Convince me to vote for you (Possible future Q&A page) {PLEASE READ THE FIRST POST}

[Bazek]

Dear Citizen of my beloved country,

First I will invite you to vote regardless to whom, voting is a responsibility to every Lebanese Citizen, the same way you have rights in your country you have also responsibilities and the most privileged one of them is VOTING.

Second, why vote for me (i.e. FPM). When you vote for me, you select me to play the role that I am campaigning for.

Whatever I as a candidate will do, is what you as a voter voted for. I will try to elaborate more here: as an FPM candidate I represent a total package that start from the essentials (Freedom, Patriotism and Independence) to (secularism, openness and sacrifice) and the most important part of this package is Change & Reform.

If you like the actual situation in Lebanon then I am not your candidate, if you like the actual government then don't vote for me please, if you think that you and your family will have a better future by keeping the status quo then 'Shtobneh' from the list of candidates but kindly do vote for my opponents so Democracy can still prevail.

Finally I will promise you something if you vote for me, I will work hard to deliver the total package within the first 2 years of my mandate of 4 years, if I do deliver I will continue serving you as a Citizen of my country, if I fail I will let you know why and I will resign before completing my term therefore returning your confidence thankfully and I will give back my salary earned as a deputy to the Government without any regrets.

Remember this, without a voter there is no candidate and therefore no democracy, so do vote and let the best win to serve you and serve Lebanon.

Sincerely yours.

[superduper703]

Well, I am a real independent and I am coming to Lebanon next year to vote for the first time in my life. I have not made my mind up yet.

On one hand, I was a staunch Aoun supporter before, then a fringe FPM supporter for a while, but have lost faith for the simple reason that Aoun made a strategic shift in policy by allying himself with Hizbullah and other Syrian cronies. This is not the Aoun I know. When I read some of his statements from Paris and see what's happening today on the ground, I start to think that he's just like the rest of them.

On the other hand, I cannot vote for the other thieves either. Bunch of bloodsuckers who'd sell their mother to gain a penny.

Tell me why I should trust Aoun and his party.

P.S.: I'd appreciate it too if the FPM posters on this forum weren't so quick to brand you a March14 partisan, call you names, etc. every time you said something contrary to their beliefs. Not all people blindly follow a leader and spout whatever he says.

[Nonan]

Originally Posted by superduper703

Well, I am a real independent and I am coming to Lebanon next year to vote for the first time in my life. I have not made my mind up yet.

On one hand, I was a staunch Aoun supporter before, then a fringe FPM supporter for a while, but have lost faith for the simple reason that Aoun made a strategic shift in policy by allying himself with Hizbullah and other Syrian cronies. This is not the Aoun I know. When I read some of his statements from Paris and see what's happening today on the ground, I start to think that he's just like the rest of them.

On the other hand, I cannot vote for the other thieves either. Bunch of bloodsuckers who'd sell their mother to gain a penny.

Tell me why I should trust Aoun and his party.

P.S.: I'd appreciate it too if the FPM posters on this forum weren't so quick to brand you a March14 partisan, call you names, etc. every time you said something contrary to their beliefs. Not all people blindly follow a leader and spout whatever he says.

I understand where you're coming from. One of my cousins and my brother are likely to be in a similar position. I'm probably immune from this by the fact that hell needs to freeze before I vote for SG, WJ, SH or anyone associated with them (and I would not have voted for Michel el Murr... but I have no issues with S Frangieh - I am from the North - or Arslane for instance... weird).

Anyway, my recommendation to you is to go beyond the speech and judge the actions and facts. A speech is a speech only and the best way to assess whether or not FPM are worthy of your votes (and I would encourage you to come and vote) is to assess their actions and compare to that of others...

[Nonan]

Originally Posted by X

In 2005 I gave my vote to FPM because FPM promised me to change and to reform, 3 years has passed and i see no change and corruption in the country is almost the same if not more.

