Should Wyclef Jean be allowed to run for President of Haiti?

1. 78

   Aficionadaposted 13 years ago

   I admit I was psyched when I first read that Wyclef Jean wanted to run for the office of President of Haiti.  Then, last week it was announced that he would not be allowed to do so, since he has not lived there for five years.  A short while ago, I heard that his lawyers will appeal the ruling.
   
   Maybe I'm naive - maybe I don't know enough about the man - but I think it's terrific that he wants to do his part to help his native country.  Until/if I learn bad things about him, I will support his efforts in this regard.
   
   What does everyone else think?

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   1. 60

      LaMamaLoliposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Good luck to him, but personally I think if he wants the job he should live in the country.

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2. 65

   nicregiposted 13 years ago

   Like what LaMamaLoli said...i totally agree.
   
   He got to live there and be with the community and people. Then he will be at least being favorite there

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3. 78

   Aficionadaposted 13 years ago

   Yes, it's important to live there, for many reasons.
   
   The legal aspects are these:  according to the Constitution of Haiti, candidates are required to live there for five consecutive years before the race they are entered in.
   
   WJ was born in Haiti (1969) and lived there for only nine years before his family moved to New York and then to New Jersey.
   
   But he does own homes in both Haiti and the US, and he was appointed as roving ambassador to Haiti in 2007.  His lawyers will argue that that position has made it impossible for him to live in Haiti as required.
   
   He has no political experience, but he has a big heart and a big heart for his native land. He has given millions of his money to set up a foundation to help out the people. And we've seen in this country that it's not impossible for people from non-political fields to succeed in politics!
   
   He has strong support among the young people of the country (the median age there is 20.5!).
   
   When I think of the residency requirement, I think of Hillary Clinton and her bid for Senator from New York State.  Different country, different laws... But still, it shows that it's not impossible for someone to succeed in representing people, even if they haven't lived there physically in recent years.
   
   Maybe if Wyclef Jean's bid doesn't work, he can run the next time there is an election.  Whatever the case, I have a lot of admiration for what he is doing, and I hope in the end it will benefit the country.

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4. 61

   Chaotic Chicaposted 13 years ago

   No matter whether or not he might do a good job is irrelevant here.  The bottom line is that the law is the law and throwing money at it should not make it go away.  I'm not suggesting that he was trying to buy off the law but by insinuating that they should bend the law because of how much money he has given to them is still immoral and techniquely illegal. 
   I don't care if he runs or not, what a person does with their life is their business, I just say that he should do it according to their laws is all. Either way I hope he can find happiness in whatever decision is reached.

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5. 78

   Aficionadaposted 13 years ago

   You have seriously misunderstood me, if you believe that I was implying "that they should bend the law because of how much money he has given to them" or that "throwing money at it [the law]" to "make it go away" should be considered even remotely!
   
   I mentioned the charitable foundation in the context of talking about his big heart, and I used it as an example of his big heart.  I do not intend to imply either that having a big heart means they should bend the law for him. [And I wish to correct my earlier statement.  His foundation has raised millions for Haiti's relief, but I don't believe that he actually gave millions of his own, as I stated earlier.]
   
   As for the law - of course it's the bottom line.  But laws are made by people, based on what they believe is the best for their country or society or family or tribe.  Sometimes laws are changed because they are seen not to be in the best interest of the people.  And sometimes laws are interpreted in various ways. 
   
   Residency requirements can be very clear-cut, but sometimes there is room for interpretation.  I don't know whether that is the case here.  I don't know whether WJ would be good as a president for Haiti.  He has certainly raised some hope in a country that is among the poorest and most desperate in the Western Hemisphere, and hope is an important commodity for positive change.

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