Talking Smack about the Dominican Republic
To the mailbox!
You’re a gringo and talk a lot of smack about the DR. What gives you the right? How would you like it if I (a Dominican) started a blog and trashed the States? If it’s so bad why don’t you leave?- Rafael in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
Rafael,
I can’t turn on a TV, radio, computer or watch smoke-signals without catching criticism of my country. So, your blog wouldn’t make much of a difference. Sorry.
I’m a firm believer in peoples’ right to bitch about anything they want. As for my criticism of the DR, I believe I have 100% earned the right to criticize the Dominican Republic however I wish. I’ve lived, taught high school, worked for a division of the Supreme Court, done charity work, and paid taxes here for almost 6 years. In addition, my wife is Dominican and I have already started the process to become a naturalized Dominican citizen. If that’s not good enough for you then stop reading. I won’t be offended.
As for me leaving the island, I guess I could do that. But then my blogging would be almost exclusively about American politics and Americans would be asking me “if the U.S. is so bad why don’t you just leave?” So, for right now, the warm, tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and cold beer are winning. Thanks for the suggestion though.
Keep those questions coming. You can reach us through the Contact Page. Cheers.
RHM
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American college educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a M.A. in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism) and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Use the form on the right to sign up and receive notifications of new content. The words and ideas expressed here are 100% his own and not those of his employers or affiliated organizations.
Daniel | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply
Point, Set and Match… RHM!
Adrielle Perdomo-Berrido | Jul 30, 2008 | Reply
The dual citizenship is a plus. I am American and Dominican… so i get to bitch about the U.S., the D.R, Dominicans in the U.S., Americans in the D.R., Leonel, AND George W., !!!! : )
Janin Galvan | Jul 30, 2008 | Reply
My husband is a European and has been living here for more than twelve years.
We have spent quite an amount of money here (purchased land, had a house built) and still do so (daily shopping, paying taxes and ‘impuestos’, employing people, etc.).
From all this we derive the right to criticize the conditions we have to put up with (infrastructure, power supply, corruption, policing, justice system, etc.).