“All about midterm elections is turnouts. And turnout is measured by enthusiasm, intensity, how interested are people. And President Obama – candidate Obama had it on his side in 2008. The Democrats had it on their side in 2006. The enthusiasm, the intensity, the passion was all on their side.” Mark Shields
Do you hear what I hear? I hear Silver bells. The Festive Season is just around the corner. The radio stations in our nation are playing Christmas Songs from the get-go. November 1 couldn’t come fast enough. In spite of what is going on around the world, this year’s festive season will be like no other. The commercial sector is ready, as a lot of last year’s stocks will be available in the stores, and hopefully retailers will be offering products at reasonable prices. I am ready to predict that this Christmas will be one of the best in recent memory. Despite whatever is happening in the world, we continue to savour our traditions.
The world is fast changing and never before has there been a greater need to protect ourselves from those who may wish to harm us or sabotage our freedom. I am involved in the real estate business and I am ready to predict that there will be an increase in demand for gated communities. Some years ago, I wrote a column on the direction the world was heading and I presented a case that unless something was done about preparing our youth to live purposeful lives, those who ignore their existence are likely to live in cages and afraid to move around freely as normal citizens. Burglar bars were meant for businesses, not homes. There was a time when we believed that the crime and violence we see today would never happen.
In our planning, we failed to take into consideration that the youth of our nation have dreams. Reality has come home to live with us. What could we have done differently to ensure a harmonious relationship between young and old, haves and have nots? It is never too late to mend. In my profession, I keep lamenting the fact that there is an acute shortage of skilled labourers, not only in our country but in most developed countries as well. Simple trades like residential plumbing, carpentry, masonry, cabinet making, electrical wiring, etc. – skilled workers are simply in short supply. It is time to make Skills Training for home maintenance more accessible in St. Lucia.
There is a push for agriculture in the region, Guyana is leading this initiative. How are we in St. Lucia positioning ourselves? Guyana Agricultural School located at Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara used to be the training institution for students from the region who were interested in Agriculture as a career. A few years ago, I was listening to a documentary and I heard the interviewee said that in a few years more farmers will be driving Lamborghinis than persons in other industries. We have to encourage our young people to take on the pioneering spirit. They must want to explore new opportunities. They must be adventurous. They must be risk takers. They must not sit back and expect things to fall at their feet. They must in every endeavour in their lives seek to challenge and apply themselves to receive excellent results.
It is time we start looking at Brazil to establish closer relations. It is significant to note that Guyana and Suriname are well on their way in establishing substantial economic relations with their neighbour.
The benefits of road linkage with Guyana will be huge. However, this should have been done many years ago. I have noted that in the CARICOM region, we tend only to maintain traditional relationships, even when they are declining, and seldom put in the energy to pursue non traditional relationships. We need to fire on all cylinders and progress will be much faster. President Luiz Inacio Lulu da Silva is back at the helm after a run off with President Jair Bolsonaro. Let us get closer this time around and enter into trading relationship with Brazil, if nothing else.
When we meet again next week, the midterm elections for the House and Senate in the USA would have been history. I have not seen a clear winner of the final outcome. We are living in an age where evil is seeking to overtake good. While the electorate continue to place Inflation, Crime and Immigration as major concerns, the Democrats are seeking to promote the need to maintain DEMOCRACY and reverse the anti ABORTION Laws. In a normal environment that approach would have been great. However, in today’s world, voters prefer to take a stand on their important challenges rather than challenges that might arise in the future. As I see it, it is too close to call, at least in the Senate.
The POWER BALL has moved up to USD 1.5 Billion. If you don’t have a ticket, you don’t have a chance. Be sure to get your ticket.
By the time we meet again next week, a lot of things will be different in our chaotic world. Let us pray that Yahweh will have his way.
Stay healthy, stay safe, and be blessed.
Edward Harris
Freelance Journalist/Realtor/Business Consultant
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