est. 2007

Barbados Underground

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Barbados Underground 10 Point Plan for New Governance

BU endorses the 10-point plan for discussion
BU endorses the 10-point plan for discussion

The following 10-point plan has been championed by BU family member Bush Tea for several years and endorsed by Barbados Underground. There is rising resentment and criticism  directed at the feudal Westminster System which has become irrelevant in a modern global market which requires speed, flexibility, innovation and creativity even from small island states like Barbados.

  1. We create a FORMAL political body (let’s call it BUP)
  2. BUP enlists representatives from the top 50 social, business, religious, sports and other organizations in Barbados (BARP, BMA, Co-operatives, Churches, Hoteliers,  etc.) and these constitute its formal membership. This body compiles a basic strategic plan for Barbados.
  3. BUP then elects a NATIONAL SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE of 12 persons – Unpaid, except for reimbursement of all expenses. The NSC refines the strategic plan into specific objectives and goals to be achieved.
  4. The NSC advertises for 30 political candidates, including specific ads for Prime Minister, MOF, MOT, etc. They interview applicants and select the most suitable 30 who understand the expectations.
  5. These 30 candidates ALL are required to sign undated letters of resignation to be held by the NSC and are then adopted as candidates of the BUP
  6. All constituent members then lobby for the BUP candidates in the next elections (which are called because the 200,000 membership represented by BUP all walk up Bay Street and demand it…)
  7. As long as BUP wins the majority of seats, the specific persons selected by the NSC are appointed.
  8. The NSC exercises absolute supervisory control and has confidential access to ALL information on contracts, deals spending etc. and ensures that it remains in line with the strategic targets set.
  9. Upon any breeches of ethics OR failure to perform as agreed, letters of resignation are duly dated and accepted (perhaps upon 75% vote by the BUP membership) and new advertisements are placed to fill the vacancy.
  10. That’s IT ….a do-able, effective political system that addresses the current transparency issues AND puts the best talents in leadership AND monitors for ongoing performance.

197 responses to “Barbados Underground 10 Point Plan for New Governance”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    “Having been around Washington a long time, I thought I recognized a familiar pattern. Campaign promises are the starting point of every new presidency. Each administration, as it takes office, puts out budget proposals and other plans identical to those in the campaign. The problem with turning such promises into policy, however, is that platforms are written for political perception, not optimal effect. The campaign agenda is a hastily constructed road map based on conditions at the time; by definition, it cannot be a fully vetted policy for operating government…I did not foresee how different the Bush White House would be. Their stance was “This is what we promised; this is what we’ll deliver,” and they meant it quite literally. Little value was placed on rigorous economic policy debate or the weighing of long-term consequences.”
    – Alan Greenspan

  2. Pearl Avatar
    Pearl

    Naïve I know. At the moment voters vote for someone to represent their constituency and the person who receives the most votes gets a seat in Parliament. The party with the most seats rules the roost or so to speak. At this point everything seems to change. The MP no longer represent their constituents and just become a member of the ruling party and whether or not they agree with the proposal or policy they veto it. In my opinion they should be there to represent their constituents even if it means voting against their party and doing what is best for the country, not for themselves or their party.

    Surely the power should be with the voters of the constituent that MP represents. If he or she is not performing or just agreeing to foolishness there should be a way that the MP is accountable to their constituents and their constituents have the power to keep them as their rep in Parliament or not. After all it is the voters that MP there not the Prime Minister.

    For example Minister Sinckler said that the PM put him in the position of MOF and the PM can take him out. Just doesn’t sit right. The voters should have more power and be able to use it.

  3. David Avatar
    David

    @Pearl

    This is the flavour of the Westminster system we have signed onto. In some countries they have the authority to recall elected officials. It is up to us to demand what we prefer. Unfortunately the political animals/parties have become so ensconced in how things are to be done it will be hell to pay to change it. The present system operates on the basis that elected officials are to represent the interest of the elected and we the people can grade their performance after 5-years.

