Maybe he needs all those brown-nosed cronies that accompany hin to carry the USD$9999.99 you don't need to declare, and deposit them somewhere along the way.

$10,000 X 100 cronies=???

"I am not a crook".

you gotta hand it to him, Walter. he is useless, and pathetic, but is as smart as a fox. by the time he leaves office, he will be able to buy Argentina, cash money.

Glad to see you back, Ricardolito,
You are always a welcomed voice on this site.

I agree that in my travels the DR is never mentioned. The only thing this land is now known for is the country where Punta Cana is.
The jaunts of this leader around the world are unnecessary.
Leadership is much harder than politicking.
Maybe the King of Jordan and his worthless Queen will "retire" to the DR once they are exiled, if lucky to survive the masses.

thank you Dreads and walnut ,,,just so you do not think i was simply jet setting ,,I had several operations in the UK , then , after a rest,went to Australia via Thailand to visit some close family who have settled there and then back to RD via Los Angeles .. yes , I feel well thank you but battling cancer, even when winning the battle , is not good fun
How expensive the world has become but especially so in Australia ..but everywhere each country now seems to be introducing austerity measures and so it is a real surprise to see that this time the DR is taking a different path and is as ineffecient as ever with only token economies made in te civil service .

Ricy:

Welcome back. Hope you are feeling better. It sure looks that way. You sure haven't lost your zeal for promoting this corrupt government under which we suffer. Really now:

"I have been sometimes reading on line the Dominican news, both english and spanish sites, and there is not the slightest doubt in my mind that there is a great push for the government to bring the civil service into a more effective and modern service that will cost much less to the taxpayers ."

What an absolute crock of BS.

Again. Welcome back.

A Puffta from a failed nation. Maybe we will get luc ky and someone will shoot him in the ass.

I hope leo's plane gets stuck in the sand

Ohh Great Now we have Leonel making deals with the Bunch of rag head, that are killing them self over there,,Cause they goverment are just is not worst the our, CORRUPTOS y LADRONES.

Maybe they can teach Leonel how to be a Suicide bombers, and Blow him self up.

leonel is looking for some arabic bussness man , so he could sell some more lands to private investors.

keep up the good fight, Ricardolito. glad to hear that you are hanging tough.

Welcome back Ricardolito!
It seems your return has eclipsed Leo's visit to Jordan, at least on this blog site!
Australia has become more expensive? Too right, mate! One of a number of reasons I live in DR.
Is Leo building his resume ready for a cushy UN job, or is he staying away to avoid the Cholera epidemic? Remember he has access to the statistics we will never see.

Liar-nel is prob going to visit his "nuero" the one that owed money for a ferrari he bought. I think his name was Abu Nabal something like that. Prob fled from the country and resides overseas or something. I hope Liarnel's aircraft get sand on the engine so he can disappear from the face of the earth. Btw. Welcome back Ricardolito!

My five pennies on this matter are, the DR doesn't need an president that all moment goes on a trip. The DR needs a president with strong matter on the economics, don't believe that this trip will do anything to rise the burned down economy of this country.
Here my opinion of the three most important thing what we need from our president:
First: give the education the needed 4%, take out all unnecessary cost and bureaucratic obstacles in this department. Give part of this money to educate first the teachers.
Second: Change and if necessary by force the light distribution in this country, to bring 24/7 service to the population and business. All circuits are now managed electronically, so they can tell the business on what hour they will shut down the electric power. Announce this hours in the news, so small business can plan their business activity.
Third: We need an Public Sector Salary Disclosure and table to get transparency in the public sector.
This would make "The President"

PLEASE???

http://www.noticiassin.com/2011/0....a-el-dia-de-hoy-por-negligencias/

Written by: Atabey
From: United States
Peace has Arrived. But all joking aside, all these Global jaunts have as a result the furtherance of DR's presence and identity on the Global scene. Perhaps this is a secondary aspect of all the trips, but DR was, before LF, strangely missing in the annuals of Global discussion. Part of being notice is to travel and make your presence known. So we should give the man a break because he's doing something no other DR President has attempted: making DR known to the rest of the World. Now let's hope some of these travels develop into lasting economic trade and cultural exchanges.

----------------------------

Beg your pardon? This Individual ACTS FOR HIS OWN benefit! what he is looking is for ANOTHER FREE VACATION that will serve well on his UN carreer Building!
Can anyone that agree with this trips PLEASE EXPLAIN ME THIS??

