The Federation will go to the polls on February 16th 2015 to elect a new Government to charter course for the development of this country over the next five years and beyond. However, there several critical issues other than Economics, which have to be considered. In an egalitarian society the main issue would be that of CORRUPTION AND THE ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY. The Prime Minister has been accused of a level of corruption on an unprecedented scale and must be made to answer the charges against him.
These matters cannot and should not be treated lightly as though they are of no importance. It is the whole community including civil society, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Christian Council, the Evangelical Association and the Bar Association have all expressed their disgust at this ugly scenario. It is the duty of this NGO to use their collective power to protect the integrity of this Nation from any attempt by politicians to use their powers to enrich themselves and subvert the democratic process at the expense of the people. Equally distasteful is the tacit acquiescence of the political colleagues of the Prime Minister who are standing by him and attempting to propel him into office for another term. In essence it would appear that common decency no longer exists in this land, only political and tribal expediency.
The office of the Prime Minister has been debased and has been reduced to a level of debauchery which would be untenable during the administration of Dr. Simmonds. A democratic leader rules with the consent of the majority of the people who elect him to office in a free and fair election. However elections in the Federation have been tainted with corrupt practices which resulted in the Labour party being able to retain power. The latest maneuvering is to gerrymander the electoral boundaries in such a manner as to cause strife and violence in this Federation. It must be borne in mind that this Prime Minister will not relinquish power and will attempt to remain in office even at the destruction of this Nation.
Leadership and leadership styles are shaped by character. Hitler, Mugabe and Saddam to name a few dictators had the same modus operandi as the Prime Minister. It is the ability to spin a story and let the followers embellish it until the followers especially those of a low intellectual level believe the propaganda and repeat it as though there is some merit or truth in the statement. For example, the lands for debt swap, with the National Bank which can eventually cause the Bank to collapse in the very near future. No land has been sold therefore the debt service ratio has not changed. Even allowing for this activity, the debt service ratio will at most be reduced to 147% of Gross Domestic Product.
There are several investment projects which have benefitted from the use of this Nations national resources for example Kittitian Hill into which some $100 million of our money has been invested and is now being sold for $50 million to foreigners. This is the opportunity for the Nation to benefit from the investment as the units are sold and the company’s profitability increases; however this has been bequeath to foreigners. The La Vallee project into which $216 million has been invested without any account being provided to this Nation is another example of the arrogance and scant respect being shown to this Nation. No policies or programs which will benefit nationals and develop the entrepreneurial spirit of the people are being promoted. The emphasis is on tourism related projects which is a return to the plantacrocy mentality thus enslaving the majority of the population and keeping them in bondage and at the mercy of the politicians and the white owners of the tourism projects. In spite of the hype by the politicians, tourism’s contribution to GDP is only 5.6 percent.
The Government has brought the country to the edge of the abyss whereby it is considered a failed state and an affront to democracy. The symptoms are evident: the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has faced a period of stagnation and negative economic growth with its rising unemployment, increases in the cost of living, elevated crime, poverty; a general sense of hopelessness especially amongst the youths, and attempts at COERCION AND INTIMIDATION by the security forces. The high National Debt of EC$3billion was foisted on the Nation by a Government which ventured into an expenditure program with no coherent economic development plan other than to borrow and spend with impunity. It is imperative that this Nation do not forget that the negative actions of this Government will be with it for a very long time and that unless the present party is removed from power the nefarious activities will not be eroded.
On Election Day affirmative action is required; prayer alone will not help. States built on exploitation inevitably fail, taking an entire corrupt system down with them which often lead to immense suffering. It is unfortunate that this untenable state of affairs will lead this Nation into economic and political turmoil of an unprecedented level from which it may never recover. However this is not the concern of the presented leadership saying in power with all the abuses and power they can utilize will benefit them and their immediate colleagues.
February 2015
*************************
DISCLAIMER
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers
