JUST DENNIS: The Whole and Parts

Dennis Joseph
Dennis Joseph

In religion the ordained claim that they must supervise the uneducated which however always results in the ordained keeping all the wealth while the uneducated merely attend church and eke out a living.  In politics the theory is that those elected by the people give charity to those who eke out a living which results in the elected hoarding all the wealth.  Both politics and religion strangle and call it an embrace.  Yet it seems the people favour that embrace which is why the ordained and the politician always win.  The struggling people have not learned even after years that the joys of wealth are not given they have to fight for it.  They have not learned that in a new time they must build a new path informed by the lessons of the old ways, and so religion and politics perversely help them along to keep living  their past way of thinking into the future which suits their purposes just fine.

Of course we can only speculate on what would have been the results of the last elections if the UWP had matching funds with the DLP reputed to be in the millions.  The UWP  lost the fight because perhaps also that the baton was passed to Lennox Linton much too late giving him less than a year to reinvent a political party from the ashes of its internal conflicts and  even its complacency.  However the party and most others think that it was because of the buying of votes in the diaspora by the over-rich Labour Party.  Is it therefore fair that in our democratic system that the side being the government has all the advantages in elections while the opposition struggles?

Democracy is about the whole protecting its parts and the parts protecting the whole in order that the whole continues to protect the parts and that is not a riddle.  One of the most important functions of the whole is to allow elections of the ones who will lead in its protection and that is done through voting on an election day.  That Election Day results is the unnatural conclusion of the majority gleefully and willingly giving up its power to a very, very few who will then use that power to, yes, rule the very majority.  The very, very few together are called government.  The process of finding that very, very few must be transparent, freely given and fairly executed and goes by the fancy name of the Electoral Process.  That process is under the supposedly independent coordination of the Electoral Commission which is another group of very, very few who are given control of that part of the whole.  Since all the parts must act in concert to protect the whole it follows that when a part is malfunctioning the other parts must come together to secure its function.  It is the opinion of many that this electoral process is backfiring big time so what must the other parts do? Again this is not a riddle.

Lennox Linton’s stated policy of gentleman politics is not cut for protest politics and is happy fodder for the DLP guys who are salivating. They believe that this term of office will be a classic case of the UWP standing respectfully aside praying for rain while the fire consumes the building.  Others may say that there is a hidden firebrand somewhere in that  there Team Dominica.  However the DLP elections campaign in which money not policy crazily featured displayed  a level of acquired and accumulated wealth that makes one feel that the Mr. Skerrit could easily take care of the national debt all by himself. He does not need Maduro of Venezuela who is himself begging for financial aid from China.  Despite this money power show and vast vote buying adventures overseas the seats won by the DLP are the ones they traditionally win and then they lost three they  expected to win.

Suddenly elections ended and then everybody remembered Christmas.  It is supposed to be a time of peaceful reflection when we celebrate a most amazing event which is the birth in a cave of a child laid to sleep in an animal feeding trough who one day would be called the King of Kings, Lord of Lords and Prince of Peace. The Bible tells us the angels sang at this birth, “Peace on Earth and Goodwill,” but it appears that we are in political conflict every Christmas time as that is the time the ruler seems to prefer to call us into divisive election campaigns, leading to us dreaming of a wild Christmas every five years.

We see ex-gay Pastor Donnie McClurkin coming to do a concert as a political campaign attraction of the ruling party and then leaving the next day with his  paycheck perhaps giving Mammon another triumph over God once again.    Skerrit’s election campaign brings in Destra to ‘wine’ on stage and follows it up with a church pastor to perform  but the people of Jesus did not seem to mind not ‘one jot or one tittle’ and waved their hands in the air in trancelike worship as if all of this was righteousness exalting the nation.  I always thought that those who claim to minister for God in his name would be involved in uniting all of  God’s people, however it is the written saying, “There are those who think they are righteous because they say yes to God but do not do his will.”

I observed farmers who are worse off than they were five years ago still voting for the rulers just for a bit of plywood and a couple sheets of  roofing material.  In our recent elections we see the people in the diaspora coming to vote not for what is right but for a pittance, I saw the Kalinago being easily bought and seduced with Christopher Columbus styled gift-giving and promises of very little, we all saw or heard of voters in smaller constituencies selling their voting rights for a mess of porridge just like Esau of the Bible sold his birthright, and a whole lot of people just voting for money not for right.  I heard a Bajan Hartley Henry claim that Barbados not Waitukubuli benefited big time from the Labour Party election campaign millions, I saw foreign artistes and religion take tons of money away from Waitukubuli during the Labour Party campaign and I ask where does all this talk of righteousness exalting anything come from.  Then suddenly we remembered Christmas and we hurriedly tried to repair any damage done to righteousness by singing  O Come All Ye Faithful Joyful and Triumphant, but it was the money which kept faith with the money seekers and  joyfully triumphed once again.

