Letters to the Editor
Save our democracy; get outand vote
Dear Sir,
The delicate state of our democracy hasurged me, even in my absence from the Island, to make an appealto all eligible voters to exercise their obligation as citizens.
Often considered a privilege, the right to vote should ratherbe viewed as a duty of all upstanding citizens in a democracy.In fact, I propose that legislation be put in place as is donein other countries, to hold eligible and capable citizens criminallyaccountable for not voting.
Failure to vote should be viewed in the same light as treason,as it poses a direct threat to the political system we benefitfrom in the Cayman Islands. By no means am I suggesting that apunishment equivalent to treason be levied against those who refuseto vote; however, some form of castigation must be considered.
Non-voters are accountable to us fellow citizens and future generationsfor deliberately placing the democracy at risk. Failure to voteindicates not only indifference but a willingness to place ourcountry in a vulnerable position.
For too long in these Islands, politicians have benefited froma non-educated and non-interested public. Many have been turnedoff by trivial power struggles, wanton fiscal spending, and whatseems to be an ever-increasing social and economic gap betweenpoliticians and their constituents. Therefore, those alienatedby so-called 'polytricks', often refuse to vote, for they seeno change or have lost hope for any improvements in the future.
However, citizens, this is precisely why we hold periodical electionsto make changes where necessary. To give up hope on our islandis to surrender your rights as a citizen. Therefore, fellow citizens,before you cry: "Woe is me," you must get up out ofyour armchairs, and from the domino tables, and leave the marlroad and take the high road, down the street to the politicalmeetings, or tune in to hear what a candidate has to say on theradio or TV.
If you do not have the time to do this, pick up the phone; callyour candidates and ask them where they stand on the issues thataffect you. If they have no time to speak with you, or make noeffort to answer your questions, you have a good indication ofwhat to expect for the next four years from that candidate.
Remember, a political candidate is seeking to become a PUBLICSERVANT. In essence, we as constituents are the MASTERS. Yourvote delegates both power as well as authority. They are electedto do one job, and that is to stand up and speak in the collectivebest interest of their constituents; we the citizens of the CaymanIslands.
Therefore, I implore all registered voters, please do not stopat the registration process. Continue onwards. The few hours youspend researching your candidates will seem as fleeting momentswhen compared to four (or more) years of tyranny or confusion,the possible results of not exercising your right to vote. Thenext time you hear someone complaining about 'The System', askthem if they voted or if they plan to vote.
For those of you readers who are eligible and claim to be unableto find anyone worthy of representing you, I would suggest youexercise your other right as a citizen (and do what seeminglyeveryone else is doing). Announce yourself as a candidate. However,it's too late for that now.
This brings me to my closing points. There are only two optionsas a citizen:
1) To VOTE for the candidate you feel will best represent youand your viewpoints.
2) RUN FOR ELECTION if you feel there is no one worthy of representingyou.
And remember, we could quite possibly feel the repercussions fromthe decisions (good or bad) of this next government for generationsto come, so choose carefully and painstakingly.
God Bless You and God Bless the Cayman Islands.
Samuel J. Rose
Texas Christian University
PS: I thoroughly enjoy reading your newsas I am a student currently at University in Texas. Thank youfor giving Caymanians the 'real' story.