Restoring the Essence of the Nation: We are only as strong as we are united

Kent Vital

In last week’s article we noted that we have a huge problem on our hands – the soul of our nation is being sapped and we all know it as we observe that: our economy is weak and crumbling given the lack of sound economic management and the lack of economic dynamism and resilience; our democracy is being subverted; and the social cohesiveness of our society is worsening while there is much moral decay. We noted that at the core of our problem in Dominica is a corrupt ruling political regime that wants to hold onto power at any cost including through the use of military force and electoral fraud.

We listed three interrelated strategies that are highly important to remove the current ruling regime from governance.  These three strategies are: attempts to unite the electorate towards success at unseating the current corrupt ruling regime and subsequently building a thriving nation; efforts to break the economic stranglehold that the ruling regime has on the people of Dominica; and continued and enhanced efforts to share information with our people as part of efforts to reach their hearts concerning appropriate political actions.

Let us continue to discuss the first area – the need to unite the electorate.   We are only as strong as we are united; as weak as we are divided (J.k Rowling).  Another writer noted that even the weak become strong when they are united!  One of the strategies used by the ruling evil political regime in Dominica to retain power is to seek to keep the people divided.  When we the people remain divided into various political and civic groups, each group has less power to bring change.  But our democracy is under such extreme assault from the current evil ruling regime, that there is an urgent need to optimize our resistance effort and one of the clear ways to do so is to unite the electorate.   In that regard, towards preparing for the next general elections, there is need to have only one candidate going up against the candidate for the incumbent evil regime. Anything short of that will only weaken our chances at saving our nation.   Secondly, with regards to saving our country, we have to reach out to increase and unify the resolve of all Dominicans who are full of Godly reverent fear (as our anthem says) or those who want to get on the right track and do the right thing.  The aim must be to secure an overwhelming majority that would increase the odds of overcoming electoral bribery and other fraud.  But we must also do whatever is morally right, as necessary, to prevent electoral fraud, but the environment for doing so will be much more accommodating if the electorate is of one mind and highly motivated to prevent or stop wrongdoing. As efforts to unite the electorate becomes increasingly effective, that in itself will fuel greater success.  We have to work towards the point where the government will respect the will of the people.

The goal of uniting the electorate is not an easy one, but when our backs are against the wall, we will need to pursue even the difficult things. As Jay Weatherill puts it – – you don’t get unity by ignoring the questions that have to be faced.  But I stand ready to work with all political parties and civic organizations and independent persons as we face this task. I am encouraged that a consciousness of the need to unite the electorate is growing.  I appeal to all to ponder carefully the importance of this task.

The ruling regime seeks to demonize individuals and spread hate against these individual or their political parties.  When they say things like “You guys sound like the UWP” what they are really seeking to do is to keep political parties apart and spread hate because they know the power of uniting the people and the power of knowledge of the truth.  That sort of divide and rule tactic has the psychological impact of causing some to seek to unnecessarily stayaway and distinguish themselves from the others. But this is not the time for usual politics and for an unnecessary focus on distinguishing oneself. It is time to face the harsh reality that we are losing our democracy and freedom and that the country is sinking into deeper economic despair.  Instead, we must recognize the tactics that are being used by the evil regime and push back by effectively countering their divide and rule strategies.  For instance, we must explain to our people that truth does sound alike and that one should prefer to be on the side of truth than on the side of evil.

Clearly, we have to use our resources effectively as we seek to save our nation.  Cooperation among our people, political parties and civic organizations would go a long way in contributing to this. Furthermore, there is urgency to begin efforts to unite the electorate. Next week we will expound on these two latter.

 

Kent Vital

Economist

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14 Comments

  1. Mike
    February 14, 2021

    Mr Vidal you need your own talk show, one based on the economic situation in Dominica and what needs to be done to get us moving in the right direction. Alas maybe the only way to get moving right now is to get rid of the labor party and that baffoon Prime Minister.

  2. Lin clown
    February 12, 2021

    Truth Be Told,in 1975 the Labour party got 16 of 21 seats.In 1980 the Freedom party got 17 of 12.Can you tell us what was the cause of the sudden change?With your level of intelligence you must have noticed after that defeat,the Labour party has moved from strength to strength.As the Freedom continue to fall the Labour party continue to rise,not UWP.Since 1985 the Labour party has NEVER lost votes unlike the UWP in 2009 and 2019.Why is the UWP and Kent Vital unable to win an election?Because the majority of Dominicans does not believe the Labour party is corrupt.The majority of Dominicans believe the UWP and Vital are corrupt,lying and an the enemy of Dominica.In the 2019 election Freedom party COULD NOT FIELD CANDIDATES,and UWP LOST 1,163 votes,while Labour gained 222 votes.As long as Vital and UWP continue that BS about corruption they will NEVER win.Dominicans know corruption that is why UWP was Kicked out of office.

  3. Jonathan Y St Jean
    February 12, 2021

    There is a saying that when you spit in the sky it will fall back in your eye. I guess the Freedom party didn’t understand what that meant when they chose to join forces with the Labor party to get rid of the UWP based on lies. Well you lay with dogs and now the whole country has fleas. Freedom party hasn’t apologized to Dominica for what it did. Before there is unity, Kent, there has to be genuine remorse and seeking of forgiveness. Until such time your call for unity sounds hollow.

  4. Ibo France
    February 12, 2021

    I’m going to focus on Mr. Vail’s pertinent message and not be distracted by Leslie’s persistent frivolity.

    Mr. Vital, no right thinking citizen can honestly rebuff or disprove the essence of your message. Only an informed and an united electorate can and will get the governance that will redound to their benefit. Nothing a government fears more than the collective power of an united, educated and restive electorate.

