25.SEP.09

Editor: I was born on November 15, 1978, to parents Pearla Bowens-Mofford and Carlos Stay of Fancy. So I, too, have established that I am Vincentian and am from the village of Fancy.

Now I have read the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution 2009 (Schedule to the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution Act, 2009, passed in the House of Assembly of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on 3rd September, 2009) once, twice, three times, and even a fourth, because after listening to all the bickering on the airwaves and reading all the back and forth articles in the various newspapers of the nation, I realized that I needed to educate myself on what exactly the constitution says and to decided on how I am going to vote and how I should encourage others to vote.{{more}}

I have listened to the No Vote Committee and the Honourable Arnhim Eustace argue their case as to why I should vote “NO” and I am yet to be impressed, far less convinced to follow their lead. If anything, I have realized even more why I should vote “YES” for a constitution that is a vast improvement than the present constitution. As a matter of fact, they’ve once again reminded me of who they really are and what they are really about and that is to continue in Sir James’ stead of keeping the masses ignorant of what is really happening around them (Breadfruit Mentality is what he termed it as).

My message is for anyone who would read and listen, but it is primarily for the village I love dearest, and that is Fancy. The voting populace of Fancy and even the younger ones who are not too young to understand the threshold at which we stand I beg you, I plead with you to, on November 25, 2009, vote “YES” to a constitution that while not perfect is a significant improvement to what we are governed by now. Do not accept what Sir James has said “If better can’t be done then let us live with worse”. We have before us a much BETTER proposed constitution, and I for one would rather work with better than worse. Like I have said before, it is not perfect, but show me perfect.

Read the constitution. I know that some of the older folks may not be able to read, but there are others in the village who can read it to you. We’ve got some brilliant minds in Fancy. Let them read and help you to understand what is written in the constitution.

Remember that on November 25, 2009, you are not voting for ULP or NDP, you are not voting for the “red rats” nor “NDKey” or any of the other colorful names by which they are called in Fancy. We are voting for SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES. You will not see a star or a key on the ballot. You will instead see two (2) words YES and NO. I ask that you put your X next to the YES and let us be governed by a much better constitution than by worse.

D.C.H. Bowens
D.C.H.Bowens@gmail.com