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The Endless Harvest Of Crooked Politicians In Barbados: It’s "we the people’s" Fault

Submitted by Austin Many months ago I wrote a piece titled What Will It Take with references to the reluctance of the Bajan people to openly speak up and out again the unethical behaviour of many of our elected officials past and present. The status quo of stalling political and social progress in areas like…

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Submitted by Austin
Acting Prime Minister Mr. Freundel Stuart

Many months ago I wrote a piece titled What Will It Take with references to the reluctance of the Bajan people to openly speak up and out again the unethical behaviour of many of our elected officials past and present. The status quo of stalling political and social progress in areas like FOI legislation and reform, coupled with bar side deal making is totally undermining our democracy, and the will of the masses of Bajan people.

We appear to have an every man and woman for themselves mindset as a people, with many corrupt politicians and officials banking on that reality to do there dirty deeds. The personal fear of loosing that big or small job from unknown party faithfuls if one speaks out, acts like an invisible muzzle for many, or even most.

While BU represents an Internet based forum for free speech on matters, these forums in themselves is not enough to shine the light for the masses on social and political challenges that plague our democracy. It is to this point that the primary mass media outlets in Barbados do the Bajan people a grave injustice.

Black and white Bajan elites see nothing wrong with the system as it is, as they can often buy their way through virtually every issue with no regard for the public. All Bajans share part of the blame for letting those we elect run loose, with hardly any real political or legal consequences for unethical behaviour.

The economic challenges of recent has served to highlight major social and economic reforms which need championing by our elected official, but without accountability and transparency in the equation, nothing will change. Money is truly the root of all evils in Barbados, which may be just the nature of politics, but we are beginning to reach new levels of ineffective leadership and opportunism by those we elect to serve the peoples will.

I am sick of all the talk and intellectual commentary it might simply be time for we the people to take to the streets in Bridgetown.  While unlikely that this would ever occur, due largely to a deeply rooted house slave mindset, we clearly exhibit (the truth hurts) … it sure would get the attention of the foxes in the chicken coop.

34 responses to “The Endless Harvest Of Crooked Politicians In Barbados: It’s "we the people’s" Fault”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    It will be interesting to see how the DLP deals with this matter in the coming months. Don’t think the lack of implementation can be blamed on the recession. One saw the haste when the sunset legislation was rolled out and in recent times the constituency councils were steam rollers through parliament. It is all a matter of priorities.

  2. Conrad Avatar
    Conrad

    Politics needs cash.
    Businessmen and others want to influence decisions.

    So the politicians receive their cash from businessmen who fund both parties and in the process the politicians become compromised and hamstrung and as a result it is harder and harder to change Barbados from the way it is, a way, a level of development, that makes a prosperous minority quite content.

    Even the middle-class intellectuals, who rant and rave about the way things are would not lift a little finger over their glasses of red wine to change anything because they benefit too. If they lived in a more prosperous dynamic economy, where new entrepreneurs routinely threatened the established businesses and practices, they would not be able to afford their maids and cleaners and gardeners who would be chasing after higher paying jobs.

    In the past this nice cosy environment was able to prosper because everywhere else, from Jamaica, Guyana and Trinidad to Latin America, Africa and Asia was broken and there was no where safer to put your money. But now that these places are no longer broken and are, in general, growing rapidly, our cosy environment is becoming stolid and less real investment in the future is going on. Instead we consume the future – spending the proceeds of land sales, degrading our environment with more congestion and waste.

    There are a few things I diagree with David on (just look at how many times he posts something on Guyana from the Burnham apologists that absolutely nobody comments on!!!) but, by God, he is completely right to focus on this one critical fundamental, and it is not economics, it is not party politics, it is above all that, it is not that our society cannot function, whoever is in power, if our politicians are corrupted and our rule of law is broken.

    It was time for a change in 2008 for a number of reasons. The smell of corruption was one. But its not about people and individuals so much, it is about incentives. if you don’t change the incentives, you wont change the behaviour and nothing changed.

    if you think the Prison was bad, you must be sick of the Clico debacle. Our biggest financial failure, a failure compounded by the inability of the Government to act fast enough, before the inmates took their money out, because the Government had been compromised while in opposition, and the chief architect of it all is chairman of the national broadcaster. If you rightly didn’t like the rise in debt to 77% of GDP, you must be horrified that it has risen to 97% in two years and petrified that it has done so as a result of jobs for the boys and not any real investment. Its not BLP versus DLP, its one sodding, corrupt political system and if we dont change it, we will just sink into the quagmire. How much of the Government’s construction work has gone to one company – JADA? How many Government supporters, members, spouses of members does this company support?

