C4C reveals political position ahead of endorsements
(CNS): Although the group still says it isn’t a political party, a recent release from the Coalition for Cayman has given local voters an indication of its political position. The group said it would be endorsing candidates based on certain principles but expects them to vote their conscience on individual issues. However, the C4C has now made it clear that the coalition does hold specific right of centre political views. On the list of its ‘Founding Principles’ the group declares that it believes government should be limited to the responsibilities which cannot be discharged reasonably by the individual and that people have a right to pursue self-interest. Going beyond the mantra of ‘Country First’, the coalition said it needed to define what it stands for before endorsing candidates.
The coalition has also stated in its latest release that it hoped its “unwavering advocacy” would spur a move toward a responsive government.
“As we move forward with endorsing candidates for the May elections, it is important to define what we stand for, and to let voters know what they are getting when they support the candidates that we endorse,” a C4C spokesperson said. “Our Founding Principles are based on refocusing our government on the citizens it exists to serve. The candidates we endorse will have agreed to base their governmental decisions upon these Founding Principles however, as Independents they will each be voting their conscience on individual issues.”
The group, which has taken aim at the parties rather than the policies pursued by the politicians, continued to criticise the two-party system, which C4C believes has led to governments being defined by winners and losers, with each party beholden to its own agenda.
Despite that position, the group has now defined its own agenda, which it said it wouldexpect the candidates it endorses to follow.
“Just as we are all united under one flag of Cayman, it’s time to unite behind one set of guiding principles that serve the best interest of all Caymanians,” the group said.
According to the coalition’s release, the principles are as follows:
- A belief in the supremacy of a democratic parliament and the rule of law.
- A belief in the right of Caymanians to direct government by the democratic process.
- A belief that a responsible government must be fiscally prudent and should be limited to those responsibilities, which cannot be discharged reasonably by the individual or others.
- A belief that the government must ensure the safety of the public. Offenders should be punished for their offending and, where possible, rehabilitated and required to make good the losses they have caused.
- A belief that good and responsible government is attentive to the people it represents and has representatives who at all times conduct themselves in an ethical manner, displaying integrity, honesty and concern for the best interest of all citizens.
- A belief in the value of life, individual privacy, the freedom of the individual (including freedom of speech, conscience, worship and assembly) and the right to defend one’s self and property, while recognizing the need for the comity of society as a whole.
- A belief that the best guarantors of the prosperity and well-being of the people of the Cayman Islands are: A climate in which individual initiative is rewarded and excellence is pursued; The freedom of individual citizens to pursue their enlightened and legitimate self-interest within a competitive economy while ensuring their actions do not contravene the best interests of the country; The freedom of individual citizens to enjoy the fruits of their labour to the greatest possible extent while also contributing in a meaningful way to the well-being of the country; The right to own property.
- A belief that it is the responsibility of individuals to provide for themselves, their families and their dependents, while recognizing that government must respond to those who require assistance and compassion.
- A belief that the natural environment and resources of the Cayman Islands should be used responsibly ensuring that future generations inherit an environment that is clean and safe
- A belief that all citizens should have reasonable access to quality health care and education.
Category: Politics
not very transparent to quote a 'spokeperson' with no name attached to it? why doesn't anyone want to put their name to this?
iF These people team up with their old UDP friends then we get Mac back in Power.
This meanS nothing will change, except more people with their hands in the Nations cash register, and WE GET TAKEN closer to Mac's need for Independence so no one will be able to tell him NO.
