26138: Raber: (Reply)e: 26132: Durban: (comment) Cap Haitien Presidential Challenge (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

from raber88@zoominternet.net

Mr. Durban hit the nail on the head.  At this point, your average Haitian with 
no political aspirations only wants to feel some hope and some improvement in 
the condition of the country.  Just think how many would vote for a candidate 
whose only platform was free schooling for all children 1st to 6th grade?  In 
addition he could commit to giving secondary school scholarships to those 
attending subsidized elementary schools and scoring in the top 10% on the 
national 6th grade exams every year.  How could such a president not find grant 
money to accomplish such a simple and noble goal?  At this time of the year 
every family is pulling its hair out wondering how they are going to pay for 
this year's school fees.  I would not be surprised if just about all of you on 
this list already pay/help pay for at least one child's schooling in Haiti. 
The biggest drain on family incomes are 1-Rent    2-food  3-Children's 
schooling.   The housing situation will take decades of reconstruction to be 
solved.  The food situation will improve with an improved economy (increasing 
local food production, tourism, factories etc...).  Elementary education is a 
very achievable goal. 
The voters need to carefully look at the candidates' past behavior. People who 
haven't achieved much with their own lives  will most likely do nothing for 
other people's lives.  Those who have been career politicians or have credible 
criminal allegations against them need to be especially feared.  Preference 
should be given to those who have with their own sweat and money done something 
significant for their home towns, churches, etc...  I would also take a very 
close look at how a candidate's lifestyle squares up against their said career 
and beliefs.  Take a look at candidates' vehicles.  How many do they own and 
what brands are those vehicles.  For example, if a pastor is a candidate but 
drive a brand new Nissan Patrol and wears designer clothes, one has to wonder 
what kind of a pastor he is.  He probably would not make a good president for 
Haiti.    If  a candidate professes to be a medical doctor but has never seen a 
patient, or has never volunteered his time in a popular clinic in Haiti, or 
only accepts payment in US dollars,  there has to be some tough questions about 
him wanting to serve his country.  For some reason, the Haitian press coverage 
focuses on the bickering between politicians and always stays away from their 
private lifestyles.   Just about every Haitian wants to do better financially 
one day.  Haitian are a very capitalist people (which is why a socialist or 
communist system will never take hold).  They do not have contempt for wealth 
or people with wealth.  They have contempt for those with wealth who refuse to 
help those in need.   The people are smart.  They can tell the difference 
between quick giving out of guilt or appeasement and real concern for their 
plight.  I would challenge the Haitian press to  write at length about each 
candidate, his birthplace, lifestyle, daily activities,   past and current 
achievements, charitable donations (time or money)future plans and most of all 
1 or 2 achievable goals for their five years in office.

Bob Corbett wrote: