By Yves Ephraim
I find it interesting that as Antiguans and Barbudans, we have become so entrenched in partisan party politics that there appears to be no objectivity when it comes to issues of the general national interests.
From observation, it appears that the party’s interests is always more important than the national interests, even if we have to defy good logic, morality, precedence or common sense.
It is my conviction that our colonial masters have so designed the terms of our independence so that we will be more concerned with fighting each other than becoming a threat to their hegemony.
And it appears to be working extremely well.
I yearn for the day when the national interest comes first.
Ideally, it would be good if at all times, the interests of all the parties’ leadership would coincide with the national interests.
With 44 years of political independence, what exactly can adult citizens like myself say has been objectively improved, having experienced life before and after independence.
Mind you, I am not suggesting that some things have not improved but rather that those improvements are not significant compared to the areas of greater importance to the wellbeing of ordinary Antiguans and Barbudans.
Let me be specific by listing just 13 concerns that most will agree are of utmost importance to our wellbeing:
1. Is the cost of living relatively better than 44 years ago?
2. Is it easier and quicker to open a local bank account, today?
3. Is it easier and quicker to legally start a business as a citizen?
4. Is primary education better today than 44 years ago?
5. Are our roads better than 44 years ago?
6. Is our running water situation better than 44 years ago?
7. Is the cost of utilities relatively affordable than 44 years ago?
8. Is the size of government outpacing the private sector compared to 44 years ago?
9. Is the contribution from agriculture more significant today than 44 years ago?
10. Is our police force better trained and resourced to handle today’s crime than 44 years ago?
11. Is it easier today to achieve the dream of owning property?
12. Is justice administered faster today than 44 years ago?
13. Is our democracy stronger than before?
It is a well known concept that before we can improve we must first admit our failures. We cannot improve if we live in self-denial.
Our failure to radically improve is linked to the failure of political administration after administration to admit when their policies are not working or yielding results that benefit the national interests.
How do I know this is true? Well, some months ago, I compared the GDP per capita (not a fan of GDP but since this is the accepted measure I will use it) of the independent islands vs the other islands that are still colonies and discovered that without exception, the islands that are colonies are all doing far better than our independent nations.
It begs the question, how are island colonies able to be better off under colonial rule than those of us who are independent to chart our own success?
I would proffer that the lack of humility to admit that a particular policy is producing the opposite effect, is partly to blame. Because the leadership is unwilling to admit that they made a mistake, they tend to double down on their already failing policy. Our leaders today would rather see the country become a “failed state” than admit they were wrong and correct the error.
Of course everyone, including the supporters, loses.
In 99% of cases the leadership never suffers the consequences for their poor or obstinate decisions. If a leader of government falls sick, he is wisped off to a different medical facility other than the one the rest of us must use; when the taxes are increased, he is exempted.
How do I know that the interest of the people have not been the priority of our politicians is because?
I will list two reasons:
1. Whereas Antigua and Barbuda’s national success has fallen below the other colonies, this country has spawn an inordinate number of millionaire politicians over its 44 year history.
2. It appears that both leading parties are so fundamentally the same, that politicians easily switch camps without feeling any discomfort. Personally, I could not join any party that fundamentally violates my personal values. I question the credibility of any politician who first claims at one point that the other party was despicable beyond measure and then find refuge in that same disparaged party.
In my opinion, any politician who really thinks that the opposing party is truly reprehensible should abandon both parties if his own party is not true his own personal values. To join the party that you publicly decried is tantamount to political prostitution. This suggests that the lust for power is greater than being true to principles. Under those circumstances, I cannot see how such a person would be concern with the national interest.
I yearn for leaders in this country that are prepared to put the national interests first and not their own personal ambitions.