  4. SuckaBubby Avatar
    SuckaBubby

    “The campaign agenda is a hastily constructed road map based on conditions at the time; by definition, it cannot be a fully vetted policy for operating government”

    A fistful of dollars and thats what the electorate usually get, either in a job or a kickback.Nothing substantial, nothing long lasting,easy come easy go.I am by no means an expert on American politics but it seems to me the segments of that population who are usually unfazed by their political machine at elections are those who usually dont vote , because of their educational traditions and that they own the land they stand on.eg the Amish.

    Similarly in Barbados,before, the man in the plantation house say you have pack up your house and leave having deemed to be found unfaithful in whatever regard,you leave.That in my view is the core psyche of the Barbadian electorate filtering down to this day, feeling powerless and willing to sell out to any whim.

  5. St George's Dragon Avatar
    St George’s Dragon

    When I was about 8 years old, some friends and I formed a gang. Can’t even remember the name of it now, but the first thing we did was form a leadership “committee” and write down a set of rules; then we cut ourselves and made ourselves blood brothers.
    That’s the last thing I remember about that gang and with hindsight, I can see that I was young and naive then.
    This is not going to work. Focus on small, incremental steps to change things, that’s the only way to improve things.

  6. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Are you serious Dragon?
    It won’t work because when you were 8 years old you cut yourself and failed to form a gang?
    Shiite man….we in bigger trouble than Bushie thought…. 🙂

  7. David Avatar
    David

    @St George’s Dragon

    You have been endowed with the attribute to be clairvoyant?

    It is the right of any individual to think as ‘big’ as they want.

    It is the right of same individual to defend said big ideas.

    Let the process play out and see what is learnt.

    Why should you or anyone want to preempt the process of freewill by applying a box mentality.

  8. Pearl Avatar
    Pearl

    Thanks David.

    So if it’s going to be hell to pay to adjust our current system, how are we ever going to be able to introduce a totally new system and radical system as suggested by BT.

    Based on what you have said I would have to lean towards what St. George’s Dragon has said ‘baby steps’.

    So perhaps we can start with how MP’s represent us and bring in some formula that we don’t have to wait till election time to make a change. Basically I still think voters should have more power and MPs should be accountable to us the voters.

    MPs and the WI Cricket team need to be run like a business. If you are not performing properly your out! That way performance may improve.

  9. David Avatar
    David

    @Pearl

    For the governance system to fairly serve the people we cannot compromise on what must be it’s core attributes. Unless the core is righted how are baby steps possible?

  10. Jack Bowman Avatar
    Jack Bowman

    Ah, “Bushie/Bushy/Bushman” the Tea of that Ilk, may the Big Boss Engineer redeem you.

    On a blog where “Stinkliar” and “Trickydadian” are regarded as acute political insight, where few seem to grasp what to do with the “d” at the end of past participles, and where the blogmeister can write, in all seriousness, “We have to begin with fermenting ideas and through a process of rigorous examination then the visual how”, you’re probably on solid ground in pursuing your virtual political ambitions.

    It’s just such a bitch that the real world doesn’t work that way.

    But we is wid ya, skippa! We an de exclamations (!!!!) an all de smiley faces an de LOLs an de LULLZs [randomly capitalize] DEFINITELY want you ruling every country we ever live in, what with you having such a gorgeous mind and evertink wot are divinely inspired to rule we.

    Smiley face.

    And LOL, “skippa”.

  11. Pearl Avatar
    Pearl

    So then we are at stalemate.

  12. David Avatar
    David

    @Pearl

    And this is why sucessive governments have papered over the structural issues by pandering to party interest. They have us by the short and curlies.

  13. St George's Dragon Avatar
    St George’s Dragon

    @ Bush Tea
    You are intelligent so you will know what a parable is.
    @ David
    No, I am not clairvoyant, just realistic.

  14. are-we-there-yet? Avatar
    are-we-there-yet?

    St George’s Dragon

    I tend to agree with you to a point. I think that most Bajans, or perhaps BU family members, would agree with the ultimate objectives of the BUP. I suspect that getting agreement on the methodology to get there, given the objections already posted here against it, is going to be difficult.

