Roosevelt Skerrit, in another one of his White-Knight episodes, strategically inserted former Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Alvin Bernard, into yet another manufactured position he coins, ‘Poverty Reduction Analyst’. The reason, he claims, is in an attempt to “improve the lives of citizens…..by alleviating poverty”. At face value, it is easy to imagine how some may perceive this as a kind gesture. However, further dissection of the concept reveals that the devil is in the details. The move is designed to do nothing more than perpetuate impoverishment rather than eliminate it.
Like so many times before, this appointment is one more illustration of a PM who repeatedly insults the intelligence of the people by pulling the wool over their eyes. Fortunately, all the people will never be fooled all the time; although some may be gullible to the point of succumbing to it – the more astute ones will see through his crafty intentions. The realism here is that anything offered by this department, short of ensuring that jobs will be created for unemployed and underemployed Dominicans, is an indication that Mr. Bernard’s new position should instead be titled, ‘Poverty-Retainment Analyst’.
Conventional wisdom dictates that the preferred method for elevating and exalting a people from poverty is by way of employment. Handing someone a fish that has been caught and/or prepared rather than providing him/her with the line and the know-how to catch that fish is nothing but a paralyzer. It is by being gainfully employed one is able to earn a living, provide for their family, feel empowered and validated, thus attaining total independence – this is what democracy advocates.
In President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech, he proclaimed, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” It is quite evident that Roosevelt Skerrit’s model is designed to keep the masses hungry, unemployed and vulnerable so as to guarantee him their votes in return. By refusing to bite the hands that feed them, Skerro is banking on scoring big in the polls once again. By establishing this new department, the King is simply being a little more creative this time by further diffusing destitution in an already largely indigent nation. Citizens should be allowed the latitude to be self-reliant and self-sufficient thus allowing them complete freedom to exercise their democratic right to choose the government of their choice, independent of any coercion or bribery.
This prime minister has not demonstrated the slightest inclination of having the knowledge required to devise a viable strategy to pull this country out of the economic hole he has placed us into. In his delusional state of mind, Roosevelt Skerrit is seemingly convinced that he can perpetually manipulate his way to victory in the polls over and over again without a robust plan to jump start the economy.
With a national debt upwards of $1 Billion, the PM’s mechanisms for creating a vibrant economy appear to be through citizenship/passport sales (the so-called Citizenship by Investments Program) and frequent tax hikes. With a derelict banana industry, a tenuous tourism division, no production and limited activity in the area of infrastructure, banking and exports, the unrealistic DLP leader anticipates magically generating sufficient revenue from bank loans and Treasury Bills for sustenance. The problem with this hogwash, however, is the fact that only a nominal amount of the millions generated from passport sales make it to the nation’s treasury vaults; the preponderance of it evaporates into thin air on its destination to off-shore banks. In addition, treasury bills are low risk hence low-return yielding investments by nature, and in a debilitative economy, there is limited disposable income available. Moreover, with such a deplorable job market, expecting to generate any significant revenues from these investment strategies or engines for economic growth is simply injudicious.
PM Skerrit needs to understand that by keeping the people ignorant and impoverished he is not going to succeed in preying on their susceptibility repeatedly. Soon and very soon citizens are inevitably going to wake up and smell the coffee. Clearly, Alvin Bernard’s so-called Poverty Reduction Analyst position is a ploy to do just that – suppress and enslave. Let me therefore reiterate that the true title should instead be ‘Poverty-Retainment Analyst’. Why call it a shovel when it clearly is a spade?
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We are reaping what we have sown,we have planted erroneous ideas in the minds of our people,making them believe that government is responsible for every department of their lives.when professional economist who have worked with world reputed institutions tell people ,that government in a free market economy, is responsible for creating jobs and growing the economy . people believe that lie,do we expect to have a vibrant and robust economy.you may not support a government in power but as a trained and respectable economist you have a duty to tell people that in a free market economy ,the private sector is the engine growth.So that the people in the country will understand no matter which government is in power, it is their hard work and productive activity that will contribute to the growth of the economy.
