Rio de Janeiro.- The gap between rich and poor is increasing in many Latin American countries, the world’s most unequal and urbanized region, where 80% of the population lives in cities, more than a quarter of it in slums or shantytowns, the UN warned Tuesday.
Between 1990 and 2009 inequality increased in Colombia, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Argentina and Guatemala, according to the UN Program for Human Settlements, UN-Habitat.
In the region, since the 1970s considered the most unequal in the world, 20% of the richest population has an average per capita income of nearly 20 times the income of the poorest 20%.
"The main challenge is how to combat such huge inequalities that exist in the cities. A pretty huge contradictory economic model in Latin America in general," said Erik Vittrup, UN-Habitat expert.
In the region, the most unequal countries based on income distribution are, in this order, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Brazil, Dominican Republic and Bolivia, while the least unequal are Venezuela, Uruguay, Peru and El Salvador.
Written by: josean, 21 Aug 2012 5:08 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
Where is Narco MACRO Neo-Liberal PURPLE Miracle?
Written by: Atabey, 21 Aug 2012 5:35 PM
From: United States, NYC
Latin America has had this blight for too long. It started with the arrival of the Europeans and has continued into the Republican or post-colonial era phase. The State and nation have often been at odds with one another, and seldom and too infrequently have they shared a true national purpose. Institutional weaknesses have largely marginalized large segments of the population. Especially in nations with large indigenous or black populations like Guatemala, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, DR.,etc. But even in homogeneous places like Haiti, with its high 90+ black population, a tiny elite have basically bullied the nation or people since its beginning.
Only strong institutions- real taxation on the wealthy that meets the requirements for modernization and development will bring forth a brighter future for all. But traditions die very hard, and elites long established find doing away with privileges difficult to say the least. Pop. will not remain servile for too long.
From: United States
yes, Atabey, those are the realities. what you fail to mention is that globalization, and neoliberalism, have made matters worse, not better. do you still believe that there is no alternative to globalization?
Written by: RonEvane 
, 21 Aug 2012 5:54 PM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Mr. Atabey. As we all know, the difference between equality and repression, is education.
an illiterate population can not rise above a certain income leve,l regardless of how much we tax the rich to give to the poor... Contrary to popular lore, the rich have nothing to do with keeping the poor, poor.
It is the SYSTEM that's at fault here. Any nation that does not strongly support Kindergarten to college, free, or partially free education, will not prosper and will not rise above the previous standards.
Danilo, if he really cares and has the cojones, can and will change how we educate and care for our people. The fact that he'll come up with the 4%, come this January, is encouraging.
From: United States
Ron, i am trying to get an article from a library in Denmark, captioned PLANNING WITHOUT PLANS. it focuses on the tourist industry, but it gives an insight into the major problems we face in this part of the world. if we do not revamp the whole IDEA behind education, then we will achieve absolutely nothing, even if we spend the entire national budget on it. the orientals are successful, because their governments set the syllabus of learning, placing emphasis on what is more applicable to a 21st century society. we need a new paradigm. an observer to a Dominican classroom commented that the teacher came into the classroom, defined the term PERCENTAGES, and proceeded to solve a problem on the blackboard. at no time did she ask the kids if they understood, or took any feedback. oriental schools function the other way around. the teacher asks the kids if they can define the word, and has them develop the class. we need to make RADICAL changes to methodologies.
Written by: danny00, 21 Aug 2012 7:12 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
teachers and government are very important, but also the childrens parents are also very important.
this is a hugh problem now in the dr.
{talking about the poor} but the rich are no bargain, many would rather pay-off the teachers so their children will pass the test or grade.
later on in life they cant pass lifes test can they?
{lets not leave out the teachers who will pass the young ladies for some sex} think they should be shot on the spot.
Written by: danny00, 21 Aug 2012 7:17 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
every 4 years the new pres tells the tribe what they want to hear.
still no 24/7 luz, not much education where are the jobs?
more guys driving the moto in pop then ever before.
but the good news is we have the metro and the blue malls and now we have "experts on the lion fish"
choo choo train.
read the history books if u can read years from now and u will see pres leo the builder of the metro not the schools and education.
Written by: juanb, 21 Aug 2012 7:26 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Without education nothing will change for the poor.
Written by: Atabey, 21 Aug 2012 7:29 PM
From: United States, NYC
RonEvane,
Mr. Atabey. As we all know, the difference between equality and repression, is education.
an illiterate population can not rise above a certain income leve,l regardless of how much we tax the rich to give to the poor... Contrary to popular lore, the rich have nothing to do with keeping the poor, poor."
The price for civilization is taxation. Latin America has a very Long tradition of paying lip service to real taxation on the wealthy. How did Europeans finally get education, housing, and all the rest of what is one of the highest standards of living in the world? They taxed and used the resources to accomplish those advances.
Read Fukuyama's The Origins of Political Order, Chap 23-Rent Seekers, and especially, 24-Patrimonialism Crosses the Atlantic.
To wit:
Spanish absolutism was too weak to take on its own elites frontally,....nor was it able to develop a system of legitimate taxation based on consent as the British were able to do.
Written by: Atabey, 21 Aug 2012 7:34 PM
From: United States, NYC
The Spanish Crown basically excepted local control over taxation decision. And these Criollos used their local powers not to tax or pay property taxes, that would hurt their interests, but to tax "the form of imposts on commerce, taxation that fell more heavily on the poor and hindred Spanish economic growth." (p.363)
In 1557, Spain was bankrupt and the King "sent Ruy Gomez to sell as many municipal offices as he could." This practice led directly to "outright corruption. But fiscal stringency drove the state to further sales,...creating 30,000 proprietary officeholders by 1650." "Authority over entire towns and cities, including the right to collect taxes and to administer justice, was sold to private individuals" (p.364)
From: United States
sorry to disappoint both yourself, and Fukuyama, Atabey. it is a little more than taxation, which is merely a redistributive tool. inequality also comes from wage and employment practices. the greatest days of any glimmer of American equality were in the decades of the 50s to the 80s. trade unions flourished in the US, and fought for decent wages, and fair working conditions, and such ancilliaries as pensions, and other benefits. the US started going downhill when Ronald Reagan broke the back of the trade union strength, when he fired the PATCO workers, and basically dealt a mortal wound to trade unions. it has been all downhill since, with the current iteration of a precariat class of people who have no job security, and where well educated, well prepared people are working temp jobs, with no security. taxation is only one part of the puzzle.