    We need much more political and social activism from all and sundry to dislodge the incumbent, demonically heartless regime from the top of the food chain. These individuals are having a feeding frenzy on the country’s resources.

  5. Truth Be Told
    February 12, 2021

    “Cooperation among our people, political parties and civic organizations would go a long way in contributing to this. Furthermore, there is urgency to begin efforts to unite the electorate. Next week we will expound on these two latter.”
    “Cooperation”. “Efforts to unite the electorate.” Kent where are you? Who are you writing for? What are you talking about? Kent you are on the ground in Dominica! You need to pull Labour Party supporters and past Freedomites who are still voting Labour away from Labour, and that is job number one! UWP voters and Lenox Linton will support Dominica Freedom Party, they will want to be the only party while Freedom dissolve! Freedom need to compete again in all its old strongholds from Soufriere to La Plaine! UWP has proven to be a losing strategy and Freedom need to now step up to be the Opposition!

    • Viewsexpressed
      February 14, 2021

      The truth is the Freedom Party has lost some momentum and really it’s not their fault. It’s the fault of the members all over Dominica’, in every village.
      The decent, commit and Open political party we have now to be the Government of Dominica is the United Workers Party (UWP). A trusted, disciplined, highly professional committed decent Political Party who puts the people of Dominica first. The UWP has an exceptionally decent, trusted committed UWP Team under its distinguished Leader in the person of our Hon. Lennox Linton is this formidable, decent politician who will make our people and Dominica’ strong again, ably supported by his trusted competent professional trustworthy UWP Team.
      We need that change to take back our country, iury government for our strong be dedicated people. We must move Dominica’ forward the level of decency, accountability and transparency on behalf of our Dominica’ People.
      My people let’s hold hands with each other and the UWP leadership, Hon…

    • Viewsexpressed
      February 15, 2021

      The Freedom Party served Dominica well during their well deserved committed tenure as the then Government of our Dominica.
      That Immature Labour Party Government has failed our people and our Dominica over the past years in government.
      The obvious current Political Party ably knowledgeable to serve our people and country is the United Workers Party UWP, under the leadership of our Decent trusted competent professional trustworthy reliable Hon. Lennox Linton and his trusted UWP Team. That is whom we need NOW to recover and plot our government and our Dominica be with our people to elevate our people and our Dominica to the high standard of living, accommodating and mlto manage the numerous resources we need and have to raise e profile of our Dominica’and its people to that level of decency in politics and government that we all are prepared under the leadership of well known Hon. Linton and his trusted UWP Team to take our Nature Isle Dominica to the level of sound Development.

    • kim
      February 15, 2021

      while many may not agree with you, i do it was the joining of freedom with labor that got uwp out. Mr. Vital has not been able to lure the freedomites back to fold, is it because his leadership was week, the party has no money.
      Freedom has to step up, dominicans are fed up with the same strategy of uwp that does not work. The freedom party needs to step up its game.

    • Viewsexpressed
      February 16, 2021

      The truth is we acknowledge the most prepared, trusted focus person on Socioeconomic and the priority to be the Development of our people and our Dominica. We also must strengthen our agricultural economic base and growth and keep our suffering jobless people away from failed incompetent Skerrit and his fake incompetent Questionable Labour government. Skerrit is NOT leadership material and nor is he a visionary leader sufficient to the Prime Minister. We are concerned that he should move on and has failed as Prime Minister Leader of our Dominica. He has failed us and has killed our agriculture and economy. Our Farmers and other self-employed hard working people need a focus, mature, intellectual professional trustworthy Prime Minister of our government and its people.
      Skerrit and This fake Red Clinic Labour government must get the hell out of our government and its people.
      God Bless 🙏 our Country Dominica.
      My people, be strong, let’s take back our government. Lets focus on…

  6. Truth Be Told
    February 12, 2021

    You were unable to achieve this as a political party leader, and I will put it to you that it is now more impossible in your lack of position and authority to, as you put it, “unite the electorate towards success at unseating the current corrupt ruling regime and subsequently building a thriving nation.” And even more impossible for any opposition party is your “efforts to break the economic stranglehold that the ruling regime has on the people of Dominica.” You and no opposition can achieve this when it is the Government holding the revenue, income, taxes and paying the salaries. I agree that the Labour Government is corrupt and needs to go to jail. But I am telling you that you are starting out with a losing strategy! You have to change the Dominican mindset, change the psyche, change the people from being so dependent and puerile in their political determination. You need to engage and educate through direct action and not wishy washy statements! Affirmative actions for our…

    • Ibo France
      February 12, 2021

      To change the mindset of the present electorate, both TALK and ACTION are needed, they are not mutually exclusive.

      Martin Luther King Jr. mobilized the people with his passionate speeches and followed up with unrelenting action. Something similar is needed in Dominica to awaken the masses from their hibernation.

  7. Leslie
    February 12, 2021

    Sorry Kent- a picture is worth a thousand words. Before I listen to what you have to say go get a hair cut– call me old fashion, call be ignorant, call me unprogressive, call be uneducated and even backward but I am sticking to my story.

    • Thinking Aloud
      February 12, 2021

      Leslie,your words indeed represent you.

    • Waiting For Airport
      February 13, 2021

      What you are is a self hating, euro-centric, fake black person… you have a problem with a black person having natural black hair. You think in order to speak, he first has to confirm to euro-centric standards before you are willing to take him seriously. If you are intelligent enough, please explain how someone’s hair style affects their ability to make a credible statement?

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