One of my soap box issues is responsible government. To be responsible requires responding and as you know we get no response ever about anything, even our town officials have a hard time getting response from central government. The current tactic of the GOB in the offshore battle is clear. Their first inclination was to just say nothing and the protest would loose steam and they would never have to respond. However the intense public outcry made them feel that they should respond so they trot out Cho and Alegria to tell their lies. Problem is most Belizeans are at least as smart as the politicians they elected and are not so easily fooled.
In the past we have all lived in a politics of fear, afraid to protest too loudly about anything for fear of repercussions from the minister or town board. The non-confrontational nature of our population also let this happen. We have reached a cross roads and must all stand up and do what we can.
We recently rejected an environmentally unsound project that had been approved by the Mayor and DOE. That is a first in San Pedro. The offshore protest must be continued until we get a national referendum and reject it completely. That will also send a clear message to the government that they must be responsive, not just concoct a story and proclaim it so because they are the government.
I am hopeful we will see a changing political landscape in the next national elections. The two parties are so close to the same that they have created an opening for independent candidates that favor environmental development and responsible government.
The government has proven unable to meet our challenges and we the people need to do our bit.