Written by: Atabey, 21 Aug 2012 8:22 PM
From: United States, NYC
Dready,
I merely wanted to point out that this phenomenon of extremely high GINI coefficients in Latin America has a very well established historical basis. In order to discuss this matter with seriousness, after all we're not simpletons like Josean, requires an understanding of these colonial and post colonial practices. They are the foundation that has to be changed, if countries like DR are to break from the cycle of poor harvest.
The reason for the why the gains in trade and investments have not had a greater positive impact on poverty and other socially progressive measures may very well be due to these historical arrangements. The State in many Latin american nations have historically been weak vis-a-vis these elite actors. Nations like DR with long standing institutional weaknesses have a challenging elite environment. Elite privileges aren't easy to change, but are a necessary condition to bring about a modern society.
Written by: josean, 21 Aug 2012 8:37 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
"after all we're not simpletons like Josean"
Yet he can't live without mentioning josean in all his Mumbo Jumbo Windbag Cure for Insomnia Rhetoric!
Written by: Atabey, 21 Aug 2012 8:40 PM
From: United States, NYC
The adults are discussing matters, be gone to your nether position.
Written by: josean, 21 Aug 2012 8:43 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
So why do you continue to engage?
Written by: Vivacuba, 21 Aug 2012 8:47 PM
From: Dominican Republic
UN is a group of criminal thugs
Written by: Atabey, 21 Aug 2012 8:49 PM
From: United States, NYC
Dready stated:
" the greatest days of any glimmer of American equality were in the decades of the 50s to the 80s. trade unions flourished in the US, and fought for decent wages, and fair working conditions, and such ancilliaries as pensions, and other benefits. the US started going downhill when Ronald Reagan broke the back of the trade union strength, when he fired the PATCO workers, and basically dealt a mortal wound to trade unions. it has been all downhill since"
Sorry to disappoint but it started under the Carter Administration! Nixon was the last of the line in terms of large Federal layouts.
It was under Carter, who appointed Volker to the helm that the tide turned.
Written by: josean, 21 Aug 2012 8:51 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
"In the region, the most unequal countries based on income distribution are, in this order, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Brazil, Dominican Republic and Bolivia,.........................................................
while the least unequal are Venezuela, Uruguay, Peru and El Salvador."
Dr. Dread where is Chile?
From: United States
says Atabey
Sorry to disappoint but it started under the Carter Administration! Nixon was the last of the line in terms of large Federal layouts.
really? you mean that it was Carter who disbanded PATCO?
From: United States
Atabey, you are out of your depth here. anyone who believes that the policies of the Fed Reserve are the cause for inequality are not qualified to discuss this matter. the Fed controls the supply of money, not how it is distributed. Volcker was a monetarist. he had nothing to do with wages, and working conditions, and benefits. besides, you are the guy who mentioned something about taxation as a vehicle for income distribution. that is fiscal policy besides, Volcker was the Fed chairman for Carter for less than one year. he was appointed in 1979. government expenditure was still increasing at a 4% rate, under Carter.
Written by: Atabey, 21 Aug 2012 9:53 PM
From: United States, NYC
"The study, “Unions, Norms and the Rise in U.S. Wage Inequality,” found that the decline in union power and density since 1973 explained a third of the increase in wage inequality among men since then, and a fifth of the increased inequality among women."
At best 1/3 can be explained Dready.
Economic Trends
Behind the Decline in Labor’s Share of Income
Three long-term factors that can explain why the wage-productivity gap has widened and the share of income accruing to labor has declined.
1. The first is the decrease in the bargaining power of labor.
2. Another factor is increased globalization and trade openness.
3. The third factor is technological change connected with improvements in information and communication technologies, which has raised the marginal productivity and return to capital relative to labor.
Written by: Atabey, 21 Aug 2012 10:15 PM
From: United States, NYC
"Efforts begun under Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford came to fruition under Jimmy Carter, who hired deregulation guru Alfred E. Kahn to head the Civil Aeronautics Board, the widely loathed agency responsible for regulating the airline industry. Senator Ted Kennedy and his then aide, future Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, embraced deregulation as a consumer issue, and with their support, Kahn quickly worked his way out of a job: The 1978 Airline Deregulation Act dissolved the CAB and removed most regulation of commercial airlines. Carter also signed into law bills deregulating the railroads and the trucking industry."
And:
"Most research shows that a rapid rise in the top tiers of income started around the 1970s. There are various theories as to what kicked off the trend. But experts tend to agree on one thing: The continued upward trajectory for America's wealthy elite, which far outpaces that of the average American worker, was helped in large part by public policy."
From: United States
why would i bother to get into this with you? it is obvious that you are all over the place with this. first taxation..now this. i cannot be bothered.
From: United States, Vivir sin Patria, es lo mismo que vivir sin Honor.
In my opinion there are three reasons that contribute greatly to inequality:
1.The acquisition of vast wealth via government means/ posts -Example Felix Bautista. Often those holding government jobs become wealthy overnight. With continous government corruption these people continue to acquire more wealth.
2.The poor often can’t get a decent job first for the lack of it and second because most poor Dominicans lack an education.
3.There is a portion of the population that are descendants of marginalized Haitian immigrants.
From: United States
Atabey seems to frame the early part of his discourse in some Spanish centered impetus. maybe he can explain why it is that places like Jamaica and Barbados are just as inequitable in terms of distribution of wealth, despite fairly advanced education systems
Written by: Atabey, 22 Aug 2012 8:30 AM
From: United States, NYC
hernandez5482, makes some good points. Why does DR have a high GINI Coefficient score?
I would add that the traditional or historical patterns of wealth capture is an important ingredient in the mix.
AS for taxation and the traditionally vast evasion of taxation due to century old laws, one important law only recently 2008 updated to more modern standards, has been a major contributor to the high score. If I'm correct the reporting on income for companies law dated from 1844 Constitution! Thus many companies and firms were able to report whatever numbers to the government.
Dready,
"why it is that places like Jamaica and Barbados are just as inequitable in terms of distribution of wealth, despite fairly advanced education systems(?)
Well, you are really making the argument against Juanb and the rest. My position is that long established patterns, some dating from Colonial times! are partially responsible for the great disparities in wealth and income.
Written by: Atabey, 22 Aug 2012 8:32 AM
From: United States, NYC
And we mustn't forget that given the great disparities across class lines in education and social connections, many Latin countries have experienced INCREASES in gaps favorable to those already in privileged positions when market opening and globalization processes began in earnest. Thus it's a case of the better off getting even more gravy and rewards for having been in a favorable position when the opportunity environment expanded. Those that had poor schooling and lacked social/political connections were left further behind.
Written by: josean, 22 Aug 2012 8:40 AM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
"GINI coefficient score" the phrase d'jour; what ever happened to BIOMETRICS?
