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Dear Sir:

The writer made every effort to be objective, but contemplated stern reaction from some quarters. Comments and criticisms are encouraged and cheerfully accepted with the view to improve the Stonewalling articles. In advance, the writer shows gratitude to the reading public for their comments/criticisms.

Grenadian Prime Minister Tillman Thomas’s address to the nation on Wednesday, 29th August 2012, on the crucial matter of no-confidence, brought before Her Majesty’s Parliament, putting in doubt the survival of his government was, in the opinions of veteran political observers, ineffective in convincing the nation that the hands of providence guided the nation, “… we have to believe that God does not want us to revert to a culture of bad governance, social deficit and morally-challenged leadership….”

The reaction, perhaps understandably so, reflects the strenuous demands of office; loneliness at the top taking its toll: dangerously close to a desperate cry when all else fails; invoke the divinity, it is God’s plan to keep me in power – the chosen one; typical of misdirected leaders who possess deep and abiding faith, “…for faith in He, who is our sole provider.”

The difficulty with subscribing to that line of logic is the fallacious assumption: God chooses sides. That, “…God is openly blessing our Nation…” the writer has no doubt – having not perished under trying economic conditions, only the merciful hand of God could have anointed and saved the nation thus far, forestalling a complete economic meltdown.

However, the writer’s faith that God is merciful, cannot believe that God is selective in his blessings, excluding NNPites and others who do not support or cower from a particular line of thought espoused by a leader, however divinely inspired.

The writer is at a loss to understand where and when occurred “…a blatant act of disobedience and dishonour; it is highly unpatriotic, reckless, self-serving and disrespectful of the people of Grenada…‘mischief Motion’…” in the exercise the people’s democratic and constitutional right of recall – a fundamental right in any democratic constitution – the basic tenet underpinning Westminster democracy; unless the people’s rights were silently and miraculously suspended by some ordained divine authority – unknown in the annals of democratic society.

“…The help we need cannot come from outcasts, corrupt politicians, bag carriers deliberately designed for the purpose of inducing anxiety and instability in our country….” While there may be general accord with this statement, it lacks specificity; clarification by the people at the polls -- weeding out the undesirable -- at the earliest opportunity must therefore be priority number one. The people’s constitutional right to chose is absolute and must not be long forestalled.

“…in whose interest therefore is this Motion served?” The most pertinent question, in the writer’s opinion; a question that cannot be objectively answered by any one person, party or combination of parties – the answer is the exclusive domain of the people. The writer begs leave to use the most vulgar and obscene word in a waning politician’s vocabulary: ballot box!

“…deny Grenadians their joy and peace…” is indisputable; the present worsening state of the economy, particularly distressing to civil servants, cannot be a source of joy and peace for the nation. The people must be given the opportunity to make major changes to decisions that adversely affect their livelihood – facing sleepless nights stressed - wondering where to finding the next penny for children’s breakfast.

Joy and peace will be found, even if psychologically, from the opportunity, unencumbered by brinksmanship, to freely express confidence at the polls.

An early date to the polls is a win, win situation. Whatever happens after the ballots are counted, both party and nation will benefit. A change of leadership means that the people would have chosen – in their minds – a new and more vibrant leader. Should the leader survive the challenge, he emerges stronger with a new mandate to carry out his agenda.

Democracy does not work part time or at the discretion of any politician. It is a time-honoured instruction that must be respected. If we as a nation respect institutions and recognize democracy as the ultimate institution of governance, then within the ambit of democracy, preservation of self or party fall far outside the boundaries of the ideals of men and nations who live by its credo.

It would appear from the reactions of government to a no-confidence motion brought by MP Karl Hood that “out of touch with reality” may best describe the ruling NDC’s answer to an extremely weighty constitutional issue: an attempt to usurp the people’s right of recall -- which the people will not take too kindly

Panic distorts the memory and strips the capacity to think clearly. In the present circumstance, those who manage the affairs of the people have apparently lost sight of the fact that government in a democracy is the servant of the people; it is not their master. Those who govern are public servants and must have engraved in the back of their minds that they hold public office only to serve the people, not to serve themselves.

We the people are the highest political authority in our democracy; we are the ultimate rulers. One only has to keep in mind our relatively turbulent political history to appreciate people power in the spice isle. Slow to react, but when tested we show our mettle.

Democracy is sometimes said to be the worst form of government, but there is no better. For better or for worst democracy is our political Valhalla.

Kit Stonewalling

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