In Milton’s “Paradise Lost” book four, the devil looks out over the paradise before him, a utopia he would never have as he brings sin wherever he goes. He becomes jealous at what he sees, reminding him that this is a life he could never have, no matter how much he may desire it, as he brings hell everywhere. In other words, since he can’t have it, he will stop at nothing to destroy that which he can’t have. If I can’t enjoy it, neither will you.
In Anguilla, we will ignore what we’ve inherited from our forefathers and make a pact with the devil for a quick fix. Our government has burned its bridges behind them. Therefore, they will do whatever they deem necessary to stay afloat, even if it means introducing destructive elements from which to make money, regardless of its ancillary vices. Evil be thou my good.
The headline read, “Hidden Illegal Casinos Thriving in L .A.” The March 8th L.A. Times story chronicles a series of events in the Los. Angeles California area, beginning with the assassination of a woman clutching ten one-hundred-dollar bills in her hand. She had been shot four times in the head. Police detectives eventually learned she was part of an underground outfit known as casitas, prevalent in Los Angeles. The point here is that wherever there is gambling, bad things happen.
As our Government in Anguilla contemplates the approval of gambling casinos, one cannot help but think about or ask, have our leaders lost their minds? Have they lost their ability to reason, to think critically?
It seems that they are hell-bent on introducing gambling no matter what. I’m told that the Government will meet with the Christian and Evangelical representatives, and maybe, just maybe, they can talk some sense into the heads of those who want to do this.
As with everything else, have these guys done any environmental or social impact reports? Have they given any thought to what they are about to do? Why do they not look to the south to our cousins and see how they are doing, years after allowing gambling on their shores?
The Government has taken more in taxes than any year in our history. They are now ready to sell our souls for gambling. They’ve blown up the budget and expanded the civil service, spending faster than ever. No wonder they are being told to keep taxing more by the U.K. If we were independent, the Chinese or the IMF would do the same. They are making a pact with the devil and can walk away after five years to the comfort of where we came from and leave behind a scorched earth.
It’s good that the religious groups voiced their opposition to the introduction of gambling in Anguilla, a Christian nation. I hope the Government will not introduce gambling, but I fear that, like everything else, they will listen and do what they want. We are supposed to be a democracy, but as things stand right now, we are more authoritarian than democratic. We have arrogant leaders who misled us to get elected, who then broke their promises, show no remorse, but double down on bad policies instead.
How can any leader who claims to be a Seventh Day Adventist, a religion which is steeped in certain beliefs, all of which the ten Commandments spell out, pursue a vice such as gambling on our shores? Have we not already turned a blind eye to the houses of ill-repute? What are we to think?
The excuse for this is that there’s gambling in Anguilla already anyway, so what’s one more form of gambling? It’s not as if we, the people, will be gambling in those casinos. True, we know of illegal gambling in Anguilla. We have the boat races; we have the illegal cockfights; we have the raffles and the friendly card games. That said, Casinos are a whole different ball game. Who will oversee or regulate the casinos, and who will provide the oversight? We did a marvelous job with the banks, Angelec, Health care, and everything else; what could go wrong?
A frequent saying of my dear grandmother was, {“he who doesn’t listen will feel.” There will come a time when those in power wish they had kept their word and not turned their backs on those who got them elected. A man’s word is his bond– not so with this government. Their day of reckoning is fast approaching, and we know that because we will see all sorts of projects being started, the argument will. Be, look at all that we have done for you. It’s the Anguillan way.
So, why are they messing with ANGELEC and allowing casinos and all their elements to invade our shores, and for what. Who benefits from all of this? Whose coffers will be lined? My fellow Anguillans, we will have crossed the Rubicon, which means there is no turning back. Folks ask yourselves the question, better still, ask your government, why have they chosen to bypass ANGELEC’S deal with the IMF where every cent will be accounted for, where everything will be legit and above board, to go with a private PPA, where there will be no oversight, where, like our airport, where anything goes, what my Trinidadian friends refer to as BOBOL? Why did our government file a (SLAPP) lawsuit against a famous radio host to cease-and-desist any discussions with regards to Angelec and the PPA?
The introduction of casinos to Anguilla, opens the gateway to a plethora of issues: money laundering, addictions, human trafficking, prostitution, bankruptcy, abject poverty, the destruction of marriages and families, spiraling alcohol and drug abuse, dramatic increase in suicidal thoughts, suicide and more. It is further contended that gambling would destroy two of the foundations of our nation: the family-and uniquely Anguillan-our proud land ownership. These were just some of the concerns of a petition of an Anguillan Community opposing Casino Gambling.
Now that we are crossing the Rubicon, what’s the plan? We have stood by in shock as one lie follows the other, passing law after law, because they are so busy spending to buy votes with voters’ own money. Will Anguilla become another “Paradise Lost”? Anguilla, wake up before it’s too late. We are now governed by leaders bringing hell to Anguilla. Look at GST, our indigenous banks, ANGLEC, PPA, and now casinos? Is there no end to this madness? Remember, nothing good comes from ill-gotten gains. Till next time, may God help us.
(Published without editing The Anguillian newspaper.)
