Scary Stuff

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jK6l4dHN9hCJ_FEDRV2NPiEsO1nQD9HM9FI00
As someone who works in politics, it frightens the daylights out of me when people downplay the importance of governance. Once such example is the topic of the day, Wyclef Jean and his bid for the presidency of Haiti.

Unfortunately, he is not the only inexperienced and unschooled person running. The election poll looks a little like a South Park episode with Wyclef’s opposition including ‘Michel Martelly,( a well-known Haitian singer known as "Sweet Mickey" who is known to perform in diapers), and Jean Bertin, (the father of Miss Haiti, who will compete in the Miss Universe contest next week).’ Scary stuff.

Jean was born in Haiti and his uncle, probably one of the only candidates that should be running, is Haitian Ambassador to the US. There are also some Ministers and politicians running for Presidency. Before you go and say ‘yeah, how cool is Wyclef and how rad will he be as President of Haiti’, stop and think for a second. What are his motives here? How can he promise the people of Haiti that, like a father, he will protect them, provide their basic needs, govern in their interest when he isn’t even a politician? On the job training is not exactly ideal in this career. Of course as President he would have aides and advisors to assist him but he will have to make the ultimate decisions and if he has no knowledge of the cogs and wheels of political machinery, then how can he do that?

In addition to what seems to be a power hungry move for more celebrity status, Wyclef has been in some trouble at home because he failed to pay some 2million in taxes in the US. His former charity, Yele Haiti, was also investigated for financial impropriety.

For every decision made in government, for every request, every meeting, every transaction there are a million processes that allow them to take place. Some sort of knowledge of these processes is absolutely necessary for someone who will be tasked with building government structures, building infrastructure and distributing millions of dollars in development aide. Not an easy task for even the most experienced political leaders.

Haiti desperately needs to be led out of abject poverty and brought back onto the international stage with some dignity by a strong, wise leader. Ask yourself, is Wyclef Jean really that guy?