Politics in the Dominican Republic

[SubCmdr]

I just booked a ticket to Santo Domingo and the airline saw fit to give me a detailed accounting of the collective JACK from the respective governments. The information is posted below for anyone who is interested. It should be noted that the US Government sees fit to tax me on my worldwide income (I'm a individual not a corporation). I've already paid income taxes on the money I used to buy the ticket when I earned it. No, I'm not Trump. I can't just walk around grabbing women in the pussy (in the US or the DR) and I've got to pay taxes. GTF!

Taxes, Fees and Charges.

Dominican Republic. Airport Authority Fee (UX).

$15.00 USD.

United States. September 11th Security Fee (Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fee) (AY).

$5.60 USD.

Dominican Republic. Airport Infrastructure Fee (VB).

$16.30 USD.

United States. Passenger Facility Charge (XF).

$9.00 USD.

United States. Transportation Tax (US).

$17.80 USD.

[SubCmdr]

"The actions occurring in The Sue are political. They are the results of the people of The Sue voting to take their streets back from the prostitutes and mongers operating individually or in roving gangs. And I actually don't think it matters a damn bit to the Dominicans about the racial make up of the mongers in question".

I would disagree on both statements.

More important, I would suggest to admin to close the thread altogether. Leave the politics to Dominicans and out of this forum.

Mr. Questner,

You will find discussion of politics in the The Sue reports section also. I did not start that discussion nor do I remember reading about your objections to it there. By the very nature of us being visitors here the politics will be left to the Dominicans. Of course over all the Forum is a place where we share information, our views, and opinions.

The name of the thread is: Politics in the Dominican Republic. You have to click on the thread to read it contents. If you find this this thread objectionable, you could simply not read it. Buena idea, no? Good idea, No?

[Questner]

"The actions occurring in The Sue are political. They are the results of the people of The Sue voting to take their streets back from the prostitutes and mongers operating individually or in roving gangs. And I actually don't think it matters a damn bit to the Dominicans about the racial make up of the mongers in question".

I would disagree on both statements.

More important, I would suggest to admin to close the thread altogether. Leave the politics to Dominicans and out of this forum.

[FlbMac31]

Although I cannot speak for politics here iN DR, I want to insert my comments into the discussion. I feel uniquely qualified in several ways. First, I have been elected to a political office in Texas. And secondly, during the 2000 Florida election I served as a precinct Captain, and as the polling place clerk on that election day and for the previous 20 years. For those unfamiliar with that process, it means that all poll workers in the state must attend mandatory training. A polling place clerk is the Colonel in charge. A clerk is typically assigned an assistant who is assigned specific duties by his clerk, at least two deputies to ensure election laws are followed and to patrol outside the polling place, two or three members to compare the voters' register to names and IDs, and one or two members to issue the actual ballots. Lastly, one individual is assigned to ensure that the voter is guided to a location to cast the vote and that no person leaves the polling place with a ballot in hand. The redundancy to ensure voters rights are protected, including a solid education of the process, is incredible. Whenever there is doubt about anything, the clerk or assistant is directed to resolve the issue with the Supervisor of Elections office immediately. In most cases the voter is given a chance to cast a Provisional Ballot which is examined by an election panel outside the voting place to ensure compliance with election law.

Every US citizen should participate in this process and be intimately aware of the routine.

It is general policy nationwide that when two candidates' ballot count is close, that there is clear and convincing evidence that a count error may have been made, to conduct a recount. In Florida, the law requires the results counted in a precinct's voting machine be posted outside the entrance to the polling place. This is done before the ballot box and ballots ever leave the precinct. And then nobody goes home until the Supervisor of Elections has the materials, and all totals balance from the machines and individual multi-worker counts. It's pretty lock step. The actual ballots cast are warehoused.

All the rest of the county clerks like myself were stymied by the kerscuffle in two southern Florida counties because they went through the same state-wide training standard we did. You don't have to like the count, but it is what is is. And, in our now incredibly litigious society, the issue of a recount went to court. The state supreme court made a decision contrary to the good order and practice used in history of previous elections and ordered a recount. We can only surmise that it was a political decision favoring one candidate. But the final US Supreme Courts decision that let the vote count stand was based on a state-wide count completed within the framework described above. Two counties cannot dictate a state election when the closeness of the election displeases them. And more importantly would have been used automatically had the margin of counting error been within the standards historically used to initiate a recount. In my opinion the decision not to uphold the state supreme court's decision was based more on adherence to an election standard then to the demand for a recount by a few outside the normally used standard.

