OPINION: By Dr. Emanuel Finn
In 1513 Niccolo Machiavelli wrote one of the most read and influential books on politics- The Prince.
Machiavelli’s observations continue to resonate with politicians, students, and scholars today. The Prince deals with the acquisition, perpetuation, and use of political power in the western world.
Machiavelli justified rule and power by force rather than by law. Accordingly, The Prince justifies a number of actions done merely to perpetuate power. How to get it, expand it and use it for maximum effect.
The political events of the last month which culminated on December 18th with a landside victory by the Dominica Labour Party was a true case of what Machiavelli described in his book.
The campaign and elections was the most unfairly contested elections in the history of our country.
The elections was bought (not won) by Mr. Skerrit and his rich foreign sponsors. When the dust has cleared and the history books written, Roosevelt Skerrit and the 2009 elections will be a shameful mark on our country.
The election was an expensive business transaction, which resulted in a roundup and stampede of the opposition. It threw Dominica into an era which is both frightening and dangerous.
Where did all that money come from to buy the election? and what does our country owe? ‘Yes it is our damn business’ to know that. Dominica is supposed to be a Democracy but it has become a ‘Demo–Krasy’- (T’).
Does Skerrit expect to be respected by fair and independent minded Dominicans who do not need a job or a hand out from his red clinic? I sure hope not. The rule of law and the law of rule must prevail in a normal functioning democracy and no man is above the laws of the land.
When the person who occupies the highest office makes such juvenile statement as ‘ no constitution or law can prevent him from being nominated’ even though there were questions about the possible violation of the law—folks take heed- your country is on a slippery slope and is at the edge of a precipice.
One of the main ingredients of a functioning democracy is the media. Skerrit shut down the media though his handpicked DBS Board and hijacked the radio station, which is owned by a joker who ridiculed the late leader who is most respected by all Dominicans and who Skerrit says is his idol and role model. Yet still Skerrit has not publicly distanced himself from this clown.
Also shame on the DBS Board –you have done your country a huge disservice by not allowing the opposition access to the airways. I suspect in due time you will regret profusely. You owe yourselves and the Dominican people an apology.
In any functioning democracy with mature leadership, before an election there is an opportunity for the leaders to engage in public and civil debate.
Skerrit and his handlers have no interest in that aspect of democracy. Folks our country is like a ship on the high open seas in choppy waters and a viscious storm with ill winds quickly heading its way.
Skerrit has also succeeded in dividing Dominicans to the highest degree. No other place is an example than in my home of La Plaine, my dad’s village of Castle Bruce, the Carib Territory and all points because of the Diaspora airlift.
In La Plaine folks who haven’t been home in more than twenty years were in line voting for Labour.
The Diaspora did not look for politicians but politicians looked for them and used them compliments of Skerrit and Dominica’s UN’s mission in New York City. What a sad story what a sad day. This hurts profoundly and is very painful.
What happened to the churches? What happened to the Bishop? What happened to the good and decent family men and women who not only stood idly by but professed that it is ‘just ok’ to get rich while in office?
What happened to our most decorated scholars who have supported all that madness? I suppose you all will be heading to church this Christmas and praising God. Maybe you all should ask the almighty Father for forgiveness and understanding.
Yes Skerrit you did it- all protocols are observed. Mr. Ron Green not only lost, but the La Plaine people are at each other’s throats in a divided small community—nice job Skerrit and congratulations- Dominica lost and you won convincingly.
Will the lady who arranged the airlift to La Plaine at the mission in NYC and who works ‘personally’ for you, (not for Dominica) still remain on the job? Or will she get a promotion for an illegal and unethical job well done? Either way, if she has any self respect she would ask you for a transfer.
Yes Roosevelt Skerrit-(the Hamid Karzai of the region) will you be still the Minister of Finance guarding the treasury money draws?
Given all the strong corruption allegations against you it might be a classic case of the fox guarding the hen house. Yes my people, Dominica lost the elections and like the corrupt Afghan President Kazai, Skerrit won.
