Greed

Greed is capitalism’s necessary evil. It usually works well economically, but comes at a high cost, including the worsening epidemic of debilitating greed-affected individuals - and the frequent and dangerous boom/bust cycles.

But how can the government regulate greed? It is like telling the wind not to blow. Greed has always been with us, and it always will. Since greeds began as solutions, trying to regulate greed will only make the problem worse.

The notion that individual greed can serve the common good has wormed its way even into political philosophies. We recall the Hubert Hughes’ Vote of No Confidence; the ADP/AUM Better Government for Anguilla debacle; the Hubert Hughes’ Transshipment saga; and the Edison Baird recent refusal to work with the government theatrical - just to name a few. Greed demolishes equity, as it is impossible to have both unrestrained. In the end, unchecked greed erodes freedom, undermines the social fabric of our society, and is an undemocratic force.
The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu wrote more than 2,500 years ago that: ‘There is no calamity greater than lavish desires, no greater guilt than discontentment and no greater disaster than greed.'

However, Greed is being redefined as a virtue and a legitimate guiding principle for economic prosperity and general happiness. In the process, it is steadily eating away at the cornerstones of civilized societies and undermining the visions, values and collective aspirations that made them strong.

Many economists believe that greed produces preferable economic outcomes most times and under most conditions. When we salute uncontrollable greedy Anguillians as the standout ‘growth engine' of our economy, we are in many ways paying tribute to the economic wonders of greed.

Anguilla enjoys a relative absence of constraints, including tax and labour constraints or effective Employment Laws that would otherwise burden corporations, as a result, this allow greed to flourish. However, in reality, we on Anguilla are very much blessed with natural greed-regulations in the absence of legislative-regulations. We are blessed with ‘Jealousy and Gossip’; though cynical but effective.

A greed driven economy is toxic to our well-being and is hastening our slide into a state of unhappy consciousness. There is little doubt that our nation’s sanctification of greed is creating a deep existential void that cannot be filled - whatever the degree of material indulgence, personal achievement or private gratification.

Research shows that the human being are incorrigibly greedy by nature. One survey shows that nearly 90 per cent of people agree with the statement that ‘Humans always want more, and that it is part of human nature'. But in truth, a society's culture determines the extent to which our propensity for greed is activated or suppressed. On Anguilla that is Jealousy and Gossip! Imagine…

• Imagine if Albert Lake was allowed to feed the poor and elderly simply to steal their land
• or Ian Donaldson Mitchell was allowed to lobby the British
• or the Director of the Lands was allowed to steal property
• or the amount of land problems we would have
• or our attorneys were ripping people off left, right and center
• or the Welfare Department Director (past or present) steal from the elderly
• or our Governments were allowed to favour contracts and receive underhand rewards
• or our religious ministers were stealing from the church
• or our laws only work for some
• or jobs were designed for specific persons or families
• or banks were allowed to steal business plans from their clients
• or bank managers were allowed to steal millions like other banks' CEOs in other countries
• or our indigenous banks refused to finance competition
• and only if our Police Officers were corrupted

… but for only if it was not for institutionalized Jealousy and Gossip…

Greed has our opposition candidates so divided that in the quest for stability and prosperity; they are giving our incumbents an unfettered mandate in our next general election. Sadly... we can not regulate our politicians’ stupidity, else we would have an easier time electing competent Parliamentarians.

Anguilla’s institutionalized regulatory mechanism or our famous greed-checker is Jealousy and Gossip. After all, there are some good in everything.

Just imagine living without them on Anguilla…

Busted!... Anguilla's CCTV is Corrupted

He is Busted!!!!

I KNEW IT!!! – I KNEW IT!!! – I KNEW IT!!!

A new phenomenon sweeps our nation sending Anguillians into hysteria. It is now Official – the High Court on Anguilla held that Ian Donaldson Mitchell (IDM), QC (questionable character) is a ‘threat to honesty’ – meaning a ‘corrupt individual’. This Unethical, Libelous/Slanderous poop is now officially coronated - ‘Corrupt-de-Don’. Ground supervisors at the Bethel Methodist Church have reported signs of earth movement around his cousin, Rev. Leonard Carty’s grave.

It is alleged that some 2½ years ago, Corrupt-de-Don tried to strategically land as Parliamentary Speaker, his cousin’s job, through blackmail and misfortune causing chaos and spreading mistrust on the United Front’s Government; if his application for the position of Anguilla’s first Deputy Governorship was futile. Interestingly, Corrupt-de-Don admitted to such allegations on his blog under the heading ‘Bribery’ dated 15 July 2008, where he declared his devious intention to derail stability on Anguilla - “I am retired now, and there is little they can do to harm me.”

This plot was discussed at a family’s party, in which Mr. David Carty, Parliamentary Speaker, vehemently refused and warned Corrupt-de-Don about his impious devices and not to hold him [David] responsible for any consequences suffered and as such, cut ties and ended his relations with Corrupt-de-Don.