What WE NEED is a PRESIDENT, not a Fu*k*ng TOURIST GLOBE TROTTER traveling on MY MONEY with bunch of Good for nothing suckers....

Yes, there's definitely that possibility of self-aggrandizement and pumping his chances for that UN job many believe is what he'll seek after his current tour is over. But as many here acknowledged, DR is seldom if ever mentioned world-wide. That is NOT a good thing. especially for a land that promotes itself as a tourist location! Think about all the lost business and exchanges because of lack of recognition or awareness by others internationally? I've never stated that he, LF, is beyond an opportunistic attempt when seeking boarder international recognition for the DR.

The world is rapidly changing and boarder international exchanges are necessary and vital to sustain the modernization process many wish for the DR. So let's have cooler heads and think strategically for a second.

Check out the good Professor's chat @

http://www.carnegiecouncil.org/resources/video/data/000397

The Next Convergence: The Future of Economic Growth in a Multispeed World

Atabey, if the money that is spent on this stupid trips would be invested on Sports and winning medals (like Cuba does) we would have way more recognition, TRUE recognition on the world since nobody cares if a so called president from Micro Island is on visit to the jerks of the goverment, the other option for wrold wide recognition is to make opposite statements to those of the World Wide Powers like Castros or Chavez, but we don
t want that way, Do we?...remember wikileaks and the statement that pointed:

"If Dominican government officials wish to attract and retain foreign investors, they cannot require these investors to participate in the rampant corruption of ... Dominican-style business,"

It's a bit of a catch 22. If LF goes anywhere, even if this should be for REAL attempts at opening exchanges with foreign lands, he risked being called a traveling circus, if he stays home, a la Balaguer, then he's not expanding market opportunities aboard/ ill-serving future prospects for the country. So, it's a bad hand anyway you play it. He may indeed be pumping his tires as he seeks broadening DR's Global recognition, but this is a new more open world we're dealing with and if the DR wants to play ball, it's leadership will need to command the English language and take many more trips aboard than their traditional predecessors. Future Dominican Presidents will be much more mobile than the traditional bunch. No doubt that LF's trips strike a very different pathway among many Dominicans long accustomed to parochial and limited minded leadership; times have changed and I don't see this process going back to the past. Just want him to bring back some bacon for DR.

Let me give you Three thing the DR can do to play the ball as it SHOULD be playied, not LF selfish and sick way of playing it...

1- Travel AS YOUR COUNTRY can afford, Small AFFORDABLE Private jet don't Fu*k*ng rent a 747 and spend all to money in the world (MY MONEY by the way) to have a stupid meeting with BOLLYWOOD on India...

2- If you Already made the decision to try to get some "juice" for the country, MAKE SURE RULES ARE CLEAR and RESPECTED. Bad reputation from CORRUPTION and the "Dame lo mio" spreads like fire, if in any doubt, Investments from US have dropped 56% since 2004!! Look at the video from alicia ortega.

If this comic goverment cant comply with this, STAY HOME!!!

3-

I believe that the president's travels, serve as an opportunity, even though for a select few, to bring business and investments back to the DR. He also "pumps the air of his own tires", but all presidents do this, in their fraternity. I think that it would be grand for the DR, should he be elected to head the UN, one day. He will continue educating people around him, as he does now, but he will also be promoting the island as well. Because of his fluent command of the english language, and with his experience as a mediator and president for 12 years, having being commander in chief of a powerful armed forces, his biculturalism and life experience in the USA, as well as being the preferred heir of mentors such as Juan Bosch, and Joaquin Balaguer, and other higher learning professors.
Last but not least, he is smart as a fox, has money, has been careful to cover his tracks well, not being sloppy, as far as camouflaging well the hidden green that will provide a cushion later.

airgordo,

Ideally we in DR would have a totally transparent Government and ZERO Corruption. We don't live in an ideal world, universe or country. The representative (d)emocracy we have in DR is a corrupt system of dividing up the public purse, and has been for as long as it has existed. Before that, we had a powerful dictatorship that divided the spoils among its family and henchmen. Certainly, it would be great if these guys took less and achieved more for the public while in office. We in DR have a very short memory for corruption has featured in the public discourse for many generations now. What we can honestly hope for is some improvement, but if you are expecting some radical transformation, you'll die a broken man. Just check out the lack of statistical data across the board for DR! It's only recently-the last ten years- that the DR is producing statistical data worthy of the name. Our leaders have played the game with "little Black books" as guide posts!

