MrDom previously said:



You are talking like if the govermment is the builder or the money come from them.

dreadlocks previously said:

i get it, NY4LIFE. by your calculus, ill conceived development which results in the possibility of catastrophic injury and death, overcrowding and stress on the infrastructure, and methodologies for construction which disenfranchise the local workers ,are better than no developments at all. i beg to differ. first of all, what infrastructure do you say is being developed? have the powers that be resolved electricity delivery? pollution and its debilitating effects? do you realise that haina is the third worst polluted spot on earth? you are so busy raving over tall buildings with shiny window frames that you cannot see the meltdown that could result from this strategy.

dreadlocks previously said:

NY4LIFE, would you mind explaining to me what the heck you mean by haters and doubters? instead of resorting to hurt feelings and simplistic dismissals, try to answer the simple questions i put to the forum before. try starting with the one regarding the density and efficacy of fire extinguishers, mainly high pressure hydrants. do you think adults can plan a future based on hoping disasters do not happen? do you race around in your car without your seat belt fastened, hoping you do not get into an accident? i understand your indefatigable instinct to rave joyously about how wonderful things are becoming, but you are an adult, and have to temper your glee with inquiry. they also said that the Titanic was unsinkable! you believe that people who raise serious questions of concern are jealous of the wonderful progress that we are making here, but i suggest that a more cautious attitude be thought out.

ny4life previously said:

Yes, Haitian influx of cheap laborers hurts the Dominican labor and is of major concern for Dominican laborers. It's always going to be a problem when cheap labor is chosen over the native more expensive labor. These illegal immigrants are taking the jobs away from Dominicans. Since they are illegal, there rights are waived and as a result are paid lower and are not provided healthcare coverage etc. This is a standard procedure that occurs here in the US with illegal immigrants who are paid under the table at a lower rate and with no healthcare. Is it right? No, but that's the way it is across the board. From a super power country to a third country that is trying to develop its infrastructure.

The U.S. can handle the fact that illegal immigrants are taking up jobs at lower rates from its native population b/c there are other means and opportunites to become educated and work in the U.S. However, the DR doesnt' provide that oppt yet for its people so the majority who are poor suffer from the influx of poor Haitians that come in and take over jobs from the majority native poor population. It's not a solely Haiti's fault but I think they should be blamed as well as the Dominican authorities for contracting illegal immigrants. We all know business just cares about the bottom line how much they make so they are willing to pay cheap laborers rather than the more expensive native population. With that being said, as it has been stated numerous times on this site on ways to solve issues btw. both countries, these business man should be penalize for contract such illegals to the point where they should lose their licenses after repeat violations. A campaigin should be sponosor by the Dominican gov't to condemn the hiring of illegal Haitians. Haiti on the other hand has to develop and create jobs for its people, attract the disapora to help develop the country, and create a campaign to denounce illegal immgration to the Dominican Republic. In my point of view, neither have done anything to stem or curtail the situation and now the country is feed up with the situation. When you have countries so corrupt as ours (both), LA, Asia, and all third world countries, these ideas are very revoluntionary and extreme b/c everyone is perceived or in directly involved with said corruption.

What we must realize at the end of the day is that there is always a positive side and negative side to everything. The upside is that DR is buidling its infrastructure and creating a more livable city. Jobs are being created, the city is being developed, and FDI is being invested in these projects. (gov't getting money). This is a signal of having a stable and democractic government. Downside, jobs are mostly benefiting Haitian illegal immigrant laborers, homes built benefit the minority, and questions arise about the safety of these projects. Overall, I still see this a positive for the Dominican Republic. It's getting developed and becoming a better country and will continue to attract people from all over the world which is the base of our economy. Is this the only financial model we should have? No, we have other things to offer such as agriculture, mining, free-zones, and hopefully creating a strong financial center to service the Caribbean. We have to let this play out and see where it will go and how people will benefit. Questions about the bldgs are legit but at the same time there is no way you can say it's not safely built. I guess time will tell wether or not this is good for the DR. Like I previously said, I hope all studies were made and information should be readily avaliable to the public. Let's hope for the best while expecting the worse!!