CATEGORY:POLITICS ------------------- EDITOR'S NOTE: This article represents the views, policies and vision of the New National Party (NNP) headed by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell. The NNP has been in office since 1995 - for three consecutive terms. In the last general election, the NNP won 8 of the 15 seats that were contested. THE NEW YEAR is upon us and for reasons outside of our control we have to continue to contend with an Opposition that is bent on setting the lowest standard of engagement in our nation’s history. What was once viewed as passing, flippant and irresponsible rhetoric is now standard bearing political policy and strategy of the NDC. We hoped and prayed that NDC would make a New Year’s resolution to offer the People of Grenada responsible Opposition. We wished that they would turn the page from their protracted propaganda campaign – a campaign of lies, deceit and misrepresentation that continues to negatively affect our image and development. Ideally, this Government would rather spend its time addressing the further development of Grenada, but unfortunately we have an adolescent Opposition and it is our responsibility to state the facts and expose their covert and destructive behaviour and intent. We have witnessed the lack of decorum by the Opposition Party (NDC) that threatens to significantly blemish our political arena. They set a very bad example of what is to be expected from our Parliamentary Representatives. The budget, as presented by the Government, has not been responsibly addressed by the Opposition. For the twenty plus years of our distinguished Prime Minister’s involvement in politics he has never encounter such regressive behaviour by any group (Government or Opposition). The Opposition chose to bring their overplayed character assassination ploy to Parliament leaving the Government with no option but to respond. This NDC faction continues to infect the process with their outdated, outlandish gutter-style of politics. The former NDC, under the leadership of Mr. George Brizan, never acted that foolishly. There has been no constructive alternative presented by the Opposition in response to the Government’s Budget presentation. The Budget is such a well balanced and comprehensive document, the Opposition has great difficulty in criticizing it hence the reason for their contemptible behaviour. There is more focus on malicious “Doom and Gloom” tactics because that is all they have learnt over the years. That is the type of leadership they hope to provide to Grenada – feeding a negative, divisive and vengeful mentality to the vulnerable segment of our society. The staged/planned walk out of Parliament by the Opposition is a further testament of their disrespect for everything Grenada stands for. It is public knowledge that the walk out was premeditated and some members of their executive were not supportive of the idea. Again, their “Straw-Leader” was frozen out of the walkout and left lonesome to fidget with his briefcase and wimp into retreat. It is very obvious who is not in charge. We must understand, if not remember, that this new group of the Opposition had never faced an Opposition in their days at the helm. They did every thing in their “Power” to imprison or destroy any Opposition they encountered then. The Democracy of being an Opposition is a new found experience for them. They don’t know how to behave in such a position. That is why today they do not appreciate or understand their responsibility. These are persons who have absolutely no experience in leadership at this level. Persons who should spend time putting their questionable lives together before attempting to set standards for others. It is in the interest of all concerned that these misguided individuals would come to grips that there is a great deal for them to learn about the real world, and conform to the order of a productive, progressive and humane society. NDC relies on the poisonous influence and guidance from those outside-members with ulterior motives. They are experts in how to be deceitful, destructive and vengeful…immersed in a culture of extremism. A “wolf” dressed in sheep’s clothing is still a “wolf.”