    I would like to suggest an alternative strategy. My reading suggests that the current system is getting more unstable by the day. Within the next few short weeks, as the implementation of the economic restructuring programme continues to unfold and falter under current inept political leadership, there should be ample opportunities to exploit the frailty of the politicians and system and educate the people of feasible ways to change the system as peaceably as possible to one that is more responsive to the realistic needs of all sectors of the society and that will honestly and even handedly implement sensible solutions to ensure such needs. Implementation should be to the extent possible, incremental to reduce the inherent shocks of the eventual removal of most of the multivariate wrongs of the current system.

    The BUP proposal is a reasonable first draft only. As ideas and critiques of the current BUP approach are factored into new drafts those drafts will take on a more implementable shape.

    In my earlier discussions with Pachamama, Bush tea and latterly Balance I’ve been trying to put forward the idea that putting forward a system that is not well worked out, does not demonstrate a believable strategy to reach the desired objectives and does not clearly show that it understands the gaping pitfalls on the way to successful implementation, would be counterproductive, especially if it does not factor in the need for getting some buy-in from less adventurous types and addresses their likely concerns as to what would be the likely effects of the implementation of the changes on the stability of Barbados, a stability that, at least up to now, was absolutely key to our economic achievements in most sectors of the economy. I’ve noted that several posters here are of like mind.

    This topic is however one that merits further forward looking discussion and I suspect the nuts and bolts will be sorely needed in the weeks to come as the Government, given its track record, continues to fumble with its various publics in implementing its obviously IMF inspired austerity programmes.

    BU and Bushtea should be commended for putting it on the table for discussion only.

  15. well well Avatar
    well well

    The governments in the Caribbean have reached crossroads, for decades they have relied on a design of government that they themselves did not design….in the case of Barbados, they have faithfully followed the design given to them so much so that they have now reached the point of the ridiculous, to make matters worse, the current crop of leaders are not blessed with the fortitude nor the intelligence to successfully wriggle out of what is shaping up to be a major disaster and embarrassment….it will be trial and error until someone arrives with the right formula, hopefully it will be one of the ‘leaders’ who are not now using the intelligence they were born with or the taxpayer funded education that was ‘freely’ available to them.

    Maybe if they eliminated all the political games, grandstanding, posturing and performing, they will see clearly enough to move forward and away from the westminister system that has long outlived it’s usefulness (what little use it was to the Caribbean) and is totally useless in today’s intelligence driven world…..until such time, they have a real shit storm on their hands, if they can totter out of that one, i will indeed be impressed…..first they (DLP/BLP) were acting like deaf men/women, now they are acting like blindmen/women.

  16. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    What is important is that there is a group of people that form a number, a large number of the variety of interest groups that exist in communities like our. (My plan is far far more simple, but the thrust is the same). In Bushies plan there would be the need to remove ALL existing Permanent Secretaries and Department heads. (I only read the comments on this page, as I get here late … w/o apology)

  17. well well Avatar
    well well

    By the Way……..how soon will another political party emerge with a new system, new workable ideas……..and should not the present political parties be encouraging such endeavors and ambitions, if they claim to really care about Barbados?

  18. Jack Bowman Avatar
    Jack Bowman

    You see, “Dave”, this is part of the problem. Before we submit to a “BU-endorsed” 10-point plan for, er, “governance” we’re going to need to be convinced that all members of the National Supervisory Committee understand the difference between it’s and its, a distinction that you still fail to grasp even at your advancing age. Sorry about this, “Dave”, but it’s [its?] a deal-breaker. If you can’t write properly, you can’t think properly. That’s just the way it is. Again, sorry about that.

  19. The People's Democratic Congress Avatar
    The People’s Democratic Congress

    8) With regard to 8, it is clear, David, that you have endorsed a so-called ten point plan that does not say what and how the means would be for achieving the strategic goals of the party, in view of specific criticisms of 3 and 4;

    9) In respect of 9, David you endorsed a Ten-point plan that has failed to take into consideration the capacity of the state/government to put in place laws and policies to help alter or change the conduct of
    many human beings in a polity such that it would not simply a question of advertising – in particular contexts that could only be imagined by author – for news posts for state positions that could not exist or be filled without authority of the state in the first place, but a main question of using the entire state and private bureaucracies, civil society groups, to help enforce and reinforce serious standards of transparency and accountability. Hence, this is the kind of uncritical unthinking support that David is found to be giving to such intellectual dilemmatical hogwash that has poured out of the mind of a very anonymous political character; and finally

    10) In respect of 10, how could David waste such blog space over something that somebody has said “addresses the current transparency issues”, “puts the best talents in leadership”, and “that monitors for ongoing performance”, without totally absolutely delineating what the transparency issues would be (there are so many and of varying complexities), without totally absolutely saying where the best talents would be and where this leadership (not holders of offices) would be found across the board, and without saying how and in what conditions such performance would be really monitored.

