The case for a viable Opposition in Dominica

UWP leader, Ron Green

By E. Magloire

In a democracy the people in a free and fair election choose their government. On December 18, 2009, Dominicans went to the polls and duly re-elected the Labour Party.

By their votes, the majority of Dominicans affirmed their confidence in Labour’s leadership. This electoral victory by Labour, gave the party a mandate to continue with its policies whether the minority agrees with them or not.  That is what happens in an election, someone wins and someone loses.

Victory in an election comes with a great responsibility to the victors.  The government in charge, though elected by the majority of the people, still has a solemn responsibility to all the people.  In any democracy, it is incumbent on those in power to ensure that the voices of the few are heard loud and clear and are not drowned out by the voices of the many. A viable opposition is needed to remind those in charge of that solemn responsibility. The opposition is there to remind them that there are equally patriotic citizens with differing opinions on how to best advance the interest of the country who are required to be heard.

Any viable democracy is made up of citizens with differing views. That is the essence of a true democracy, the ability of citizens to engage freely in discussion without fear of retribution by the authorities. For any country to advance, a hybrid of progressive and conservative thought must be given credence and combined to achieve what is in the best interest of the country. After all, no one side has a monopoly on the solutions to all challenges.

The opposition is the representative of the minority.  It is there to serve as the conscience of those in power and remind them of their obligation to all the people.  As such, the opposition must be perceived as acting in good faith. The opposition in its capacity as representatives of the minority should not just oppose those in power just to be contrary. A viable opposition must have insightful ideas on how to achieve the common objective of advancing the national interest and engage in debate on how to proceed. The two sides may not always agree on how to advance the country’s interest, however, when the opposition is viewed as being constructive, its motives can never be questioned.

Most of those who assent to public office do so because of an altruistic need to serve an interest bigger than themselves.  They are patriotic citizens who love their country and feel that they can contribute positively to its development. There is no solitary voice speaking for all the people in a democracy, rather, there are copious numbers of voices engaging in vigorous respectful discussion.

The opposition is an indispensable part of that discussion. Therefore, if the opposition is derelict in its obligation as representatives of the voices of the minority, those in power are left to believe that maybe they do have a monopoly on ideas of what is best for everyone.

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32 Comments

  1. May 23, 2010

    WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR YOU THE MEMBERS OF THE UWP SHOULD’NT YOU BE THEIR VOICE IN THE PARLIAMENT?
    YOU HAVE LET THEM AND YOUR COUNTRY DOWN.

    MR JAMES AND MR GREEN PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE TO PONDER ON YOUR ACTIONS AND ASK YOURSELVES IS IT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF YOUR COUNTRY OR IS IT IN YOUR OWN INTEREST?

    THE ANSWER IS QUITE CLEAR. I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION IT’S THE LATTER BECAUSE IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT YOU TWO MEN AND NO ONE ELSE..

  2. Funboy
    May 22, 2010

    Mr. E magloire!
    looking at Ron’s Photo alongside your article evoked the following reaction:
    Go Black power hahaahah.These guysa re jokers. Ron came to Da from the US after stints as a peace corp volunteer in Africa. This guy after all these yrs is as confused about self and what he stands for after nearly seventy yrs. This is a guy whose experiences and incline made us think he was this black power advocate back in the 70’s. he was with us in MND then he join transformed followed call it waht you will alliance then to my suprise join the facists UWP. He reminds me of the hypocrit and former UWP mahaut rep the lawyer political what ever he studied in Cuba.This one is not confused he just has the abject poverty syndrome and a craving for $$$ he never had growing up It took him 20 yrs to figure out Eddie was a beast as he stated in 2006. Like his partner TIM. Back to Black power Ron what a waste .It is indeed a waste of a life time being born and rasied as a semi bourg try playing black power then making self a mockery and joining a facist group. Every time I look at a photo of Ron I wanna vomit . why should a senior citizen continue to make a fool of himself. You’ll have to give up facists Eddie and ask for forgiveness from the former Alliance memebers Parra , mahaut Prevost ,Tinco Jolly, the one in forestry who use to be the whaling rep what’s his name again Lloyd and all the other balck powers Athie too lol.

  3. Dog man
    May 22, 2010

    Eric cartman are you for real???

