Power To The People?

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Ian 'Magic' Hughes

Tuesday, 11 August 2009 05:55

By Ian Magic Hughes

Wait a minute. I thought the people had power; at least so they say. But it does not seem to be so in Antigua & Barbuda.

Every day, we hear the cry of politicians not caring, not doing what they have been elected to do. Nonetheless, it’s business as usual. Why? Don’t we as a people know our role in society? If something is broke, fix it.

Come on people, we need to stop complaining and deal with the matters affecting us. What, are we afraid to do the right thing, or are we just too divided and hypocritical to get this matter resolved? We are hurting badly, yet all we do is talk, talk, talk, with no action. That’s why there is no change.

It’s time to come together and send a clear message that we will not be divided anymore. But wait a minute... maybe we are the way we are because that’s the way the majority of persons in society like it. It’s said that people get the government they deserve. Therefore, we need to stop pointing fingers at these politicians and take a serious look at self.

When you look into the mirror, do you recognize the symptoms that allow the country to be governed the way it has been for so long?
What do you see? Badmindedness, jealousy... hatred for neighbour... an extreme gossip, or a model citizen?

Now, I do not expect that we will all be model citizens, because we are not living in a perfect world. It’s noteworthy however that we seem to promote more foolishness and accept mediocrity, even from those entrusted to act responsibly. The time has long gone where we should endure unprofessional behaviour from public servants.

But what do we expect when we act worst than these politicians in our everyday life? So the responsibility must be on us to change this course of action and stop looking to 34 persons to dictate how life should be for all of us.

We are all in danger, yet we leave everything in the hands of just a few men. We, the general public, are responsible to keep these leaders and politicians in check. Oh no! We are divided, remember? The division has been on party lines, and that division is something that the politicians revel in.

So, it's time to close the divide and deal with matters on a national level, party notwithstanding.
If Lester Bird, Gaston Browne or any other member of the Antigua Labour Party has done wrong, it’s not just United Progressive Party supporters who should condemn that action, but everyone. The same goes for UPP politicians who may have transgressed.

We need unity in the country if we are to rebound from the depths of this financial meltdown. Not unity between ALP and UPP, but rather a united people, looking into the best interest of Antigua & Barbuda. If we cannot reach that stage, we are in more trouble than is perceived.

One thing is certain, and it’s that Antigua & Barbuda has been void of good governance for a very long time. But good governance, it seems, is relative in Antigua & Barbuda. Once it's good for me, it’s all good. No matter who else suffers - it could be the rest of the country - it’s all about me.

That attitude is suffocating the nation, yet most embrace that action. It’s so disheartening. Now I know that no one will never stop gossip, but don’t you think that we have taken gossip to new heights in Antigua?

Every day there is someone saying something negative, and usually totally untrue, about someone else. It’s time to leave people's business alone and mind your own. Talk about things that can elevate the country and yourself, and get in the habit of encouraging each other. Gossip only brings on resentment, and with that, hatred, which in turn divides us even more.

Badmindedness... well as I have said in the past, Antiguans and Barbudans are criminally badminded. Seriously, if being badminded was a crime, they would have to build at least two more jails in the country. That ill is causing so much pain, and we act as if it does not exist; that’s the hypocrisy of the whole thing.

Bad-mind is deeply rooted in the people, yet it’s never me, always somebody else.

Presently, the ALP and the UPP are bent on beating up each other, and rather than intervening, we sit back waiting for the outcome.
For what? To laugh at this one or that?

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The joke will be on the nation, not just the politicians. As a matter of fact, the politicians usually escape unhurt because they would have availed themselves of much cushioning for such a day.

We need to be sensible and stop allowing the ALP and UPP to take us down this slippery slope. They are wearing protective gear, but we are not.

Look in the mirror and tell yourself that if Antigua & Barbuda is to rebound, you will have to give up these selfish attributes for the benefit of future generations.

At least that’s what I think. What about you?

 

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