Politics

Allegedly unconfirmed by: Aria Lightfoot

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I can’t stomach anymore hypocrisy this election season!  Thank God there is less than a week left!     This morning a lady did her Facebook thing and went on a verbal rampage against one of the electoral candidates.  Unfortunately she was not legally sophisticated to understand that personal knowledge is not enough to type or say things about people. If there is no proof in hand,  one may be held liable for libel and slander.  No sooner had she said it, out pops party counsel to advise her that she can be sued for her statement and should remove it forthwith, which she did.  I know you are sitting there thinking…”Whatever!  I see political proponents mudslinging all day. If that was true, they would be sued too”…Beware!  For every lie or misinformation shared with you, it is normally preceded with “unconfirmed” or “allegedly”.  Be careful how you follow these politicians and attorneys my Belizeans.  Don’t be an information mule, because they are exhibiting bad examples of leadership and will set you up to make crazy allegations which you may be potentially liable for.  They also have the legal body of their party backing them up…So unu stop di repeat and re-post things whe unu can’t prove!   The trolls are on Facebook!  I found the entire incident quite hypocritical as another prominent attorney from the same party is all over Facebook tagging people into some salacious gossip preceded by the words “unconfirmed”.   Hold it together my Belizeans…don’t be pawns to this game cause as I have said before, this game bigga than you or me!

Daily Dingleberry 2/23/2012 by: Aria Lightfoot (until Faye is back)

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How dare YOU question my Belizean nationality and nationalism. I am 100 percent born Belizean from Belizean parentage and ancestors of the Black slaves shackled in chains to  cut down Mahogany,  East Indian whe brought ova to the West Indies  to replace slavery, Mayan whe land get rape and pillaged and the same white buccaneers and spaniard whe cause all dem damage.  I dah Belize and Belize dah me!  Before unu start to measure people Belizeanness based on geographic location; before shutting up objectivity fi party agenda..look pan yuself! You defend thieves and criminals..Yes the same politicians dem!  If yu nuh have wa brand name or if yu pickney dah fi wa “nobody” man, I suggest yu start campaign fi wa betta Belize and stap being wa pawn! This game bigga than you and me! This game dah bout the wealth of Belize and who wants to control it..so since I nuh benefit eitherway…I demand accountability from my leaders! I will ask the tough question! I call dem pan the bullshit! and if ALL you could si is that yu party di get bash and CAN’T realize I  LOVE Belize..then maybe u need fi go get yuself deprogrammed and go get reboot into wa sense of nationalism and what being a Belizean should mean!

Civility Please! by: Aria Lightfoot

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“A national political campaign is better than the best circus ever heard of…” H. L. Mencken

Whoever coined the term “silly season” has understated the ridiculous fever pitch the Belize elections is unfolding into. For starters, I am personally sick and tired about hearing about Belize’s new “heroine”  Schakron . We are celebrating a character that withheld vital information from her party,  turned her entire party into a bunch of flip floppers instead of doing the “heroine” thing and stepping aside for a qualified candidate.  Apparently political animals suffer from separation anxiety because at this juncture it is safe to say the PUP are flogging a dead horse, failing to let the Schakron issue go and with only two weeks to go before the elections.   I am not sure anyone but diehard PUPs see Schakron as a victim, therefore,  after singing to your  choir, and the choir has responded in kind and not gaining one vote from the entire debacle and possibly turning off  independent voters from the charade, PUP should be like me and  never mention her name again.

 Secondly, what is the purpose of  defacing signs?  How  childish!  Do signs really pose a threat? Do people look at a sign and think “OMG, I didn’t realize what a great party that was until I saw his sign! I will surely vote for  X because their sign really did it for me” . Are we electing leaders or children? When I see sign defacement , I see an immature act and begin questioning what that person has to say that makes the other party feel so threatened.

And this is the biggie for me. Lying to voters!  Just bold face, unapologetically,  lying and misinforming the people, hoping to win votes.  This behavior is a big turn off to me and many voters. Lying, cheating, stealing, withholding information and deception all speak volumes to a person’s character.  If you will lie for something insignificant, imagine when you are in office and faced with tough decisions where character becomes key, what then?

