news plus 10:01:08 your loved ones!
It is again news plus time - (the "Plus" stands for the comment.) - and I wish you have a nice rest weeks
and a nice weekend,
from the Andes, your iris
*************
news: Axel Jeroma
Comment: Dr. Eckhart Wolff
********************* ********
news on 10 January 2008 - German Section Radio HCJB
government freezes milk price a
fixed prices for milk: Ecuador has in the past week, freezing the price of milk temporarily. presented by decree President Rafael Correa finds that not the liter-life milk may be more expensive than 60 cents. This rule should come above all the poor to good. At the same time imposed an export ban Correa of Ecuadorian rice. How long shall dictate the price and the export ban, leaving open the head of state.
pushes rice in the beer sour the government wanted on
rice in beer: a large brewery in Ecuador has been recently negotiated a plea to the government. The reason: The brewer bought in large quantities of rice to brew his barley juice on. Thus the price increase for rice, one in Ecuador to the staple food of the population. The poorer families are in urgent need of cheap rice. In the long run you will not see this development therefore inactive, the government warned the United Brewery.
U.S. dollars lowers inflation and unemployment
introduction of the dollar successes: the eighth anniversary of the introduction of dollar in Ecuador on 9 January, economists pointed to positive effects of this measure. So be the inflation of 90.4 percent in Ecuador in January 2000 declined to 2.9 percent at end December 2007. Also had a positive introduction to the dollar have on the labor market. Since then, the dollar was introduced as national currency, unemployment has fallen from 14.4 to 7.5 percent. One did not cause the dollar, however, recognized the economists: the elimination of the unequal living conditions between rich and poor in Ecuador.
burglaries and robberies host many shops to
shopkeepers live in Quito uncertain: the number of burglaries and robberies to transactions in Quito last year has nearly doubled. This is from a last week, pub-lished the police statistics show. Accordingly, the authorities recorded in the previous year 1112 such crimes. 2006 691 cases of this kind had been reported. According to police, the attackers have not deterred by alarm systems or security services. In some cases, the private security people infected with the perpetrators under a blanket on, according to police.
Bank buys naming rights to soccer stadium
"Banco Pichincha "instead of" monumental ": The most famous football club Ecuador, Barcelona Sporting Club Guayaquil, the naming rights to its stadium in the biggest bank in the country has sold. The financial institution pays for it in the next four years a total of four million dollars. Barcelona is the first club in the country, the name of his venue has given up for money. Piquancy by the way: The future namesake, the "Banco Pichincha," comes from the capital Quito. Their clubs League and El Nacional are among the biggest opponents of the Ecuadorian championship record from the coast. Those differences over the cash injection of "their" bank resent the competition the most.
World Player passes trophy of his parish
Evangelical church holds special award: The Brazilian Kaka has the trophy for his honor as World Player 2007's Church in Sao Paulo bequeathed. In the past week, he presented the trophy at a church service attended by 5,000 people. The player of AC Milan stressed in his speech impressive to faith in Jesus Christ. "I thank God for this trophy. Therefore, I would like to have the award from now on in his house so everyone can see it, "added Kaka.
sun in the mountains, heavy rain on the coast
Finally, as always, the views of the weather: sunshine was tired of it in the past week in the Andean highlands. The temperatures climbed throughout the day well over the 20-degree mark. On the coast, however, it was pouring. In some places, it came after hours of rain to some severe flooding. Happy about the rain could only farmers on the coast. In particular, the rice farmers are now hoping for a good harvest.
The comment by Dr. Eckhart Wolff
Policy in Ecuador, between Christmas and New Year only Pause little indulgence. In particular, the Constituent Assembly continues to work intensively on the new constitution of the country. Our comment of the week analyzed Eckhart Wolff, the political situation of the country in early 2008.
The political situation is getting worse. The Constituent Assembly is working. She puts industry on the day. Only the holidays were free. Otherwise, send radio, television and the newspapers report daily from Montecristi. A new center of power is created there. Is governed either in Quito or Guayaquil. Montecristi is the symbol for a new beginning, as then, the revolution Eloy Alfaro 100 years ago that catapulted the country into a new phase.
And the President is very clever in front of it. He is on the meetings of the Constituent Assembly, only sporadically present, and seems to take no effect. But of course, breaks the information between Montecristi and the President at any time. Are faithful to his acolytes. Correa has a large majority and can implement all that he or his allies want. The President travels tirelessly around the home and abroad, is everywhere. He would not lose the connection to the people and recognize feelings in time.
also sent the tactics of the government laws. Since a 10% tax on private school fees will be announced facilities - there are widespread protests. Then the project is abandoned. What remains is the higher taxation of the rich. The maximum tax rate at $ 80,000 and more years of income is 35 percent. The lower income groups are tax exempt. That brings the consent of the majority of the people. In addition the tax office more powers and tax evaders can immediately send to prison. Who would be there in a high-corruption country not on the part of government?
Another bone of contention of the tax reform are the 25% tax provision of citizens. I can define this country as a taxpayer up to 25%, will go where the tax. Favored in the first place, the cities and municipalities. Since the citizens have seen the progress and enjoyed. A centralized government that is a thorn in the side. The mayors have that opposes the Government together. They want to prevent that they get less tax revenue. President Correa is then invited to a Christmas dinner of the mayor to Quito. Results: On some points he made them the control of self-determination. Thus, the joint protest of the local authorities has broken down.
Furthermore, Montecristi become a new place of pilgrimage. Every day, thousands flock there to the government to declare their consent. However, opponents are excluded. So wanted the mayor of Guayaquil in a protest march to go there. At the provincial border he was stopped. "He could walk alone to come to Montecristi," was the answer the police. This indicates that the President of both the military and police strength has probably 100% behind him. Their wages were increased as well as that of the poor. At the turn of the minimum wages increased by 41.6%. Ordinary workers get 30 dollars more. And all this is by presidential decree, because a parliament is not functioning for more than a year. Similarly, the rates of banks were lowered imposed from above. This is to facilitate loans.
Ecuador is in a strange situation: In principle, there is a permanent campaign of the president. Duration manifestations of his followers are wanted. The crowds are enthusiastic. There are also gifts such as Tax relief. Conflicts, such as difficulties in oil-producing regions of the President governs with military and police. Since not even allowed to talk at the Constituent Assembly. Increasingly, however, the actions of the President of the Constituent Assembly will be confirmed and legalized it. The opposition is challenged with maximum ideas. Then there is for something, and enforces its direction before the formation of large resistance can. This is a very clever policy. Correa is surely the most skillful politician of recent decades. Nevertheless, most commentators see Ecuador in its policy a few characteristics of an incipient dictatorship.