The past two years will be etched in the annals of history as one of the most politically unsettling periods in the near thirty-two year old independent existence of the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Unfortunately, the strides we have made in various aspects of our nation's development have been overshadowed by the errors of politicians who have brandished the power of high office to the detriment of citizens. Their many ill-advised decisions have caused years of pain for their fellowmen; the very electorate who put their confidence in them in the first place.
Many citizens have been repulsed by some of the ills that have crippled the moral fabric of our beloved nation. Men and women deemed to be leaders in their respective communities have openly or by their deafening silence, embraced the wrong that now runs rampant throughout the nation.
Those with power have willfully reneged on their oath before God and man to hold the constitution of the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis sacred. Their recklessness has wreaked havoc on too many citizens and the public outcry has been consistent, "When will the madness end?"
Fortunately, the season of waiting is over! A general election MUST be held in 2015.
The power to taunt citizens with an election date, to delay a motion of no confidence, to remain in office without term limits, to swap prime lands without the consideration of the people, to impose harsh taxes and to unleash venom on a people who oppose a leader is fast drawing to an end.
Opposition leader, democracy campaigner and one of the most popular politicians in the Republic of Myanmar, often called Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been waiting for a great part of her life to end military rule in her native land. She declares in one of her famous writings, "It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it."
Suu Kyi stands firmly in her conviction that a military ruled Myanmar stifles democracy. Having campaigned diligently for a military free Myanmar, much like Nelson Mandela, Suu Kyi has become an international symbol of peaceful resistance in the face of oppression. Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for many years, yet she has garnered the admiration and support of her people. She believes that her season of waiting will be over one day and the people of Myanmar will be better for it.
The season of desperation is upon the nation's leader.
In an effort to manipulate the electoral process in the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis in order to fulfill his myopic political agenda, the Prime Minister, Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, insists that boundaries be changed.
Observers who participated in the January 25, 2010 general elections made several recommendations including changes to the electoral boundaries. While many citizens agree that electoral boundaries should be realigned, there is mounting debate about the proposed changes and the haste with which the current government wants the boundaries implemented. Boundary changes weeks
before a federal election is constitutionally due will likely infuriate the electorate!
In a show of "people power" in 1993, hundreds of citizens marched through the streets of Basseterre incensed that the PAM government remained in office following a 4 seat tie between the PAM and the SKNLP, the two main political parties on St. Kitts. The Governor-General asked then Prime Minister Dr. Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds to form a new government. Denzil Douglas strongly condemned this move, arguing that the electorate had voted for change.
A 21-day state of emergency was declared following public demonstrations. Although Dr. Simmonds remained in power, with a view to hold elections within two years, there was mounting pressure from the opposition.
Dr. Simmonds recognized that many who wanted change were willing to engage in senseless acts of violence. He let go to save his country from destruction. Somehow, the revered leader was aware of the lurking danger of the leading voices of the Labour Party.
Despite being acclaimed a politically savvy leader, Dr. Denzil Douglas's legacy will be marred by his brazen attack on democracy. Surely, History cannot discount any of his personal accomplishments but it will give a detailed account of a leader who ascended to power and failed to be the solution to the myriad of wrongs he steadfastly campaigned against while in opposition. He is the author of his current predicament.
There is no one season in man's earthly journey. To exist is to experience joy and sorrow. To live is to laugh and to mourn. To be born is to ultimately die. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). The people of the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis are the true architects of their destiny.
The Season Of Waiting Is Over!
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