PARLIAMENT & POLITICIANS

Like many of my countrymen, I would have been listening to, sometimes even watching on TV the past few weeks (remember I’m a WORKING man!), the 20/21 National Budget Debate in Parliament. Apart from the many instances of much partisan behavior coming from BOTH sides of the House, I would accept that politicians, here and everywhere else, have a bad reputation for not speaking “the whole truth”. What we say publicly all depends on what we think gets us more support, and ultimately, more votes. We are almost as bad as lawyers and, increasingly, even businesses with “semi-false” advertising. 

I would ALSO ACCEPT, however, that while politicians are indeed “a special breed”, we are arguably necessary in the world of nation-states, democratic (or not) governance, prioritizing long-term policies vs short-term achievements, etc., etc. At the back of our “political” minds in most decision making is what will increase our “popularity”. Fortunately, what will almost always help that popularity is “improving the lives and living conditions of the people” – so that most governments DO in fact make GOOD DECISIONS to help the people. 

The critical factor is WHO is the most effective as a political leader in helping the lives of the people, or in mitigating bad conditions (hurricanes, etc.) that citizens may temporarily experience. That is where vision, character, and COMPETENCE come into play. So, as AN INTELLIGENT CITIZEN, I would acknowledge two leaders in our post-Independence era who many consider outstanding: Dame Eugenia Charles and Roosevelt Skerrit. Both displayed the VISION and the GUTS to take hard (sometimes unpopular) decisions where necessary. They also BOTH had incidents where they arguably appeared “too political” and yes, too cursory in accepting gifts. But most Dominicans would probably vote for them again BEFORE Rosie Douglas, or even E.O. LeBlanc, both of whom would be considered the most honest ever to hold leadership in D/ca, but whose management and ability to deliver for the people, was somewhat lacking. 

Lennox Linton will NEVER be elected Prime Minister because of his known TEMPERAMENT and INABILITY to demonstrate any diplomatic propensity or humility. He would be a disaster (much like Trump in America has proven to be!). Evidence of this was well presented in his official response to the Budget presentation last week...