The whole thing about Candidates makes me sick. I am tired of seeing wannabe Politicians turning up at every Party that the poor George Towners are having. They need get some sense cause some of we are very educated these days and our teeth are polished to shine just like the bunch of you wannabees. No more using cause most of our youth are educated now and will direct the older ones what to do. Imagine some wannabees dont even own a chim pot, how can they run our Couintry? We will be voting for any successful business man. See what the barefoot girl and the likes did for us? With people like such at the healm is very scary. This thing about christanity will not work this time either, and a tap on the shoulder and saying I love you thanks for coming out to our meeting, and oh the favourite thing "I am praying for you". God is really a loving God or some people would be smitten off the Pulpit. Come on Mr Brian, Mr Garth, Mr Woody Foster, Mr Adrian, Mr Gary, Mr Bernard sons, Mr Robert Bodden Mr Ernest Foster Mr Lindburg Mr Anthony Mr Andrew Eden, and our good ole Eastender Mr Oswald you all are the type of men that could make the difference. Who say that we do not have good Qualified Caymanians to run our Country. They say that there is none to be found in Cayman Brac, but what do you expect when they are living in Grand Cayman, and very successful men at that. Even our beloved Mr Parker in his wheel chair would do a good job, and if it is a woman that we want to replace then Mr Parkers sister Mrs Virginia would do an excellent job. In fact I will be on my knees begging her. A very honest educated and CHRISTIAN Lady.
Missed one statement which would change the landscape of politics forever:
A belief that representatives of the people who mismanage the economy in such a way as to cause harm to a majority of citizens be held personally and financially accountable.
After reading the C$C latest release, I do not think that FrankfatherLand latest release seems that bad after all!
Cayman needs help!
God help us to live with the things we can not change but give us the strength to change the things that keep us in darkness and in mental chains. Give us the wisdom to realise the wicked one will come displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every evil that deceives those who perish.
If you think democracy exists in Cayman, then you are smoking crack.
yep…you can't have democracy when half the population is not represented and can't vote….
Citizens of a country vote, not just immigrant workers regardless of how rich or rich they want to become here in Cayman.
Err… the 1/2 you are referring to are mostly migrant workers here on work permit. They can't vote in most countries on that basis.
''However,the c4c has made it clear that the coalition does hold specific right of center plitical views''………………………….not good for the poor man no difference from the UDP or PPM,money grabbers,corruption,cronyism,favours for a certain class etc., not good, not good for us poor people.
Party plain and simple. No matter how much they deny it they walk like, talk like and look like a party. In my book that makes them a party.
They could increase their credibility my simply admitting it. I can not buy inot their statements when the lie about what they really are.
So far, with just months to go, there doesn't appear to be anybody running that qualifies for endorsement. How sad.
My hats off to this group. The country needed this a long time ago. It is great to see the bold step that you have taken. i support and wish you and our beloved Island much success in the future. I also hope that you will endorse cridible, respected leaders that our country sodesperately needs.
I'd like to see #11: We are not the mouthpiece of DART, or any other vested economic interest in these islands.
The whole reason for C4C is that the Caymanian voters have proved themselves unfit by themselves to hold the responsibility of choosing a qualified person or persons. Either that or there is no qualified person or persons who would run. Or both. I'm sure they realize they can not fix this. But at least they are trying to make it better than it is. If the complete incompetency of the last Government continues then Caymans days as a modern anything are numbered.
Anon 0838 thanks for your note that we Caymanians are unfit to choose them.
Out of curiosty how exactly is C4C going to get into the house without us Caymanians electing them?
My apologies C4C is not a party.
Sounds like a good overeducated con job.
The excessively narrow electorate and even narrower based for candidates, as limited bythe power hunger of the existing voters, has lead to consistently woeful administrations and continuous under-current of corruption. It is interesting to see the clear correlation in British island jurisidictions between inhibiting the participation in the political process of medium term residents and corruption.
Small country with limited choices for political leaders lead to corruption. I have no problem understanding that and wanting to find solutions. But frankly put the C4C is Mac with an other name, at least Mac told us he was a politician and had a party.
By the way corruption or not the danger we have of expanding it is brin ging in people that dont care. it is all about the money. I have heard so many expats claim it is them that b uilt the Cayman Islands and theyjust got here andtheir success is based upon a foundation that Cayman ians put down.
"The power hunger of existing voters". Obviously you are not hungry for power if you already have it. Powerhungry must refer those making unreasonable demands for voting rights when they are not citizens.
Electorate is not "excessively narrow".