  4. Observing Eric Cartman
    May 22, 2010

    Eric, tell me do you really think you have a good grasp of current events? i do agree Staytuned is a boozo but who what are you? You bash the UWP which I more inclined to do than you’ll ever imagine.But but for the life of me I fail to put my brains around what you stand for.certainly it cannot be for the infiltrated /hybridized/bastardized/ corrupted/ facisits neo DLP. How dear you give legitimacy to an infiltrated movement who have insulted and continue to take The commonwealth of DA to this crooked corrupt and facists level.How old are you Cartman? Are you lacking in logic, intestinal and testicular fortitude. are you one of those d/can males mamo had more balls than despite being female?You love to throw in your little (feun) what do you stand for. You try/pretend to want to be objective and subjective simulaneously but say nothing. You are one of those bush lawyers who playing it safe not wanting to be viewed as not with them. people of your ilk are simply put opportunists you just like Tim Prevo ( mahaut) Maynard Savarin Charles. You sound like them what’s in it for me. I suggest you zip it cartman you should change ur name to dogman as cartman sounds like catman not really a manat all. You are a cowboy peu cai.

    • Eric Cartman
      May 25, 2010

      As long as you agree that StayTuned is a bozo then you have some credibility so your views can contend lol.

      On a serious note though I don’t ‘pretend’ to be anything, when have you ever heard me claim to be un-aligned? If you’re on here frequently you will notice that I mainly bash StayTuned and give my lil two cents on whatever the current issue of the day is.

      Also, Eric Cartman is a fictional character on South Park you should check it out some time, broaden your horizons, South Park is actually poignant commentary on current world issues.

      You can’t suggest that I zip it, the same way that I can’t suggest that you do! Aren’t we after all living in a democracy where there is freedom of expression and opposing views contend? I merely counter some of the illogical and uninformed hate on here spewed by clowns like StayTuned.

      You will never see me on here bashing peeps (like you) who actually sound like they know what they’re talking about so fall back, take some deep breaths and a chill pill ight?

  5. analytic reader
    May 22, 2010

    E Magloire,
    I understand your intensions but think you are absolutely wrong or ahypdcrit. Why you ask?
    It’s your confused analysis in your statement: : Mst of those who assent to public office bla ,bla, bla, bla,” it just the opposite of what you stated. You cannot expect anyone with oneside of a brain to take you seriously. You sound like your 2nd town friend ,the ALBA ambassador who looks confused ,dotish ( like he is) who analyses everything back to front like we say in DA.
    The debate on the current hot topic of the UWP reps for marigot & salisbury boycotting and the speaker making their seat vacant jusified or not is a legal matter which ought to be settled instantly.
    We hear Skerro giving his 5 cents piece, Don, Larry King (ours) Matt, Angelo the one with the American /Wesely accent Jr. Counsel ( demoted for stupidity) Lawrence is silent to the public but actively advising. every cat and mouse have their interpretation of all what is wrong & right.
    Even formerly John Mc cain on his back (as he himself says) in Laplaine. the straight shooter lol.
    The talk is the opposition has 5 yrs to wait to have their turn again. Skeero say they have 5 yrs to talk and boy are some talking! Skerro attacks the one he said worships trees lol the one who is in question states Skerro has Hubris syndrome.Their are even mentally ill one adding their 5 cents piece.( it is said that mental illness most times ( schizophrenics are bright bulbs who got screwed along the way.) Pt is Roseau & elsewhere are being taken over by new arrival with cash & loads of it.
    My preoccupation is as follows: If so much is going on 6 months post elections what will be left to be corrected 5 yrs from now at the pace we are going? Mining by foreigners land purchases by foreigners at ever galoping prices, a wilting opposition, ooportunsts who jump from party to party( not being left behind. Look at Tim, the uwp rep 95-2005 & all those by products of abject poverty coming alive today. Our bar association is toothless.History has shown lawyers were/have been in the forefront of revolution historically and world wide look at mandella Maurice Bishop etc ours are focused only on land transfers and representing drug dealers.
    The next five yrs to wait certainly is without merit DA needs a revolution yesterday it’s so bad. When i was a boy i heard of Idi amin driving out asians etc outof his country etc I thought he was mad. in retrospect and analyzing events in DA currently we need a revolution but who’s gonna bell the cat we are cowards. there will be nothing to defend by 2015. Our leaders lack balls. calling Parra & the intransigients time to rise & shine.

  6. Thunder Horse
    May 22, 2010

    The Opposition was not wise in their decision after elections, the word says that you must be wise as serpents and harmless like doves. The house is where you are heard and respected. you cannot just do what you please because of anger, this shows that you’re suffering from HUBRIS SYNDROME or POWER HUNGRY.