Is asking our politicians to behave in a civil manner asking too much?  This should be a time where voters can be confident that the information leaders are sharing are reliable; a time when our youths can learn how to compete fiercely and fairly; a time to teach our people about our constitution and political system;   a time to realize that Belize’s dire conditions requires maturity beyond the present disgraceful display. Grow up politicians and future leaders! Earn respect and act in a respectful manner. You are an embarrassment to the youths, voters and the world. You are leaving behind images that are viewable throughout the world on YouTube, Facebook and online media sources. And just in case it didn’t occur to you,  those footprints you are leaving behind will remain searchable forever!

The Shakron Sideshow: by Glenn Tillett (The Independent Newspaper Editorial 2/17/2012)

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The revelation that PUP Lake Independence Standard Bearer Yolanda Shakron is Guatemalan born and holds both US and Belizean citizenship highlights once again the pressing need for immigration reform.

It is, of course, an irresistible target for the incumbent UDP who believe that they can score a tko in one constituency even before the polls open on election day, and that is their right. In our view all’s fair in love and politics.

For the PUP the issue is more than embarrassing in that the loss of two candidates in the same constituency just days before the poll may prove to be too big an obstacle to overcome. It will sure lengthen the odds in what most seem to think will be a close election. Surely there must be some feeling of being haunted by karma since the party was vocal in its opposition to the proposed amendment that would have removed this constitutional bar.

But there is no reason for the UDP to boast of their efforts in this matter. As a matter of principle they should not oppose Mrs. Shakron’s candidacy now that she has made a good faith effort to renounce her American citizenship, even if as a matter of political expediency the end of re-taking government justifies their means. The fact is if they were sincere in their position that dual nationals should serve in the National Assembly they would instead champion Mrs. Shakron’s candidacy.

There is also the odious matter of her “stolen passport” which is morally indefensible. When added to the spectacle of her brother campaigning for her political rival it adds up to Belizean politics at its most divisive.

Yes, we view this latest episode as the Shakron sideshow, but an important act in the larger political play. Once again perhaps the most divisive issue in Belize’s political, economic and social discourse, immigration, has been raised and is being personified in a candidacy.

Call it the Immigration Trifecta if you will – no other two countries matter to Belizeans more than the United States of America and Guatemala and in a single candidate we are forced to re-examine our relationship towards each, once again. Hopefully Mrs. Shakron’s candidacy will continue to spur us towards the type of dialogue, of discussion, of debate, which will result in the kind of immigration policy formulation, and/or reformulation, we can all live with, rather than it continuing to be a flashpoint for further divisiveness.

Pretty promises, pointless pledges

In the past two weeks Belizeans have heard from the Governor of the Central Bank and the Barrow administration’s economic advisor, the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Executive Chairman of Beltraide and a senior officer in the United Democratic Party on the state of the Belizean economy. We welcome their contribution to the discussion on what we regard as the most pressing issue facing the nation – quo vadis the Belizean economy?

It is regrettable that their willingness to share their opinions and statistics is so belated and seemed spurred by their political expediency than any sense of duty to report to the Belizean nation.

The fact is that for the last three years Belizeans have witnessed record business and home foreclosures, record levels of unemployment, negative growth in local and foreign investment, remittances and tourism arrivals, increased fuel prices, taxation, violent crime, and poverty. We suppose that now they believe that they are the bearer of good news, and it is expedient that they have good news, that we, the struggling masses, will be receptive.

It is counter-productive in terms of moving our economy forward, that the answers to nearly all our questions continue to be blame the superbond, the corruption of the past administrations, and/or the world economy. The fact is that Belize would not have weathered the still on-going economic “storm” as well as it did if the previous administrations had not further diversified our economy to the extent that they did, and in fact continued the development of an economy that proved surprisingly resilient to the “exogenous” shocks of several hurricanes, agro-diseases and disruption, and a world economic “storm the likes of which had not been seen in a hundred years.”

The fact is that if this administration had heeded the warning in the quote above from the Japanese Prime Minister in April 2008, and had continued to reef our financial sails whilst securing the safety social net for our most disadvantaged, we would have “sailed” through in even greater fashion.