A UK takeover. Its inevitable. If Caymanian voters where smart they would open the vote to include non Caymanian but otherwise qualified, moral, experianced and dedicated persons. But they won't get the free handouts, discounts, jobs, free, healthcare, driveways,duty exemptions, etc. that they are now intitled to if they do that so they wont. Its OK. We understand. And we don't expect any change in your next try at self government. Do you?
Tripe! C$C and their supporters proved themselves unfit to endorse or represent anyone when they completely backed the UDP government led by McKeeva Bush!
They were advocates and financial supporters of the disastrous Bush led UDP administration!
Their problem is that while they could see the writing on the wall, they couldnt find another group willing to prostitute themselves to their whim and fancy!
So what do you do when you cant find something that suits you? You build your own Trojan horse!
Be very aware!
The elehant in the room remains corruption. It looks like there is no chance that these folks intend to deal with it.
Sorry C4C but my family will not support you are those you back for the simple reason that you have ignored repeated calls from the people to come out strong against corruption and cronyism. The fact that you did not speaks volumes.
I am voting PPM they know how to frigg up the country without all this fancy talk or foot work oooooooh Yeeeaaaaaah and with a half bottle of likker left too to help drown out ya sorrows!
Most of these seem like "Duh!" principles. They seem very obvious and yet vague at the same time. Because of this Its hard for anyone to disagree with any of them. So, if no one would disagree, why bother stating it?
I would like to draw averyone's attention to #3 however. Once again, hard to disagree with this statement on its face, but dig deeper and I seesome grounds for controversy. For example this statement would seem to suggest that Cayman Airways should be shut down or sold off (on the basis that it is a responsibility which can be discharged by indiviudals and does not require Government involvement). I happen to agree with this position, but I know that many Caymanians do not. Thus, the grounds for controversy I mentioned.
I'm not for or against C4C or PPM or UDP, all I ask is that Caymanians ask probing questions of the candidates. What do they really mean? Don't take anything at face value. I'm not insinuating that our politicians are hiding anything or lying. I'm just saying "trust but verify" 🙂
No mention of Caymanian role in the economy. Indeed looking more and more to me like the merchant classes subjecting Caymanians to more and more imported labour with no place for local people.
Please be aware of this group and check out everything details like what are their past political interests, who do they mostly employ, how much have they contributed to the poor etc, are they genuine, etc…
My family and I know they are all depending on our votes but already busy doing our investigations and will not be casting our votes too hasty this time around.
Cayman this election Ifeel will be the most important one if we want to take back Cayman from the damage at hand.
Still sounds like a political party to me ???????
C $ C all your founding principles are for intents and purposes enshrined in our constituion and various laws that Govern these islands. No deep philosophy here.
But how do you guys feel about things like openess, transparency and that magical and mysterious thing called telling the truth?
How about a belief that parents of Caymanian children should not be extorted with 10,000 residency fees if they get divorced from cheating spouses?
Ok…And now what?
C4C to Cayman…
“You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes…”
XXXX it! I’m takin both pills and see what’s going to happen!
Interesting that the founding principles came out after the group was founded… Why didn't we the public hear about these principles when they had their big rally at ALT? So this is to try to save some face from the mess they made with that sad "soft launch"….
Exactly right. They're making it up as they go along.
It is disappointing that C4C has decided not to make any explicit statement that politicians must not be corrupt, must not participate in patronage and cronyism, and must not have conflicts of interest. I wonder if they have adopted the elephant in the room as a mascot.
I am sure that some of these founders are good people who think they have a better way of finding MLA's to run the country. I am also sure that some of them are former major UDP and McKeeva Bush supporters.
However, there are two things that would make me believe that the candidates are TRUE independents:
1) If they are not financed by C4C.
2) If each and every one of these candidates show their real independence by creating their own, individual manifestos.
