Where do we go from here…?

By: Mike Rudon Jr.

Dean Barrow is slapping himself upside the head for those words he uttered at the UDP National Convention while under the influence of pain meds – you can take that to the bank. Magic, he said! The magic is still here. What a monumental jackass Mr. Barrow is. Not only is he a monumental jackass, but apparently he thinks we are all monumental jackasses if he can tell us that there is any magic around us thanks to his superb leadership and divinity. I guess for a moment Mr. Barrow forgot the crime crisis, the poverty crisis, the health crisis, the education crisis, the economic crisis, the tourism crisis, the sugar crisis, the citrus crisis, the garbage crisis and all the other crises currently crippling our nation, cause I’m sure I forgot a few of them. Either he forgot or I got to get me some of those pain meds he’s on, cause they’re awesome. As Cheech & Chong would say…that there’s some good s##t!

The fact is that the euphoric acclamation which trumpeted the rise of the UDP to power in February 2008 is no more. In terms of the economy, a lot of people believe that we are experiencing hard times like never before. The Prime Minister cites the global recession as the be all and end all of our local crisis, but while most persons agree that it is a factor, few believe that it is the only factor. Argue up one side and down the other, but reality is that things ‘dread.’ Cost of living is high, 43% of Belizeans are below the poverty line; statistics show that there are increasing numbers of students dropping out of school because education is too expensive; our public health system has come under scrutiny after a spate of deaths allegedly caused by negligence and/or lack of basic equipment; violent crime is at an unprecedented level; our justice system is in shambles with a Director of Public Prosecutions who boasts a conviction rate of somewhere between 5% and 7% and our judicial system is under regional and international scrutiny after serious allegations of political interference and manipulation by the Executive. There is more, much more, but it’s not a pretty picture for sure. The Prime Minister may not be as aware of things as we would like him to be, but for sure he knows that things aren’t looking good for his United Democratic Party.

If he doesn’t know, he only has to ask anyone on the streets (members of his family excepted of course). There is no more of the cheerleading frenzy which ushered the UDP into power. With the notable exception of UDP Ministers, their family members and special cronies, the times have hit us all hard. There is very real disappointment in this new Government which promised so much. There is a very real feeling of betrayal, a very real sense that we were all conned. There is also a mounting confusion and uncertainty. The PUP was kicked out because they messed up. We gave these guys a chance and oh boy have they messed up. So just what the hell do we do now?

The People’s United Party, despite all efforts by the new leader, has encountered tremendous setbacks put in place by what seems to be a combination of unwillingness to yield power, monumental egos and petty gripes and mischief. For far too long the Party has been held back by a handful of persons with an agenda which has been nothing if not confusing and detrimental. Ironically, the factions that have sown discord within the PUP have been guilty of a tremendous disservice to Belizeans who are suffering under this UDP administration, even as they attempt to show that they are capable of superior leadership and service. Because of the constant infighting, the leadership of the PUP is distracted, the generals are clueless, the soldiers are milling around with no sense of direction and the thousands of PUP supporters countrywide are without adequate representation. The cry on the streets is for an option to the UDP…a united People’s United Party is that option. Like I said, it’s not rocket science, people. Get your act together.

A caucus comprising Chairmen and representatives from 22 of the 31 constituencies in the country has signed on to a resolution endorsing the leadership of Hon. John Briceno and calling for unity in the Party. The message is clear. We need to get this show on the road, Jack, cause the people are calling out for the PUP. Let those who have ears to hear, hear!

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