Suckoo defends party politics
(CNS): With a backlash against party politics and expectations of significant numbers of independent candidates declaring for the May 2013 General Election, one would-be politician running with a party has said that the resistance to party politics is misplaced and is a result of the last three years in which voters have been shown exactly how not to run a political party. PPM member Al Suckoo said that once the voting public has seen the Progressive’s manifesto and how each party member will play their role in implementing those commitments, they will be ready to accept that a properly run political party is actually good for the country.
“We should not pre-judge all political organizations as power hungry and selfish simply because the UDP has shown us how 'one man rule' and flawed motives can bring economic failures, loss of reputation and loss of confidence in the country,” said Suckoo who is hoping to run with the PPM in Bodden Town. “What we must realize is that there is a right way and a wrong way and if done properly parties are the ideal form of organized politics, but each member must subscribe to the rule of law, respect the constitution and play by the rules.”
He said he was not concerned about the backlash against party politics as the Progressives have recruited a number of younger, educated, experienced people who understand the need for honest, open, consultative and transparent government. “We realize that we are not only contesting the upcoming elections, we are also re-building confidence in the party system. I am confident we will be successful in doing both,” he told CNS.
Suckoo said that the idea parties do not consult was misguided and pointed to the PPM’s constitution, which outlines how policies are developed among members of the parliamentary group and considered by the party executive, who can either accept and approve the policy or require further discussion.
Using the proposed dump move issue as an example, Suckoo said there would be no chance of getting a real solution to waste management if voters do not elect people in Bodden Town who have a common agenda and who have committed to a plan, and who will present their plan prior to the elections.
“Simply hoping that four independents in Bodden Town will work together is not enough,” he said. "The former UDP representatives in Bodden Town have made clear their position to bring a dump to Bodden Town, and the Progressive team in Bodden Town has stated our disagreement with the proposed facility.”
With both sides of the argument already represented by the parties, he said, no one knows what a loose coalition of independents will bring to the table.
“We will not know what they will do until after they are elected,” he warned. “This is not realistic and if we resort to electing people because of what we hope they may do, we might find out the hard way that their collective solutions will not reflect the wishes of the electorate.”
Unity in the party does not signify blind loyalty, he said, explaining that all of the potential PPM candidates challenge Opposition Leader Alden McLaughlin on many issues. The Progressives' policies have undergone significant discussion, debate and even argument prior to that position being made public, he noted.
“Party politics is not for the meek; one has to be prepared to argue strongly for the ideas you propose and to be prepared to accept that consensus is a requirement," he explained. “No one individual should be able to run off and, at will, implement political change and/or policies without having to first convince his or her peers. Once consensus is achieved, all members will then be on board with the most practical and acceptable solution or position.”
Suckoo said he is convinced that the most efficient and effective way to accomplish a set of objectives and goals is through a well disciplined and functioning organizational structure.
“This is not a new concept. Successful companies achieve their objectives through the division of effort, creation of a hierarchical management structure, consolidation of diverse skills, sharing of knowledge, establishment of a common set of goals, shared policies and principle. I fail to see how a loose coalition of independent thinkers, who are bound to have equally diverse priorities and objectives, can be more effective than a team or organization working together as a unit,” he added.
With party politics being blamed for the country’s ills, especially by the Coalition for Cayman, Suckoo pointed out that the things they want, which is people working together, is exactly what happens in the party structure.
“It gets individuals working together, sets the ground rules, establishes the goals and provides the mechanism for achieving them,” the would-be Bodden Town representative added.
“There are so many other organizations that successfully operate the way parties operate and just about every successful business venture uses the same principles. One has to question if a coalition of Independents will work, not because there are so many differing opinions and viewpoints but because each independent will not be committed to a common goal and will consider his or her agenda to be more important than those of the other 17 members.”
He said his party would "put its cards on the table and state, prior to the voter deciding who to vote for, what its position and policies will be,” while he noted that there were no guarantees from the independent candidates. He said whatever great ideas may be put forward, there was no way to know whether, if elected, they will be in a position to follow through.
“They will be competing with 17 other independents that also have great ideas,” he pointed out. “It is also contrary to the principle of collective responsibility to think that a government can be formed and will function successfully without having a close working relationship and consensus on the priorities prior to becoming a government.”
Suckoo is making his first run for office but he is no stranger to politics, having been heavily involved in the recent OMOV campaign, and he has worked on various committees with several of our present and past politicians, including Roy Bodden and Gilbert McLean on their past campaigns.
Suckoo said he wanted to be part of a group that encouraged participation rather than simply support their policies. He said the PPM’s efforts to improve accountability in politics impressed him and the party has a solid team of candidates who have the passion, experience, knowledge and skills necessary for the job.