[SubCmdr]

President Danilo Medina was in Sosua, Puerto Plata on Thursday, 14 July 2016, for the inauguration of the Professor Jeremias Kerry Green Grade School. The elementary school, equipped for the extended school day, is located in the Barrio La Union. Parents praised the new school's facilities, where children will receive breakfast and lunch as well as afternoon classes. The school is also has a basketball court and a recreation area. The Presidency reported that as part of the school construction, adjacent streets were repaved, giving the barrio an overall improved appearance.

https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias/...ogreso-a-sosua

Wao! Paved streets and everything. They really went all out on this one fellas. The Sue is already on the cum up! It all starts with education. And it take a village of mongers to pay for raising a child. Right?

[SubCmdr]

As much as I agree that the 2000 SCOTUS ruling, stopping the ballot counting in Florida, was poorly written and biased, this is not a place to post politically charged statements that you can not prove and in addition make for an ill considered comparison with the Dominican actions that are executive in nature, not legal. And this coming from someone that just the other day, acting as Mr Camaro 's surrogate, indicated that a reference to Spain in a VALID and FACTUAL reference to validate my view on DR' high cost of living, should have been in another forum. And then you finished your post whith a puerile LOL. Back in High School I guess. You, that are in record as a native speaker should know that injecting religious or political opinions in an unsolicited way is frown upon back home. Now. I will rest and see if any poodle comes out barking.

Mr. Yonkers,

Aince you seem to have an objection to political discussion in the reports section for The Sue, I'll address you further here:

A simple definition of politics:

1. activities that relate to influencing the actions and policies of a government or getting and keeping power in a government.

2. the work or job of people (such as elected officials) who are part of a government.

3. the opinions that someone has about what should be done by governments: a person's political thoughts and opinions.

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary.

I'll reference 1 and 3. I was giving my opinion of what happened in the 2000 Presidential election and using it as a comparison since the actions going on in The Sue are indeed political. And we were discussing the actions of government officials within the Dominican Republic.

About the 2000 presidential election in the US, the facts are there were questionable activities taking place within the state of Florida when it comes to the counting of the votes and access to polls. At that time the governorship of the state Jeb Bush was the brother of one of the candidates. The ruling came down in favor his brother. If that happened in any other country in the world the United States Government would protest the election results. It is my opinion the 2000 presidential election was jacked on behalf of George Bush by his brother. Furthermore the United States of America is in no position to stand in judgment of the results of free and fair elections anywhere in the world.

The actions occurring in The Sue are political. They are the results of the people of The Sue voting to take their streets back from the prostitutes and mongers operating individually or in roving gangs. And I actually don't think it matters a damn bit to the Dominicans about the racial make up of the mongers in question.

In Other Business:

I can't figure out why you think it's OK to reference another country in your posts, but I can't reference another county in mine. I can't say for sure or claim to understand why you have a problem with the fact that I found Mr. Camaro's report useful and informative. But, I suspect it might be related to your deeply held desire to be critical. I looked for your trip report about Spain and could not find it. But if you wish to keep sharing information about your trip to Spain in the Dominican Republic section, I am not the moderator there and have no standing to object.

[SubCmdr]

From DR1 Dateline 14 July 2016:

The board of directors of the Institute of Retired Generals of the National Police (IGREPOL) is asking President Danilo Medina to veto the bill to reform the Police recently passed in Congress. The bill is now pending the President's signing and publishing to be law. Among other measures it calls for a drastic reduction in the number of working generals in the Police.

http://www.elnuevodiario.com.do/app/...aspx?id=487715

Por Supesto! (But of course) LOL!

[SubCmdr]

DR1 Daily News -- Friday, 10 June 2016:

United Women's Movement (Modemu) president Jackeline Montero ran for a seat in the Chamber of Deputies on the PRM ticket and was elected. A former prostitute, she says she will focus on promoting the creation of training and reorientation centers for sex workers in each province of the country, as well as the installation and operation of daycare centers for working mothers.

In an interview with Listin Diario, she spoke out against the installation of prostitution tolerance centers in each province, where the profession can be practiced with National Police protection. Montero says that instead, training and orientation centers should be built for these women, so they can achieve a better qualify of life and improved health.