    What a heap of trash!!

    GOD help this country!!

    PDC

  20. David Avatar
    David

    We should go back to Pearl’s comment to test the idiocy of the present system. We have two parties whose members toe the party line in the House of Assembly. How can 30 people deliver the full power of their intellect is they are prepared to remain locked to a party line? Who is being short changed in this scenario?

  21. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    A political Party is a PRIVATE institution (that still has to be properly defined for legal purposes). Because it attains the legal authority to determine how the Tax Payers monies are spent does NOT make it any less of a PRIVATE institution. Private institutions have private agendas and private agendas are NOT easily given up.

    So please, it borders on idiocy to believe that the existing political parties would have need of any major changes to the way things are done at present

  22. pieceuhderockyeahright!!! Avatar
    pieceuhderockyeahright!!!

    @ BT

    I commend the direction but like, the Annunaki and Cumberbatch and a few others still need you to clarify the how.and its nuances.

    Everybody around Bulbados who has an iota of sense is crying out for change but, in a system that has been DLP clowns and BLP jesters for so long it is going to take some serious convincing and systems of accountability and competence to convince this new group that any new system is worthwhile actively considering

    The fact is that nuf uh we have no intention of voting party again so the key thing is to present a mechanism that will give us confidence that

    (i) the proposed candidates are competent
    (ii) they are going to perform for their salaries
    (iii) they will not engage in the graft that both the BLP and DLP live by and
    (iv) they will have the skills necessary to bring us back from this desolate place we find ourselves after 25 years of mismanagement

  23. jeff Cumberbatch Avatar
    jeff Cumberbatch

    @David

    I read a complaint about it yesterday, but I have now discovered it for myself. Something seems to be amiss with the timing and positioning of posts. Else, how could Bush Tea reply at 9:44 am and you even later at 10:16am to my comment at 9:13am and yet both are placed ahead of mine in the thread? For someone coming in late, this could be confusing.

  24. David Avatar
    David

    @Jeff

    Believe it was explained by Are-we-there-yet on another blog. BU turned on a feature which allows you to reply directly to another commenter (a conversation within the larger conversation if you will). If it is not a welcomed change, we can turn it off.

  25. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Turn it off .. PLLLLLEAASE

  26. ac Avatar
    ac

    And bushy what role would the private sector play in scheme or plans for change would they be included as a part of the committe

  27. JUST ASKING Avatar
    JUST ASKING

    Do you know why Children are always happy.smiling and playful amidst chaos sometimes ?

    Generally, children tend to be always happy and ready to play don’t matter what is happening around them. A LITTLE CHILD shall lead us . I am taking my lead from the children . I blanking all the folly. I dont care what the Government do or what happen now –what the ratnose happen happen—I cant be bothered.
    10 point plan and all that crap
    Unions banding together
    There is a one point plan–CHANGE THE GOVERNMENT

  28. Mark Fenty Avatar
    Mark Fenty

    The bottom-line is, no system of human government is without is imperfections. But we somehow believe that our “Checks” and “Balances” are capable of combating these faults and failings that accompanies man’s immoral nature. Now, even the American Republican form of government that is regarding as close to perfection; isn’t without these maladies.

  29. ANON Avatar
    ANON

    JACK TRY TO BE NIMBLE
    JACK YOU AIN’T QUICK
    JACK STOP TRYING TO JUMP OVER THE CANDLE STICK

    Your behavior is disgusting, rude, insolent and obnoxious!
    Speaking like a true JACK ‘O’ Lantern, you can’t find nothing of any worth or of any value to contribute to the debate.

    If your brain cells have been warped & corrupted due to increase leukocytosis from all the over-indulgence during the “SILLY” season just gone – GO AND DRINK SOME BUSHTEA. you may find that it is good for ya’!