But enough with the rear-view driving: the question to be answered is who has the best plan for the next term of office? Do either party have as its goal Belize as a nation that will be a net exporter? Can either party promise that by 2016-17 we will be facing a future where our debt worries are a thing of the past? Will anyone declare full employment more than an illusion to be pursued but never attained?

We went from promises of a “chicken in every pot” to a roof above every head to now what, more pretty promises and pointless pledges? We want plans and projects, not promises; policies and programs, not pledges; proposals not propositions.

Do you trust a flip flopper? By: Aria Lightfoot

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“Arguments of convenience lack integrity … “   Donald Rumsfeld

 

Marcel Cardona

The term flip flopper is an American term. Other terms used are U-turn and back flip. Flip Flop et al is normally used in a negative way to describe a politician, normally in a declining political position, or to ride a new wave of support.  The flopper changes his position on a subject he has advocated in the past. It comes short of calling a politician a self interested political animal.  Many politicians actually get away with changing political positions because the electorate, for the most part, has a very short memory and many times are willing to forgive the indiscretions of politicians. In Belize’s case, even when those indiscretions amount to major corruption scandals.  However, historically, people are less tolerant to flip flopping when it comes to changing a political party.

Politics in Belize encourages an environment of distrust and disrespect.   As a survival mechanism, politicians tell supporters to mistrust any type of criticism. Any and all criticism, even when it seems unbiased, must be coming from the opposition’s camp. Political parties encourage unquestionable party loyalty; and discourage dissent by publicly punishing the dissenter. The status quo must be maintained and true  faithful political party followers must show love of their party more than their country.    

Marcel Cardona exploded on the political scene as a young, dynamic, intelligent and articulate politician. However, prior to his official political life, I shared several classes at St. John’s College Sixth form with Marcel.  We graduated from the same program.  Even back in the early 90s Marcel was an advocate for justice.  Marcel was a true believer in George Price and if memory serves right, he was in Jorge Espat’s political camp in the 90s. As a young adult back then, Marcel knew what he wanted while the rest of students were still trying to figure things out. He was no nonsense individual, always on a mission of change while taking on a tough course load at SJC.   Marcel shares some similar traits like me, so I can empathize with his passion.  He believes in people and causes and will fight tooth and nail for such and he is always in the position fighting for the underdog.  With that said, I will admit, I am disheartened by Marcel’s political move that may end his career. 

Marcel was never an official candidate of the PUP, but he was a PUP insider.  He has strong political family ties and history with the PUP.   When PUP was in power, Marcel distanced himself from the PUP, likely the same reason the electorate did. The corruption was wanton and undeterred and many were voting on a hope for change.  He was also in Jorge Espat’s camp, and that may account for his keen sense of integrity.   Unfortunately Marcel failed to realize that PUP and UDP do not hate each other (as I have said previously in my writings). They are masters at pitting the electorate against each other; however a casual browse in the genealogy will reveal close familial and business ties.

Marcel was the perfect UDP candidate.  He was a PUP insider telling the electorate how corrupted PUP was.  However, Marcel didn’t understand his role in the political chess game.  Once he jumped ship the first time, UDP was happy to use him for political mileage but in a system of distrust, he was never fully a UDP. How could they trust a person motivated by integrity and emotions in a corruptive environment?  Marcel believed he was making a decision to benefit the people. He was courted out of his relationship with the PUP; he spilled PUP dirt and found out that he was being used for political mileage.  He was not only used, but trapped in an embarrassing and humiliating position for 4 years.  Marcel in his attempt to now “punish” the UDP, has decried foul yet once again, and guided only by his emotions,  has returned to PUP.  And so he finds himself once again in the exact same position he was just 4 short years ago.  He is now once again, airing dirty laundry except now it is the UDP;   he has now distanced himself from UDP;  he has endorsed PUP and has been prominently featured in the PUP commercials.  Again nothing more than a political pawn being used for his integrity.  Marcel’s integrity is now wavering and if PUP wins, how could PUP realistically trust a man who has contributed to their worst loss in PUP’s history  and especially one motivated by integrity and emotions in a corruptive environment?