Like the fraudulent recent Afghan elections, Dominica’s elections were a stampede, a farce, a mockery, a big joke, a ‘ pappy show and a comedy.
Competitions and elections won due to fraudulent, devious, unfair and unlawful advantages amounts to the greatest of all defeats. Dominica lost and Skerrit purchased the elections with big money.
Skerrit do you expect anyone with any sense of self to respect you? Machiavelli warned that politicians will justify a number of actions done merely to perpetuate power-how to get it, expand it and use it for maximum effect. Dominica’s 2009 elections is a perfect case of that fact.
To our people, I know you have heavy hearts, headaches and you are shedding tears as a result of the mid day rape and assault of our country. Hang in there and please don’t give up on our beloved home land. ‘Life is like that some times’.
Tomorrow is a day away and your unabiding love for your country will never die and will see it through. Skerrit and his agents will occupy their rightful place in the trash bin of history.
Enjoy the music and think of simpler days gone by in our cherished land before Skerrit and his gang emerged on the scene. God bless our native land.
Original Article Published at http://thedominican.net/2009/12/dominica-lost-and-buying-of-elections.html
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Dominica lost and the buying of the elections
OPINION: By Dr. Emanuel Finn
In 1513 Niccolo Machiavelli wrote one of the most read and influential books on politics- The Prince.
Machiavelli’s observations continue to resonate with politicians, students, and scholars today. The Prince deals with the acquisition, perpetuation, and use of political power in the western world.
Machiavelli justified rule and power by force rather than by law. Accordingly, The Prince justifies a number of actions done merely to perpetuate power. How to get it, expand it and use it for maximum effect.
The political events of the last month which culminated on December 18th with a landside victory by the Dominica Labour Party was a true case of what Machiavelli described in his book.
The campaign and elections was the most unfairly contested elections in the history of our country.
The elections was bought (not won) by Mr. Skerrit and his rich foreign sponsors. When the dust has cleared and the history books written, Roosevelt Skerrit and the 2009 elections will be a shameful mark on our country.
The election was an expensive business transaction, which resulted in a roundup and stampede of the opposition. It threw Dominica into an era which is both frightening and dangerous.
Where did all that money come from to buy the election? and what does our country owe? ‘Yes it is our damn business’ to know that. Dominica is supposed to be a Democracy but it has become a ‘Demo–Krasy’- (T’).
Does Skerrit expect to be respected by fair and independent minded Dominicans who do not need a job or a hand out from his red clinic? I sure hope not. The rule of law and the law of rule must prevail in a normal functioning democracy and no man is above the laws of the land.
When the person who occupies the highest office makes such juvenile statement as ‘ no constitution or law can prevent him from being nominated’ even though there were questions about the possible violation of the law—folks take heed- your country is on a slippery slope and is at the edge of a precipice.
One of the main ingredients of a functioning democracy is the media. Skerrit shut down the media though his handpicked DBS Board and hijacked the radio station, which is owned by a joker who ridiculed the late leader who is most respected by all Dominicans and who Skerrit says is his idol and role model. Yet still Skerrit has not publicly distanced himself from this clown.
Also shame on the DBS Board –you have done your country a huge disservice by not allowing the opposition access to the airways. I suspect in due time you will regret profusely. You owe yourselves and the Dominican people an apology.
In any functioning democracy with mature leadership, before an election there is an opportunity for the leaders to engage in public and civil debate.
Skerrit and his handlers have no interest in that aspect of democracy. Folks our country is like a ship on the high open seas in choppy waters and a viscious storm with ill winds quickly heading its way.
Skerrit has also succeeded in dividing Dominicans to the highest degree. No other place is an example than in my home of La Plaine, my dad’s village of Castle Bruce, the Carib Territory and all points because of the Diaspora airlift.
In La Plaine folks who haven’t been home in more than twenty years were in line voting for Labour.
The Diaspora did not look for politicians but politicians looked for them and used them compliments of Skerrit and Dominica’s UN’s mission in New York City. What a sad story what a sad day. This hurts profoundly and is very painful.
