Mr. William Lantigua,
“The rulers see through their spies, just like a cow through the nose; the Brahmins, through the Scriptures, and the rest of the men through their eyes”, Kautilya, Indian philosopher, 111 B.C.
The father of the Dominican Sociology, Prof. Juan Bosch Gavino often said that in politics there are things seen and things unseen and the unseen are larger than those that can be seen. Our analysis is heading this way, then we can say Mr. Lantigua, that the factors in your defeat Mr. Lantigua, there are visible elements and factors that were not seen during the recent electoral tournament.
We note that among the tangible actions that left a bitter taste, was that almost fratricidal struggle with the written press, not based in Lawrence, whose confrontation made many heads roll and at the same time affected the image of Lawrence, because they sized up the evils to the extent that Lawrence was painted as the most unfortunate city of this nation. This greatly affected your administration.
Some believe your image experienced another visible sign of a turnaround from that of a humble man to one transformed by the position. I fear that this was the result of advice from those closest to you that were wrong and although you are not a hermit, it was less beneficial y to raise you to the stature of a demiurge. I’m afraid that did a lot of damage to your image of man of the people.
Also the perceived challenge to well-established people in the Party flaunting decisive electoral force, those words are still alive which predicted who would be elected and have it happen that way, or support a candidate who lost in his own demarcation, but wins thanks to the votes in Lawrence. This challenge led to a response that is not seen, but it was devastating; it is considered “punishment vote” as a result of the change of mind in some party leaders regarding your candidacy.
Another aspect worth taking into account among the topics that are not seen, there is the eight points brought up by an evangelical pastor. I have to admit I was surprised by the political sagacity of the Christian minister, because what he presented was not a political tactic, but a true post-convention strategy where political desires do not enter. I will focus on two of these points because I understand that were nodal, and it is possible that they were not served. One was the fieldwork in blind areas, these are areas where you were not knowledgeable and a fierce battle was fought. It is rumored that you understood that these areas were lost and there were no opportunities in them, but the purpose was to launch an offensive in precisely these areas, in Districts E and F. In E, the advantage over you was 1,406 votes and the F, was four hundred and fifty-five votes difference. Looking at the universe of votes which was fifteen thousand two hundred and sixty-eight, in such a universe, these figures were simply astronomical.
Another factor to take into account that contributed to the defeat was that when you came to your “ceiling”, the process of decline began, not in the south but in the north, in your own stronghold, so you narrowly lost the district by seventeen votes, but allowed the correlation of forces to balance. Hence two interesting conclusions came out of that.
First, losing District A, so closely was a sign that the citizens’ vote of confidence became digits for the rejection rate increases, not only by the natural weeding out brought on by the exercise of power, but by having many open fronts, which led to uncertainty and nervousness in the adult population.
Second is very likely that the focus of your attention was directed to the adult population while neglecting the new electoral force, the young people who voted for the first time, and which were not inclined to vote for you, perhaps because you didn’t have anything to offer to them in your electoral bid.
And finally point number eight made by the Christian Minister who looked for detachment, alliance and sit at the negotiating table, to “smoke the peace pipe.” It was rumored that you were willing to lose than to take that step, if so, it was a gut response. That meeting would add up the votes you lacked and contribute to winning in a much more loosely way, so when defeat showed its claws, it was a surprise for many, but not others who were expecting it.
I understand that you are an active entity within our political life, therefore, will not allow yourself to be placed as a Chinese vase in a corner, but will be back to the electoral arena. I have not talked to you, so this is just a premonition but I think you will go for State Representative for District 16 again. If I’m wrong and you are not, perfect; but if I’m right you should think twice because “the person who goes too far in his triumphs generates a reaction that inevitably leads to decay or fall” (Law # 29, 48 Laws of Power).
Mr. Lantigua, let me suggest, and not with the intent of ranting, you have very high human values which speak decidedly well of you, especially possessing social sensitivity; take it back with more desire and your political future will be more than promising.
With sincere affection,
Father Joel Almonó
