"We Continue to BuildGreed - Not a Nation"

Asone of the very few criminal lawyers among a fraternity of almost200 attorneys admitted to the local Bar - who deals with mainlywith commercial legal matters - Mr. McField, known for his forthrightnessand dapper style, has come forward to address some matters whichare impacting "the social fabric" of the Cayman Islandstoday.

A. Steve McField

In a quite candid commentary published on page 9 of this issue,Mr. McField - who said during an encounter at the recent PrayerMeeting held in front of the Government's Administration buildinglast week, that he is "coming in closer touch with a powerthat is greater than all us" - addresses issues and "deepeninganti-social bahaviour patterns" which continue to affectthe Cayman Islands.

My direct, practical, and no nonsense approach to drugs, crime,immigration, and other problems in this country did not go downwell with some voters during the last election, 1996.

Some voters were of the opinion that my frankness and my firmnesswere aggressive. Today as the 2000 election approaches, many votersare now approaching me and telling me that they are sorry thatthey did not vote for me in 1996.

Many of them now understand that a direct no nonsense approachto these problems is the way to stop the cult of violence, murder,drug importation, and the steady deterioration of the Caymaniansocial fabric.

I do not have to remind any one what the statistics of violence,murder, crime, drugs, and uncontrolled immigration are. Everyoneknows what the truth is: We are a violent society. So let us nothide behind the hedges. Stick our heads in the sandy beaches thatwe no longer own.

Let us not fool ourselves that to be nice guys, to pay thousandsof dollars for this study - as we have for other studies whichare now gathering dust - and that report is going to halt therising cult of violence and disrespect for life and property.I did not believe that in 1996, and today I am more than convincedthat my approach then was tight as it is now.

Just because I did not tell voters what they wanted to hear. Justbecause I did not say what I did not mean and meant what I didnot say. I was not as popular at the polls as some others whosaid nothing- did nothing- who said much but meant nothing. Itis not the politician who can spend the most money and say thecorrect things from the correct side of the fence, that buildsthe nation.
It is he who is not afraid to take on the unpopular issues, whois not afraid to offend so as to mend, who is not afraid to sayyes when yes should be said, and who is not afraid to say a firmno when it is necessary to do so, that builds the nation, thatgets things done.

After the death of Mr. Jim Bodden, our National hero, I was underthe impression that the country having stately buried the man- politicians would continue the Plan. The Plan of how our childrenwould be schooled. The Plan of how our people would be housed.The Plan for the concept of responsibility for our country. Instead,we have become separatist in our own House.
Those who say nay - let them not eat cake. Big money is what controlsthe system now. Not withstanding the threats to our future, wehave not put in place any social and economic safety nets.

Some of us, and some of them who live among us, seem to believethat everything can be bought, that everything is just out therein cyberspace. But I take this opportunity to warn them. God isnot in cyberspace and he will only be there for us Caymaniansdepending on how we behave.

I also want to remind them that we cannot download God. Our moneycan buy smart material things, but it does not make us smarter.

We are now placed in the golden straight jacket of greed. Eventhe under belly of the country is greedy. It is no more, the fewpounds or few ounces of drugs. Now there are tons of it, canoesof it, bails of it.

It is more to leadership than just collecting wages and castigatingeach other about nothing. It is more to building a country thanrejecting those who do not just agree and fall into line likeragamuffins. Such behaviours do no more than to project ego ratherthan leadership. If I am a dissenting voice, I do not care wherechips may fall. I am not afraid to speak to the matters as theyare.

We are a miniature nation. We are facing a social war of crime,drugs, and intimidation. Either we are in charge of our destinyor we are not. If we are not in charge we are slaves.

For those who do not know me, I would like to share a few insights.
I took certain principled stands from my teen age and I am notprepared to take questionable weak positions on this country.I believe that we have been here through the struggling yearsby our faith and our love. We gave the world our labour and ourlives. Now, there are those of us who have no faith.

I believe that we must regain our faith in our ability. Thereare those who dismiss the crisis and who want us to fit into thiscult of violence. They say that is the price we must pay for development.I refuse to pay that price or any price. I do not believe in wagingcampaigns of misinformation, lies and distortion.
I do not believe in labels, and teams have demonstrated that theydo not capture the political, social and economic reality of thiscountry anymore. So, I believe that my direct opinions will domore to put strong Caymanian families back together again ratherthan having them live on social assistance. Our approach to thesecrises that have straight jacketed us would be different if weemploy those who are able and willing to meet the crisis headon.

I do not believe in violence. I am against drugs, homocide, burglary,and any type of anti social behaviour, and the disruption of thesocial fabric.
I am for the rule of law. I do not believe in hiding behind statisticsand comparing Cayman crime with crimes in other jurisdictions.I do not want any crime here period, and if I get a chance, Iintend to keep things that way.

A. Steve McField, BA. Hons., LLB. Hons
Barrister- at - Law (England)
Attorney-at-Law (Cayman Islands)

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