What happened to the churches? What happened to the Bishop? What happened to the good and decent family men and women who not only stood idly by but professed that it is ‘just ok’ to get rich while in office?
What happened to our most decorated scholars who have supported all that madness? I suppose you all will be heading to church this Christmas and praising God. Maybe you all should ask the almighty Father for forgiveness and understanding.
Yes Skerrit you did it- all protocols are observed. Mr. Ron Green not only lost, but the La Plaine people are at each other’s throats in a divided small community—nice job Skerrit and congratulations- Dominica lost and you won convincingly.
Will the lady who arranged the airlift to La Plaine at the mission in NYC and who works ‘personally’ for you, (not for Dominica) still remain on the job? Or will she get a promotion for an illegal and unethical job well done? Either way, if she has any self respect she would ask you for a transfer.
Yes Roosevelt Skerrit-(the Hamid Karzai of the region) will you be still the Minister of Finance guarding the treasury money draws?
Given all the strong corruption allegations against you it might be a classic case of the fox guarding the hen house. Yes my people, Dominica lost the elections and like the corrupt Afghan President Kazai, Skerrit won.
Like the fraudulent recent Afghan elections, Dominica’s elections were a stampede, a farce, a mockery, a big joke, a ‘ pappy show and a comedy.
Competitions and elections won due to fraudulent, devious, unfair and unlawful advantages amounts to the greatest of all defeats. Dominica lost and Skerrit purchased the elections with big money.
Skerrit do you expect anyone with any sense of self to respect you? Machiavelli warned that politicians will justify a number of actions done merely to perpetuate power-how to get it, expand it and use it for maximum effect. Dominica’s 2009 elections is a perfect case of that fact.
To our people, I know you have heavy hearts, headaches and you are shedding tears as a result of the mid day rape and assault of our country. Hang in there and please don’t give up on our beloved home land. ‘Life is like that some times’.
Tomorrow is a day away and your unabiding love for your country will never die and will see it through. Skerrit and his agents will occupy their rightful place in the trash bin of history.
Enjoy the music and think of simpler days gone by in our cherished land before Skerrit and his gang emerged on the scene. God bless our native land.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
hey election has come and gone. Its over give it a rest. i was myself very disappointed that after all sherrit did that Dominicans still vote him in but the reality is they did.
Who dont listen will fell And trust me Dominican are going to start feeling it HARD.
One party politic is the most dangerous thing any country could wish to have, just look at Cuba only now are the people allowed to have a computer, money is the route of all that is evil, especially in the wrong hands, a bought election with all the oposition silenced reminds me a bit of Germany back in 1933, well folks it appears you took the twenty pieces of silver enjoy it whilst you can for it definately wont last for long,. I wish you all good luck for you are going to need it.
when i think of those so called decorated scholars we use to look up to like charles maynard who contested several free and fear elections with the freedom party and and is supportive of what is presently going on in dominica i can think of no other phrase to describe him as a holy at dow sanctimonious hypocrite and the dominican people need to discard and be totally disrespectful to persons like him
please dont be afraid. the people of dominica are from natural love.
teach the children of the future, as well as older ones. their true heritage and how we, arrived and became.
tahnk you kind regards.
i did not vote in this election but i will in the next, i am a returee
It's so unfortunate to see our people fight and hate each other when really we should be coming together to develop our nation and help each other. Unfortunately this is something that we Dominicans have always done. We allow politics and politicians to divide us when there is so much more that unites us as a people. We did this in many elections before Skerrit became Prime Minister and sadly we will continue to do so long after he is no longer in power.
I expect that this post will be deleted because of what I am about to say next, but I am not a supporter of either the UWP or Labour Party both have proven to use corruption during their time in power it seems no man can resist the temptation and power that this new status provides.
I can also honestly say that I personally know and will stand witness to the fact that several Dominicans received plane tickets to Dominica to go vote in this election and they belonged to BOTH the UWP and Labour Party. Hence Both parties are responsible so neither one can guiltlessly point the finger at the other.
