In just two years, maybe sooner, Saint Lucians will confront another general election that lacks the quality control and screening many other electorates take for granted—including transparency and a useful mechanism for choosing candidates.
Few of us know the backgrounds of the men and women we are required to place in parliament as our representatives—until they’ve been elected and in a position to scare media and other late-in-the-day complainants. Hopefully, experience and the present economic hardships will have created a less gullible electorate by the time we enter the silly season.
As naive as it may sound, the local politician’s greatest asset is his ability to sway voters with liquor and false promises. Con men also share these gifts. Our gullibility gets in the way of important questions about the candidate’s character, his or her background, their demonstrated interest in the people’s welfare, their work record. We swallow whatever is served from their political pulpits. Even the most educated among us fall victim to the same old election tricks.
Getting on the cards of national elections requires only that the candidate is a citizen of Saint Lucia and can afford the entrance fee of $250. It matters not if the candidate has a criminal past or unresolved allegations attached to his name. The press has seldom seen the need to poke behind the scenes on behalf of the ignorant voter.
Given the high cost paid by Saint Lucians for electing dubious characters over the years, new election laws should be enacted in the nation’s interest. The prime minister recently alluded to that, but talk, quite obviously, is cheap. Saint Lucians must learn, before the next elections, that God helps only those who help themselves. If we refuse to demand adjustments, how can we not be deserving of the disaster that passes for elections here every five years—and also parliamentary intercourse, whether or not lubricated by cocktails at breakfast time?
We owe it to our children to have in the House true representatives of the good people of this country. So far, mainly the worst among us have been elected to office. Such recklessness, like the corruption about which we talk incessantly, must end. And the sooner the better!
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There are two paths to change and NONE under the two set of incompetents , parasites and opportunists in the leadership of either the SLP or UWP. Both sets have a consistent proven track record of failure from May 1997.
Neither the LPM with their misguided leadership following the utterly failed liberalism of the political class in the USA that has debased the African American culture.
Change can only come through the streets. Changing parties makes no difference. We saw that in 2006 and 2011. We went from one set of incompetent parasitical scamps to another. 10 years of decline and it started in 1997 with the individual presently in charge. 17 years of a liberal elites raping the country.
The next election will be more of the same unless these liars and incompetents see there will be repercussions.
And who will make the changes to ensure the liberal/socialist political elite class are accountable?
The scamp who was and is non transparent and never held accountable for the billions involved in debt creation, Rochamel, Grynsberg, cost overuns NCA and debt interest payments?
Large segments of our people are now drug riddled, sex focused and vulgar supporters of the immorality now the fabric of society. Where do you start? We need to take to the street in outrage!
Yes it will, one who begs for prosperity, one who is ready to worship political fantasy, Kenny proved this with his better days.