against the vote of moughtaribin in 2013

[elias-aj]

I really can't understand some reactions here, really. I mean, I can understand the frustration because of the elections but the results of those elections must not divert us from FPM principles.

Expatriates are as much Lebanese as those living in Lebanon. Period. They're not better nor worse. They have relatives in Lebanon, they may have their heart in Lebanon and they even may have holdings and capital, thus paying taxes as well.

As an expatriate, I feel rejected by such a speach and you want me and other expatriates to keep /create links and connections with Lebanon ? Do you know at least how important is the role of the expatriates on a financial field for Lebanon ? Or do you prefer the money coming from foreigners, let's say KSA, Emirates etc. ?

Wake up and see the big picture.

[Jasper]

Why should someone who doesn't live through the things I live in have the right to change my future, especially when he gets the wrong information constantly? If there is some decent un biased media reaching out to those guys, then they might help us take Lebanon to the right road, but until that happens I don't see the reason to do that. Of course, if they're going to constantly bring them to Lebanon on each elections, then why not?

[Shah Massoud]

Originally Posted by elias-aj

I really can't understand some reactions here, really. I mean, I can understand the frustration because of the elections but the results of those elections must not divert us from FPM principles.

Expatriates are as much Lebanese as those living in Lebanon. Period. They're not better nor worse. They have relatives in Lebanon, they may have their heart in Lebanon and they even may have holdings and capital, thus paying taxes as well.

As an expatriate, I feel rejected by such a speach and you want me and other expatriates to keep /create links and connections with Lebanon ? Do you know at least how important is the role of the expatriates on a financial field for Lebanon ? Or do you prefer the money coming from foreigners, let's say KSA, Emirates etc. ?

Wake up and see the big picture.

my point is : there are two types of expats :

the one still connected to lebanon , comes visiting often , have a home or a piece of land here...and the others that only have paper nationality from their grandparents maybe and that usually think Lebanon is the land of hommus and tabbouleh.....These should not be allowed to vote...and unfortunatelly MOST DIASPORA WHICH WAS BROUGHT TO VOTE WAS FROM THE 2ND TYPE

[Souss]

Originally Posted by Booyakasha

my case: 20 years from now, I will still be attached to this country. 20 years from now, I will still be following politics as all my family/friends are there. 20 years from now I will still want my voice to be heard. Now take this formula and try to invert it, you will be denying it for the same guy who lived this for the past 20 years.

Of course I agree that your globe-trotter is not worthy of voting but we must not be delusional as the fa7es damm most of you (pro-conditions voters in this poll) are talking about is not verifiable by any means (as my previous post proves). We all know that MOST of the people brought by 14ers are 14ers. All of the people I know who got free tickets last week (around 30) were 14ers.

I am not here to prove you wrong. I am here to show you that even though we wish to be selective about the electorate we cannot control this issue. If his dad is from Marje3youn, if he lived in Rwanda then jumped to Thailand but loves lebanon and follows all the mishaps in Lebanon, he will be failing your test and this is not right. It is his CONSTITUTIONAL right.

It's a tough job and a challenge for FPM but what needs to be done is to work on the majority of people who get paid because those are either 14ers or pro-14ers or independents and this will offset any votes coming from ignorant hillbillies.

I can see a reasonable situation where after a certain number of years (in the UK it's 15) of not residing in Lebanon, an expat would lose his/her right to vote, temporarily of course, until he/she goes back to reside in Lebanon for a minimum period of time (e.g. 6 months).

That to me are reasonable limitations that can be put on the expats rights to vote. But the starting point should be full constitutional voting rights, like everyone living in Lebanon. From that basis, we can discuss the tweaking.

[roch10452]

Originally Posted by Jasper

Why should someone who doesn't live through the things I live in have the right to change my future, especially when he gets the wrong information constantly? If there is some decent un biased media reaching out to those guys, then they might help us take Lebanon to the right road, but until that happens I don't see the reason to do that. Of course, if they're going to constantly bring them to Lebanon on each elections, then why not?

Because lebanon's economy runs mainly on expatriats money

[elias-aj]

Originally Posted by Shah Massoud

my point is : there are two types of expats :

the one still connected to lebanon , comes visiting often , have a home or a piece of land here...and the others that only have paper nationality from their grandparents maybe and that usually think Lebanon is the land of hommus and tabbouleh.....These should not be allowed to vote...and unfortunatelly MOST DIASPORA WHICH WAS BROUGHT TO VOTE WAS FROM THE 2ND TYPE

My friend, this is democracy. We also have many types of lebanese living in Lebanon :

- those who care about politic and among them, those who try to inform themselves and those who're used to the "café du commerce" discussion ;
- those who don't care about politic ;
- those who you can buy and those who you can't
- etc.

And it's like that in every democratic country.

Thing is, in a democracy, all of them have the right to vote.

Last thing, don't believe that the expatriates are necessarily happy not to be able to live in Lebanon, despite what is usually and openly said (to hell with this country etc. etc. etc.). There's still and there will always be a part of us in Lebanon.

[Chaga]

Originally Posted by Jasper

Why should someone who doesn't live through the things I live in have the right to change my future, especially when he gets the wrong information constantly? If there is some decent un biased media reaching out to those guys, then they might help us take Lebanon to the right road, but until that happens I don't see the reason to do that. Of course, if they're going to constantly bring them to Lebanon on each elections, then why not?

Because it is not YOUR future my friend.
The fact that you did not have the opportunity of having a better life outside, does not make you more Lebanese than I am.
And the fact that I am posting on YOUR forum only proves that I don't only read/watch biased media. Actually biased is taken lightly since there is no such thing as unbiased media in Lebanon, but you do get my point.

[alabellez]

every single lebanese should have the right to vote, and it shouldn't matter wether they live in Lebanon or not(after all there are more lebanese living away from lebanon than the ones living her!) (plus it's better them voting (no matter who they'll be voting for)than those mjannasin!!) they have a say... and it's their right!

[Jasper]

Originally Posted by Chaga

Because it is not YOUR future my friend.
The fact that you did not have the opportunity of having a better life outside, does not make you more Lebanese than I am.
And the fact that I am posting on YOUR forum only proves that I don't only read/watch biased media. Actually biased is taken lightly since there is no such thing as unbiased media in Lebanon, but you do get my point.

Well, your argument falls when you say that you are on "my"forum. As, not all "moghtaribin" visit these forums, now am I wrong or right?

There is un biased media in Lebanon...NEW TV, anyone? When LBC is all what those "moghtirbin" watch, then we all know where we are heading.

...and my friend, when I have to deal with every bad in Lebanon, when you are having the previlige to live a better life outside of Lebanon, that would give my vote more importance than yours, especially when I'm not sure that you actually ackwnlodge whats going on around here. It doesn't make me more Lebanese, but it does give me more rights. I'm all for those people voting, but under the right circumstances of course.

[kashta]

well I think expatriates shouldn't be allowed to vote, Butt incase there were few mps they can elect like someone mentioned earlier,then maybe yes on tha base of proportional law. PLUS they must at least live in lebanon 6 months per year prior/during elections. they can't just come and decide for those living in lebanon,it isn't fair.