Again I say! The indigent Skerrit supporters do not read hence they will not be privy to this article.
Please do not fool yourselves into believing this man is anti-Labour. I remember him well. He is just a disgruntled Labourite who did not get a business deal with Skeritt. You just watch he will do when UWP gets in power. Mark my words, JJ Joseph will do the same.
It’s plain to to see/know when someone likes noticing.
The funny thing about this commentary is that at no time does the writer even suggests that he is aware of the tasks of the Poverty Reduction Analyst. Lol! How do you begin to tear apart an idea even without knowing what this idea is meant to do?
Ah yes, what Skerrit did to you there has had a truly lasting effect on you garsan. Alas!! Did he…seduce your woman?
Someone must stand up for common sense. How do we unleash the brilliance and innovation of our people whose ideas are hidden and given short shrift, because they’re on the wrong side of the political isle? The solutions to Dominica’s problems are in Dominica. Common sense has to prevail at some point. No elected government can reduce poverty. Only industrious people can reduce poverty.
I want to know…is this guy living in Dominica…why his commentary always against the pm.is there anything good happening in D/ca for him to talk about…dam it.
@ radics you are a stupid person- that who supports Skerrit- people like you. When are you going to the Red clinic this month radics or have you gone already?
Your blind and will remain begging,he does not have to be living in Dominica to see all the poveryt and corrruption while Skerrit keeps on smiling @fools like you.Emancipte yourself from bondage,Skerrit is not a god fool.His demise will come.
Radics. No he does not live in Dominica. He is from Wesley but lives in Queens, New York,. He is a former Police Officer.
Radics, are the Dominicans , who were paid to come and vote last December living in Dominica? I rest my case.
Some of the best and worst Black people hide in churches where they are waiting for God to solve all their problems. I have never seen God build a factory, he gives you the brains to create the jobs to feed your selves.God led the Arabs to Dominica and show them that there a bunch of foolish slaves, who work had and break there backs , and the British taught them they dont have to think, just wait on God to solve their problems, and the peanuts they work for spend it all with other people. I want every Dominican to ask of them selves, did God gave us the same intelligence like every one else. Why are we at the bottom killing and fighting each other, where is God, why are we so confused and remain proffesional beggars waiting for Government to solve our problems.
Impressive writing.
Poverty Retainment = RED CLINIC
When the PM increased the budget of the red clinic from $250,000 to $100,000,000, it was apparent that he was paving the way for the next election and it showed in the results. Having a segment of the population dependent upon you, guarantees dividends during election.
Those who are fierce supporters of the DLP, have yet to answer why Dominica has an unemployment rate of 11% in general and 26% for youth unemployment, while 40% of the population lives below the poverty line. Statistics don’t lie. So Poverty Retainment an accurate title for this position.
Where are all the smart educated Dominicans in the Bronx who have all the answers to solve Dominican problems, with your greate British and American education, come down and open the factories to employ your people. There is no one now selling bottle water, with 365 rivers , here is a nice business for you. All you people are good for is saying how things should be. You all are proffesional beggars who thinks when you get into office you can solve all the problems in the country. You live in a fools paradise.
Anthony p.Ismael would it not have been raised the expectations of all those poor Dominicans if he had informed them that he was going to organize the tourism industry ,giving more Dominicans the opportunity to become service providers,so they could earn much needed income.the president of DHTA.
J.J. you write without focus, meandering through an oxbow lake of allegations like a listless stream; learn to stick to the topic of your proposition and produce facts germane to it. Poverty, as assessed by the UN in 2001 stood at 39.9% – that was inherited from UWP. Agriculture has been in decline before Hurricane David and reached peak production of 29,000 tons in 2004, employing 40% of the workforce; neither farmers nor laborers pay any taxes. On the contrary, agricultural workers have access to free professional assistance, fertilizer, pesticides and even feeder roads to drive to their holdings, some of which are less than 5 acres; and even so, agriculture accounted for only 18% of GDP in 2002 right at the time of global economic slowdown. Once again I will propound,, if 25% of the population is below the age of 16 and 23% 65 and beyond, 40% of the remaining 52% pay no taxes; that leaves a viable workforce of 31% of the population ( 22,000) people to bear the burden of taxation.
