No, I don't think Wyclef should run for President of Haiti. I along with Sean Penn, am highly suspicious. Aside from the unanswered questions surrounding Wyclef's charity, Yele Haiti (that he resigned from Thursday), I take issue with the fact that Wyclef is grossly underestimating the task of governing Haiti. Managing a nation like Haiti is not a hobby or something that should be taken lightly. This is a nation with decades of corruption and centuries of disenfranchisement, not to mention all that comes with January's earthquake.
As I watched the video of Wyclef walking off of his plane after he arrived in Haiti, I sensed a huge amount of ego that running for the president and being an international music icon would give you. I think ego is the last thing that a leader of Haiti should be riding on. Having a thorough understanding of economic policy and nation building would be a great place to start. Then I noticed that Wyclef is not exactly the most eloquent speaker when it came to responding to Sean Penn's suspicions. I'll just leave that at that...
Wyclef said something along the lines of the youth is 50% of the vote in Haiti and so he is banking on their vote and that he will be focusing on education. That's all fine and dandy but what is your PLAN for getting the hundreds of thousands of displaced Haitians out of tent cities? Or what is your PLAN for building an infrastructure of hospitals, schools, security, jobs etc etc...? Wyclef also mentioned something about how he's running as a beacon of change. Just totally stealing Barack's platform, huh? Furthermore, I just can't see this guy sitting as a head of state at the UN looking eye to eye with Barack.
But back to that whole youth vote concept... so dude, you're gonna take advantage of the fact that Haiti's young people know you as a music icon, and use that to boost yourself up into the office of the president? Why can't he accept the fact that he can probably affect way more "change" in Haiti from a more low key position. Or maybe even run for a less prominent cabinet position. But he's so presumptuous and entitled to really think he's ready to take on the position of president? Really now...
I feel sorry for Haiti if this dude is actually elected. I won't blame them because they are extremely vulnerable to individuals like Wyclef (remember the "missionary" who was trafficking Haitian children right after the earthquake?). All I know is that it infuriates me to know that after the world donated millions of dollars to Haitian relief, it could all very well end up in the hand of someone who hasn't even been able to manage his charity's funds. To me, the entire concept of Wyclef running is extremely selfish.
I'm sure there are countless not-so-famous Haitians that work tirelessly for the betterment of their country that are more qualified then Wyclef. He thinks that just because he has been accepted as a mainstream musician that he is somehow qualified to run a country - and Haiti no less? At this point in history, ancestry and pride do not equal qualifications. Toussaint must be turning over in his grave. How about getting your personal business in order and minimally studying some economics. And yes, I know it's not all about book smarts but come on, there is a limit.
And I won't get into him being interviewed on Gail King's radio show a few days ago (thank you Oprah... *sigh*). Sean Penn even mentioned "corporate interests" that may be behind Wyclef's decision to run. Thank god Sean Penn had the balls to challenge these shenanigans, because someone needs to.
And to the people saying Haiti couldn't get a worse leader or be any worse off than it is now... umm - actually YES it can.
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