Déjà vu is defined as: “A feeling of having already experienced the present situation.”
I can recall a protest by the people of Anguilla against the now infamous and destructive Banking Act. We, the people of Anguilla, had marched to the office of the Chief Minister, the Honourable Victor Banks, to read and then deliver a letter voicing our displeasure with the impending Banking Act. Mr. Banks listened and, at the end of the reading, accepted the letter and very condescendingly told the people: “Alright, you delivered your letter, now go home.”
Here we are once again, this time protesting a regressive tax, GST, and once more reading and delivering a letter, this time to our Premier, Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster, of “Rock Star Status Fame,” who listened, accepted the letter and promised to look it over, whatever that meant. But just like the last letter, this current one will be looked at and analysed and, just like the last one, will probably have no effect whatsoever.
In his Gettysburg address, Abraham Lincoln said that a government is … “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” But still, in Anguilla, you wouldn’t know that the people are the Government, for each time a law contrary to the people’s wishes is introduced, it sails through nonetheless – people be damned. When will we hold our leaders accountable? We are known for two things, voting and boating. I wish to add a third, that of protesting. We march, but to no avail.
Last Saturday, esteemed barrister Paulette Harrigan gave a civics lesson to anyone tuned in to Kool Fm. She admonished us that we, the people are the Government and, as such, needed to be vigilant. She went on to say that as constituents, it is our job to hold the Government accountable for its actions – not to sit back and take things for granted. I’m reminded that Ms. Harrigan spoke some seven years ago. By how things have turned out, her admonitions went in one ear and out the other.
The Bible tells us in Psalms 94:1-3 that: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” What about us as a people prevents us from standing up for what is fair and just? We stand around with our hands in our pockets as we are steamrolled into situations that are contrary to our well-being, the latest example of which is GST.
GST is now the law of the land, like it or not. Who will be the final judge of a law crammed down the throats of Anguillians? Unlike an earthquake, we knew this storm was coming. So, what did we do to prepare for what would turn out to be a tsunami? Nothing. We waited till the last minute to board up our homes, unlike Anguillians of the past.
Already, we hear of exorbitant fees added to the purchase price of goods. We are hearing what might be perceived as threats against the government ministers. No one should be advocating for violence against anyone. After all, we’re a democracy and, as such, are governed by a set of laws. We are supposed to be civil. When the Government goes against the people’s best interests, there are solutions – a vote of no confidence and, as a last resort, the ballot box.
It is the job of a government to communicate to the people what its doing in their name. Unfortunately, one can say that wasn’t the case with GST. Had our leaders honestly addressed their constituents, they would not be in the mess in which they now find themselves.
We have marched for the benefit of foreigners on our soil. We have marched for those who lost their money in the banks. When we thought the Government was disrespecting us, we, the people, marched to highlight the island’s ills. Yet, can we honestly say that our protests have brought about any change – that our governments heard anything we had to say? I doubt it.
Today as I watched the Sunday services, I was struck by one in which the preacher was talking about the US, my adoptive home. First, he pointed out that we are in crisis. He then proceeded to talk about the nature of the problem, the danger of the situation, the answer to the crisis, and the action needed to address the crisis.
I thought of our problems in Anguilla and the nature of our crisis. We are on a ship headed for the rocks with a captain that doesn’t know his fore from his aft. We are faced with a danger that, if not dealt with, will have repercussions for generations. We need to come up with answers to the problems that we currently face. We know what our issues are. We can’t continue to talk and acquiesce to those who do not have our best interests at heart.
Folks, we have been here many times before. We will have marched, and after a few days it will be business as usual. We have cried wolf so many times that now that we need our people to come out and confront the big bad wolf, that is GST, no one will take us seriously, and we know all too well how that story ends.
Premier Webster erred in that he did not stick to his guns. One can only speculate that Dr. Webster wanted to be the first elected Premier of Anguilla so badly no matter the cost. Is the change GST, is the change the non-disclosure of the banking report? Did false pride blind our Premier at the expense of the Anguillian people? Consequently, he has blown up his Premiership by losing the support of those who got him elected.
This Government promised “change that couldn’t wait.” Is the change taxation without representation? Where are the reports from NCBA? What happens to that bank? Will it become the Anguilla branch of St. Christopher, Nevis, and Anguilla National Bank? Can anyone envision a bank bearing that name on a sign in Anguilla? We fought to remove ourselves from that triumvirate at significant risk back in 1967. So why are we still tethered to their apron strings fifty-odd years later? Were our efforts all for naught?
Now is the time for this Government to step up and stop being marionettes of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and do the job for which it was elected. With the help of fellow House of Commons partner William Pitt, William Wilberforce abolished slavery some one hundred and eighty-eight years ago, or so we thought. We may no longer be bound by shackles and chains but by mental slavery, a more subtle form. Why can’t we see it?
Do they want to be known as the Government that brought Anguilla to failed state status? There is an old adage that says, “you dance with who brung yer.” So, as we stand idly by and look on as our Government taxes us into poverty, how long must we patiently wait for leadership that’s truly about helping the people?
Unfortunately, it is hard to revive an administration that was DOA– dead on arrival. Till next time, may God bless Anguilla.