Maybe, but somewhat better than most politicians?
Excellent analysis Winston, our fiscal revenue base is too small. It also follows that the Govt. derives more revenue from imports of food than it does from growing it ourselves, which on the contrary has to be subsidised. We even import plenty of fish and fish products. But I’m afraid that that cuts little ice with the general public, who do not want to hear this. I do not like our present regime but this argument holds true whatever government is in power. We have to establish other sustainable revenue bases that first and foremost involve the creation of jobs and the sales of passports wont do.
It matters are you for real, what does knowing Alvin Bernard’s capabilities have to do with anything? the evidence is there to show that these people has been deceiving us for to long now
If The current DA story under RSkerrrit Douglas were a musical it would be the bes musical.@ the Arawak House of culture.
I wouldn’t call that a musical but a drama of classical proportions.
Brilliant commentary. I have understood these issues for the longest while now. It is very easy for a person who has a clear understanding of the history of dictators to truly comprehend this commentary. The blinded will never understand. Only God can reveal the truth to them. Let God do His work!
Tell your friends in the opposition to submit a logical budget that will indicate where revenue will come from to satisfy the demands of the country.
By the way I thought your commentary was going to elaborate on “Mr. Bernard’s new position should instead be titled, ‘Poverty-Retainment Analyst’.”
how can they submit a logical budget when the prime minister ends the budget debate prematurely.
So far, I’ve fail to see the relevance of your commentary.
You say ” It is quite evident that Roosevelt Skerrit’s model is designed to keep the masses hungry, unemployed and vulnerable so as to guarantee him their votes in return.” – This scenario does not exist in a dictatorship. Again, how can you or anyone, subject people to poverty and expect them to vote you back into power – isn’t that statement an oxymoron when people live in a democracy? Judging by your comments, I would venture to say that it must be the success of the “Yes we care” program that’s got your britches in a bunch. “This prime minister has not demonstrated the slightest inclination of having the knowledge required to devise a viable strategy to pull this country out of the economic hole he has placed us into.” So too will the opposition: they stormed out of Parliament because they could not muster a comparable or parallel presentation. A Ponzi scheme is not a blueprint for a vibrant or robust economic…
When people are poor it is easier to buy their votes. Elementary. Poor people don’t talk about oxymoron and democracy becomes a luxury. They want bread on their table first, if they have table, not fancy talk. Perhaps you haven’t been there garcon, I have. A ruler once said keep them barefoot and pregnant to keep control. Very wicked but true.
You are being as polluted as the DLP to whom you are beholden.The first person to walk out of parliament was Skerrit.He could not stomach honourable Linton eloquence in critiquing the budget.12 or 14 DLP members could not say a word about the budget.This is more than shameful!
For some unknown reason, Dominica, in a few people’s minds, should be like North Korea just so they could justify some of their writings or verbal garbage. Do we really have to comment on an appointment made by the PM, to someone who – before politics – was a senior public servant turned politician? Do you know the capability of Mr. Bernard; do you know his skill set; do you know, for instance, how valuable his input into the PM cabinet is appreciated? I would hope that someone, maybe Mr. Linton, would value your commentary contributions to this news portal enough to hire/employ you as a speech writer. How can you say “The move is designed to do nothing more than perpetuate impoverishment rather than eliminate it.” Where is the data to substantiate your claim? Are you saying that Mr. Bernard or the PM is so diabolical that their sole purpose or intention is to deliberately impoverish Dominicans like the dictators do in North Korea? How is he “pulling the wool over their eyes.” ?
A Ponzi scheme is not a blueprint for a vibrant or robust economic infusion. The opposition team is bankrupt of ideas, and they will do the same or worse as the current government. To say you will not divulge your plans for fear of plagiarism is ludicrous.
