The voting public needs to know more about all governments’ policy decisions and especially now.
We are not too far from the next general elections and the existing opposition party, as well as a posable new political party, need to articulate their political intent and policy.
I say that in the light of the fact that through the years it is not uncommon for political parties to stifle or disregard the progress or policies of the last reigning government.
We know of projects and policy decisions, as well as structural establishments that have been shelved, or discontinued, because the newly established government chose not to give acknowledgement to their predecessor’s accomplishment.
There are plenty of such examples to refresh our memory… Remember such projects like the meat processing plant, the STEP program, the discontinuation of a major hospital in the South, to name a few. Of late, the existing government has spearheaded many programs, projects and social activities that can be made redundant, or canceled, because of a different policy, or different way of governance.
It is important to know if that practice will continue in the event of a regime change.
No new government wants to give credence or praise to their predecessors because it means they accept that the former policies have merit.
I am not singing for my supper nor am I in a position to determine which political party will be victorious at the next general elections, but we should never disregard policies or programs that have merit or are in the general public’s interest to retain.
Every party contesting the elections claims to have answers to our development needs and they always feel and claim that the former has failed or did not work in our national interest.
There is a lot of misinformation, false information, as well as proposed ideas that are yet to be tested, or proven to be productive or will bear fruit. A typical example is the concept that it is the government of the day responsible for the high cost of living, or the escalation in crime, or the negative social behavior of our population (especially the youth) and it is the government’s lack of involvement or support that’s responsible for the situation.
We talk about the road issues and road conditions but forget that we are buyers of vehicles of all types on a regular basis and due to our material quests, we are responsible for the state of our traffic situation.
We need to give credit to the government of the day for the many policy decisions, especially when it comes to the support of the police, introduction of a youth policy and minimal wage policy and support to teachers, nurses and support to pensioners, support in agriculture and the new strides in education.
I am not saying that better can’t be done, or there is not a need for improvement in some sectors, but it is important to remember that in looking for more you can end up with less.
Can you trust the promises to come and the untested plans? Have you assessed the track record of the “wannabees”?
There are lots of wolves in sheep clothing, lots of criticizing and condemnation, but be careful that we don’t make a regretful change because of talk, because talk is cheap and does not always change the price of coffee.
I ask you to be analytical, do your research, get the relevant information and don’t be persuaded by talk.
It is better to walk the walk and choose the right path and vote for progress, not on promises.