Not just a criticism of Ralph Gonsalves - but a plan where everyone wins (4/16/2016)

The office of prime minister is a very prestigious office, and the responsibilities that come with that office are very serious responsibilities. Anyone who chooses to apply for that post and go in pursuit of that office, by going to the electorate and persuading the masses to vote for and cause that individual to be elected into that office is a responsibility that plunges an individual into a very serious leadership role and a high level of accountability. 

The person who sits in the seat of head of government of any country, be it in the capacity of president, prime minister, premier or chief minister, or tribal chief, has chosen a major responsibility. In some cases, the responsibilities are more than they have ever cared to imagine. That person is immediately propelled into and becomes responsible, for all of the resources of that state; which begins with the human lives that make up the population and it ends with the finances in the treasury and may I add everything in between. 

This responsibility is not simply to utilize said resource, but to ensure that such resources are utilized in the most productive way possible and in a manner that will contribute to the multiplication, development, replenishment and the sustainability of such resources where it is possible. 

Some 17 or so years ago, Ralph Gonsalves, the current sitting prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, made his bid to become prime minister and the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines gave him the opportunity to take charge of the country’s resources when they bestowed upon him the post of prime minister: the chief politician. 

PM Ralph Gonsalves had all opportunities to implement good, sound and productive business practices and governmental policies to multiply, improve and develop the human resources and grow the economy, even though the economic climate the world over was not doing so well, the opportunity was there.

However, instead of properly utilizing the technocrats, who over the years have amassed a wealth of knowledge, skills and connections in their field of training and/or operation, he (Gonsalves) took over, micromanaging everything; like one who knows everything about everything. 

How fast did he forgot, he was a failed university professor, for many years he had and ran a failed almost bankrupt legal practice and he was a failure as a criminal trial lawyer, who specialized in encouraging his clients, most of whom were petty drug pushers to plead guilty, after which he would mitigate a low or non-custodial sentence with the magistrate on behalf of his client. It is be important to note that these were cases, if they had been placed in the hands of another attorney, would have been fought and won on technicalities or just on the merits of the case. 

As a result, Ralph Gonsalves retrained the whole public service and civil service technocratic league in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Instead of encouraging good business practice to foster the development and proper utilization of the country’s resources; they were put into new roles, where they were forcefully asked, even threatened to lie, prepare false documents, give false testimony, etc. not for the enhancement of the economy but to ensure, thriving business such as Bigger Biggs Trucking and Block Making company were put out of business and the businesses employees are left unemployed, thus becoming a burden on the government. 

But what drove Gonsalves to such lengths to destroy thriving a business that was a benefit to the community? You would have thought that these businesses owners were a threat to national security or their establishments and their employees were a danger to the economy? They were not. But decent bureaucrats were corrupted, state resources were squandered and thriving businesses were forced out of operations, because their owners shared a different political view to that of Ralph E. Gonsalves and his unproductive Unity Labour Party.

For 17 years Ralph Gonsalves has traveled to the USA, the UK in his official capacity of prime minister, and he met with Vincentians from all walks of life. Some of whom have amassed large bank accounts just sitting there (in the banks) getting a 2% annual interest. Instead of Gonsalves using his visit to tap into the financial resources of the Vincentians overseas, and encourage them to open mid-size provision shops, which sell products that are produced in St Vincent and the Grenadines, from fish caught locally to fruits, and vegetables and other products. Thus giving the farmers an opportunity to have their product marketed in the USA, Canada and the UK, thus providing an avenue for growth in the economy, increase our export market, providing needed foreign exchange and putting new life into the several failing industries that are about to or which have already gone belly up (failed). 

But instead he would get those Vincentians in the diaspora to reluctantly contribute to his campaign and other funds that may benefit him personally. He also encourages these people to use said resources (monies and connections) to ensure that Vincentians who don't support him are fired from their jobs, their properties are vandalized, and the FBI, the police and other authorities are sent to their place of operation, in an effort to put them out of business. 

Gonsalves is so busy trying to victimize those who do not support him, while the country's economy is going to hell in a hand basket. He has learnt how and managed to remain in power even after have become politically unpopular; with the use of illegal ballots, which is one of the key points in the NDP’s elections petition; a big scheme, which was implemented to steal that election which was uncovered and discovered because of a few cellphone photographs.

This article is not just a criticism of Ralph E. Gonsalves and an opportunity to highlight Gonsalves’ incompetence, it is also a simple and workable plan to revive the dead agricultural industry, develop a non-existent export industry, boost the almost depleted foreign exchange, give Vincentians aboard the opportunity to give back to the country that most of them have neglected for many years while putting them in a position to grow and increasing their wealth by creating a non-traditional overseas market. This is a case where everyone wins
.