Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jul 14, 2025

Choose honest governance

Choose honest governance

The choices voters make at elections in any free democracy, ties into the social and economic outcomes of a country, all things being equal.
The choices made by a country’s government charts the course of that country. Choices lead to both positive and negative outcomes. Therefore, choices are critical for good governance, especially choices that are honest. Good or poor governance begins with voters recognizing the virtue of honesty and leaders who can be trusted.

The direct result of honest governance and good policy decisions made in the crucible of integrity is a country that is safe and prosperous. Good governance is a great legacy for future generations.

OK. A controversial notion is that honesty is a difficult choice in a culture that rewards dishonesty. There is validity in that assertion. However, the notion that the honest choice is always the best choice long term is standard opinion and undisputed, ethical governance is good governance.

The notion that there is dishonesty in both Virgin Islands' working and business culture is also undisputed. This appears to be the outcome of the growth of tourism and financial services. Economic prosperity has driven moral decline.

Now, there is a song and dance every few months on the leadership of the Virgin Islands and the choices of politicians and decision-makers, one way or the other, the country possesses a lively and engaged media culture that is tumultuous, even vicious.

However, given the opportunity, voting residents go into an election and repeat the same patterns of placing people in power because these characters talk a good talk, sing a great song, and possess even greater footwork.

Moreover, the party system is perfect in ensuring the country makes the same choices repeatedly, mistakes may be a better word.

The party system from simple observation of the model is here to stay, a catch-22 indeed. A party system entrenches both the flaws and virtues of a country’s politics. A Party system once established is permanent, that is a lesson in political science and history.

Then a commentator goes on the radio and a media personality drives a ‘juicy’ narrative. Eventually, all are ‘hypnotized’ and repeat the person’s mantras and fairytales. Voters make a choice.

Five years down the line, after an election, the people scream and shout foul! ‘Give the red card for heaven’s sake.’ They are deceived they claim. Nevertheless, poor –better described as dishonest-choices placed the country in that place. The preceding is a very common song.

Another cliché is appropriate: ‘’ you get the leaders you deserve. This Observer has long stopped the blame game on leaders who are the simple result of choices of voters. The reality is that the leadership of a land is a reflection of the root, trunk, and branch. This may appear extreme. The leader and the voter share a symbiotic relationship: both joined at the hip.

However, tyrannies are tyrannies because the masses accept the rule of the tyrant, even love him; corrupt states possess populations that turn a blind eye to public theft not realizing their kids and grandkids will pay down the line; successful democracies on the other hand contain voters who refuse to tolerate low ethical standards from their leaders.

Shortly, in just a matter of weeks, voters in the Virgin Islands will make a choice. For all the talk in the media, which is a good thing, the voter will decide.

Recent history is a great guide. The voter has a narrative of the near past to observe. Post the upcoming elections if the voter gets it wrong: there will be no one to blame. Look back ten years at least, and that is a good guide of what and who to choose for the next ten.

Ignore the soothsayers and prophets: their hold on the public has been a disaster. Their predictions are mostly absurd. Flee the commentator with swagger and a dubious background; ignore the empty rhetoric; look for honesty in candidates. Honesty offers a better return for the voter.

Think! Vote with a logical head and a strong heart, and leave the fairytales for little children.

Getting it wrong is an option, but do not lament at a poor choice, do understand that a country gets the leaders it deserves.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
×