At this time in our country's reconstruction period when every penny is needed, we have government officials giving tax waivers and LPRC is not even collecting taxes. At the same time, Pres. Sirleaf-Johnson is panhandling around the world. Don't blame these importers, blame our government's policies. It's time to revisit these policies from the 1940s and '50s that had importers and other businessmen paying directly into the coffers of government officials. This has been going on for so long that there are no tariffs collecting policies in place.

it saddens me oh liberia, the land of the free, why and what has happen to you.our educated people has let this country down, they are after their own stomacks and dont care about the country and the next generation,they are like esau who sold his inheritance for a bowl of soup. the leaders pretend to care but in secret places they dont.how can this happen in liberia.is liberia for sale??what are the so called democratic leaders doing??liberians are nothing in ghana,guenea,usa, britain and all over the world and our leaders are smiling at home collaborating with foreign thiefs.God save us

It is very sadden that many of you are blaming the Sirleaf's administration for the country structural mishap. Your need to look at the entire history of Liberia and blame those (founders)who assembled the institutional polices. They made lot of blunders due to lack of experience and also, rushing to form a state without any clear agenda, dirction and system in place. Liberia is on the right track and we all need to look at the positive steps the current leader is undertaking and stop the rubbish talk.

I know it seems like I defend the president and I rightly do. We must give her credit for all she is doing and has accomplished in the little time she has been in office. Sure has made some errors but that is quite normal for any leader or person. However, those errors are not costing the nation any more or less. We need to help build our nation through projecting positive image to potential investors and by appreciating good leadership. Let's face it, it will take lot more and many years of hard and collective work to bring our nation to standard. Simply because it was not properly formatted by those who established it. However, it is now on the right track and we must support the effort...

I agreed with you on revisiting our government policy but if we don't get the right people to do the job than the new policy will lack effectivenes. What do you expect when Harry Greaves, a strong supporter of almost all the coups and wars in Liberia in charge of LPRC. Most of the officials in Ellen government are aging and they are getting wages(at the expense of the people)they lost in the late Samuel Doe and world criminal Charles Taylor, most of them was in exiles during those brutal regimes. LPRC is been run by one man and Ellen know about the corruption taking place at LPRC, NPA and even national investment commission but because Greaves and others are her cronies she just let it fly.

Liberia is aFailed State.......Nothing else need to be said.It will never develop,never be an important country on the continent.That country ,for some reasons, never evolved.The obituary for Liberia had been written many years ago.

I think Liberia will rise above all these problems because new foundations are being laid by Ma Ellen. I understand the frustration of all Liberians about the level of corruption, but it's easier said than done.

New Laws are being made to back up possible action against some of these criminal acts. And Liberians are learning from their mistakes. With solid foundation in place, future leaders will build on and move our country forward. I won't give up at all. Failed states have the capability to rise again. Liberia will surely do. Let's not give up.

I agreed with the writer that Liberia is a fail state. I strongly believe that trusteeship under the United nation might help move the country in the right direction. The goals of Poverty reduction programs goal is aimed at economic or non-economic poverty. The main focus are education, economic development, and income redistribution. Garmack is indeed right, Poverty Reduction program in Liberia is a myth for the vast majority of the people (no impact). I was in Liberia last march 2008 and it is indeed sad to see what majority of the people go through why the so called elites enjoyed. Ellen government so far have failed in providing subsidized housing development and urban regeneration, Subsidized education, Subsidized health care, subsidized employment, fail to emphasis on improving maternal health and community education. With the kind of support the Unity Party lead government is getting from the international community I strongly believe we should have been among the countries in West Africa forging ahead in meeting Millennium Development Goals (eradication of extreme poverty and hunger by 2015) but we are backward because of corruption. History have taught us that you learn from the past to forge ahead for the future but We (Liberians) are not learning from past mistakes even Ellen just admitted in a recent interview that she is shock by the level of corruption in her government. The sad thing about it she have fail to lead in fighting corruption.

The Poverty Reduction program in Liberia is a myth for the vast majority of the people, I mean the poor people. The scheme is intended for the few in power to enrich themselves in the name of the people. Where in the world, but africa, millions of U.S. dollars is being misappropiated by government officials who are not charged and continued to hold their offices? The other time it was the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the National Bank. At another time, the National Social Security Corporation and now L.P.R.C. and MOE the institutions responsible for collecting, managing and disbursing the national funds. Liberians, open your eyes, these recycled criminal-politicans will never ever build what they have destroyed.For one like gtowsend who thinks that Liberians are static not dynamic, hence they will never develop from that of the founding father of the nation, I say bravo. Let gtowsend eat while the rest of the people of Liberia suffer.

