Dear Editor,
Will you allow a comment on the 9th Amendment?
This is what the Prime Minister could do, following the 90-day period of consultation, even if that consultation is favorable to Government’s position. He could propose a referendum.
Legal people, with due respect, like to propose that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. This is not entirely true. The Constitution of Belize in its preamble at (c) tells us what the supreme law is. I quote: “believe that the will of the people shall form the basis of government in a democratic society in which the government is freely elected…”
Reasoning from this principle common sense tells us, at least the following: 1. The people have the power to change the manner by which we are governed. Hopefully, if this is necessary, this would be effected by the expression of its will in exercise of its authority at the polls in a referendum.
2. It is the main function of the Legislature to make laws. The Courts usurp this specific function when they make judgments on matters that create new laws.
3. The principle of SOCIAL JUSTICE already enunciated in (b), requires the operation of an economic system that subserves the COMMON GOOD.
The Constitution and its Preamble are written in plain English, which any Belizean can understand. If we all read it carefully, we will come to understand that we are a blessed people; that now we must stand up and truly exercise our independence. We must do this with humility and goodwill to all and sundry.
But to safeguard our unique identity we must do it now!
(Signed) Paul Rodriguez