[standaman]

This is just food for thought. I come across an article today in the NY Times online edition regarding how countries rank in corruption in order of least corrupt, No.1 Finland; to the most corrupt, No. 133 Bangladesh. Of course there is a teaser, it being the complete list was not in the article and I was curious as how the D.R. ranked. Well, after a short Internet search I come across the origin of the survey, Transparency International, and found the complete list, see the link. The Dominican Republic ranks No. 70, sort of middle of the road, so to speak. It is interesting to see the names of the countries that rank above it, such as Cuba, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago, for instance. It makes me wonder what kind of spin the D.R. government would put on its placement.

There are two responses:

1.) Gee we’re not so bad after all.
2.) That’s too low, we need to do something to correct and improve our image.

What response do you think the D.R. officials would have?


Link: http://www.transparency.org/pressrel...07.cpi.en.html

[brraverishhh]

How come finland is number 1 and supposely is the number one trading country in the world topping the US and China

what the hell is going on here? i'm dazed and confused

[foI3fKWv]

When it comes to government the Finns are quite anal. I have a couple of friends from Finland and they way they do things is always precise, meticulous and on time, always like clorkwork. Dry and sometimes cold they are interesting people though, and they drink vodka like we do presidente.

I think we should really make an effort to show them Bangladeese who's No. 133), because there is too much platano, rum and heat in this island to show the finns who's No.1

[rushiddink]

@Erickson

I do not know where you got the information from that Finnland is the greatest trading country in the world. That is completely wrong! Its foreign trade statistics are just within the normal European standards.
And why a country with a large foreign trade volume should be more corrupt than any other. I do not understand your logics.

[standaman]

Folks, Rob is going for the padlock, so let this thread get back on track, everything is fine in Finland.

The question is what response would the Dominican officials have to the D.R's rank on the Transparency International list? Regards, PJT

[AlexanderDrew]

The authorities are likely to respond: "we don't believe in the arbitrary opinions of those foreign organizations". Or something to that effect; Hippo would probably say something like this: "que se vayan al @$#^%* esa balsa de hippies babosos, que no saben ná y no son de por aquí". We, on the other hand know that transparency, in both the public and private sectors, is blatantly lacking in the DR. "Dónde está lo mío" is said by bankers, by the police, by the politician, the truck driver, even some doctors expect "a good tip". Despite the "no te apures" responses that most give, "apuros" is precisely what one experiences in trying to get routine stuff done. Hidden financial agendas are a given in most transactions. From the paletero in the park to the government official granting X or Y permit. People expect something. The best deals are rationed to those with the proper "enllaves". Without these, things can be rough in the DR. The higher the level of your enllaves, the more likely you are involved in high stakes corruption. Some of us as simple consumers are -knowingly and unknowingly- contributing to this parasitic cultural attitude. Other than that, we have nothing to envy from the Finns, we just do math different down here.
cheers,
-tordok

"Mójame ahí un chin, manito"

[standaman]

I was having a discussion with an acquaintance of mine this am. He operates a business in the east that is "regulated" by the government. In order for him to maintain his business he is making sure his equipment is in order, he recently ordered some parts from the states and is now installing them to pass gov't exam.

What is the exam process? Wine and dine the Jefe in charge of the authority, pay up front in excess of 27,000 Pesos. Bet the real fee is 1000 Pesos and some tax stamps on a worthless piece of paper. What does he do next? Wait for the exam and hope he does not have to wine and dine some more. Business as usual. Regards, PJT