Ministry of Morality? Count Me Out.

There is a famous political adage that states "Equal justice under law." Aside from representing the supposed egalitarian nature of our court system, this phrase also applies directly to the allegations of criminal offenses committed by former Prime Minister Said Musa and Minister Ralph Fonseca in the now famous, $40 million fiasco - a controversy that looms on our horizon like an approaching storm. Most Belizeans would agree that no one, not even the most honorable politicians should receive special treatment or protection for any alleged criminal activity. As elected representatives of the people, they have been entrusted with a profound responsibility to be stewards of the laws and policies that affect a significant portion of our daily lives. Therefore, when this responsibility is compromised and the trust of the people is breached in a way that breaks a law, they should be reprimanded and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Whether or not this is the case in the above mentioned case remains to be seen; only time (and Mr. Barrow) will tell.

But notice, I have mentioned nothing about the personal lives of both Mr. Musa or Mr. Fonseca. It is no secret, especially in the broth of gossip and heresy that characterizes the Belizean society, that these former high-ranking politicians violated their matrimonial vows in an unabashed and shameless manner. Some argue that these gentlemen, on account of their philandering, adultery and unscrupulous marital behavior, should have been removed from government years ago. However, let me put forward a sure-to-be controversial question here: since when did we have a Ministry of Morality in the House? Yes, I know many say that we elect our Ministers to represent us in an upstanding and dare I say, moralistic manner. As one person I know said, "Belizeans are good people. And we should have good people representing us." I agree. Belizeans ARE indeed good people. But that particular argument falters miserably in the light of my introduction, that political official should be treated in a way that grants them special privileges that puts them on a higher plane than the ordinary citizen. So if we fight to remove Ministers based upon morality, then we will have to fight to remove (using random names) Mr. Smith from his managerial position at BTL, Mrs. Young from being secretary at Social Security, and Mr. and Mrs. X, Y and Z from being teachers, doctors and police officers, all of whom are public officials who serve us. It becomes then, in a twisted, ironical way, that our Ministers ARE indeed representative of a society because they suffer from the very same short-comings that plague everyday individuals.

The main issue for me here is that if we look toward morality as criterion for electability, we will surely run into a dead end. How's this scenario for an example, "I wah vote for Mr. X because he da wah good man." or "Mr. X? Gial me see he with y sweethaat just this weekend, me no wah vote fu he one &%$#!" Personally, I've elected men and women based upon capability and whether I believe they would have a sincere interest of the Belizean people at heart during every decision making process; I have never elected any official to serve as moral guidance or to represent my character. Neither did Americans vote for Clinton (Lewinsky) or Bush (Iraq) for moral reasons. I believe that whether our politicians have children from different wives is inconsequential to their decision making process. The fact that Messrs Musa and Fonseca violated their matrimonial vows is not the reason for the $40 Million fiasco and it is not the reason why Belize is in economic shambles today. If you want to vote based upon morality, you have every right to do so. To me, its the same as voting for a stick painted blue or red in that it plays no role on how their actions affect your life. But I repeat, if they break a law, you must prosecute. If they break a commandment, then we all know who is the judge in that case. As Plato once said of morality, "All men are by nature equal, made all of the same earth by one Workman."

Counting the Murders for 2008

"There has been another murder in the Old Capital"... Ladies and Gentlemen, if only I had a dollar for every time I heard this statement on the nightly newscast!

It's difficult for me to write this blog... I know that crime is bad and that it affects the lifestyle of all denizens of Belize, but it has never personally affected me. **Knock on wood** I don't want to have an elitist "them people vs. me and my people" air as I continue. It is so easy to judge and separate myself. Maybe even this mindset is a part of the problem.

At my own conservative, generalized estimates, I would say that 50% of the murders that occur in Belize are drug related, 25% due to domestic violence, and the other 25% split mainly between robbery and "beef" -- revenge killings for the above mentioned 3 topics. More than ever, the value of life is being lowered. It's a sad, scary reality. What is the worth of Belizean life?

It hurts me to mention that the majority of these murders are occurring in the South side of Belize City. What series of actions, over the years, has turned this area, perhaps the most earliest populated settlement in Belize, after the Mayas, into the most dangerous and crime-afflicted location in the entire country? Another obvious observation about the rash of murders is that the killers and people being murdered are young, black, and uneducated.

There is not one factor affecting the high rate of crime. But I propose that one of the most significant reason is a lack of Belizean culture in Belize. Now, I can't expound as much I would want about this subject, because I'm trying to keep the length of this entry reasonable. But, Belizeans are the greatest chameleons on Earth. We have chosen, by and large, to abandon the wonderful, beautiful Belizean culture that our "naivety" and "isolation" affords us, to embrace and emulate a capitalist American culture. Just as the past administration tried to follow an "international level capitalist economic plan" that failed horribly, we're trying to follow an American "societal plan". Like them, we're failing. These murders are an effect of this intangible cause. We have to start living like Belizean again.

Sure, we were poor. We didn't have bling or cars. But every child was fed, clean, had a fear of God & authority, and went to school. That's a great starting place... and I'm sure that all children in Belize aren't afforded these basic things today.

God Bless all those affected by Arthur.... more to come on this subject with time. As always, I ask you to think, then comment for further discussion.