Written by: Atabey, 22 Aug 2012 9:52 AM
From: United States, NYC
'Unique' new rat species discovered
A species of rat has been discovered that cannot gnaw or chew and represents a new step in rodent evolution.
The shrew-like animal, joseanPaucidentomys vermidax, has fang-like upper incisors which are useless for gnawing and no back teeth. It lives exclusively on earthworms.
JP. vermidax was found in remote rainforest on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
Written by: anthonyC, 22 Aug 2012 10:43 AM
From: United States
Written by: Atabey,
"Latin America has had this blight for too long. It started with the arrival of the Europeans"
That is just pure ignorance.
The Indians of the new world were feudalistic societies.
The Aztecs had conquered the rival tribes around them and forced them to pay tribute.
The Incas were just ending a bloody civil war between brothers of the royal family when Pizzaro arrived.
Both societies practiced genocide and slavery and only members of the ruling class had any semblance of even minor wealth.
Written by: anthonyC, 22 Aug 2012 10:48 AM
From: United States
Everybody like to think that the Indians were some sort of peaceful, healthy, happy society when in fact they were a warlike, racist & class based society that tolerated no opposition or Contrarian speech and practiced institutional Genocide, Slavery, Rape and ritualistic HUMAN SACRIFICE(What do you think the Aztecs did on top of those Pyramids?)
Yea. I know it will ruffle some feathers and is a shock to your beliefs but when you look at the big picture over the long term the Indians lot in life was to improve with the arrival of the Europeans
Written by: josean, 22 Aug 2012 10:54 AM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
"Written by: anthonyC, 22 Aug 2012 10:43 AM
From: United States
Written by: Atabey,
"Latin America has had this blight for too long. It started with the arrival of the Europeans"
That is just pure ignorance."
Even Alpha66 can see through Atabey's Mumbo Jumbo!
PS
How could the "Indians" be racist since prior to the arrival of the conquistadores they were a homogenous race?
From: United States
@ Anthony who writes "...the Indians lot in life was to improve with the arrival of the Europeans"
Because I am not as well-read on the history of the indigenous peoples of the other Latin American and Caribbean nations I can't address your statement with respect to most of them. However as it relates to the Taino of Hispaniola, I find statements like these and the fabricated stories of Christopher and Bartholomew Columbus that are still being taught as "historical facts" to be quite absurd and a serious detraction from the truth.
Written by: RonEvane , 22 Aug 2012 11:30 AM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Mr. Atabey.
I’m not an economist or a historian or know how these two affect one another’s course and how a nation tries to apply it in resolving its’ economic disparity.
But one thing I know well enough to argue about with some certainty: Taxing the rich will not bring about the solution to poverty. No, in my opinion, the rich are a vital link to a nation’s prosperity. The more there are the better off the rest of us will be. The antitheses to this, is socialism/communism, and you know the results of such a system.
Nothing at all will alter the distribution of wealth better than providing people with the proper education and/or training in job skills. But of course, that takes money and that money is there. Except that it’s being spent on ineffective programs and govt. lackeys with no clear roles or benefit to those that need it most..........
Written by: RonEvane , 22 Aug 2012 11:32 AM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
........
......I won’t go into details, but it’s clear that our govt. taxation structure rakes in enough to deal with most of what ails us. Problem is it goes mostly to support itself at the expense of the poorest in us.
I say:
Restructure the armed forces.
Eliminate foreign posts with redundant embassies and consulates.
Cut govt. personnel in half.
Reorganizing just these three, will free up more than enough for education, health care and decent housing for most of our poor- no need for more taxes.
From: United States
@ anthony who writes :
"The Aztecs had conquered the rival tribes around them and forced them to pay tribute.
The Incas were just ending a bloody civil war between brothers of the royal family when Pizzaro arrived.
Both societies practiced genocide and slavery and only members of the ruling class had any semblance of even minor wealth."
Are you excusing European history or just choosing to focus on the Aztecs and Incas for the sake of discussion? When you say
"a warlike, racist & class based society that tolerated no opposition or Contrarian speech and practiced institutional Genocide, Slavery,"
you could very well be describing a host of European societies throughout history. The torrid history of European internal strife and colonialist/imperialist expansion is rife with blood and genocide. Even our beloved United States shares this dubious historical lineage. She has been at war with some nation for 90% of the years since independence in 1776. Despite only being invaded on
Written by: sjp3003, 22 Aug 2012 11:50 AM
From: United States
Great discussion...while I agree labor unions can play a constructive role, they sometimes cling to accrued benefits rendering entire industries uncompetitive. Witness the US auto & airline sectors. Change only occurs when the industry is on the verge of collapse.
As others have said Education is the key, and it requires a long term vision with a consistent approach bought-into by all stakeholders. Unfortunately many education systems are hampered by teachers unions that pay lip service to improving education and in practice have few incentives to do so in practice (as seen in "Waiting for Superman"). The last Education Minister in the DR (Melanio Paredes) said it well: “los sistemas educativos de los países están secuestrados por los sindicatos y no debe ser así, porque la ADP dio un paso de avance hace un tiempo cuando ligó sus reivindicaciones a la lucha por una mejor educación para los dominicanos y dominicanas”, and it cost him his job the next day.
From: United States
In this regard, I strongly agree with others here...TAXATION ON THE RICH and/or NEO-LIBERALIST POLICIES WILL NOT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE INCOME GAP. Focus on..
1. Education Reform. 4% is only the beginning. The way classes are conducted must undergo a massive overhaul. At the core should be a transformation to student-centered, collaborative project-based learning, and replacing this pass/fail grade level system with a competency-based system. In the DR, far too many of the "degrees" and "certificates of completion" aren't worth the paper that they're printed on.
2. Developing sustainable institutions. This should apply to all sectors (education, business, real estate, infrastructure, industry, etc.). Before a project is approved it should meet strict standards of sustainability.
3. Expanding free-markets with minimal government intrusion except to protect the common good of the people and environment. Make it easier for artisans, farmers, craftsman to enter foreign markets
From: United States
and yes....the RICH as well as the INTELLIGENTSIA are absolutely key to this transformation of the society provided that they are prepared to share the pie with others who, through their determination, sacrifice and hard work, have earned a seat at the table.
In my preliminary feasibility study for our educational project I discovered quite a bit of opposition from marginally middle class (and I do mean that literally) Dominicans who do not want their children in the same private school with children from the batey or poor barrio sectors EVEN though these children have been selected and meet the academic and behavioral guidelines. In other words, excepting for income and where their parents happen to live, THEY DESERVE a chance at a bilingual 1st world class education. This saddened me for a moment, but in a country that has no shortage of children who want to get a great education, I shrugged it off and dropped these parents off the list. But this is apparently a real problem here
Written by: josean, 22 Aug 2012 12:12 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
Gentlemen don’t be too hard on Atabey he is NOT an Economist he just PLAYS one here on DT!