I know Marcel is not a flip flopper. His stance has always been integrity, however, how can I follow a man reactive to his emotions and one that has submitted himself twice to the role of political pawn?  If Marcel take a step back and realize he is misguided by emotions. He will realize his own potential both parties see in him.  Marcel would be far more effective and credible agitating changes as an advocate outside the system.  His reward may take many years, but if he is a true believer in change, time will not be an obstacle.  Unfortunately, our political party system identifies young talented and respectful people, steal their integrity for political mileage and later hang them out to dry while forever blinding  or discrediting same.  Take off the political lens Belizeans and Wake up!

Assistance or Hindrance? by: Aria Lightfoot

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“The political machine triumphs because it is a united minority acting against a divided majority”. — Will Durant

Who are elected officials in Belize legally accountable to? Anyone knows if there are enforceable laws to offset bad behavior?  It is quite unlikely. I know I am beating a dead horse and I am frustrated by the arrogance of our leaders to ignore our cry for change but I find myself once again addressing the same issue two months later.

Another “special” assistance program?!  Another unregulated, unmonitored program when payment of the super bond looms?    Stop using our taxes to funnel money to standard bearers for political mileage.  There is no way to paint this new assistance program the Prime Minister is giving out other than taxes being used to support the campaigns of his political party.  And I guess the lack of outrage comes from those citizens hoping to benefit. I paged through the Laws of Belize to see if there was anything illegal with this behavior and what I read in the Finance and Audit Act Chapter 15 (not even sure if that was the appropriate law) was the use of the word “minister” quite a bit. The entire laws of Belize need to be burned at the stake and we need a whole new set of laws in its place where accountability and oversight are the major themes.  No Minister should have such level of discretion to use  public funds as a personal piggy bank.  The political machinery is turning our country into a haven for beggars and thieves.

Political machines depend on getting people out to vote. They depend on the spoil system and political patronage, they believe in established systems of hierarchy and they breed a culture of corruption and crime. (For more information on how political machines work please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_machine).  In the late 19th and early 20th Century, many places in the United States operated much like Belize’s political environment. Political machines were used to win elections.  Once elections were won, the system of governance was inefficient, corrupted, and inept and was the breeding ground for the mafia and violent street gangs that cooperated with politicians.  Sounds familiar?  Fast forward over 100 years and in 2012 Belize is still practicing the failed policies of political parties of yesteryear.

Reformers in the US realized that the political parties needed to be curtailed. Many laws regarding financing, candidates, accountability, oversight, corruption were put in place.  Remember Belizeans, political parties function to win elections and patronize their faithful followers and use the power of the State for their personal gains. They are not running to represent your cause or develop Belize.  We are at the lowest ebb of political integrity and nationalism in Belize.

I am outraged that taxes are being spent in this wasteful way and unaccountable manner. I am disappointed that the Prime Minister, after condemning the past administration for similar behavior, now feels he owes no explanation.    What should we expect when the Legislative and Executive are one body?  The use of tax payers’ funds for political mileage may not be illegal, in fact, it is well within the Prime Minister’s discretionary power, however, it is unethical; it lacks fiscal responsibility and does nothing to develop our country. It stinks!  Every Belizean with hands out has become an accomplice to this level of unethical, self destructive behavior.  Belizeans should not complain later when taxes are higher, when jobs are lost and when inflation sharply increases.  Belizeans, there is no such thing as a “free” hand out. You will pay for it later.

When money is thrown around during election time, it creates a temporary fix.  Businesses are misguided thinking that money exists and may invest into more products they can’t sell later.  People suddenly have extra money and begin investing in unneeded items, that will not help stave off a future financial crisis,  the economy reports project growths and causes investors makes bad decisions. It really is a well disguised lie.  Since the stream of income is temporary, in just a couple years, the impact of poor policies will be felt.  It is a vicious cycle that both political party governments practice to win elections.  Each election cycle is digging Belize into a deeper financial hole.