“There are no shortcuts with the PPM,” he added. “No substance over process. The party leadership hold themselves to the same standards as everybody else. We are all expected to give the same level of commitment, meet our obligations and deliver on our promises. The party operates like a well-oiled machinery and everyone is acutely aware of the consequences of one component of the machine breaking down.”
With transparency at every level and diversity in the party, he said, the Progressives come from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and educational disciplines. Suckoo said he believes the party will win people over to the benefits of party politics and overcome the suspicions when the PPM hits the campaign trail in earnest.
Category: Politics
Suckoo is spouting pure unadulterated political propaganda. Neither the UDP not the PPM has given us compelling evidence or sound reason to belive that party politics is a good thing for the Cayman Islands. After reading Suckoo's comments I am more convinced than ever that party politics is not in our best interest.
Suckoo says: "…that the resistance to party politics is misplaced and is a result of the last three years in which voters have been shown exactly how not to run a political party." MISPLACED"? What planet in space are you orbiting, Suckoo? No doubt you are trying to smear the UDP, but at least try to do so without insulting our intelligence. The fact is that while Bush and the UDP were busy trying to destroy this territory, your party, the PPM, held itself out as an excellent secondary example of why party politics does not work and why it is a moronic idea for these islands. The PPM did little more than posture and blow hot air during Bush's godhood. Nero danced and the PPM fiddled while Rome burned! The PPM were lazy, complacent, immature, impotent, ineffective, reactionary rather than pro-active, lacking vision, adversarial, and at best equally power-hungry. And where the hell was Suckoo while Rome burned? Pitching on OMOV? (In other words, majoring on the minors, rather than doing his utmost to oust Bush and the UDP.) Serving on committees? (In other words, another yes-man lemming?)
We would be utter fools to loose sight of the fact that the PPM contributed to our current woes to a significant degree through their irresponsible spending, lack of sustainable long-term planning, poor leadership and abysmal fiscal policy. Regardless of what the PPM wants to brainwash us into believing, our present debacle is not solely Bush's contrivance. Contrary to Suckoo's propaganda, going along with party politics is absolutely not an option if you give a damn about your beloved islands!
"Suckoo pointed out that…people working together, is exactly what happens in the party structure." Really? On what planet, Suckoo? I am still not sure what fantasy world you are living in, my friend, but party politics – PPM and UDP style – has resulted in a great deal of divisiveness, negativity, and pitting brother-against-brother, rather than your idyllic fairy tale of unity and co-operation. The political mix of groups and independents we had prior to party politics displayed far more cooperation than the PPM and UDP ever did or can do.
OK, people, here is where Suckoo utterly fails the test of wisdom and sound governance: He states that, “There are so many other organizations that successfully operate theway parties operate and just about every successful business venture uses the same principles." This tells me that that Suckoo's concern is far more focused on the good his party than the good of the country! Do you not see it?
Now, if we extend Suckoo's illustration to the Cayman Islands as a whole, we can see the fallacy of his defense of party politics: NO successful organisation or business deliberately sets up two formalised opposing factions within the organisation. To do so would be suicide! Sure, there may be some contention and a certain degree of competition between departments or personalities within the entity in question, but for the entity to prosper the factions are compelled to find ways of working together for the common good. This is something that thus far neither Suckoo's party nor the UDP have displayed any significant degree of will to do.
Contrary to Suckoo's propaganda, one does not have to "…question if a coalition of Independents will work"! The Cayman Islands during its most successful and prosperous halcyon years was characterised by co-operation among more or less independent MLAs as opposed to the dogmatic schisms we have seen of late between the PPM and UDP. Yes, MLAs often worked in "teams" in the latter "pre-party" years; but quite often MLAs voted their conscience if their heart told them the team was wrong or their constituents indicated that they opposed the team's idea. This is not something that formal political parties encourage or would condone. To sum it up, party politics, whether it be UDP or PPM = "Party before country".
Suckoo's statement that "It is also contrary to the principle of collective responsibility to think that a government can be formed and will function successfully without having a close working relationship and consensus on the priorities prior to becoming a government" is only clouding the issue with impressive-sounding buzz words. Do not be duped, folks! We had "collective responsibility" long before we had formal political parties and the country prospered and enjoyed much success.
The article states that "Suckoo said he believes the party will win people over to the benefits of party politics and overcome the suspicions when the PPM hits the campaign trail in earnest ." Now you see his true agenda! Winning! The PPM feels threatened by the concept of independent thinkers who, with a spirit of cooperation and the support of people nauseated with dogmatic party-minion propagandists (like Suckoo), will sweep aside both the UPD and the PPM and usher in an alternative to the voters becoming the brainwashed minions of any party.
The best Suckoo's scheme offers is a choice between two satans in the form of the UDP or the PPM. These are the only two parties in the islands, so effectively we have no viable choice with a track record for good governance. With party politics we are not even facing the choice between the satan we know and the satan we don't know. We know both parties and they are both damnable!
