THE POLITICAL CLIMATE is becoming as unpredictable as the weather that we are experiencing.
The weather is being monitored by meteorological experts trained in the art of forecasting and assisted by the knowledge that weather patterns – even though capable of much variation – can be explained.
Unfortunately, the political variables are, in many cases, without explanation simply because of the over 200 000 possibilities made up of children, brilliant, challenged, rich, poor, black, white, as well as “wanna be” emotional controllers and many other 30-plus external variables that seek to be in total control. These sometimes less than competent individuals are known to be unable to plan their own future.
We Barbadians live in perhaps one of few remaining practising democratic countries in the world. We do not only vote but continue to live in the belief that vox populi, vox dei even though we have, on numerous occasions, questioned whether it was based on tried and tested fact.
My minor disability has restricted my movement over the past five years, but even though my roaming and probing cannot match the abilities of the trained and competent pollsters respected but not known to practise an exact science, I sense a feeling of despair emanating from every level of our usually competent and politically settled society.
Men and women are exhibiting almost total fear as I discuss with them the future of our country, almost all suggesting political change as the answer. Yes, the general consensus is that change is necessary, but then after probing deeper, this question arises: can the party most likely to take over successfully repair the damage that has been done and deal with the things left undone? Are they in harmony?
Yes, I genuinely believe that with a concerted effort, the current opposition party can make a difference, provided they make a serious effort to deal with the rumblings currently within the social and party ranks.
None of the current players command any significant mass following either within or outside the party, but if they are allowed to develop an inflated feeling of their own importance the party may feel the effects of the aftershock, maybe to the destruction of our country.
There are not many choices waiting in the wings, and we already have the resident financially secure foreign element gnawing at the bit, joining ranks even though temporarily, just waiting to bolt and gain permanent imported control. Already, we are feeling the effects of our slowly disappearing Barbadian culture.
Barbadians, we have to start regrouping – it’s not all about getting rich. We need to regain our religious, social, economic and, most of all, political values.
– David “joey” harper