‘I Too, Love My Country’

HOW gratifying to hear such nationalistic sentiment from a diehard Labour supporter on the heels of a UWP electoral victory. ‘I love my country’ is a sentiment held long before the June 6 elections, I feel assured. For those who discover it late few emotions are more overpowering than discovering a long suppressed truth. It is what happens when a mind is finally awakened to see that life does not revolve around a political party or particular individuals. And that change, that awakening is the only constant in life! One wonders whether the new awakening would anger with negative consequences or with new hope. Will the loss of ignorance lead to abuse on those who kept the newly enlightened so long ignorant, unenlightened?

I love my country no more and no less than the many great citizens who helped lift its face and image; made its people proud, and worked hard to eradicate illiteracy, poverty and disease. These three have plagued the island for the past two-hundred years, and persist thirty-seven years after political independence. I love my country no more and no less than I did last week, or last year, or when I first made the decision to invest the best days of my life aiming to represent its people at the highest echelons of civilized political administration – its Parliament.

My sense of wonderment at the progress we have achieved is somewhat diluted by the many great challenges that remain. That sense of wonderment is also neutralized by the seeming inability of past political leaders to unite the country. Bringing political combatants together after a hard fought general election, putting country before party, should be the first task of a triumphant new leader. The sensible way forward is placing national good over and above narrow partisan politics. But let’s not kid ourselves, this is not easy. Men are too often led by petty emotions.

The sooner a new leader speaks out on national unity after a general election the more likely such a leader will douse the abuses of an election campaign. To build a new patriotism one must first learn humility and respect for the will of the people. People that are near the new Prime Minister must keep reminding him that ‘opportunity knocks, grasp it with both hands.’ He has nothing to prove to anyone but himself. To open the windows of the heart and let fresh air in, may be his greatest challenge after suffering so much abuse and disrespect. But a man who does not depend on politics for an income can, if he wishes, rise above jealousy, pettiness and political excess. It’s time people experiences new politics.

I am proud to have been part of an earlier effort (nineteen-seventies), to open the minds of the people of Saint Lucia: to explain their history, their heritage and their place in the world. It was difficult work. Getting people to embrace new ideas is never easy. The pertinent question then and now is: How do leaders succeed in maximizing production of goods and services, while creating employment within a limited time mandate, smothered in political division and sabotage?

In this regard, I posit a new question. Should Ministers of Government and top planners suffer reduced salaries whenever the economy stagnates and workers are asked to accept reduced pay or have their pay frozen? An example should help elucidate. If a leader marches publicly for increase in salaries for a section of the workforce and later discovers that his government could not pay, shouldn’t his government first take a 5% pay cut before proposing that cut to the workers whose earlier demands he had supported and encouraged?

Should a leader reverse himself after it has been made clear to him that a 15% VAT is hurting a majority of ordinary people? When failed policies have been shown to hurt people why do some leaders refuse to change? Is this arrogance, wickedness or plain stupidity?

Sadly, people will continue to follow the easy paths they know. The work of a new leader is to persuade a new generation into higher production through consistent hard work, and growing hope in a new future.

The sun will rise tomorrow and in time the elections of June 6, 2016 will be a mere blip in the historical calendar which marks discovery, slavery, colonialism and independence. It should remind us that there are times when countries stand still move forward or regress. A new leader must have the courage to change; to point his country in his direction, teaching, cajoling, and leading by words, as by example.

Historically, the ship of state has been known to right itself after a turbulent political storm. The sensible plan is to build better, stronger and smarter afterwards. This may mean digging better contour drains on farmed hillsides; better housing for man and farm animals; better cambered farm roads, and better roads and bridges, and stronger hurricane resistant houses.

Just as storms disrupt and forces us to build stronger and better, so too must a visionary leader be a disrupter, if he aims to change the status quo. To right the ship of state after years of economic stagnation and hardship, a new government must be prepared to take a big leap forward, disrupting greed, laziness and selfishness in the process. To disrupt in this sense means to break the cycle that frustrates efficiency. It means disrupting hills and mountains to build new tunnels, new roads, and new houses.

To love my country is to ask what I can do for it; not the other way around. Even the lowest income earner will do something when the example is set from the top. Then one is encouraged to say with conviction I too, love my country. Such a sentiment allows us to better imagine what we can create from that which God has blessed us. The youth must be able to say with conviction I love my country too, and feel it from the depth of their being. One small way in which the Prime Minister can help is by returning to playing basketball and listening to the youth who play with him, encouraging them and their peers to excellence. They too, love their country.