In other words, "Tea Party".
sound more like Tea Baggers to me
Someone please explain to me how this is unique and different that what we already have ? Are these people for real ? C4C I expected some ground-breaking announcement not this dribble, I cannot belive you are passing yourselves off as an advocacy group when you just released this foolishness. My family and I had already discussed that fact that you people are still selling the "not-a-party" line and we are not buying it. C4C is nothing but a sham. Look at your executive members! Isnt Johann being sued by Rex Rankine for his part in the Materials Import Limited deal that Mario Rankin is involved in? Doesnt the same comnpany currently supply fill to DART? Come one C4C you guys are nothing more than the new UDP and you see what became of them!
I have had enough of "pretend" saviours and "wannabe leaders". We know you all are out to run a slate of candidates you intend to "control" and when the time comes, I know of a few who were approached by C4C who will tell all.
By the way, if you give $1 to more than 1 candidate the Elections Law will define you as a party and you will be treated as such.
Kind of harsh but in many ways I agree. I was a little disappointed by the rally. I don’t have a lot of flexibility to attend these types of meetings so I wanted to be wowed. I wasn’t.
I think people are hoping to see a group that is strong, clear and concise in their principles. I’m afraid C4C you have fallen a bit short. I hope you can get you act together be a true “supporter” of persons who intend to run that have strong morals, rich ethics and have the integrity to stand for what is fair and honest. People who truly will put country first and not serve they own self interests. It’s what we want, need and are looking for.
We are hungry for it. Anything else and you will loose the trust of the people….if you haven’t already.
This looks a whole lot like what the UDP promised in 2009. The UDP (of 2009) even promised to be "open" and "transparent" in their dealings which C4C doesn't seem to rank too highly in their order of importance.
The least they could do is lie to us and say they don't want any backroom deals hidden from the public. Somehow I suspect that backroom deals is a convenient place to "direct government by the democratic process".
That's because a lot of the same people supported the UDP so that they could win the election in 2009.
what a load a waffle…. any political party could issue the same list of 'principles'…..
what about some concrete policy proposals?….i.e like cutting the civil service or getting rid of the rollover?
Yeah, then I'll really know not to support you. Or anyne else espousing such anti-Cayman policies.
(Remember, the roll-over is to keep the ountry from unsustainable growth through mass status grants.)
(Cutting the civil service, code for fireing Caymanians with no cause, without talking about cutting services, is a cure worse than the disease since you will end up with less efficiency, more over-work, and more good employees leaving. Just look at any other bussiness that stops valuing its employees and see how fast they continue their downward slide.)
wrong…both ppm and udp favour getting rid of the rollover and and a blind man can see that the civil service needs reducing…. read miller shaw…
I have. Its a piece of junk. Wisely shelved even by the people who commissioned it. But even it recognised that you can't cut staff without cutting services. Only idiots believe otherwise.
PS> There's are reasons I don't support either of the other parties either. Population control is a must in any sustainable society. Since eugenic population control is not morally acceptable and Cayman is in the enviable position of being able to control permanent immigrant population growth (at least for a little while longer) then not keeping the roll-over in some form is ludicris.
Some truth there.
The word is "ludicrous".
The same report that recommends increasing work permits decreasing work permit fees – reducing jobs available for locals (Not everyone owns a company).
Most reductions in CS to be under the privitisation of Government entities such as the Water Authority, Airport, Port etc.
The problem is that these entities generate revenuse for the Government to operate. So you are going to bite the hand that feeds you.
By the way the UK keeps coming up with things that Government had to provide such as the Freedom of Information that requires even more staff.
PS the UK is not where we should be looking for answers to these problems as they have the same problems. Are they using the guidelines from this report to help fix their problems?
Riiiight, blame the civil service. Because it couldn't possibly be political mismanagement to blame, right. The Civil Serivce is smaller, while the budget is larger, than it was 1-3-5 years ago. But still you try to distract the issue by blaming the civil service. Get a life. Or a brain.
read the miller shaw report…gasboy…
Have you actually read the Miller-Shaw Report? Does it say anywhere in there cut without cutting services? No.
Gasboy. How much money spent compared to that wasted by politicians?
Facts, not accusations, will set your mind free.