juanb I do not think I wrote that well ..I think that there is a great push by many people in the DR to make the government reform the civil service into something more efficient ,,,that is what I was saying

DR is in the mist of generating its modernity as we speak. There is still no National register of property across the extent of the land. The taxes we all cry about have only taken into account a small fraction of the total taxable pie! If you can believe it. Modernity demands discipline across a wide area of national life. Our traditional lay back attitudes and care free living style are all undergoing massive discombobulation. The remedy is more discipline and many aren't going to like going through the process. Yes, people will have to pay for electricity; yes, people will have to pay for water, and all the other "free" better yet stolen services. Yes, people will have to demand more of their husbands and wives, their children and relatives. Schooling and discipline in the same will have to become paramount across the land. AND Dominicans will have to demand BETTER GOVERNMENT. Non-violent demonstrations, etc. to elicit better leadership.

please, someone, explain to me the possible benefits from a 3 day trip to JORDAN.

Dread
Wait for LF to come back, and issue his statements. There will also be benefits with many different layers. 1. Top secret only known to him, and no one else, even his wife. 2. Known by ministers and close associates. 3. Benefits announced to the general public and news media.
Dread, President Fernandez is no fool, and would not never, ever, travel somewhere that far, and full of problems, unless he was negotiating a huge deal. Maybe the King of Jordan was to retire here soon, and invest in infrastructure and businesses in the island. He is not broke, and has plenty assets and maybe he is being a futurist and playing it safe, much unlike the Shah of Iran.

i hope you are right

No ..the King attended Oxford and Sandhurst as did his father and the connections with the British monachy have been there for decades ..if not centuries ,, I doubt if there is anything at all to come out of this trip ..maybe I am becoming cynical myself but I see these trips by LF as simply ducking his responsibilities at home which are very real now . I have enjoyed reading some articles in the daily papers in RD which increasingly point out the failure of LF to tackle the problems in his administration but yet he calls himself the Lion ,,,,is he deluding himself ?? yes
He has always tried to position the Dominican Republic to have a seat on the Security Council and I suppose he sees himself in some UN position but really his main claim to fame has been the enormous growth in the infrastructure over the past 5 years and his marketing of the DR overseas , especially in the tourism industry . His great failure is the failure to spread more evenly the national wealth .

The DR tourism industry does not need promotion -
it needs product!

Any tourist wanting a tropical beach holiday already knows about DR and many have already been, never to return. When tourists finds a place that lives up to their expectations, they keep going back there.

Likewise international business investors don't want to deal with high rates of crime, corruption and lack of infrastructure.

Fix these and the tourists and investors will seek out the Dominican Republic.

Have all the investors and tourists from Kazakhstan started arriving yet, from Leo's supposedly successful trip to India?

El Dread,

The tireless negative. As I've told you before please read a good history of DR and you'll understand the enormity of the task at hand. Jamaica never had it so bad as DR has had it. And with an even more dysfunctional entity to its west, DR has been straddled with far greater sets of problems than your smaller island nation. But rest assure, if the leadership continues to implement the modernization schemes, DR will eclipse many smaller islands in the not too distant future.

"...but really his[LF] main claim to fame has been the enormous growth in the infrastructure over the past 5 years and his marketing of the DR overseas , especially in the tourism industry . His great failure is the failure to spread more evenly the national wealth . "

The Gini coefficient is not easily swayed in one or even two terms in office. remember that his second term in office was significantly used to right the ship after the Hippo disaster and bank failure of 2003-4. And managing a decrease in wealth concentration during the developmental cycle is for Latin nations a very difficult ordeal. I'm not defending LF. And I believe he has not been as forthright in taking on many corrupt practices while in government. How much this is due to the enormous corruption trend and attitude established by previous administrations is open to debate. But we all know that corruption didn't begin with his administration. Politics is the art of the possible.

Atabey assures

The Gini coefficient is not easily swayed in one or even two terms in office.

what would be some of your strategies to ¨sway ¨the GINI?