  7. Akua
    May 22, 2010

    Why do we even have political parties in Dominca? The population is so small, and the regions that parliamentarians represent so limited, wouldn’t a “better” democracy for us, allow individuals to make thier case and run solely on their experience, credentials, beliefs and ideas. It seems that in a place where anyone who gets a chance leaves the island, we are further limiting the quality and quantity of people running for elected office by grouping folks into associations, and then voting on which group we like. I’m sure there are some members of each party that are doing a great job and many in others that aren’t.

    I think Dominicans would be wise to rethink its system of governance. For a country of limited resources we waste a considerable amount of time and energy with this sort of democracy (dem o crazy!). But then again, perhaps it is too unrealistic to expect a national discourse and review of our political system. After all our best and brightest minds are contributing to the development of other nations, and those who are still with vying for power dare not challenge the system that favors them.

  8. Be real
    May 21, 2010

    @ Eric Cartman. Although you agree that the financial advantage gave DLP an edge yet you contend that the Elections were free and fair. Where did the $22,000,000.00 come from. Nothing else gave them the advantage? you like a fish, a SOL, only one side you can see? Shutting out the opposition parties from DBS, the national radio station as well as KAIRI Fm which sold all air time to DLP during the campaign did not give DLP an advantage? No production of ID cards as recommended by the Election Office almost six years ago to assist in properly identifying voters. That irresponsible behaviour stalling Parliament’s decision did not give DLP an advantage? Didn’t the Parliament decided that this be done before the elections? Who did not release the money to produce those ID cards, was it the opposition? Were people from the diaspora induced with free plane tickets just to come down to vote for DLP? Didn’t that illegal action against the constitution or laws of Dominica, more correctly referred to as bribery in the law books. give DLP an advantage too? No manipulation of voters with the huge sums of money? All people like you fraid ELECTORAL REFORM which is the main issue. Be real. In a country of 69,000 there are 67,000 names on the voters list to vote? Do the maths. Does that make any sense to you and other DLP supporters? I understand you were extremely poor in Maths, Reading and Comprehension and borderline in the other subjects. So I am not surprised.

    Wouldn’t you want free and fair elections in the future for the Dominican people, for your children and children to come just like the Antigua Labour Party who challenged the Antigua Election results by filing petitions in court? Didn’t they conclude that there were too any irregularities to agree that the Elections were free and fair and that it should be business as usual? But you and DLP feel that the opposition is bankrupt of ideas when thy did the same thing ALP did? By your contradictory comments you seem to hate Ron, Eddie, Hector ,Norris and the opposition with a passion. Where is the objectivity? Have you taken time to read and comprehend one of the President’s speech to Parliament concerning the action of the Speaker and declaring seats vacant? Let me remind you all. He said, among other interesting things, that neither Parliament nor the Speaker could invoke Parliament to declare the opposition seats vacant, even though three sittings were missed. That decision should be left to the courts. Simple and to the point. Be real. But in their arrogance and hatred did not take time to acquaint themselves with the sections of the Constitution pertaining to that matter. The constitution is the SUPREME LAW of the land. Nothing else. So be real.

    • Eric Cartman
      May 25, 2010

      lol @ “I understand you were extremely poor in Maths, Reading and Comprehension and borderline in the other subjects. So I am not surprised.”

      If u knew who I was you definitely would not make such an allegation but I understand that was just your way of venting some frustration.

      At least unlike the retard StayTuned you make some legitimate points. HOWEVER, the facts on the ground remains that the UWP ran a dispirited, disjointed, pathetic campaign and gave no indication that they could do a better job running the country than Skerrit and his party. If you going to talk about being objective (which I never claimed to be btw) then you will admit to this.

      UWP allowed Linton to hijack their campaign and turn it into a character assassination of Roosevelt Skerrit which Dominicans for the most part rejected out-of-hand.

      If you’re going to talk about objectivity you will also agree that the UWP has a grand total of TWO stronghold constituencies, out of 21. So even if ALL your allegations were indeed true UWP would still be outside.

      Sorry to say it dude but UWP was like a flash in the pan and that’s a fact. Please accept my condolences and maybe you should think about getting some new blood and start preparing for 2020 lol.

      • Anonymous
        May 26, 2010

        how much money you got …no ,no continues to get?

