INSIDE GRENADA FEBRUARY 19, 2008 from the New National Party (NNP) The National Democratic Congress (NDC) of Tillman Thomas is busy re-inventing itself at the drop of a hat depending on which social grouping it seeks to influence. Lacking a social base in the society, the party, which is very different from its predecessor of 1990-1995, relies heavily on the practice of “double-speak” or slick public relations, to manipulate public opinion. Philosophically, the party is confused. It advertises itself, for example, as “a tolerant, forgiving and inclusive organization”. But, can we seriously refer to the behaviour of its leader, Tillman Thomas, its General Secretary, Peter David and others, in relation to its recent Community Service Day initiative, as evidence of tolerance and inclusiveness? Are members of the organization practicing forgiveness when they verbally attack Grenadians who have switched allegiance and support from the NDC to the NNP, as is their democratic right in a free and open society? Furthermore, the party says “It believes in one nation”. If this is so, why is our recent experience of the present NDC one of a party constantly vilifying Grenada’s image at home and abroad while its leaders and surrogates sow the seeds of discord, strife, enmity and dis-unity throughout the country? The party’s philosophical confusion is compounded by muddled thinking in the articulation of its menu of plans, policies and programmes going into the next general election. It is not only that the NDC of Tillman Thomas is campaigning on the same old and stale policy platform of 1995. The tragedy is that when it attempts to think outside the box in relation to the future of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, the NDC’s policy prescriptions go into a tail-spin when confronted with the quality, prosperous and progressive society honed and nurtured over these past twelve (12) years by the active involvement of Grenadians in the re-building of a nation afflicted by natural disasters and the shaping a society fit to be called home. NDC Senator, Arley Gill said recently: “our policies and programmes are designed to liberate and develop the creative energies of the people of Grenada…” How will this be accomplished, we ask? The party says, among other confusing things, it will “significantly reduce import duties on a select basket of essential goods” without naming the “essential goods” it has in mind. It says it will scrap the existing Food Security Programme, which means the NDC is serving notice that if elected to form the next government of Grenada it intends, as a policy, to stop the Progress of our farmers who ensure the consistent supply of vegetables, food crop and fruits to consumers. The NDC will create “real jobs”. Are the 9,400 jobs created by the administration of the NNP imaginary jobs? The party even goes as far as to say if and when elected it will “train our people”. Confusion reigns supreme in the NDC. For the investment under the NNP in the training of our human resource has never been greater. The NNP administration has been instrumental in facilitating hundreds of scholarships for our young people to be trained abroad in a wide range of disciplines while the GYEI programme has produced a vast number of small business entrepreneurs. Under GTEP, thousands more will be trained and certified to take up the real jobs that are being created by some five billion dollars worth of investment projects. And while some NDC candidates are quick to label the IMANI programme corrupt, no doubt echoing earlier sentiments expressed by the party when the programme was first introduced, today the NDC is telling Grenadians that it has had a change of heart about the programme on the road to Damascus, and will “improve “the IMANI programme” if it forms the next government of Grenada. What muddle! What confusion! With clarity of thought and a clear vision, the NNP is convinced that it is on the right path of progress in the development of this promising country. Through the policies and programmes of the administration, investors to our shores today benefit from a stable democratic system of government, stable economy, developed infrastructure, attractive incentives, reliable investment support services, low crime rate and good quality of life. More than this, we are busy crafting a society defined by values leading to contentment where we all have more time to spend with our families, on recreational pursuits and individual ambitions. We say to all Grenadians: Let the Progress Continue with Positive Change!