Written by: josean, 22 Aug 2012 12:18 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
As to Alpha 66 (aka Little Anthony without the Imperials) he's a diehard Ayn Rand fanatic with a little Milton Friedman worshiping thrown in for good measure!
From: United States
says the Moron of Miami
Yea. I know it will ruffle some feathers and is a shock to your beliefs but when you look at the big picture over the long term the Indians lot in life was to improve with the arrival of the Europeans
that is only true if you consider their extermination, in certain cases, to be an upturn of fortunes.
Written by: josean, 22 Aug 2012 12:37 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
Dr. Dread,
Bury "HIS" Heart at Wounded Knee!
From: Dominican Republic
"Yea. I know it will ruffle some feathers and is a shock to your beliefs but when you look at the big picture over the long term the Indians lot in life was to improve with the arrival of the Europeans"
Maybe they could all get together and write a thank you letter to Spain and Portugal , say how thankful they are for being freed for a tyrannical oppressor, how nice it was to have it replaced by a new one, forcing then to worship a new god, taking their land and possessions, while killing then under the decree of the Pope, that any land and peoples to the West was theirs to take.
How about you go on TV and suggest it to the remaining native peoples of the Caribbean and South Americas???
From: United States
he takes his ideological cues from the insane Ayn Rand, who opined that since they did not develop the country into a shining beacon of capitalism, the American natives DESERVED to have had their lands taken away..
Written by: jasfalon, 27 Aug 2012 7:38 AM
From: United States
RD, the new Haiti - all resources stolen or used up.
Written by: Atabey, 28 Aug 2012 1:48 PM
From: United States, NYC
Sorry for the delay, I hadn't noticed the attention here.
First, AC.
I don't know if you are aware that the current research points to a devastating 40-80% collapse of the indigenous populations of New World's Pre-Hispanic peoples. Also, I never stated that life in the Pre-Hispanic New World was devoid of conflict and warfare. So it's a straw man, or as they say in the UK, an Aunt Sally, type of argument you're trying to make.
The point I was making is that OUR Hispanic or Latino traditions regarding taxation and fiscal issues are historically based on the set of institutions, encomienda, alcabada, regalias, quientos, encabezamiento, servicios, millones, etc., that the Spanish Crown transferred on the heels of the Conquistadores and those that came later. Read Fukayama's take on The Origins of Political Order as it relates to Spain in the New World.
To wit:
" In Latin America, the social revolution never occurred before independence was achieved.
Written by: Atabey, 28 Aug 2012 1:49 PM
From: United States, NYC
" In Latin America, the social revolution never occurred before independence was achieved. Patrimonialism was left embedded in many of the post-independence regimes....Very few of the new states in the 19th century Latin America were strong enough to confront their elites, or able to tax and regulate them. Those elites had succeeded in penetrating and controlling the state itself and found ways of passing on their social and political privileges to their children. ...Formal democracy and constitutionalism was not based on confrontation and negotiated consensus between social classes, but was granted from above by elites who could take it back when it no longer suited their interests. This led to the emergence of highly unequal and polarized societies in the 20th century..."
(p.371 in The Origins of Political Order-Patrimonolism Crosses the Atlantic, Chap. 24.)
From: United States
more Fukuyama, Atabey? got any more books? by the way, Fukuyama is not the respected darling of the neocons that he used to be. sadly, he has renounced his "end of history" nonsense, given the souring of the world economic fruits. maybe you should go back to the library, and borrow the book on Milton Friedman, AGAIN.
Written by: Atabey, 28 Aug 2012 2:17 PM
From: United States, NYC
Written by: PapiCarlos,
and yes....the RICH as well as the INTELLIGENTSIA are absolutely key to this transformation of the society provided that they are prepared to share the pie with others who, through their determination, sacrifice and hard work, have earned a seat at the table."
The key is in getting to the sharing of the pie! And the elites are the main clog preventing that sharing historically speaking. As Fukuyama makes painfully clear, the advent of the modern states of Latin America was predicated on extending privileges and tax exemption to their off-spring; in not negotiating a shared vision within the scope of consensus building institutions with the lower classes in the societies. That's why we had the Mexican Revolution and even the Cuban Revolution. It's why the Chavez find fertile grounds on which to play.
Written by: Atabey, 28 Aug 2012 2:18 PM
From: United States, NYC
Dready, it might help if you picked up the text and read the chapter. :)
From: United States
might help whom? i do not just read for the sake of reading. i have to budget my time. i do not generally read stuff from authors who are considered the laughing stocks of the academic community.
Written by: Atabey, 28 Aug 2012 2:29 PM
From: United States, NYC
PapiCarlos,
In this regard, I strongly agree with others here...TAXATION ON THE RICH and/or NEO-LIBERALIST POLICIES WILL NOT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE INCOME GAP. Focus on..
1. Education Reform. 4% is only the beginning.
(but in order to do so, more resources-more taxation will be needed. And 4%, I agree is but the start. A country so long in developing its educational opportunity environment will require EVEN more sustained funding than 4%!)
2. Developing sustainable institutions. This should apply to all sectors (education, business, real estate, infrastructure, industry, etc.). Before a project is approved it should meet strict standards of sustainability.
(Yes, but again, you'll be stepping on many vested interest seeking to continue protecting their RENT. ).
Educating the elites is as important as educating those less fortunate in society. Unless you achieve that significant task all is lost and the Chavez and Castros will one day soon visit us.
Written by: Atabey, 28 Aug 2012 2:34 PM
From: United States, NYC
3. Expanding free-markets with minimal government intrusion except to protect the common good of the people and environment. Make it easier for artisans, farmers, craftsmen."
(Again, "for the common good of the people and environment" That will be hugely impossible without a shared vision or consensus among the power brokers in society. DR is only just begun a long term adjustment that hopefully will see through a more just and balanced society. But to think we'll get their in a flash is wishful thinking to the max.)
Medina, if he accomplishes his main goals will be a welcomed advance in the DR experience. I wish him well in his difficult 4 years ahead.
Written by: josean, 28 Aug 2012 2:35 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
"Chavez and Castros will one day soon visit us."
At the risk of being called a commie, but putting their ideologies aside for a moment aren’t their EDUCATIONAL Systems a little better that ours?
