What more can Comrade Ralph do?

Fri, Jul 30, 2010

Editor: I must apologise for the delay in submitting my article sooner. But let me wish you and your staff well with regard to your midweek publication.

I wish to continue with my series under the caption “What more can Comrade Ralph do?” and in the wake of the numerous articles appearing in the media on the subject of Socialism, I would attempt to give my views under the caption “Comrade Ralph and Socialism.”{{more}}

In the issue of the 4th June, “The NDP view”, I noted that the writer branded the Prime Minister as a socialist reposing in the arms of Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro. Madam Editor, you would agree with me that it has taken Comrade Ralph a very long time to implement the policies and practices of Chavez and Castro. Surely the owners of NICE radio and Lynch can testify to that. Where have the policies and practices of Comrade Ralph been socially injurious to anyone? Where have they failed to provide societal well-being to all Vincentians?

Most benevolent Prime Minister

I remind those critics who brand Comrade Ralph as a social dictator to consider the fact that he has been the most benevolent Prime Minister this country has ever seen. I would, therefore, deem him a masterful benevolent dictator. Mr. Eustace did state that there is no different socialism. Can Mr. Eustace please tell me if what prevailed in Guyana under Jagan, Burnham and much heralded Dr. Walter Rodney was the same brand of Socialism? Is President Obama a Socialist?

Lest we forget, this country from 1984 to 2000 had a maximum leader in the person of James Mitchell, the I-MAN “Nancy” who manipulated his ministers, including Mr. Eustace, and succeeded in making them “yes men”, hence the reason for Ottley Hall and Union Island Marine fiasco. Do these activities smell of Socialism? In this regard, “hats off” to Comrade Ralph for his unfailing efforts to get the burden of this debt off the backs of Vincentians. If this is a form of socialism, Vincentians would be ever grateful for it. On this issue alone, Ralph Gonsalves should be given a third term in office. To do otherwise is the height of ingratitude and utter folly.

It would take much more than this column to “big up” Comrade Ralph

and the ULP administration. The numerous people-oriented projects that have been established throughout the island testify to his efforts for our societal well-being. Of course, they are there for all to see. It is shocking to hear James Mitchell say the airport is a phantom project. Is he for real? Vincentians, please do not allow your minds to be bent. Open your eyes. Look at the progress, look at the projects and judge for yourselves. It is difficult to imagine that these projects have all come on stream in less than 10 years. Is Comrade Ralph moving too fast for the NDP? Ralph has taken this country way ahead of what the NDP has done in their 17years. With Comrade’s Ralph measures of “socialism”, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is now a force to be reckoned with on the regional and international scene.

Various projects providing “bread and butter”

The various projects have provided “bread and butter” on many tables. Regarding this bread and butter issue, shouldn’t the ongoing lowering of taxes viz: the reduction of company and personal income tax from 40% to 32.5%, for hotels from 40% to 20% , be seriously applauded. Also, the threshold below which workers pay no income tax has been increased from $12,000 in 2001 to $18,000 in 2008. And there is more. This appears to me to be more like having our bread buttered three sides. The questions again arise “What more can Comrade Ralph do?

The Referendum is a thing of the past. But my take on it is that the populace dealt superficially with a valuable document which was propagandized by the NDP, unread by the majority and, therefore, resulted in a foolhardy decision. From this we can deduce that Comrade Ralph, even after all he has done in the education sector, has a lot more work to do. The NDP for too long had kept the people in ignorance, and too many of our people have fallen for it. The

results of the referendum are not an attestation to the leadership of Comrade Ralph, but how much our people are still in darkness. Comrade Ralph needs another term to continue to enlighten our people.

SVG not going back to the dark ages

I would further warn those who are likening the results of the Trinidad and Tobago elections to what will occur here. I will like to enlighten my readers that academically, both Comrade Ralph and Manning have much in common. However, the difference between them politically appears to be poles apart. With several stalwart leaders gone from the Caribbean scene, Comrade Ralph seems to be the man destined to be the spokesman for this Caribbean civilization. Ralph’s brand of “socialism”, if it truly can be termed as such, has put St. Vincent way ahead of NDP’s expectation. He has left them trailing far, far behind. We do not want this country to go back to the dark ages.

I end with this proverb: “Before following a leader, it is wise to see if he is headed in the right direction.” ULP has moved this country forward. The NDP lost its bearing 10 years ago and has never found it. They are following a leader that is USELESS.

Equalizer