Opposing views on the politician recall
said musa
One bill which had more bearing on the political life or death of elected representatives is designed to recall members of the House of Representatives before the expiry of their tenure in office. The member for Fort George Said Musa and Prime Minister Dean Barrow had opposing views on the issue. Musa said it should be up to the electorate to decide whether or not a politician should serve in government, not a piece of legislation.
Said Musa, Area Rep., Fort George
“We are proposing this law to remove a duly elected member of this house by recall mechanism and yet the law is saying no reason has to be given for the people who ever want to petition or whoever wants to petition for such a recall. That very act Mister Speaker to leaving out the need to give a reason does not make sense. In fact it opens the door for abuse and it opens the door for further polarization of politics in our country. Because it means that an overwhelming number can single out a member of the opposition for recall without giving reason. If they want to get rid of poor mister man from orange walk east, yes they can do it or if they want to get rid of the man from Dangriga, they can do it. What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander and I am saying before you make a move Mister Honorable Speaker because it may be directed at you too one day who knows.”
Dean Barrow
dean barrow
“The hypocrisy of the members on the other side is now legendary. But I certainly still continue to be amazed by the ease with which they flaunt that hypocrisy. This bill was introduced, how many weeks ago? Certainly well over a month. It was circulated August sixth. It went to the house committee. The leader of the opposition is a member of the house committee. No, no opposition member turned up for the meeting of the house committee. Wasn’t that the opportunity for us to engage in a debate about possible changes.”
Said Musa
“Once a petition has been made for your recall and it goes ahead and you are recalled, you cannot contest in that by election. Isn’t that depriving the people who may want to yes we taught him a lesson we show him that he can be recalled, he should do his work properly. Why deprived that person if he can convince the electorate that really he should be allowed to stand again in that bi-election.”
In the United States, most states have procedures to recall elected officials. Sometimes it is necessary, but it is rarely used in practice. It takes a lot of effort to organize a successful recall.
In 160 years, California has recalled governors twice. Right now 4/5 of the city council of the town of Bell, California, are subject to a recall election BECAUSE THEY STOLE MILLIONS FROM THE CITY’S TREASURY. Would Hon. Musa just let thieving politicians keep stealing for 5 years, with no way to remove them
HE — AND ALL OTHER POLITICIANS — SHOULD REMEMBER THAT THEY WORK FOR THE PEOPLE. IF THE PEOPLE WANT TO FIRE ANY INDIVIDUAL POLITICIAN THEY ELECTED, THEY MUST HAVE THAT POWER. After all, doesn’t all power GOB has come from the consent of the governed?
the law is designed to get rid a all teef quick before we end up 40 million + in the hole again. bring it!
Both PM and Sid Musa are just two politicians who only look out for themselves, The UDP is just a party of victimisation the UDP always target others who oesnt support them especially when the have the power. And as for thePUP they dont even take care of their own only those who are with a little more cash than the average JOE. Both men you both should be settion examples to pur country there are really young belizeans who do look up to you both despite your differences and dishonesty to our beautiful jewel the country i call home. To tell you the truth in terms of politics not only Belize feels the pain many other country does but in their own way and form buth gentle mens be the role model to country that was was once a different place with love and peace.
Mr PM must i remind you that this bill you present to the house is just another show off for your political agenda, remember those elections in the west when Mr Fernandez wanted to run you as the then leader of the opposition refuse over and over again for him to do so what did it take, did Beef gave up no he protested and it was the people of that constituenct that made it possible thir voice their protest. Mr Pm your bill is only to give you that authority not to allow those politician to be on ballots rather only those in your favour. Please Mr PM and opposition leader quit being judas neither of you both have the “COJONES” to come togheter and work together for a better BELIZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I now resides in the US but one hope to return back home to a country i once called home, Belize have a long way to go and the past will always be the past but there is still hope that our country can o better you men want to continue to be leaders thats good but quit talking about what needs to be done to fix the problems start being a part of the solution.
Nuff respect GUERRA’S
barrow you need to resign resign resignnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn under your leadership economy in the drain, education in the drain, tourism in the drain, exports in the drain ,imports in the drain corruption rampant , crime way way way out of control , not one good thing in this gov. you will go down as the worse gov in belizean history resign barrow get your ticket for miami hope you have made arrangements with your god obama for your green card resignnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
MR MUSA MAKES A GOOD POINT. IF THAT IS THE CASE WITH THE BILL, THAT NO REASON HAS TO BE GIVEN FOR SOMEONE TO REQUEST OR PETITION A RECAL, I BELIEVE THAT OPENS UP A WHOLE NEW CAN OF WORMS FOR ABUSE.
KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS GOV’T WILL BE OUT THE DOOR SHORTLY. SO THIS BILL WILL BENEFIT THEM, IN THE SENSE THAT FOLKS ARE USUALLY MAD AND UPSET AT THE FOLKS IN POWER. SO THIS GOV’T, WHO WILL SOON BE THE OPPOSITION, CAN EXPLOIT THAT NORMAL TENDANCY.
Said musa made a good point. Reason must b given to kick them out. I’m not taking sides just pointing out the obvious. Yes, the people should have a right to kick them out BUT there has to b a valid reason. Belizeans know there r a lot of spiteful people out there, it will cause problems. All details should b worked out before that bill is passed.
whomever is blvnjah….I agree with you…the UDP know that they will loose the next general election, and they will certainly use this mechanism when the citizens are mad……I strongly encourage and welcome this kind of initiative but it should be well analyzed. First of all, there should of course be a valid reason for removal or else political interest will influence citizens to vote in their favor with the help of monetary incentives. Secondly, to remove an elected candidate, then about 51 % of the constituents of a given area should approve it or else, the same percentage of UDP that voted against will vote for the removal of the candidate.
