The Last Word

Voting with a conscience is the way forward for Cayman

by Barrie Quappe
Host/producer for "Cayman Crosstalk with Barrie Quappe" on Rooster 101.9FM

Friday, July 23, 2004

Living in a small community can at times be stifling as far as individual growth. Many of us simply go with the flow‚ or don’t make waves.

After all, life just appears to go easier when we follow along. Our own thoughts tend to be well guarded and shared only with closest friends, or not at all.

This deficit of self-expression can hinder individual growth. To know what you think on certain issues, you must read and discuss these with others.

This way your own opinions will then develop and evolve in your own unique and individual way.

When we live by just following what others have said we should do, we can end up unhappy, frustrated and sometimes not able to pinpoint why.

The same thing happens during every election. Too many times people don’t attend public meetings, don’t read or research issues, and tend to vote as their neighbour or friend suggests.

The end result is the same frustration mentioned above.

Voting in a thoughtful, informed, way is fulfilling, because even if your vote doesn’t get the winning numbers, you know you at least voted from a thoughtful position and did your best.

Now we have political parties. How many people will simply vote the party line and not really know the individuals they are voting for?

In your own time review each candidate. If an incumbent, you can review achievements that you admired and those you did not.

If they are new, all the more reason to attend public events where you can at least hear their ideas and see them in action.

In other words, take your voting seriously. Your choice in November will help to appoint the next group of leaders for this country.

The Cayman Islands is at a time of great change, and whoever is elected will be facing major local and international issues.

Are the people you have in mind right for the job? Can you visualize them handling important meetings with the EU, the UK or the USA on our behalf?

Likewise, can you visualise them tackling our local social issues such as employment, education and development (to name a few)?

On the positive side, you may be surprised at the calibre of the individuals running, and when you attend meetings you may be positively impressed about someone you personally have never met.

If you don’t make the effort, you may miss the real gems. If you vote only for the party line, you may also miss the real gems.

Finally vote with a conscience. After all your reading, added to attending meetings and discourse with others, you will have a gut feeling about who you think can really do the job.

Listen to your heart. Too many times we ignore these instincts.

I don’t know about you, but every time I ignore this conscience thing, I later regret it.

Bottom line is to enjoy the discussions, the community spirit and the time spent with others during the pre-election events.

Then, vote alone and privately, with your heart. Your country depends on it.

Contact Barrie Quappe “Newstalk” radio show, Rooster 101.9FM. E-mail barriequappe@hurleysgroup.com  

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