“The problem with this hogwash, however, is the fact that only a nominal amount of the millions generated from passport sales make it to the nation’s treasury vaults; the preponderance of it evaporates into thin air on its destination to off-shore banks.” Where is your proof? Where do you think the monies come from to pay for civil servants salaries and maintenance of the country? During the budgetary debate it was noted that only 62% of vehicle owners and operators pay the necessary license fees – a short fall of 38%. Not to mention the many Dominicans who do not pay their taxes. The long and short of your commentary is the same old, same old – assumptions, speculation and accusation. Tell your friends in the opposition to…
You seem bitter at the writer, to the point of getting a heart seizure.Are you one of the greedy beneficiaries of this highly polluted and corrupt regime?You seem to be, but don’t be delusional brother, with every passing day, these wickeds in government are becoming less and less popular.THEY REALLY NEED TO EXIT THE GOVERNANCE OF THE COUNTRY!
So why the people of Roseau central voted him out if the man is so brilliant? Did he alleviate their poverty for him to lose his seat? Maybe he did more for cabinet than the people he was supposed to look after? I don’t care about party colors brother, fact speak for themselves.
Thanks J.J.Joseph, well said. It is sad a qualified person like Alvin has been placed in this ridiculous cover up position. This Skerrit led corrupt government has made Dominica poor, with a very high poverty rate
Well said and written!
You know something Sir… “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant”.
This current ruling Labour Party regime is bankrupt of ideas to grow the economy, so here’s a starter from me: Mr Skerrit –
You must promote economic growth through innovation, as innovation and start-ups fuel economic growth. They are the ultimate job creators who start with ingenious ideas, take risks and create value for the Dominican consumer. Dominica must be built by encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation. Especially in our current economic downturn, it is crucial that you pursue national policies that promote innovation to ensure that there will be enough prosperity to carry on into the next generation.
It would be great to have a concrete example of what you are writing about.
Ooooh child!
Mr. Joseph, I would really like to know the objective of your… am…. er…. contributions. Is it self aggrandizement or to raise the consciousness the masses. I really hope DNO charging you for this. And this radio partner, please do not give an answer… blind responding to the blind!!! We want only one please…..
Lol! Nice one.
Dominica’s recent history since it gained independence on November 3, 1978 created a diabolic modus operandi with no clear vision of growth and development. Although each leader has moved the needle of the country somewhat, we have been unable to elect a visionary leader who is capable of being its torch bearer.
Each successive government plays the same old cancer game of promising to do better, while enriching themselves and the cronies who form part of their inner circle. Our problem begins with blatant lies, dishonesty and corruption. However, the most vexing cancer of all is the exclusion of ordinary citizens into the decision making process. We have become experts of victimizing and ostracizing members of society whose ideas we disagree with.
Gregor Nassief’s idea of holding open discussions about the decriminalization of marijuana and buggery is an idea whose time has come. I am hoping that this form of openness could be the start of a new way of thinking and problem solving…
Padna, to bring this up unrelated, I don’t know what allu motive is (I think I do) but you and nassief bundling marijuana with homosexual buggaring is sickening. The 2 do not belong in the same sentence but I suspect allu just grasping for straws to suit yourselves senselessly. Nothing to do with alleviating poverty.
These are difficult discussions to have on the Nature Isle. There’s a consistent form of insanity that’s passed down from one government to next. It’s like walking through a maze. You walk in thinking that you will figure out the exits and somewhere in the middle of the exercise you have no idea how you should exit your predicament.
How these ideas pass muster to the point where the staunch supporters accept them as the “Gospel Truth,” is simply mind boggling. Then again, we have been last in Foreign Direct Investment for some time now, so I why should we expect anything more or different than the current madness that is Dominica’s economy and it current leadership.
I commend Highly this commentary because it undresses the several ploys employed by this Administration.We seem to be working in a Communist system in the cloak of Democracy headed by a Dictator who seems to think that the Government is everything and He is the end all Prime Minister .
