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| BIG MEN, SMALL AND CONFUSING IDEAS
AND IDEALS |
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I must confess that I did not listen to
all the members who spoke on the issue of dual citizenship
during the House of Assembly debate on Friday, July
3. Some of the nonsensical rhetoric I heard caused me
to wonder if I was truly listening to individuals who
are actually elected members of our federation. Most
of the presentations were pathetic, confusing and immature,
comparable to primary school level children who are
unprepared for the tests of standards.
However, I must commend Honorable A. Michael Perkins
for his sterling input on the matter as it was full
of wisdom and actually seemed more rational than all
that aired on the day. Amending the legislation to include
all native-born Nevisians and Kittitians will only guarantee
more qualified and capable individuals to seek high
office in his or her homeland. The record of my feelings
toward our leaders has been clear as I speak fearlessly
about their inept leadership qualities, their shallow
thinking and their selfish motives. Some have become
so ineffective that they are deadweight in office, unworthy
of the position they hold and their monthly financial
rewards.
Bearing in mind the St. Kitts and Nevis Constitution
as it is, one thought that our elected, fearful gentlemen
would be able to see beyond their selfish desires and
make change or amendments that would serve a better
purpose for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis. The dual
citizenship privileges we have as citizens were obviously
instituted by men with vision. If our constitution is
a copy of what existed in other independent Caribbean
countries, then it simply should have been amended to
suit us in advantageous ways. But NO! Our leaders being
bent on a divide and rule mission have opted to strengthen
the legislation that denies a born and bred Nevisian
or Kittitian who has been privileged to gain citizenship
from another country, from holding elected office in
the land of his/her birth.
How much more selfish and ridiculous can it get? With
a population of less than 60,000 people, it boggles
my mind as to why shouldn't our leaders strive to remove
that barrier from the eligibility requirements. I'm
sure that more than half of the households within our
federation have friends and/or relatives living abroad,
some of whom have gained citizenship in the country
they now reside in or resided in for some period of
time. Thank God that those who drafted the constitution
back in 1983 had the wisdom to include nationals abroad
as eligible for voting rights. Alas! The reasons put
forth on Friday in the House of Assembly and related
reasons aired from time to time seem less than the significance
of allowing some of our brilliant minds the opportunity
of sitting in our parliament. Is it pure selfishness,
and jealousy?
The crab in barrel mentality is well and truly here
and rests as a perfect example in this case with our
Prime Minister and his party who seem bent on nothing
else but destroying our nation. Senator A. Michael Perkins
is correct and must be applauded for his clear visionary
remarks while those with the majority votes and seeking
to hold on to power by barring every possible challenge,
regardless to what is better for our country. I hereby
plead for Nevisians to break away from the dictatorship
style tactics being used by PM Douglas, if it is not
too late. We need to keep ourselves away from such mentality
as it is not in the best interest of our islands. The
conviction is mine that Nevisians and Kittitians by
birth should be allowed to hold elected office, regardless.
Chances of anyone with dual citizenship having any opportunity
to compromise or cause any conflict of interest problems
are so remote that it matters very little. The desperate
measure by those in control to initiate boundary changes
along with the dual citizenship measures against those
aspiring to serve their country as leaders is abominable.
All these glaring reasons in concert with the federal
system that exists, makes one wonder why Nevisians do
not use clause 113 and unshackle ourselves from this
confusing federal arrangement. |
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