If it doesnot Work Fix it
"Skepticism is the chastity of theintellect, and it is shameful to surrender it too soon to thefirst comer."
George Santayana, 1863-1952
The difficulty in our conservative societyis that change coming when least expected, affects the normalplacid approach and sets things going too fast for the establishedmethods of 'business as usual' irrespective of the factthat with the competition Cayman faces today, it is incumbentthat we become more proactive instead of being reactive.
Such scenarios have been played out overthe past couple of months. And if the tragic events in the UnitedStates last September 11 have not shaken us into recognising ourdire economic reality, what followed later in rapid succession announcement of liberalization of the communications industryand succession of a new Government must have.
Many have expressed concern that the latterhas come too soon. Yet, a healthy majority of the population wasclamoring for change. Now, as the deed is done, there have beendetractors, even among the very people who have expressed openlyamong themselves and to this publication, the need for a changein the leadership of the Government's Administration.
Now that they have got this change, themischief has begun, because of dislikes of the leadership whichhas been put in place by the peaceful, democratic process ourconstitution allows.
In like manner, the public has been pressingfor a change in the monopoly that Cable and Wireless has heldover this country for the past three decades. In the process,none can doubt that this giant has put in place perhaps one ofthe best communications plants for a population of this size less than 50,000.
Is it then reasonable to assume that othersvying for a piece of Cable and Wireless' pie will be able to provideequal and better service? It remains to be seen.
The present Minister for Communications,the Hon. Linford Pierson, who granted Cable and Wireless its new25-year contract in the early 90s and is now spearheading Government'smove to allow competition, could be perceived as reversing hisoriginal stand to allow the continuity of the monopoly.
However, times and circumstances can justifiablysupport change, therefore Mr. Pierson has correctly respondedto the public's desire, and is now spearheading the modificationthe people have been asking for.
Is it then any different that the Hon. McKeevaBush and his colleagues of the newly formed United DemocraticParty have responded to the rampant complaints of governance andeffected the change in Leadership of Government?
Among the many lively comments overheardwhich followed changing of the Elected make-up of the ExecutiveCouncil was: "If your car has a flat tire, and the jack youwere using is not working, what else can you do but to changethe jack!"
In the case of Cable and Wireless, it, likeso many others who invested here, has done very well and is nowbeing forced to share. Perhaps the time is prudent that this companybe put to the test of its commitment to the Cayman Islands byputting some of money earned over the years, back into the people'spockets. This will be the ultimate demonstration of the partnershipthis firm hopes to maintain with its customers both in theprivate and business sectors.
The people have asked for change, in theircommunications provider and the Government. Now they must livewith the fact that they themselves have created the energy tobring about these changes.