Exile, Don1 & RUdi, I have to ask.....

[Westman]

If we were to get rid of the Westminster system.....and get a Queen (Heaven help us), would we also get some Queentu-s as well? Forgive me, but I could not resist asking you gentlemen since you have been very strong representatives of the Duchess of Wood Hall.

[Exile]

Westman, understand that I only represent myself and my views. I don't support any kind of monarchy, neither a system that's not based on some kind of representational voice. Jamaica's obsession with the monarchy is idiotic at best and the talk of "Prince Andrew' is part of an ingrained lack of self-worth. This talk about getting rid of Westminister system is just talk. First thing we must do is get rid of the Queen of England as Head of State! If 50 years come and its the same story then we didn't deserve it. We could have an executive President or as Head of State similar to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. So many issues as we still stalling on the CCJ (Caribbean Court of Justice) as the highest court yet the Privy Council in England doesn't want us.
So first we must seek independence and autonomy as a country or region.
Why would we want a Queen or King for that matter. That's absolute hogwash and it's just taking a joke to far.
There must be constitutional change and if this will mean a system of governance that will be more inclusive than what we have now - I am all for it.

[Westman]

Interesting comments. Arent the curry drinkers (your SE Caribbean hosts) ahead of Ja as far as their view on the monarchy?

[Exile]

First of all, if you want to have a discussion try and leave out the name calling. It's totally unnecessary and does nothing to advance your argument or yourself as a serious person.

[Exile]

35 years as a Republic nation
By VERDEL BISHOP Saturday, September 24 2011

Today Trinidad and Tobago celebrates Republic Day, a day many citizens view as “just another holiday.” The sad reality is that many are ignorant of the significance of the day or even fail to see the importance of acknowledging what republicanism means to us personally and what it means for our society.

This year in observation of Republic Day, Newsday spoke with various public personalities, religious leaders, educational experts and some politicians to get their view on what Republic Day means to them.

Some believe that as a people, we are yet to embrace republicanism, while there are those whose hearts are filled with patriotism. Others expressed how proud they are of the nation’s progress and have promised to do their part in the progression of this country.

Being a republic nation means the supreme power rests in all the citizens entitled to vote (the electorate) and is exercised by representatives elected, directly or indirectly, by them and responsible to them. It means that instead of a monarchy, this country is now represented by a President, who is head of state.

Trinidad and Tobago became a Republic on August 1, 1976. The event is celebrated as a public holiday on September 24 because this is the date when the first Parliament met under the new Republican Constitution. The date was removed from the official calendar of holidays from 1999 to 2001 to make way for Spiritual Baptist (Shouter) Liberation Day which is celebrated on March 30. The Republic Day holiday was reinstated in 2002. Trinidad and Tobago has had four presidents in the last 35 years — Sir Ellis Clarke, Noor Hassanali, Arthur N R Robinson, and current head of state George Maxwell Richards.

More:
http://www.newsday.co.tt/features/0,147811.html

[Exile]

On February 23, 2011 the Republic of Guyana will celebrate 41 years since the nation became a republic.

[Exile]

Haiti is the world's oldest black republic and one of the oldest republics in the Western Hemisphere.

[Exile]

Upon assuming power, General Dessalines authorized the Constitution of 1804. This constitution, in terms of social freedoms, called for:
1. Freedom of Religion (Under Toussaint, Catholicism had been declared the official state religion);
2. All citizens of Haiti, regardless of skin color, to be known as "Black" (this was an attempt to eliminate the multi-tiered racial hierarchy that had developed in Haiti, with full or near full-blooded Europeans at the top, various levels of light to brown skin in the middle, and dark skinned "Kongo" from Africa at the bottom).
3. White men were forbidden from possessing property or domain on Haitian soil. Should the French return to reimpose slavery, Article 5 of the constitution declared: "At the first shot of the warning gun, the towns shall be destroyed and the nation will rise in arms."[15]
In January 1804, Dessalines, preferring Napoleon's style rather than the more liberal yet vulnerable type of political government of the French Republican Radicals (see liberalism and radicalism in France), proclaimed himself Emperor Jacques I. Yet two of his own advisers, Henri Christophe and Alexandre Pétion, helped provoke his assassination in 1806. The conspirators ambushed him north of Port-au-Prince at Pont Larnage (now known as Pont-Rouge) on October 17, 1806 en route to battle rebels to his regime.

[Peter R]

Exile, thanks for the history lesson. You should point out to the students that Guyana has an executive President who is the head of govt and also is head of state which is like the US model if I am not mistaken, while the TT President is head of state only and does not run the govt. That role is done by the Prime Minister.

It should also be noted that Guyana and TT are still part of the Commonwealth , whatever that means... (you actually get a chance to win some sports medals in a global (sort of) competition) even though they unburdened themselves of the Queen of England.

[Mosiah]

I'd prefer a Guyana setup for Jamaica. Why bother with another figure head of state?!?

[Willi]

Guyana is not the best of models to follow though (in terms of demonstrated outcomes)...

[Westman]

Good point. It was, though, meant to show that while some have caricatures of others in the West Indies, the others might have actually made more progress betond the colonial form of government. And that was what the question was really meant to elicit. Name calling isnt a recurring theme of most of my posts. I seldom use it. But, fortunately or unfortunately, it can ensure a response.

Have a good day.

[Exile]

Ok boss...hv a good day! I now hv the dreaded Dentist appointment...

[Jawge]

Ja has to set up mechanisms that will head the state off palntocracy. This takes vision and deep thought. You can't have one set of Jakans marching in accessing public funds to do as they please whilst the general population looks on.

The time has come for Ja's wealth to be spread among its people this way they can work with pride and enrich the lives and future of their children.

[Westman]

Thank you Che'. When r u coming to OTown?