You can judge us when we're in a position to influence the outcome. So you should judge us on the - short - period of time we ran the ministries of telecommunication, energy, social services and agriculture.
You should also judge us on our parlimentary work (when the parliment was working): did we put forward the appropriate laws, the ones your agree with? Did we vote in accordance to what you would have wanted us to vote? Did we raise the right questions and issues to "question" the government? Did we support the same "causes" by giving them coverage and support (e.g., SOLIDE, new electoral law, etc.)

[Dry Ice]

As an independent Matn voter, I would like to address the future candidate with a few questions.

If elected, how will you work, within your functions as a member of parliament, on the following, for Matn specifically:

• Public Transport: A better regulation of buses and taxis/services whereby the Matni resident would be able to travel from one village of Matn to the other with no hassle, in addition to being properly linked to the capital and other major cities.
  
• Parks: How about creating some protected national parks in a supposedly green kada2 such as Matn? Why not make Mt Sannine a wild reserve?
  
• Libraries: More libraries and a larger selection of books/magazines in the 3 common languages
  
• Sports: Basketball/soccer playgrounds open for free or a symbolic fee to the young Matnis
  
• Waste/Garbage: Install a waste management and recycling program that will reduce the amount of garbage in Matn; prevent littering.
  
• Air pollution: Install an ordinance to prevent cars with black mazoot smoke to enter Matn
  
• Traffic: Make red lights and radar tickets mandatory on all intersections, control speed limits with payable fines
  
• Parking: Provide sufficient and smart management of parking space in all needed locations, specifically the commercial centers
  
• Health centers/clinics: Install enough medical outlets and qualified personnel so that all Matn residents could get treated affordably

As a special note, how would you approach the following issues:

1. The seafront of Antelias-Dbayeh, that was turned from a sandy beach into a concrete forest in order to make hundreds of millions for a few contractors. Kilometers of pure sand beaches were lost for this mega project (Marina Dbayeh) which is still unfinished.

2. The work of Antelias Quarries which contributed to the destruction of one of the most important archeological sites of Lebanon (Ksar Akil) in addition to the environmental and health repercussions of those Kassarat (quarries). By the way, those Kassarat are the same ones feeding the Marina Dbayeh project, nice complementary projects may one add.

3. Prosecuting the Murr Law for "Extra Extra Extra" Roof space over the project of Murr Towers, about 30 stories were added above what the "old law" permitted. Strangely enough that "Murr Law" was only valid for a very short period were a certain gentleman was able to build those towers and then such law effect got void and the "old law" got back into works.

4. The issue of a large touristic complex in Zaarour, effectively blocking the citizens of reaching the top of the mountain without passing through that private estate, a passage which you need to be a private club member if you want to come across.

5. The rampage in Spring of 2005 in Matn Real Estate directories, where deletion of all files and documents pertaining to the thefts and infractions that a certain gentleman and his gang performed on the new highway crossing Matn from Baabdat.

6. The previous (and future?) gatherings of Lebanese citizens under a certain gentleman's "patronage" in Chalet Suisse in New Jdeideh before each election where threats, orders and promises were issued to the whole teams for "proper conduct" during elections: You either vote correctly or you face the consequences, YOU are being watched.

7. Construction permits that needed cash and wasta to be disbursed as per the Ministry of Interior's requirements and a certain gentleman used to take the part of the Lion in those under/over the table taxations of Lebanese citizens.

8. Project Zenith in Sannine... Could you tell us what's going on with that mega project and how will you deal with environmental laws once this huge estate is constructed... Would the Caza of Matn collect some lucrative taxes from that project?

I would appreciate some answers to those pressing questions and a better idea of who the candidate is and what is he going to achieve or at least seek to achieve, otherwise my best independent choice would be a blank card, which in the end would be a shame.

On a side note, a Q&A session open to the public and where the candidate would have had the opportunity to present himself would be a good idea, i.e. as a minimum, an appearance on an online forum...

