Editorial
Dear people of St. Kitts and Nevis, a debate continues in the areas of party politics and governmental management that St. Kitts-Nevis is in serious trouble; that our democracy is under siege, which means that the way in which we govern our affairs is in jeopardy. What are your thoughts on this? Some critics say that public trust in the law has been steadily undermined over the past six years, and one of the most debatable aspects concerns the pay-for-peace system. Many hold the view that such a practice endangers our future, and those who halt the practice will be faced with a truly horrific resurgence of criminal activity at a level that far exceeds anything previously experienced.
Over many years, the subject of the growth of corruption in the country continues to be debated heavily, with a subtopic on the extent to which such appears to have overtaken our institutions. Under the spotlight, it must be highlighted that the costs of corruption are borne by those who are least able to afford them. When ordinary people are lacking in wealth, the corrosion serves to drive them further into poverty. Some watchdogs of democracy boldly state that public trust in law has decreased, and, they advise that once such is lost, it is very difficult to regain. Most ironically, the wealthy of the country will, in such circumstances, have lost their most valuable asset — since peace, good order, and good governance are indispensable for the conduct of good, profitable businesses and professional practices. What side of the fence do you stand on the issue of democracy? Are you a fair judge of the facts? Are you an informed voter of this country? Let us all commit ourselves to truly understand how democracy works, and what roles we collectively play. It is the only way in which we will survive when a society can fairly assess the landscape of democracy.