From: United States
pontificates Atabey
In this regard, I strongly agree with others here...TAXATION ON THE RICH and/or NEO-LIBERALIST POLICIES WILL NOT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE INCOME GAP. Focus on..
it is neoliberalist philosophies that INCREASE the income gap, Atabey. are you comatose?
Written by: RonEvane , 28 Aug 2012 7:30 PM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
"At the risk of being called a commie, but putting their ideologies aside for a moment aren’t their EDUCATIONAL Systems a little better that ours?"
You talk about education a lot!.....How come you never got any?
Written by: josean, 28 Aug 2012 7:44 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
That’s why I value it more than YOU, Rhodes Scholar!
Written by: Atabey, 28 Aug 2012 8:05 PM
From: United States, NYC
Dready,
You might be. And do yourself a favor next time you visit Barnes & Noble and sit down for an hour or so and read his chapter. I paid for my copy, but you can read it while drinking a Tall glass of ice tea.
After you've read it-and perhaps you'll also enjoy Chapter 23 on the French version "Rente Seekers"
History plays a very important role in what we observe today. Neo-liberal policies may have added a greater degree of distancing between the economic classes, but the grounds were well peppered with elite distortions and privileges long before Neo-Liberalism ever stepped into the picture.
Don't be scared, read the chapters or the first one and then a better discussion can develop.
Good luck.
I would normally add the same advise for josean, but fear it beyond his abilities and steadfastness.
Written by: josean, 28 Aug 2012 8:14 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
I thought this was not suppose to happen in Neo-liberal METROLANDIA:
"Government gets more loans than private sector"
The heavy increase in public indebtedness contrasts with the lack of credit movement in the private sector, according to Diario Libre. Credit from commercial banks to the public sector in the first 20 days of August increased by 49%, or RD$22.39 billion. The increase to the private sector was RD$991 million. That means the government borrowed 22.5 times more than the private sector, according to data from the Central Bank. The previous government borrowed RD$68.5 billion, as of 20 August.
Diario Libre points out that meanwhile the private sector increased its savings by 7.7 times as much as the public sector saved. The government increased its savings by RD$1.9 billion, but in the private sector savings were up RD$14.68 billion.
continued:
Written by: josean, 28 Aug 2012 8:16 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
The newspaper makes the point that when the Central Bank softened its monetary policy to reduce the cost of borrowing, it was the public sector that went on a borrowing spree.
The total credit of the commercial banks to the public sector climbed to RD$68.5 billion as of 20 August of this year, both for loans in pesos as well as in dollars, which is only comparable with the spike registered in April 2010 when the country was in full spending expansion and indebtedness with the IMF agreement, which reached RD$71.785 billion. In the meantime, on the savings side, the reverse is happening. While the government has increased its balance in savings and current accounts by RD$1.9 billion, the private sector has increased its savings by RD$14.7 billion, which is to say that the private sector has saved 7.7 times more than the public sector.
DR1
Atabey please file this under Keeping it REAL!
Written by: RonEvane , 29 Aug 2012 11:02 AM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
"That’s why I value it more than YOU, Rhodes Scholar!"
If you value it so much, I ask again, how come you never got any?
Written by: josean, 29 Aug 2012 11:42 AM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
"Never let formal education get in the way of your learning."
Mark Twain
Written by: RonEvane , 29 Aug 2012 12:33 PM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Oh, I see. So you think a "formal education" is a waste of time, and "gets in the way of learning"? So, you figure, NOT going to school plays to ones' advantage?
If so, then, what is your obsession with the 4% in school funding? Should you care?
Which is it: Attending school good, or not good?
Written by: josean, 29 Aug 2012 12:39 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
"Oh, I see. So you think a "formal education" is a waste of time, and "gets in the way of learning"?"
Those are you suppositions not mine!
"Never let formal education get in the way of your learning."
The quote was meant as piece of advice to you!
Written by: Atabey, 29 Aug 2012 11:12 PM
From: United States, NYC
Ron,
Josean or AKA, 'joseanPaucidentomys vermidax.
Unique' new rat species discovered
A species of rat has been discovered that cannot gnaw or chew and represents a new step in rodent evolution.
The shrew-like animal, joseanPaucidentomys vermidax, has fang-like upper incisors which are useless for gnawing and no back teeth. It lives exclusively on earthworms."
But he's a smart rat, I'm told he's advancing towards that GED level diploma.
Written by: josean, 29 Aug 2012 11:18 PM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
However you're a Mickey Mouse pseudo wanna be neoliberal intellectual!
Written by: Atabey, 30 Aug 2012 9:46 AM
From: United States, NYC
joseanPaucidentomys vermidax, an incorrigible little rat.
From: United States
Paucidentomys vermidax,
the flavor of the week, ladies and germs.
Written by: RonEvane , 31 Aug 2012 12:08 AM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Atabey! How can you call Josean a rat?
I think you owe an apology to the Rats!
Written by: josean, 31 Aug 2012 1:34 AM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
Live is really bad when you become Atabey's Ass sniffer!
Written by: Atabey, 3 Sep 2012 11:45 AM
From: United States, NYC
"risk having contracted the often fatal hantavirus pulmonary syndrome,"
joseanPaucidentomys vermidax is also a carrier, that incorrigible little rat is a nasty pest. Pestilence is his beck and call.
Written by: josean, 3 Sep 2012 11:55 AM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
Weak , repetitive, imaginative and above all not funny!
Smaller
Bigger
Close Gallery
Facebook
Digg this
del.icio.us
Technorati
Yahoo
Where is Narco MACRO Neo-Liberal PURPLE Miracle?
Latin America has had this blight for too long. It started with the arrival of the Europeans and has continued into the Republican or post-colonial era phase. The State and nation have often been at odds with one another, and seldom and too infrequently have they shared a true national purpose. Institutional weaknesses have largely marginalized large segments of the population. Especially in nations with large indigenous or black populations like Guatemala, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, DR.,etc. But even in homogeneous places like Haiti, with its high 90+ black population, a tiny elite have basically bullied the nation or people since its beginning.
Only strong institutions- real taxation on the wealthy that meets the requirements for modernization and development will bring forth a brighter future for all. But traditions die very hard, and elites long established find doing away with privileges difficult to say the least. Pop. will not remain servile for too long.
Mr. Atabey. As we all know, the difference between equality and repression, is education.
an illiterate population can not rise above a certain income leve,l regardless of how much we tax the rich to give to the poor... Contrary to popular lore, the rich have nothing to do with keeping the poor, poor.
It is the SYSTEM that's at fault here. Any nation that does not strongly support Kindergarten to college, free, or partially free education, will not prosper and will not rise above the previous standards.
