St. Lucia Simply Beautiful

November 4, 2011 

Harris At Large!

IT WILL BE THE MORNING AFTER! 

I am not speaking about the pregnancy pill; I am speaking about the morning after the results of the elections would have had time to sink in. Reality definitely steps in the morning after, as the winning party puts its team together and begins to plan for the next five years. What happens next? You are either excited about the victory of your candidate or moaning your candidate’s loss. If your candidate lost, you will be asking many questions. Did you make the right decision in casting your vote for your candidate? Why did the other guy beat my guy? Was he or she a better candidate? Were you right in voting party or should you have voted for the better candidate? There is nothing you will be able to do by then except to accept your defeat and move on with your life for the next five years. 

Everyone is expecting that the date for the general elections will be announced this weekend. Unfortunately, you will be reading this article before the announcement.  However, you still have time to assess the situation and make up your mind on which of the candidates you will give your support. It is my view that the majority of voters support party. This situation leaves many good   candidates out in the cold all because they find themselves   representing the party that doesn’t have the established tradition of winning the constituency. This is the reason why Independents seldom win. It is the exception, rather than the rule when an independent wins. 

Trying to get an idea of the possible outcome of the upcoming elections is very difficult except for those individuals who have set up residence with the party of their choice, they will not be moved and as far as they are concerned their party has already won before the votes are counted. But that is life. What is certain with every election, it is getting more difficult to predict a winner until the last weekend before elections, only then the outcome can be predicted by observing the colours. In the countdown of the 24 hours leading up to election day no one will be prepared to flirt or go along for the ride. Those persons attending the closing rallies have placed their future squarely in the hands of the party of their choice. They want to be seen by their candidate, some will even want to hug and kiss their candidate. The message is simple – they take a stand for their candidate. 

I like political campaigns, you get an opportunity to really experience how people place their faith in politicians only to be let down in many cases especially when their expectations are too high. Every voter has a price, even if it is the simple acknowledgement that his or her vote helped to give the candidate the victory. Humility should be the watch word for every politician, always recognizing that politicians are elected to serve the people. Unfortunately, modern day politicians fall short of this all important reality.

 It would have been so much better if voters took the time to research the past and present performance of the politicians who seek their vote. This will be one way of setting your level of expectation. Voters put politicians in office in spite of knowing that their expectations will not be met. This is nothing short of insanity.

 On this occasion those persons who have attained the age of 18 and whose names appear on the voters’ list, should make a statement by exercising their franchise. Do not leave the decision to another person. You have a choice and a voice; take responsibility for your action. Do what is right. Vote for the party of your choice. I would rather suggest that you vote for the candidate of your choice but in the Caribbean, it is the party and not necessarily the candidate. If you are lucky you may be in a constituency where you can enjoy the best of both worlds, having a preferred candidate in the party of your choice.

 I join you in awaiting the announcement of the election date and in the end, may your party be victorious.

 Remember always to Keep the Faith, God is in Charge, Dream Big and expect Daily Miracles!

 Edward Harris

Freelance Journalist, Realtor, Business & PR Consultant

Email: eaharrisdestiny@gmail.com

Websites: www.stluciapropertydeals.com www.stluciasimplybeautiful.com

www.cariblist.com  St. Lucia – Agent ECREDMC

This entry was posted on Saturday, November 5th, 2011 at 1:52 PM and is filed under Ed Harris. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.