This post was deleted because it contravenes AllAfrica's commenting guidelines.

This post was deleted because it contravenes AllAfrica's commenting guidelines.

Fisherperry - What you've written is absolute garbage. You've preceded your comments in a failed attempt to use some form of logic to substantiate your conclusion of Liberia being a failed state, but your reasons are as useless as your commentary. I will keep my comments and suggestions simple.

Try an optimistic view of Liberia and let's see if we're all stronger united as a people to begin rebuilding our country. Similar to how people have rebuild their lives or their homes, one step at a time, beginning with their house foundation (security of the country) to adding different rooms, (infrastructures - water/utilities) to adding a roof and other amenities. It is certainly a painful journey, but we will never complete the journey if we're not coming up with solutions, but keep emphasizing the obvious and criticizing along the way. Therefore I ask, are you willing to be part of the solution? or complain and be part of the problem?

Pull out a world map and throw a dart on it, and there's a high probability that you will hit a country that has experience some form of internal strife. Look at countries that have been through our situation and perhaps we could model our rebuilding efforts after them. Look at places that have struggled after years of civil wars, and some that continues to struggle with ethnic cleansing, occupation by foreign troops; places like Kabul, Lebanon to gauge where we stand.

Here are a couple of things Liberia has going for Her. She is rich in natural resources, along with the many educated people at home and abroad. This gives Liberia an opportunity to rebuild. Eradicate corruption through accountability and Liberians will begin to see the benefits of its resources.

There is this ineptness in Liberia on concrete solutions, and it's all due to this belief, which you've show in your comments, that we can't do better. I believe otherwise, we can do better. If you were told during Taylor days that one day we will have a female president or there will be a black president in America would you have believe this? Or will your pessimistic or single minded view prevent you from having bold thoughts to attain the impossible?

I agreed with some of your assesments on the situation in Liberia or . I agreed that Liberia is a fail state but I strongly disagreed that Liberian or African in general have poor developed system of logic and reasoning. To generalize the whole population of Liberia or the African continent of having low intelligence tell me that indeed maybe you need to go back and read your college book on research method ( sample and population)if at all you been to college. I also disagreed that some Liberians in exile are not trying to return home and contribute their quota to the redevelopment of the country. Nobody is happy to work like modern slave in the exile. One thing you failed to realize is that Liberian in Europe, Asia or mainly in the USA are the bread winer for the majority of people in Liberia. Even though they do odd jobs but their financial assistances (millions annualy) to family members and friends back home help boast Liberia's economy in a more meaningful way. I am of the conviction, that If it wasn't for Liberians living in the Canada, USA, Europe assistances we could have probably return to another way becuase another mad man will take advantage of destitution of the people and use it in the name of liberation. Most Liberians want go back home but government have failed to provide security. Do you know how many Liberians went home from the USA or Canada that was victimized by arm robbery? Some Liberians (like me, a master student in Sweden) are planning to go back to contribute to Liberia but we might first seek the require education to help us be prepare when we return.

Wow, calm down fellow, I feel your frustration too but ease up on the rant! Some good points though.

Folks, fisherberry is an attention craze individual who would do and say anything just to get it. I wrote a scathing response to his gibberish and urge everyone not to give in to his luring, he went with his tail between his legs to go report me to his masters and they remove my posting. The truth is, ladies and gentlemen, he used to make these same outlandish remarks under a different pseudonym, when we realized that he was unstable and stopped paying him any mind he went and assumed a different identity- fisherberry. He may have fooled most but not all on this site, I recognized who he was just after reading the first sentence under his new pseudonym. Once again, dingoberry or fisherberry, come out with your hands up and reveal your true identity before I smoke you out. By the way, you can go runtelldat to your masters again to remove this comment. peace, you moron.

Mr/Ms fhisheryperry, your pen name really fits you. If you read your comments of 11/20/o8 and that of 11/30/08 you would not engage your self down grading Liberians. Your two comments are inconsistant and very unparallel. Yes, we are africans and Liberians and very proud to be so. Yes, I do know that you are an african who has assimilated him/her self into an othe race group. We will never be your type or the like.Your statements,"Liberia will never develop, never be an important country on the continent..etc" proved you wrong. While you would not like to admit that you are one of those who are benefting the dubious activities of our dear beloved country, there are signs of economic, and other progress being made than many countries on the continent who had not experience this collective-jealous war in our country.