Like I’ve said before we all know what needs to be done. First, I would like us to stop talking about the 2 billion dollars that the diaspora send because truly and honestly no one can harness it for development and so no one in Haiti gives a hoot about that little fact. Indeed, I gave a speech a few years ago to the Haitian Round Table in which I suggested that the diaspora should just send this money directly to the Dominicans who can then send us the food (i wanted to be provocative but it is also the truth). That way, maybe the senders who are mostly working class folks (mostly not on FB) can avoid the transfer fees and subsequent costs associated with the final product getting into their family’s hands. In a more recent speech, I titled “Pisse gaye pa kimen” I try to make the point that only a collective efforts by our elite can get us out of this morass. It is the reason why a donor with a million dollars can get an audience with the powers that be where people from the diaspora cannot. It’s not rocket science. So let’s be honest, for example, most of the people who are complaining about the $1.50 transfer tax are not sending money to Haiti. Yet, while this seems counterintuitive to most, all societies are based on citizen participation, which includes taxes and I am a strong advocate for the transfer tax because “we” could use it to make demands on the government. It is our participation in a collective form that goes beyond family obligations. We could demand that it be voted in parliament. We could also demand the creation of a governance structure that allows for the diaspora’s participation in managing the funds but instead we focus on the tree and sometime just a leaf rather than the opening that this tax provides. I believe in the golden rule of “he who has the gold makes the rule.” When you combine these things, what this means is that we need to be active participants in order to demand anything. To that end, I propose that we create a voluntary development fund. If I am asked: “to do what?” then I would propose a focus on a complementary strategy that supports: continuing education (and technical assistance) in agribusiness, energy, and a percentage to advocacy and administrative staff.The strategy would also include partnerships that leverage existing programs that are supported either by the public sector or international donors. So here is my bottom line. While I appreciate the exchanges, which are cathartic I am interested in getting together with people who are willing and able to put money where their mouths are... lets start with each person putting at least $1,000 in a pot to stir and cook something. It could be something along the line of what I have suggested here or something else but in the end I believe that money talks and bullshit walks. If we can get 5k ppl to put in $25/month thats $1.5 mil. that is real action and it gets you a seat at the table. what if it were 10k ppl @ $50/month? you get the picture.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 17:57:47 +0000