The above is by no means an exhaustive list, the candidate should feel encouraged to add more projects; I do not believe in voting for a party's program per se; but for a combination of a party's ideology, program and history in addition to the individual candidate's profile.

Regards

[GMA forever]

Originally Posted by superduper703

Well, I am a real independent and I am coming to Lebanon next year to vote for the first time in my life. I have not made my mind up yet.

On one hand, I was a staunch Aoun supporter before, then a fringe FPM supporter for a while, but have lost faith for the simple reason that Aoun made a strategic shift in policy by allying himself with Hizbullah and other Syrian cronies. This is not the Aoun I know. When I read some of his statements from Paris and see what's happening today on the ground, I start to think that he's just like the rest of them.

On the other hand, I cannot vote for the other thieves either. Bunch of bloodsuckers who'd sell their mother to gain a penny.

Tell me why I should trust Aoun and his party.

P.S.: I'd appreciate it too if the FPM posters on this forum weren't so quick to brand you a March14 partisan, call you names, etc. every time you said something contrary to their beliefs. Not all people blindly follow a leader and spout whatever he says.

Dear superduper I do appreciate your honesty, and regardless if you are voting FPM or not, the fact that you made your plans to come to Lebanon next summer to participate in the elections show us already how aware and responsible you are.

Aoun was a fierce opponent of Syria back when Syria was in Lebanon and Aoun was in Paris. Now the world moved on, the politics changed, Syria retreated from Lebanon as you know, and Aoun's vision today in order to preserve Lebanon, we have to be best friends with the syrians. If we like it or not, they are our neighbour, they are stronger than us, and to be fair at least half of the Lebanese people if not more, don't wish to have Syria as an ennemy.

As for Hezballa, Aoun had 2 ways to deal with them. Either confrontation and lead Lebanon to another civil war, or dialogue and try to solve the problem of their weapons in a general national interest way. Of course he chose the second choice.

Now in order for you not to label Aoun "just like the rest of them", I want you to try to free your mind and look back at the past 4 years, and see for yourself who was working against all odds, in order to prevent mainly a civil war in Lebanon, in order to always stand with the weak Lebanese against their aggressor:

FPM stood with the sunnis when Rafik Hariri was assassinated,
FPM stood with Samir Ja3ja3 and the LFers when he was in jail and we signed his pardon,
FPM stood with Walid Jounblatt when Syria wanted to prosecute him,
FPM stood with the shiites when they were attacked by Israel,
and finally FPM stood with the Christians when they were being sidelined again and again.

As a neutral, you may not agree with Aoun or FPM in all their policies, but I think you can agree that he is the main one you can trust, the main one who will always work for his country even at the expense of himself, and that he is the main one who will be there to support any lebanese being attacked.

[Nonan]

Originally Posted by Dry Ice

As an independent Matn voter, I would like to address the future candidate with a few questions.

If elected, how will you work, within your functions as a member of parliament, on the following, for Matn specifically:

• Public Transport: A better regulation of buses and taxis/services whereby the Matni resident would be able to travel from one village of Matn to the other with no hassle, in addition to being properly linked to the capital and other major cities.
  
• Parks: How about creating some protected national parks in a supposedly green kada2 such as Matn? Why not make Mt Sannine a wild reserve?
  
• Libraries: More libraries and a larger selection of books/magazines in the 3 common languages
  
• Sports: Basketball/soccer playgrounds open for free or a symbolic fee to the young Matnis
  
• Waste/Garbage: Install a waste management and recycling program that will reduce the amount of garbage in Matn; prevent littering.
  