You really seem inimidated by this guy huh? I wonder why ? He made a lot of sse to me…
From what I see here it seems as people have the impression that parties equal corruption. Parties and corruption don't go hand in hand. Politicians and corruption go hand in hand. It's as simple as that. No need for endless debates going back and back against one another. This notion that party politics is ruining Cayman is just plain daft. Politicians will always naturally team up with other politicians that have a simliar agenda to theirs. Always. The reality is this, everyone of these politicians will be saying anything and everything to get their foot into the office. Some of the things will be genuine others not. Simple as that. But I can tell you ,looking at the upcoming elections and our "choices", I can't say I see a genuine approach from any of the politicians. Politics is a game and all of them are playing. C4C Is just another party labeling it's candidates as independents and jumping on this stupid anti-party notion this country has developed. Don't be fooled. There's no such thing as an independent in politics. Look at whether they actually have ideas on how to solve the problems we're faced. But I'm just a young Caymanian, so what do I know?
OMOV = Segmatiation of the voting public by: "Income, Race/Nationality, Religion, Crony Status"
And the above is an asolute certainty and don't let anyone fool you otherwise.
Al, you'd have got my vote but for your association with the PPM. Now I will most definitely not be voting for you. What a pity you haven't understood the public's mood. You see, Al, it doesn't matter what you think in regard to the party system, it's what the public thinks. Do you get it? Hope so.
That is just stupid. Either Al is a good candidate or he is not. Forget the "party affiliation". Another C$C zombie.
Suckoo, answer One Question to the People, Truthfully.
You’ve stated your party’s directives and structural goals to be that of ‘Successful Companies’ and that it would follow ‘every successful business venture (that) uses the same principles.
So, that would mean, if someone fails to do their job then they would be Fired…with No compensation and No payment for the remainder of their term.
That’s the way a business is run.
Now, as for the Question.
Will your party operate as a successful business or the UDP way?
I, personally, don’t won’t to see a repeat of the last 3 ½ years.
We, the people, would likean answer.
If there is no response, then I presume there is no change.
You must be a supporter of Arden and Ezzard, because they are the only 2 candidates not affiliated with either PPM, UDP, or C4C. Save your breath about C4C not being a Party, That would only show your ignorance. If you support C4C, you must be happy with their last 7 years in power as the UDP kingmakers.
C4C should really be called the PIP Party.
C4C you may as well sign your names to your posts. It's so obvious that the main beef you have with PPM is that it is a party. Why don't you say that the real reason you are against PPM is because they are not for sale and not corrupt. Parties are not the cause of corruption. It's persons that allow themselves to be corrupt. XXXX Fool some of us some of the time, all of us some of the time but not all of us all of the time.
If you think your trying to bring Alden down is helping you're making a mistake. This is negatively reflecting on you but maybe I shouldn't tell you. You are all jealous of Alden and the PPM because we stand for truth and honesty.
Ever notice that whoever disagrees with the PPM is considered evil around here. I can tell you this: I don't like the UDP. I don't like C4C. I don't like the Fab 5. But I hate the PPM and their sanctimonious zombie followers.
The reason you hate PPM is because you know deep down that are a much better choice than any other alternative including C4C. A great education and position doesn't guarantee uprightness
Upright like the schools deal, which was the biggest swindle ever perpetrated on the citizens of this country? If the PPM is the best option available to this country, we're in deep, deep trouble.
Are you saying that Alden is a crook and acted dishonestly with respect to the schools? How about you sign your name and make that allegation?
You want to to know the difference between the UDP and the PPM when it came to "uprightness"? The PPM is a wolf in sheep's clothing; the UDP is a wolf in wolf's clothing. Having witnessed some of the shenanigans in government, I can say there's very little difference when it comes to be upright.
Sorry, I misread your post. I meant to give you a thumbs down.
And what is C$C? Anyone with a grain of sense can see the PPM is a world apart from the UDP when it comes to integrity. If there were any real dirt McKeeva would have been throwing it a long time ago. Heck he was so desperate that he accused Arden of corruption. Arden give full voluntary cooperation to the police and was fully exonerated of any wrongdoing a few weeks later. In other words you have no reason to accuse the PPM of corruption. On the other hand, every deal that the UDP enters into has the smell of corruption. If you deny that it is because you condone it.
I'm a civil servant and I witnessed much under both administrations, but to call the PPM a wolf in sheep's clothing is a terrible misrepresentation. No government is perfect, but I never once witnessed them doing anything than for the benefit of the Caymanian people. The UDP on the other hand….I'll hold my tongue on that.
"Sanctimonious"? lol. Not taking that from the non-party which preaches that everyone else doesn't put the country first.