He has stated His preference for the Executive style President and I do believe the reason the lavish State House was built before the State of the art Hospital was to accommodate His plan to enter that Palace as a miniaturized Chavexz.Not sure why He was unable to achieve that probably bad timing with the date of Election or advice from His myriad of well paid advisers who might have thought Dominicans may have perceived this more as an expose to His Dictatorial ambitions ,of course there is the Lennox Linton factor which seems to terrify Mr. Skeritt one only has to listen to Kairi FM to hear the continous and consistent attacks on the now Leader of the Opposition who is calmly exposing Him
Good commentary, Dominicans not responding and I believe we are getting fed up of Roosevelt Skerrit. He acts like Adolf Hitler and we haven’t seen the worst of him.
Very interesting piece which I can’t disagree with-
By the way is Parry still being paid? When the revolutionary Gov’t takes office these guys will be made to pay back all the cash obtained for their crimes against the people the sinos will have to grab pepwee tubes whatever they can find to get the Fire Under Coffee Kettle out of the homeland.
The MUO is a clear indicator we are gone. Sino nationals cronfront and fight local for standing up fror their rights.& idiots like that mahaut ex-cop turn minister the one who sounds like Skerrit in speech. They make the queens English like the D/can English man at Soufriere would say sound like a 4th language
They make groovy bat Curtis Mathew , Cucum sound good.When the later ones mentioned are our radio voices one get nausea. See I grew up listening to guys with abilities ej Jeff Charles the great, Papa Dee,Banette Defoe,Ray Lawrence lalay coco tomentioned a few. A period/epoch when people could read.
So Medard Blackburn, peepip, the one from castle bruce (almost forgot him)are a far,far ,far cry from the aforementioned. These guys make speech look like they did not attend English class.
Anyone who by now does not conclude that the P.M is a partial illiterate who slipped through the cracks must have fell through his or herself.
Alvin’s manufacture position is similar to parry’s. LMAO & really ,really Loud.
Honestly I gave up on DA I got out 34 yrs ago returned briefly/ on vacation x5 including a brief stay of 2yrs at the end of my 2 yrs there, I became more than convinced we are going,going by 1995-2000 the gone by 2004.
I want to raise half a million birds in the salisbury heights in two yrs I can’t get any help , can any one find me some help, I dont want Governments help, all we have is a bunch of lazy drunks that spends most of their time drinking or begging Skerritt I Roseau. All the fancy Government talk will not solve our problems.
Why do we think Skerritt or Linton will solve poverty problems in Dominica. That’s living in a fools paradise . Well educated people in the private sector that’s the only ones to solve the poverty problems not Government. We should want limited Government, in any country if you have a people who thinks Government is there to solve poverty problems, take a look at Greece, mr Joseph teach your people how to create the jobs them selves, and dont wait and beg Government for crumbs. We have a lot of lazy people who dont want to work had and create their own wealth. Wealth is created by thinkers and people who take risks and not wait for Government handout. Your job is to help your people get out of poverty. Change the bad British education quoting shakespear, take risks create their own jobs, stop begging.
At least you should wait until he fails before “beating the gun”. Your opinion does not refer to a terms of reference. I hardly understand how you could arrive at those conclusions in the absence of terms of reference. It seems to me that if an analysis is going to be done one could not be considering solutions until a situation analysis is completed.
Ah, anonymous, you are in a different realm here. This commentary is comedy relief but you are in a serious zone.
What is the answer to Skerritt, and what is the answer to creating jobs by the people. Big Government is not the answer, most of the contracts are given to outside people, do we have trained people to do those jobs, we should concentrate on where we spend our money and who gets it. It was Shillingford , Then the Arabs, now it is the Chinese, and indians, the majority of the country is us, we are not the importers of Coke, Beer, Chickens, fish, clothing, after 75 yrs we are still not trained in commerce , all we have is mam and paps store, our elites are civil servants , ministers, P.S. all we do is fight each other to be in office. We are not going to college to build a nation and create nothing. The hundreds of million we spends who have it. We keep talking about things that will never get us out of slavery. We are proffesional beggars.
