Should Haiti Go Back To Dictatorship or Remain a Democracy
Yes, the question is should Haiti remain a democracy or take the reverse route to dictatorship? I remember during the grueling Duvalier years in the early 1980s, Haiti was much safer. People could walk the streets at night without having to worry of kidnappers, thieves, or some weirdo. My mom would go out daily to sell a wide variety of items on the open markets in Gonaives. But I also remember those unfortunate people that lost their lives and families through torture. Now that Haiti is a democracy, security is no more, the basic education is unaffordable, small businesses almost doesn't exist, and international investors only see darkness. I ask the question, should Haiti remain as is today or just share your own thoughts.
Much like you, I must say that some of my best years were spent in Haiti during the Duvalier Regime. And I agree; yes torture, embezzlement etc... was the stapple of our society then; but Tourism was in full force, which is to sayd there were jobs, education was available no matter how behind the times the system was, and unless your family was involved in politics or staging some kind of revolution against Duvalier and his cronies, you were probably safe for the most part; which is to say that freedom of speech and freedom for free press was dead!
I think it is sad that we must ask this question; but a valid considering the alternatives we face from our useess leaders!
While I would not be on the street crying foul if Haiti returns to Dictatorship, I would not necessarily applaud it until I know what kind of dictatorship we are talking about; and by whom. Because the right dictator can lead us to better days; and the wrong one can lead us into another example of Rawanda, and that would be worst!
I'll be honest. When I was a kid, and living in Haiti for the intermittent times that I did, I did indeed notice that while there was the unfortunate specter of the Ton-Ton Macoutes people did generally live better lives. Everyone who wanted to did go to school, the markets were teeming with both vendors and shoppers, and life was generally good.
Then Duvalier 'leaves' and the country goes into a downward spiral to such a point that now a common term I hear used in regards to Haiti is "Savages". I feel a little bit of me die each time Haiti comes on the news and the only thing they have to report is how some kind of tragedy occurred, some new coup or political unrest is happening, or another foreigner got kidnapped and ultimately killed. Even as an American born person, I still feel the need to stand up and fiercely defend Haiti against those who are ignorant of our proud culture.
As to the question, I believe that if we can have some kind of stabilizing force, whichever it would be, then I would be all for it. I would love to once again walk down 'Grand Rue' and have lunch at Boulangerie St. Marc.
That is a good Question, I would like to ask another question, what are we doing to remedy the situation, when I say we; I'm talking about you, me, and others. Who are waiting for others to fix our problems . I believe we have the power to change Haiti, Join me at Haitian for Haiti to act contact info is info @haitianforhaiti2011.org