(I think the percentage for removal is 33% which can means that the voters of a single political party can remove their opponents because in Belize, the political parties share about 43% and 57% of voters in a given constituents;hence, automatically, the political parties will be able to remove government and create chaos)
Red Bear & Jose Guerra you nailed it. By the way, the Bell, California officials have been arrested & will be prosecuted.
Can we give the average Belizean voter a little credit? If I remember correctly, the signers of the recall petition must have voted in the preceding election & it would take a lot more than a simple majority. I would like to believe that most of my countrymen & women would ask questions or at least read the petition before signing it. We are talking about the same people won’t testify in court after being shot, stabbed & raped, does anyone really believe they will sign a petition just for the heck of it?
Maybe this was a strategic move by the UDP majority but we need to remember why PUP lost the last election.
It is ironic that “For no reason” seems to be the explanation for everything we cannot or do not want to explain. “Dey kill mi pickney fi no reason”, “Dey saach mi house fi no reason” “Dey seh a hafto pay extra tax fi no reason except the man mi need the $32,000,000.00 & ih mi di represent me”
Mr Musa makes a valid point. I can’t help but think that I am just so fed up of the circus of UDP and PUP. These people have determined the fates of Belizeans for so long its sickening. Look at the country, development? They haven’t got a clue. The pompous Joe Briceno, the leader of the opposition spends his time being spiteful, childish and feckless. He forgets that his role is to attend these important sessions in the house committee and so on. To be honest it seems we will be replacing Barrow with an airhead. He has no leadership skills remember PUP struggled to accept him as their own leader. Whats sad is that we have thousands of illiterate people like Rod who write nonsense every day. Who can blame him when he was educated in such poor education system (s) under these politicians, whilst their children received the best education in Belize and then gained funding to further their education in tertiary institutions abroad. I don’t give a —–who want to response, don’t bother because I won’t read the drivel. As you idiots will be there shouting PUP all the way and down with UDP and vice versa like monkeys and thats exactly these people see us as. God help us all
When the next election comes, barrow will be voted out by 54% of the people. It was the worse time for Barrow to ever take office when economy and education, was already in the ditch and crime like a regular cold in Belize and Recession was inevitable. Belizean leaders lack vision, interpersonal communication skills, and the most important, confidence to resolve anything important. When your leader lacks the skill of competency morale becomes bed mate with economy and education dwells in the ditch. Bad leadership victimized democracy in a country.
You don’t need Barrow or Musa for change, you need a new party, not related to any present parties.
When the flaw ridden individual like Musa takes office he will try his earnest to try to clean up his own mess that he incompetently left behind. Sadly, the same people who voted out Barrow will be begging for Musa to be replaced. Even with a third party begging for votes the people will never vote for the, and WHY? TRADITION.
LET’S PUT THE LAW TO A TEST………….
The Country of Belize is suffering from the lack of credible leadership.Neither of the current political parties have suitable candidates within thier parties that will unite and bring Belize to a state of normalcy. Therefore, Independents must rise to this occasion and educate the Belizean electorate that there are options to the stale candidates from the two major Political parties headed By gullible attorneys who do not serve the interest of the people and the country- other than that of thier cronies and business partners.Wake up my fellow Belizeans !
I am not a pup,or udp,but i will agree with Musa,its the belizeans who vote,or ellect that politician that should recal him,or move him out ,that is how it is done here in the USA,if citizens are not happy with the,say the mayor,because he is not doing his job,he gets recalled,how?all citizens of that town,or village need to do is to collect firms,then get that leaders out of his job,works very well,,belize needs such law.
tha law should not be applied to ministers,but to all leaders of belize,mayors,etc,etc,and that,like mr musa says,should be decided by the belizean people,say if the coyo minister,or mayor,are not doing their job,or turn out to be crooks in power,the people should have the power to recall them,period,tha law works great here in the usa,
This is a good move! Said’s only excuse or concern is to save the hide of the elected official. Listen to his comment that it can affect both sides of the isle; to which I say you are dam straight!
I would suggest to Mr. Musa that if the elected official get up and work hard for the people there will be no need to concern yourself of this. People only get fired if they do not do good on their jobs. This bill amounts to the same: here is how you won’t get fired: Don’t lie to the people; don’t steal or spend with little thought the tax payers money; abide by all the laws of the land. Also don’t forget that you are there to serve and protect the people of Belize not to be a ruller or a dictator. Only those that break the law are concerned about things like this!
My only suggestion is that enough stipulations should be in place that this law would only come into effect for serious or continuous infractions, and that his/her replacement should be also duely elected by the people in a special election (which could be costly) held no more than 3 months after his dismissal.
I am neither UDP or PUP but from UDP got into power they have done nothing but seek out those who are not on their band wagon and find all kind of ways to get back at them. Some of the things that they are doing are totally illegal but because they are in power no one can contest them. This party is driven by revenge they didnt want to get in power to help the Belizean ppl but to take revenge on those who have not supported them, its obvious by the silly bills and the firing of innocent ppl when they got into office. They promised everything under the sun when they wanted to win they knew the crime and economy needed fixing but when they wanted to get rich quick they had the plan to fix things now that they money is in the bank they are still blaming the PUP the ppl voted you in PM to fix the country not point fingers.
Amen………..CEO !! What is Said so afraid of?? If your government is transparent and accountable then you don’t need to already be sweating bullets about ANY recall legislation.
Only crimminals get jumpy when they see the police in their neighborhood.
Mussi don di red ih eye pahn wah nadda 40 million………