    Who was it who said – the Botswana President I think – that you have to make corruption a high risk, low return activity. That should be the purpose of Freedom of Information and integrity legislation and a reform of party and campaign finance. My personal view is that Freedom of Information and Integrity legislation – and legislation is not enough, there needs to be resources behind enforcement, is the easy bit, the difficult bit s to do away with the politicians need for outside cash and then make contributions illegal so that our politicians are not compromised.
    But the corruption of our politics and the undermining of our rule of law is a central issue and my hat off to David for persisting with it, independent of the Government of the day. The system is so bad that we even presume guilt where none may actually exist. It is interesting that after all the rumours and allegations, no one has gone to Dodds. But a system in which there is the presumption of guilt has lost confidence and one that has lost confidence will not attract honest hard working people.

  3. Robert Deschappe Avatar
    Robert Deschappe

    I know that this article and BU will come in for some harsh criticism from the political yard fowls, such as “Waiting in Vain”, Carson C. Cadogan et al. The reality is that there are dishonest politicians in the DLP and BLP, no matter what the apologist may want us to believe. No matter what the subject is, readers of this blog are reminded by certain individuals about the BLP’s rape of the treasury during their 14 year reign.

    Sir, corruption by politicians did not start in 1994. After the 1986 elections, Dr. Farley Brathwaite was appointed at the National Assistance Board as Chairman, and Rev. Errington Massiah was his deputy. There was a Commission of Inquiry into the NAB through which there was an attempt to implicate DeLisle Bradshaw on corruption. Where is that report? Dr. Brathwaite brought in Errol Best and his family from England using NAB funds, to appoint him as Director. The board, which included Derek Alleyne, fired a the staff of the Housing Welfare Department (including a now vocal DLP supporter Anthony Wiggins) saying that they were unqualified for the positions, and brought in their people. The operations of the NAB were significantly reduced. These new employees were appointed to the Board in 1993, retroactive to 1990. The last three were appointed on the day prior to elections. The Board ordered an audit which was done by Brian F. Griffith & Co. Ltd. costing the tax payers almost $300,000. The employees who joined the NAB prior to 1986 were not appointed until after the 1994 elections. during the structural adjustment programme, when workers had to vote for the 8% cut, all the votes were opened by the Board members to see who voted against it. Those who did were victimised, especially the then Deputy Director, Edmundson Reid. But people like Carson C. Cadogan would want to make me believe that the members of the DLP are such honest people. BULL***T. I will reveal more.

  4. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    I take offence, there are no dishonest politicians in the DLP that I am aware of.

  5. Conrad Avatar
    Conrad

    Which is why Carson, they have jumped at the opportunity to put in place FOI and Integrity Legislation in the first 100 days of office. Ooopps! Forgot.

  6. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    The DLP did what the DLP had to do.

    Almost all of these agencies, including CBC were BLP fortresses.that had to be dealt with. I was disgusted as I went from political meeting to political meeting to see large numbers of these individuals from these government agencies in their red shirts actively campainging against the DLP.

    Right from the day after the election I was calling for the removal of these people. I knew that the DLP would have the devil of a time getting these fifth columnists to carry out their programns.

    As a result the DLP did what DLP had to do.

  7. David Avatar
    David

    You guys have said a lot.

    Let us assume that Austin is correct, how do we excite the masses about the need to demand more from our politicians?

    One way is to get a mass mailer to circulate the BU word, a BU family member would have to do this on our behalf.

  8. Robert Deschappe Avatar
    Robert Deschappe

    Well Carson I guest now that CBC is a DLP fortress; Reudon Eversley – director of news and current affairs; Peter Wickham – political analyst and public relations strategist; Leroy Parris – chairman; Pearson Bowen – news anchor and reads all ads; memos to staff telling them not to read anything from the Nation newspaper….and you want to justify this nonsense. When the government changes, and the BLP does something similar, a BLP yardfowl like you, will want to justify it. These types of things are wrong, and we must understand that the politicians work for us, and we should let them know in no uncertain terms that these practices must end.

  9. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Alright David I will write the comment on Maxine… how do I submit an article? From the East we bore easily on topics of democracy and … unnecessary discussion..no?

    How do I submit this article on Government Ministers and public servants traveling to every fete and insisting that we are in a recession…no?

  10. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    BTW (Being Tormented Within)

    “a deeply rooted house slave mindset”

    Why not just say David Ellis… less words, more punch… no?

  11. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    The Teacher drug case in the Nation will make for an interesting discussion about justice in Barbados.

  12. Raymond Avatar
    Raymond

    I am backing BU all the way.
    My Country dun sell out!! Et tu’ Brute?

