Let me start this article with a quotation: ‘Every day the bucket goes to the well, but one day the bottom must drop out.’ It is not often that the general public may share your opinion, but I will understand if some don’t. As for me, being a city folk for many years, I do pay attention to a lot that goes on around me, especially in the city.
When I look and listen and assess our city lifestyle, it sometimes makes me wonder if city folks are always demanding with no consideration.
It is known that the Capital city of Castries is the main hub for business opportunity especially vending. But there is a culture associated with vending that almost everybody who can, tries to extract as much as they can for free.
Their logic is that whatsoever housing or vending fertility or space granted to them should be considered as a mandatory and permanent gesture.
As much as they complain about not getting governmental support, when they do get that support, they are of the mind-set that it should be provided forever for free, even though the rental cost is rock bottom. In cases where there are contractual obligations that stipulate the rental cost, they think it is OK to neglect their side of the bargain and would avoid paying their dues — sometimes for years.
Although the city provides a livelihood, it seems to matter not to most.
Funny enough if the outlet that they occupy belongs to a private entity, they will find the money to pay all dues on a timely basis to avoid legal eviction. But once it is Government that owns, they all feel entitled to get or gain for free — as we say locally, they get ‘a Bwa’.
Regardless of the cost of maintenance and upkeep and being situated in prime lands, most will choose to stay with one thought in mind: if the government or the state doesn’t deal with their needs, and demands, they will threaten to withdraw their votes. Hence, that is one of the reasons that the crocked trend continues. They feel that they have the power to change the government even though the change is not progressive in all cases.
Meanwhile they retail and sell everything they have at the highest cost. They offer no discounts, they have no credit, and no consideration, some in the case of perishable items would rather it rot than to give discount prices.
In other words, they give nothing away, nothing is for free but still expect their gains to keep coming for free.
The Government, on the other hand, is caught between the Devil and the deep blue sea. They know that the people can make or break governments, so, knowing that most times they yield.
Plenty of people are unfair, they also operate with malice, some would lie to get attention and will resist change if it comes at an additional cost. Few will clean or maintain the premises and treat it like it was their own.
The bottom line is: if you don’t support or supply them with better conditions constantly, they complain and cry foul and yet they have no respect for authority, especially when it comes to policies and written contracts and it is always about them.
The opposition, on the other hand, likes to fan that fire, they always side with the protestors, and they always promise to improve and give more despite their track record. It is always about returning to power as the better option. So, the idea is to leave things as they are, continue to bail out the suffering vendors and CDC residents as they claim, and in so doing they will get their pound of flesh.
On the other hand, Government through the years — especially the incumbent — have provided as many outlets as possible that are humanly possible, at the lowest cost possible and gives discounts in many ways that are beneficial to all.
Consider the discount on cooking gas and petrol, the discounts on regular products such as rice, flower and sugar, timeless periods for Christmas barrel collection at rock bottom cost.
Now they have also ensured that there is a minimal wage, to ensure that people get better pay packers, in the education sector less to pay for exams, and school fees, plus teachers having improve salaries and support in various ways, they deal with island wide road repairs, improve health facilities and medical concerns, to maintain law and order, millions are now being spent.
But despite all these pluses there are still some disgruntled and dissatisfied people, especially street people, who always seem to be wanting more, and despite how often governments write off their debts is the same old story — and still they will offer nothing in return.
I know that some people believe that the power is in their votes, but sometimes the more you try to gain, the more you may lose. If you don’t support the establishment and don’t contribute to the necessary fees and rental costs, one day you just may find that our struggles were all in vain and you must give to get back.
You have to appreciate the efforts of those who support your needs and assist you with your wants and it should not always be about what you can get for free.
Remember, it takes two hands to clap, ‘epi sa ou faire say sa ou wer…’
We have to all learn to contribute to the overall growth of our country; we all must continue to contribute and play our part and pay our dues.
This idea that some must always get for free while others struggle is unfair. So, make it right and ‘who vex loose’. In my opinion, ‘no pain, no gain’ because in the same way you are offered a chance to get, you should also be given notice to leave, especially if you are dishonest, and make way for contributing clients.