Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has defended the manner government’s Public Support Program, commonly referred to as the “Red Clinic,” is being run, saying there is nothing wrong with it being operated from his office.
The progam has been the subject of severe criticism, partly because it is being ran from the Prime Minister’s Office, in a move which some say is political in nature.
Addressing the matter in Parliament on Wednesday evening, Skerrit said there is nothing wrong with the Prime Minister assisting a Dominican and other heads of state, including the President of the United States, run similar programs from their offices.
“To say that the Prime Minister of a country should not be in the position to faciliate or assist a Dominican citizen is a wrong thing,” he said. “Every head of state and head of government, Madam Speaker, has access to a program, one way or the other. In St Lucia, for example, there was a particular time when the AIDS program was in the office of the Prime Minister but he had a Ministry of Health and a Minister of Health.”
He stated that a similar situation exists in St. Vincent where several social programs are administered out of the office of the Prime Minister.
Skerrit said the same is true in the United States.
“You go to the White House, the President of the United States has access to several funds that he deals with and some of them he doesn’t have to answer to the Senate because of the high security nature of it,” he noted.
The Prime Minister described the program as a “one-time intervention.”
“Anybody who comes to us more than once for any social intervention is refered to the Social Welfare Department and we send the Welfare Department to the person’s home to investigate the person’s condition of living,” he explained. “And if it is found that person will be a recurring situation, that person is placed on the public assistance program administered by the Ministry of Social Services.”
A total of $1.5-million were appropriated to the ‘Red Clinic’ in the Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year ending June 30,2015, which were approved by Parliament on Wednesday evening.
“You go to the White House, the President of the United States has access to several funds that he deals with and some of them he doesn’t have to answer to the Senate because of the high security nature of it,” he noted.”
Admin, I agree you reserve the right to publish any comment you deem fit nevertheless, when someone know how the governmental system works in America, and comment on a lie such as in the above, I think such comments should be allowed!
I reiterate Skerrit has no idea of what he is say here he lied, the president of the United States have power to take measure as we now see in Syria, however to finance such operations the congress of the United States must allocate such funds. That is why on many occasions you hear the Publicans talk about de-funding! (cutting off money which funds such operation). That in the quote above constitute impeachment of the president!
Anybody who took American Government in College or University in America know that above is…
Anybody who took American Government in College or University in America knows that above is crap, I studied American Government in College okay! And so I refer you to: to a text book by Lowi & Ginsberg (American Government Second Edition).
So when someone like me read the crap speaks makes me feel ashamed especially to read that crap in a public media. DNO you need to print such comments so that the world can know that all of us are dunce an ignorant.
Read American Government: Freedom And Power by Theodore J. Lowi (Cornell University) And Benjamin Ginsberg (The Johns Hopkins University). We do not go by they say in America, learn it for ourselves.
“That the world can know that all of us Dominicans are not dunce and ignorant!”
“I reiterate Skerrit has no idea of what he is say here he lied, ”
Only an error: I reiterate Skerrit has no idea of what he is say here he lied, ”
I iterate Skerrit has no idea of what he is talking about here; he is lying!
“Red Clinic,” is being run, saying there is nothing wrong with it being operated from his office.”
Roosevelt everything one can think about that is wrong; is wrong about you as the Prime Minister operating a welfare office from your office. Only in a corrupt country, run by a corrupt government such corrupt behavior are found!
If you were an honest man, and was concern about the poor of Dominica, and you wish to become involve in welfare services, you could have used the model used in the United States, Britain, Canada, and your birth country “France,” to organized a legal welfare system where the deserving could go and apply for welfare, by so doing every needy person on the island would have the opportunity to benefit from the system.
As it stand right now what you are doing is illegal, you know very well your red clinic serves only those who crawl at you feet dressed in red!
My friend please tell the Dominican public “what is the high security nature behind the RED CLINIC that you don’t have to give an explanation for”? And could you also enlighten us on the “SIMILAR programs run from the offices of other heads of state including the President of the USA”? Do you believe that every other Dominican is a Mammy; Voice; NAN and the like who if you told them you were the returning messiah would with their loud ignorant voice shout “Yash massa”. Yes my friend continue to feed the ignorant and lazy with what they deserve Hand-Out; but spear us the indignity of the rest of the world thinking that we are a bunch of ignorant; uneducated people. Only those the cap fit should wear it as a badge of honor.
I don’t know why dominicans like to sit and compare dominica with the united states of america. Dominica is dominica. What white house have to do with all u. Stop embarassing obama please. He is not running any financial center in the white house. Stupes….
Obviously he has to defend those who keep him in power, the recipients of the RED CLINIC.
Skerrit is just proving how delusional he has become. He is coming from a place of ignorance when he makes mention of the President operating a program similar to his Red Clinic. This is utter rubbish and he knows it. The people are not as dumb as you think!