  13. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    @ Carson Cadogan

    As I have said before, Boards are responsible for implementing government policy at Statutory bodies; therefore the failure of any employee, including Directors, to carry out the directives of the Board, unless in contravention of existing public administration legislation etc, must be due cause for dismissal. Insubordination!!

    Employees of Boards are not fired because they are a threat to the success of a government, but due to the desire to find jobs for the ‘boys/girls’ and most importantly to keep secrets.

    You are only fearful of employees who support the opposing party if you have secrets that could be ammunition for your opponents. Though I am weary of some aspects of FOI in our small society, the implementation of such legislation should remove this need to operate statutory boards as members’ only clubs.

  14. Inkwell Avatar
    Inkwell

    David,

    Some good may come out of BFP after all. You recall that they did an edition which could be downloaded, printed on home computers and distributed anonymously. It was very effective. It could solve your problem of needing a mass mailer. I suggest that’s the way to go.

  15. David Avatar
    David

    @Inkwell

    Your suggestion is noted.

  16. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Joseph Goddard (formerly of the NUPW) is Barbados’ new ambassador to the United Nations!

  17. BAJAN TRUTH Avatar
    BAJAN TRUTH

    Excellent article. It is time and more we go after real change. The network that keeps this situation together is complex. In a previous post I indicated the connections – demands by constituents; demands by supporters; cost of electioneering; impact on financial security for politicians; greed of some politicians; greed of some civil servants; campaign support by monied people; demands for favours sometimes to detriment of the public. Along with FOI and IL we must add campaign financing. This dynamic trio will lay a foundation for holding people accountable B, D, N, P.

    Performance accountability has to include the public service and to fix this we have to deal with the union practices, succession policies, etc. An ineffective civil service creates more waste of taxpayer money than any other factor. Projects badly done, poorly implemented, theft, waste of amdinistrative resources – millions and millions wash down the drain. While we love to blame the Minister, change the Minister, this does not bring reform only if we have PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM.

    Yes,yes an email campaign, a voting programme on the internet, not only on BU but Nation website, and others and publish results for all Barbados especially politicians to see. What about a personal email to political parties outlining our insistence. What about not only the blogs but get on brass Tacks and let them know in no uncertain terms. Do it all. When our people get actively involved in protecting our democracy, then we will see change. Lead the charge David. The rest of you get behind and help don’t let him turn around when he is out on the limb and the rest of us gone and silent.

  18. Been in town too long Avatar
    Been in town too long

    There is one other vital link to ensuring an open, transparent environment – it is an overhaul of our archaic libel laws. Irrespective of the slagging of the local media that I see on the blogs, the fact is that anonymity is what makes BU and BFP possible and popular. There is no fear of prosecution for revealing the truth.

    I regret that sometimes the blogs and bloggers abuse this anonymity to cast spurious aspersions on others, either in support of a political cause or to feed some other personal agenda.

    Conrad is right. The system is broken. It starts with his very first statement – politicians need cash. That is where we need to start. We are raising a nation that looks to the politician to solve their every need from school fees and water bills to jobs and housing. IT IS UNSUSTAINABLE. It has and will lead to corruption.

    No politician should be the provider of all things to all people (in the material sense.) They should be facilitators. How we will wean both our politicians and our people off this entrenched system is our greatest challenge as a nation. Here is where individuals will make the difference. Individuals who do not need politics to be successful. Individuals whose core beliefs will not be subsumed by the urge for personal aggrandizement. Individuals who do not feel compelled to surround themselves with bag men and ‘advisors’ in order to take the country forward. Individuals who have and can articulate a clear vision of where we should be heading as a nation in both social and economic terms.

    I see one or two people that fit this description in both parties. It is time that we demand more and encourage others to become involved. It is time that we jettison those who look as politics as a great job opportunity. The world is too serious and complex a place for that type of thinking.

    Who among us will take up the challenge?

  19. EyeSpy Avatar
    EyeSpy

    @ Inkwell // July 29, 2010 at 6:29 AM “Some good may come out of BFP after all. You recall that they did an edition which could be downloaded, printed on home computers and distributed anonymously.”

    If my memory serves me well, both BFP and BU had set up Print Editions. I think (stand to be corrected) the distributions were primarily about 3S Barbados Limited.

    I second your suggestion. BU may want to consider resurrecting that process, especially in getting the word out on certain happenings that are/were withheld from Barbadians.

    Having said that, it might be more effective if BU could find a sponsor for mass mailing.