Dread,

We've been through this already: Establish a sound and efficient system of tax collection. For this DR needs to establish nation-wide coverage of all property and revenue streams. But DR needn't have 100% ideal collection, probably 80% or so will do, although the more the better in this case. Then with the greater and more efficient revenue streams coming into the States coffers, wisely-that means tackle corruption- manage the fiscal and budgetary requirements and needs of the Republic. Finally, remove the State from subsidizing the electrical albatross and force Dominicans, fines and cut-off, to pay for their services. Some assistance to poorer members will be required, but have these people WORK for this government provided subsidy. Provide for that 4% to Education. That will, if wisely managed, develop better skill-sets for Dominicans in general. An open economy and stress EXPORTS, EXPORTS and then SOME MORE EXPORTS!

lowering GINI Must come via productivity

Atabey assures

We've been through this already: Establish a sound and efficient system of tax collection.

an efficient tax collection system will fix the GINI problem. great....

Atabey,
Is a high Gini Coefficient a cause of problems, or an effect?

The measures you listed are essential but cannot be taken without a major shift in Dominican attitudes. Certainly virtually free electricity for the poor is a massive economic burden but they see it as a birth-right since everyone steals from the country so why shouldn't they.
When anything is free it is abused or wasted. Go to the bar - get drunk - get in a fight or crash the motor-bike - go to the free public hospital and get stitched up for free - a great weekend!

I wonder if the Gini Coefficient for DR takes in to account free electricity, water, hospitals etc, exemption from taxation, municipal rates and rent, and money from an uncle in New York. Can't afford books but can afford enough to eat and drink to have massive problems with obesity, diabetes and drunkenness.

Roy, i always say that Dominicans complain about not having enough money to buy the things they NEED. well, that is because they spend it all on the things they WANT. sunday morning, 9 am. walk outside and take a look. people gathered around the boombox, with the Presidente flowing. pass by at 2pm, there is a stack of empty grande bottles that would make the Matterhorn green with envy. come monday, the kids do not have the 25 pesos to buy the notebook. guess what? it is the fault of the maldito government. the milk is too expensive. the sugar is too expensive. the rice, the same. somehow, the ticket at the banca is just the right price. so is the blackberry. ok, so it has no minutes on it, because Fausto blew his stash on the Nikes. but it sure does look good!

Atabey assures

We've been through this already: Establish a sound and efficient system of tax collection.

an efficient tax collection system will fix the GINI problem. great.

Yes, and here's why. If the State established a coherent collection system, the revenue streams would allow for a sound Fiscal and budgetary posture in DR. Then the State could use the surplus funds and actually invest from domestic savings. Education? better skill-set? Recently I read how in PR the government only collects 55% or so of its tax revenue streams. People in Latin America have traditionally tried mighty to resist taxation hurting the functioning of the State. Add corruption and the picture isn't good. But if modernization is to occur, DR will have to secure more funding from its domestic base. People who complain about high debts from foreign sources should understand that the only way to do less of that is by collecting more from domestic sources, or do less investments.

"I wonder if the Gini Coefficient for DR takes in to account free electricity, water, hospitals etc, exemption from taxation, municipal rates and rent, and money from an uncle in New York. Can't afford books but can afford enough to eat and drink to have massive problems with obesity, diabetes and drunkenness."

You have a point, Many Dominicans have a gravy train or Social Welfare Department funded by Dominicans living aboard, in the US, Canada, Europe, etc. The massive contributions these Dominicans make to the social peace is overwhelming. Close to 2 billion dollars pour into DR via these sources.

The problem is partly cultural/individual and partly the lack of systemic coherence on the part of government. You can have laws on the books, but if these laws aren't respected, aren't carried out with adequate funding and a disciplined and professional Civil service Administration, the society is poorer and demonstrates all the poor variables we witness in DR today.

So right Dread! I find it funny and I guess disturbing that a person can build a pyramid of grandes or Dewars bottles, but cannot afford a bulb for a tail light. I have often thought that instead of putting a Presidente hat in a 6 pack...why not a tail light bulb instead? Then again, you would need a tail light to put the bulb in...forget that thought! LOL

As for LF's endless trips abroad, all seem to be to places that share common issues...power, high unemployment, high inflation and a devaluing currency. Where are the trips to Scandinavia, Canada (never once visited the 2nd biggest provider of tourism to the island...maybe he cannot get a visa...lol).