  9. Democratic lover
    May 21, 2010

    Mr. Green i commend this article, however it is 5months too late, and you should have made that speech in the week folowing your election lost. Then u should have advised those who won their seats to take their place as the peoples opposition.
    If u want to take the high stand, then your party must stop all the lies and half truths and attacks on the Pm and start concentrating on a plan to improve Dominica. Take dominica into the 21st century while preserving what is good from the 18th 19 and 20 century.
    Get rid of some of the haters and stuck in the past people in your party, there only motivation is greed and hate. That is the reason dominicans are not even considering UWP anymore.
    We need an intelligent opposition of statesmen, not childish spoilt brats, who break up the game if they are not winning. That have been the behaviour of UWP.

    • NIKE
      May 24, 2010

      from the by-line,this article was not written by Ron Green.

  10. B.S
    May 21, 2010

    could not have said it better

  11. B.S
    May 21, 2010

    i could not have written a better article well done magloire

  12. Anonymous
    May 21, 2010

    You people seem to want to remain on that damn train for the next five years. This Magloire person has rightly stated everything that the UWP isn’t.

  13. local knowledge
    May 21, 2010

    To all those political scientists who never wanted the opposition members to even win their seats in the first place by supporting all kinds of irregularities, try not to stress yourselves out. Stress causes many illnesses. History has been and will continue to be on the side of all those who fought for Universal adult Suffrage, (the right to vote), for free and fair elections, who struggled against Apartheid, colonialism and neo-colonialism, corruption, wanton greed and nepotism. Mandela was a villain to many. Walter Rodney was devilish. Martin Luther king was a madman in many circles. Ron and the others history will absolve you all. Only time will tell. The thief who comes to your home and steals your TV set is correct to steal your belongings. The owner of the property who alerts the police or neighbourhood of the thief and stolen goods is wrong to report.or even talk of the incident. The owner’s neck should be severed. Three Sittings of the House of Parliament was summoned with the expressed purpose to declare the three seats of the opposition vacant.. Nothing concerning growing the economy, boosting agriculture or creating employment were looked at. None of those Sittings mentioned anything to do with the rising unemployment especially among the youth.

    Are you all serious. The opposition ask questions in parliament, no responses. proposals are made, important, useful advice is given, none taken on board. Susan Olde, diplomatic passport and the US$400,000.00, David Hsui, former Dominican ambassador to China in court with GOVT over that fiasco involving Layou River Hotel. What about questions about using public office to gain huge assets and riches? Tax payers money and the Rubbish Bin Bobol, Fertilizer Bobol, $22,000,000.00 for Election campaign, bribery against the laws of Dominica where people are induced with free plane tickets with the sole purpose of coming to vote for DLP. Closing DBS, National Radio Station, from the opposition. No equal access for hearing of alternative views. Leaders like Papa Doc and Baby Doc were not born dictators, but became dictators when those professionals and ordinary people always sided without question with their actions and policies. Bad governance, secret deals, kidnappings, greed, manipulation and disrespect for people were the order of the day. Look what has and is still happening to Haiti. Leaders were suffering from HUBRIS SYNDROME like…………People losing jobs,very little production, no money for increase for nurses, teachers, public servants, private sector workers, Public Works broke falling apart, but there are plans and money for bye-election? Give me a break. Wickedness never pays. Why do you all harbour so much hate for your fellow christian brothers and sisters, until you want him/her dead? You may not agree with the persons action but so much venom and hatred for another human being like yourselves. Vindictive, unscrupulous. Tear Ron, Spaggs, Eddie, Norris and the others to shreds if you can and tell me what you all will get out of the calculated, deliberate wickedness. The President reminded us Dominicans that neither the Speaker nor Parliament could invoke the sovereignty of parliament to declare seats vacant and it is not simply a matter for Parliament to decide but a matter for the courts. Arrogance and PAT TOEWITAY prevails. The privileged class getting richer, while the majority bawling and poverty increases. All they are working towards is maintaining POWER, ABSOLUTE POWER, doh matter what and deceiving the poor people in their quest.

  14. Hmm
    May 21, 2010

    This article seeks to portray everything an opposition party should be but unfortunately it’s everything the united workers party isn’t.
    The uwp have not only let down the few people who voted in their favour but the country as a whole. Proof that they really do not care for any one but themselves. These men are power hungry and will do any and everything to regain the power they once had over the Dominican people

  15. Don John
    May 21, 2010

    New election and no Diaspora , are you saying 6000 people came to Dominica from the Diaspora to vote, please be honest, I was in Dominica during the Election, the UWP had nothing to offer we the People of Dominica, at a meeting on the Newtown Savanah to lunch their Maneefesto the UWP supporters were told the Maneefesto was to be found online in a new way no web site details , no infor, from that minute on I knew the UWP was out , they have been boycotting the House from the day they loss to the late Rossie D. This Men need to grow UP and face the real World.

