By C. ben-David
There have been repeated requests from representatives of the ruling regime of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), including the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works, to send money, food, clothing, and other items to help those adversely affected by Hurricane Irma in other islands, especially our own nationals residing there, to facilities set up for this purpose by the government.
As far back as 1979 when the Soufriere volcano last erupted, much of the aid received from overseas was claimed to have been warehoused by the Labour Party regime for disbursement to actual or potential supporters during the following election.
There is an old business expression that says, “buyer beware”. In the present context, this expression should be rewritten to say, “donor beware.”
To those who wish to donate money or goods to help our brothers and sisters in the British Virgin Islands and elsewhere during this time of the acute need, I urge them to do so via arm’s length, impartial bodies like the Red Cross, Salvation Army and other bodies, either in SVG, America, Canada, England or to similar organisations in the affected areas.
The Lord’s Prayer says, “Lead us not into temptation.” So, let us not lead the present ULP regime into partisan temptation and sinful behaviour by sending aid to politically independent bodies.
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Don’t give to those US exPresidents either. Let us not forget the earthquake in Haiti. So many of us have as we thought they were reputable. So much went to their “administrative costs” and so little to the people who were suffering.c
I can well appreciate the negative Facebook comments of strong ULP supporters who would want to hide any sins committed by their Party. What hurts me is that some of these comments may be coming from non-partisans painfully ignorant that natural disasters all over the world are an ideal time for the preferential treatment of those supporting the government in power. What I failed to mention is they are also the perfect time for mass pilferage by government officials and staff workers.
Our simplemindedness tells me that “five inna row” is in the bag.
Those organizations Mr. C.ben-David is suggesting that are so reputable have their problems of not delivering on their promises too. All the ones he suggested have very high overhead cost where a very small percentage of the donations they receive actually goes to the people it is intended to. Just ask the people of Haiti, as well as the victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
The overhead costs vary between charitable organizations, some of which are quite low, and pale to insignificance compared to the wicked use of donations when given directly to governments or political parties. So, I advise potential donors not to send money to either the ULP or NDP unless you want the donations to be given only to party faithful.
After the christmas flood I made a sizeable donation to one of the parties. I suggested that they share with donors how the funds were used. They already had my money, so no response. I don’t think I will do that again.
Vinci Vin, a dunce like you who believes in miracles could do anything over and over without knowing you are wrong.
Have a nice day, bro!\\
Wow. C. Ben-David, you really are so shallow that you have to resort to name calling? You know nothing about my beliefs, yet you judge me for them and cast aspersions upon my intelligence.
You assume I believe in miracles, perhaps because you know that it has to be a miracle for you to exist. There is no other explanation. Your base attempts certainly defy the arts and science, therefore the only explanation has to be a miracle.
I could call you some names, but I won’t dwell in the gutter with you. It is beneath me. Good day to you, sir.
Wow, Vinci Vin, do you really want me to post all of the nasty things you have written about me in past? I don’t think so because these would simply show you to be a hypocrite, among many other sins.
As for the miracle of my birth, it was totally based on chance: my parents had sex one dark night in the early 1940s and I was the lucky product of the single sperm that managed to penetrate my mother’s egg.
Just to answer my ignorant or biased critics, the overhead costs of the Salvation Army are very low; the comparable cost for the Red Cross are somewhat higher, mainly due to a much larger mandate and proportionately more highly trained personnel. See: https://www.charityintelligence.ca/charity-details/ and the sites of the organizations for the exact, audited data.
The mission of both organizations is to help people based on their needs; the mission of the ULP and NDP is to gain and maintain political power by doing whatever it takes to get as many votes as possible.