PuntaCana Mike, you are so right about the trips. yes, he goes to all these places which offer no real hope for development of the DR. tourism from Kyrgyzstan. trips to Jordan. as you say, none to a place like Canada, which could offer far better potential. besides, he has never even considered trips to other caribbean neighbors, which have similar problems, but which have found soultions which could be shared. he is a shameless self promoter, who has been a dismal failure.

Atabey affirms that a better tax collection system will fix the Gini coefficient, or at least reduce it. if that is his position, i will not waste my time discussing this matter any further, because it is obvious that he knows less than nothing about the issue.

Ha Ha HA! So let me get this right: Dread states that having a fundamentally sound Tax collection system in a nation will not be beneficial to that nation carrying out its fiscal and budgetary responsibilities? That having so secured its fiscal and budgetary health the nation could then invest in her own people and establish better social development.

What a brain El dready carries from island to island. I guess Jamaica could not sustain it!

As a CITIZEN that suffers from LACK OF POWER, WATER and EDUCATION i will do my best to NEVER pay any tax to a corrupt Goverment like this one that BREAKS IT'S OWN LAWS!!, which in 12 years on the power HAS NOT SOLVED A SINGLE PROBLEM on this country (of course they solved theirs as the president is now a long way from his Cepillo driving days selling Varguandia del Pueblo) but takes 259 MILLION EUROS to build a METRO that NOBODY ASKED and from whom NOBODY WILL OR IS having any BENEFIT!!! besides some villamella folks, that is being an INEPT good for nothing in all the sence of the word...i repeat, 12 years and we are in fact WORST!! ....yeah, blame it all on Hipolito mejia who happens to be out of office 8 YEARS ago...I would really like to see anyone that supports this jackass AKA Leonel Fernandez go in to a OMSA and convince the people not to kick him out of the office along with all the rats that come along with him...

If i PAY taxes, I DEMAND TO SEE WHAT I GET FROM THEM!!

PuntaCanaMike & dreadlocks,
I have made the same observations, but when I post them on DT I am told to go back to Australia or Haiti.
I agree with Atabey that and efficient, corruption-free, fair system of taxation is necessary, but on its own will not solve DR's problems, and many Dominicans will find a way of avoiding paying tax.

The problem is with the lack of motivation. Any Dominican who wants to get ahead and secure a future for himself and his family is already living and working overseas - the Morlocks of HG Well's "The Time Machine". Remaining are the Eloi although unlike in the book, they are not killed by Morlocks, but kill each other, or die from diabetes, road accident, heart attack or other life-style causes. This high mortality rate is more than compensated for my the high un-planned adolescent pregnancy rate, despite the availability of free contraception from the government.

Education is not a priority for the Eloi, so why should it be for their government? Self-improvement is the collection of useless material status-symbols, while living from day-to-day. Money is spent as soon as it is received, or before, (since they have no real equity) at astronomical interest ratesfrom loan sharks.
Dread, Banka tickets are the right price when you can't do the math to work out how long the odds are of winning.
Leo's never been to Canada? Maybe he doesn't want to cop all the flack because of all the Canadians that have been robbed and even murdered in DR?

the cretin speaks

Ha Ha HA! So let me get this right: Dread states that having a fundamentally sound Tax collection system in a nation will not be beneficial to that nation carrying out its fiscal and budgetary responsibilities

let me embark upon the daunting task of educating a man without a brain. firstly, the GINI coefficient is a measure of NET INCOME DISPARITY, not Net worth. so, genius, tell me how the coefficient is going to move downwards by so doing. taxing the rich will not mean that the poor are better of...only if that money goes to the poor. if the tax money is spent on projects like the Metro, show me how the coefficient is addressed. oh...i get it..collect all the tax money, put it in a knapsack, and distribute it among the poor. Atebey, as i told you before, your arguing economics is like a guy trying to apply for a post in the New York Philharmonic, when he cannot read a note of music.

Cretin, I see you carry at least a mirror these days. First, the DR has budgetary constraints that restrict its ability to promote its modernization drive. A sound and efficient collection of its share of taxes would greatly assist the promotion of that modernization. Second, having achieved this better fiscal and budgetary health, DR could then invest in EDUCATION and all the other deficient areas now lacking. Third, by so investing in these areas and taking into account that a significant portion of the taxation pie will come from the higher income groups in society, these taxes would, in effect, move income from higher income groups to lower income groups via education and other public expenditures. Go back to your mental health clinic and get a check up. The meds are clearly not working. BTW, how are things in Jamaica? I read how some guy would rather kill himself rather than go back there. Time for you to invest some of that "intellectual firepower" on your peeps?

