What is really happening in lovely SVG?

Dear ULP Government:

I sorry you had to take the rap for PAHO in the past several days. Vincentians love themselves some salt, ‘doctored’ or not, so they have not yet computed that the recent tax hikes on some items which could be injurious to health if overused is intended for their own good – not [simply] to bring hardship on any poor individual.{{more}} They probably feel elsewhere other governments not imposing higher taxes on their people, so why should we have that kinda thing in SVG, right? Maybe they also feel the new taxes will prevent them from getting ahead, because across the seas it seems even refugees are getting on the move to get ahead. They maybe feel too that they can’t make any sacrifice right now, things too hard – not to help raise money to fix roads, hospitals nor that sort of stuff. That’s what we elect you for, ULP. I’m suggesting for our benefit probably you could start a few businesses on the side to take care of these considerations, because its ‘your’ fiscal responsibility. Isn’t it? Be creative; why you not being that? Once you generate these bright new ideas, we, as citizens, can then follow your lead and example and do the same. You think we only vote you in to fix roads and hospitals and so? 

The ones among us who dissatisfied and still protesting probably don’t want to share no kind of burdens neither. Certainly not for no ‘zero hunger’. You couldn’ call it something else man? According to one de ministers for the NDP side government, we already been feeding weself. Don’t you dare get high-minded wid we!  I get it; I ain’t chippin’ in for no zero hunger neither; I ain’ got no cellphone! Furthermore, you see the NDP positioning themself to take over? Maybe they want to try out the new democracy they hoping for. However, I don’t know if they still considered honourable, seeing they leave the Queen House and gone to Frenches House – but that beyond my jurisdiction. 

You know these days people watching every move you make, so you got to come ‘politically’ correct. All I ask is that you, ULP, please let the NDP take full advantage of all their ‘democratic rites’ – pun intended. If there is any abuse, it will reveal itself and better inform and guide the process of a system overhaul in the final analysis. Personally, I trust the election results, which I realize is still in contention for some Vincentians. I believe that for wrongdoing to have occurred with all the surveillance that was in place, it would have taken either an army of ants or a few skilled magicians to accomplish the feat. My conscience rests, even if I cannot ascertain that the system of handling electoral matters is completely perfect and needs no revision of methods or methodologies. However, after four consecutive tries at alleged election racketeering, I would expect to see production of more conclusive evidence of such misconduct over simply suspicions or suppositions. 

Because the current state of affairs affects us all, I am still wondering what right or rights are being sought after from the minority voters in terms of a more desirable democracy. Last Friday, one woman sitting on a chair in a parking space opposite the Court House was daring the person who wanted to pull into it to run her over. My, my, my… what’s really happening? One’s personal situation doesn’t have to change first for the better in order for an individual to strive to be better. In fact, we are to reach for that growth and maturity even while our circumstances oppose us. The Bible counsels us to be content with what things we have, even if we see a need to improve and aspire for higher. That’s a compact recipe for happiness in life. Sometimes we don’t appreciate what we have until we lose it, mostly because we are unthankful and we are not able to hold on to the good because we mistreat it due to the ungrateful attitude. I hope we are not now creating a contrary environment for ourselves by our lack of appreciation for the relative peace and calm we do enjoy here in our lovely SVG.

Rizpah Steward