This one time thing has been on-going now for over ten (10) years and dubbed a fraud. Its also an abuse to poor people.
Stop fooling us man!!! No US President nor any other government in the Western world runs anything like that. Why would they? They have welfare and social security departments that deal with these matters on an application and assessment basis. You however deal with singled out cases that need to be followers of your party. As I said before if you wish to share your private fortune with your blind followers – go ahead! Tax payers money is not for you to share amongst your cronies. You should start to operate much more careful. The days we are swallowing your BS are gone!
This just says it all. Is there really anything else to say about this ridiculous so called benefit system.
Anyone who agrees that this is progress and the country is going in the right direction, then they must be deluded.
Personally I have heard of the Red Clinic but I have not seen it so next time I go home, I shall ensure that I see this ludicrous benefit system for myself. I still cannot believe that this is going on in my country.
And some say that Labour is working yet they que to be fed. Well I think that have got this whole thing totally mixed up and twisted. Should it not be the other way round? Should they not be the ones working and saying that Labour has provided jobs for us and we are working as opposed to lining up to be fed?
I mean come on my people, how low are we going to stoop. Have we lost our purpose and dignity. The idea is not a bad one but the execution of it is totally and utterly wrong. My good God, what have we been relegated to as a people?
I wonder how different is the R”Red Clinic” from the “Food Stamps” in the US and elsewhere. That so many D/cans who have migrated live on in these countries.
Food stamps are given to people in dire need. The Red Clinic money only goes to existing and prospective labourites. It a money for vote machine!
My friend the issue is that the prime minister said that president Obama is running programs like the red clinic from the Oval office. If you are honest u know that is false. That’s the issue.
The kind and compassionate Supreme Leader has all rights to help and support faithful Labourites. The critics on the other side of the isle are salivating at a chance to get their hands on that money. They hate to see Labourites enjoying life and benefiting from their loyalty and faithfulness. It is a Labourite’s right and pleasure to see the face of our saviour and redeemer, to feel his warm and gentle smile as he greets us, to look into his gentle and compassionate eyes and to hear his sweet, humble and melodic voice as he thanks us for our undying support and hands us an envelope overflowing with cash! This Christ-like Demigod, the wonderful and ordained leader, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit, should, must and will defend the Public Support Program against those troublemakers who want to stop the progress and success of Labourites. They see our new cars, big houses, beautiful furniture , nice clothes and full carts of groceries and they wish they had supported. Maybe next election…
I hope you put god first before Skerrit,your a sad human being,Deeper poverty for the poor people.
For the love of money you will go to hell and back, by your own description.even the devil has his followers
Labouroflove you are a parasite just sucking Dominicans blood you don’t deserve that name Labour means work and you have no love you are a selfish greedy bastard
You sound brainwashed…. or perhaps you’re simply singing for your supper. By all means… proceed while I go work hard for what I want. Don’t grudge me when I do.
no one sees the humor in this?
here’s a hing: re-read and look at the hyperbole
hing = hint
gotta laugh to keep from crying.
Neversen St jean you don’t even live in Dominica. And you and your family was once on welfare you forget?
What is your point? Many Dominicans were on welfare and many got out by working and migrating. It was not done from premiere, governor, or PM office or abused for politics. Using the less fortunate to advance a self glorified adgenda is lowest if low. It is the kind of trick you read about from deeply evil beings. Some believe it is perfectly fine.
STOP spreading rumors you idiot. Nevo was never on welfare as you claim and I am sure he is laughing at your comment. I guess his posts are real and its hurting your boeboe
. Typical DLP supporters….insult people when you have no defence. 
Assertive, NOT Aggressive!
Yes, defend him you sucker, somebody knows the fool, if you are defending him/her you might be one of the same. I believe the person knows that lowlife bastard!
He cannot even walk ten yards in my discarded old shoe!
I have no idea who u are but I am indeed laughing. These people cannot handle the truth. They start name calling
Oh, oh, so you know that fool?
Hahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahhaahhahahahahahha!
You mean that fool who ridicule me called me a stink mouth, lapdog uneducated fart, living in Studio, in some sort of nasty condition once lived on welfare?
I knew the bastard was a nobody, hey, Francisco told you Labordog, or is it Laborofhog, I am academically educated, my academics afforded me my lifestyle, and I am going to emphasized I will never need anything from Skerrit, and there is nothing Skerrit has that money can buy that I do not have, and praise God, he gave everything I have to me!
Keep lapping Skerrit feces, as he is your supreme leader, honor him while he keeps you in darkness and poverty, to the day you die. The same as people recognized, and know who you are, people know me also, however nobody can come on DNO and say they know me to be and living under condition which you laborof- love claimed. I told you I am walking on your head!