  20. EyeSpy Avatar
    EyeSpy

    I found this link from the past — http://bajan.wordpress.com/2007/09/11/print-our-story-of-the-week/

    It leaves me to believe that many of the commenters would support BU on renewing the print effort.

  21. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    Tertiary students could face 100% increase in tuitions

    http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Tertiary-students-could-face-100–increase-in-tuitions_7836053

  22. Alex Fergusson Avatar
    Alex Fergusson

    In the Nation Newspaper of Monday, July 26, 2010 – Acting Prime Minister Freundel Stuart was reported to have said: “If it is raining, it is not breaking news to say the road surfaces are wet. If a cane field is burning, it is not breaking news to say ash is flying around. If the world is going through the worst recession in 100 years, it is not breaking news to say there is economic stagnation because what recession means is precisely that.

    Is he saying that the gross incompetence of the DLP was easily foreseeable prior to January 15th 2008 and that BARP members should have been aware of the risk when they decided to invest in the same Clico, he said that he has seen nothing to shake his faith in? Is that why their call for help in getting their money, “does not qualify for his personal support?”

    How is it Mr. Stuart that tourists from Britain are heading to Jamaica in huge numbers, (despite its alarming murder and crime rate) but not Barbados?

    Mr. Stuart, do you know of dingy attempts by Moodys and Standard & Poors to spread alarm and despondency across Barbados, which are foredoomed to failure?

    Mr. Stuart, are Barbadians having difficulty paying their bill and buying food? Are Barbadians concerned about the cost of living, which the DLP promised to reduce?

    Mr. Stuart, could you image Errol Barrow fiddling, waiting to see if the economy of Britain or America would do well, before he acts?

    Imagine! Leaders all over the world opted to introduce progressive policies and are putting their economies back on track, but Thompson preferred to wait and see, while Stuart now has a remarkable plan to talk the Barbados economy out of recession.

    Mr. Stuart, Barbadians are no longer prepared to be “hoodwinked,” by the DLP. They want to know where is the ‘Pathway to Progress’ the DLP promised? And, exactly how is the DLP transforming the country to meet their needs, as it promised?

    Mr. Stuart, what kind of society is the DLP really building?

    Mr. Stuart, do you still feel that management of the economy is not important? Mr. Stuart, does it surprise you that even die-hard dems are saying that the DLP is incompetent and that it does not know what to do or what it is doing?

  23. KISSMYA Avatar
    KISSMYA

    Barbados is in trouble
    Demented minds are in control
    weaving influence and creating utter confusion. This country is ‘out of control’ –(hint)
    Mashing crop over, mashing the call-in shows , mashing up society . Oh my gosh !
    Imagine a man making the cunt comments that the man below is making as though nobody has a right to support the party if his/her choice. The C C in the name is for cunt comments

    Carson C. Cadogan // July 28, 2010 at 7:53 PM

    The DLP did what the DLP had to do.

    Almost all of these agencies, including CBC were BLP fortresses.that had to be dealt with. I was disgusted as I went from political meeting to political meeting to see large numbers of these individuals from these government agencies in their red shirts actively campainging against the DLP.

  24. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    Alex Fergusson aka Liz

    “How is it Mr. Stuart that tourists from Britain are heading to Jamaica in huge numbers, (despite its alarming murder and crime rate) but not Barbados?”

    Tourism’s cry for help
    http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Tourism-s-cry-for-help

  25. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    “Joseph Goddard (formerly of the NUPW) is Barbados’ new ambassador to the United Nations!”

    My God…the man’s mastery of the English rivals that of Panda Bear…no?

    Ambassador…? When you Bajan understand that Embassies are for espionage and creating opportunity for export in niche market for local product, you then see that Ambassador has to be master seller, very good with the English and entrepreneurial by instinct… Another wasted salary from International Current Account no?

  26. whistling frog Avatar
    whistling frog

    Dear BAFBFP,,,,,,,,

    Surely you do not comprehend the true nature of Bajan Ehhh NO!
    Like you Of Eastern Ethnic (so called origins),,,One can speak with forked tongue NO Ehhhh???? Its not what you say,,,,,,,,,,Its what you say you did not say,,,,,,,,And what you did not say but should have said you should have not have say but say you say what you say anyway,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,EEHHHHHH!!!!!! SKINNY GUY!!!!!!!!!!

  27. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    @ Carson Cadogan

    ‘I was disgusted as I went from political meeting to political meeting to see large numbers of these individuals from these government agencies in their red shirts actively campainging against the DLP.’
    _____________________________________________________________

    ‘According to Lashley’s spokesperson Carl Alff Padmore’, Nation Newspaper of July 30, 2010

    Is this the same Carl Alff Padmore, PRO at the Sanitation Service Authority? If it is, this is even worse than what disgusts you above.

