I continue to be amazed by the self-destructive attitude and tendencies of our people. On the day the country should be celebrating the appointment of a new government with a significant majority, who we should be congratulating as the winner of the general election, a time to put aside party allegiances — whether red, yellow, or blue — until the next election is called.
Instead, I am hearing statements like, “Now we gonna deal with Chastanet,” and, “God left him there for us to deal with him.” I find this completely astonishing. A party has won, and a new government for the people and of the people will now be in place to implement the plans outlined in their manifesto. These plans represent their vision, their aspirations, and their strategies for developing and uplifting the country and being OUR Government we will rally round and support.
I want to hear about their plans for health, security, growth, exports, imports, production, education, and overall progress. I want to know what they aim to achieve in the first 100 days, the first year, the second year, and beyond, leading up to the next general election. But instead of hearing of visionary plans and ideas, I am hearing negativity. The people spreading this negativity seem focused on the losing party and its members, spewing all sorts of disparaging remarks. When the west indies cricket team win a game against Australia we do not get consumed by the losing team but rather on our winning team as we look forward to better days.
The country has made its choice. The people have overwhelmingly chosen a new party and rejected the one that lost so tamely and decisively. The losing party should now be set aside, with the focus now shifting to the winning party, the new government, our government, and their plans to develop Saint Lucia. Yet, we seem determined to dwell on negativity.
To those who lost, I say, “Thank you for your service and your participation but now it’s time to step back and rest.” We have newly elected officials who we want to listen to, support, and work with towards bringing the country to prosperity. There is no point in focusing on those who are no longer in power. Let them reflect over the next four years and come back with a new plan that might appeal to us. But why this obsession with negativity? Why the talk of revenge, like, “Oh, we’re gonna get him now”?
Oh, Saint Lucia, I weep. It pains me even more when I hear this mentality from loved ones and so-called intelligent people. The losing party is no longer in power. Let them lick their wounds and go and come again. Let’s focus on the winners — the ones who have convinced us that they are capable of leading us to prosperity, security, health, education and growth.
Let’s focus on the positive and not on hurtful and negative intent.
God bless Saint Lucia.