She estimates that there are 200,000 sex workers nationwide and said that she would be representing them and defending their rights in Congress. Her movement, Modemu, has registered 10,800 sex workers.

It will be interesting once she takes office. The issues in Sosua are local. So, I'm wondering if she will take an interest in what is happening there. Maybe in the chicas on the street. But the business owners that can't even bother to do what they need to do (pay) get a proper licence to operate? I doubt it.

Ultimately, the issues in Sosua are for the Dominicans to hash out. I doubt if they care much about how it affects the sexual tourists that like to frequent the place. If they want to get prostitution off the streets and make it less visible. No harm, no foul. The chicas will adapt, adjust, improvise and overcome. Business owners will set up BOB private clubs for after hours and the party will continue. And the Sexual Tourists will keep arriving with hard dicks, suitcases full of dresses, and handfuls of pesos. With the full intent to distribute all of the aforementioned items as widely as possible. It's not like they have made prostitution illegal in the Dominican Republic.

http://dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2...y-starting-Aug

[SubCmdr]

From DR1:

The Chamber of Deputies on 29 June 2016, passed a bill that calls for major changes within the National Police. The bill was in response to an alarming increase in crime. Citizens participating in electoral day polls cited the high crime rate as the number one problem affecting the country. The bill had already passed in the Senate and now moves to the President's desk for signing and publishing to become law.

The spokesman for the deputies of the ruling PLD, Elpidio Baez, said the project calls for the implementation of improved police investigative capacity and community outreach services. It also contemplates a reduction of the number of generals, setting a maximum of 20 generals. It establishes a maximum active duty of 10 years for generals.

The chief of the Police will now be known as the director general and will remain in the post for two years and then automatically be placed into retirement. The bill gives President Danilo Medina two years to make the adjustments in the number of active generals and colonels in the Police Department.

The bill also calls for a strengthening of the internal affairs division of the Police to better monitor the performance and behavior of police officers to discourage abuse and the use of excessive force.

It also prohibits a generalized practice of police doing double duty with private individuals and companies.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repub...forma-policial

http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2016/06/2...licia-nacional

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/...cial-DI4183665

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/...ales-AY4188435

[SubCmdr]

OK, so this is not exactly Politics in the Dominican Republic. But I think if this guy gets elected and keeps getting elected and gets onto the right committee or becomes the chair of the right committee, he might have some input into US policy affecting the Dominican Republic. Yes, I know a lot of ifs and a might. This one is going to play out over time. But interesting to me from a sociological point of view, it also points to how a shift in demographics can change political influence.

From DR1:

The Dominican-American New York State Senator, Adriano Espaillat, who was born 27 September 1954 in Santiago de LOS Caballeros, is poised to become the first Dominican-born member of the USA House of Representatives. In its coverage on the vote during the Democratic primary to replace retiring 86-year old Representative Charles Rangel, the New York Times highlights that if the early results hold, this would be the first time since 1944 that an African-American will not represent the 13th Congressional District. The previous incumbents were Rangel and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Rangel, who has represented the District for nearly 50 years, having been elected 23 times, had endorsed Assemblyman Keith Wright who opposed Espaillat.

The 13th Congressional District covers upper Manhattan and a large area of the Bronx, including Harlem and East Harlem and areas with dense Dominican populations such Washington Heights, Inwood and Northwest Bronx.

With 98% of the vote counted, Espaillat had 37% of the vote compared to 34% for Wright. This was Espaillat's third bid for Congress. He ran against Rangel in 2012 and 2014. Espaillat would become the first Dominican immigrant elected to the US Congress.

The New York Daily News pointed out that the vote results signal a shift in influence in the historically black Congressional district and also long the epicenter of black politics citywide and toward its newly surging Hispanic electorate.

The New York Times explains that if Espaillat wins the primary, he would be the most likely winner of the House of Representatives seat in the November 2016 general election because of the district's overwhelmingly Democratic registration.

The New York Times highlights: "A victory by Mr. Espaillat would realize a long-sought goal of the so-called Dominican diaspora, which began to take root here in large numbers after the United States invaded the Caribbean nation in 1965. Many landed in Washington Heights, where the streets became outposts of the towns left behind. "

http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/...ay-in-nyc.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/poli...icle-1.2690968

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/e...icle-1.2685752

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/29/ny...ress.html?_r=0

[SubCmdr]

DR1 Daily News -- Friday, 10 June 2016:

United Women's Movement (Modemu) president Jackeline Montero ran for a seat in the Chamber of Deputies on the PRM ticket and was elected. A former prostitute, she says she will focus on promoting the creation of training and reorientation centers for sex workers in each province of the country, as well as the installation and operation of daycare centers for working mothers.

