Ouch! Don’t know about you, but the economic storm clouds are beginning to scare me. The 6:30 radio news a few mornings ago gave me an instant headache. It spoke of public servants striking in St. Lucia for higher salaries and the government making clear that more pay would trigger a cut in employment. Then up to Jamaica the newscaster went and told us of Bruce Golding’s decision to cut MP salaries and forewarn of steep increases in taxes.
Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, he relayed the dreaded news of 100 plus workers at the Marriott in St. Kitts being sent home and of the Central Bank Governor of Trinidad AND Tobago warning that the bubble there is about to burst and the entire population will be called into action to stave off the menacing effects of a serious downturn in revenues.
Of course it can be said that Turks and Caicos, under Michael Misick, brought its current economic troubles upon itself, but the wailing of finance officials signal to all and sundry that we have passed the stage of an economic hurricane “Watch”. We have skipped the “Warning” and are at the stage of an “Advisory”.
Strange enough, civil society and more appropriately financial communities in those territories have taken this turbulence in stride. Even Opposition politicians, whom one would have thought would have been mounting soap boxes and apportioning blame, have been relatively quiet. They appear mindful and appreciative of the need not to exacerbate an already difficult situation.
Thus, in most of the aforementioned territories, there is the absence of the partisan, political warfare that has crippled countries and economies in the past. In Great Britain, North America and parts of Asia and Eastern Europe, there is manifested this aspect and element of bi-partisanship, where politicians across the political divide are keen to combine effort and energy in the fight to strengthen and revitalize ailing economies.
There was a time in the early 1980s when the late Right Excellent Errol Barrow was mystifyingly guarded in his language, in instances when one thought he could and should have gone for the jugular of some members of the then Tom Adams government. Barrow later explained to this writer that the national good was always foremost in his consideration and short term political home runs could often begat harmful long term outcomes for the country as a whole.
The late Sir Harold St. John as well as the revered Sir Henry Forde also practiced and reflected that level of maturity and national responsibility. Some may say they were soft or too easy on their opponents, but they loved their country and even though eager to impress and fill the eyes and capture the imagination of voters, they remained focused on the need to promote and protect the national good.
It is safe to say therefore that given the harsh realities of the current global economic meltdown and the grave challenges that confront local finance and economic planners, the prognosis today for national focus and unity of purpose would have been better had the likes of Tom Adams, Errol Barrow, Henry Forde, Bernard St. John, Dr. Richard Haynes or even David Thompson been sitting in the principal opposition chair at this time.
Were any or all of them faced with the task of replying to a Budget at this time or even participating in an ensuing debate, they could each be counted upon to advance suggestions and ideas for advancing the cause of the country as oppose to tearing it down. Those illustrious sons of the soil, together with the likes of Dame Billie Miller, Sir Lloyd Sandiford, Brandford Taitt and even Sir Louis Tull and Sir Richard Cheltenham, knew how and when to throw a political punch and when to stand four square in the corner of what’s good for the country. They never allowed malice or lust for power to cloud their judgment or perspective of what’s right and what’s best for Barbados.
This is the sort of leadership that built and preserved Barbados in the 70s, 80s, 90s and early twenty first century. Unfortunately, today, there is a new breed and brand of opposition politics that says ‘to hell with country. Take out your opponent at all cost’.
They are those today who believe they were born to lead and, it would appear, that if they are not in the driver’s seat, it matters not whether the vehicle goes over the precipice.
This country has an opportunity in the next few weeks to appeal to the world for a renewal of its ‘best little island to live’ status. We can show the region and the world how to rally and bandy together in times of adversity and crisis. Positive examples are being set by those around us.
The big question is, shall we collaborate and cooperate, or shall we undermine, brawl and destroy? Your guess is as good as mine!
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.