PPM had its chance to show the people what they can do. UDP had its chance to show the people what they can do. Both proved that there must be a better way or its UK takeover just to survive. Its a fact that many Caymanians made big money off of both parties and they will not make any off of independents. But bad for them is good for Cayman islands. Feel free to vote for those who have your best interest but hopefully this time its the cayman islands that will get the benifits.
Who made big money off the PPM administration? You C4C bloggers are free wheeling with the generalizations but very short on detail. That is especially annoying in light of the fact you all supported McKeeva until you lost control of him.
Tom Jones, Dart and Imparato
Blesse B bredren for speaking the Truth. Respect.
Tom Jones won the contract for the school by having the lowest bid in a public tender conducted by the Central Tenders Committee. If you have facts to show otherwise please present them.
The PPM practucally ignored Dart during their term in office so I don't know where you got that idea.
Imparato has always been a McKeeva man. He would not bring his "port/megaquarry" idea until McKeeva was in office, so that is rubbish.
Bring the facts. Put up or shut up.
Tom Jones? Is that unusual? I think it's not unusual.
To the PPM and the UDP bloggers who are against Mr. Clifford tell us who took the decision to buy the land to extend the Coe Wood beach and develop it = Charles Clifford; Who took the decision to buy the property to facilitate the development of the Harry McCoy Park in Gun Square = Charles Clifford; Who facilitated the development of the Mission House in Bodden Town = Charles Clifford; Who rebuilt and reopened Pedro's Castle after Hurricane Ivan = Charles Clifford; Who spearheaded the acquisition of the land for the new Bodden Town Emergency Services Center and the new Civic Center which the UDP has made no progress on in 4 years = Charles Clifford; Who pushed for the new Marine Base Station in Newlands and the new launching ramp = Charles Clifford.
Of course he had the support of Tony and Ossie at the time but if it wasn't for Clifford'sdrive, determination and willingness to move money from one project to the next when an opportunity arose, most of these projects would not have happened.
And who was the first to stand firm against corruption in Government even when he had to stand alone against significant odds = Charles Clifford.
So lets just stop the envy and live well together for the betterment of Cayman. The memorial service for Party Politics will be held on the 23rd May 2013 at churches around Cayman !
SIGNED : A Former Party Mover and Shaker and yes a Charles Clifford Supporter !
If Mr. clifford is the best ting since sliced bread why did the Bodden Towners kick him out of office?
they wanted to try out the sweet team they got repazentin em now.
You know this post reads like Charles himself wrote it. If I an wrong then apologies my bad. But if this is really you Charles then it screams of someone whose 15 mins of fame has long past and is still looking for attention by posting these odd submissions from time to time on CNS which has no relevance to the discussion at hand. Get over yourself, really.
How can this country afford to trust ppm and udp after all the mismanagement and waste?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21296405
Read this article on todays BBC News website. Somethings stirring in London, watch out Cayman.
Good, maybe they will find the evidence they need this time…if the dog didn't eat it.
Alva do your chances of election a favor and do not make excuses for the ppm and admit the real leadership has not changed. Peeps got lots of valid reasons why they do not trust parties in cayman
The C4C is a reaction to the sudden loss of control by the UDP. For years the same people who now represent the C4C were in the background of the UDP. They controlled the party and more importantly they controlled the labour force. Ever wonder how some of the larger businesses got away with employing so many low wage foreign employees? Its because they controlled the UDP. Now that the UDP has fallen, the businessmen are worried that their supply of cheap exploited labour will slip from their grasp and they will be forced to pay more for labour. They realise that they cannotinflitrate and control the PPM so they have created their own party-that-is-not-a-party and are trying to take matters in their own hands. The C4C is all about control of Government policy, immigration and labour. When was the last time you were able to sit next to Winston, Jude or Roy at a bar or restaurant and chat ? When was the last time these guys hailed you up and had a friendly conversation with you? How many of our people actually know these guys ? Cayman please wake up! the C4C is the UDP replacement. If you vote them in you will simply vote in more of the same "Government for the rich" and our people will be left to suffer for another 4 years with low wages, high bills and no hope. C4C doesnt give too hoots about the average Caymanian and our suffering they are here to look out for the cash. Most of them would not hire a Caymanian and it was them who spread the myth that Caymanians are stupid and lazy. The old merchant class racist regime of the 50's 60's and 70's is trying to claw its way back to power. Do not let them use you!
Please don’t lump C4C principals into your so called Merchant Class. All of the Merchants I know bust their backsides and employ all the Caymaniains they can. C4C is primarily made up of big time accountants and lawyers, representing the Financial Industry. These guys have all made Partner in their respective firms and they do not want their gravy train touched by taxation. When they divide up the dividends at year end, they contribute $0.00 to fees or taxes. Merchants on the other hand, pay every day. An Accountant is not a Merchant. A Lawyer is not a Merchant. Pick a new socialist term when targeting these guys.