Danilo, if he really cares and has the cojones, can and will change how we educate and care for our people. The fact that he'll come up with the 4%, come this January, is encouraging.
this is a hugh problem now in the dr.
{talking about the poor} but the rich are no bargain, many would rather pay-off the teachers so their children will pass the test or grade.
later on in life they cant pass lifes test can they?
{lets not leave out the teachers who will pass the young ladies for some sex} think they should be shot on the spot.
still no 24/7 luz, not much education where are the jobs?
more guys driving the moto in pop then ever before.
but the good news is we have the metro and the blue malls and now we have "experts on the lion fish"
choo choo train.
read the history books if u can read years from now and u will see pres leo the builder of the metro not the schools and education.
Without education nothing will change for the poor.
Mr. Atabey. As we all know, the difference between equality and repression, is education.
an illiterate population can not rise above a certain income leve,l regardless of how much we tax the rich to give to the poor... Contrary to popular lore, the rich have nothing to do with keeping the poor, poor."
The price for civilization is taxation. Latin America has a very Long tradition of paying lip service to real taxation on the wealthy. How did Europeans finally get education, housing, and all the rest of what is one of the highest standards of living in the world? They taxed and used the resources to accomplish those advances.
Read Fukuyama's The Origins of Political Order, Chap 23-Rent Seekers, and especially, 24-Patrimonialism Crosses the Atlantic.
To wit:
Spanish absolutism was too weak to take on its own elites frontally,....nor was it able to develop a system of legitimate taxation based on consent as the British were able to do.
In 1557, Spain was bankrupt and the King "sent Ruy Gomez to sell as many municipal offices as he could." This practice led directly to "outright corruption. But fiscal stringency drove the state to further sales,...creating 30,000 proprietary officeholders by 1650." "Authority over entire towns and cities, including the right to collect taxes and to administer justice, was sold to private individuals" (p.364)
Dready,
I merely wanted to point out that this phenomenon of extremely high GINI coefficients in Latin America has a very well established historical basis. In order to discuss this matter with seriousness, after all we're not simpletons like Josean, requires an understanding of these colonial and post colonial practices. They are the foundation that has to be changed, if countries like DR are to break from the cycle of poor harvest.
The reason for the why the gains in trade and investments have not had a greater positive impact on poverty and other socially progressive measures may very well be due to these historical arrangements. The State in many Latin american nations have historically been weak vis-a-vis these elite actors. Nations like DR with long standing institutional weaknesses have a challenging elite environment. Elite privileges aren't easy to change, but are a necessary condition to bring about a modern society.
"after all we're not simpletons like Josean"
Yet he can't live without mentioning josean in all his Mumbo Jumbo Windbag Cure for Insomnia Rhetoric!
The adults are discussing matters, be gone to your nether position.
So why do you continue to engage?
" the greatest days of any glimmer of American equality were in the decades of the 50s to the 80s. trade unions flourished in the US, and fought for decent wages, and fair working conditions, and such ancilliaries as pensions, and other benefits. the US started going downhill when Ronald Reagan broke the back of the trade union strength, when he fired the PATCO workers, and basically dealt a mortal wound to trade unions. it has been all downhill since"
Sorry to disappoint but it started under the Carter Administration! Nixon was the last of the line in terms of large Federal layouts.
It was under Carter, who appointed Volker to the helm that the tide turned.
"In the region, the most unequal countries based on income distribution are, in this order, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Brazil, Dominican Republic and Bolivia,.........................................................
while the least unequal are Venezuela, Uruguay, Peru and El Salvador."
Dr. Dread where is Chile?
Sorry to disappoint but it started under the Carter Administration! Nixon was the last of the line in terms of large Federal layouts.
really? you mean that it was Carter who disbanded PATCO?
At best 1/3 can be explained Dready.
Economic Trends
Behind the Decline in Labor’s Share of Income
Three long-term factors that can explain why the wage-productivity gap has widened and the share of income accruing to labor has declined.
1. The first is the decrease in the bargaining power of labor.
2. Another factor is increased globalization and trade openness.
3. The third factor is technological change connected with improvements in information and communication technologies, which has raised the marginal productivity and return to capital relative to labor.
And:
"Most research shows that a rapid rise in the top tiers of income started around the 1970s. There are various theories as to what kicked off the trend. But experts tend to agree on one thing: The continued upward trajectory for America's wealthy elite, which far outpaces that of the average American worker, was helped in large part by public policy."
1.The acquisition of vast wealth via government means/ posts -Example Felix Bautista. Often those holding government jobs become wealthy overnight. With continous government corruption these people continue to acquire more wealth.
2.The poor often can’t get a decent job first for the lack of it and second because most poor Dominicans lack an education.
3.There is a portion of the population that are descendants of marginalized Haitian immigrants.
hernandez5482, makes some good points. Why does DR have a high GINI Coefficient score?
I would add that the traditional or historical patterns of wealth capture is an important ingredient in the mix.
AS for taxation and the traditionally vast evasion of taxation due to century old laws, one important law only recently 2008 updated to more modern standards, has been a major contributor to the high score. If I'm correct the reporting on income for companies law dated from 1844 Constitution! Thus many companies and firms were able to report whatever numbers to the government.
Dready,
"why it is that places like Jamaica and Barbados are just as inequitable in terms of distribution of wealth, despite fairly advanced education systems(?)
Well, you are really making the argument against Juanb and the rest. My position is that long established patterns, some dating from Colonial times! are partially responsible for the great disparities in wealth and income.
And we mustn't forget that given the great disparities across class lines in education and social connections, many Latin countries have experienced INCREASES in gaps favorable to those already in privileged positions when market opening and globalization processes began in earnest. Thus it's a case of the better off getting even more gravy and rewards for having been in a favorable position when the opportunity environment expanded. Those that had poor schooling and lacked social/political connections were left further behind.
"GINI coefficient score" the phrase d'jour; what ever happened to BIOMETRICS?
'Unique' new rat species discovered
A species of rat has been discovered that cannot gnaw or chew and represents a new step in rodent evolution.
The shrew-like animal, joseanPaucidentomys vermidax, has fang-like upper incisors which are useless for gnawing and no back teeth. It lives exclusively on earthworms.
JP. vermidax was found in remote rainforest on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
"Latin America has had this blight for too long. It started with the arrival of the Europeans"
That is just pure ignorance.
The Indians of the new world were feudalistic societies.
The Aztecs had conquered the rival tribes around them and forced them to pay tribute.
The Incas were just ending a bloody civil war between brothers of the royal family when Pizzaro arrived.
Both societies practiced genocide and slavery and only members of the ruling class had any semblance of even minor wealth.