  30. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Of course ac….
    Once they are willing and are selected by the assembly….

    With a clear voice and role in compiling POLICY, and in the over sight of transparency and integrity.
    The approach gives opportunity for all major players in the society to play an equal but meaningful role in governance in a proactive manner.

    Of course government agencies would now be professionally run – just like the private sector, so they would be competition for management talent etc, but this need not be contentious…

    …as BAFFY says, the current system of permanent secretaries etc would need to be revamped…

  31. ac Avatar
    ac

    My thinking is that the PRIVate sector as we know them will not comply and without them your plans are doomed. just look at what is happening and the role they play .a new goverance would mean going to the average man boy or woman for support many of whom might be willing to endorse as way of escapism.. the way i see it is that the little person alone cannot make it happen…you would need a widder and broader support from “those who holds the reigns of economic and political power in the societY

  32. Bajan in NY Avatar
    Bajan in NY

    The 10-point plan sounds like something from the playbook of the PRG government in Grenada, and it would only see the light of day in Barbados if the PUB is installed in a manner similar to the PRG. Bush Tea sounds like a modern day Bernard Coard. The BLP or DLP will form the government of Barbados for years to come, so unless the potential PUB members are prepared to do the years of heavy lifting required to be voted as MPs in Barbados, we should stop fantasizing and come up with ideas and things the poor in Barbados can do to survive the many hard years ahead.

  33. ANON Avatar
    ANON

    @ Bushman

    Props for poking your head above the parapet!

    Few would have “SMOKED” a good strain of “Wisdom Weed” to even remotely come up with a ONE-POINT plan (the likes of one aka JACK “try to be nimble” BOWMAN) in elucidating a way forward out of the colossal MESS we suddenly find ourselves in.

    When a TITANIC enter[prise] is about to hit the rocks – there’s no time for gesturing, gesticulating and gerrymandering. We got to pull out all the stops to get the vessel back on track before impending DOOM assaults the very structural integrity of what others have fought hard for, worked, bled and even died to create as a lasting legacy to their sacrifices.

    BARBADOS is in deep KAKA!

    Our current crop of leaders have not even told you GUYS the real truth yet and the sad irony is when the nation finally gets wind of what is about to emerge ( or in this case, hit ’em) – only GOD knows what the fallout & repercussions are going to be.

    The issue is broader, deeper & higher than the mere retrenchment of possibly 5000 public sector workers and the concomitant thousands of private sector layoffs – the fault-line runs deeper than even our national DEBT, repayment debentures, asset liquidation, sovereign gilts, dollar devaluation and/or FX depletion – we are going to be “STUFFED” with even greater problems if what has been proposed comes to pass in the long term. (ENOUGH SAID)!

    Bajans have never been here before!

    This is not even the 1930’s revisited. This national Armageddon!

    What alarms those even in the know is the LEVEL of capital flight currently taking place right under the noses of politicians and leaders of the BLACK populace and there ain’t a darn thing that can be done about it. When some on this BLOG were arguing that “NO-ONE” is insulated from the “FUTURE SHOCK” of what is about to unfold – they spoke without KNOWLEDGE! Time will tell.

    How as a nation can we insist on knowing the real truth and nothing but the truth so help me GOD is anybody guess right now! As is often said that there are no “ATHEIST” in foxholes – let see if JACK BOWMAN and his ilk gonna’ be LOL when stuff finally hits the fan and the rubber meets the road!

    What say ye JACK?

  34. Bajan in NY Avatar
    Bajan in NY

    @Anon, I hope things are not as bad as you were informed, but I believe there are worst than the government is saying, and we can thank Governor DeLisle Worrell for that. To this day he has not inform the people of Barbados of the change in economic status from STABLE to in trouble.

  35. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    ac (‘s husband)
    The last thing the private sector would want to do is be left out or be misrepresented when decisions that affect them are to be taken. .. Oh Chris’ they would have at least ten seats on the board .. from small business to large retailers, even the vendors, if their numbers are high enough to merit representation can have a seat on the BUP and notice, BUSHIE has suggested 50 … FIFTY odd seats; the present Senate has about thirty of which only six are special interests, and one of that six invariable is BIG Business.