If the red clinic was conducted by civil servants it would have been good; but to see it run by corrupt politicians is cause for serious concern because politicians will do whatever it takes to buy votes and people that are hungry and in need will give whatever they have to get needs met. Programs like this will encourage ‘child sexual abuse’ because if a hungry mother knows a politician is giving her pretty under age daughter money to pay bills each month in exchange for the little sugar plum, there is no way she will report that politician. If on the other hand a civil servant was disrespecting the daughter she would take a chance and report him. So that to me encourages a lot of evils and I would not at all be surprised to hear that most of our ills are rooted around the so called red clinic,
Mr. Skerrit take note. You cannot keep justifying what is wrong in the name of the greedies. Your actions are fueling a dependent society that will eventually collapse. The economic engine room of Dominica (Roseau), gave you notice in the last election by kicking you out of all 3 constituencies. Did you take notice sir?
The Bishop is finally feeling the effects of his silence on corruption at the collection plate. People don’t go to the Cathedral anymore (not that they have left the faith) because of his support for you and the cabal. Take heed sir, the god that me and the rest of Dominica serves is NOT a Dominican Police Commissioner and therefore he will ensure justice at the appropriate time which is soon. STOP your corrupt practices sir and repent! See how the USA has arrested the FIFA Cabal? You and yours are next in line.
Assertive, NOT Aggressive!
So called Red Clinic is that how it is addressed. Thank the Lord that your life is better that the poor people queing up at the clinic
Sir keep on serving your people. If you did not help it would be another thing
How about you saying give the people jobs so they will have their own for ever? it is people with your mentality that is keeping Dominica down.
Mr. Sterrett please tell the Dominican people which social programme that president Obama is running from his office. Sir stop lying to the Dominican people. The world can hear u sir
I can see people lining up at the White House. I am sure we will see that feature on CNN. Mr. Prime Minister you are complete joker. On the other hand it is a good program if its open to all people in need and not just Labour supporters.
The president of the United States does not run any social/welfare program from his office. Secondly if there are any funds used be the president of the US it has to be approved by the budget committee. Even the funding for CIA and NSA which has highest security has to be approved. The fact that the PM does not see a problem with him dishing out tax payers goodies from his office says it all. I will say again this guy has psychological issues, skewing facts for his crap. Why don’t you use China and Venezuela as your examples. You seem to always want to pretend that you do like the US president but for 14 years your friends were leaders who have no regard for their people. Its amazing coming from a guy who studied in the US. Only ignorant and idiots will buy your reasoning. Mr. PM like many other Caribbean island your mode of operation leaves little to be desired. It is an abuse of the welfare system for political gain. Nothing else.
Exactly, these programs are not approved by one man or one party. The elected officials all vote on these matters. Skerrit making decisions that his own ministers don’t know about. Pure B.S. Laborites prefer to go out and beg for change from skerrit than to work for their money.
There is nothing wrong with having a social assistance program to help out people in need, but it should not be done out of the PMs Office this is an abuse of power. It should be administered through the social welfare department, who can distribute the money to those who need it regardless of party affiliation.
Our Tax money i guess is of a high security nature, our PM does not have to answer any questions about it.
“assisting a Dominican and other heads of state, including the President of the United States, run similar programs from their offices.” so if the US president does something it must be right hmm…..
Only fools would believe that statement because that statement is FALSE. The social welfare programs although federally funded, are distributed differently according to the laws of each state. Even so, government officials do not partake in the day-to-day distribution of funds. The vote on laws regarding these programs.
Mr Pm why didnt the speaker of the house allowed the Opposition to ask these questions in Parliament.
1) Number of visas and work permits issued and denied and the names of those who applied under the Agriculure Workers Programme.
(2) When did work start on the Rosalie- Petite Soufriere road and when will it be completed and at what cost. Also the names of the contractors involved.
(3) What is the total Petro Caribe Debt; how much has been repaid?How much money owed to Venezuela is being withheld and where?
(4) The names of Investors under the Citizenship Program; how many persons applied for the post to head the Department and what was the qualifications required.
We will have to wait a long time to get these questions answer, if ever Maybe in Million years to come
Dominica has a leader of state who, for unknown reasons thrives on the ignorance of the populace. His statements misrepresent what obtains in other countries. Shame!!
Liar liar pants on fire
Skerrit keep the fools in poverty,then you put the smirk on your face,dominica will continue to be the begging country and no shame.AS an UWI professor said leaders in the carbbean continue to let the people go deeper into poverty by begging and your doing the perfect job.
The red clinic is a bobol, simple. There is no accountability and people can come week after week and get moneys like a salary. This should be scraped and a the ministry responsible for social wealthier deals with this.