Maybe I'm out of step, but I think money spent on a Metro is a good investment.

The government knows that education is not a priority for most of the electorate. Free electricity is. Only the teachers and an intellectual minority are protesting at the abysmal percentage of GDP spent on education. In my village the Eloi light fires as road-blocks on the bridge on the main road to protest when they feel they are not getting their $12 per month worth of electricity. Sure the supply is intermittent, but who hasn't got batteries and an inverter?

Atabey, the economist who never attended one class, offers

First, the DR has budgetary constraints that restrict its ability to promote its modernization drive. A sound and efficient collection of its share of taxes would greatly assist the promotion of that modernization

what does modernization have to do with the GINI index? some of the most modernized countries on earth have the highest GINI indices. it is obvious that you know nothing about the subject, but like to think you do. i always knew you were nothing but a low class liar when you claimed to have an advanced degree in economics. would you care to disclose from which matchbook community college, or online diploma mill your bona fides originate?

furthermore, Atabey, instead of trying to baffle the posters here with your BS, you should try to learn something about the subjects before you post. you might get away with your uninterrupted rubbish in certain instances, because most of the readers have not studied economics. however, rest assured that one guy will always be here to point out your ignorance...me. i am in a position to do so, because what i have forgotten about it, you will probably never learn. as i said, i eat better than you on my breakfast bagel.

"...when you claimed to have an advanced degree in economics."

Now look who is the BIG LAIR. Please show where I ever claimed to have an advance Degree in Economics? You are obviously in need of having your Meds adjusted. Your mental state has deteriorated to such a level that you have begun to mix different Posters from the past and present.

I await your evidence, Dready the Pamper. But first let me make a copy of your post. Someone might want to take back their words very soon. Ha HA HA!!!

Written by: dreadlocks, 21 Jun 2011 12:02 PM
From: United States
Atabey, the economist who never attended one class, offers

First, the DR has budgetary constraints that restrict its ability to promote its modernization drive. A sound and efficient collection of its share of taxes would greatly assist the promotion of that modernization

what does modernization have to do with the GINI index? some of the most modernized countries on earth have the highest GINI indices.

it is obvious that you know nothing about the subject, but like to think you do. i always knew you were nothing but a low class liar when you claimed to have an advanced degree in economics. would you care to disclose from which matchbook community college, or online diploma mill your bona fides originate?" -Dready The Pamper


The evidence Dready the Pamper: Where is it???

i am going to dig up through the archives to find the posting, or message, when you purported to have done post grad work in economics. just give me time. some things take a while, and others, like educating you, take forever. patience is a virtue, not stupidity.

We await your futile search and MEA CULPA with glee. Be sure to change your pampers as it will take sometime-your hardheadedness will see you through much before your Mea Culpa emerges. But knowing your abstinent attitude toward Gentlemen like quality, a long drawn-out semi-plea for forgiveness will be all one could ever hope for from your likes. But let me not distract you from your futile task.

no class Atabey uses the term

Gentlemen


you would not know what the term meant if it bit you on the butt. you are the worst example of a classless person on this board. you are the guy who went public with a statement about seeking a truce with me, and, when i agreed to it, you stabbed me in the back by opening what was characterised by elder statesmen as a ¨distasteful ¨thread against me. that is all you are good for....blindsides. just like you did with Josean. you have no class....no breeding...no pedigree. a real mutt.

Atabey drizzles some of his usual rubbish about modernization drives and the GINI coefficient. this is a remark from a study on the GINI coefficient in the USA

The trend toward economic inequality continues in the United States. The Gini Index is at an all time modern high and there is little expectation that this trend will change

i guess the problem there is that the US needs to modernize.

A very high Gini index causes social problems that can lead to revolution, of political collapse. A very low Gini index causes economic problems too. Labor becomes so expensive that no-one makes anything any more. Manufacturing has almost disappeared in Australia. It is enjoying a resources boom but what happens if China finds cheaper materials suppliers elsewhere?