Escaping the crossroads
Mr Smartvote writes: Every four years we are told by political candidates that we are at a crossroads in this country, that we need to make some important choices about where to go and what issues to fix to finally deal with several ‘crucial’ issues’ at hand. And that they are the ones to choose.
And every four years, ironically after the elections, we seem to still be positioned at this very same crossroads.
What are we as an electorate doing wrong? The only logical answer seems to be that we are repeatedly electing individuals that have continued to over promise and under deliver. To be fair, depending on who is assessing, some of the incumbents have tried. But others, not so much.
Generally speaking, the PPM-led Unity government has managed the country’s fiscal affairs effectively (for the most part) and no one would deny them an ‘A’ grade for their management of COVID-19. The problem is that there are almost no other positives to speak of.
So yes, we are healthy, but still at the same old crossroads, with high unemployment among Caymanians, seemingly unbearable high cost of living, a failing education system and a general unwillingness to address the underlying social and environmental issues that continue to plague us.
It’s time to make some real changes to the group of persons we are relying on to provide the policy framework to make our lives better. And this year, we may have a few sensible alternatives.
One so those, based on his campaign so far, might be Mr Johann Moxam
Johann Moxam: Independent candidate for George Town North - Managing Partner of Lainston International Management Ltd. Background and education: Moxam studied at the University of... More. The former Chamber of Commerce president has been loudly voicing concerns on a range of public policy issues over the past decade, and while some may have issues with his style, he often makes very sensible suggestions.
We know that he is an effective leader because he was one of the primary forces behind the Cruise Port Referendum campaign and the successful prevention of a proposed new port, which many felt would have done more environmental damage than economic good.
Wherever you stood on that issue, no one can deny Moxam’s strong leadership abilities and love for country were on display.
Moxam has more relevant experience than several of the incumbents had when they were first elected to office, so the experience argument being pushed by the Progressives
The People's Progressive Movement (PPM), also known as the Progressives, was founded in 2002 in response to the launch in 2001 of the United Democratic... More in their campaign just doesn’t cut it.
Politicians who have been elected should not be reelected simply because they have been in office for a while. They must be removed if they are not delivering on their promises.
Moxam’s opponent, incumbent Joey Hew
Joey Hew (PPM): George Town North MLA, Minister of Commerce, Planning, Infrastructure. Biography: Hew has been a member of the Legislative Assembly since 2013, when... More, is by all accounts a decent person. He is articulate and has integrity. But he has been in office for eight years and must take some of the responsibility for keeping us all at those crossroads.
As a member of the Cabinet, Mr Hew has been in a position of tremendous influence and has had a genuine opportunity to help, to improve our lives. And unfortunately, we are still waiting painfully at those crossroads…
Not every candidate vying for a position as a first timer comes highly qualified, but there are a few other alternatives across the various constituencies to look at more closely in these elections. It’s definitely time for us to consider some of them to give Cayman a chance of changing our current path.
Category: Viewpoint & Analysis
