OFTEN these days we hear about situations that make us wonder if anything is being done to deal with our present predicament.
Is criminality only about murders and every other form of criminal behaviour seen as mild, or not urgent? Is theft at all levels seen as mild? Is child molestation and spousal abuse considered unimportant, or not serious enough to be worried about?
Is it normal to violate traffic rules, smoke cannabis or cigarettes while driving (or at all), or to drink rum at any age or place when we feel like we can always do as we please, anytime and anywhere?
Are business persons permitted to operate without licenses or permits and don’t need to follow required standards, or have we reached the stage where anything goes?
Are taxes, VAT, and NIC dues to be paid only by some but not all? Is there a law for the Haves and another for the Have Nots (Those Without)?
Do we feel or think that anything is wrong with our jails? And are we pleased with how our legislation is managed and the workings of our national police force? Are we working with or without strict codes of ethics?
Do the people have any say in how the country is governed, or how its resources are spent? Are there checks and balances, or transparency policies, in effect to ensure accountability? Or, is it not considered relevant to our development goals?
Can there be action taken as it relates to accusations of mismanagement or negative spending? Should we not examine the facts or deal with the condemnation or at least have the necessary inquiries?
Are we supposed to continue to pay employed professionals without seeing results? Is it an accepted policy to keep square pegs in round holes all because of favouritism, repaying party hacks and for family and friendship, or is it about doing as one pleases?
Is there a futuristic plan, or a specific code of conduct, or do we live in an age when anything goes?
Are we pleased or satisfied with how things are, or being managed, or are we hopeless and unable to deal with today’s reality?
Should we care, should we submit, go with the flow of accepting that the powers-that-be always know best, so we ought not to query their policies or methods?
I ask all these questions to determine if I am of sound mind, or too abstract in my thinking, or just can’t see justification in how we do things as a state.
Have we exhausted all our options? Is our advice sound? Are we getting the right consultative advice, or are we destined to fail at managing our people or our country?
Why are so many ills not dealt with, or put under the microscope?
Is today’s actions the result of world influence, or a dictated approach that must be followed to a ‘T’, or the support needed especially financially will not be forthcoming?
Is it about ‘paying the piper’ or not contracting or deviating from the norm? Or, is it that we ought not dare to be different or practice our sovereign right to be independent in our management or governance of our state?
Is it about the rights of all sectors and no rights should be violated or challenged and we have to go with the flow, because if we don’t, there will be sanctions and embargos leveled at us, as in the Cuban and Venezuelan examples?
Can’t we do things in a different manner, or are our hands tied to world dictates?
Can we have a better tomorrow, or do we have to exist in this web of deceit?
Are some of the above-mentioned scenarios not important enough to put on the front burner?
I pray, for the country’s sake, that things don’t remain as is indefinitely, because if there is not a level playing field then we will cause our people more strife and distress in the future.
There is no such word as ‘petty crime’ or ‘small’ or ‘big’ — breaking the law is considered doing things unlawfully and should have repercussions, regardless of class status or family name.
Remember if you can commit the crime, you ought not to expect to be excused from serving the time.
Meanwhile, like Jimmy Cliff said in his hit song that still; stand for saint Lucia and the rest of the world today, ‘There are more questions than answers…’