Greed can be nature based… that can be eradicated from generations through education. Sadly so, Corrupt de-Don’s generation stops at him… he hates kids. Cynically believing that retirement means invincibility; the court found him GUILTY on LIBEL CHARGES or ‘MALICIOUSLY SCANDALING FALSEHOOD’ on the Government’s and Citizens’ of Anguilla reputation - trumped-up corruption, a claim he failed to prove.

Ian Donaldson Mitchell ought to be treated as a high-risk inmate in a secured mental institution. This ignored waste-of-nine-months seriously threatens our economic future and sustainability. I have long advocated that Ian Donaldson Mitchell is nothing more than an Innuendoist, Racist (22 June 2008, ‘Entrepreneurship’), Propagandist, and a Chauvinistic 'Learnt' Zombie; while I still weep for what I believe to be a litany of Miscarriages of Justice in his trail. This result has confirmed it all - his actions should have been curtailed years ago.

Imagine the heaviness and embarrassment that our Hon Madame Justice Janice George-Creque had to succumb - subconsciously at war: “phucken idiot - why put mi in ya shyte.” To be honest, it had to be tedious and inconvenient to rule against this idiot, especially as a respected former colleague. But this puke deserves every effort involved in finding him culpable.

The legal fraternity on Anguilla is nausea to convulsion with such an embarrassing and despicable debacle displayed by their first ‘learnt’ friend as Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Judge, though envisionary Affirmative Action, and wonders how such archetype may have blighted future qualified prospects.

Now anyone can officially label this ‘past-honourable’, now nincompoop, Ian Donaldson Mitchell QC… Corrupt – without fear.

It is a sad day for Anguilla, the Caribbean and the British authorities.

Anguilla’s ‘Chief Corruption Tsar Version’ (CCTV) is Corrupt!

Another British Crook-Trustee… he must be Dishonoured!

What a disgrace!

Anguilla’s political worst nightmare is a visionless Opposition

For the vast majority of our electorate, the exercise of crafting a manifesto is a complete waste of time and talent if its vision and mission are used for nothing but being a publication. One of the chief reasons for the failure of missions and visions to achieve the desired objective is the naiveté of most politicians.

On Anguilla, most opposition politicians have been constantly on a mission – to oust government; most times confusing destructive criticism with vision. The roles of the heads of departments become platform-gossip by opposition politicians rather than debating real issues and solutions. For example, policing techniques and the hospital X-Ray machine issue are the roles of our technocrats. Though government maybe accountable and responsible for such issues – these issues do not constitute the term ‘Vision’ and entertained childish political gossip.

Vision is not stating the obvious. You want vision to state the exceptional and extraordinary, to boast of your edge-teetering leaps of faith, and the wild dreamings of every possibility you want explored every single day. You need them to create chatter, thrilled whispers, passionate debate and evangelism. You want people inside and outside your organization to talk about them constantly because they are fascinating, enticing, and enthralling. You couldn’t possibly contain their passion on your party’s bulletin board if you tried.

Let your vision be controversial as they beg discussion and explanation. Let it be - how will we make a difference in improving the quality of life itself? How can we work on only what really matters to us, and to everyone? Why is it that this world can’t possibly be a great place without the magic we work? Why is it that we are so special, so damned good, and so fanatically courageous?

Your vision should be what the future looks like because you have succeeded your mission so exceedingly well. It then becomes somewhat of a moving target; when we have nearly arrived at it, we are in the throes of writing a new vision, and the process begins again. However, previous vision needs to be acknowledged when achieved, for in effect it has become our new standard of excellence, and in all likelihood it has become one of our defining moments.

Invoking that you are ordained is blasphemy and psychosis… and surely not vision. Yes… though God may use from amongst us, the dumb to lead (if you believe) – he does not reward laziness and ignorance. The reality is why after 40 years should Anguillians elect unqualified legislators is beyond comprehension and no excuse. Why should those who are decent enough and qualified to serve, hold dear their reputations, if not their livelihoods and/or their lives?

The world; by extension Anguilla, maybe in a panic yes; and we may not like all the ways that government has functioned thus far. But the idea that government doesn’t care and is having no role, and to suggest that government is a problem, corrupted, earmarks, wasteful spending - is just a form of nihilism. It is just not where Anguilla is; it is not where the future of Anguilla is going; and I think this is blatant contempt, insane and a disaster for the opposition.

The electorates are not foolish – therefore, be creative even controversial, and think out of the box. Here are a few:

• Increase taxation. (This is a must regardless to who gets in power)
• A nationalized but properly regulated full-fleet Anguillian airline service (critical)
• New banking protection regulations. Repossessions must be solely on contract and market value percentage basis. Meaning: on repossession, remuneration must be strictly equal amounts distributed as invested. Since it’s your risk to borrow; it must be their risk to repossess. (Banking Laws are considered to be an unfair and immoral)
• Government ‘fully’ finances nationals’ Distant Learning Education from United Kingdom Universities and the University of the West Indies provided that the student is fully employed on Anguilla for the duration of his/her study. (Even the United Kingdom government is doing more for its territories nationals’ education than the territories governments doing for its own nationals)

Remember that dishonesty… though may assist your mission, is not novelty… and is surely not vision.