    I REALLY HOPE THAT ANON TALKING SHITE …..!

  36. ac Avatar
    ac

    We are fooling ourselves if WE the people belive that a system that has been defined and control by a privelege few that those would be willing to relinguished such a position because another form of goverance takes control. the political landscape was formed and defined while the masses were asleep only now it is too late to recapture a dream one which our fore fathers work for in earnest.

  37. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Oh but I agree ac (‘s husband) … I agree. Plse see my comment at
    | 04/01/2014 at 12:23 pm |

  38. Well Well Avatar
    Well Well

    Baf said:
    “So please, it borders on idiocy to believe that the existing political parties would have need of any major changes to the way things are done at present”

    They would if Bajans would stop making politicians believe they are higher up better off , more intelligent than the average Bajan, while encouraging politicians to think that the average Bajan is a nobodiy, that is why politicians treat the average bajan like they are a nobody….case in point, I just personally witnessed a Bajan/Canadian/Yankee tell off Billie Millier in the most embarrassing manner in SuperCentre, Holetown because Billie did not know she was speaking to a Bajan/Canadian/Yankee and tried to throw her shitty little dame title around and thought she could push around this female, well let me tell ya, Billie will think twice before she approaches a perfect stranger like that again because they black like her…..she will not forget that encounter anytime soon and the supermarket was well crowded for the event……….SO…….if Bajans would stop letting these politicians do and say whatever the hell they like and get away with it while systematically destroying the island and stealing, porning, etc. etc, you will see how quickly they change their modus and create new policies.

  39. Clone Avatar
    Clone

    Bushie
    Your ten point plan is noble but it would not work with the present systems in place to stop it from starting.

    It is best therefore to fight the system from the inside. Form a third party using the same ideas to get the candidates.
    The manifesto should contain the following which would be legislated in the first MONTH of parliament meeting
    The right to recall legislation
    Freedom of Information legislation
    Integrity legislation.
    Barbados is ready for a THIRD PARTY OF SUBSTANCE NOW.
    This may not go down well with the private sector because they want back the BLP because of the huge profits made from the highly cost overrun projects.

  40. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    Bush Tea
    Looka who back….

    Listen skippa……since when you become a ‘wannabe draftmen’ of our fate…. but hear muh now Socrates…..there is still nuff room in your proposal for lil self-dom….Brassbowlery man, why you think Caswell got Unity and Ac got that big Arizona fella Mozellrella….just to talk to people? Me thinks not….is all about D money bredds ….But on a more serious note doah fellas…help Chrissy nah….help a fella LOL….D place in a mess wid Sir Roy ready to play Grand Duke of York all ova again…..DEM duz do the people too badd doah…dem is the same foolish people who left dey warm bedrooms on February 19 to go and vote fah dem vagabonds affa all the bus riding pensioner talk?…It duz hurt muh heart when i hear most of dem drainage people come from Lowe and Stuarty constituencies and get their pick just befoe election…..NASTY I say wuffless n nasty….to the nth

  41. Bajan in NY Avatar
    Bajan in NY

    @Well Well, where do you live? I’m putting it to you that Bajan politicians are not as removed from the folks who voted for them as U.S. politicians. Don’t let us discuss the position of President, since the average voter can’t get within miles of him months before and after he is elected. If a voter shouts abuse at either of the 2 New York Senators the NYPD would haul them off in hand cuffs before the words are out of his/her mouth. I have seen my Congressman, Gregory Meeks, once – at a town hall meeting back in 2010 when the Democrats wanted support in the stand off with the GOP over the expiration of the Bush Tax Cuts. Congressman Meeks was guarded by the NYPD from the time he entered until he left, and other officers monitored the attendees in a manner that had me uncomfortable. The mayor and city council members in New York were limited to 2 terms, yet in 2009 Mayor Bloomberg was able to bribe some council members into voting to overturn the law so that he and some of them could get a third term. After we vote for a politician in New York, he/she is off seeking funds to fight his/her next campaign, so those who can contribute to the war chest and not the average voter get his/her attention.
    What did the Nick Clegg and the left-wing Liberal Democrats in the UK do with the balance of power seats won in the last election?
    Bajan politicians are not angels, but don’t give folks on this blog the impression that politicians in other countries are any different.