  28. trottie Avatar
    trottie

    all o DEM is D same

  29. Raymond Avatar
    Raymond

    If walls cud talk!

  30. CALLEY Avatar
    CALLEY

    Perhaps Barbadians should consider term limits for politricksters. There’s no incentive for these charletons to do the right thing on any account. He/She who feels the power and celebrity of the politician, is never the same again. Well intentioned men and women start out good, but remember all, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Barbados’ history reflects Ministers in government using the tax payers money to construct road and buildings on their privately bought plantations. It is time that the social anesthetic wear off, and bajans wake up from the comatose state, that has invaded our social fabric. Is there but one politician, who can claim relative respectability. I certainy will have no argument with a person’s prosperity, if that prosperity is devoid of an ill gotten gain. But when the “Giddy Masses”are subjected to political treachery, deceit and fraud in high places, it’s time to start prosecuting politicians. Barbadians must know that the power of the ballot, only is effective the day of the election. In a parliamentary democracy with a two party system, they know damn well, that they are in control of the instruments of power. To hold people accountable, is almost impossible in Barbados, when there’s a Chief Justice, that came from the legislative side of the aisle, and every other politician in Barbados is a lawyer. To fix the problem, just term limit the crooks, and be done with it. That way, they can only steal so much money as per their term would allow.

  31. Ms anon Avatar
    Ms anon

    @Carson C. Cadogan // July 28, 2010 at 7:38 PM

    I take offence, there are no dishonest politicians in the DLP that I am aware of.

    You’ve got to be one really foolish adult. are you for real – Anyone would think that that statement was written by a 12 yr old mentally challenged child. stupessssssssss. You only know what was taken, AFTER the thief has gone or when you see him holding it in his hands. Get real and be an example for younger folks please

  32. Con-vision Avatar
    Con-vision

    CCC may be right that there are no dishonest politicians in the DLP. I guess he means to say he does not know the meaning of the word dishonest. He is not only blind to the truth, but he sits and partakes with the bandits he calls angels.

  33. CARLOS D. BOYCE Avatar
    CARLOS D. BOYCE

    THE LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND THE HIGH LEVELS OF CORRUPTION IN BARBADOS HAS BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. AS I WALK AROUND BARBADOS AND LISTEN TO THE MANY PEOPLE TALK ABOUT MY COUNTRY BARBADOS IN A NEGATIVE ASPECT IS SOMEWHAT TROUBLING.I LEFT BARBADOS IN 1996 AND THE BRIGHT STAR IN THE CARIBBEAN, AS THE MOST DEVELOPED ISLAND IN THE CARIBBEAN AND RETURNED IN 2010 TO FIND MY COUNTRY ON THE PARTH OF BECOMING A THIRD WORLD NATION. OUR GOVERNMENT IF FILLED WITH SO MUCH CORRUPTION AND GREED. I HAVE FOUND A GOVERNMENT NOT FOR THE PEOPLE ANYMORE BUT MORE FOR INCREASING THE BANK ACCOUNTS. MOST WOULD BLAME THE POLITICIANS BUT I BLAME IT’S PEOPLE FOR STANDING BY AND NOT MAKING A CHANGE NOT MAKING A SOUND BUT JUST BY BEING QUIET ACCEPTING IT. I FOR ONE WILL NOT SIT IDLEY BY AND DO NOTHING I WILL TAKE A STAND AND I WILL MAKE A CHANGE, ALL I SAY I LOOK FOR ME IN 2013 AND TO BOTH PARTIES I SAY BE VERY AFRAID MY PEOPLE NEED A VOICE AND I PLAN TO BE ONE OF THE VOICES TO BE HEARD AND ONE TO SPEAK FOR THEM.

  34. KISSMYA Avatar
    KISSMYA

    BAJANS are jokers –jokers –jokers when it comes to worshipping an bowing down to the iconic figure such as the Politicians -who are no more skilled than any others but who are worshipped and put on a pedestal

    EGOMANIACS as they are, politicians, most of them feel that they can do anything and get away with it and only because they might be able to ‘talk’ and articulate they feel that they have this god given right to money , houses cars and expensive brand name shoes.

    Bajans have been brainwashed 100% a thousand times over and continue to worship the so-called big boy-be it a white man, a man wid money/power etc or a woman wid so called clout . Most of these people are bad minded persons who are selfish and who use and abuse others to their satisfaction. Many of the politiicans are no good people who do not love anyone and who look down on others as shit and suck up to others who they perceived as more powerful than them.
    There is a need for real good persons to come to the fore

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