THAT IS WHY I AM PLAYING NEITHER RED NOR YELLOW: MEM BETTE DIFFERENT PWELL. I AM ON TEAM ST. LUCIA. Many of us who joined SLAP did so to make positive contributions, help effect positive change, discuss issues of interests to our island, meet likeminded St. Lucians and friends of St. Lucia. However, it does not take anyone with half a brain long to realize it is almost entirely a well-oiled political machinery with more political operatives than St. Lucia has bananas. Those people get very annoyed and highly irritated if they cannot paint you red or yellow. It is beyond comprehension that anyone can possibly see what’s wrong and what’s right with both red, and yellow. Many buy into the notion that everything their colour does is right and should be defended, and everything the other side does is wrong. However, if those same people listen, they will hear the politicians they are fighting so hard for stand in the House and say, both parties are to be blamed and take credit for where we are today: all the good, the bad, and the ugly. However, do not tell that to the supporters of either party, because they missed that memo, nor do they hear that in the House. The trouble is some of us know better, and we know both sides have done, and are pretty much doing more or less the same things. If anyone was much better than the other, our country would be in a better position. I have supported both parties, and this time around I supported the SLP thinking they would have made a real difference. Before the election in 1997, I flew to St. Lucia to attend the launch of my former Rep. Menissa Rambally, and I convinced members of my family who were UWP supporters to support, canvassed and vote for SLP. At the time, I knew they were what we needed. SLP started to do good for St. Lucia then, and it is visible in our education, some areas of health, infrastructure, etc., etc., The accomplishments of the UWP as well are printed all over the island: airports, infrastructure, Pigeon Island Causeway, Agriculture, etc. Point is we can point to the work of both parties, and we can apportion blame to both parties. I know politicians from both sides, and whether it is your colour or not, deep down most of these men and women wants the island to succeed. They want what is best for St. Lucia. That may be hard for some to believe. There are times when UWP has been good for St. Lucia and there are times like in 1997 when the SLP has been better for St. Lucia. I have no doubt in my mind, that if the St. Lucia Labour had remained in office after the 2006 elections, that we would have been better off today, than we are right now. Some of what happened under the UWP were just plain bad for the country. If someone truly loves St. Lucia and wants what is best for the country at that particular time, they will not simply fly red or yellow and to hell with the country. We have to asses where we are, what the country needs, what the candidates and their party stand for and decide who we think, at this point in our history, given the challenges we face, would be best to manage the affairs of the country, and help solve some of our many problems. From 1996 when I remember first meeting Dr. Kenny Anthony, I have liked him. He has a good heart. If he could take care of every St. Lucian the way they ought to, he would. He wants nothing more than to make sure every St. Lucian has a good standard of living, that there are jobs for everyone; that housing, education, health, etc., are top notch and accessible to all. The problem is our country cannot afford it. The country is broke. Whose fault? Not any one person, or any one party. Yes, there have been questionable decisions on both sides, but which government or who in their lives has not made questionable decisions or choices? We had a ring side seat during the last UWP administration. Every week it was like the circus was in town, and left behind some clowns. Every time we said, at least it cannot get any worse, and it did. We are still paying for the after effects of that circus that was the last UWP government. How quickly some on here forget? Countries were looking at St. Lucia thinking, you got to be kidding me. Even politicians in India were like, “what, are you serious, No!!” At best, it was embarrassing and costly. That is the sanitized version. After that performance, the UWP needed a shakeup, a little revolution, and they got it. We will see what emerges when the dust is settled. But as of now, I adopt the motto on Quebec License plates, “Je me souviens”, I remember. Where Dr. Anthony has disappointed me are: (1) Allowing the constitution to continue to be broken. He is a constitutional attorney, and that is his area of expertise, that should be an area close to his heart. No constitutional reform, seriously? (2) He surrounds himself mainly with people who agree with him, and mostly tell him all the good stuff and not always the hard stuff and the raw truth. The best leaders surround themselves with smart people who disagree with them and listen to them. One needs people who represent a large cross section of society and their views to get a sense of truly grasping as many sides of any issue as possible. “Yes” men and “Yes” women do not really spur growth. Conflicting opinions and critical thinking spur debate; can open doors to intelligent debate and intelligent decisions. (3) Not coming up with any innovative or creative ways to make money, ease the burdens on government finances, pay down our debt, and get the government in the black. THAT IS MY BIGGEST CONCERN. Both sides like to spend, but none seem to have any idea of how to make money. As individuals, we know we have to earn before we spend. Successive governments in St. Lucia do not seem to understand that. That is why I am playing neither red nor yellow. Mem bette differen pwell. I am waiting for one side to come with real tangible solutions and plans for St. Lucia. I want to see bold, innovative, creative plans with timelines (not just a manifesto – that is a wish list and smoke and mirrors). I want to know how these will be funded and where the money will come from. The World is moving ahead at great speeds, the Asian countries have been growing by leaps and bounds. The African Continent is now growing rapidly: some refer to this as the “African Century”. Many of the countries of the Americas are growing and doing very well. If one look around the world, there are lots of problems, but there are lots of growth and progress in areas and countries which just a few years ago, were basket cases. We need to play catch-up. I want a team I know will take the bold decisions to take the necessary actions, and to implement them. Before we can start moving forward, leaders have to make those bold decisions. Decision is king – all hail the King (Decision). AS OF NOW, I AM PLAYING NEITHER RED NOR YELLOW. MEM BETTE DIFFERENT PWELL. I AM ON TEAM ST. LUCIA.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 22:30:47 +0000
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