  42. aBajan New Yorker Avatar
    aBajan New Yorker

    @ David

    I say leave the new commenting as it is, what change back what, that’s our biggest problem we always refused to except change .

  43. David Avatar
    David

    @aBajan New Yorker

    Sometimes you cant force change 🙂

  44. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    Sargeant | 03/01/2014 at 11:05 pm |
    What date is it again? I just went to bed on Jan,1st and woke up on April 1st.
    BRAVO SARGE BRAVO!
    EXCEPT THAT EVERY DAY ON BU IS ALL FOOLS DAY

  45. David Avatar
    David

    Here is a view of the system of government some of us hold so dear:

    Former House Members Now Eligible For Get-Rich-Quick Jobs, Proving Washington Is Totally Broken
    WASHINGTON — There’s new competition for the cushy lobbying jobs on Washington’s infamous K Street. This week, nearly 250 former members of Congress and senior congressional staffers became legally eligible to lobby their former colleagues on Capitol Hill, according to a report from The Sunlight Foundation, a nonprofit political watchdog group.

    The report lists 71 former members of the House and 178 former high-ranking congressional aides who were prohibited by law from directly lobbying Congress for the past 12 months. The ban expired Thursday.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/04/lobbying-congress_n_4538770.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

  46. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    How is it broken …? The respective systems were designed to ensure that special interests benefit from the money that is “legally” with drawn from citizens. If there are those who are fooled into believing that it was designed to do other things and is now being corrupted, then there are categories of mental disorders available for them to be appropriately assigned to.

  47. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Well Well

    Your observations would best be targeted at the Press. These fcuks are guilty of holding onto every promise, every word, every smile that Public Officials make, and promoting these people as greater than life characters with relevant track records.The Press, the Media personalities and the Academics that argue Politics in public as if it were something tangible and profound … these are the JackAsses that help propagate the lie, and they do it all virtually for free …!

  48. David Avatar
    David

    Which means Baffy you give no credence to “Lincoln’s “government of the people, by the people, for the people…”?

  49. Alvin Cummins Avatar
    Alvin Cummins

    @Well Well @Bushie, @David,
    Well well, Your blog is interesting and begins to return the blog to some sanity to discussion that was reaching the redicoulous. The contributors are inching in the right direction, but like swordsmen in a duel in the dark are in danger of each losing their heads.As you say we have been operating in a sysem that was designed y others, in a different era, when it was impossible to imagine a society as we have today. When it was impossible for the designers of the system to imagine ordinary folk in control of their society.It was a system designed for the elite, when the seperation betwenn the serfs (we) had no control over our own destiny. the desire to change the system thus has to begin with an examination of the very essence of the system we want to govern us. Any new system designed has to be done in depth taking everything into consideration’ our society, our relations with others, the legal foundations, and everything else. What we need to condiser is a remaking of the entire society. We have to rededucate (even educate) an entire society in the role of civics, and teach them how societies function. A 10 point plan such as endorsed by David and Bushie will not solve the proble. Ig requires different types of thinking.The process could have started years ago, except that we were not forward thinking or looking.Those who appeared before the constitution review committee, thought only of tinkering with the present system not of changing it. For instance there is nothing in our constitution that allows for referenda.
    You see how far back we have to go; the depth of the problem?
    What I consider unfortunate is the number of supposedly educated people who, instead of seeking a sensible solution, only seek to either wring their hands in despair, seek to blame and pillory someone, or come up with completely unworkable solutions.
    we have had third with very educated persons forming them. I think of the National Democratic Party, I think of the People’s empowerment Paarty, and further back. these parties were composed of people who had the interest of the people at heart.
    They failed because the structure of the westminister System ensured that they could not really influence the electorate. The entire structure (the Westminister System ) needs to be restructured.
    I have my own thoughts which I am prepared to put up later in the form of a paper on the subject..This is enough for now.

    ,

    .

  50. Mark Fenty Avatar
    Mark Fenty

    It’s always someone else fault….! I may think myself so much more better than I am…

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