Anguillians are prone to adopt, pursue and support positions without engaging in proper analysis. This observation might seem harsh but most of us, once we engage in rational thought, will accept that it is true. This trait is likely to manifest itself even more during the ‘Silly Season’ that is now upon us.
Anguillians and non-Anguillians alike often comment – after listening to Anguillians rant and rave about issues – that Anguillians do not really know what they want. This conclusion is usually made because the ranting and ravings were not grounded in fact or any evidence at all. Very often the views held on different subjects are so averse to each other that they cancel each other out.
Some well-known examples should help to make the point. We are often quick to point out the need to grow our economy. Most persons would agree that a population of a certain size is essential to growing and sustaining our economy. Yet, for the most part, we are left with the impression that many Anguillians are averse to persons other than ‘indigenous Anguillians’ making Anguilla their home, whether on a permanent or transient basis.
We often reference the fact that there are no opportunities for the many young persons who graduate from the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, on an annual basis, but yet we appear disinclined to promote opportunities for investment, particularly if it involves foreign investment. Opportunities for our young people will not increase while many of us remain unwilling to facilitate non-Anguillians developing and growing businesses on Anguilla and living and working amongst us. Is it reasonable to denounce governments for the absence of opportunities for graduates, while many of us remain reluctant to support population growth, through immigration, thereby diminishing opportunities for economic growth?
Anguillians gripe about the high cost of living in Anguilla, and advocate price control, but many of these same Anguillians are involved in some form of consumer business where they set their own prices. These are the same prices that others feel should be subject to price control. What scheme of price control is it that is actually being advocated?
Objection is often taken to the state of The Valley main road and the many unpaved roads in Anguilla. The view is expressed that the fees paid to licence our vehicles should be devoted solely to road development and repairs. Since that is not currently the case, one can only assume that if the revenue collected for vehicle licences was devoted purely to road development and repairs, services to which those funds have been applied in the past would go unattended, unless additional revenue could be collected. Can additional revenue be collected without implementing additional taxes? I suspect that the short answer would be yes. As many Anguillians who call for better services consistently fail to pay their taxes. Do we see the conundrum? Many of us desire better services but will not carry out our civic responsibility to ensure we obtain better services.
The wants and needs of Anguillians can only be adequately addressed with the identification and implementation of more sustainable revenue collection measures and sources. The implementation of such measures and sources will have implications for every Anguillian. Anguillians know this but, sadly, find it more personally convenient to opt for the retention of the status quo by objecting strenuously to any new revenue proposals.
Politicians are very conscious of our Anguillian predilections and tend to take full advantage of them. This is often reflected in the making of promises without any factual support, and without any indication, whatsoever, as to how such promises could be delivered – or the wide and varied implications of delivering on such promises.
We, Anguillians, have in the past tended to be our own worst enemies. Will we break that trend? We can, by simply engaging in rational thought and discourse and requiring the same of those who would seek to represent us nationally, regionally and internationally. Let’s act to end this conundrum that has held us hostage – and resulted in us simply marking time for so many years, in terms of Anguilla’s development.