The rulers have now shown all the world that they have tons of money stashed away somewhere or obtained from secret sources to  have the most lavish election campaign ever seen in our history or that of the Lesser Antilles. If this continues then no one will oppose them as it will be perceived a useless and futile exercise and other political parties will wither away leaving us with a one party state which will suit the rulers just fine but will it suit you?.

There is need obviously for electoral reform including re-registration and limiting campaign financing.  This should be the focus of the UWP and little else otherwise they are not serious about winning elections. The British from which we adopted the Westminster system have by a Fixed Term Act of Parliament 2011 provides that elections in Britain will be held on the first Thursday in May every five years starting May 7th 2015.   Fixed date should be part of the reform process. If  reforms are to happen it will not be urged on by this government who benefits from the broken system.  Reforms will only be won in the hearts and souls of the people and cannot be only a thing for the politicians.   However the people need leadership not just  radio discussion. Those who know must teach those who are tardy for if the people can be made to face the truth that we must break up this crumbling system and create a new foundation for fairness in our democracy then it will happen. While Skerrit may not want to be a dictator if circumstance opens that door he could easily become the ‘victim’ of circumstance. Yet then who will stand for the people?  Certainly not religion because it now in Waitukubuli has banded with its love/ hate brother called politics to if not actively but passively allow the corruption of our electoral process through a fraudulent list of voters

Those who prefer to be bought should take heed of the old saying, “Any human that can be bought is of no value to himself/herself”  The electoral process is that part of the whole which supplies the blood to the core and if not protected will lead to the death of the parts even religion itself, and then the whole of the  thing we call democracy crashes.


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  1. Francisco Telemaque
    January 18, 2015

    ” Why are you attributing things to God by saying quote “God said render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars,” really did God say such thing.”(Gary).

    It is one thing to pretend we are smart, and try to talk crap when we do not know what the heck we are talking about: in the quote you make it appear as if I am a liar, lying on God, so I am going to prove you a fool, by presenting it to as it is written! In the Book of Mark 12:17, we read “And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Cae’sar the things that are Cae’sar’s and to God the that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.

    Gary I could have left it alone, and not prove to you that you are not as smart as you believe you are. It is better to ask questions, and find the truth before you expose your ignorance to the world. As far as I am concern you do not own a Bible, you know nothing about the word of God; otherwise you would not have written the nonsense you wrote in the quote above.

  2. January 16, 2015

    Those who are in leadership in religion, politics, professional life, or industry run the risk of failing. Those who dare to get in the race put themselves in danger of falling.

    People who try to do anything worthwhile run the risk of making a mistake. The ones who never try will never be blamed. Those who do not do anything don’t have to worry about doing it wrong.

    It is the risk takers who are the trail blazers, the ground breakers, the movers and the shakers who make their world a better place. While they are making it happen some are watching it happen. Others are asking “What happened?” The rest are criticising!

  3. Gary
    January 16, 2015

    Wow, a prophecy form Nicodemus, are you sure that it is The DLP you saw in the crystal ball
    who is going to self destruct because of their continuance doing the same old mistakes, we will see, time will tell.

  4. January 16, 2015

    The very first sentence of this article is not true so the writer lost me. Having been in the religious camp for over 50 years I know how wrong and unfair this statement is and I expect the same applies to politics at least in some cases.

    The rite of ordination represents years of study and preparation that could have been invested in training for another career that would pay much more than the ministry.

    Some ministers serve congregations that are not able to pay them a living wage. The pastors work at secular jobs on the side to support their families. In other cases their wives must work to bring in the money the family needs. Rarely do these preachers or their wives complain. They believe in what they are doing and are committed to shepherding the people of God.

    We encourage members to get a good education. We are not feeding on their ignorance. There is nobody “controlling” them – just giving proper leadership.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International…

    • January 17, 2015

      Bible spin Doctor.

    • January 23, 2015

      OH MY! Brother here you go again. Did you really understand what Dennis was saying? I don’t think you got it or will get it so there is no need to make it any clearer than Dennis.

  5. January 15, 2015

    Dennis most of the supporters of the the Ignorant red BRIGADE will not understand what you have written, because if the did they would respond in a relevant way. the zombies will only make their mindless comments

  6. January 15, 2015

    dennis you are right in all what you written good job mr joseph

    January 15, 2015

    DNO it is a shame that you have stoop to the lowest level, Your ADGENDA of YELLOW POLITICS will eventually fall right back in your face. Denis and company right in Goodwill the business man gave UWP $80.000 can you explain such behavior. The UWP party also brought in people from St. Thomas and that was organized by the big boss from Grand Bay.
    Why would you waste your time bashing Dominicans who lives overseas, Did you see the hundreds of people who were waiting in the Western Union and money gram lines for the Christmas season? People waited for hours in the hot sun to collect the diaspora money! I am a Dominica by birth and I have the right to exercise my right to vote. I keep wondering who you people really are? Yes you brought in your people to vote too, yes, you paid my sister passage from St. Thomas to vote in St. Joe. Stop lying, Denis Skerro it the PM mal tet !

