{"id":129682,"date":"2014-12-21T15:51:41","date_gmt":"2014-12-21T19:51:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/?p=129682"},"modified":"2014-12-21T15:51:41","modified_gmt":"2014-12-21T19:51:41","slug":"commentary-lost-opportunity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/homepage\/features\/commentary\/commentary-lost-opportunity\/","title":{"rendered":"COMMENTARY: Lost Opportunity"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"Jeffers
Jeffers Joseph<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The recently concluded Elections on December 8, 2014, underscored the absolute depth of human deficiencies – an atrocity to the Democratic process anywhere within the framework of this universe. Among the litany of improprieties which manifested themselves were: greed, voter disenfranchisement, repression, victimization, obsession with power, arrogance, hubris, ruthlessness and total disregard for fellowmen. Clearly, our system of governance has shifted to something other than Democracy and the sooner we identify this ‘Elephant in the room’ the sooner we can begin to search for solutions. We fell asleep at the wheel and allowed ourselves to be driven well into a full-blown system of Autocracy – which is what is unfolding right before our very eyes. Those who purport inability to discern it are not blind; they just won’t see.<\/p>\n

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The collusion involving the Skerrit Administration, Hartley Henry and other collaterals to strategically infuse a surge of imported members of the Diaspora into the electoral process was indeed egregious. The assault perpetrated on fellow constituents’ rights to representatives of their choices will resonate for many many years to come, while those unconscionable foreigners return to their regular lives abroad. It\u00a0is difficult to concede that for an airplane ticket and a handful of dollars, some would throw their fellow sons\/daughters of the soil – who offered themselves as candidates to represent their interests in government – under the bus. This is the pinnacle of greed. And, those \u00a0culpable for inducing such voracious acts can only be guided by\u00a0arrogance, hubris, ruthlessness and a pathological appetite for perpetual power.<\/div>\n
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The elections were blatantly yanked away from the hands of the United Workers Party – a painfully disconsolate reality to live with. What continues to be equally disconcerting to most, however, is the level of repression and victimization being imposed on an erudite in the likes of Dr. Thomson Fontaine. The holder of doctorate degree in Economics, Mr. Fontaine, who is an expert in Fiscal Management and has an impressive resume – having worked for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington DC – among other things. Obviously intellectually intimidating to the incumbent government, the Grand Fond candidate, who clearly won his seat in Parliament, is still being deprived of the sweet taste of victory. Similarly, most of the constituents have been disenfranchised by denial of the representative for whom they cast their ballots. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere.” Any other country would have gladly embraced Dr. Fontaine’s credentials as an important asset to their establishment; the question therefore is, why doesn’t this government recognize and utilize the skills, talents and intellectualism of citizens of the opposing side? My hope is that despite the fact that institutions are mere ‘rubber stamps’ (meaningless) to this government, our justice system will do the right thing by vindicating Dr. Thompson, thus awarding him the position he so deservingly earned – a place in our Parliamentary process.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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