Here are some solutions that are in no way exhaustive.  Demand accountability; demand changes of our laws; demand oversight and transparency;  demand that the discretion of ministers be removed; demand that the Public Service become empowered and function outside the claws of the politicians.  In Florida, city councils and county governments are non-partisan. Meaning that candidates cannot run under the umbrella of a political party and the parties must stay away from electioneering. Do we really need the political parties in our city and municipal governments to build roads and parks and provide basic city services?   Think about it, if we eliminate political parties at the local level, we may also attract more civic minded candidates. We are in desperate need of change Belizeans! We are in a cycle of abusive, self destructive and misguided politics and policies. Changing parties is not the solution, unless they will change our entire political system.  We are crumbling financially and morally because political party agendas reign supremely over national agendas. The time is NOW to demand better and expect better.  Wake up Belizeans! As you sleep, our country falls apart.

WRITING COMPETITION FOR BELIZE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

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WRITING COMPETITION FOR BELIZE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

 ALL Belizean High School students, you are cordially invited to participate in a writing competition.  The theme is :

“If I were the Prime Minister of Belize, I would…”

RULES: (ONLY THREE)

  1. Essay must be limited to 350-500 words
  2. Entrant must be a Belizean citizen attending a Belize High School
  3. 3.  Deadline to submit essays is:  Feb 24th , 2012.

Winners will be announced on March 2nd , 2012

PRIZES:

  1. $500 BZD
  2. A book bag filled with school supplies and goodies
  3. Your essay prominently displayed on our website www.twocanview.com
  4. Media reprint and announcement.
  5. And any other prizes we can muster up by the deadline

Submission:

Email: twocanview@gmail.com

Please be sure to include your name, your school’s name, your contact information

 

Daily Dingleberry 01-30-12

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Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ysyn4ytVH0Y

I hope nothing happens to him. I admire his bravery but this kind of public declaration, if seen by the wrong person, may incite some type of violent response. I have watched other videos Amir posted and he seems like such a genuine young man with a generous spirit. Please, people. No matter what your beliefs may be, please do not stand by and watch anyone harm anyone because of their beliefs. When you stand up for the freedom of others, you ensure that your own freedom is secure and will endure.

Daily Dingleberry 01-29-12

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It’s Sunday. A day of tradition for many…church…Sunday dinner…family time. What are you doing today? I’m looking out my window at some gorgeous fresh snow on the ground.  We still have not gotten the  “up to your knees kind’, but there’s still enough to inspire a sense of calm and peace. I wish I could send that feeling of serenity to you, out there, with fettered hearts and buried souls.

There is a bubbling tension and the rising stench of animosity in the Facebook world. There is a growing tendency for some to measure their good works against the perceived failings of others, coupled with derisive criticism of what is deemed apathy or lack of true loyalty to Belize. That is so mean spirited and self glorifying and divisive. I don’t understand why people feel the need to put down others. It’s like taking a big stick and whopping it across someone’s face. It’s humiliating and violent and most of all, useless and unnecessary. Most people are inherently good and want to feel appreciated and needed. Most of us would love to work for a cause and feel pride in our efforts. Our problem is, we have no one we admire enough to follow, no entity trustworthy and deserving of our deference.

Not everybody can be leaders. Not everyone wants be to a leader. So why does it seem that Belizean leaders get on their over inflated egos, like some big old BULLFROG and spit in the eyes of those who would want to follow them? You “leaders” out there, why insult others because they won’t, can’t do as you do? Do you really want the competition? Think about that for a second. You really want a bunch of leaders and no followers? You need somebody to lead, right?

Just because someone is not like you, doesn’t make him/her weak, inferior or less committed (*insert cuss word here). And not all of us can work tirelessly and with intense dedication at the same time that you might be. Not all of us have the same kind of intelligence or gifts. Nothing angers me more than when someone who is obviously exceptional in some way, uses it to thump others on the head. Don’t you understand it is an accident of birth? It is due to thousand of years of evolution and tireless culling of our genetic fiber that created you? You don’t belong to just you. You belong to every single human being who contributed to your particular DNA. In that way, you have every obligation to use your talents, your gifts towards the betterance of humanity.

So, instead of touting your good deeds, puffing out your chest like a BULLFROG, and decrying the lack of reward or recognition, understand that you are always part of something larger. In other words, get over yourself and get to work. And you, out there, who will benefit from the brilliant work of these exceptional people, do not mock them when they stumble. Do not lose faith when they make a wrong turn. We will make mistakes all of us, but, the failure is not the one who tried and failed. The failure is the one who never tried at all.