Dear Editor,
While I congratulate the PUP on keeping the spirit of democracy alive, I am TOTALLY disappointed in the final analysis. I continuously fight my gut feeling that tells me the PUDP cannot reform. I sincerely try my best to be fair, objective and forgiving. I firmly believe that people do repent and change! We all do things that we sincerely regret, so we repent, make an about turn and try NEVER to do it again!
I was hopeful, perhaps this PUP convention would be the paradigm turn, the day of repentance for the PUP? A humble and transformed PUP would emerge…. So I tuned in my radio and sacrificed a few hours of my family and study time to listen in great expectation.
As the resolutions were read out by the PARTY faithful, many of whom I personally know, I concluded, okay, they will leave the best for last! Even though I would have expected (and I’m sure I speak for all watchful independent-minded voters) that the very first resolution tabled would have tackled the very issue that booted them out of office in 2008! CORRUPTION!
So I listened and waited patiently as each resolution was read, but it was not be…and I now conclude, never will, at least not leading up to the next elections! How could I be so naïve! The PUP, like the UDP, is about winning elections! And winning elections is all about MONEY! And MONEY is the root of corruption. How could I ever expect the PUDP to pass a resolution for transparency and accountability in their campaign financing! That is why we now refer to them as the PUDP. They are the same coin with different faces.
The UDP had their national convention two months ago and it was the same thing. I am now convinced that the PUDP will not bell the corruption cat! It’s business as usual. Two and a half years into their term and the UDP has not made a move to tackle corruption at its very root! CAMPAIGN FINANCING!
It is said in history, that a leader always reveals exactly what his intentions are but most people don’t give it much credence and don’t even realize what’s in store. I am therefore reminded of the words of Prime Minister Barrow in an interview with Amandala’s Adele Ramos, printed January 25th, 2008, about 3 weeks before the 2008 general elections and reprinted as “Blast from the past” two years later in February 2010. When asked about campaign financing, Mr. Barrow replied, “what’s going to stop the big boys from giving the money under the table, how on earth could they ever be caught? He went on to say, “everyone is coming in with their widow’s mite, everybody is coming with their $ 20,000.00, $ 40,000.00, $ 50,000.00" and “we have not received any donation over $ 200,000.00.”
Don’t you wonder who gives these “widow’s mite” contributions? We know the money trail left by the PUP and it’s only a matter of time before we see the UDP’s trail! Did Mr. Ashcroft give money to any of the UDP candidates? Just who were these BIG BOYS? And what are they getting in return? Land? Development concessions? Contracts? Oil or mining rights? Make no doubt, these BIG BOYS get BIG RETURNS!
Mr. Barrow goes on to say “I am still to figure out how to make those laws effective.” If the PUDP can’t figure how to stop (or resist) taking money under the table, then corruption in public office will only continue to escalate and our Belize will continue down this path to oblivion! I don’t buy that lame excuse, Belizeans, and you should not either! It’s not that they can’t figure how to stop taking money from the Big Boys: they don’t want to stop taking that easy money that makes them win elections! You will recall the public comment of the UDP Chairman, now Minister of Police, “A Party is not about governing but about winning elections”!!!
First, let me tell you what’s going to stop them! Honest Belizeans will stop them! Yes Belizeans, honest, selfless people willing and brave enough to step up to serve this country! Is everybody so afraid to step up?
Secondly, the next thing that will stop them is the enactment of campaign financing legislation with jail penalties for breach thereof! YES, JAIL TIME for both the politician who takes money and the “BIG BOYS” who give it under the table, without declaring it fully! Remember the $ 1,000,000.00 (one million dollars) check that was donated to the PUP? This is chump change to the savings in taxes and duties that this person’s companies enjoy in perpetuity while all of us hard working businesses pay our taxes every month and duties on everything we import!
A commitment to transparency and accountability in office STARTS with campaign financing. We have now seen the record of the PUDP who both committed to T & A but when they got elected, that promise never materialized. By their fruits we now know them! The VIP is the only party that I know of with such a policy in its Party constitution and is the ONLY Party that has published our campaign financing every election season since 2000.
If political parties are serious about integrity, then we must publish our party’s finances NOW and every quarter until election. Belizeans even if you support a PUDP candidate, challenge them to fully disclose all assets and income NOW and annually up to elections and when in office.
The PUDP national conventions are now over, yet the talk show callers (and hosts) continue to call for a REAL alternative party! This tells me that Belizeans want real change and are not going to be fooled again! Ten years ago in Belmopan’s first election of 2000, two brave men stood up for change. The party ran in 2003, 2006, 2008 and in 2009, Belmopan voters propelled the VIP to second place. Today the VIP is on its way to become your next government in 2012 and 2013.
We call on all Belizean women and men to join us in this struggle. Our children are depending on us to make the right choice. Don’t worry about what your family, friend or neighbor says. As Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see”. The members of the VIP are not afraid and firmly believe that we are not alone.
VIP invites all Belizeans who honestly and sincerely want a better Belize to join and support the Vision Inspired by the People. Let us create a better and safer Belize NOW! Let us create a brighter Belize for future generations. VIP IS SERIOUS ABOUT CHANGE!
Bobby Lopez,
VIP Campaign Manager