In an interview with Listin Diario, she spoke out against the installation of prostitution tolerance centers in each province, where the profession can be practiced with National Police protection. Montero says that instead, training and orientation centers should be built for these women, so they can achieve a better qualify of life and improved health.

She estimates that there are 200,000 sex workers nationwide and said that she would be representing them and defending their rights in Congress. Her movement, Modemu, has registered 10,800 sex workers.

[SubCmdr]

From DR1:

According to a report in Listin Diario last week, two men were elected as Congressional deputies on 15 May despite having been accused of asset laundering and drug trafficking and having been tried by courts in the Dominican Republic and the United States. The deputies-elect are Sergio Moya de la Cruz for the National District and Franklin Romero for the province of Duarte (San Francisco de Macoris) according to the preliminary vote count by the Central Electoral Board (JCE).

In July 1998, the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) accused Moya de la Cruz (Gory), who was elected for Circumscription 3 of the National District on the PRM ticket, of laundering US $300 million together with 14 other individuals.

In March 2000, Moya obtained a discharge on the grounds of "insufficient evidence" from the Second Penal Chamber presided by judge Ilsis Munoz. At the time, the Attorney General's office money laundering prosecutor, German Miranda Villalona, had asked for an eight-year sentence.

In the case of deputy-elect Franklin Romero, accusations against him were heard in the United States after he was arrested in Panama when boarding a cruise ship in 2011 and sentenced by judge Lawrence McKenna of the Southern District Court of New York.

In March 2016, prosecutor Miranda Villalona stated that 10-20 candidates in the general election had links to money laundering or drug trafficking.

Miranda Villalona called on the political parties exercise greater control over who was financing the campaigns. "We are seeing the threat of organized crime cartels penetrating political party campaign funding, he warned. At the time, the Central Electoral Board (JCE) president said it was impossible to remove anyone who had not been convicted from the candidates' list.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repub...nuevo-congreso

[SubCmdr]

From DR1:

In his Diario Libre editorial today, Friday 3 June 2016, Adriano Miguel Tejada writes that the outcome of United States election could be a lose-lose situation for the Dominican Republic. He says both candidates will probably bring about deterioration in relations between the two countries.

On the positive side he says that Hillary Clinton has been a frequent visitor to the country. On the negative side, however, he mentions criticism of her husband's and other relatives' links to Haiti, as well as her dependence on the Black Caucus, NGOs related to human rights issues and the unions in the US, which have misgivings about the Dominican Republic.

On the positive side, he says that Donald Trump knows the country because he has done business here, but points out the concerns about the way Trump might handle his foreign policy, and his negative comments about Latinos.

http://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/a...lary-II3903082

I enjoy seeing how people in other countries view US politics and current events. Often I find that they think the US is a fucked up country. And I think they are right! Other than making money the US has very little to offer when it comes to things in life that really matter.

[SubCmdr]

Dominican Today- 13 April 2016.

Santo Domingo- President Danilo Medina headed groundbreaking Wednesday for the construction of a water treatment plant on the Ozama River, at a cost of 55.7 million euros, funded by Deutsche Bank.

The ceremony included Santo Domingo Aqueduct Utility (CAASD) director Alejandro Montas, Environment minister Bautista Rojas, senator Cristina Lizardo, Administrative minister Jose Ramon Peralta, and other officials.

The work by contractor Incatema Consulting will benefit over 450,000 residents in the northern part of the National District and the municipality Santo Domingo Norte.

Montas said among the sectors that will benefit from the plant figure La Zurza, Cristo Rey, Villas Agricolas, Villa Consuelo, Villa Juana, Ensanche Luperand, Viejo Arroyo Hondo I why II, Capotillo, Cuesta Hermosa I why II, Simand Bolvar, Sabana Perdida, Villa Mella and Los Guaricanos, among others.

[Mr Enternational]

72% turn out. Are you kidding me? That's unbelieveable. The highest turnout for the last FOUR Presidential elections in the US was 62.3 in 2008.

In Peru, voting is compulsory. There is a $60 fine for not voting. I doubt if I will even vote in the next US election.