#2182:Re: #2173: Dictator/democracy discussion: a reply to Poincy

[Robert Corbett <bcorbett@netcom.com>]

From:HYSEKA@aol.com

I think we must be very careful when it comes to this issue. We need to admit 
first of all, that Haiti has had enough experiences with strong men who did 
not really bring much change to the lives of the people, except for Henri 
Christophe perhaps. Also, what Haiti needs is strong and solid institutions, 
and not necessarily strong, but definitely intelligent and dedicated 
political leaders.

It is (at least to me), common sense that once a leader or a party in power 
is doing his/her job, (the job that he/she was elected to do) and if he/she 
is doing it well, he/she will keep getting the confidence of the people. 
Thus, he or his party will be reelected.

We have a political culture where leaders tend to dominate over ideas. People 
indeed associate with a party, not necessarily because they believe in a 
certain political ideology or philosophy, but because of the particular 
individual who is the head of that party. If you now add to that, the 
equation of a strong man who will be the great all mighty of Haitian 
politics, you will be writing a recipe for increase corruption, arm-twisting 
and so forth.

The real issue I think, is not to keep the poor uneducated masses, away from 
the polling booth. It is rather for the political parties to try and attract 
some of our best minds to their cause, and give those technocrats the chance 
to become leaders of our municipalities, legislative and senatorial chambers, 
ministries, etc.

The poor uneducated masses do not need to be as bright as many of us are, to 
understand the tangibles such as water wells, new roads, public schools, 
hospitals, agrarian reforms, etc.

That is all I will say on that issue. I do think however, that we need to 
step away from the old "Pouvoir aux plus Capables" theory in Haitian Politics.

Hyppolite Pierre