My suggestion is to provide the ability for Dominican citizens living abroad to vote using absentee/away ballot as is done in so many other democratic countries like England and the U.S.
May God continue to bless our country and heal our people though many try to divide us for their own selfish gain!
To prevent such a catastrophic disaster at the polls in THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA ever again in the future, I believe every DOMINICA N should look forward to and be none partisan in an effort to have election's reform and voter's ID CARDS. I believe if we can achieve such a simply task as election's reform and a voter's ID CARD, I believe only then can we achieve FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS, TRANSPARENCY, GOOD GOVERNANCE, DEMOCRACY, THE PRESERVATION OF OUR INDEPENDENCE, HUMAN RIGHTS, & CIVIL LIBERTY. – J.O. Francis
It is obvious that the so called anti corruption squad has given up the fight- quitters don’t win winners don’t quite. Should I assume that the anti corruption squad is gathering more conclusive evidence. I sure hope so cause the government hijack the election and now the anti corruption squad was just a façade –guys who were also looking out only for themselves not love of country and people. Life suck
I read your comments and wonder on what basis u came to such
conclusion? Relax my friend.. Patience. No one has given up or fallen
alseep..the fight is going on as we speak..
It is sad to see how Skerrit continues to corrupt and poison the minds of our youth. Speaking to young Dominican today can be a most frightening and dreadful experience. One of Skerrit's young supporters recently told me that the PM is supposed to do whatever he wants to do irrespective of the law of the land. That conversation was held in Mero. Another young supporter told me in that same conversation, that if he was the PM, every 10 million dollars that he raises for the country he would keep two million for himself. They were all saying that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the PM using his office to enrich himself, as far as they were concerned he is the PM and has the right to do whatever pleases him regardless of the laws of the land. A few months ago this same kind of gabbage was heard echoing by a group of young men in Marigot of all places. Is it so we really have become? To me it is quite clear that this gangster administration of Skerrit are destroying the future generation of our children. What we are currently experiencing in Dominica is a phenomenon which can be referred to as "trickle down gangsterism". The glaring examples of stealing, lying, tax evasion, drug trafficking and other gangster activities that the Skerrit administration finds itself involved with on a daily basis, is been looked upon as a shining example of an alternative way of life by many of our youths. There is a very clear and present danger confronting Dominica. That danger is Roosevelt Skerrit. Dominicans need to say a prayer for Skerrit. I strongly recommend psalm 109: 7-8.
I am appealing to the Proud Dominican to produce the evidence with respect to the persons who were paid and given tickets by the UWP to come to Dominica to vote for the UWP. Produce the evidence or hold your peace on that matter. The UWP officials produced a list of illegal voters who received tickets and other forms of bribes to come down to vote for the DLP, Can you Proud Dominican do likewise? I see that you are prepared to stand witness in a court of law. Early during the election campaign there was a situation where DLP operatives printed out UWP posters and took those posters and posted them on a number of residential and commercial building in an effort to give the UWP a bad name. I remind you of this Proud Dominican, that you be careful that DLP mercenaries who have been paid to vote for DLP come telling you that is the UWP who paid them to come to vote. Just be sure of exactly what you are willing to testify to. As I said put up the evidence or hold your peace.
Ha ha ha. Skerrit knows that he stole the elections by illegal means, and Skerrit knows that we all Dominicans know that he stole the elections. The conduct of Skerrit during the last general elections confirms all what we know him to be. A liar and a dam thief. I am very proud of the opposition UWP which made the right and moral decision not to legitimize this incompetent, illegal, lawless, and crooked government.
Balawo I take offense with you referring to the Anti-Corruption squad as "so called". These persons have made it their duty to speak truth to power at absolutely no cost to the public. We have all benefitted from the integrity and honesty of their contributions in revealing the truth about our corrupt and gangster government. I have not heard a word of thanks from you for the light you have personally received from the contribution of the anti-corruption squad which enabled you to make the right decision you made at the recent polls. In time you will find out about the deep love and commitment that the members of the anti-corruption squad have for Dominica and its people. You sound disappointed about the stealing of the elections, and rightfully so, but let us encourage the anti-corruption squad and support them in whatever way we can in order to make it possible for them to continue working on our behalf revealing truth to the nation. They worked well and must be commended for work well done. I have every confidence that that work will continue. Be mindful that this website is an integral asset of the anti-corruption squad that you personally continue to benefit from on a daily basis even after the general elections of December 18th 2009.
