14528: Dorce: Re: 14513: Chevalier: Re: 14504: (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: LAKAT47@aol.com

In a message dated 1/18/03 6:02:43 AM Pacific Standard Time, Reginald
Chevalier <rchevalier@winstar.com> writes:

<< It doesn't matter how many Democratic elections being organized in Haiti.
 If the wrong  guy get elected there's no coming out of  that hole. >>
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
This is my problem with your post; who determines if the guy elected is the
wrong one or the right one???  This is not democracy.  The deal is, you go
out there and talk to the people, find out what makes them tick (you might
have to actually shake some hands....got the stomach for it?), find out what
makes them want to vote for someone.  LISTEN to them, show them some respect
and concern for their wants and needs.  Then design a campaign that will show
the country what you stand for and what you will spend your term
accomplishing.  THEY determine who the right guy is, not a bunch of
intellectuals, real and pseudo.  And certainly not the very few at the top of
Haiti's food chain.  Democracy is of the people, by the people and for the
people.  It's a bitter pill to swallow for those who have always felt
entitled, but swallow it you must.  And soon, you will be as adept at making
the people of your country believe they have a democracy as our leaders are
in the USA.  The trick is, to give them ENOUGH to keep them happy.  The
problem with Haiti's opposition is they want to give them nothing.  Or
rather, they perceive that giving the people ANYTHING is taking something
away from themselves.  One dime for the people makes them feel that they must
get two in return.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
>>Aristide is a soit-disant Democrat elected president by the people but look
what he's doing to  them.>>
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What is he doing to them?  You mean because of the convergence never
accepting him as president and the IRI backing them, blocking loans and aid
and refusing to participate in new elections (a concession from the
government of Haiti), constantly impeding progress, making Haiti more and
more miserable in hopes that the people will give up supporting
Aristide........I think the people know who is doing what to whom.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
But you should also mention: Elect someone competent and capable to govern
instead of a clown who is blowing hot air in their ears.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Hot air is abounding but I think the people see it coming from a different
place than you do.  When actions do not match words, then you get hot air.
Pretending to have the people's best interests at heart is hot air.  Aristide
still wins in that arena.  What has anyone else (in the political domain)
done for Haiti lately?  They have to beat him at his game, and do you know
why they haven't been able to do that?  Because their inate hatred of the
masses shows on their face when they talk to the people.  A person is either
born to a class or aspires to be accepted into another, higher class.  Many
people born to the upper classes in Haiti, or the person aspiring to be
accepted there automatically takes on airs of superiority and wants to
distance himself from the lower classes, even if they, themselves, had humble
beginnings.  Now, in order to become president, a person has to really be
able to identify with all the people.  They know when you are sincere or not.
 So age old habits must be put aside and all must be sincerely embraced.
When Aristide attempted to do that, he was criticized as going over to the
other side.  If he didn't do that, he would be criticized as only
representing a segment of Haiti leaving the rest without representation.  In
my opinion, changes in Haiti will necessarily effect the poor more than the
wealthy, because the wealthy do not need help with improving their lives.  A
climate whereby all Haitians may enjoy opportunity for improvement should be
cultivated.  You call Aristide a clown, but that is because he speaks the
language of the people, and perhaps you see this as a negative thing.  Until
the opposition learns to speak to the people, they will never be able to be
elected.  They will have to embrace Haiti.....all of it, Kreyòl, Vodou, the
uneducated masses......everything, if they want to succeed in a democracy.

Kathy Dorce~