NewsWhore
08-31-2007, 02:30 PM
In today's El Caribe columnist Miguel Guerrero comments on how Dominicans have consistently been known to cast their votes against candidates, instead of in their favor. He mentions that Dominicans voted for Guzman to get rid of Balaguer, and then went on to re-elect the latter, when wanting to rid the nation of the PRD. When the nation tired of the aging caudillo, it chose Fernandez, who had no experience of government, not because he was trusted, but because most wanted to prevent Pena Gomez from being elected.
History repeated itself four years later, when most voters favored Hipolito Mejia. Many who voted were not attracted by him, but were disillusioned with the PLD government. After three consecutive defeats in presidential and congressional elections, the PLD candidate returned to the presidency. "But as always happens, voters chose him because their aspirations for change had been frustrated," he writes.
"The lack of content of political campaigns continues to perpetuate this weakness in Dominican politics," he comments. The better minds of the nation keep urging politicians to focus on proposals to solve the serious national problems. But those calls have not been heard, he writes.
"As has happened so many times in the past, voters will vote to remove a President or prevent another candidate from reaching the Presidency, more than for someone who would guide the country to better future.
"Sad situation," he concludes.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#8)
History repeated itself four years later, when most voters favored Hipolito Mejia. Many who voted were not attracted by him, but were disillusioned with the PLD government. After three consecutive defeats in presidential and congressional elections, the PLD candidate returned to the presidency. "But as always happens, voters chose him because their aspirations for change had been frustrated," he writes.
"The lack of content of political campaigns continues to perpetuate this weakness in Dominican politics," he comments. The better minds of the nation keep urging politicians to focus on proposals to solve the serious national problems. But those calls have not been heard, he writes.
"As has happened so many times in the past, voters will vote to remove a President or prevent another candidate from reaching the Presidency, more than for someone who would guide the country to better future.
"Sad situation," he concludes.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#8)