Mr Joseph in my own limited mind you are an extremely intelligent man but i want you to take that into consideration , most of us have limited education from the bad British education we all received. We all were taught to be civil servants to serve other people. We were not educated to think and teach our kids to create any thing. We were trained to be proffesional beggars . It does not matter who is in Government, most of our money goes to the Arabs, whites, Cubans, indians, we dont even sell water in a bottle. Concentrate on our people going to college to create and make the things we need. You teach our people how to build a nation, not beg for crumbs in Roseau. We should learn after Gueest paid our Grand fathers pennies, the only one that got rich was Gueest. Now we are fighting over politics.
The PM is not in charge anymore. He is a puppet for the bankers from which he borrowed so much money under his regime. for the last 15 yrs. He did make the debt a lot worse under his direction without producing much of anything to stimulate the economy and generate more money for the island.
Finally, a refreshing comment…thanks
The very same sentiments I recently expressed. The fact that someone else can see through those same lenses should worry the populace. This strategy lacks authenticity and genuineness. This is more like a divide and rule strategy. Thanks triple J.
PLEASE PLEASE any one can write this…. you are…
Man get outta here. Enough of you now!!! Go find something to do with your spare time!!!
J.J Joseph, this is a good commentary, that needs to be read by many. I am also happy that criticism does not drive you into oblivion, but you keep on coming at the critics with increasing vigour.Honourable Linton has told the inept,corrupt,wicked,lazy and greedy government that poverty alleviation should come together with job creation.While I believe that a party of brainless cowards and vacuous clowns cannot create jobs, but at least they can create the environment for job creation.To everyones surprise not even the environment for jobs is created. Skerrits paradigm for development is to make you poor and indigent to the point where you beg him and become beholden to him.WHAT A SHAME! This is a failed state!
Boy you again with manifesto. Now you have become a nuisance. You migrated for economic reasons! Therefore, economic hardship existed in dominica before yyou were born. Now do you expect the PM to to pave the streets in gold, have Don Perryion and kaviya waiting your arrival. I will give you a listening ear when you get off your high Trojan horse. Please stop going to the salvation army………….
…if you have no class, it will always show, like illiteracy. It is “Dom Perignon” and “caviar” my friend. Dom Perignon champagne is available in Dominica from Pirates and I always wondered, which local has the money to by this nectar! Even duty-free it costs an arm and a leg. Maybe Aloe wants to raise the masses to a level where they too can drink expensive champagne and eat caviar (expensive fish eggs).
Attention Deficit Disorder! Oh my! Do you people have lives? You can write from now until the end, we the supporters of the DLP will not be distracted. We stand firm with our Leader, PM Skerrit! Our PM has touched the lives of so many, we are very grateful and appreciative and so no vicious ploy from the prophets of doom will be successful. The PM with the support of the majority will continue to prevail. Please seek another avenue to contribute to this World, you are wasting your limited time here on planet Earth. PM, keep your head up! I salute you !
Right, there we go. That is exactly what I am talking about. DC is clearly a regular of the Red Clinic or otherwise involved with the cabal.
@ DC You must remove the word we from your garbage.Stop being delusional like Skerrit himself. Thousands of Dominicans voted against corruption, greediness, ineptness,wickedness, laziness,etc.You are one of the beggars picking crumbs from under the table. That’s OK, but don’t say we!!!!
Dc if you expound on your claim how has the prime minister help you as citizen. I guess by handout a citizen can impactly greatly if there is growth in the economy which will help created a better life for citizens of dominica rather than a selected few who is impacted by hand out
Soon or later that house of cards will fall, because we all know, if you are spending more that you are making, you will go broke
Once again, Mr. Joseph, you hit the nail right on the head. It is one thing having an utterly incompetent government with an utterly incompetent and corrupt leader but it is quite another thing that over half of the electorate either fail to see what is going on in Dominica or are quite happy to put up with it for a few crumbs of the masters table.