Yea. I know it will ruffle some feathers and is a shock to your beliefs but when you look at the big picture over the long term the Indians lot in life was to improve with the arrival of the Europeans
"Written by: anthonyC, 22 Aug 2012 10:43 AM
From: United States
Written by: Atabey,
"Latin America has had this blight for too long. It started with the arrival of the Europeans"
That is just pure ignorance."
Even Alpha66 can see through Atabey's Mumbo Jumbo!
PS
How could the "Indians" be racist since prior to the arrival of the conquistadores they were a homogenous race?
Because I am not as well-read on the history of the indigenous peoples of the other Latin American and Caribbean nations I can't address your statement with respect to most of them. However as it relates to the Taino of Hispaniola, I find statements like these and the fabricated stories of Christopher and Bartholomew Columbus that are still being taught as "historical facts" to be quite absurd and a serious detraction from the truth.
Mr. Atabey.
I’m not an economist or a historian or know how these two affect one another’s course and how a nation tries to apply it in resolving its’ economic disparity.
But one thing I know well enough to argue about with some certainty: Taxing the rich will not bring about the solution to poverty. No, in my opinion, the rich are a vital link to a nation’s prosperity. The more there are the better off the rest of us will be. The antitheses to this, is socialism/communism, and you know the results of such a system.
Nothing at all will alter the distribution of wealth better than providing people with the proper education and/or training in job skills. But of course, that takes money and that money is there. Except that it’s being spent on ineffective programs and govt. lackeys with no clear roles or benefit to those that need it most..........
......I won’t go into details, but it’s clear that our govt. taxation structure rakes in enough to deal with most of what ails us. Problem is it goes mostly to support itself at the expense of the poorest in us.
I say:
Restructure the armed forces.
Eliminate foreign posts with redundant embassies and consulates.
Cut govt. personnel in half.
Reorganizing just these three, will free up more than enough for education, health care and decent housing for most of our poor- no need for more taxes.
"The Aztecs had conquered the rival tribes around them and forced them to pay tribute.
The Incas were just ending a bloody civil war between brothers of the royal family when Pizzaro arrived.
Both societies practiced genocide and slavery and only members of the ruling class had any semblance of even minor wealth."
Are you excusing European history or just choosing to focus on the Aztecs and Incas for the sake of discussion? When you say
"a warlike, racist & class based society that tolerated no opposition or Contrarian speech and practiced institutional Genocide, Slavery,"
you could very well be describing a host of European societies throughout history. The torrid history of European internal strife and colonialist/imperialist expansion is rife with blood and genocide. Even our beloved United States shares this dubious historical lineage. She has been at war with some nation for 90% of the years since independence in 1776. Despite only being invaded on
As others have said Education is the key, and it requires a long term vision with a consistent approach bought-into by all stakeholders. Unfortunately many education systems are hampered by teachers unions that pay lip service to improving education and in practice have few incentives to do so in practice (as seen in "Waiting for Superman"). The last Education Minister in the DR (Melanio Paredes) said it well: “los sistemas educativos de los países están secuestrados por los sindicatos y no debe ser así, porque la ADP dio un paso de avance hace un tiempo cuando ligó sus reivindicaciones a la lucha por una mejor educación para los dominicanos y dominicanas”, and it cost him his job the next day.
1. Education Reform. 4% is only the beginning. The way classes are conducted must undergo a massive overhaul. At the core should be a transformation to student-centered, collaborative project-based learning, and replacing this pass/fail grade level system with a competency-based system. In the DR, far too many of the "degrees" and "certificates of completion" aren't worth the paper that they're printed on.
2. Developing sustainable institutions. This should apply to all sectors (education, business, real estate, infrastructure, industry, etc.). Before a project is approved it should meet strict standards of sustainability.
3. Expanding free-markets with minimal government intrusion except to protect the common good of the people and environment. Make it easier for artisans, farmers, craftsman to enter foreign markets
In my preliminary feasibility study for our educational project I discovered quite a bit of opposition from marginally middle class (and I do mean that literally) Dominicans who do not want their children in the same private school with children from the batey or poor barrio sectors EVEN though these children have been selected and meet the academic and behavioral guidelines. In other words, excepting for income and where their parents happen to live, THEY DESERVE a chance at a bilingual 1st world class education. This saddened me for a moment, but in a country that has no shortage of children who want to get a great education, I shrugged it off and dropped these parents off the list. But this is apparently a real problem here
Gentlemen don’t be too hard on Atabey he is NOT an Economist he just PLAYS one here on DT!
As to Alpha 66 (aka Little Anthony without the Imperials) he's a diehard Ayn Rand fanatic with a little Milton Friedman worshiping thrown in for good measure!
Yea. I know it will ruffle some feathers and is a shock to your beliefs but when you look at the big picture over the long term the Indians lot in life was to improve with the arrival of the Europeans
that is only true if you consider their extermination, in certain cases, to be an upturn of fortunes.
Dr. Dread,
Bury "HIS" Heart at Wounded Knee!
"Yea. I know it will ruffle some feathers and is a shock to your beliefs but when you look at the big picture over the long term the Indians lot in life was to improve with the arrival of the Europeans"
Maybe they could all get together and write a thank you letter to Spain and Portugal , say how thankful they are for being freed for a tyrannical oppressor, how nice it was to have it replaced by a new one, forcing then to worship a new god, taking their land and possessions, while killing then under the decree of the Pope, that any land and peoples to the West was theirs to take.
How about you go on TV and suggest it to the remaining native peoples of the Caribbean and South Americas???
First, AC.
I don't know if you are aware that the current research points to a devastating 40-80% collapse of the indigenous populations of New World's Pre-Hispanic peoples. Also, I never stated that life in the Pre-Hispanic New World was devoid of conflict and warfare. So it's a straw man, or as they say in the UK, an Aunt Sally, type of argument you're trying to make.
The point I was making is that OUR Hispanic or Latino traditions regarding taxation and fiscal issues are historically based on the set of institutions, encomienda, alcabada, regalias, quientos, encabezamiento, servicios, millones, etc., that the Spanish Crown transferred on the heels of the Conquistadores and those that came later. Read Fukayama's take on The Origins of Political Order as it relates to Spain in the New World.
To wit:
" In Latin America, the social revolution never occurred before independence was achieved.
" In Latin America, the social revolution never occurred before independence was achieved. Patrimonialism was left embedded in many of the post-independence regimes....Very few of the new states in the 19th century Latin America were strong enough to confront their elites, or able to tax and regulate them. Those elites had succeeded in penetrating and controlling the state itself and found ways of passing on their social and political privileges to their children. ...Formal democracy and constitutionalism was not based on confrontation and negotiated consensus between social classes, but was granted from above by elites who could take it back when it no longer suited their interests. This led to the emergence of highly unequal and polarized societies in the 20th century..."