First thing we do, let's kill al the lawyers. –Shakespeare
Oh how we all laughed. You know how I get over comments like this about my profession? I look at my bank account balances, I look at my hot wife, I look out from my large house and my shiny expensive car, and I chuckle. We get paid a lot and the chicks dig us. Simple.
WOW! The C4C pro blogger is in full swing. Please note the high volume of anti-party posts with correct grammar and spelling. PPM you better get with the program or the C4C propaganda machine will run you over. This new push by C4C coincides with Jude’s announcement. Don’t be swayed by the 18 thumbs up on every C4Cpost either, that’s all part of the well planned campaign by the not-a-party party.
There you have it folks, those of us who think that political parties have done more harm than good are better educated, more informed and more articulate. But then I suppose that this anti-C4C poster must actually be pro-C4C as there are not many grammar or spelling mistakes in the above post.. Clever way to boost the C4C cause, and BTW I am anti-C4C and and political party.
Country First!!!!
The red of ppm has us all suffering and broke!!! They couldnt have picked a more true color to describe them and the postion they have placed us in.
The major problem I see with these so called "independents" is that they are sleeper cells of the UDP. That is their stratergy this election.
And once they get in, we will hear that they are putting "differences aside" to work together for betterment of country; AKA we were part of a plan to fool you and we won.
So please, before anyone goes off on the Independent wagon, please make sure that they are indeed that, and most important a independent thinker.
Another PPM conspiracy theorist.
You know what, who cares? Even if this is a political party, and I would agree that it is, I would much rather vote for people who can speak and write with correct grammar and spelling then some of the nimcompoops we have in office right now.
I can't even begin to express how tired I am of the UDP and PPM politricks and Alden is absolutely no better than McKeeva when it comes to that. Alden has more angles than a prism and everyone of them is bent toward political power, not what's best for the Cayman Islands.
The country has fundamentally changed for a lot of reasons since the UDP and PPM were formed and we no longer can afford either of their governments. If we don't get some new blood in our political system soon, this country is in for a hard, hard fall. We need politicans that will make hard but thoughtful decisions because it's the best thing to do for the future of the country. We don't need people like Alden and McKeeva who pander to the lowest common denominator just to get votes.
Who Cares!? I care. I am scared to death that the C4C crowd is going to bamboozle the voting public into thinking they are only out for what’s best for the Country. If that was truly the case, they would not have supported McKeeva for the past 7 years. Why did they support him? Was it Country first? I think not.
This is exactly the problem with you party people. You ignorantly assume everyone must be affiliated with one group or another. You leave no room for independent, intelligent, thinkers.
So tell me who are these independent intelligent thinkers you are talking about?
Some of the voters, like me, you fool.
Me, of course!
Yes, an anonymous "me" counts (sarcasm).
Al make up your mind. One minute you want OMV now you want party politics. To me you already starting politricks. Oh well you can’t be no worse than Mark and John John?
OMOV and party politics are not mutually exclusive.
OMOV and parties have nothing to do with each other. A party can run a candidate in each constituency and still win an election. What is your thinking oh I forgot you don't know how to think you are just rebelling because you couldn't control Mac
OMOV is a way to ensure that elections are run fairly and all voters are treated equally, most of the Western world use OMOV and also have a party based system. Your question shows a high level of ignorance and is just an attempt to distract.
Mr Suckoo is a fine upstanding person and to try to accuse him of politricks is disingenuous, at least he is not afraid to state his position regardless of how unpopular it may be with some. I can respect him for that. It’s called principle.
You obviously don't understand that parties and OMOV are not mutually exclusive.
Your comment makes no sense, you can be for OMOV and the party system.
Political parties are the amplifiers of corruption. First we need to get rid of corruption and make sure that it can never return. Only then will it be safe to start thinking about electing political parties rather than independents
If political parties are the amplifiers of corruption, what do you call the C4C group who is made up of most of the manipulators behind the old UDP? It’s “not a party”, but the same people are running a well funded and very organized campaign for their selected candidates. I say C4C is worse than a party, since their true structure, membership, and intentions are hidden behind the “not a party” disguise. It’s obvious that all of the anti-party posts are coming from C4C as a critical part of their strategy to distance themselves from the disaster they created in the UDP.
That hit a nerve! 20+ C4C thumbs down in less than 15 min. I have to agree with the poster. Would some of you thumbs down folks care to explain why you disagree with this comment?
Sure, care to explain how you know there “20+ ” thumbs down in 10 mins were C4C…?
That makes it even more suspicious. Those C$C types have access to a lot of computers.
It's funny that you use the UDP so often in your post as though C4C is the new UDP, as some of the people I know in C4C have raised $10,000's for the PPM in the past! And yes there are some that raise money for the UDP, and there are some that didn't subscribe to parties from day one. The supporters, workers,chairs of C4C come from all walks of life, all the various past political stances, and economic back grounds.
