Freeman’s political rhetoric

Opposition Movement for Progressive Change (MPC) presidential candidate thinks members of the Liberian Senate are making too much money monthly, and thus vows to reduce their monthly salaries when he gets elected Liberia’s next president this October.

Mr. Freeman claimed he would cut down government spending by reducing the size of ministries, when he spoke Monday, 14 August at the Ducor Debate organized in Ganta, Nimba County by the Liberia Media Development Initiative (LMDI) and the Public Trust Media Group. The businessman – turned – politician claims he would reduce the salary of senators, cut down the number of Liberian embassies to five, and privatize all government hospitals to ensure better healthcare services to Liberians.

Concerning the presidential elections, Mr. Freeman claims that when he is elected the next president this October, he would create 55,000 jobs every year. He also makes clear his position against dual citizenship, saying he does not support dual citizenship here over fears that it would encourage corruption and capital flight.Though he says his position on dual citizenship is not permanent on grounds that it would be reviewed in the future, Mr. Freeman however has fears that those with dual citizenship will not have love for Liberia.

One of his contentions is that Liberians with dual citizenship will prefer keeping and sponsoring their families in the diaspora while working here.He believes that under such condition, dual citizens would promote capital flights by sending their monthly earnings out of the economy to support their families in the diaspora. Mr. Freeman argues that it has never been historically proven in the case of Liberia that dual citizenship will contribute to the nation’s development.

According to him, Liberians who hold citizenship in other countries have already made their choices and there is no need to hold onto Liberian citizenship at the same time.
Mr. Freeman insists that dual citizenship is not an urgent matter, noting that there is no evidence that it would attract development and provide jobs here.

By Ethel A. Tweh–Edited by Winston W. Parley