My name is Rupert Henry. I was born on the 24th April 1948. I believe that I have an open mind but that does not mean that I don't have opinions. I have strong opinions but these opinions are based on what I consider to be rational reasoning. It is my opinion that our political system is antiquated, outdated,  divisive, disruptive and destructive. There are others who do not agree with me. As I like to say ?I have an open mind but not an empty mind." Therefore I am inviting everyone to join me online where we can exchange ideas on this and any other topic. 

This audio clip is an example of what the debate could be like: listen

Proposals for taking Democracy to a higher level.

Each constituency should choose their own representative without outside interference.

This representative should only hold this position as long as their constituents want them to.

No representative should introduce a bill to parliament before and unless their constituents have given their consent.

Before a vote is taken in parliament each constituency should discuss and debate the proposed legislation. They should then instruct their representative how to vote.

A representative should not have any other job, when they are not in parliament they should be in their constituency interacting with their constituents.

To facilitate this process each constituency should have its own website, where each constituent could have their own webpage.

Government should operate the way the business community operates, with each department headed by a manager appointed by parliament, on the advise of the electorate.

The performance of these managers should be monitored by parliament, and the people kept informed. If the people are satisfied there would be no need to remove them from office before retirement age. However if the people are not satisfied they could be removed at anytime.

Some problems associated with the Westminster system of government that these proposals are meant to address.

Conflict of interest where a person is allowed to represent a constituency and a political party at the same time in the same parliament.

Conflict of interest when a minister has to choose between what is best for the country and  what is best for  the party.

Concentration of power where a person is allowed to sit in Parliament; the legislative branch of government, and be a part of Cabinet, the executive branch of government at the same time.

Undue influence where persons who donate large sums of money to a political party determine government?s policy.

Conflict and confrontation, where one party is fighting to retain power and another fighting to gain power.

Under the present system, because a person who is elected to parliament could also be appointed to head a ministry that person has to choose between their ministerial responsibility and the desire of their constituents to dialogue with them. My proposals would eliminate this problem because a representative would be a representative and a minister would be a minister.

                          Rupert E. Henry

Dear Constituent,

Another year of Independence is fast closing or opening .depending on which way anyone one wants to look on it. If we want to approach the closure aspect of the  past year then the question begs to  be ask , ?Have we become more or less dependent as a state?  What  does independence mean?. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the definition of independence is?.. ?Sufficient Income for self support , competence?  So lets put the definition in context and ask the question of ourselves, ?Have we become self sufficient for self support or have we become  competent in the management of our affairs??

 For this 26th  Year of independence, I would like to see a shift from the  Fun and Frolic  and focus on community building. I would like to advocate, on a trial basis the community Self Help Programme. I have ask the Public Works Department to supply me  with some Materials where we as a community will patch  up some of the  roads, within the All Saint?s West Constituency.  Some of the roads have become ponds after the recent down pour of rain  making them impassable and embarrassing . We can become self sufficient and proactive. This is not a new concept . Ask any Dominican and they will tell you what they do each Independence Day.  If we do so then this will be a reduction on the tax bill to each  man woman and child.

The Government can supply the Material and the community  will patch the  minor roads.  We can create this community spirit once again. We will create a community spirit once again. We will together work to make our community beautiful.

Let me get your feedback and your input.

Honourable Chanlah Codrington

Parliamentary Representative? All Saint?s West Constituency

Tel: 7270087

Email: chanlahc@yahoo.com

       The Government recently spoke of ?community access centers? a program in  which a new method of computer access is provided to the Community. The plan is to have a mobile community center that will be utilized by the schools.

                 The idea of providing Computer access to the community is a good one but the method which is to be implemented is less than ideal. Computer access should be available to every one. Absolutely no one should be excluded.

                 What I would suggest is that the Government allocates one million dollars to each Constituency. Considering that a single desktop computer can be purchased at less than a thousand dollars per unit, One Million dollars can purchase and import a Thousand computers which the Community can in turn sell at a low and reasonable price of Fifteen Hundred Dollars to the residents of the respective communities. There would be a Five Hundred Dollars profit per computer unit, a total of Half a Million Dollars which could be used to the benefit of the community.

A system of hire purchase with low or no  interest rate could also be implemented to assist those persons that have problems paying the full cost right away and would prefer paying a little at a time.

It might be said the 17 Million dollars is too much to allocate towards this suggestion but I think that if over $200,000,000.00 could be invested in Cricket would cup then investing money into this proposal is one that unlike Cricket World Cup cannot fail. The advantages of providing means by which the people of the country can educate themselves is limitless. 

Fifteen Hundred Dollars is less than the average cost of computers in stores and I know a lot of persons would appreciate having a personal computer at home but are deferred by the price and especially the high interest rate that can be associated with hire purchase.

                                                                                     Rupert E. Henry