I agree with Foromsano2000, the country has gone thru 4 very long and very hard years with Hippolito. And to think that LF can fix everything over night is ridiculous. It most likely won't get fixed for maybe a year or even longer...people have to be patient. With so many things to fix, and get moving on the right track it will take time.....so to give a grade after 2 or 3 months is not fair.
lisa

not to go off topic, just glad to see Golo100 is back. hope you'll be more active on the board. i really enjoy reading your posts.

I think it's to soon to grade this current government, I just want to see the government spend less.

I thought us Americans were guilty of expecting instant gratification. It took Bush 3 years to clean up the economic bag of $hit that Clinton handed to him.

It's awefully unrealistic to expect LF (or any other mortal) to undo 4 years of damage in 3 months. What I think important are:

1. The good intention: This alone puts him light years ahead of HM, who never had real intention to fix anything for the benefit of average Dominicans.

2. Expectation management: LF has successfully projected (at least until now) an image that he is walking the walk. Sure, it's too early to see the results, but he has already started purging the police force, forcing them to return stolen vehicles, reduced public payroll and cracked down on tax evasion and turned up patrol to fight crime.

3. Regaining credibility: While no govenment is ever totally trustworthy, LF has brought back some modicum of credibility, which was completely bankrupt under HM. The fact that he has managed to shore up Central Bank reserve, lower exchange rate from 45 to 31, reduce interest rates, induce more foreign investment..etc in 3 months is no small feat. We should keep in mind that the success of economic policy of any nation depends largely on the public confidence. Alan Greenspan was successful and persuasive in his rate cuts/increases because the public believed in his rationale. No so with Malkum. This is the critical difference between US and DR, where RD$ dropped the further the PPH tried to talk it up. While in the US, when John Snow said there was room for US$ to devalue (or words to that effect), it soon did in the international market.


One crucial test is whether LF will manage to lower prices across the board to reflect the benefit of a stronger RD$, if not, I expect the economy to stagnate as purchasing buyer for Dominicans and foreigners alike continues to drop.

All of these negatives you report on are all the complete and total result of the outrageously lousy government we had up to 2-1/2 months ago. To expect this new government to right everything in such a short time is not only unrealistic but would be impossible in this type of culture.

Even though I disagree with many of the appointments, actions and/or inactions of Leonel's government so far, I still believe it is too early to condemn him and he should get at least until the end of the year before we start criticizing. Many indicators are pointing to a much-improved economy at the beginning of next year and let's hope it's so for all of our good.

The main beef I have, which hits me directly in the pocket, is this driving desire everyone has to lower the exchange rate versus the dollar but forgetting that what they should be worrying about is LOWERING PRICES!
I don't care if the exchange rate is 10 to 1 if prices come down accordingly but, having to deal with this rate of 30 to 1 with prices the equivalent of 50 to 1, or higher in the case of vehicles, has lowered my income by 35%.

Everyone seems to forget that a good exchange rate is beneficial to the tourism and free zone industries as well as 'remesas' (funds sent by Dominicans overseas); the three mainstays in the DR's economy---to say nothing of those of us who get paid in good old Uncle Sam greenbacks!

Purchasing already stagnating. Gringos wintering over in other islands this year, and property values have declined in 2 months by 30%.The stupidity of dropping the exchange rate so rapidly has just forced many people to look for better alternatives. I tell people not to come unless they are prepared to pay double for electricity and gas., and triple for gas oil for the planta , four times what they paid last year in restaurants and five times more at the hardware stores, and the list goes on and on.

Leonel would be a "good" president, just that he would be "less bad".

Report Card on Leonel
 

So far, in 3 and a half months of his government, I give Leonel Fernandez at best a D minus for performance, which is slightly better than Hippo's last year which qualifies as the biggest "F' you can write on an 81/2X11 sheet of paper.

1)Finance Department: They have done little to help the economy. The dollar has stabilized due to Leonel's trust level, not because of specific actions.
2)Education:a failure. They have not even been able to organize a school breakfast. Schools are in shambles.
3)Labor: A failure. A policy has not been established and struggles continue with salary increases. Labor force is still deprived by high prices.
4)Central Bank:Another failure continues. High interest rates higher than ever, yet banks are reducing their interest rates on certificates as if the dollar is worth $15 to $1. But ask for a loan and they would think the dollar is $60 to $1. Central Bank continues to be a burden on taxpayers. They spend frivolously on parties, clubs, meals and other entertainment, while the rest of us eat crow. Do they have any policies that work, except Leonel's overrated credibility?
5)Public Works:What public works? Rather this should be called the "search and destroy department" in complicity with the Water Department. Just look at the entire Bella Vista community's streets which have been destroyed. The Duarte Bridge is still near collapse. Highways and streets are full of potholes. Tunnels have lost thousands of tiles and street lights. A total failure
6)Police and Armed Forces: The worst grade of them all. Besieged by corruption, graft, internal theft and even stealing citizens' properties flagrantly without shame. The police is an organized crime family. AMET's chief drives a stolen car, and he knows it.
7)Culture:Just think..the national theatre was closed for lack of air conditioning. That is the state of affairs all over. Total failure. Pity on the animals at our Zoo. The camels are in such bad shape they would not last an hour in the Sahara.
8)Interior: Minister Almeyda is the biggest jerk in office. This guy came up with the hare-brain idea of calling October 31 the last day to renew 300,000 guns in an office that can barely handle 300 persons a day. Being in their offices is as chaotic as Iraq's armed forces recruiting office. The worst civil ministry of them all.
9)The presidency: What do they do? Nobody knows. Leonel spends most of his time at the Global Foundation, when he is not receiving Botox injections in his new face.
Sorry, Leonel fans, but I am not very enthused about this government. Just look at their Attorney General and District Attorneys going in different directions. No credible indictments on corruptions have been put together.
When will this government take off? Any dieas?
TW

So when are you going to run for President, Golo?