Those in C4C have realized the problems with the UDP and PPM in the context of Cayman, they simply want to have a government that is for and by the people, rich, poor, black, white, blue collar, white collar, short, tall, west bay, east end…
One man rule shall never happen again, and that is what C4C is about for me.
C4C is the new UDP. These same guys cannot escape accountability for the disaster they helped create by supporting McKeeva for 7+ years. For Election 2013, it’s Pay to Play C4C vs. McKeeva/Mike/Foolio vs. PPM. At least we know PPM is not for sale and enters the race without the smell of corruption hanging over them. Everyone else is dirty as far as I am concerned.
Except that PPM don’t know how to manage the country’s finances properly, or curb government waste…so I can’t support them either……
….now what, genius?
There are always players who give money to both sides to ensure that they are 'in' no matter who is in power. Says much about their character.
C4C is not concerned about poor people. They are concerned with protecting their turf.
I think it is a concern of quality over quantity.
Thanks Al for putting this in a simple missive that every who can see, should be able to quite easily understand!
This is worrying! Is the PPM saying that they are not willing to cooperate and work with independent politicians if elected? Put personal difference aside and do what is best for the country!
Perhaps the PPM should take a long and hard look why some of the independent candidates have chosen NOT to allign themselves with the PPM.
I wished that Wayne and Al would have decided to run as independant candidates cause there are some clothseted McKeeva like personalities in the current PPM and for heaven sake, Kurt and Anthony Eden need to sit down and retire!
You obviously cannot read! Where did he say he would not work with the Independents? The PPM already have committed to working with Arden and Ezzard!
Can we get a photo of this guy CNS?
Dear Mr Suckoo
Please tell the public the official party position on FCIA? Legal Practitioners bill? West Bay road closure? DART concessions? Shetty concessions? And what ppm will do to instill sound fiscal management policies in the government if they are the majority?
Who will they appoint to the various boards? Are they just going to be PPM supporters again or people who are actually best for getting the job done and are not just pushing PPM's or their own agenda?
What is PPM's take on the current immigration issues?
How do they plan to prevent and combat crime?
How will they reduce cost of living?
What is their take on a trade school? How will they improve successful transition for High School leavers to the work force?
What are their thoughts on development?
The list of questions goes on and on……….
Sorry guys, but this time you are going to have to work harder for this cause it is not just about PPM or UDP anymore………
A political manifesto are words on glossy paper and nothing more
Cayman style party politics does not work! Look at the facts udp and ppm have failed this country badly that cannot be denied
Unless your a Bushit. Then it was working great. Money for nothing and trips for free.
LOL Mr Suckoo who are trying to fool
Funny how in politics people become their enemy, McKeeva fought Jim Bodden and became like Jim now Alden has emulated McKeeva and become nearly as tyrannical in controlling his party
I think Suckoo's point was exactly the opposite re Alden.
McKeeva fought Jim Bodden and became like Jim????? even at the worst moments of Jim Bodden political career McKeeva's best could not equate to him. The two leaders have nothing in common, JMB was a born leader and a man with vision McKeeva is a follower and lacks vision. JMB controlled expats, expats control McKeeva. Under JMB Caymanian came first, under McKeeva Caymanians come last. Under JMB moratorium was placed on status, under McKeeva over 3,000 was given away in one day. Under JMB Caymanian there was over employment under McKeeva there is unemployment I. Under JMB Cayman progressed under McKeeva Cayman regressed. Personally I would prefer to live one hundred days under JMB at his worst moments as the leader of Cayman than to live one day under the leadership of McKeeva at his best. So don't you dare try to compare JMB with Mac there is only contrast absolutely no comparison.
And under Jim, when he sung his hymns and prayed the Lord's Prayer, he meant it!
The attitude of Alden and McKeeva is the same do not ask them any questions and when things go wrong blame somebody else
Is there a difference between the ppm and udp?
Is there any difference?
The PPM leader has not been arrested for financial crimes or corruption?
The PPM did not give out thousands of status grants without following the proper process?
The PPM is not corrupt?
The PPM did not spend millions of dollars on first class travel for MLA's and their cronies?
The PPM included the opposition in discussions on the constitution?
The PPM started schools which were recommended as needed in the early 1980's?
The PPM MLA's would not support a leader who is a dictator?
The PPM leaders listen to comments and advice from members and constituents?
The PPM does not bypass the Central Tenders Committee?
The PPM leader has not cost us millions in lawsuits or settlements?
The PPM leaders have not become multi-millionaires during their tenure in government?
I could go on but my fingers are sore from typing…….
you mean your finger.
Defending the party leader who helped to create current problems is what Cayman politics is all about these days.