    • Eric Cartman
      May 21, 2010

      u got to sympathize with men like Ron McCain and Edison cuz that’s it for their political careers. By the time the nxt time election rolls around that will be 15 years for them on the outside looking in and it’s goin to be real hard to go from 3 seats to 11.

      It’s a hard pill to swallow for anyone that’s why they can’t let go. I personally believe that UWP as presently consisted was a one-hit wonder the present party core will nvr win a nxt election in D/a.

      UWP supporters know this as well. The next generation of Labour politicians will be bringing Masters, Bachelors and phDs from Cuba, Venezuela,China,UWI, the US etc to the table so I don’t know how the nxt gen of Workers gone match up either.

      • Anonymous
        May 26, 2010

        bachelors without commonsense make nosense!

        • Eric Cartman
          May 26, 2010

          spoken like a real uneducated person

  16. Ron
    May 21, 2010

    Get over it people. You have five years to vote the DLP out if they are not performing. How many opposition parties in the caribbean are crying foul because the lost the election? The UWP want us to think that demoracy is at stake in DA but if you follow caribbean politics, it’s the same cry.

  17. Eric Cartman
    May 21, 2010

    well-written article. the opposition in d/a is pretty pathetic and bankrupt of ideas.

    to make things worse, many of their supporters like the semi-literate StayTuned have no real grasp of the issues and just repeat the hate and jealousy inspired rhetoric spewed everyday on a certain radio station.

    I will admit the financial advantage gave Labour an edge but does any UWP supporter realistically believe that they could have won more than at most 7 seats in that last election with that lame azz, no manifesto-having, campaign?

  18. Thank you
    May 21, 2010

    Thanks God!!
    A logical thought from all that bull!!

  19. May 21, 2010

    Thank you Ron, you shold know that from the start. thats why your party should go to the house and represent the few that vote for the UWP.

    the government had 5 year to do what was promiss to the people , if they cant Delived what was promiss , they will be out by the very ones who put them in office. and i think that the DLP has been doing a great job .

    • May 21, 2010

      You started well, but when you stated DLP is doing well, you went astray!

      You are well estabish or maybe, in the BVI .. how the heck you know that when we are suffering

      down here. People like you all ran away and leave us in a mess. Come back and take the taste!

  20. Prophet2
    May 21, 2010

    We need fresh general elections with ID cards and no Diaspora, the last election was bought and sold so that was undemocratic, but then again Dominica is a Republic.

    • nigel
      May 24, 2010

      WHY ARE PEOPLE AGAINST DIASPORA. ISNT EVERY CITIZENS RIGHT TO VOTE.? WHY THE HELL DONT U WANT DIASPORA TO VOTE. WHENEVER DOMINICANS NEED HELP TO DO ANYTHING WHO DO THEY CALL ON, NOT THE CHEAP DOMINICANS LEAVING IN DOMINICA SEATING ON THEIR MONEY BUT THOSE SO CALL DIASPORAS WHO PULL THERE RESOURCES TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF THERE COUNTRY.
      WHEN U CAN PROOF TO EVERYONE THAT U ARE MORE OR A BETTER CITIZEN THAN A DIASPORA THAN U CAN MAKE THAT CLAIM U DAMN FOOL

      • Prophet2
        May 25, 2010

        You can’t serve 2 masters and you should only be able to vote where you live. The diaspora is no different than slave owners who lived in England and France but made decisions on how to run the country from afar. The diaspora has no right to affect the lives of others by remote control so stop your slave-driver mentality, we are not slaves anymore.

  21. Deoborah
    May 21, 2010

    What happens when true democracy is stolen and then justified by complicit persons using “big words” to justify the theft.

  22. Super
    May 21, 2010

    Be honest and face reality. The opposition has taken this stand based on the charges brought against the government stemming from the questionable way the general elections were conducted.

    You know that the issues are before the court. After the court rules everyone will see if the opposition is serious or just playing games. It is to early to pass judgement. If there were no merit to the charges the case would not have been accepted. If the opposition has no evidence to substantiate their claims of election fraud and irregularities then definitely the case will be dismissed.

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