  8. tidel
    January 15, 2015

    Mr. Denis, when will you accept defeit?…The electorate rejected your party, so you making excuses for your failed attempt as campaign manager of the UWP. Just another cry baby….Just Denis.

  9. Francisco Telemaque
    January 15, 2015

    Because of DNO laminations, it is impossible for me to really express my views on this one. Nevertheless, we need to separate religion, from Christianity, and politics. In Christianity, we worship God, or dependency is on God, we are told if we want something, we should pray to the father Jehovah asking in Jesus name believing we receive it and it will be given to us. The Church is supposed to help the poor; widow’s and the unfortunate, from the tithes and offerings the church collects. The Church should not preach politics, for that is the reason God said render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars, and unto God the things that are God, Caesar was a politician!

    We find in Dominica there is more politics in the church than the worshiping of God, and that is one of the reasons poverty overwhelms our country. The religious leaders in our country has prostituted themselves to the politicians, that is why this Roman Catholic guy told Skerrit “you will be compensated after Skerrit…

    • Gary
      January 16, 2015

      Wow, what irrational thinking. How can you separate religion from Christianity. Why are you attributing things to God by saying quote “God said render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars,” really did God say such thing. Why would you believe quote ” We find in Dominica there is more politics in the church than the worshiping of God, and that is one of the reasons poverty overwhelms our country” what absurd thing to believe.

      • Francisco Telemaque
        January 18, 2015

        You see Gary, the reason perhaps you are unable to separate religion from Christianity is because of the way in which you define religion! Whereas the term Religion may imply “Church, and Christianity,” anything can become one’s religion.

        Think in terms the of the words “religiously.” If one gets up in the morning and maintain a certain practice, walks the same path, go into a rum shop, and then to work, returns home without fail every day one can use the term religiously by saying he/she does that religiously. Anything with a large following is considered a religion. If you go to a dance hall every weekend, and it is filled with people; that is a religion. When we refer to religion in terms of Christianity, we are talking about a religion derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible, as sacred scripture, and should professed by worshipers of Jesus Christ! So the word religion does not apply to the word Christianity in every sense.

  10. Oh Yes
    January 15, 2015

    Continue to express truth. Thank you.

  11. bigger
    January 15, 2015

    Linton haven’t got the capacity to attract friendly countries for help that’s where you separate the men from the boys. The honourble Skerrit is an international man so there is no shortage of helpers for the funding of election campaign so what do you expect the Prime Minister to do? go down to the level of some one with no tract record to enable him to be on a level playing field? what a lot of bull

    • looking
      January 15, 2015

      The question is at what cost is the funding for the election campaign. nothing is for three, nobody is going to throw 32 million in your face and smile and say, “i am your friend”

    • Francisco Telemaque
      January 19, 2015

      The only person who has the ability to attract friendly country’s to Dominica, is the dictator Skerrit yes. But do you mind if I ask you a simple question? Since Skerrit is the only person who can attract friendly rich nations to Dominica who will help us out of our slums, and poverty, how come going into his twentieth year, in office Dominica is still the poorest country on the planet?

      How come our country is less than a shadow of the rest of the Caribbean! Dominica is the only place in the world where people dependency is on handouts, and not work, and the dependency of borrowed, or stolen money at that!

  12. True Politics
    January 15, 2015

    Dennis Joseph reform is not about setting the rules to suit the UWP, it is about what the true majority of Dominican want and to be managed by the independent Electoral Commission.

    It is not about how to make the UWP win the election even the majority do not want them to govern them.

    The electoral has already stated the process, what is you difficulty with it?

  13. Mweh meme
    January 15, 2015

    Dennis where were you when Patrick John was shouting, ” I will not resign”…why as an acolyte of PJ you did not advise him wisely..it looks like all your wisdom is now coming to the fore. You and your ilk caused the Labour Party to run amok and betray the trust of the many solid supporters and benefactors. Remember who was singing, “this train carries no back biters and traitors”.you were in the thick of the “bom sewo”…
    whatever the Labour Party has become now or is becoming now lies at your feet and others, some have already gone to the great beyond.
    I suggest you write about what you know, which is the demise of the Labour Party and the hand you played in that fiasco.

  14. george Fontaine
    January 15, 2015

    This article demonstrates a number of features that define today’s Dominica. First, political logic is not a factor, secondly despite the DLP money the party is losing ground, thirdly the DLP will naturally continue to make the same old mistakes and consequently self destruct: it’s just a matter of time.

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