Say thanks to the anti-corruption squad Balawo, the work must continue.
The poor and uneducated will always be vulnerable to being brain washed and bribed. The shame is on the educated and priviledged to come to their rescue. If more professionals, christians (suppose to be God fearing), honest and patriotic Dominicans influnced the poor and vulnerable in a positive way, Dominica would win.
Instead, they remained silent, many of them were bought too. The country seems split in two; not good for national development. Poor Dominica – you are raped and you are bleeding! Who will help unite us for our children's sake?
well as i always saying DIVIDE AND CONQUER!! Hon Skerrit what a great job NOT! young ppl watching u good luck nothing last forever
Mujarhadin my motive is based on honesty- my plea is that the anti corruption squad must prove that all the accusations were not just election propaganda.The very same way that we were bombarded with information regarding the corrupt Skerrit administration during the election we expect the same level of intensity. At this point we are inclined to believe that the anti corruption squad is merely a politicaly motivated movement
Failure to continue the anti corruption movement is a overall victory for the present administration. We are tired of all unscrupulous politicians. The labor party promised us prosecutary action towards a corrupt UWP government and we have not seen any. Instead we heard all type of excuses. Some of us who prefer to remain independent are truly disenfranchised.
Balawo I get your point and appreciate your concern which is genuine, however I must note that the accusations of UWP corruption was not backed up with factual evidence like we are seeing now that DLP corruption allegations are being substantiated by hard undisputed factual physical evidence which cannot be challenged. When the evidence was brought before the IPO commission they didn't question the truthfulness of the evidence of corruption, rather they stated that the corruption occurred at a time before the IPO came into effect. That in itself is another case, since at the time of implementing the IPO, member of the anti-corruption squad were asking to make the law retroactive to the time that it was actually passed in parliament and signed by the President in 2005. If the IPO legislation was made retroactive to the time that it was passed, it would certainly capture all Skerrit's corrupt practices. They waited 3 years after to effect a law which was passed in 2005. don't forget all what had to be done to get the DLP government to implement the IPO law which they themselves passed in parliament. There were petitions, demonstrations, rallies and candle light vigils all in an effort to force the government to implement the IPO law which they passed three years earlier. I happen to know the members of the anti-corruption squad, and they have given me their personal commitment that the struggle for truth and righteousness in Dominica will continue until we have persons in government who are transparent, accountable and honest. I thank God for people like you since it is so good to know that we still have decent folks in Dominica who can't be easily bought, people who maintain their principles at all cost. Boss, God is on our side and we shall overcome. Just keep saying your prayers and prayer for the protection of the anti-corruption squad and ask God to continue blessing them with wisdom and honesty to continue the work which must be done to save our country. Like you I am particularly interested in UWP corruption especially the role of Judas Ti-Marti. Ron Green gave a commitment to make the work of the IPO retroactive to the period including the reign of the UWP administration. Did you hear Athie Martin some time ago mentioning how he knew personally that Judas Ti-Marti when he was minister of finance in the UWP government he was handing out LPO's like he was sharing fish? I too want to know about those things in order to have some form of closure and justice. Have a prosperous new year my friend and keep speaking out against corruption irrespective of who does it. Jah guide.
Do you know who is Judas Ti-Marti? He is the same one that Tony Asstaphan and the DLP referred to as the architech of UWP corruption.
we all stood there, we all alow wat happen to happen,no scense crying it wil happen again, and again and againnnnnnnnnnn,while skeritt is there he will get more money 2 bring more people and we wil just cry [we are domies]wat can the law do to us if we decide to stop dat bleeping nosence. how long will it take and wat are we waiting 4,when skeritt run away?
How long? Only time will tell. The longest rope has an end.