Bolivian president to abolish lifetime salary for presidents

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Xinhua

Bolivian president to abolish lifetime salary for presidents
Posted: 2007/06/14

LIMA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Bolivian President Evo Morales has said that he will present a bill to Congress abolishing the lifetime salary for the country's presidents, according to reports from Bolivia's administrative capital La Paz on Wednesday.

Morales said on Tuesday at a meeting that he will not receive the lifetime salary after his presidential term expires.

The president said the bill, which will help to save money for Bolivia, will be sent to Congress soon.

A former president could enjoy the lifetime salary if he were very poor, but most are millionaires, he said.

Carlos Mesa Gisbert, former Bolivian president, said that what Morales said would trigger disputes and confrontation in the country.





Read more: http://mathaba.net/news/?x=555662

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I htnk the only confrontation that would spark would be from the rich former presidents who want the

extra money? :shrug:

[bemildred]

2. Yes, the rich former presidents will demonstrate against this injustice.

I can see them marching through the streets now.

[Matariki]

3. Well it does keep former presidents from having to do margarine ads

or appear on Celebrity Squares. Which is not so dignified for the country.

[LiberalFighter]

4. Current salary for President is $3600 a month

There are different accounts on president's salary.

Found another site with salary listed as $4362 a month.

[Judi Lynn]

5. He foretold his own pay cut, during his campaign: "Bolivia leader halves his own pay "

Last Updated: Friday, 27 January 2006, 05:38 GMT
Bolivia leader halves his own pay

The Bolivian new left-wing President, Evo Morales, has cut his salary by more than a half to a little over $1,800 (£1,012) per month.
The decision means that the salaries of all Bolivian public sector employees will be reviewed, as no official can earn more than the president.

Mr Morales said the money saved would be used to increase the numbers of doctors and teachers.

Mr Morales suggested that members of Congress should cut their salaries too.

During the campaign, Mr Morales had pledged to halve his own pay if elected.

The move announced after his first cabinet went beyond that, with a cut of 57%.
(snip/...)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4652940.stm

[Vidar]

6. Viva Evo!

[classysassy]

7. Memo to Bush

give it back baby,you can afford to return the money,you have stolen enough money from Iraq, to keep your family in clover for the rest of their evil lives.

[Judi Lynn]

8. Indigenous literacy program advances

Thursday, June 14, 2007
Indigenous literacy program advances
Martín Garat. Jun 13, 2007

“My hand shook when I wrote on the first day,” said Lorenza Quispe, a student in a literacy program in the Jardín Botánico area of the capital, La Paz. She wrote the Spanish words “té, tomate, toro,” or “tea, tomato, bull” at the end of the class.

Almost all of the female students in these 90-minute classes are over the age of 50. They work for a park maintenance company in the capital.

Except for one, the female students are all dressed in the full skirts common for Andean women. It is difficult for them to pronounce some of the Spanish words because their Aymara and Quechua mother tongues reverse some of the vowels used in Spanish.

“It’s difficult to learn at this age,” said Viviana, who did not wish to give her last name. “We forget what we learn quickly, and we have other things to worry about.”

Miriam Fuentes Castro teaches one of the courses in neighboring town El Alto as a volunteer. “It’s a nice challenge to teach them to read and write, but you have to advance slowly,” she said. “At first, they didn’t know how to use pencils. We had many exercises. Another problem is that they have responsibilities in their home, like cooking dinner.”

More:
http://www.latinamericapress.org/article.asp?lanCode=1&artCode=5190