In Cayman poor leadership and leaders who think they are infallible and who surround themselves with willfully blind supporters is what the both parties are about
Come on C$C lay off the guy, you know you all were trying to get him to join your "party" and now that he is set with the PPM you are trying to discredit him. This is why the C$C will forever be playing catch-up with the PPM. C$C does not attract quality like the PPM new candidates.
UDP and PPM are not properly functioning political parties they are groups who rally around the personality of its leader. How many of the district committees are properly working and represent the members?
This comment was posted by a C4C supporter who has no motive other than to lie and distract people from the truth.
Huh?
How can you say that – you have no proof of anything about the poster, stupid
Why do you keep posting this same comment in multiple articles, sometimes in the same article?
Oh, give him a break? As a typical PPM supporter, it took him three days to write that sentence, checking every word in the dictionary to make sure he spelled it right. After all that hard work, he has to keep using it over and over. Don't worry though because he's working on a new sentece which should be ready midweek.
Typical PPM supporters are articulate and intelligent.
UDP and PPM are just like any political party. They ALL try to stay in power regardless of what happens to the electorate. Once they get their snouts in the trough it isn't easy to get them out.
Cronyism and petty corruption have been around forever. As we have seen in the last few years, adding party politics and the powertrip of the new Constitution to what used to occur has been like putting the 'elephant in the room' of corruption on a tanker load of steroids and crystal meth.
You got my vote in Bodden Town
Who will Mr Suckoo get to run in the Brac beside Capt Mose. Thats the most serious constituent right now as mostly all the professional Bracers are in Grand Cayman. We are looking forward to seeing a good face sprout up in the Brac.
You really think that the Brac is "the most serious constituency right now"? Assuming you mean the one that needs the most attention coming up to an election, you have got to be kidding. Look at West Bay!
Hmmm PPM put us in massive debt last time around without any accountability. No audited financial statements while they were in power. None of them really know how we ended up more than half a billion dollars in debt.
UDP ripped the shirts off our back with their increased fees and taxes and waste on lavish travelling, driveways, govt gas cards and the list goes on and on like the energizer bunny.
PPM/UDP – time togo back to your actual professions and leave politics behind. You're all done! I am not even interested in reading any of the two party manifestos. These manifestos will be nothing different than the bs we have heard from Alden and MAC daily for the last few years.
bye bye!
This comment was posted by a C4C supporter who has no motive other than to lie and distract people from the truth.
you people are soo silly – trying to pick a team to belong.
Youre UDP! Youre PPM! No you C4C!
Im a Caymanian. End of Story.
Cripes. Exercise your own mind. Be an individual!
Just what part of that post was lie? The lavish spending Alden did on the schools will haunt this country for at least a decade and it was exactly the foothold the UK needed to push the FFR, which will tie the hands of any government, with no end in sight.
Alden should apologise to this country for what he did every day for the rest of his life.
It will haunt the island for as long as billy mak bush is alive and given a public audience. the guy will not talk about ANYTHING with out bringing it up!
C4C Alert ???? lol
The last 3 years demonstrated exactly what can happen when party politics are combined with weak anti-corruption laws, completely ineffective conflict of interest rules, and no effective mechanisms to enforce even the weak anti-corruption laws and conflict of interest rules we have. Until there are effective laws and enforcement mechanisms to banish corruption and cronyism then party politics are dangerous – end of story.
We have anti-corruption laws, the problem is we also have a legal department that feels beholden to the UDP
Our current anti-corruption laws are extremely weak. Our absence of conflict of interest laws governing politicians makes it even worse. Just remember the real estate consulting that went on at a cash machine in Vegas if you have anydoubts that we need tougher laws.
Party politics is good for politicians, but it is terrible for the Cayman Islands. Virtually the only people trying to defend party politics are those running for office. Sorry Al and all the other politicians, but we're watched this game for more than 11 years now and the Cayman Islands and its people have never been so divided. We're not blind and we're not stupid so stop trying to convince us that you know what's best for us.
No shortcuts with the PPM.
My understanding is that Alden's words to the architect were "Monies no object." Isn't that a shortcut? Look where it got us.
Perhaps another shortcut was the absolute inability to prepare and present accounts.
CNS, do politicians know that what they say and do more often than not goes into print? Do even they know about the internet?
Show us where Alden said that to anyone! Stop making things up…
Good point. The PPM believe so much in transparency it must be minuted somewhere – not. People forget how the PPM viciously enforced the rollover policy with little to no regard for human rights.
"Viciously enforced rollover". It enforced it according to the law that was passed by the UDP govt. If enforcing the law was vicious then it means the law was vicious.
so you say, but it was enforced against me and my family AGAINST the law.
If that's true then you had a right of appeal and judicial review, but I suspect it's not.
So you get to make it up?
