Dominican elections...

[Kip]

Lots of nervous anticipation of the upcoming election (May 15th). Apparently, many schools close for a day or two afterward because of all the unrest. Supporters of those who win the election celebrate and detractors riot (with the net result being similar). I did come across this interesting article today, concerning the Dominican government. The ruling party has been in power since 2004, controlling pretty much every aspect of government (legislative, executive & judicial)...and takes constant criticism for the huge rise in corruption & crime during the timeframe. The latest Gallup data I read shows that over 2/3rds the Dominican population believes there has been a large increase in corruption, and almost as many believe that other crime has risen drastically as well......yet the status quo is expected to remain after the election. Here's a translation:

23% of voters on government payroll or welfare
23% of registered voters are on the government payroll, reports Diario Libre in its 27 April 2016 issue. As reported, more than 1.5 million potential Dominican voters are either on the public payroll or benefit from welfare programs under the Programa Solidaridad. There are 603,085 employees on the government payroll. Diario Libre reports that the government payroll has grown 60% during the PLD party governments from 2004 to 2016.

The report highlights that in 2004, the government's Solidaridad program had 5,763 beneficiaries. By the end of 2015, this had increased to 946,021. The government payroll has grown from 382,656 in 2004 to the current 1,549,106.

In the 2004 election, the proportion of people either on the payroll or receiving subsidies through the Programa Solidad was only 7.7% of the voting list. For the 2016 election, the PLD** had increased it to 23% of potential voters.

In 2006, the government payroll totaled 404,243.


** - [Partido de la Liberación Dominicana; the current ruling party -- Kip]

[Stewmuse]

Well, at least you know which job sector is enjoying the most growth, there. As a gringo who is rapidly becoming bilingual (altho we might say tri-lingual, if we count "hillbilly" as a language), perhaps you can pick up some embassy/ambassador work on the side.