FROM the time the former Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Dr. Kenny Anthony made the much anticipated announcement that the next general elections would be held on the June 6, all I could think about, or should I say, look forward to, was June 7.
You see, for so long, the election debates, arguments, fights and all else that came with election fever was (like they say in the UK) doing my head in.
I couldn’t wait for the day when it would all be over and I could say bye bye to the incessant war of words between opposing party hacks, the constant accusations of being “laybah” for wearing anything red, including lipstick and liking posts and pictures from the party’s officials, or for being “flambeau” for agreeing with something a UWP official said or di
I was looking forward to the day that politicians, both red and yellow, would try to insult my intelligence by sweet talking the nation with empty promises as they tried to secure votes.
The day couldn’t come any sooner so that I could speak my mind and express myself without having to be super cautious and tip toe around on my own page…can you imagine having to mind every thing you post for fear of being verbally accosted and or berated on your own social media account?
Don’t even get me started on these highly irritating advertisements on my radio, television and especially online. These things were absolutely everywhere…including on a popular pornography website (I did not see it personally but someone browsing the site certainly did and took a snapshot of it).
Oh and there were also the constant rallies and those trucks…those horrendous trucks that would slowly drive through residential areas at all ungodly hours BLASTING songs about the candidates.
Yes, I was eagerly awaiting the big day so that peace and civility could be restored.
And then the day came…it felt like it took forever to come on purpose because I was maybe too eager for it to be over and done with, but it came and I was happy!
When the results were announced, I felt indifferent…you know, not too happy but not upset (although as one with attachment issues, I tend to like to hold on to things and hate change…even if it’s for my own good so yeah, I had grown used to the administration of the day and was left to deal with the fact that they were no longer going to be there and that I now had to get used to a new batch of ministers. But I dared not to utter a word about these feelings, well, until now lest I be accused of being a Labour supporter/lover).
Indifference aside, I quickly learnt how wrong and foolish I was for thinking that things would simmer down like a boiling pan of milk after the heat is turned off…the atmosphere has seemingly gotten worse.
Apart from the musical truck, the rallies and those “stee-upid” ads which have all stopped (Thank God), the back and forth has not only continued, it has gotten worse…now ain’t that something?!
Right now, all I see is a bunch of sore winners and losers going mercilessly at each other.
The losers are all looking at the new incumbent with bated breath just waiting for them to fail. Meanwhile, I’m scratching my head wondering how they fail to see that the government’s failure is St. Lucia’s failure and downfall…whatever happened to love for country and country first? How could you be so colour blind and hate filled that you would wish for the downfall of your country because someone other than the leader of your choice is at the helm?
On the other hand, the supporters of the winning party have been rubbing salt in the wounds of SLP supporters by constantly laughing in their faces screaming “Yo Peh” or “Yo Ped”…I mean, ok, they get it, you can shut up about it now and enjoy your new government.
The saddest part is that I cannot say that one is worse than the other because had the SLP won, they would have done the very same thing. So with that said, I say shame on you all.
Then came the constant talk about who rigged what, why was this one made minister and this one wasn’t, etc. Let’s move on already!
Perhaps the worst and most disappointing part is the mass fallouts between families and friends.
How and why would anyone allow this to happen? I think so many people would be surprised to see the politicians rubbing shoulders, laughing and eating together at gatherings. They may not be best buds with each other but they most certainly are not going to lose sleep and be uncivilised towards one another like some of you extreme supporters are doing.
I’ve seen the ministers of the former administration post photos of themselves having a grand old time and looking well relaxed whilst these foolish supporters spit venom at each other…you will swear that they are getting paid, but I know they’re not.
Meanwhile, the same people being cried for and the cause of depression, their pockets, wallets and bank accounts are fat, their houses are huge…pool and all, their cars are posh and their bellies are filled with all things delicious.
People, the June 6 was 17 days ago, please can we stop focussing an back then and place our eagle eyes together?
We have a new government to study and hold to their word so let’s not get sidetracked and get down to business, just like they have.
Here’s a novel idea. If you want to live on, stop writing about the thing you’re trying to forget. Or you can just keep looking stupid.
……need to exorcise the demons of the two party system!……
Backward people in tribal settings around the world are the only ones who vote and forget about just we did in our slave past? You have a “Massa”? Then good. Go back to being a slave. What Massa say is good. What Massa do is good. God will provide like in STEP and NICE. In the meantime, help yourself. Suck salt.