• Air pollution: Install an ordinance to prevent cars with black mazoot smoke to enter Matn
  
• Traffic: Make red lights and radar tickets mandatory on all intersections, control speed limits with payable fines
  
• Parking: Provide sufficient and smart management of parking space in all needed locations, specifically the commercial centers
  
• Health centers/clinics: Install enough medical outlets and qualified personnel so that all Matn residents could get treated affordably

Regards

Technical question, and not to derail the conversation, but how much of the first list - above - is the role of the MP vs. the role of the municipalities?
On the second list, I agree, it is the to be expected from anyone fighting corruption

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by Nonan

Technical question, and not to derail the conversation, but how much of the first list - above - is the role of the MP vs. the role of the municipalities?

I will not debate who's role is it to actually apply the first list, however it is up to the MP to lobby and ensure that municipalities (or whatever other bodies) are applying them properly..

[Nonan]

Originally Posted by Dry Ice

I will not debate who's role is it to actually apply the first list, however it is up to the MP to lobby and ensure that municipalities (or whatever other bodies) are applying them properly..

Thanks...

Then we need to make sure the Matn candidates have 2 attributes:
1) Believe in the importance of the list you provided and are dedicated to make sure it is provided to the Metn people: one proxy for that could be the story of the "Haute Tension" electrical cables in Mansourieh... I seem to recall the Jbeil and Kesserwan MPs doing regular updates regarding these types of topics
2) Are influential and able to get these things done: either because they hold influential positions in the parliment or cabinet, because of their access to the media, to funds or to industrial partners...

[superduper703]

Originally Posted by GMA forever

Aoun was a fierce opponent of Syria back when Syria was in Lebanon and Aoun was in Paris. Now the world moved on, the politics changed, Syria retreated from Lebanon as you know, and Aoun's vision today in order to preserve Lebanon, we have to be best friends with the syrians. If we like it or not, they are our neighbour, they are stronger than us, and to be fair at least half of the Lebanese people if not more, don't wish to have Syria as an ennemy.

As for Hezballa, Aoun had 2 ways to deal with them. Either confrontation and lead Lebanon to another civil war, or dialogue and try to solve the problem of their weapons in a general national interest way. Of course he chose the second choice.

Now in order for you not to label Aoun "just like the rest of them", I want you to try to free your mind and look back at the past 4 years, and see for yourself who was working against all odds, in order to prevent mainly a civil war in Lebanon, in order to always stand with the weak Lebanese against their aggressor:

FPM stood with the sunnis when Rafik Hariri was assassinated,
FPM stood with Samir Ja3ja3 and the LFers when he was in jail and we signed his pardon,
FPM stood with Walid Jounblatt when Syria wanted to prosecute him,
FPM stood with the shiites when they were attacked by Israel,
and finally FPM stood with the Christians when they were being sidelined again and again.

As a neutral, you may not agree with Aoun or FPM in all their policies, but I think you can agree that he is the main one you can trust, the main one who will always work for his country even at the expense of himself, and that he is the main one who will be there to support any lebanese being attacked.

Sorry for being blunt, but having been in Canada for so long, I have learnt that politicians are basically civial servants and have to answer to the population for their acts and stances.

Consequently:

1. Syria: I have no problem with Lebanon being close to Syria, if the Syrians were treating Lebanon at arm's length as an independent country. They are not. However, I am willing to give FPM the benefit of the doubt and will see how things progress on this front.

2. Hizbullah: The shift in policy is astounding. Aoun went from asking that HA lay down their arms to actually requesting that they keep their arms, even if the Shebaa Farms are liberated. He's basically given cover to an armed group that does not take orders from the Lebanese government. No brownie points on this issue.

3. You say that he stood with this and that. I'll try to dig up his quote when Hizbullah/Amal and other thugs were clearing up Sunni neighbourhoods back in May. I still remember him gloating. No brownie points on this claim.

4. The thing that I actually about FPM is its agenda of cleaning up the administration. I am not in Lebanon to see what the FPM ministers are doing, but I have a feeling that they are under the microscope and are probably doing a good job, after reading some of the threads on this forum. Major points on this issue.