Letter: The Gambler!
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| Published on Thursday, November 19, 2009 |
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Dear Sir:
I am really concerned about Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines. I am concerned about him because I believe he is under tremendous pressure to get certain things done before 'all things fall apart' and that's why he must be successful with this referendum on November 25, 2009.
Dr Gonsalves needs the protection and power of a new Constitution in order to carry out his agenda.
Imagine Dr Gonsalves is saying to Vincentians that the Prime Minister had too much power, so this proposed new Constitution will take away most of the Prime Minister's power. The Unity Labour Party (ULP) gave an example which says: "Under the proposed new Constitution, the situation is completely different. Of the five members of the PSC, the Prime Minister advises on only two. Currently, he advises on all five members. In the new Constitution he does not advise on the appointment of the Chairman. The President appoints, but he consults the Prime Minister and the Minority Leader. In relation to the other two members, the President appoints one from civil society acting on his own deliberate judgment and the other after consulting the Public Service Union. The Prime Minister will get only two of the five members. Under the old Constitution, the Prime Minister will appoint all five."
The following is an example:
- The Chairman - the President appoints but he consults the PM and Minority Leader
- Of the five members the Prime Minister advises only on two
- The other two members - the President appoints one from civil society (on his own deliberate judgment) and the other after consulting the Public Service Union.
The deception in this proposed new Constitution is so obvious that even a blind can see it. This is a Unity Labour Party(ULP) Constitution - The architect being Ralph Gonsalves. The power is merely being shared between the Prime Minister and President to give some semblance of balance. If Gonsalves gets a 'Yes' vote - the Prime Minister will be from the ULP and the President will be from the ULP and the people they appoint to these key positions will be handpicked because of their ULP connections. According to the proposed Constitution - the President will be "The Formal Executive" and the Prime Minister "The Effective Executive" so they both will have Executive functions. It's confusing, because Dr Gonsalves did say to the Trinidad and Tobago Express that St. Vincent and the Grenadines will not have an Executive President.
I have been trying to figure out the system of Government under this new Constitution - I believe it's what is called a Semi-presidential system in Wikipedia. In this semi-presidential system there is both a president and a prime minister. The president may have significant day to day power. When his party controls the majority of seats in the National Assembly, the president can operate closely with the parliament and prime minister and work towards a common agenda.
On the other hand Wikipedia says when the National Assembly is controlled by opponents of the President, the president can find himself marginalized with the opposition party prime minister exercising most of the power. It goes on to say that though the prime minister remains an appointee of the president, the president must obey the rules of parliament, and select a leader from the house's majority holding party. They conclude by saying that sometimes the president and prime minister can be allies, sometimes rivals.
Incidentally, Russia is governed by the same semi-presidential system - with Dmitry Medvedev as President while former President Putin is now the Prime Minister because he became ineligible to run for a third consecutive Presidential term due to the constitutionally mandated term limits. Interesting that Dr. Gonsalves will choose the Russian system of Government - need I say more.
I believe that there are so many things falling apart and being exposed in SVG that Dr. Gonsalves is running scared - and maybe there is external pressure being applied on him to deliver. Please tell us Dr. Gonsalves -are you being pressured to deliver the OECS and Caricom States to Chavez under the ALBA umbrella? As we all know 'there is no free lunch." The Bible says: 'To whom much is given much is required.'
Questions are being asked - when did you find out that British American Insurance was insolvent? Why did you not warn Vincentians who continued to pour money into that Insurance company? Does the National Insurance Scheme stand to lose money through the demise of British American Insurance? We want answers Dr Gonsalves. How long can we continue borrowing from Tom, Dick and Harry - to meet our monthly obligations? How long can we continue before we have to buckle under the IMF austerity measures.
Where is the 'Harvest' you promised Vincentians? According to Hon. Arnhim Eustace - leader of the Opposition, we have had two years of negative economic growth. Agriculture is dead and Tourism which is supposed to be the major income earner is the second lowest in the OECS - with the Ministry in chaos. Dr Gonsalves, there is no manufacturing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines - no agro processing. What became of Arrowroot, Cassava and the Dasheen plant? Vincentians who come home on vacation cannot even get two pounds of farine to take back with them.
Dr Gonsalves right now there is a culture of 'Begging' in St. Vincent and the Grenadines - and it starts from the 'head'. You are constantly travelling all over the world looking for handouts, and there is not enough time spent trying to come up with ideas to maximize the use our limited resources. Your Administration brags a lot about the 'revolution in education' - but what will happen to all these children when they get out of school and there are no jobs. It appears that the most planning being done in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is to be able to get re-elected every five years, and now with the proposed Constitution to become more entrenched in government.
In conclusion, I just want to say that this referendum on this proposed Constitution is really a distraction from the many grave problems facing St Vincent and the Grenadines and if Vincentians vote 'yes' for this new Constitution we will just end up putting our lives in the hands of someone who is really a 'Gambler" - gambling away our birthright - and most of all our children and grandchildren future.
Rev Job I implore you to let your light shine in the darkness - You have allowed your light to be snuffed out and God has raised up a 'Voice' in St Vincent and the Grenadines - a voice to 'SOUND THE TRUMPET OVER THE LAND'. Isaiah 11:6 - says "and a little child will lead them." Thank God for Anesia Richards.
Vincentians Vote 'No' on November 25, 2009.
Amory Lashley
Vancouver, Canada | | | | Reads : 922 | | | |
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