(p.371 in The Origins of Political Order-Patrimonolism Crosses the Atlantic, Chap. 24.)
and yes....the RICH as well as the INTELLIGENTSIA are absolutely key to this transformation of the society provided that they are prepared to share the pie with others who, through their determination, sacrifice and hard work, have earned a seat at the table."
The key is in getting to the sharing of the pie! And the elites are the main clog preventing that sharing historically speaking. As Fukuyama makes painfully clear, the advent of the modern states of Latin America was predicated on extending privileges and tax exemption to their off-spring; in not negotiating a shared vision within the scope of consensus building institutions with the lower classes in the societies. That's why we had the Mexican Revolution and even the Cuban Revolution. It's why the Chavez find fertile grounds on which to play.
Dready, it might help if you picked up the text and read the chapter. :)
In this regard, I strongly agree with others here...TAXATION ON THE RICH and/or NEO-LIBERALIST POLICIES WILL NOT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE INCOME GAP. Focus on..
1. Education Reform. 4% is only the beginning.
(but in order to do so, more resources-more taxation will be needed. And 4%, I agree is but the start. A country so long in developing its educational opportunity environment will require EVEN more sustained funding than 4%!)
2. Developing sustainable institutions. This should apply to all sectors (education, business, real estate, infrastructure, industry, etc.). Before a project is approved it should meet strict standards of sustainability.
(Yes, but again, you'll be stepping on many vested interest seeking to continue protecting their RENT. ).
Educating the elites is as important as educating those less fortunate in society. Unless you achieve that significant task all is lost and the Chavez and Castros will one day soon visit us.
3. Expanding free-markets with minimal government intrusion except to protect the common good of the people and environment. Make it easier for artisans, farmers, craftsmen."
(Again, "for the common good of the people and environment" That will be hugely impossible without a shared vision or consensus among the power brokers in society. DR is only just begun a long term adjustment that hopefully will see through a more just and balanced society. But to think we'll get their in a flash is wishful thinking to the max.)
Medina, if he accomplishes his main goals will be a welcomed advance in the DR experience. I wish him well in his difficult 4 years ahead.
"Chavez and Castros will one day soon visit us."
At the risk of being called a commie, but putting their ideologies aside for a moment aren’t their EDUCATIONAL Systems a little better that ours?
In this regard, I strongly agree with others here...TAXATION ON THE RICH and/or NEO-LIBERALIST POLICIES WILL NOT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE INCOME GAP. Focus on..
it is neoliberalist philosophies that INCREASE the income gap, Atabey. are you comatose?
"At the risk of being called a commie, but putting their ideologies aside for a moment aren’t their EDUCATIONAL Systems a little better that ours?"
You talk about education a lot!.....How come you never got any?
That’s why I value it more than YOU, Rhodes Scholar!
Dready,
You might be. And do yourself a favor next time you visit Barnes & Noble and sit down for an hour or so and read his chapter. I paid for my copy, but you can read it while drinking a Tall glass of ice tea.
After you've read it-and perhaps you'll also enjoy Chapter 23 on the French version "Rente Seekers"
History plays a very important role in what we observe today. Neo-liberal policies may have added a greater degree of distancing between the economic classes, but the grounds were well peppered with elite distortions and privileges long before Neo-Liberalism ever stepped into the picture.
Don't be scared, read the chapters or the first one and then a better discussion can develop.
Good luck.
I would normally add the same advise for josean, but fear it beyond his abilities and steadfastness.
I thought this was not suppose to happen in Neo-liberal METROLANDIA:
"Government gets more loans than private sector"
The heavy increase in public indebtedness contrasts with the lack of credit movement in the private sector, according to Diario Libre. Credit from commercial banks to the public sector in the first 20 days of August increased by 49%, or RD$22.39 billion. The increase to the private sector was RD$991 million. That means the government borrowed 22.5 times more than the private sector, according to data from the Central Bank. The previous government borrowed RD$68.5 billion, as of 20 August.
Diario Libre points out that meanwhile the private sector increased its savings by 7.7 times as much as the public sector saved. The government increased its savings by RD$1.9 billion, but in the private sector savings were up RD$14.68 billion.
continued:
The newspaper makes the point that when the Central Bank softened its monetary policy to reduce the cost of borrowing, it was the public sector that went on a borrowing spree.
The total credit of the commercial banks to the public sector climbed to RD$68.5 billion as of 20 August of this year, both for loans in pesos as well as in dollars, which is only comparable with the spike registered in April 2010 when the country was in full spending expansion and indebtedness with the IMF agreement, which reached RD$71.785 billion. In the meantime, on the savings side, the reverse is happening. While the government has increased its balance in savings and current accounts by RD$1.9 billion, the private sector has increased its savings by RD$14.7 billion, which is to say that the private sector has saved 7.7 times more than the public sector.
DR1
Atabey please file this under Keeping it REAL!
"That’s why I value it more than YOU, Rhodes Scholar!"
If you value it so much, I ask again, how come you never got any?
"Never let formal education get in the way of your learning."
Mark Twain
Oh, I see. So you think a "formal education" is a waste of time, and "gets in the way of learning"? So, you figure, NOT going to school plays to ones' advantage?
If so, then, what is your obsession with the 4% in school funding? Should you care?
Which is it: Attending school good, or not good?
"Oh, I see. So you think a "formal education" is a waste of time, and "gets in the way of learning"?"
Those are you suppositions not mine!
"Never let formal education get in the way of your learning."
The quote was meant as piece of advice to you!
Josean or AKA, 'joseanPaucidentomys vermidax.
Unique' new rat species discovered
A species of rat has been discovered that cannot gnaw or chew and represents a new step in rodent evolution.
The shrew-like animal, joseanPaucidentomys vermidax, has fang-like upper incisors which are useless for gnawing and no back teeth. It lives exclusively on earthworms."
But he's a smart rat, I'm told he's advancing towards that GED level diploma.
However you're a Mickey Mouse pseudo wanna be neoliberal intellectual!
joseanPaucidentomys vermidax, an incorrigible little rat.
the flavor of the week, ladies and germs.
Atabey! How can you call Josean a rat?
I think you owe an apology to the Rats!
Live is really bad when you become Atabey's Ass sniffer!
"risk having contracted the often fatal hantavirus pulmonary syndrome,"
joseanPaucidentomys vermidax is also a carrier, that incorrigible little rat is a nasty pest. Pestilence is his beck and call.
Weak , repetitive, imaginative and above all not funny!