It always troubles me when posters write "my understanding is…" and then proceed with a slur on someone's character. Unless there is some objective basis for 'quoting' Mr. McLaughlin "monies (sic) no object" it shouldn't be done especially if you are using it to make your point.
What "inability to prepare and present accounts" are you talking about? Do you understand that preparation of accounts is a matter for civil servants?
As long as you are writing about what "politicians do and say" making it into print please make sure that you are not making it up for political reasons.
Our political system is flawed and no longer benefits us caymanians.It is to a great degree directed by lobbyists hired and paid for by special interests for their benefit not ours.This results in a plutocracy a government run by the rich,for the rich.The Caymanian people know that the policies pushed by these lobbyists are destroying our country, yet they continue to vote for the same politicians who perpetuate the system because they feel they have no other choice. Only Party politicians with huge sums of money are viable candidates nowadays.We need to reform the way our elections work if we want our islans to survive. We need to ensure that the candidate we choose between are the best, not the richest or most beholden to Cronies and Party donors. If we can elect politicians who are focused on the best solutions for the Caymanian people, we can solve this island’s problems and restore Cayman’s greatness.
Vote for Independent minds.
This comment was posted by a C4C supporter who has no motive other than to lie and distract people from the truth.
You won't find ANY party politicians with huge sums of money in the PPM, so I guess you are not talking about them at all.
Do u know what you are talking about? Ever heard of Moses, Wayne, Kurt, Tony, Osbourne, Duckworth and some of the major movers and shakers
I seen mover and shaker Kurt movin and shakin through Hurleys the other day in his nylon homey shorts and house slippers.
And Eve ate of the fruit from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and hence was mankind's downfall. Note "Knowledge of Good and Evil" Just what is "Good and Evil"? It is "we" that make our own good and evil… [yawn] And the debate and back-and-forth rhetoric on CNS rolls on
The only reason the dump was to be put in Bodden Town was because Mark Scotland wanted it.
The UDP recently confirmed that now that Mark is out of BT, they will not support the dump going there.
There is absolutely no difference between UDP and PPM. PPM was the first to prove to us that the party system was a failure. The UDP over-empahasized it.
Sorry AL…I don't believe you for a minute.
One word – "CORRUPTION" If you cannot see the difference between the two parties on this alone, you are blind, or more likely refuse to see.
Dear Mr Sukoo,
I'm disappointed to read that the PPM holds themselves to the same flawed standards as in the past. You guys need a new script and a new plan if you want to stand a chance. The last time the PPM was in charge they spouted the same meaningless campaign promises and then ran the nation into a sea of debt. You can search pre-campaign interviews on YouTube to verify. The PPM term was managed so badly that the nation actually turned to re-elect the maniacal UDP crew. In the years since, both parties voted to give themselves a considerable raise, have been content to avoid ANY financial transparency, and continue to double dip on pensions while collecting fat salaries, while barely convening on any matters – all at the electorate's considerable expense. The political machinery that currently exists is obsolete. It needs to be dismantled and scrapped or we'll just endure another 4 years of the same show, different cast. You won't get my support if that's your only plan. Please show us how you intend to address the REAL systemic problems in the LA and in the way CIG currently accounts for itself.
A concerned voter
This comment was posted by a C4C supporter who has no motive other than to lie and distract people from the truth.
Hello the man was discussing why he chose to run with a party, he wasnt revealing any new policies.
Perhaps he or she is, but they've got a point.
Exactly!! Al Suckoo is explaining why he chose to run with a Party. The Progressives will roll out their Manifesto in due time- My guess is they are holding back on it so the "Not a Party but acting like a Party , Party won't be able to steal their ideas. I already hear some of them on Rooster repeating word for word what the Progressives have said on previous shows. Let them all sweat a bit!!
Winston Conolly repeated word for word what Al Suckoo and Marco Archer have been saying on Rooster all along. I was disgusted, it seems like the C4C cannot even form an original thought. Winston lets not forget who you are in business with! There is a lot that can be said about that and it will be said.
c4c alert. what a joke. you say that you're there to alert people on supporters for c4c badmouthing policticians. But you're propoganda is the exact same thing. bad mouthing another political group. wouldnt be surprised if c4c alert was mckeeva or some other peasant from the udp
A concerned voter or a C4C supporter who hates the PPM or Alden in particular?
Just askin'
Please look for and post accurate figures on the "sea of debt" to support this arguement. The repayments on the capital projects started by the last government are a very small part of current expenditure. Probably much less that the UDP spent on meaningless travel and the nation building fund. I would rather have new community centres which incude a school, post disaster feeding facility, hurricane shelter, community library, evening adult learning centre, sports facilities (even if the design was over the top) and roads and a new highly energy efficient government building than nothing any day. Ask any of us who went to CIHS how much better that facility would have been if anything significant had been done about the buildings in the last three decades. I challenge you to go and visit the current JGHS site and see it.