Since the campaign leading towards the next general is in full swing, many people are for and against, but all taking sides.
The government, for its part, since taking office in 2021, has delivered many infrastructure and social projects in ways never seen before.
Many strides have been made in education, there have been improvements to the health sector, improving wages (to the point of establishing a minimum wage bill) and benefits to a large number of nationals, including pensioners.
The Police, Fire service, young business hopefuls, nursing students, school teachers — all applaud the government for its input and contribution to their improved living standards. But not all people are satisfied or contented or see most of these developments as relevant and progressive.
Frequently you hear from various quarters that the government of the day has ‘done nothing’ since assuming office and the opposition critics frequently make comparisons with the previous government.
For me personally, the records speak for themselves and the fact that most of the projects undertaken go a long way in improving the life of people from both sides of the political divide, does satisfy me.
In contrast, the former regime was involved in many questionable ventures, such as the selling of the Vieux Fort lands for next to nothing, as well as buying equipment that is still non-functional (such as the garbage incinerators) and made grand project plans that never saw the light of day (such as new shipping ports in the south, new and improved sporting venues and a national insurance policy offering people thousands in the healthcare sector).
They could not even finish a hospital but wanted to add additional islands to Vieux Fort to supposedly enhance tourism, resulting in the cancelling of the existence of a $23 million meat processing plant built by the Taiwanese and already commissioned for use.
They proposed and planned to reduce certain costs, such as the payment of VAT, as well as reducing costs of commodities on supermarket shelves and plenty of other ideas, such as transforming the south into a new economic frountier they called Pearl of the Caribbean.
But all their grand plans never materialized, so, I say today as ever, that: Promises kept and promises delivered are two different kettles of fish.
No government can be sustained on promises and common sense will reveal that delivery on essential services and practical support to the people will always be more appreciated by all who benefit – as well as those who can otherwise survive.
But there is something called ‘party loyalty’ that reigns regardless of all the facts or verification of development programs and projects that can be visibly seen and accepted as progressive.
The problem of taking sides or becoming eternal doubters regardless of the facts and figures is sad.
The grass seeming greener elsewhere overseas is now not as attractive as it used to be and many people who made decisions to migrate in the past are now considering returning to their homeland, especially since American and other European countries are now pulling the plug on immigrants who are not legal or do not have the relevant documents.
To my mind, Saint Lucia is progressing despite the negativity displayed by certain sectors of our society, especially those who indulge in different types of criminality and negative activity.
Since COVID, almost everybody who by chance was unemployed has devoted themselves to becoming self-employed and streetside vendors are multiplying by the hour. Saint Lucians are now producing various products more than any other time in our history.
Tradesmen are now in shortage because of the volume of infrastructure projects and the fact that the economy has grown consistently over the last four years or during the existing reign of the Labour Party and they should be acknowledged, instead of being shown or seen in a negative light.
Just like in relationships where one partner would promise the other the world and not deliver forcing separation and disappointing results, the same must be applied to politics. Bluff, false pronouncements, misinformation and badly spent resources should be seen as reasons for determining what party one should vote for in the upcoming elections.
We ought not to return to uncertainty but judge each party on their track records and performance to date.
Nobody, regardless of assumed position or education or money, should be chosen to govern this country until we as a people have proof that their intention is to put people first.
I cannot be a mouthpiece for the government, but common sense tells me that they represent the more progressive of the two choices at stake
Do not be fooled by talk, or handouts. Be more selective, based on the facts and not on promises and remember a person will do anything to convince you of the contrary, but if you use your faculties and common sense, you cannot go wrong.
Trust your heart, not your neighbor’s opinion, because some people can lead you down a slippery slope.
So, think for yourself and take heed because fooling others is a real thing.
And choosing wrongly can cost you dearly.