Congratulations and many thanks to the Vincentian working class for effecting a peaceful change of government.
Already, working people have held a requiem for BOSS POLITICS. (Note the coffins in our streets during the post-election celebratory events). But they must understand that BOSS POLITICS did not begin with Ralph Gonsalves. Preceding him was Milton Cato, who epitomised this type of politics. He had passed the repressive Public Service Act, the removal of which was one of the demands of the Teachers’ Union during the 1975 strike. In the epoch of the Black Power Movement – the progressive vanguard of the day, he declared: “I am Black and I have power.” Then the masses got rid of him.
There was also James Mitchell, the well-known “I and I” Prime Minister, leading exponent of BOSS POLITICS, heavy-handed and controlling. The late calypsonian, Lexi (Alexis Joseph) fittingly captures him in his kaiso classic “EASE UP, FISHERMAN.” During the famous 1972 six-six-one election result, when the nation was on high tension and he was needed for a resolution, he arrogantly declared: “Ah gwine fishing.”
Ralph Gonsalves’ “WORLD BOSS” designation is, of course, very current. And, as the election results made clear, WORLD BOSS can become world loss. Considered the Redeemer, he passed his draconian vaccine mandate, a heavy hammer that became “a hook in the gill” during the recent election campaign.
As dialectics so eloquently teach us in the study of the Unity of Opposites, you cannot have a “boss” without its opposite, “bossed”. And, in
many historical circumstances the contradiction is resolved and the BOSSED bosses the BOSS.
History is offering PM Friday the opportunity to eschew boss politics and embrace its opposite, People’s Politics — participatory democracy. Will he accept this offer?
Four lines the new government should not cross
1. No foreign troops/operations in our country
The new administration must NEVER compromise our independent stature in the world. Engage in a balanced foreign policy, always with the interests of Vincentians paramount. It is true that the NDP is a member of the backward Caribbean Democratic Union, in turn a member of the
far-right International Democratic Union of which the Republican Party of the United States is a leading member. On Nov. 27, working people voted for Godwin Friday to be our prime minister. We do not expect to get Donald Trump.
2. No citizenship by investment
Our citizenship should not be sold. Such prostitution flies in the face of our national identity and definition, our very being and soul, our history and the sacrifices of our forebears, including our first national hero, Joseph Chatoyer. Will PM Friday sell our passports and STILL give a March 14 National Heroes Day speech at Dorsetshire Hill?
3. No victimisation of workers Touch no worker “because of politics”. Of course, in the heat of an election campaign, some workers may have gone too far but that must not result in the termination of employment. This new administration must encompass a new approach. PM Friday is advocating for “inclusion” as practice, and this, by definition, involves tolerance.
4. No neglect of constituents
Constituents of all political colours and persuasions must be impartially served. The crossing of this line by the recently defeated parliamentarians proved to be electorally fatal. The neglect by ULP “representatives” was so extreme, it bordered on abandonment. That dark past must give way to a brighter, enlightened future.
Joy must come in the morning.
Mike Browne
SOLIDARITY RIGHTS
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Great Mike! Now the new ministers are off to their kindergarten classes, because they were not allocated or set up as “Ministers in waiting” so they would have enough time to plan and investigate a path forward for the ministry. It looks like Camillo was not in step with his father’s attitude and outlook.
Ralph believed and thought he knew it all and nobody was as bright as he was. The people saw through that and decided to kick him out.
Sir, with all due respect, whether you like him or not, Donald Trump places Americans first. I need a government that puts me first.
You would see, if you opened your eyes, that Donald Trump is delivering on his promises, and that’s far more than any other government around the world can say for themselves.
While I understand your reference and desire for boss politics to be disavowed and stamped out of leadership here, which I agree with, we need more right-leaning values. We need to go back to God! We need to embody independence of self; we need a private sector, a striving one.
So sir, while I understand your reference to Donald Trump and his boss-style leadership, remember that his actions in government are what he ran on, and he was voted into government overwhelmingly to do.
Ralph Gonsalves is history. You should follow him and his country’s stifling politics. The ULP is and will be out of power for years. The people have awoken from their crippling sleep.
Mike Browne, please sit down and remain quiet, as you did for the 24 years, of your World Boss trying to boss people about. Your opinion,and comments matter not.
The NDP, said up front what the policies are and the overwhelming major are in favour. Ralph Gonsalves even in his demise, us still trying to cling to power in term of wanting protocols which he is not entitled to but feels he does. Storm in a teacup, made comments unbecoming, what did you say then?
Go crawl back under the stone where you were sleeping for the last 24 plus years, take Ralph with you, and go back to sleep.
Being “Boss” wasnt bad. It was the sytemic deliberate destruction of anyone bold enough to not support him or to criticise his behavior/politucs. and affiliations, as well as supression of his “team” members, public service officials, ruling in an atmosphere of fear snd dread, lack of democracy and always having to be the only one on show to demonstrate superiority. No respect shown to the oppositon even in parliament. A school yard bully mentality was maintained and gutter style /rum shop politics filled with insults.
(I pray our bew administration does not.act thus way)
All this trickled down to the field as perpetrators had no
SHUT UP Mike Browne…You didn’t cast a BALLOT in the recent ELECTION…